I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 153

Chester slowly set down the teacup he’d been holding. He fell silent, his gaze drifting into the air as though searching the edges of a memory from the past.

"It happened before you were born, so it’s no wonder you wouldn’t know. It was one of those incidents the Empire tried to keep quiet. Theo, you already know that the Sahar are a reclusive people."

Theo nodded. That was why, even though they were under the rule of the Lockbell Empire, the Sahar’s city, Vite, functioned almost like an independent nation. According to Leo, Lockbell received the Sahar’s brilliant inventions in exchange for granting them a certain degree of autonomy.

"But they were born with an unusually fervent thirst for knowledge. Normally, they never stray far from their homeland, but if there’s something they want to research, they won’t hesitate to cross to any continent. And there was a time when such people came to Heighnerr."

That meant, at some point in the past, the Sahar had come to Heighnerr to conduct research.

"Heighnerr is a land rich in magical blood. Thanks to that, our military power has developed to this extent."

"The Sahar came to study magic?"

"Yes."

But if it had been simple research, would there really have been a problem? Even now, studies into magic and magic itself were actively ongoing all over the world.

"I’m no scholar, but I know there are many ways to go about research. Still, among them, there are taboos that must not be crossed."

"......"

Theo fell silent. For some reason, he thought he already knew what Chester was trying to say.

"They performed human experimentation, didn’t they."

Chester lowered his eyes. That was his answer.

"When the Sahar came into Heighnerr, there were several cases of mages going missing."

The Empire had later dispatched people to search for the missing mages, but by the time they were found, it was already too late. Their corpses had been discovered, and the scene was so horrific that some of the investigators and soldiers dispatched by the palace had reportedly fainted on the spot.

With their abdomens cut open, organs pulled apart and exposed, and unknown instruments embedded throughout their bodies—there was no doubt that this had been more than a simple kidnapping.

"An investigation followed, and they eventually confirmed that the Sahar were responsible—but the incident was swept under the rug."

"Why?"

Regardless of the victims being mages, they were still citizens of the Empire. The idea that such cruelty had been inflicted upon them by foreigners, and that the case had simply been covered up, was something Theo couldn’t comprehend.

"The previous emperor held Lockbell accountable, but just imagine what would’ve happened if word of this spread across the continent. Lockbell’s national image would’ve been utterly destroyed. Fearing that, they tried to silence us with monetary compensation—and I recall the Empire accepting it."

"His Majesty agreed to that deal?"

Theo clenched his fists. With his strong sense of justice, it was something he simply couldn’t forgive. Chester, reading his son’s thoughts, let out a brief sigh.

"The higher you sit, the harder it is to remain just, Theo. You’d best not think of emperors as men who live only to serve their people."

He knew that. He knew they were ultimately people driven by profit and desire. But that knowledge didn’t lessen the anger he felt.

"Even so... I heard that back then, His Majesty—the current one—vehemently opposed the former emperor’s decision. Just like you are now."

Theo pictured Cedric Roelard’s face. That man who often wore a soft, almost unbefitting smile. The one who had hidden his identity as a prince and gone to war, who, according to this, had stood up against an unjust decision made by his own father. He really was no ordinary person.

"His Majesty is... a difficult person to read."

"......But he loves this country deeply."

Chester muttered, staring off into the distance.

"Whatever the case, the Sahar crossed a line they never should have, all in the name of research. And since Lockbell forced Heighnerr to keep quiet, there are probably few who know the full story, like I do."

Only someone at Chester’s level—head of House Redrick—would have access to that kind of information. Now Theo understood why {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Chester had warned him not to get involved with the Sahar. And hearing this story only strengthened his conviction.

There was definitely something hidden behind the explosion and monster outbreak in Vite ten years ago.

"Please, I still ask that you look into it."

"Digging into the Sahar won’t be easy, so don’t get your hopes too high."

But Chester hadn’t said no. Theo bowed his head, grateful that he’d come to see his father.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No. That’s the only favor I came to ask."

"Then now let’s hear a bit about you."

Chester shifted in his seat.

"How have you been lately?"

"I thought I told you enough in my letters..."

Theo always included detailed accounts of his daily life, how the estate was running, and how he himself was doing in every letter he sent south.

"I don’t care about a soldier’s routine. What good is it to know what kind of drills you’re running or what monsters you’ve killed?"

With that, Chester finally unleashed the pent-up scolding he’d held back—wondering if that kind of report could even be called a letter to one’s parents. Theo, caught off guard by the unexpected criticism, could only shut his mouth. Since his days revolved entirely around military headquarters, it was only natural that his letters had reflected that—and that had become the problem.

"Then what would you like to hear?"

Chester narrowed his eyes and stared at Theo.

"When I was your age, I had already met and gotten engaged to your mother."

"......"

Theo looked away, already knowing where this conversation was headed.

"I suppose there’s still no young lady in your life, then."

There wasn’t any young lady—but there was a man. A man so handsome and beautiful that no noblewoman could ever compare.

"You show so little interest in such things that I’ve turned down all the marriage proposals sent to our house. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worried."

This was the first time Chester had ever brought up this kind of conversation. Even when Theo had asked him to sort through all the proposals and dismiss them because he had no interest, Chester had done so without question.

Noble families were expected to pass on their power and bloodline, and it was considered natural to find a suitable match and marry early. Yet Chester and Merel had never pressured their son about marriage.

"Theo, I’m not saying this because I want to push you to continue the family line or produce an heir."

Sensing his son’s hesitation and uncertainty, Chester shook his head.

"You’re my own flesh and blood, and yet you’re so emotionally reserved. Your mother and I always worry. That you might grow old all alone, with no one at your side."

Theo flinched at the unexpected comment. He had never once imagined that his parents might be thinking such things.

"More important than your title, your power, your money, or your honor—what matters most is having someone by your side. You could have everything the world envies, but if you’ve got no one to open your heart to, life dries up and withers."

Theo suddenly thought of his parents' relationship. Merel had come from a noble house, but one without much influence. At the time, the family had tried to push Chester into a political marriage with someone of a matching house, but he had defied all opposition to choose Merel instead.

"I don’t care whether you remain a soldier or stay the Supreme Commander, defending the Empire from the front lines. I have no desire to meddle in your life anymore. But what parent can stand by while their child works himself to death all alone?"

"Father, I’m not alone."

"Well then, you might as well just marry the Empire’s army."

Knowing just how much his son loved his work, Chester scoffed and waved his hand dismissively.

"That’s not what I meant. I mean... I have someone. Like that."

Chester, just about to call a servant to clear his empty teacup, paused mid-motion.

"Hmm?"

"So I don’t think I’ll be growing old alone. I don’t think my life will dry out, either."

Normally impossible to read due to his stern demeanor, Chester—for once—failed to hide his surprise. Theo’s words had completely blindsided him.

"If you’re lying just to reassure your old man..."

"What would I gain from lying to you, Father? Besides, if anyone could tell whether I’m lying or not, it’d be you."

That was true. Chester saw no deception in his son’s eyes. And the smile Theo wore as he said he had someone—that was the first time Chester had ever seen such an expression on his son’s face.

"Then... that’s good to hear."

"Yes."

"Go on now. Go see your mother. She’s barely eaten anything all day, just waiting for you to arrive."

"I will."

Theo slowly rose to his feet and walked toward the drawing room door.

"Theo."

"Yes, Father?"

"What kind of person are they?"

Chester didn’t ask what house they were from or whether it was a noblewoman.

"Hmm. Cute."

"...What?"

"Very cute."

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With a faint smile lingering on his lips, Theo left the drawing room, leaving a slightly flustered Chester behind.