Three days after Valeria's speech, the city of Eldia was still covered in smoke and tension. But inside the palace, something even bigger was happening.
---
Emperor's Private Room – Night
Emperor Eldred sat alone. His body looked weak, his hand shaking as he held a glass of wine. His face was pale, full of fear.
"...Ashtar, you said they're calm. So why do I still feel death watching me from the shadows?"
Ashtar stood in full military uniform, calm and quiet.
"Because, Your Majesty," he answered, "that shadow is not just your fear. It's real. And it's coming."
Suddenly—
CRACK!
The window burst open. Cold wind entered the room.
From behind the curtain, a man in a black cloak stepped out. His face was hidden behind a mask.
"Protect me, Ashtar!" the Emperor shouted.
The masked man smiled. "Death doesn't knock. It comes to take. Feel the pain we've felt all these years."
Ashtar didn't waste time. He summoned his magic and fought. The masked man's sword was fast—almost invisible. But Ashtar was a genius with magic. He blocked every blow and attacked back.
The killer stepped back, then dashed toward the Emperor.
Ashtar screamed, "NOOO!!!"
SSSHHHK!
A magic blade pierced the Emperor's chest. His eyes widened. The wine glass dropped, mixing with his blood on the floor.
Ashtar rushed forward, but the killer vanished with dark teleportation magic.
The Emperor took his last breath in Ashtar's arms.
"Don't… let them destroy this land…"
---
Palace Watchtower – The Next Morning
The death bells rang across the city. Crowds gathered, filled with fear and confusion.
"The Emperor… is dead!"
"Killed?! By who?!"
"Was it Barforia?!"
"Who cares? That tyrant deserved to die!"
Valeria stood in the royal hall, her eyes full of tears, but her voice strong. She wore a white and gold robe.
"People of Eldia," she said. "Today, I don't stand as a princess… but as the guardian of our nation's final light."
The crowd fell silent. Many bowed. Others watched in awe.
"My father was murdered. And today, I swear on his name, and for all of you… I will end this curse."
---
Emergency Council – Same Day
Ashtar led the emergency meeting with top generals and advisors.
"That killer was fast and skilled. But I doubt he's from Ars Moriendi. Moriarty wouldn't be that careless."
General Velgorn asked, "So what now?"
Valeria entered the room with Sereth beside her.
"Our first move is cleaning house. Prepare the troops. We arrest all nobles involved in corruption, human trafficking, and betrayal."
The generals looked at each other. Velgorn stood and bowed.
"In the name of the light… we follow."
---
Two Days Later
The city was full of military activity. Nobles were being arrested, one by one, and brought to the people's court.
Count Zirel shouted as he was chained.
"You can't do this! I have noble immunity!"
Ashtar stepped close, eyes sharp.
"Immunity? In the face of treason? You'll get a trial… not protection."
---
Imperial Court – Three Days After the Emperor's Death
Valeria sat on a simple but noble throne. Around her stood Ashtar, Velgorn, and people's representatives.
Revan and Altair were brought in under guard.
Valeria looked at them. "This is not just about you. It's about the people's trust. You were part of a broken system."
Revan bowed. "I didn't know everything… but I won't run. If I'm guilty, judge me."
Altair shouted, angry. "This is unfair! I was framed! The people follow you because of feelings, not logic!"
Ashtar stepped forward.
"We found letters between Altair and Barforia. The magic ink can't be faked."
Altair froze. His face turned pale.
Valeria said, "I won't sentence you today. But you will be exiled until the investigation is over."
Revan nodded. Altair shouted again. "You think you deserve the throne?! That should be mine!!"
Valeria stood. Soft magic light glowed from her body.
"I am not a copy of Father. I am a new light. And you… are part of the old shadow."
---
One Week Later
The sky was clear. Thousands filled the plaza. Valeria walked toward the sacred altar, with chants from the Astral Tower wizards.
Sereth placed a new crown in her hands.
Valeria spoke:
"I, Valeria Eldienne, swear to protect this land, not as a ruler… but as its light. I will burn away corruption, protect the weak, and rebuild hope."
The crown was placed on her head. Magic light filled the sky.
The people shouted:
"Long live Valeria! Light of Eldia!"
From far away, in the ruins, Moriarty watched through a magic mirror.
He smiled behind his mask.
"And so… the final piece takes the throne. It's time for Act Two."
---
Main Hall of the Ruined Palace – Days Later
Valeria stood before her throne. Around her, captured nobles knelt: Marquis Hestern, Count Zirel, and twelve others.
Ashtar stood beside her with a long list of names.
Valeria: "I don't stand here for revenge. I stand because you betrayed the people."
Marquis Hestern: "We only followed orders, Your Majesty. It was for stability!"
Ashtar: "Stability built on hunger, political murders, and secret deals with our enemies?"
Count Zirel: "You can't prove—"
BAM!
The doors burst open. Greivahn entered, now a key witness. He held a large scroll with broken seals.
"Did you think I would stay silent after being betrayed? No. I saw this rot for years. Now I'll cleanse it."
Valeria handed the scroll to Ashtar.
"For crimes against the people of Aldia, you won't die. That's too easy. You'll live long enough to be forgotten."
---
Revan and Altair's courtroom – Same Day
Altair and Revan sat in judgment seats. Judges, commanders, and people's envoys surrounded them.
Judge: "Altair Eldian, Revan Eldian. You are charged with failing the empire, neglecting duty, and indirectly supporting corruption. Your defense?"
Revan stood.
"I only thought about the crown. But I was wrong. The right one is not born in gold… but bleeds with the people. I'm guilty. But I want to fix it."
Altair shouted, angry and wounded. "They framed me! Let me go, I'm your prince!"
The judges discussed.
Judge: "We strip you of your noble rights. But, for your confessions, you will not be jailed. Instead, you'll serve as regular soldiers in the Eldia Reconstruction Battalion."
Revan bowed.
Altair screamed, "That crown was mine! Valeria doesn't deserve it!"
---
Ars Moriendi Headquarters – That Night
Moriarty sat on his throne made of burned law books and broken emblems.
Leonhardt stood to his left. Lysa to his right.
Moriarty grinned.
"So the old world falls. But the light I chose… truly shines. Valeria is not just a symbol. She's a game-changer."
Rion entered with news.
"The people are calling this the Era of the White Rose. An era led not by blood… but by trust."
Moriarty chuckled, a grand plan forming in his mind.
---
Central Eldia – Valeria's Final Speech
Valeria stood under the clear sky, in front of thousands.
"Eldia is not mine. Eldia belongs to us all. Let us rewrite this world… together."
The crowd cheered.
Black crows flew across the sky.
Far away, on top of a ruined tower, Moriarty disappeared into the shadows.
On a stone nearby, one sentence remained:
"Light cannot exist… without a darker shadow."