FMRV | Chapter 17

A voice echoed from afar, naturally drawing the attention of the two toward it. To their surprise, a familiar yet unexpected face stood there.

“Leo, Commander?”

“I thought I saw someone I knew from a distance. And look, it really is the two of you!”

Leo Ruit. The 7th Division Commander of the Imperial Army and one of the candidates for the next Commander in Chief, alongside Luke and Theo. Unlike the two, he had dazzling blonde hair and even more striking features, making him well-known within the Imperial Army for his free-spirited personality.

“What are you doing here? Are you on leave?”

Theo asked with genuine curiosity, to which Leo responded with an exaggeratedly disappointed look.

“Theo, aren’t you too indifferent about me?”

“Did you resolve the family issues?”

“Oh, as expected, Luke knows about it.”

The Ruit Marquisate family, a household as famous as the Redrick Ducal House in the Empire. The Ruit family had produced numerous exceptional military figures, including two former Commanders in Chief bearing the name “Ruit.”

With so many strict and uptight members in his family, Leo would occasionally return home when summoned. That’s probably why he hadn’t been able to attend Luke’s trial this time.

“How do you even know about that?”

“Wouldn’t it be stranger if I didn’t? Everyone in the army knows the formula: if the 7th Division’s Leo suddenly disappears, he’s gone back to the estate. You’re probably the only one who doesn’t know that, Theo.”

Leo burst into laughter at Luke’s words, agreeing wholeheartedly.

“Right. My family’s full of old tigers, you know. But what are you two doing here? It’s a pretty fresh sight. Care to explain?”

While random passersby might not think twice, anyone even remotely associated with the Imperial Army would find it odd to see Luke and Theo standing together like this. The two notorious rivals, known for vying for leadership, strolling side by side in a cozy, picturesque street—it was bound to raise eyebrows.

“Well, to put it simply…”

Luke gave a rough explanation of the situation so far. That Theo was assigned to monitor him during his suspension, and since Luke had errands to run today, Theo had come along. Of course, the secret part about Luke’s plan to wear Theo out by dragging him around aimlessly was omitted.

“Oh, I see. No wonder it seemed strange. Seeing two people who usually snap at each other like this, it almost looked like you were on a date.”

“That’s going too far.”

“Too far, indeed.”

Both Luke and Theo retorted at the same time, their expressions identical as they glared at Leo.

“Well, since things are like this, why not let me tag along?”

“Aren’t you supposed to return to the army soon?”

Theo’s wary tone hinted at his suspicion, but Luke, too busy munching on another piece of chocolate, didn’t seem to notice.

“Yeah, but so what? A little delay won’t cause the Empire to crumble.”

“Leo, you should refrain from making such remarks in public.”

“As expected, Theo’s scary. Commander Luke, you don’t mind if I join, do you?”

Luke mulled it over. After all, today’s outing was about tiring Theo out. With Leo’s lively and noisy personality added to the mix, the goal might be achieved even faster. Besides, he was running out of things to do anyway.

“Fine.”

Theo glared daggers at Luke for his quick decision, but Luke simply shrugged as if to say, “What’s the big deal?”

“Then how about I take you to one of my favorite places?”

“Where’s that?”

“There’s a restaurant on 2nd Street I frequent. Their stew is excellent.”

“Sure, let’s go.”

Luke nodded casually and followed Leo. Watching the two get along so well, Theo let out a short sigh. For some reason, Luke’s thoughtless decision irked him. Nevertheless, he followed them obediently.

The three made their way to the restaurant Leo mentioned. Despite the building’s old exterior, the inside was entirely different—filled with vintage decor and an aroma of mouthwatering food. Apparently, even the royal family visited this renowned establishment. True to Leo’s recommendation, the food was fantastic.

As expected, Leo started chattering away the moment they sat down, and Luke felt a strange satisfaction watching Theo’s expression grow visibly weary.

“It’s almost evening. Let’s head back.”

“Aw, but I still have so much to talk about!”

“You’ve been talking non-stop for two hours.”

Theo’s deadpan stare, as if he were looking at something inhuman, nearly made Luke burst out laughing. Glancing outside, he noticed the sun dipping below the horizon. Time had flown by faster than expected, considering this outing had a purpose.

“Luke, we’re heading back.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Still, Luke figured today was a success—his project to wear Theo out had gone pretty well, thanks to Leo.

As they exited the restaurant and headed back to the headquarters, they heard a shout.

“Thief!”

A woman’s scream echoed from a distance, followed by murmurs from the crowd.

“It must be a pickpocket.”

“Someone, catch him!”

“There he goes!”

A man was sprinting through the crowd, clutching a bag that didn’t match his rugged face. He looked desperate.

“Move!”

The man yelled at the three blocking his path, but Luke sighed as if the whole thing were a hassle. He raised his hand, electricity crackling around his clenched fist.

Just as Luke was about to unleash his power, he felt his collar yanked backward, throwing him to the ground.

“Huh?”

It was Theo. He had grabbed Luke’s clothes and flung him back before charging ahead. In one swift motion, Theo grabbed the thief and slammed him to the ground.

The thief let out a cry, struggling on the ground, with the stolen bag tumbling nearby. Onlookers gathered, astonished. Leo, not wanting to get involved, simply clapped from a safe distance.

Theo quickly used the leather strap from his coat to tie the thief’s hands and returned the bag to its owner.

“Hey, what’s the deal?”

Luke brushed himself off, clearly annoyed. Why had he been tossed around like the thief?

“Luke, you were going to use magic to subdue him, right?”

“So what?”

“This is a crowded street full of civilians. Using magic recklessly here could put people at risk.”

Luke glanced around at the crowd. There were indeed many people nearby.

“You think I can’t control my magic enough to avoid that?”

“Also, this guy’s just a regular person. If he got hit by your magic, he’d be seriously hurt.”

“And you’re worried about a thief who steals other people’s stuff?”

“I’m saying to avoid unnecessary actions.”

Luke understood Theo’s point but still felt it was unfair. What he’d intended to do wasn’t all that different.

“Saint Theo, is that you?”

“Even as a soldier, you shouldn’t act recklessly. When will you realize that?”

Luke frowned, but Theo paid no mind. Hoisting the subdued thief onto his shoulder, Theo turned to the others.

“I’ll hand him over to the local guard. You two can return to the headquarters first.”

With that, Theo disappeared. Leo, sensing the tension, approached Luke cautiously.

“Let’s head back, Luke.”

“Fine.”

Walking alongside Leo, Luke remained sullen as the setting sun painted the streets red.

“You know, some things never change.”

Leo broke the silence.

“Like what?”

“You and Theo. You really are rivals. You two don’t get along at all.”

“…”

“Well, it’s only natural, considering you’re competing for the Commander in Chief position.”

Leo chuckled, but Luke wasn’t in the mood to laugh or respond.

“Anyway, I’m rooting for both of you. As long as it’s not me, I’m fine. I don’t want the hassle.”

Yes, he and Theo were rivals acknowledged by everyone. Competitors for the top spot. And Theo was the protagonist destined to claim it, while Luke’s role was to provoke Theo and lead the story to a happy ending as the antagonist.

He’d never forgotten that, nor did he intend to. But today felt a little different. Maybe it was because he’d spent all day with Theo, outside no less.

“You’re right, Leo.”

“Huh?”

“That’s the relationship that suits us best.”

Perhaps he’d gotten a bit too lax during his suspension. It was time to end the “Theo Annoyance Project.”