TCCIO 03

Chapter 3: I Only Thought of You
The tension of the heated chase emanated from the horses’ hooves striking the ground. The ambush that had gnawed at Aaron’s nerves would end today—once he caught that enemy commander.

“We’re meeting for the first time, but it feels like I’ve known you forever,” Aaron said as he calmly approached the figure in the black mask. The masked enemy’s horse snorted nervously, trapped between the cliff and the Imperial troops.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve thought about you so much.”

Click. Click.
The advance troops behind Aaron loaded their muskets.

“From the moment I stepped into this mountain—no, from the very moment you attacked me—I’ve thought of nothing but you.”

Despite Aaron’s provoking words, the black-masked figure, hood drawn low, gave no response. Instead, they slowly and silently raised both hands in surrender. Behind them was a sheer cliff; in front, soldiers with muskets. There was nowhere to run.

“Feels like we have a lot to talk about, don’t you think?”

Aaron curled one corner of his mouth into a smirk as he scrutinized the masked figure. It was the first time he’d gotten this close. Through the dark mask, he glimpsed a pair of blue eyes—clear like the skies over Eorenti. The hands, stark white in contrast to the black mask, looked fragile, as if they’d break under the slightest pressure. The slender wrists exposed beneath the cloak gave the same impression. Now that he noticed, the figure’s shoulders were narrow, the build small—like someone who’d fit snugly in an embrace.

Did I make a mistake?

Aaron had assumed the black mask was the commander, but now he wasn’t so sure. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“How about accepting our invitation now?”

Aaron was about to say more when a chill ran down his spine. Was that… a smile?
Though mostly hidden by the mask, the curve of soft, red lips was visible beneath the hood. And in those icy blue eyes—exhilaration. Why? What could they be smiling about?

Before he could grasp the meaning behind that smile, a loud explosion rang out from behind.

Aaron quickly turned his horse to face the rising smoke. The sudden blast had drawn the attention of the entire advance force.

“Damn it. So it wasn’t a retreat—it was a lure!”

Smoke spread wide across the Alden Plateau, where the Imperial army’s supply core remained. Their weapons and food had been targeted. Now, their enemy’s plan was clear: scatter the troops, send the vanguard chasing after them, and raid the core supply lines.

Aaron’s smile vanished.

“Send a messenger. I need a status report immediately.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Aaron gripped the reins so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand bulged.

“If you bastards thought this was enough to shake us…”

But when Aaron turned back toward the black mask—only the fluttering hem of their cape remained.

The explosion had served as the perfect distraction. The masked figure had boldly leapt off the cliff. The enemy he had been so sure he’d caught was escaping.

“Damn it. After them!”

Aaron’s enraged command was met with a volley of musket fire. But the black mask had already leapt gracefully down the cliff. Aaron spurred his horse to the cliff’s edge and looked down.

The masked figure was descending with remarkable precision, using rocky protrusions to guide their horse safely down the steep drop.

“Gun.”

A cavalryman quickly handed Aaron a loaded musket. He cursed under his breath and aimed.

His silver eyes narrowed sharply, tracking the movements of the black mask. The fluttering cape made it difficult to aim. Muskets took an eternity to reload, and by the time the others could take a shot, the target would be out of range. This shot—his one remaining round—was his only chance.

Where should I aim?

As he pulled the trigger, an image of the masked figure’s smile flashed through his mind. That slight build, the delicate wrists, the crystal-clear blue eyes—there was clearly more to them than met the eye.

Bang!

Aaron fired. The shot echoed sharply through the canyon. The masked figure staggered briefly—but did not stop.

Aaron watched the disappearing silhouette until it vanished like a fading trace. Then, he slowly turned back.

“Colin.”

“Yes, Commander?”

“Inform the commanders. Halt the advance toward Eorenti’s royal capital. Begin a full-scale search for those rebels.”

“What? But if we stop now, the surprise attack on the royal capital will—”

Aaron ignored the aide’s concern and stared toward the smoke billowing over the plateau. The chaos proved how thoroughly they had been outmaneuvered.

