I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 152

The Redrick family was, without question, the most powerful, wealthy, and honored ducal house in all of Heighnerr. The founder of the Redrick line had been one of the founding contributors to the Empire, earning deep trust from the citizens.

Naturally, as befitted such a prestigious house, they owned numerous territories across the Empire. One of those estates was located in Traum, a region in the south.

The southern region, bordered on all sides by the sea, was known as the Empire’s largest coastal territory, and Traum in particular lay right in front of the sea.

As the sea breeze blew inland, the broadleaf trees swayed all in one direction, dancing together in rhythm. Following the sound of rustling leaves, a neatly maintained path revealed itself. And walking along that path, one eventually came upon a grand mansion.

"I’m relieved, Your Grace. Your condition has improved considerably. At this rate, there should be no problems with your recovery."

The physician smiled in satisfaction after checking the man’s pulse. The man seated before him, who had just finished his examination, gave no sign of pleasure at the words—he only nodded with a heavy expression.

"Apologies for calling you earlier than scheduled."

The deep, low timbre of his voice was very dignified. There were faint lines on the man's face, but rather than making him look old, they gave him an air of gravity and strength.

"Not at all. I was worried Your Grace’s condition might have worsened, so if that’s not the case, I’m satisfied. I assume you have a visitor this afternoon?"

"Hm. That’s right."

As the doctor began packing up, he glanced at the silent man across from him. The man was staring meaningfully out the window with unwavering eyes.

"Someone I haven’t seen in a long time is coming."

"Ah, I see."

The man slowly rose from his seat and walked toward the window. The sun, hanging high above the sea, shattered into golden shards of light. The man didn’t so much as flinch under the blazing rays pouring through the window, his gaze fixed firmly on a single point beyond.

The physician watched the man’s back with a puzzled look. Having served as his personal doctor for a long time, he knew something about him seemed different today.

Curious about what the man ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ was so intently staring at, the doctor also turned his eyes toward the window.

"He’s here."

The man’s quiet voice rang out just as someone appeared at the front of the mansion. The doctor’s eyes widened in surprise.

"The person you were expecting... was the Young Lord?"

At last, Chester Redrick turned from the window where he had been gazing all along.

"If you’d like, stay and greet him before you go."

With that, Chester left the room. As he descended from the bedroom to the first floor, he passed by the servants lined up at the front entrance. He had told them not to stand on ceremony for a sudden visit, but it seemed they couldn’t help themselves.

And in truth, the servants working in this mansion were originally staff of the main Redrick estate, so their behavior was only natural.

The door opened slowly, and Theo entered. The servants all bowed in unison, and Theo also bowed to the man standing directly in his path.

"It’s been a while, Father."

Chester examined his son's face closely. Though not much had changed, there was now a dignified aura to him that hadn’t been there before.

"I got your letter from Gwen just this morning, saying you were dropping by—and yet here you are already."

"It was urgent. I had no choice."

Coming all the way from the capital to Traum in the south took time. Chester knew that Theo had been able to arrive this quickly only because he had used magic.

After all, Chester himself, though not as skilled as his son, was a mage who possessed magic power.

"Theo!"

Just then, a woman came hurrying down the stairs. The maids attending her fretted, afraid she might trip, and Chester himself warned her to be careful, even taking her hand to steady her.

"Mother."

The woman was Theo’s birth mother and Chester’s wife—Duchess Merel Redrick. As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she took her son’s hand in hers.

"My son, was the journey difficult?"

"Yes. Have you been well?"

"I’m so glad to see you. If you’d told us a few days earlier, we could’ve prepared something more grand."

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"It’s fine. Just seeing the two of you again is more than enough."

Merel’s reddish-brown eyes were fixed on her son, eagerly scanning his face. When Chester’s health had declined to the point of requiring rest, his parents had relocated here temporarily. And only now was Theo visiting this estate for the first time.

He had always meant to stop by, but family obligations and, more than anything, his military duties had kept him too busy to find the time. Even so, he had made sure to stay in touch and check on their wellbeing through letters.

"You didn’t come all this way for no reason, did you?"

Chester waited until Merel had spoken enough with their son before finally addressing him. When Theo nodded, Chester turned toward the drawing room.

"Mother, there’s something I must urgently discuss with Father."

"Alright. I’ll be waiting."

Theo gave Merel’s hand a gentle squeeze before heading to the drawing room. The scent of tea and refreshments prepared by the steward filled the space.

"How is your health?"

"My strength has returned quite a bit."

"I’m glad to hear it."

A brief silence followed. Chester was a warm man who always put family first, but he was also reserved and didn’t speak much. Theo was the same. Casual chatter never suited them.

Simply exchanging a few words and seeing each other’s faces was enough to confirm that things were alright.

"Theo, your aura seems to have changed."

"Does it?"

"Well, you’re the Supreme Commander of the Empire’s army now. I suppose you should carry yourself with that kind of presence."

Theo carefully set his teacup down. Conversations involving the military always made him slightly tense around his father—because Chester had been the one most opposed to Theo becoming a soldier.

He still remembered the look on his father's face when, after being educated from a young age to lead the family, he abruptly announced he would be entering the military academy.

At the time, Chester had even threatened to sever ties with him if he didn’t return to the family, but Theo had been just as stubborn. Only after Theo rapidly rose to the rank of general did Chester finally acknowledge him as a soldier.

"If you’re seeking me out in such haste, then this probably isn’t about family matters."

"......No."

"Tell me what you need."

"I’d like to borrow your information network."

In other words, he wanted to borrow the influence that came with the Redrick name. The Redrick family’s roots were tied to the very founding of Heighnerr. They had always been seen as loyal to the Empire and were deeply respected by the people.

Such a family naturally attracted people to its cause. And when a duke like Chester Redrick put his mind to it, the reach of his intelligence network was vast—something Theo had recalled after Leo’s suggestion.

"I can’t go into detail since it involves military secrets, but there’s currently an investigation underway within the army."

"And you’ve hit a wall, so you’re considering using an external network."

Theo nodded. Even without him spelling it out, Chester had understood.

"If you’re going this far, it must be urgent."

"It is urgent—but also an important mission."

Chester fell silent for a moment. He stared into his cup of crimson tea before slowly nodding.

"Tell me what you want me to find out. I’ll decide after hearing it."

"Yes. There was a massive magical explosion ten years ago in Vite, a desert city under Lockbell Empire’s control. I’d like you to find out the truth behind that incident."

He couldn’t explain why the incident was important. That was classified military information—something he couldn’t disclose easily, not even to his own father.

"Vite... you mean where the Sahar people live?"

"Yes."

But Chester’s expression shifted. A frown creased his face for the first time since they began speaking.

"The Sahar... even hearing that name is unpleasant."

"Father, do you know much about the Sahar?"

Chester gave a slight nod.

"I don’t know what business you have investigating something caused by the Sahar, but you’d best avoid getting involved with them."

There was conviction in his firm tone. Theo recalled that the Sahar were said to possess incredible research capabilities and were called eccentrics.

"May I ask why?"