I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 132

"Listening to the pleas of my loyal subjects and trusting them is also a virtue of a wise ruler, Redrick Commander."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will grant permission for the operation. I will personally issue orders to the Foreign Ministry."

"Thank you."

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Luke followed Theo and bowed his head to the Emperor, but as he did, he couldn’t help but smile inwardly, thinking about how flustered the Foreign Minister would be.

After the audience, the three of them left the Imperial Palace. Leo, seeming quite tense, let out a heavy sigh as soon as they stepped outside.

"I truly don't understand what the Emperor is thinking."

"Leo, we haven't even left the palace grounds yet. Watch what you say."

Inside the palace, one cannot use magic unless permission is granted or in an emergency. Therefore, to warp, they would have to at least leave the palace.

"Oh, speaking of which, who’s going to infiltrate Welharun disguised as part of the delegation?"

"I will."

Luke said it as if he had been waiting for the question, causing Theo to freeze for a moment.

"I was planning on doing it from the start."

"Well, if it’s you, Luke, I trust your abilities."

Leo nodded nonchalantly, but Theo’s face only grew darker.

"Leo."

"Yes, Commander?"

"Go back to the headquarters first. Let the team members know that His Majesty has granted permission for the operation."

"Understood, then what about you, Commander?"

"I need to have a brief discussion with Luke."

But Luke, clearly hearing this for the first time, stared at Theo. Leo glanced between the two of them, grinning to himself, before warping away.

"A discussion, you say?"

Luke followed Theo, looking around. The place seemed familiar; it was the same tree where Theo had waited and fed a stray cat the last time.

"So, you’re going as the infiltrator? I didn’t hear about this."

"I was planning on mentioning it when we discussed the details of the operation."

Luke tilted his head, noticing that Theo’s face seemed less than pleased. He was obviously upset, but there didn’t seem to be any reason for him to be angry. They had persuaded the Emperor and got approval. What could possibly be the problem?

"Why is that?"

"What’s what?"

"Why do you want to go?"

Theo let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"This is an operation for the investigation team, and one of us had to take the lead. We can't fail this mission. The person going should be someone with the necessary skills and high chances of success, and you know I’m the right person for this."

"But Leo’s here too."

"Leo’s abilities are outstanding. I’m not saying I don’t trust him. But the person who’s been investigating this case from the beginning should be the one to go."

From the case in Kailum, or maybe even from the war with Meburn, Luke and Theo were the only ones who truly understood this mission.

"Then I’m going too."

"What are you talking about? Don’t you think they’ll recognize your face in Welharun? They’ll definitely know the face of the Commander of the Imperial Army. And even if they don’t, what happens [N O V E L I G H T] if you leave? Who will manage the military then?"

Luke’s voice started to show signs of irritation. Theo was acting like a stubborn child. He always thought Theo was a rational, cold figure who would understand that he was the most suitable for this mission.

There were also other reasons Theo wanted to go to Welharun personally. When they met the Emperor earlier, Theo had boldly declared that he would not fail. But more than that, Theo was an assistant, someone connected to the military, yet not quite. He stood on the boundary, so if anything went wrong, he wanted to take the blame alone and prevent Theo and the army from suffering any consequences. Of course, he didn’t plan on failing, but it was important to consider every possibility.

"I don’t care."

"You... What do you mean? You don’t care what happens to the military? You, the Commander, say that? What exactly is the problem? Why are you acting like this?"

Theo’s words surprised Luke, and he widened his eyes. It was hard to believe that the man who had dedicated everything to reach his position as a soldier would say something like this.

"I’m worried."

"......."

"I’m worried. That’s why I can’t let you go. I don’t care if it looks pathetic. What would happen if something happened to you? And your hand? If you use magic, the corrupt power will spread further through your body, and I can’t even guarantee what might happen. Are you asking me to just send you off like that?"

Theo’s voice became more heated. Luke couldn’t help but be taken aback by the frustration and anger in Theo’s tone.

"There are others in the investigation team besides you. Leo and the other members are there. There’s no need for you to take part."

"I’m going."

"Luke."

Theo called his name softly. Luke knew that whenever Theo said just his name like that, it was a warning.

"Theo Redrick, think logically. This isn’t a child’s game, it’s a matter of national crisis."

But Luke had no intention of backing down easily.

"You are the leader of the military, responsible for protecting the country and ensuring peace. Look at the situation objectively. Sending me instead of Leo will increase the chances of success."

For a moment, Luke put aside his surprise and explained as if he were soothing a child.

"......."

But when Luke saw Theo’s gaze, he involuntarily held his breath. Theo’s face looked deeply sorrowful. He seemed to be holding something in, staring at Luke with a look of sadness and regret.

"Logically, I couldn’t catch you that day. I only regretted it after you left."

Was he talking about the time Luke left the military without hesitation? Luke’s heart suddenly sank at hearing Theo’s hidden feelings for the first time.

"Do you know that I look into your room every morning?"

"Why..."

"To make sure you haven’t disappeared again, I’ve been checking on you without even realizing it."

Luke had no idea. He couldn’t even imagine it. He closed his mouth tightly, not knowing what to say.

"You don’t care about the opinions of others, and you walk the path you’ve chosen without hesitation. I like that about you. But now, for the first time, that freedom of yours is starting to scare me."

"......I’m not going to die. I’ll succeed and come back. Don’t worry about it."

No, that wasn’t it. He felt like there was something else he should say to Theo. It felt like the words should be different, but he couldn’t find them.

"Is my worry useless to you?"

Luke flinched. A brief silence followed. Eventually, Theo turned his gaze away.

"Right, you’re an exceptional person, so you’ll definitely succeed. I guess I was just worrying for nothing. Sorry for showing you such a pathetic side of me."

Theo turned to leave, but his back seemed strangely unfamiliar to Luke. Luke clenched his fists and bit his lip hard.

Strangely, he didn’t feel any pain at all.

***

A few days later, a letter arrived from the Foreign Ministry to the military. It contained an approval to secretly infiltrate members of the investigation team into the diplomatic delegation, with the Foreign Minister’s signature.

Leo joked as he read the letter, imagining how reluctant the Foreign Minister must have been to sign it.

"The delegation departs in two weeks. So, today, we’ll be assembling the special task force for this mission."

Luke observed Theo. Since the 'fight' they had outside the palace, Theo hadn’t brought up the subject again. He was still treating Luke as usual, but he wasn’t as friendly as before.

"The leader of the special task force is Luke, and the remaining members are Paul, Levi, and Jade. That makes three of you."

"Yes!"

These members were from the elite of the 7th division, known for their excellent skills. A special task force couldn’t have too many members. Since it was a secret operation, they had to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

"Luke."

"Huh?"

Luke was surprised when his name was called suddenly.

"It would be good for you to visit the Foreign Minister. His Majesty gave direct permission, so he won’t say much. Just go and greet him without any pressure."

"Ah, okay."

"That’s all for the meeting. The special task force will continue their preparations, and Leo and the remaining members will continue with the investigation."

"Yes!"

Theo stood up slowly and left the room. Luke tried to follow but, for some reason, his feet felt like they were glued to the floor. What should he say when he gets there? 'Don’t worry'? Would saying that solve anything?

"Paul, make sure to achieve something this time and get promoted to Captain."

"If there’s no position, how can I get promoted? Or should I take your Captain’s position instead?"

"Good! Please, take this annoying Captain position."

At that moment, Leo, who had been joking with Paul, caught Luke’s eye. He had told him to feel free to consult with him about anything.

Luke hesitated for a moment before approaching Leo.

"Hey, Leo."

"Yeah?"

"...Let’s talk."