FMRV | Chapter 3

When did I first realize I had been reincarnated into a novel I’d casually read from time to time? It must have been before enrolling in the military academy, back when I was just a boy.

They say realization strikes suddenly, and it was true in my case. One day, I suddenly became aware that this world was the setting of a novel—specifically, the one story I had paid the most attention to, The Flower of the Battlefield. And even more specifically, I had become Luke, a character labeled as the villain. The same Luke who spends the entire story clashing with the protagonist, fighting over their ultimate goals, and eventually spiraling into increasingly despicable acts.

Why was it that, out of all possible roles, I had to become the villain? Like most transmigrators, I found myself asking the same question. Then, I suddenly recalled my unique perspective on villains—how I had always viewed them differently from others. Maybe this wasn’t a coincidence but a twist of fate.

Villains, in my opinion, are another type of guide for the protagonist. They serve a crucial role, far more nuanced than people who mindlessly hate them realize. So perhaps, just maybe, this was some kind of divine punishment for my unusual opinions.

“Hey.”

In the quiet barracks, Luke was trying to rest when Mile barged in without so much as a knock. Luke sat up on his cot, rubbing his face wearily.

“Could you at least knock next time?”

“Since when do we knock in the barracks?”

Mile stared down at Luke with that same condescending look. Ah, those eyes. The ones that always regarded him with hostility and disdain—so fitting for a relationship between a villain and everyone else.

“Thanks to your unsanctioned little stunt, the ambush was a success. Reports are coming in that Memvern’s forces are retreating from the coastal zone. They’ll likely focus on replacing their losses for a while—or maybe pivot toward peace negotiations.”

“And you came all the way here just to tell me that?”

“I came to tell you to pack up. We’re leaving this area and returning to Headquarters with only minimal troops left behind. Though, knowing you, if you want to stay, you’ll just do whatever you want anyway.”

With a sharp glare, Mile left the barracks, his coat swishing dramatically. Luke, watching his retreating figure, gave him a rather elegant middle finger before flopping back onto his cot.

Honestly, staying behind sounded appealing. Even villains need rest sometimes. But that wasn’t an option. Even villains have their limits, lines they can’t cross. Groaning, Luke heaved his body out of bed and started packing.

Whoever said villains only need to be bad must not understand what it takes to play one. In some ways, being a villain requires more skill than being the protagonist.

For instance:

“I heard Commander Luke successfully led a surprise attack against the enemy forces?”

“Yes, sir. That’s correct, Commander-in-Chief.”

Standing tall with a composed expression, even knowing his actions would be frowned upon. Behind him, Mile and other division commanders scoffed audibly.

“Commander Luke.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Commander-in-Chief, Veil Winium, the supreme authority of the military, stood up from his chair and clapped Luke on the shoulder.

“Well done. Thanks to you, we managed to rout the enemy forces without suffering any casualties ourselves. That said, acting on your own initiative without proper reporting or consultation is unacceptable.”

“…I will correct that.”

Veil nodded without further comment. Known for his gentle and mild-mannered personality, Veil was unlike any other Commander-in-Chief in the Empire’s history. He despised unnecessary bloodshed and genuinely cared for his subordinates, earning him the reputation of being almost saintly.

While outsiders often criticized Veil for not embodying the stereotypical soldier’s spirit, those under his command respected him deeply.

“Well, with this, Memvern won’t likely retaliate immediately. We’ll monitor their next moves, but barring any major surprises, they’ll have no choice but to accept the peace treaty we’re proposing. I’ve stationed personnel in the eastern division, so the 3rd Division and other forces can rest for the time being.”

With a sharp salute, Luke exited the Commander-in-Chief’s office. As he walked, Mile glanced at him with his usual annoyed expression before heading his own way. Luke ignored him and continued down the corridor toward his quarters.

“So, Commander Luke acted on his own again?”

Passing by an open window, Luke overheard some soldiers chatting. He turned his head slightly, spotting three soldiers resting in the corner, whispering to one another.

“Yeah. Heard he stormed into the Memvern ambush site by himself.”

“How’d it go?”

“Apparently, the ambush was a success. But so what? Word is, he left the troops behind, telling them to hold their positions while he went off on his own.”

Leaning against the wall, Luke listened to their murmurs with mild amusement.

“What does that tell you? He just wanted all the credit for himself. I saw him heading into the Commander-in-Chief’s office earlier.”

If that’s how it looked from the outside, then mission accomplished. In truth, it wasn’t about stealing credit—it was about keeping innocent soldiers from getting hurt during the ambush.

Another skill of a villain: shrugging off whispers and gossip. A protagonist might take such words to heart, but a villain? Never.

“Nice observation.”

Luke suddenly flung the window wide open and flashed a wicked grin at the soldiers.

“C-Commander Luke…!”

Startled, the soldiers jumped to attention, saluting stiffly.

“If you’ve got time to gossip, how about honing your skills instead? You’re too weak to be of any use in an ambush.”

“…Understood.”

The soldiers’ faces fell as they stammered apologies.

“Great. Then go run twenty sparring rounds. That’s your punishment for talking behind your commander’s back.”

With a final bow, the soldiers scurried off.

“Get stronger, will you? It’s the only way you’ll survive the battlefield.”

Luke muttered under his breath as he watched their dejected figures disappear.

“Commander Luke.”

A familiar voice called out. Turning, Luke saw Theo approaching. The protagonist of this story and the man destined to become the Empire’s Commander-in-Chief.

“Back from seeing the Commander-in-Chief?”

“So what if I am?”

“I’m curious what he said.”

Theo’s sharp gaze swept over Luke, landing on the bandage on his forehead.

“If you were hoping I got scolded, you’ll be disappointed. In fact, he praised my contributions. You’ll have to step up your game, Commander Theo.”

Luke smirked, deliberately baiting Theo. After all, Theo wasn’t just the protagonist—he was Luke’s ultimate goal.

Being reincarnated as a villain wasn’t the only problem. The real issue? This story was incomplete. The author had abandoned the serialization, leaving Theo’s journey to the top unfinished.

“Thanks for the advice.”

Yeah, hurry up and become Commander-in-Chief already, for everyone’s sake.

Luke walked past Theo, heading down the corridor. If he was going to be stuck in this role, he might as well see it through to the end.

As Luke disappeared into the distance, Theo stared after him.

“…Looks like he’s healing well.”

Only after Luke was gone did Theo quietly walk away.