Imperial Council Room, Eldia Palace
The air was heavy with tension. Nobles, generals, and royal advisors sat around a golden round table. In the center stood Valeria, wearing her white royal cloak, her sharp gaze piercing through the worried and nervous faces around her.
"Altair... has escaped," Valeria said bluntly. The room burst into panicked whispers.
General Riven slammed his hand on the table. "Impossible! The northern exile is guarded by five elite squads! No one could pass through without an army—or..."
"Or help from the inside," Valeria cut in coldly. "We're investigating every name on duty that night. For now, I want to hear from you. What should we do next?"
Duke Alven, an old noble from the East, spoke up, "Altair is not just a fugitive. He's a symbol. The old emperor's loyalists will see this as a chance to rise again!"
"We can't wait. There must be an official statement," added Lady Mirn, the advisor for public affairs. "The people need to see that Her Majesty Valeria is still in control—not chained by the past."
Valeria looked at everyone, then said, "Prepare the royal decree. Altair is now officially declared a traitor and a fugitive. Anyone who hides him... will be treated as a traitor too."
The room went cold. One by one, the nobles nodded, though some looked hesitant.
"Meeting dismissed. One last thing," Valeria said as she walked to the door. "If any of you think helping Altair will bring you power... remember: I'm no longer the little girl you once betrayed."
---
Secret Location – Ars Moriendi Headquarters, Beneath the Ancient Temple
In a round stone room surrounded by strange blue flames, the members of Ars Moriendi gathered. Moriarty sat in the center, calm as always. Around him stood Leonhardt, Sereth, Rion, and Lysa.
"Altair is free. Just like you predicted, Master," Sereth said, arms crossed.
"Not a prediction... just understanding the heart of a man who's lost everything," Moriarty replied.
Rion spoke in a relaxed tone, "So, will we interfere? Or let him be a thorn in Valeria's side? What about the group that helped him escape?"
Moriarty stared at the large map on the wall. "We don't need to push Altair. And that group... is already part of my plan." He smirked.
Everyone fell silent.
Moriarty: "Leonhardt, your report."
Leonhardt nodded and opened a scroll.
Leonhardt: "We infiltrated the slave auction in the Dark Port. One case stood out... she doesn't sell skills—she sells fear."
Moriarty: "Her name?"
Lysa grinned, "A woman. Stage name Belladona. From the Karth swamps. Expert in poison, illusion, and hypnosis."
Rion added, "She killed three knights using simple homemade poison."
Moriarty smiled. "Then let's welcome Belladona... to the family."
---
Underground Auction House, Vallum
Incense smoke floated in the grand, filthy underground hall. The walls were decorated with gold carvings, but the floor was stained with dried blood and tears. A bell rang, marking the start of the night's auction.
Young bodies were dragged onto the stage like products. Chains wrapped their hands and necks. Their eyes were empty.
"Next! Rare slave from the South-East! Natural green hair! Eighteen years old! Still a virgin! Wild nature—untamed!"
Cheering and disgusting laughter filled the room.
A thin girl was dragged onto the stage. Her clothes were torn, whip marks covered her back and legs. Her green hair and golden eyes were striking. But her gaze… was not empty. It burned. Not like a slave—more like a beast ready to bite.
Her name wasn't called. It was taken from her the day she was first sold.
"Starting bid: 50 gold coins!"
"60!"
"75!"
"100!"
"She's wild, be careful! Bit her last owner!" the auctioneer shouted, kicking her to the floor. But she didn't cry. She spat.
A fat noble stepped forward, covered in gems. "How much if I want to test her... tonight?"
More filthy laughter followed.
Belladona narrowed her eyes. But then… a soft voice came from the shadows.
"One platinum coin," said a man walking calmly from the darkness. He wore a black cloak and a silver half-mask.
Everyone turned. His voice was soft—but powerful.
The auctioneer stuttered. "T-That's... five times the market price..."
"I'm not buying a slave. I'm buying a chance," said the masked man.
Belladona's eyes met his. Cold. Sharp. But not disgusting.
