Chapter 2. Nice to Meet You
<One week ago, Tarence Mountain in Iorenti>
Delia hid her body within the deep green foliage of Iorenti and peered through her telescope toward the Alden Plateau. Through the lens, she saw the Imperial army stretching out in a suffocatingly long column. Flags bearing the Empire’s symbol fluttered in the wind at regular intervals.
Those Imperial bastards. How dare they covet our Iorenti Kingdom.
Delia clenched her teeth, her eyes glued to the marching soldiers.
Beside her, Guard Captain Jer watched her with a concerned expression.
“Captain, are you really going to carry out that operation?”
“I have to.”
Even as she bit her lips to the point of bleeding, Delia didn’t take her eyes off the telescope.
“Thirty musketeers died trying to attack that man. They were clearly out of range—yet they were shot from where they thought they were safe.”
She finally lowered the telescope and looked Jer directly in the eyes with piercing blue pupils. Though she was thin from lack of rest and food, her gaze remained unwavering and firm.
“The Imperial army’s weapons surpassed all our expectations. Do you understand what that means?”
“It means it’s even more dangerous for you.”
Captain Jer stared at his master with worried eyes. The Iorenti princess, inheritor of the late king’s bloodline, stood with her golden hair fluttering in the breeze.
“To prepare for the enemy’s attack, we need to understand their weapons exactly. It’s dangerous, but it’s something that must be done.”
Resolute in her determination, Delia raised the telescope once more to observe the Imperial troops crossing the plateau. At the forefront stood a man who appeared to be the commander—his black felt hat adorned with a red feather, his uniform embroidered with gold thread. Even from afar, he stood out clearly.
“If only I could plunge a dagger into that bastard’s heart…”
Delia murmured, biting her lip as she lowered the telescope and looked around. The Royal Guards’ gazes met hers. After more than ten days of going without proper meals or a bath, she no longer resembled her usual composed self. She looked more like a beggar or a bandit, but the resolve in her eyes was sharper than ever.
“We’ll split into two teams: the decoy unit and the retrieval unit. The decoy follows me to draw their attention. Meanwhile, the retrieval team will follow Jer and seize one of the Imperial weapon crates.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The guards placed their hands over their hearts and bowed their heads.
“Double-check the escape routes before the operation. We’ll meet at the designated location after the mission is done.”
Delia’s icy blue gaze lingered on each of them. They were few in number, but they were Iorenti’s elite royal guard. If anyone could pull this off, it was them—even if it meant sacrificing their lives. The thought made Delia’s heart ache even more.
“And whatever you do, do not engage the Imperial musketeers—especially the commander. Retreat immediately if encountered.”
She delivered her final command with deep sincerity.
“Let’s all meet again. Alive.”
The Supreme Commander of the Stilleitz Empire, Aaron, stared straight ahead with a grim expression. The vast green expanse of Alden Plateau stretched out before him. His cold silver-gray eyes sharply scanned the surroundings.
“If I catch them, I’ll kill them.”
“Well, you’d have to catch them first.”
“It’s way too quiet. What are they plotting now?”
“Probably waiting for an opening to attack.”
Aaron adjusted his military hat with a rough motion, the feather on it trembling slightly. The gold buttons on his sleeves glinted sharply in the light.
“Damn Tarence Mountain…”
This was the final campaign to conquer the Southern Three Kingdoms—Iorenti being the last. Aaron had decided to end things quickly. While assembling a large army at the border to draw attention, he secretly led 10,000 elite troops across the treacherous Tarence Mountains to ambush the Iorenti capital.
That was the plan. But the moment they entered the mountain, everything unraveled.
“I went through all this hell just to finish quickly—and there are guerrillas hiding here?”
The Imperial troops were ambushed the moment they entered Tarence Mountain. The guerrillas struck from unexpected places at unexpected times. Even blinking was dangerous—any moment, arrows or bullets could rain down.
“We should’ve anticipated hidden ambushers. But no, you insisted on coming despite everyone’s warnings.”
“Colin!”