“We won’t take a single step forward until we’ve caught them. Mobilize every unit. Search the area down to the last blade of grass.”

Seeing Aaron’s resolve, Colin bowed his head.

“Yes, sir.”

Messengers mounted their horses and rode off to deliver the orders.

“I will catch that bastard.”

Before the mark I left fades away.
Aaron’s gray eyes gleamed with chilling determination.

The lamplight in the command tent of the Stilreitz Empire flickered quietly. Aaron, having returned to camp the night before, sank deep into his chair. Shadows danced on the walls, fluttering like the edges of a black cape. One hand propped under his chin, he lounged lazily—but his eyes burned as he stared into the red glow of the lamp.

Who the hell are they?

The enemy’s coordination during the weapon raid was far from what one would expect of mere militias. Their synchronized, disciplined tactics clearly indicated elite training. Yet their commander wore a mask and kept their body hidden beneath a cloak—like someone with something to hide.

What exactly were they hiding?

Lost in thought, Aaron was brought back to reality by Colin’s voice.

“Commander, the search party has arrived.”

Aaron stood and stepped out of the tent. Fires lit throughout the camp illuminated the night like midday.

“This is all of them?”

“They were fast. A good number already broke through the encirclement.”

Colin gestured toward the soldiers. The Imperial troops dragged prisoners in with rough hands.

“They were too injured to escape.”

Aaron inspected the prisoners. There were twenty-nine in total, all with visible wounds. One had a splint on his leg, another had a red cloth wrapped around his head. Their sunken eyes and disheveled clothes made it clear—they had suffered losses, too.

“He’s not here.”

The black mask. The one who always appeared first and vanished last. Even after being shot, that figure had slipped away.

Not finding them among the prisoners dampened Aaron’s mood. Trying to shake it off, he gripped his scabbard and tapped a prisoner’s shoulder with it.

“Pretty bold, attacking the Empire.”

“You bastards want to swallow up someone else’s land, and you call us bold?!”

One prisoner snapped, lunging despite his tied hands. Aaron stared calmly at the furious man.

“You don’t seem to understand your situation.”

Without drawing the blade, Aaron rammed the blunt scabbard into the man’s abdomen.

“Ugh!”

The prisoner collapsed in pain. Aaron looked down at him with a faint smirk.

“It’s only natural for weaker nations to be devoured by the strong.”

With a lazy sigh, Aaron scanned the rest of the captives—until his gaze settled on one who, even in this situation, met his eyes without flinching.

Aaron signaled, and the man was brought forward.

“Your affiliation?”

“As a citizen of Eorenti, I came to defend my country.”

Aaron narrowed his eyes at the steady answer. The man’s silver-gray eyes gleamed ominously in the dark.

“I’ll respect your noble intentions. Now, who is your leader?”

“I am. I gathered the troops and led them.”

Aaron scoffed and tapped the man’s head with his scabbard.

“You’re saying you’re the leader?”

Drawing his blade, Aaron slowly bent forward, bringing the sharp tip close to the man’s eye. The moonlight reflected off the blade into the man’s pupils—and Aaron caught a trace of blue light, like the eyes he’d seen earlier.

“Well, this is interesting.”

Aaron gripped the sword tighter. The memory of those lake-blue eyes left a burning thirst in his throat.

“I’ll ask again—and this time, answer carefully. Who is your leader?”

The man gulped. One wrong move and the blade would slice his eye. Though his fists were clenched, his trembling gaze betrayed his fear.

“I—I am… the leader.”

“Really?”

Aaron examined him slowly. His voice wavered with anxiety; his answer came with hesitation. Despite the fear, he was loyal to whoever his superior was.

Who was this person?

Aaron sheathed his sword and reached out, patting the man’s head like one would a faithful dog.

“Your loyalty is admirable. But if you want to lie, you should practice more.”

As the man trembled with shame, Aaron stood up.

“Tie them to the outer fences. Somewhere very visible.”

The Imperial troops moved without delay. Watching the captives being dragged away, a chilling smile crossed Aaron’s lips.

“Now that we’ve set the bait, it’s time for the real hunt.”

The real game had just begun.