After the Aldia's Fiery Night and the noble scandal that shook the palace, the atmosphere of the Eldia Empire turned cold and tense. The halls became silent. The servants' smiles turned stiff. And every head bowed lower than usual.
But to Emperor Eldia, this was more than just danger inside the palace.
It was a warning...
That the shadows had begun to move.
---
In a secret meeting room beneath the palace, dim blue candlelight flickered. In the center of the round chamber, the Emperor stood tall, holding his golden scepter high.
He struck the marble floor three times.
> "Starting today, I form the Shadow Hunters Division. Find and capture James Moriarty—dead or alive."
The heads of elite commanders and high mages nodded slowly.
Then—heels echoed through the silence.
A tall woman stepped forward. She was stunning, in her twenties, elegant but sharp like a blade. Her short black hair framed a calm face. Her violet eyes were hidden behind thin silver glasses.
Ashtar Lebrian.
> "I accept this mission, Your Majesty. I will bring back that shadow's head… or my corpse will be the price."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
"Make sure your words are not just empty promises."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
---
In the underground investigation chamber, Ashtar worked with her elite team.
Maps were laid out. Clues were posted. Letters from both major incidents—Aldia's Fiery Night and the Revan Case—were deeply analyzed.
Ashtar stood at the center of a meeting.
> "The motive isn't power. Not revenge. This… is art."
One of her aides asked:
> "What do you mean, Captain?"
She stared at a magical projection of Moriarty's letters.
> "He's putting on a show. Corpses are his paintbrush. Fear… is his favorite color."
She wrote on the board:
> "Psychological Profile: Death Artist."
---
Days later, luxury carriages from the northern border entered Eldia's capital.
Grand Duke Reinhard Greystone, the representative of the Barforia Empire, came to discuss alliances in trade and defense. With elegant blonde hair, slightly tanned skin, and deep black eyes, he looked like a prince from a legend.
He was welcomed by the entire royal family. Princes, princesses, and high officials lined up in the Southern Hall.
Elric stood quietly in the back.
Wearing a dark blue cloak, his hair neatly combed, and his blue eyes calm like a frozen lake.
A servant whispered:
> "Prince Elric, why aren't you showing proper respect?"
Elric gave a small smile.
> "I am bowing…"
---
That night, the moon hung like an eye watching all sins below.
Grand Duke Reinhard slept peacefully in his lavish guestroom. The wind blew through a window that… had somehow opened by itself.
A soft sound echoed:
> "Tap… tap… tap…"
A slow step. A shadow moved out of the darkness.
A tall figure entered wearing a long cloak. A silver mask covered their face. A silver cane gleamed in their hand.
Reinhard woke up and quickly reached for his sword.
> "Who are you?! Guards!"
No response.
The figure stood silently on the balcony, facing the moonlight.
Then… the voice came.
> "I am… James Moriarty."
Reinhard narrowed his eyes, stepping forward.
> "Do you think dressing like a ghost will scare me?!"
Before he could strike, a black magic circle appeared on the floor. Shadow chains burst out and wrapped around his body.
Reinhard screamed:
> "Coward!"
The figure raised their cane.
A pillar of dark blue fire engulfed the room.
No sound.
No light escaped the magic.
And in complete silence… Grand Duke Reinhard died—his eyes wide open, staring at his end.
On the floor, a small card was left behind:
> "War is my next symphony. I hope you enjoy the tune. — JM"
---
Bloody Morning and the Fall of Peace
The next morning, the Grand Duke's door stayed shut.
Guards knocked. No answer.
When they broke it open, the room looked untouched. No signs of battle. No magic residue.
But on the bed… Grand Duke Reinhard lay lifeless, his face frozen in fear.
Ashtar arrived within minutes.
> "Check for magical traces. Open the second layer. Scan for hidden energy."
But every test showed nothing.
She clenched her jaw.
> "Impossible. He covered his trail before we even arrived."
A mage picked up a small card from the floor.
> "This card… has 'JM' written on it."
Ashtar read it with her usual cold expression.
> "War is my next symphony…"
---
Declaration of War
News of the Grand Duke's death reached Barforia within a day.
Emperor Almorth Greystone crushed the Eldia newspaper in his trembling hand.
> "They… killed Reinhard… and blame a shadow?!"
A royal advisor spoke softly:
> "Your Majesty, they claim it was someone called 'Moriarty'… the same man who attacked them earlier…"
> "Nonsense! This is an insult to diplomacy! If they can't protect my envoy, they don't deserve peace!"
Within three days, Barforia's army moved toward the border.
Eldia sent envoys with letters begging for peace:
> "He's not one of us… He's a shadow… our common enemy…"
But the only reply was:
> "Moriarty may be your killer… or your creation."
---
For the first time in twenty years, the two greatest empires on the continent prepared for war.
All because of one name—
A man with no army. No rank.
Just a name.
> "James Moriarty."
Markets buzzed with rumors.
"He's a demon…"
"He's a ghost…"
"He's a genius…"
Children whispered in fear:
"Don't cheat… or Moriarty will come for you…"
---
In the Eastern Wing…
Elric sat quietly on his balcony, the night wind brushing his blonde hair.
In his hand, the system screen glowed—showing statistics and chaos levels across the empire.
He smiled softly. Not too wide. Not too proud.
"The war has only just begun…"
He looked up at the night sky.
"To those watching behind the invisible curtain… are you entertained? Or do you still believe in fairy tales of peace? I rewrote your script, replaced joy with screams, love with hatred. Funny, isn't it… how one whisper from the shadows can turn an entire drama… into an opera of slaughter? Bravo. This is only the beginning."
Behind the glass balcony, a faint reflection appeared.
James Moriarty—smiling.
The show…
Had just begun.