I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 167

Imperial Army Headquarters.

The air inside the investigation unit’s conference room was heavy and oppressive. Standing before Theo, Leo rolled his eyes nervously, gauging his superior’s mood.

“So, you’re saying the root cause of all this started with those Sahar scholars?”

“That seems to be the case.”

A heavy sigh escaped Theo’s lips. After compiling the information he’d gathered from his father and the intel he had Leo investigate, the entire picture had become clear. How that kind of monster had been created, and why.

“At least... the motive behind it all is clear now.”

“...But what was His Majesty aiming for?”

“Huh?”

Leo blinked in confusion at the sudden mention of the emperor.

“It’s nothing. For now, we’ll report everything to His Majesty as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Three days left.”

Theo rose from his seat and gazed out the window. His eyes, reflecting the darkness that had fallen over the entire empire, looked distant and pensive—as if he were searching for someone invisible to him.

In three days, Luke would return. That meant the days of waiting, of worrying endlessly about Luke’s safety, of aching with longing, would finally be over.

While Luke had been away on the mission in Welharun, Theo had left the manor and returned to living in the military headquarters as he used to. He buried himself in work every single day, trying to distract himself with endless tasks. But no matter how much he tried, the void left behind by Luke’s absence was painfully evident.

He had even found himself wishing Luke would at least appear in his dreams. During this time, Theo had come to realize more acutely than ever just how precious and beloved Luke was to him.

“I have to admit, it’s been pretty lonely without the guys around.”

Leo, noticing Theo staring out the window with a melancholic expression, chuckled softly.

“But still, do you think the mission was a success...?”

“Success isn’t the issue. Their safety is what matters. As long as Luke comes back uninjured and safe, nothing else matters.”

Theo didn’t care about victory if it came at the cost of Luke’s safety. He didn’t want Luke to be in danger, didn’t want him to be hurt. That was the only success Theo sought.

Feeling a gaze on him, Theo suddenly snapped out of it.

“...Ah, apologies. That was an inappropriate statement for a commander to make.”

He hadn’t even registered that Leo was still in the room. For a commander to say he didn’t care about the mission’s success in front of his subordinate—that was not a proper stance.

“No need to apologize, sir. I know how to differentiate between public duty and personal feelings. And I understand that what you just said came from the latter.”

Leo’s considerate response made Theo smile faintly. But even so, Leo added, “They’ll all come back safely, sir.”

However, in truth, Leo felt more concern than reassurance. It wasn’t that he doubted Luke’s abilities. As a fellow soldier, he’d witnessed Luke’s prowess firsthand—and Luke had once been considered a candidate for Commander-in-Chief.

But what worried Leo wasn’t Luke’s strength—it was his personality. Luke might seem indifferent and careless, but he was fiercely responsible and would stop at nothing to complete a mission once he took it on. Because of that, Luke wouldn’t hesitate to take a risk if it meant achieving success.

Knowing how critical the current operation was, could Luke really restrain himself and prioritize his own safety? Anyone who knew Luke well wouldn’t be able to say that with confidence.

And Theo knew it too—that was why he wore such a tormented expression. All they could do now was pray that Luke and the others returned without any harm.

Just then, the door to the investigation unit burst open.

“Commander!”

“...Jade?”

The one who barged in, breathing heavily, was none other than Jade, a senior member of the 7th Unit. Someone who was supposed to be in Welharun right now.

Both Theo and Leo frowned simultaneously.

“Jade, how are you...?”

Leo’s words trailed off in shock. As he stared at the sweat-drenched, breathless Jade, Theo’s hands clenched into fists. He had hoped desperately that his premonition wouldn’t come true, but now it seemed like it had.

“I apologize, but I’ll explain later! For now, I will report the orders given by Commander Luke of the Special Ops Unit!”

Jade then began to recount everything that had happened in Welharun—everything Luke had uncovered. Finally, he presented the bloodstained letter that Heath had written, asking Hainere for help.

After the full report, Leo, who rarely lost his temper, couldn’t help but grit his teeth in frustration.

“...Jade.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Jade straightened his back, trembling. Theo’s voice, when he called his name, was so cold it sent chills down his spine.

