Among the many nobles of the palace, there was Lord Greivahn. He was once loyal to the Emperor, but now, he was losing power and mocked by the young nobles.
In frustration and anger, Greivahn received a letter with no sender. It said:
> "You were thrown away by the kingdom you protected. But I... can raise you higher than ever before. Give information, and receive eternal honor." – M
Greivahn stared at the letter with shaking hands.
Greivahn: "Who… dares to send this to my house?"
But when he looked up, a shadow had already disappeared outside the window. Only a black raven feather remained.
"Moriarty…"
Greivahn finally gave in to the shadows. He started to send secret documents from inside the palace, including:
Supply route maps,
Secret alliance lists of the princes,
And the private meeting schedule of the royal heirs.
Greivahn: "If this works… I'll rise again among those young nobles. No… I'll be above them."
---
Moriarty looked at the pile of documents from Greivahn and smiled slightly.
Leonhardt: "Are you sure we'll use this now, Master?"
Moriarty: "Prince Altair is strong. But if he falls… the entire line of succession will collapse."
Lysa sat in the corner, looking at photos of the princes.
Lysa: "This one… Altair. He's handsome. But his eyes… they're empty."
Rion rushed in, holding an envelope.
Rion: "The fake letter in Barforian language is ready. We also have the coins and the assassin guild's seal."
Moriarty took the letter and read it.
Moriarty: "Convincing enough. Now, we just need one witness…"
He smiled at a servant standing in the corner—silent, head bowed.
---
Ashtar Lebrian slammed the table.
Ashtar: "This doesn't make sense! Altair isn't the kind of person who would—"
An investigator cut in.
Investigator: "But all the evidence points to him, Lady. And… that servant swore he saw Altair meeting with Barforians."
Ashtar went silent. His thoughts raced.
Ashtar: "Too clean. Too easy… This is a setup. But who… who's crazy enough to frame a prince…"
---
Altair was locked in the palace dungeon. Inside the cell, he stared at the wall with red eyes.
Altair: "Who… wants to destroy me...? I'll make them pay for this!!! I won't let them live."
---
Moriarty stood in the underground war room. The chessboard was open. In front of him, the white king piece had fallen.
Moriarty: "It's time to shake the palace again."
Leonhardt drew his sword.
Leonhardt: "Who's the target tonight?"
Moriarty: "The Astral Tower. Where they hide their strongest magic… and darkest secrets."
Rion grinned.
Rion: "Infiltration at one o'clock. Lysa?"
Lysa held up a small vial.
Lysa: "This sleeping poison… can't be detected by magic. In 10 minutes… all the guards will sleep like babies."
Moriarty wrapped himself in a black cloak.
Moriarty: "Tonight, I'll appear myself. Let the world know… I'm alive."
---
Emperor Galvian dropped his cup.
Emperor: "What...? The Astral Tower… DESTROYED?!"
Ashtar frowned.
Ashtar: "No imperial magic can trace him… it's like… he already knew our defenses."
Emperor: "You should've worked harder, damn it!!!"
Ashtar: "We are trying, Your Majesty. We'll capture James Moriarty as soon as possible."
---
In the slums, people gathered.
Citizen 1: "He destroyed the Astral Tower… and killed the corrupt mages."
Citizen 2: "He's… a protector against injustice."
A small child drew the thorned rose symbol on a wall using charcoal.
---
Moriarty sat in an underground room that had now grown into a hidden city, glowing with crystal-lit tunnels.
Leonhardt: "How do we bring down the next throne, Master?"
Moriarty turned his silver ring.
Moriarty: "We need a new face. Someone the people can trust. But someone we control."
Lysa stared at the crystal screen, showing a young girl speaking to a crowd.
Lysa: "Princess Valeria… The Emperor's third child."
Moriarty nodded slowly.
Moriarty: "She's innocent. Kind-hearted. But… she won't survive this world alone."
Rion grinned.
Rion: "And that's where… we step in."
Moriarty looked up at the cave ceiling.
Moriarty: "Let them see her as the light… while the shadows control everything behind the curtain."
---
On top of the Shadow Tower, Moriarty stood watching the night sky.
Leonhardt: "Everything is going as planned, Master."
Moriarty replied softly.
Moriarty: "Not a plan. A destiny… that I rewrote."
And from afar… the voices of the people echoed through the streets.
People: "Long live the Shadow…! Long live justice…! Long live Moriarty!"
Moriarty closed his eyes.
Moriarty: "They don't know who I am. But they know… what I bring."
He opened his eyes slowly.
Moriarty: "Revolution."
---