In the dimly lit strategy chamber, the flickering light of torches cast long shadows across the solid stone walls. The soft crackling of the flames was the only sound in the room, blending with the tense silence that hung in the air.
Darius, wrapped in his thick black cloak, stood at the end of a large table covered with imperial maps, sealed scrolls, and several small knives placed neatly beside them.
Before him stood two young figures: Rigo and Leon.
Both listened attentively, though their reasons for doing so were very different.
Leon, despite his small frame and youthful appearance, wore a serious expression. His sharp eyes studied the map carefully.
For him, this was all painfully familiar.
It was a memory repeating itself—something he had already lived through in his previous life as Rigo.
As Darius explained the mission, memories of the bandits from that past life flooded Leon’s mind. For a brief moment, he glanced at Rigo beside him.
Rigo stood upright, expression unreadable, his cold eyes filled with determination.
Darius raised his hand and pointed to a location on the large map.
“This is the last place the bandits were seen,” he said in a deep voice that seemed to rise from the depths of an ancient mountain.
“Here—at the southern edge of the Araezel Forest, beyond the Empire’s jurisdiction. A hidden cave, filled with traps and guarded by watchful sentries.”
He paused briefly.
“This place has become a refuge for those foolish enough to challenge the Emperor’s authority.”
Leon swallowed.
He remembered that place clearly.
The Araezel Cave.
In his previous life, he had been sent there as Rigo to eliminate the very same bandits—considered a thorn in the Empire’s side.
But things had not gone as planned.
Memories of corpses scattered across the damp cave corridors returned vividly.
Blood soaking into the cold stone floor.
He also remembered discovering a hidden passage where prisoners were bound and helpless.
Without hesitation, he had slaughtered them all in the darkness, never stopping to question who they really were.
Now, with a different body and a different mind, Leon knew he had to prevent the same mistake.
But he had to be careful.
This was a dangerous game.
One wrong move could lead to death.
Darius continued speaking, his gaze shifting from the map to Rigo and Leon.
“These bandits are not mere thieves,” he said.
“They are led by two dangerous individuals.”
He emphasized each word.
“Thorne and Lyra.”
“You may not have heard their names, but beyond our borders they are known as nightmares for nobles who travel without protection.”
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Darius turned his attention to Rigo.
“Thorne is a large man, deceptively swift. A shadow that strikes without warning and disappears before his victims realize what happened.”
“Survivors describe him as a phantom armed with deadly weapons. His courage in battle is unmatched.”
Leon listened while recalling the man clearly.
Thorne had been massive, with a crooked smile and eyes full of cunning.
Despite his size, he moved silently.
He used every dark corner of the cave to ambush his enemies.
His attacks were swift and lethal.
Thorne was a natural killer—one capable of making even elite imperial soldiers hesitate.
Darius then shifted his attention to the other leader.
“Lyra, on the other hand, is the mind behind their group.”
“She is cunning, a master strategist.”
“She knows how to mislead pursuing forces and lure them into carefully prepared traps.”
Darius’s eyes glinted coldly.
“Never underestimate her.”
“She can predict your movements before you make them.”
Leon remembered her all too well.
Lyra had nearly killed him several times.
Her calm face and sharp gaze made her look more like a battlefield commander than a bandit.
She treated battles like a chessboard, manipulating enemies into traps without them realizing it.
Now Leon understood clearly.
Both Thorne and Lyra were real threats.
If he was careless, history could repeat itself.
Yet despite this, Leon remained calm.
In the past, as Rigo, he had defeated not only those two—but every bandit in that cave.
This time it would be even easier.
Because now there were two of them.
Rigo… and himself.
Darius paused briefly, allowing the weight of his words to settle.
“This mission is not a mere exercise.”
“It is an opportunity for both of you to prove your abilities and loyalty to the Empire.”
“We cannot allow these bandits to continue humiliating the Empire by robbing imperial nobles.”
“This time, we will bring them to justice…”
“…or eliminate them.”
Rigo nodded firmly, his expression cold and resolute.
For him, this was a chance to prove he was the Emperor’s blade, exactly as his father expected.
As the strongest warrior of the Gelar Clan, he knew this mission would determine his standing before the Emperor.
Leon, however, carried a different burden.
Though he could not reveal his past life, he felt responsible for preventing the tragedy that had once unfolded.
Back then, he had slaughtered everyone in the cave without hesitation.
Bandits.
Prisoners.
Anyone.
But now, as Leon, he knew another path existed.
Darius returned his gaze to the map and began outlining the strategy in detail.
Rigo would lead the frontal assault.
Leon would infiltrate through a rear passage, ensuring no hidden enemies or captives remained.
Darius wanted clean results.
No witnesses.
No mistakes.
Leon listened uneasily.
If they followed Darius’s plan exactly, innocent lives might be lost again.
Convincing Darius to change tactics would not be easy.
Darius was cold and absolute.
To him, only results mattered.
No matter the cost.
When the briefing ended, Darius looked at them both with commanding authority.
“This is your chance to prove yourselves.”
“Do not disappoint the Empire.”
“Eliminate Thorne and Lyra.”
Rigo nodded firmly.
Leon remained silent.
For him, this mission was more than a test.
It was a chance to correct a terrible mistake.
As they left the strategy room, Leon glanced at Rigo walking ahead.
A faint sense of pity rose in his chest.
Cold.
Emotionless.
Raised only to kill.
Leon remembered being exactly the same.
In that life, lives had meant nothing.
Blood had simply been part of the mission.
Now he walked behind his former self—trapped in a different body.
The weight of his past decisions pressed heavily on him.
If he did nothing…
The same tragedy would happen again.
The palace corridors outside were quiet.
Torchlight flickered gently against the stone walls.
Their footsteps echoed softly.
Rigo walked ahead with firm, confident steps.
Leon followed, taking a deep breath.
He quickened his pace until he walked beside him.
“Rigo,” Leon called quietly.
Rigo glanced sideways without speaking.
That look alone told Leon he had only moments to speak.
“Shouldn’t we… confirm whether there are hostages in the cave before attacking?” Leon asked carefully.
Rigo stared at him briefly.
“That is not our concern,” he replied coldly.
“Our mission is to eliminate Thorne and Lyra.”
“If others are present… that is simply the consequence.”
Leon clenched his fists behind his back.
“But what if they’re innocent?”
Rigo stopped walking.
His cold gaze pierced Leon.
“An assassin does not question casualties.”
“Our duty is to complete the mission.”
Leon swallowed.
“What if saving them could prevent unnecessary hatred toward the Empire?”
Rigo snorted.
“The Empire does not fear the resentment of common people.”
“Do not let emotions cloud your mission.”
With that, Rigo walked away again.
Leon stood alone in the corridor.
Disappointment filled his eyes.
Arguing with Rigo was pointless.
He was the perfect product of the Gelar Clan.
An assassin stripped of empathy.
Leon took a slow breath.
Then I’ll find another way.
He would not allow history to repeat itself.
This time…
He would save the innocent.
Even if it meant defying the plan Darius had set.
