I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 102
"Did you see that look on his face during the meeting earlier? That smug, self-satisfied expression? No matter how serious the situation might be, how could they bring back a retired man like him and call him an advisor?"
“Well, still...”
Seth, who had been agreeing with Mile up to this point, coughed awkwardly and started to hesitate.
“You can’t deny Luke’s skill. Just look at how much Dylan struggled without him...”
“Dylan’s adjusted just fine. What are you talking about?”
“Do you really think so? Do you honestly believe our special unit is running as smoothly as it used to?”
Mile faltered, Seth’s remark hitting closer to home than he cared to admit. He coughed to cover his discomfort.
“Anyway, it’s infuriating to have to deal with that bastard again. On top of that, who knows if Luke will keep covering up the equipment embezzlement incident? Ugh, it’s a headache all because of him!”
“My thoughts exactly—uh, wait...”
“If only there were a way to get rid of him once and for all...”
As Mile seriously contemplated his words, Seth, standing beside him, grew visibly pale. He subtly nudged Mile in the ribs, trying to stop him from going any further.
“What? Why are you poking—”
Annoyed, Mile shrugged off Seth’s hand, only to freeze as he noticed a shadow looming nearby. His face went ashen when he turned and saw who it was.
“C-Commander...”
Both men quickly straightened up and saluted, stiff as boards. Normally, Theo would have immediately acknowledged their salute, but this time he merely stared at them in silence.
“Are... are you here for lunch, sir? It’s a special menu today...”
“‘That bastard,’ ‘filthy agenda.’”
“...Pardon?”
“Those were your words about Luke just now, Mile.”
Mile let out a nervous laugh, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape.
“Let me ask you one thing. On what basis are you making these claims?”
“...What?”
“What exactly is the reason for your hostility toward Luke? If you’re so intent on badmouthing him, you must have a solid reason.”
Mile bit down hard on the inside of his cheek. He disliked being caught gossiping, but what unnerved him even more was Theo’s piercing gaze, radiating a cold intensity that seemed ready to cut someone down.
“Well, it’s just that...”
“Can’t give an answer, huh? So, you’re saying there’s no reason for the slander? From where I’m standing, it doesn’t look like you’re even qualified to criticize Luke.”
“C-Commander, it’s just that many of the troops are unhappy about Luke’s return after his unseemly retirement. You know what he was like in the past. I was only trying to point out those issues...”
Seth gave Mile a frantic look, silently pleading for him to stop, but Mile couldn’t seem to shut his mouth.
“So what?”
“...Sir?”
“Did Luke harm you or any of the troops? Has he done anything offensive since his return?”
Both men fell silent.
“Mile.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know why the position of a captain is so important? Troops tend to mirror the behaviors of their leaders.”
Just as Theo’s own 1st Division had been known for their diligence and enthusiasm when he led them, and as Leo’s 7th Division was known for their free-spirited yet thoughtful demeanor, the insular nature of the military only seemed to amplify these tendencies.
“It makes me wonder what the 3rd Division, under your leadership, might look like.”
“....”
“We’re about to face a mission so critical it demands vigilance as if we were at war.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Avoid doing anything that disrupts morale. If I hear any more gossip like this, you won’t get off with just a scolding.”
Mile’s ears turned crimson as he lowered his head in embarrassment.
Theo was not the type to criticize others openly, which is why his rare reprimands carried so much weight. Among the troops, it was said that if Theo rebuked someone, they must have committed a truly grievous mistake to earn his disapproval.
Theo was unmistakably calling out Mile’s behavior, his face visibly showing his anger. The intensity of his gaze bore down on the two men, making their shoulders slump under its weight as cold sweat trickled down their spines.
“And Seth.”
“Yes!”
“If a comrade goes astray, it’s your responsibility to correct them. And frankly, you’re in no position to criticize Luke.”
“...What?”
Seth blinked, confused, but Theo didn’t clarify. Instead, he posed another question.
“And why did you bring up the equipment embezzlement incident again?”
At that, both men flinched noticeably. Theo’s sharp eyes caught their reaction, narrowing dangerously.
“It’s nothing! I just mentioned it because it’s something Luke did in the past, that’s all!”
“...Luke has already been punished for that, and in the end, his actions were for the benefit of the Empire. Stop carelessly dredging up old matters.”
Theo turned on his heel without waiting for a reply, but after taking a few steps, he seemed to recall something and looked back at the two men, who were just beginning to relax.
“There’s one thing you don’t know. Luke agreed to help as an advisor at my personal request.”
“...What?!”
Their eyes widened in shock, unable to believe what they had just heard.
“There’s no hidden agenda or ulterior motives. He’s here purely to assist with this mission, so watch your words.”
With that, Theo left the courtyard entirely.
At the entrance to the dining hall, Sion was pacing anxiously, glancing around nervously.
“Ah, Commander! I was just wondering if I should go look for—”
Sion’s relieved face stiffened as he got a good look at Theo.
“Sion.”
“Yes, sir!”
The cold tone and piercing gaze made Sion instinctively lower his head.
“As Commander, I have an order for all personnel. Relay my words exactly.”
Luke stood idly, turning the practice sword over in his hands, tilting his head curiously. Suddenly, a loud commotion came from the training hall, and the door burst open as someone ran out in a hurry.
“Are you alr— Oh! You’re...!”
Standing there was a somewhat familiar yet unfamiliar face.
“L-Luke, former Captain Luke!”
As if he had just encountered a figure from his imagination, the man clapped a hand over his mouth and pointed at Luke, his other hand trembling slightly. Luke stared blankly at the finger directed at him before narrowing his eyes, examining the man closely.
“Ah, I’m sorry! That was rude of me to point... uh, do you remember me?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Ha, as I expected. I’m Dylan Mayba. I was a senior member of the 3rd Division when you were in command.”
“Ah, you were part of that squad led by the rude bastard.”
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Dylan winced, realizing instantly that “rude bastard” referred to Mile. He chuckled awkwardly but then straightened his posture as if steeling himself.
“And now, I’ve taken over as the leader of the special unit, succeeding you, Captain.”
Dylan’s voice rang with the kind of energy one might use when reporting to a superior. Luke, however, remained unfazed.
“Oh, really? Must be tough. Looks like you’re unlucky, too.”
Luke casually walked over and handed the practice sword back to Dylan.
“T-That’s it?”
“What else? Did you think I’d grab you by the collar and beat you up for taking my place?”
Dylan gulped, and Luke, seeing this, chuckled dryly. It seemed Dylan had actually braced himself for such a reaction. In the past, maybe Luke would have done exactly that, but not anymore.
“Dylan, let me make this clear: I wasn’t thrown out of the military; I left it. So I have no reason to hold a grudge against you. Honestly, if you expected me to react like that, why’d you even introduce yourself so formally?”
Dylan could have just let him pass without making a scene, yet he had loudly announced himself as though reporting for duty.
“Well... ever since I heard you were back, I’ve wanted to meet you.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Luke’s tone was indifferent, though his mind was already piecing together the situation. It was likely that Mile had filled the unit’s ears with all kinds of nonsense about him. Dylan probably wanted to question him about his return—or worse, lecture him. If so, Luke was ready to give Dylan a good smack upside the head. But before he could prepare himself for that, Dylan, still hesitating, made a surprising request.
“If you have time... could you watch me train for a bit?”
“...What?”
The unexpected question left Luke blinking in disbelief. His hand, which had been scratching the back of his head lazily, paused mid-motion as his eyes widened ever so slightly.
