A Vision for the Future
Ainz stood atop a cliff, gazing at the vast untouched land before him. Rolling hills stretched into the horizon, rivers shimmered under the sunlight, and a dense forest surrounded the open plains. This land, unclaimed and hidden from the world, would become his kingdom.
He clenched his fist, feeling the weight of his past and the burden of those who followed him. He had spent years surviving alone, but now he had others who looked up to him. Beasts, demi-humans, and even former enemies had pledged their loyalty.
"This will be our home," Ainz declared.
The creatures standing behind him roared in agreement.
The First Citizens: Gathering the Races
The Orcs:
The first to follow Ainz were the Orcs. He had saved them from a high-rank monster horde that threatened to wipe out their village. The Orc Chief, a towering warrior named Gorrak, knelt before him.
"We owe you our lives, great one. Let us serve you."
Despite their brutish appearance, the Orcs were disciplined and hardworking. They became the kingdom's builders, constructing the foundation of the city with their immense strength.
The Beastkin:
Ainz had once encountered a tribe of feline and wolf-like humanoids who were enslaved by human nobles. He destroyed the slavers and freed them. Many left to return to their homelands, but a few chose to stay, including a lion-headed warrior named Kael.
"We have no home left. If you'll have us, we will fight for you."
The Beastkin became the scouts and warriors, skilled in tracking and hunting.
The Dark Elves:
Deep within an ancient ruin, Ainz had found a clan of Dark Elves who had been cursed by a failed magical experiment. He used his advanced alchemy to lift their curse.
"No ruler has ever shown us kindness. We will dedicate our magic to you, Lord Ainz."
They became the scholars, alchemists, and magic users of the kingdom.
The Dwarves:
Ainz had cleared a dungeon that had trapped a group of Dwarves. In gratitude, they offered their expertise in forging and crafting.
"You saved our kin! We'll make weapons worthy of your power!"
The Dwarves became the kingdom's blacksmiths and artisans.
The Undead Legion:
Ainz found a forgotten graveyard where restless spirits and undead wandered without purpose. With his god-tier skills, he purified their anger and gave them intelligence. The result was an army of disciplined undead knights and spectral warriors.
"We serve the one who freed us from madness."
They became the kingdom's immortal guardians.
The Construction of the Hidden City
With each race contributing, the city rose from nothing.
Walls of Titanstone: A material harder than mithril, mined from deep underground by the Orcs and Dwarves.
A Vast Underground Network: Hidden chambers, emergency tunnels, and magical concealment created by the Dark Elves.
Floating Towers: Ancient relics modified by Ainz to hover above the kingdom as defensive watchtowers.
A Market of Wonders: Traders from different species brought rare goods, creating an economy unseen in the outside world.
As the years passed, the city flourished. It was named Veltharion, meaning The Eternal Sanctuary.
The Birth of a King
One night, a meeting was held among the leaders of each race.
Kael, the lion-headed warrior, stood. "We follow you, Ainz. But we cannot remain a scattered people. We need a leader—a king."
The others agreed.
Ainz sighed, looking at the faces around him. A king... Me?
He had never sought power or rule. He had only wanted a place where his people could live safely. But as he looked around, he realized he was already leading them.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward. "Then I will protect this kingdom with my life."
The hall erupted into cheers.
And so, Ainz, once a lone wanderer, became the ruler of Veltharion, the hidden empire.