"Who... are you?" she whispered.
He bowed slightly. "Someone... who wants to see the world burn."
---
Hours After the Auction
Screams and the clash of metal echoed in the underground halls.
Dozens of bodies lay lifeless—mouths foaming, hands clutching their chests like their blood had boiled.
Belladona stood in the middle, bloody but alive. Her golden eyes now glowed red.
She held a small bottle—poison she'd stolen from her master's storage. Her hand trembled, but her smile was cruel.
"See you... in hell."
From the shadows, the masked man reappeared.
"That's enough. Come with me... before they find you."
Belladona stared. "Why? You paid for me. You could own me too."
The man smiled slightly, his handsome face half-hidden behind the mask.
"I don't need a slave. I need people... who've been burned alive, but kept walking."
Belladona nodded slowly.
And her name... was born again in that bloody night.
"My name... is Belladona."
---
Underground Headquarters, Three Days Later
Footsteps echoed in the black stone chamber. In the main hall of Ars Moriendi, a round obsidian table sat in silence.
Moriarty was seated at the head. Calm, observant. Beside him stood Leonhardt, Lysa, Rion... and a new woman with green hair and dagger-sharp eyes: Belladona.
"Welcome... to the heart of chaos," Moriarty said, snapping his fingers.
The candles lit up slowly, revealing a giant 'M' symbol on the back wall.
"Name?" Leonhardt asked sharply.
The woman stared at him. Then answered, "Belladona."
Rion squinted. "Former slave from Vallum's Dark Auction, right?"
"Not 'former'," Belladona said coldly. "I killed three knights with my own poison. After that... they called me the Hell Girl."
Lysa whistled, raising an eyebrow. "Interesting~"
Moriarty smiled, watching her like a golden chess piece.
"You were sold, caged, whipped, tested with failed drugs... and you survived. Why?"
Belladona lifted her head. "Because dying... is only for people the world wants to forget."
Moriarty laughed softly. "Such a lovely line for a killer. I like it."
He stepped closer and handed her a small box.
"This isn't a gift. It's a symbol—you're now part of the spider's web. Inside: red poison. One drop... and blood boils in five seconds."
Belladona opened it and smiled wickedly. "Finally... I have something to fight back."
Moriarty placed a hand on her shoulder.
"And the world will regret... ever trying to own you."
---
Next Day, Ars Moriendi Headquarters
The core members gathered again. Belladona now sat calmly, spinning a green poison vial between her fingers.
Moriarty: "Today, I plant roots inside the remaining light—Valeria herself."
Leonhardt: "You plan to kill her?"
Moriarty: "No. I'll control her. We'll enter her heart... and shape a new Aldia from within the palace."
Lysa whispered, "Controlling the light... from the shadows."
Rion: "And if she refuses?"
Moriarty: "Then the light will die. And only we... know how to light it again."
---
Night, Valeria's Room – Eldia Palace
Princess Valeria was reading a letter when she heard a soft knock at the window.
A man with an unfamiliar face stood on her balcony—silver hair, messy, with blue eyes like a quiet lake at night. His smile was gentle.
"Elric," she whispered, tears in her eyes. She ran to hug him.
For once, Valeria felt peace.
"How did you get here past the guards?"
"I didn't come through the gates... I came through the shadows," he said, sitting on the balcony like a raven.
"Why are you here?" Valeria asked.
"I heard there was a new light in the world. I wanted to see it... before it fades."
Valeria looked at him. "You're strange. But... not scary."
Elric smiled, "The most dangerous people... never look scary."
They talked for a long time. About the people. About pain. About the past.
"Elric... have you ever lost everything?" she asked softly.
"Yes," he said. "But that's not what changed me. What changed me was realizing... the world didn't lose anything when I fell. The world didn't care. So I learned... to become the world itself."
Valeria stayed quiet. Then whispered, "I... want to create a new world."
Elric almost laughed. "Then... let me be its architect."
Valeria hugged him again, her eyes full of tears. "You're my dearest little brother."
---