Chapter 355
'Cunning is born from narrow-mindedness, and its end is always dangerous.'
An unexpected shock struck Theo when his observation finally managed to catch a glimpse of the deputy.
In his mind, he had never anticipated that the right hand of this massive operation would turn out to be a woman.
Her characteristics were far removed from the rough image of the male subordinates he had observed earlier.
Her appearance was designed to blend in, not to intimidate.
Her attire was highly plausible, closely resembling the uniform of inconspicuous academy staff or supervisors.
She wore a long skirt or slim trousers that allowed ease of movement, paired with a thin, layered top that was functional.
The colors of her clothing were not ominous blacks that hinted at malicious intent, but muted yet lively tones such as dark brown, deep green, or bluish gray—choices that allowed her to merge seamlessly with the school environment without drawing unwanted attention.
The cut was neat and well-fitted, reflecting personal discipline and readiness to move quickly at any moment.
No flashy accessories adorned her appearance, only one or two small details that were repetitive and clearly functional.
A dark hair tie neatly holding her hair in place, a simple brooch to pin an identification card, or a thin, practical wristwatch.
These details were enough to serve as identifiers for her subordinates, yet were never excessive.
Her hair itself was neatly arranged, not for beauty, but for practical purposes, ensuring it would not obstruct vision or movement in any situation.
And this was where the most valuable key to identification lay.
Theo managed to recognize her face—ordinary yet constantly alert—thanks to either sheer luck or a small lapse on the deputy's part.
Clearly visible, tucked into the upper pocket of her blouse or jacket as she turned her body, was an authentic identification card.
"Theo, I've found the chairman's identity."
After making sure the identification card was once again securely tucked into the deputy's pocket without leaving any trace, Theo withdrew carefully.
His still-concealed body melted into deeper shadows, stepping back several paces to create a safe distance.
Amid his intense focus on ensuring nothing had been disturbed, a presence that was not a sound suddenly brushed against his awareness.
It was the vibration of Aldraya's thoughts, arriving through their well-tested telepathic channel.
Her voice—or rather, the tone of her thoughts—was flat, like the surface of still water.
There was no intonation of victory, no excitement, no emotion coloring her delivery.
It was a pure report, conveyed with maximum informational efficiency.
And its content made Theo's breath catch for a moment.
Aldraya stated, in simple and direct terms, that the mission on her end had also yielded results.
The identity of the chairman—the brain behind this entire forced retrieval operation, directly assigned by the Bathee family—had finally been uncovered.
'He doesn't want to be remembered; he wants to be forgotten—until the moment he decides to act.'
Based on Aldraya's mental transmission, Theo rapidly assembled a visual profile in his mind.
An image of the chairman, the supreme field commander, began to take shape in chilling detail.
His clothing was the embodiment of cold, isolated authority.
He wore a long coat in dark colors—pitch black or somber charcoal—with a straight, clean cut devoid of any ornamentation.
That firm silhouette gave the impression of a wall, a barrier deliberately built to maintain emotional distance and assert hierarchy.
Beneath the coat was a dark, high-collared shirt.
This choice was not about style, but about a more cynical function: concealing the neck and limiting upper-body expression.
The chairman appeared to want to remain perpetually "sealed," an unreadable fortress.
His hands were covered by thin gloves made of fine leather or synthetic fabric, a sign that he rarely—or perhaps reluctantly—touched anything directly.
All matters, every command, were conveyed through intermediaries or gestures, keeping himself sterile from unnecessary physical interaction.
His feet were clad in neat, closed shoes, specially designed to produce no sound.
They were shoes for someone accustomed to standing still for long periods, observing without the need to move much.
But the most unsettling detail was the weapon he carried.
Aldraya reported that the chairman carried a shotgun—not a long one, but a shortened model—easily positioned behind his back.
The presence of that weapon, though concealed, was an undeniable statement of power.
His entire appearance was dominated by monochrome tones—black, gray, dark blue—colors that absorbed light and attention, allowing him to blend into darkness while simultaneously standing out as a silent, dangerous center of gravity among his subordinates.
"What should we do with this chairman, Theo? Neutralization, or…?"
'The chairman's profile is perfect for me. His authority, secrecy, and habit of working from the shadows—all of it suits my methods. I'll replace him."
Haaah!
"And as for you, Aldraya, you'll replace the deputy. The woman disguised as academy staff.'
After the final notes regarding the chairman's characteristics dried on the pages of his yellow notebook, a question from Aldraya interrupted Theo's concentration through the telepathic channel.
Her flat mental voice asked about the next step, scrutinizing what should be done with the primary target they had successfully identified.
Theo did not need long to think.
His answer came swiftly and decisively, without preamble or pleasantries, straight to the core of the strategy.
He explained that the chairman's identity, with all the aura of authority and power attached to it, was perfectly suited to serve as a disguise for himself.
Theo believed he could replicate the cold, measured, and commanding demeanor projected by that figure.
By assuming the chairman's identity, he would gain full control of the situation, able to direct or disperse the forces and access the highest levels of the enemy's operational hierarchy.
However, the plan did not end there.
Within the same telepathic transmission, Theo immediately continued with the second part of their disguise scenario.
He informed Aldraya that, to complete the operation, she should replace the deputy—the female right hand they had identified earlier.
Theo's reasoning was simple yet well considered.
According to him, Aldraya would adapt more easily to the infiltration mission if she retained her original gender, without having to pretend to be a man.
"Do I have to disguise myself as that woman? Isn't there any other option?"
Shiiih!
"I don't want to pretend to be one of them—someone loyal to that strange Bathee family."
Silence seized their telepathic channel for several moments that felt long.
Aldraya processed Theo's instructions, and eventually a question surfaced from her thoughts.
Her voice, though still flat, carried a subtle yet unmistakable reluctance.
She questioned the decision, asking whether there truly was no other option, no other person she could use as a disguise medium.
In particular, she seemed unwilling to impersonate a "random woman" who embodied loyalty to this "strange" family—a term she used to describe the Bathee family with a rare note of disdain.
'Trust me, this is the best option we have in such a short amount of time.'
Theo, who had observed and worked alongside Aldraya long enough, immediately understood the meaning behind her reluctance.
To be continued…