Haruto's rebellion, now calling themselves the "Shadow Guard," began
not with open warfare, but with information. Haruto used his shadow magic to infiltrate royal outposts, not to kill, but to listen. Shadows could cling to walls and whisper secrets back to him.
They discovered the King's scheme was more sophisticated than mere propaganda; he had a secret pact with a faction of the Demon Army.
The "attacks" were a false flag operation: the King provided strategic targets, and the demons raided them, creating a perpetual state of fear that kept Alistair in power and supplied the demons with resources. Lyra, using her knowledge of ancient lore, identified the demon faction's leader, a cunning strategist named Vorlak who valued contracts above all else. Haruto realized they couldn't just expose the King; they had to obtain the physical pact—a blood-bound contract—to prove his treason not just to the people,
but to the entire Demon Army, thereby shattering the alliance.