I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 113

Luke kneaded his stiff shoulders. He was currently sorting through information related to Welharun, organizing it in a way that would make it easier to analyze. At the same time, he was reviewing documents, but as expected, there was nothing that stood out as conclusive evidence for this case.

It would have been strange if publicly available records contained crucial clues, but he couldn't rule out the possibility entirely.

"Leo's still out on external work?"

Luke’s gaze shifted to the empty seat across from him.

"Yes. It seems getting reliable information isn’t easy."

The response came from Paul. Luke then turned his head to where Theo usually sat—also empty.

It was already evening, nearing the end of the workday. Theo had been handling investigation unit matters here all day before leaving about thirty minutes ago, saying he needed to stop by the commander’s office.

Ever since the investigation unit had officially begun its work, Theo had been incredibly busy.

"Your name was... Phil?"

"It's Paul."

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"Take the others and head back to the dorms."

“...What?”

At first, Paul’s face lit up with momentary joy at being told to leave work, but he quickly schooled his expression.

"The document sorting is mostly done, and there's a unit meeting first thing tomorrow morning."

Paul and the other members exchanged glances, hesitating. While they were pleased to hear they could go home, they still weren’t sure if it was really okay to leave.

"S-Sir Luke, aren’t you leaving too?"

"I will. Just need to wrap up a few things."

Luke stretched his arms above his head, but the soldiers still lingered uncertainly. He had been about to lecture them on how proper rest was essential for efficiency when a better idea popped into his head.

"If you don’t leave now, you’re working overnight."

"We—we’ll be going now!"

Before Luke could make good on his threat, Paul and the others scrambled to gather their things. Just as they were about to dash out of the office, they suddenly hesitated and turned back toward Luke.

"What? Get going."

"You worked hard today, sir!"

And with that, they all bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle.

Luke, caught off guard, jerked his chair back, the sound screeching unnaturally through the room.

"Wait, Paul."

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Paul motioned for the others to go ahead, leaving just the two of them in the office.

"You guys... what’s up with you lately?"

"Sir?"

Paul tilted his head, confused by the vague question.

"I mean, the headquarters troops have been acting strange. Every time they see me, they act like they’ll die if they don’t bow properly. Like I’m some kind of ghost haunting the place."

Luke had initially planned to ask Leo about it, but that had fallen apart thanks to Theo’s sudden interference last time. And ever since then, Leo had been out of the office too often for Luke to bring it up again.

"Oh, that? Commander Theo issued a directive to the entire military headquarters."

“...A directive? What kind of directive?"

Paul cleared his throat and straightened his back as if making an official announcement.

"Attention, all headquarters personnel. Luke, though an external operative, has been directly appointed by the military. As a key collaborator in the investigation unit, he plays a crucial role in our operations. Therefore, all personnel are to treat him with the same respect afforded to a unit captain and conduct themselves with due decorum."

"...."

"...That concludes the directive."

Paul even mimicked Theo’s tone as he relayed the message. It was at that moment Luke deeply understood why this guy belonged to Leo’s 7th Unit. But more than that, he was bewildered. This was the first he was hearing of it.

"If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!"

Paul’s voice was full of rigid enthusiasm. Luke, still dazed, just shook his head. Dismissing him with a wave, he watched as Paul gave one last deep bow before leaving.

And then, silence.

Alone in the office, Luke mulled over what Paul had said, his gaze darting around restlessly. He absentmindedly crumpled some papers on his desk and bit his lip. Then, abruptly, he stood up.

"Dammit, seriously."

He stomped over to the window, grabbed the handles, and flung it open.

"Why the hell is it so hot in here?"

His frustrated grumble drifted out into the night air. The sharp chill of the evening wind brushed against his skin, but it wasn’t enough to cool the heat surging through him.

"Why does he have to go saying unnecessary things..."

So that was why everyone had been greeting him so stiffly, why Mile and Seth had quietly passed by without their usual snide remarks. It was all because of that directive. Luke had genuinely thought the entire headquarters had collectively lost their minds.

‘Are you afraid that the commander might still see you as that villain?’

"Theo doesn’t think of me that way, huh..."

Luke had known that, logically. He knew Theo no longer viewed him as a villain. But knowing it in his head and feeling it in his heart were two completely different things. A strange sense of relief spread through him, setting his whole body alight with warmth.

He sighed heavily and leaned against the windowsill. Even with the cold wind against his face, he couldn’t seem to calm down.

"Luke?"

His head snapped up at the familiar voice.

"What are you doing over there?"

Theo stood outside the window, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Uh..."

Luke had not expected him to show up. Of all people, the one who had thrown his emotions into chaos, the one who had stirred up his thoughts so violently, was now standing right in front of him.

"Hold on."

Theo’s expression turned serious as he reached out. His large hand drew closer, and Luke instinctively stiffened.

"Your face is red... and you’re burning up?"

"...."

Theo pressed his palm against Luke’s forehead, as if checking for a fever. His touch was cold, chilled by the night air. But somehow, that coldness only made Luke’s pulse race faster.

Could a heart beat this fast without killing someone? And why—why was it beating even harder just because Theo was the one touching him?

As Theo gently examined him with a concerned gaze, Luke clenched his jaw. He thought he understood something, but his mind was too much of a mess to process it. Everything was blurry, like a fog had settled over his thoughts.

But even through the haze, his heart was trying to pull something to the surface.

"Luke, your body temperature is too high. Come on, I’ll take you back to the estate."

"I’m not sick."

"Hm?"

"More importantly, why are you here? Did you finish your work?"

Luke pulled away from Theo’s hand, trying to sound as normal as possible. He was hyper-aware of any tremor in his voice, any oddities in his behavior.

"I still have more to do."

"Then why aren’t you working—"

Why did he have to show up and make Luke feel even more unsteady? And why the hell had he given that stupid directive?

"I came to check if you’d gone home. If I didn’t, you’d just stay here working all night again."

Luke flinched.

"I’m not you."

"The one thing you and I have in common is that we both throw ourselves into our work without thinking. Look at you—alone in the office while everyone else has left."

Luke averted his gaze. It was true. He had planned to stay longer, digging through documents to find some connection between Nox and Welharun. But then Paul had blindsided him with that revelation, throwing his whole plan into disarray.

"Go back to the estate. I asked Gwen to prepare dinner. I told him to make things with a bit of sweetness, so it should suit your taste."

Luke parted his lips, stunned. Since when had Theo noticed something as trivial as his food preferences?

As he ran a hand through his hair in frustration, Theo tilted his head.

"You really don’t look well."

"Yeah. I feel weird. I feel so weird I could die."

Luke blurted it out, voice rising.

Theo’s face tensed further.

"Is your hand hurting? Or is it something else? We should go to the medical ward. Or ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) I can call a doctor to the estate—"

"God, when are you leaving?"

"I told you, I still have work to do."

"...Go."

"Hm? I didn’t catch that."

Theo leaned in slightly, as if urging him to repeat it.

"...I said, I’ll wait, so let’s go back together!"

Luke shouted.

Theo, startled, clapped a hand over his ear and stared at him with wide eyes.