The Imperial Palace of Aldia shone brightly that night.
Crystal candles lit up the grand hall, glittering dresses twirled in noble dances, and soft classical music echoed under a sky full of stars. Tonight was the "Heritage Festival," an annual celebration honoring the royal princes and princesses who showed great achievement.
But... not all princes were invited.
Elric, the Fourth Prince, wasn't even mentioned in the event announcement. His name was erased like a stain they wanted to forget.
But he wasn't angry.
He smiled.
---
While nobles danced and toasted in the main hall, Elric sat calmly in his East Wing room, staring at the night sky through a small window. Around him, dozens of crows stood still like an army. His eyes glowed softly—but coldly.
"They really forgot me. Hm... isn't this the perfect time to remind them who they threw away?" he said quietly, stroking the head of a crow on his shoulder.
The crow nodded slowly. Elric gave a small smile.
"Tonight will become a legend. The world will witness the true art of a performance."
---
And so... the terror began.
Right as the party reached its peak, the crystal chandeliers began to flicker.
The music stopped. Guests looked at each other, confused.
"What's going on?"
"Is the magic power failing?"
"This... is strange."
Then... all lights went out.
Darkness covered the grand hall.
Next came the screams.
Hundreds of black crows crashed through the glass windows, storming in with terrifying speed. They clawed noble faces, tore down curtains, knocked over golden cups and candles.
"Aaaah!"
"Crows! We're under attack!"
"Protect the Crown Prince!"
Then from the corner of the hall, fire appeared.
The flames spread quickly—burning tables of food, the orchestra stage, and the grand curtains. Panic exploded.
Nobles ran in all directions, tripping over their gowns.
"Get water! Put out the fire!"
"Call the Fire Knights!"
But they were too late. The crows moved with purpose—blocking exits, scattering the guards, even dropping candles into oil on the floor.
The Emperor himself had to flee the hall with scratches on his face.
Amidst the chaos, someone found a piece of paper on the burning marble floor.
> "Tonight is a symphony of truth. Fear is the music. And I am the conductor. – James Moriarty"
Next to the paper stood a silver wand—elegant, smooth, reflecting the firelight. On its tip, carved words: James Moriarty.
---
Back in the East Wing, Elric was sipping tea from a cracked porcelain cup.
"Have they read my message?" he asked the returning crow, its feathers slightly burnt.
The crow nodded.
"Good." Elric took another sip. "Too sweet... but tonight is worth celebrating."
---
The next day, the world remembered that night with one name:
"Aldia's Fiery Night."
Three nobles dead, eight badly injured, and the palace's entire security system humiliated. No clues were found except the letter and the wand that couldn't be traced.
The royal advisors gathered in tension.
"Could this be an attack from another kingdom?"
"No, it's too symbolic. That name—Moriarty—who is it?"
"There's no record of such a person. But this isn't just an attack. It's a message."
No one suspected the seven-year-old boy in the East Wing.
But behind his calm smile, Elric reopened his small notebook.
"A perfect chaos for a first performance. Beautiful," he whispered, writing down notes for improvement.
In his room's mirror, he stood small—but his shadow stretched across the room. In the reflection, a faint figure appeared: an old man in fine clothes, smiling with a familiar smirk...
James Moriarty.
Elric smiled.
"The first act... was a success. But this is just the beginning."
---
And the night skies above the Aldian Empire... didn't know that darker nights were coming soon.