I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain-Chapter 120 [VIP]

The ducal estate had become lively again.

For a long time, it had been quiet—both the duke and duchess had gone south for recuperation, and their son, the young duke, had been living in the military. With no master present, the estate had remained eerily still.

But things had changed.

Now that Theo had returned with a guest, Gwen and the other servants were kept busy. Yet, despite the increase in workload, there was an unmistakable energy in the air.

"Did you see them earlier? The two of them having breakfast in the dining room?"

"I passed by and nearly fainted. How can two people look that good together?"

Two maids, pretending to work, had started gossiping.

The topic of discussion, of course, was none other than Theo and Luke.

Theo had always been highly respected among the staff—not just for his striking appearance but also for the way he took care of those beneath him. However, ever since he brought Luke home, the servants' attention had shifted entirely to the two of them.

"What do you think their relationship is?"

"Huh? Just colleagues, right? That’s what the butler said."

"You really don’t get it."

One of the maids playfully smacked her coworker’s shoulder.

"Think about it—do you really think our young lord, with his personality, would bring just any colleague into this estate? This isn’t just any house—it’s the Redrick Duchy."

"I-I guess you have a point..."

"And look at the orders he’s been giving through Gwen lately. He specifically told them to make sure Luke wakes up properly in the morning. And the meals? The young lord doesn’t even like sweet things, yet he changed the entire menu because Luke likes them."

At that, the other maid, who had been confused at first, clapped her hands together in realization.

"We’re talking about the young lord! The same person who never even blinked at all those noblewomen throwing themselves at him! And yet, now he’s going out of his way to take care of someone like this? That’s not something you do for just a colleague."

Theo, as the heir of House Redrick, had always been the center of noble society’s attention.

Even from a young age, countless noble families had tried to tie their daughters to him. They all wanted a connection to the famous ducal house.

After all, Theo wasn’t just from an influential lineage—he was a remarkable talent, both in leadership and combat, and his face was nothing short of stunning.

But he had rejected every single offer, always having his father turn them away on his behalf.

The duke and duchess themselves had never been particularly interested in securing a political marriage for their son. Power-hungry nobles usually sought advantageous unions to solidify their influence, but the House of Redrick had never needed such tactics. Their authority was already unshakable.

So when Theo had chosen to enroll in the military academy instead of entertaining noblewomen, there had been rumors that the social scene had been flooded with broken hearts.

The servants who had worked in the estate for years had watched all of this unfold firsthand.

They had gradually come to understand that their young lord simply had no interest in romance.

Which made his current actions all the more surprising.

—

"Does the soup suit your taste?"

"Yeah. It’s good."

Luke replied as he chewed on a tomato.

Theo, meanwhile, rested his chin on his hand and simply watched him eat.

"You’re not eating?"

"Just watching you eat is enough to fill me up."

Luke’s jaw came to an abrupt halt.

The servants tending to the dining room, as if on cue, discreetly turned their heads away.

"Can you not say things like that when there are people around?"

Luke stabbed his fork into his salad with unnecessary force.

But even as he shot Theo a cold glare, the commander simply smiled. As if he found the reaction adorable.

Theo and Luke were [N O V E L I G H T] out on external duties once again.

"It's been a while since I've been here."

Luke muttered as he glanced around.

The imposing, unyielding stone walls that loomed over them created an austere atmosphere—this was none other than Kalpa Prison, located in Twelyn. It was the facility where convicted criminals were imprisoned, including those captured by the military.

As soon as they stepped past the prison gates, someone approached them, seemingly having been waiting.

"Welcome, Commander. I am Maurice, the administrator of Kalpa Prison."

Theo greeted him with familiarity.

"The visitation room you requested has been prepared," Maurice informed them.

As he guided them inside, he provided various explanations.

Apparently, the individuals they were meeting today were under special supervision. Normally, face-to-face visits were not easily permitted, but since this was a direct request from the commander as part of an investigation, it had been swiftly approved.

Inside the facility, Luke took note of its outdated condition—it was hard to believe this was a prison within the capital.

The long corridors lined with numbered doors exuded an undeniable tension, emphasizing the kind of place this truly was.

