The first phase of Operation Specter had concluded and it was a crushing victory for the Presia dukedom. The strike against Arshan ignited chaos that was already simmering within the Ephor dukedom. Fear spread, but more importantly… hope.
Whispers filled the streets of Ephor like wildfire.
"Someone is delivering justice."
"A hidden group fights for us."
"Whoever killed Arshan… may the gods bless him."
Some even knelt at crossroads, praying not to gods, but to the mysterious avenger who dared to do what the nobles never did.
Arshan, the "merchant," who stole wives and daughters to sell them as slaves… who harvested organs and traded lives like silks and spices… who silenced every complaint by making entire families vanish in the night eyes ripped out, tongues removed, bodies discarded like trash.
Many had begged the royal court for justice. Duke Jacob Crowell himself had once attempted to expose Arshan's vile acts.
But the king ignored it.
Everyone ignored it.
Until today.
Now Arshan's mutilated body, hung in the street, was praised like the death of a demon. His estate burned to ash. His blood soaked the ground.
And the people rejoiced.
However, inside the Ephor dukedom's palace, panic roared louder than cheers.
Head Knight Captain Herob of the elite Special Unit burst into the courtyard, breath ragged, after inspecting Arshan's corpse with his own eyes.
Arshan was butchered. Legs and arms severed. Body hung like livestock. Estate burned down. His secret archive — gone.
Herob's face twisted with fear.
Not fear for Arshan…
But fear for the documents.
Records. Names. Deals. Bribes. Sins of nobles from across the kingdom — including Duke Noah Rockson.
If those documents reached the wrong hands, Ephor would collapse overnight.
Herob rushed to his office and sent a coded magical message straight to Noah Rockson's butler in the royal palace.
The butler received the message and turned pale instantly. He rushed to Noah, who was comfortably enjoying his time on the royal balcony, ignorant of the storm tearing through his land.
Noah opened the letter.
His hands trembled.
His face darkened like thunder.
"Search every corner of Ephor. Use any means necessary. Capture the culprit and rip their head from their body. No excuses."
He gritted his teeth.
"I cannot tell His Majesty yet… the fool will panic and ruin everything."
The butler sent the command. The hunt began.
But they did not know one thing
Roman had already prepared for this.
Operation Specter soldiers were disguised as beggars and workers, weapons hidden in enchanted pocket-spaces. They vanished into the city as ghosts among the suffering.
Through magical communication, Roman spoke calmly to Head Knight Captain Zion:
"Phase One is complete. Prepare for Phase Two. Stay hidden. Protect civilians. Wait for my signal."
Zion responded, steady and loyal:
"Yes, Young Master. We will remain alert."
The connection cut. Silence lingered.
Duke Jacob finally exhaled.
"Roman… what is your Phase Two?"
Roman smiled lazily.
"We have time. When the moment comes, I'll reveal everything. For now, trust me."
Jacob stared at him, studying every expression.
"I trust you, Roman. And I believe you will not do anything reckless."
Roman only smirked and walked out.
Selena stepped forward.
"Father… he is reckless, but careful. And he will not fail us."
Jacob hummed, low and conflicted.
"Do you know where he's going now?"
Selena answered without hesitation.
"Solara River."
Jacob nodded.
"Let him be. But follow him quietly. And Selena do not let him learn the truth. That Noah Rockson… his own uncle… ordered the assassination of his mother."
Selena's fists clenched.
"I know, Father."
She left quietly, while Jacob stared at the door Roman had walked through.
A storm was coming. And Roman was not merely prepared for it
He was the one summoning it.
Roman sat at the riverbank alone, unaware of the truth that lay just one whisper away. The same river where his resolve had first ignited. The place where he promised a peaceful world.
Now he promised something else:
Chaos. Retribution. Judgement.
Not for power.
But for justice long denied.
Operation Specter Phase Two was coming.
And this time, Ephor dukedom would bleed from the roots.
Roman whispered to himself:
"This is only the beginning."