I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 124

The night was unnervingly silent, as if the air itself had come to a halt. Beneath the pitch-black sky, Theo moved faster than ever, heading straight for the mana preservation zone.

The night patrol officers recognized the Supreme Commander and respectfully saluted him, but Theo ignored them—no, he didn’t even see them. His focus was locked straight ahead as he sprinted.

"It started when I took supplies to pay for my mother’s medicine. I was caught by Captain Mile while trying to sell them to a «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» noble family, and he blackmailed me. He told me that unless I testified that Captain Luke ordered me to do it, I would be stripped of my uniform. He said if I framed Luke, I wouldn’t be treated as a criminal but as a victim... and I wouldn’t be punished at all."

The first part of Fail’s confession had been shocking enough.

"But in the middle of the embezzlement, Captain Luke caught me. So, I confessed everything to him... and he covered it up. He admitted to all the crimes himself, uncovered the hidden details behind the case, and resolved the situation. Ah, and the reward money that was issued—he gave it all to me."

Theo clenched his eyes shut.

Upon arriving at the mana preservation zone, he immediately initiated a warp. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of the duke’s residence, throwing open the mansion doors without hesitation.

"Luke!"

"Y-your Grace?"

The sudden commotion sent not only Gwen but all the other attendants running.

"Where’s Luke? Is he in his room?"

"...Pardon? He wasn’t with you?"

"What?"

"Sir Luke hasn’t returned home yet."

Theo’s expression darkened further. He hasn’t come back yet? His work hours had ended long ago. Ever since the incident with Benji and Hayes, Luke had stopped waiting for Theo and simply returned home on his own. But now, he was still not back.

Why?

"Has anyone received a message from him?"

Gwen shook his head and looked around at the other servants, but none of them had heard from Luke either.

"Your Grace!"

Before anyone could stop him, Theo was already running back out of the mansion. Gwen’s voice echoed behind him, but he didn’t stop.

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He yanked at his uniform collar, suddenly overwhelmed by an unbearable thirst. It was a familiar sensation—one he had felt before.

Back when Luke had retired and disappeared.

Why was that same moment replaying in his mind now?

"...Damn it."

Theo rarely cursed, but now, he bit down on the words. As he strode down the long path beyond the mansion gates, his thoughts raced. Where would Luke go? Did he have any particular place in the capital he’d visit? Or was he still at headquarters?

Then, Theo froze.

What if... what if he disappeared again? Just like back then?

"..."

The night wind swept through the trees lining the path, rustling the broad leaves in a way that grated against his ears. The sound was strangely discomforting.

If Luke really had disappeared again, this time, Theo would abandon everything—the Supreme Commander’s position, his duties—just to find him.

At that moment, through the stillness of the night, familiar footsteps echoed ahead.

"Theo?"

"..."

Theo’s gaze snapped upward, his pupils trembling.

Standing under the moonlight, Luke blinked at him with those large, beautiful eyes, looking utterly unbothered.

"What are you doing here?"

"And where," Theo countered, "have you been?"

"Ah, I was..."

Luke hesitated, rubbing the side of his face as if debating something. Then, with a deep sigh, he exhaled. A faint scent of alcohol drifted through the air.

"You’ve been drinking?"

"Yeah. But it was just half a glass, so don’t get on my case. I’m not drunk, I’m fine."

"Why the hell—"

"Because I needed it. To be able to say what I want to say."

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Luke stepped forward, moving closer to Theo. Even in the darkness, his silver hair shimmered under the moonlight, making him look unreal.

"Hey, Theo. I’ve never regretted the life I’ve lived, or the things I’ve done. To be honest, I do have regrets, but in the end, I’m satisfied. Because you became the Supreme Commander."

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Luke’s voice sounded more lively than usual.

"I know how people see me. Honestly? I don’t care. It doesn’t really bother me. But you know..."

He hesitated, murmuring to himself, "Damn, this is hard to say," before ruffling his own hair in frustration.

"...I don’t want you to see me the way everyone else does."

Theo’s eyes widened.

"I want you to see me for who I really am."

"..."

"I know... I probably don’t have the right to ask for that after everything I’ve done."

Luke’s voice trailed off, his brows furrowing deeply. He muttered to himself, trying to piece his thoughts together. Seeing him like this, Theo could tell just how much Luke had struggled with this alone.

Luke hesitated again. Where should I start? How do I say this? He had been thinking about it ever since he finished work.

Avoiding Theo forever wasn’t an option. It wasn’t in his nature, and he didn’t want to.

If Hayes’ words had already dragged his past back to the surface, then it was time to face it head-on.

But how was he supposed to explain? I had to play the villain. It was my role. That wasn’t something he could just say outright.

But suddenly, all his overthinking felt pointless. Maybe he just needed to say what was on his mind, nothing more.

That was why, before heading back home, he had downed some alcohol to loosen up. But, as expected, it hadn’t suited his taste, and he barely drank half a glass.

Still, he had made up his mind.

And now, before he could even reach the mansion, Theo had appeared before him.

"A-anyway! I’m not as bad as people think, you know? So, let me ask you something. You once said you wanted to understand me better."

"I did."

"And recently, you said you finally felt like you did understand me."

"Yeah."

"Then tell me—how do you see me now?"

Even if Theo said you haven’t changed, there was nothing Luke could do about it.

But deep down, Luke knew Theo wouldn’t say that.

"You’re incredibly beautiful."

"...What?"

"Cute. Beautiful. If I could have all of you, from head to toe, I would."

"..."

Luke’s face twisted into an expression that could only be described as broken. He had imagined countless responses, but this had never been one of them.

"Were you worried?" Theo asked. "That I still saw you the way I used to?"

"W-worried? No, I—"

Before Luke could say anything else, Theo grabbed him by the waist and pulled him into his arms.

"You had nothing to worry about. I already know who you are. I know how brightly you shine."

"Hey—wait—are you sure I’m the one who drank?"

Luke lifted his head from Theo’s shoulder, looking utterly baffled.

"Luke, I’m sorry. For misunderstanding you all this time. I needed to say that."

Theo’s voice was raw, sincere. Luke’s eyes quivered at the weight of it.

Theo didn’t need to explain. Somehow, Luke understood exactly what he meant.

And somehow, it made his chest feel tight.

"I’ll make up for every wound I’ve given you."

Luke lowered his head, suddenly unable to meet Theo’s gaze.

"Don’t waste your time worrying anymore. I already see you for who you are."

The weight of all his doubts melted away at those words.

As if mocking all the nights he had spent agonizing over it, Theo had resolved everything so easily, so perfectly, that Luke’s lips curled into a helpless smile.

"Good. That’s... a relief."

"..."

As Luke smiled softly, Theo’s gaze darkened. His hand lifted, gently cradling Luke’s face.

"W-what? Why?"

Luke’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit. The wind, which had been rustling through the trees all night, suddenly stilled—as if someone had hit a pause button.

"You said you’re good at sensing danger."

"Uh... yeah?"

"Then what about now?"

"Now? I don’t really sense anything."

There were no monsters or threats here, after all.

"Figures. You need to develop a better sense of danger."

"What does that—"

Before Luke could finish his sentence, Theo closed the distance between them, sealing his lips with a kiss.

And Luke’s words never made it out.