“So? Where is Luke now?”

“T-that is...”

“Speak. That’s an order.”

Leo shot Jade a sharp look. It was a signal to stop hesitating and just get to the point.

“C-Commander Luke volunteered to act as a decoy to hold the enemy back while we carried out our mission.”

“Hah.”

Theo raised his fist as if he were about to slam it down on the table—but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he closed his eyes tightly and rubbed his face with both hands. Luke’s promise to return safely echoed in his mind.

“C-Commander, you know how skilled Commander Luke is. Even if he’s up against NOX’s leader, there’s no way he would—”

“That’s not the issue.”

Theo gritted his teeth so hard that his jawbone visibly protruded beneath his skin.

Leo was right. Under normal circumstances, Luke would easily overpower any opponent—even a leader of NOX. But right now, Luke was restricted in using his magic.

The more he used his mana, the more the corrupted mana would spread, devouring his body from the inside. It would inevitably affect his combat abilities. Fighting under those conditions was already a huge disadvantage.

If Luke lost, that would be the end. But even if he managed to win, the aftermath would be even more dangerous. If the corrupted mana spread too far—

“...Leo. Assemble every member of the 7th Unit and head to the mana preservation zone.”

“You mean...?”

“We’ve received a distress call. We’re entering Welharun immediately.”

Theo carefully folded the letter from Heath and tucked it into his coat.

“Commander, I agree that we should go to Welharun. But we need to report to His Majesty first, don’t we?”

No matter how high the Imperial Army’s authority was, they still served under the emperor. Moving against another nation required the emperor’s explicit permission.

“No time.”

Theo knew the procedure well. As a soldier, he understood that reporting to the emperor was a crucial protocol. If Luke weren’t in danger, he would have followed it to the letter.

But there was no time now. While they delayed, Luke was still out there, exposed to danger.

“But Commander—”

“Leo, I ask that you don’t try to stop me. I know what you’re worried about, but I will take full responsibility for everything that happens after this.”

With that single statement, Leo fell silent. No, more accurately, he couldn’t say anything more. Something in Theo’s eyes warned him not to get in the way. There was a frightening, almost feral intensity in those eyes.

Leo immediately rallied the 7th Unit, and the troops moved swiftly to the western military base that bordered Welharun. The soldiers at the western base scrambled to open the gates to Welharun.

But, predictably, the Welharun forces refused. After all, it was absurd to ask to open the gates to a foreign army. Theo tried to reason with them, explaining the urgent situation—but the gates remained firmly shut.

Watching Theo act so emotionally—someone usually so rational—made Leo uneasy. It was as if Theo might actually burn the border gates to the ground if they didn’t open them soon.

Fortunately, the tense standoff didn’t last long. Unexpectedly, the Welharun side opened the gates.

“By order of the Second Prince,” said the border guards.

Ignoring them, Theo rushed straight toward the palace.

Luke, please...

Theo wasn’t a religious man. He always believed that one’s strength came from oneself, not from any god. But for the first time, he wanted to pray—to pray that Luke was safe.

As the Welharun palace came into view, Theo’s brow furrowed. The entire area reeked of foul, ominous mana. The closer he got, the more anxious he became.

He extended his sensory magic and finally caught a faint trace of Luke’s mana—coming from behind the palace.

“Leo, you head for the main gate. I’ll take the rear.”

Theo sprinted toward the rear gate. As he neared the massive, sealed doors, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the corrupted mana thickened. And Luke’s mana was flickering like a candle in the wind.

“Damn it.”

It was rare for Theo to curse aloud. But at that moment, his eyes fell on the hole in the center of the gate.

Theo immediately drew his sword, his grip tightening until blue flames engulfed the blade.

Whoosh—

With all his strength, he hurled the sword. The blue flames spread like wildfire, consuming the rear gate in an instant.

Theo stormed through the flames and rushed inside.

“...Luke.”

There he was—clothes torn, skin bruised and bleeding, right hand mangled and blackened, mouth smeared with blood. And worst of all, black smoke rising from his body.

For the first time, Theo truly felt his heart stop.