"This is the room. I'll wait outside. If you need anything, just call."

"Understood."

Maurice opened the door for them.

The room was simple—structured similarly to military interrogation rooms. A single rectangular table sat in the center, with four chairs arranged around it.

Seated inside, waiting for them, were two individuals.

One was Benji, whom they had captured in Kailum.

The other was Hayes, a Nox operative who had invaded the empire during the Membren War using necromancy.

The moment Theo and Luke stepped in, both men flinched.

Their gazes immediately darted to Luke, and they visibly avoided eye contact.

Luke couldn't help but chuckle.

Seeing them together like this made him realize—both of these men had been captured by him.

"How's life in here?"

Theo pulled out a chair and asked.

"It's... w-way better than where I was before," Benji answered without hesitation.

Hayes, however, immediately shot him a glare.

"And you're just gonna answer them like that?" he hissed.

Luke observed Hayes carefully.

This was his first time seeing him again since the final battle of the Membren War.

After that war, Luke had been disciplined for his actions, and Hayes—whose crimes were undeniable—had been immediately transferred to Kalpa Prison upon capture.

The same had happened with Benji.

Even now, Hayes’s face and posture were filled with unease and wariness.

"Hayes, I told you already—we were abandoned by our leader," Benji muttered.

"And your response to that is to side with these bastards?"

"Which is why your friend here is much smarter than you are," Luke interjected.

"At least he made an effort to find a way to survive."

Hayes shot him a murderous glare.

Luke, unfazed, tilted his head in mock curiosity.

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Then, he noticed Hayes’s eyes flicker toward his right hand.

The one that was gone.

“...Should’ve made sure your hands were completely useless," Hayes muttered under his breath.

Luke narrowed his eyes.

What’s the point of this meeting if he’s going to be this defensive?

Just as that thought crossed his mind—

BANG!

Theo slammed his hand down onto the table.

The force made even Luke flinch slightly.

Benji visibly jolted.

Hayes, who had been burning with hostility just moments ago, stiffened.

"Hayes," Theo said coldly.

"During the Membren War, you killed and injured countless soldiers of this empire."

His voice was steady. Unwavering.

"And your friend beside you? He used innocent people’s lives as mere tools to replenish his own strength."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

"You may be young, and you may have been indoctrinated into this path. But let’s be clear—"

Theo’s gaze darkened.

"Given the weight of your crimes, execution would not be unjustified."

Benji’s face paled instantly.

Theo sighed.

"But I’ve chosen to give you a chance."

"If you cooperate with our investigation, I will spare your lives."

Theo leaned in slightly.

"However, before we proceed, I suggest you fully understand the situation you are in."

The chilling finality in his tone made even Luke take note.

...Was he upset because Hayes had mocked Luke’s hand?

"...Just kill me."

Hayes finally muttered.

"Hayes!"

Benji nearly shouted, grabbing onto his arm.

"It doesn’t matter," Hayes said, voice hollow.

"Whether I’m used as a tool by that bastard or by the empire—it’s all the same in the end."

That bastard?

Was he talking about the leader of Nox?

Luke’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man before him.

With Benji, their cooperation had been relatively smooth.

Partly because Theo had promised protection for him and his friend.

But most importantly—because Benji loathed their former leader.

"Don’t you want revenge?"

Luke’s voice was calm, yet sharp.

Hayes slowly lifted his head.

"You and your people were used as pawns," Luke said.

"The one truly responsible is your leader—he’s the one who turned you into weapons."

He tilted his head.

"You’re telling me you don’t want to get back at him?"

"......."

"If I had the chance," Hayes growled, "I would’ve ripped his throat out myself."

His voice shook with rage.

"But we can’t. You know why?"

His fists clenched.

"Because we have no power."

Luke could hear the bitterness, the helplessness.

And in that moment, he knew.

The hatred Hayes harbored for his former leader ran deeper than even Benji’s.

Luke smiled.

"I do."

Hayes blinked.

"What?"

"I have the power," Luke said simply.

He leaned forward.

"Work with us."

He tapped the table lightly.

"And I’ll personally cut that bastard’s head off and bring it to you."

The metallic sound of Hayes’s shackles trembling echoed in the room.