At Aaron’s irritated bark, Colin quickly changed the subject.
“They know this terrain well. You think they’re militia?”
Aaron sighed heavily, too tired to argue anymore.
“Too organized to be mere militia. Their hit-and-run tactics are sharp and precise.”
“Even veteran officers struggle to time a retreat that accurately.”
“They’re well-trained, like elite troops…”
“And they know this terrain inside and out—like mountain bandits.”
Who the hell are they? They’d never even gotten a good look at the enemy. Estimating their numbers was impossible. But amidst all the uncertainty, one thing was clear—
“The one in the black mask. He’s their leader. We have to get him.”
That black mask darted through the mountains, mocking the Imperial army at every turn. He was clever, making full use of the terrain, launching surprise attacks, then vanishing like a ghost. Aaron couldn’t get him out of his head—even when he closed his eyes, the man’s image grew clearer, haunting him.
“Once we take Iorenti, issue a nationwide bounty on that man. I’ll be the one to finish him.”
“Do you think someone that quick will be caught? We don’t even know his face or identity.”
“Colin Drestor, aide.”
Colin straightened as Aaron suddenly called him by name, his voice sharp.
“Yes, Commander.”
Too far, Colin realized as a cold chill slid down his spine.
“You must be tired of life.”
“No, sir.”
“You should be on your knees pledging to bring him to me, not spewing nonsense. You must really want to die.”
“I don’t, sir. I want to live a long life.”
“Then prove it to me.”
“How, sir…?”
“Until I give the order, don’t speak a word.”
“But…”
Colin started to protest but stopped as he saw Aaron’s hand move toward his pistol.
“Understood, Commander. I will obey.”
Aaron really was on edge. Colin sighed inwardly, massaging the bridge of his nose. Honestly, after ten straight days of ambushes, even Colin was exhausted and prone to slips of the tongue. Everyone here was on the edge of sanity.
The silence didn’t last long.
“Commander! Commander!”
A desperate voice broke the peace. Aaron’s eyes narrowed. Something was wrong.
“What is it?”
A breathless messenger arrived, panting.
“The rear of the procession has been attacked!”
“What?”
The report hit Aaron like a blow. Fury surged in his chest. They’d just passed through there. The enemy had silently waited for the end of the procession—mocking him.
“They’re playing with me…”
Aaron growled, turned his horse around harshly, and barked an order.
“Cavalry, follow me! We pursue them!”
Without waiting for a reply, he dug in his heels and galloped back, the advance cavalry thundering behind him.
As they neared the rear, the sounds of clashing swords grew louder. When they arrived, Imperial corpses filled the narrow mountain path. Arrogant guerrillas leaped over bodies, attacking without end.
“You little—!”
Aaron pulled out his pistol from his crimson baldric and fired. Bang. A sharp gunshot pierced the chaos, dropping an attacker instantly. In that moment, the enemy’s momentum broke.
“Retreat!”
“Fall back!”
The guerrillas turned and fled. As always, the black mask stayed behind to guard their retreat—then turned his horse last. His cloak fluttered as he moved.
Just like always—vanishing like a ghost.
But not this time.
Aaron’s steel-gray eyes sharpened.
“Chase that man. Now!”
“Yes, sir!”
He gripped his reins and surged forward, leading the chase. The Imperial cavalry followed. Though they were supposed to march toward the Iorenti capital, now they were charging in the opposite direction. No one questioned it. No one had time to.
The hunt was on.
The thunder of hooves shook the mountain. Trees blurred past as they gained speed. A few soldiers tried to fire, but only struck dirt and trees. Aaron pushed his horse even faster. So did the troops behind him.
As the Imperial army gained, the guerrillas scattered—except for one.
“Black mask is the leader. Focus only on him!”
The net closed. The black mask had fewer and fewer escape routes. Finally, his horse skidded to a halt at the edge of a cliff. Pebbles tumbled down the sheer drop.
Aaron stopped at last.
He had him.
Panting, a triumphant smile curled at Aaron’s lips.
“Nice to meet you, Black Mask.”
This is fun