FMRV | Chapter 54

However, Theo didn’t immediately follow up. Just as Luke was beginning to sense something unusual, Theo’s low voice softly resonated in his ear.

“I don’t quite get it.”

“What do you mean?”

Luke responded sharply, sensing it wasn’t meant as a compliment.

“Exactly what I said. Anyway, let’s leave that aside. I’d like to hear more about the monster Pale brought in.”

“Didn’t Pale already explain everything?”

Luke had gone over it with Pale multiple times in the middle of the forest, describing the monster’s features and every suspicious detail about it. Even though Pale was timid, he wasn’t dumb, and his explanations should have been more than adequate.

“It’s standard procedure to get information directly from the person involved. Have you forgotten that already?”

From earlier, Theo had been steadily grating on Luke’s nerves. Hadn’t he also made a snide comment about how Luke seemed to be living a fun life after retirement? Of course, leaving the military had been a relief—it was only natural he’d enjoy life more now.

Strict rules, risking death if even one was broken, fighting ugly and dangerous monsters day in and day out. And if a war broke out, things would spiral out of control. Living in filthy barracks, sometimes for days, sometimes for months, without proper meals or even the luxury of bathing. Luke had endured all of that to bring the man standing before him to his position as Commander-in-Chief.

And now, this same man was acting like this. Luke felt like punching his past self for ever worrying about Theo’s well-being. He was doing more than fine; he hadn’t changed one bit. If someone else saw the two of them now, they wouldn’t believe it had been eight months since their last encounter.

Fine. Since Theo was here for work, Luke figured the quickest way to get rid of him was to answer his questions and send him on his way.

“Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“Hmph. Like I said, it’s exactly what I told Pale.”

Luke began recounting everything in detail, from how he had encountered the monster in the forest.

“You saw the monster yourself, right? Monsters covered in fur like that are rare.”

“Not rare—practically non-existent.”

Theo interjected effortlessly, as if he had been waiting for an opportunity to nitpick.

“Well, whatever. The monster itself wasn’t particularly powerful—it was more like a crawling bug. But its ability to make its body transparent and mimic its surroundings? That’s what’s troubling.”

Plenty of monsters hadn’t yet been added to the Empire’s official compendium. While it was possible this was just another undocumented creature, its abilities seemed especially suspicious. Furthermore, the monster’s characteristics didn’t align with those typically found in the Empire.

“Clearly, its abilities are designed for reconnaissance.”

Theo seemed to agree with this assessment, as he didn’t offer any rebuttal.

“Isn’t it possible the monster was smuggled in by a trafficker and escaped?”

“That’s plausible.”

“Then jumping to the conclusion that it was released for reconnaissance seems premature.”

The conversation took on an oddly lively tone. Both Theo and Luke seemed more animated, their voices lighter, their expressions more focused. For a moment, it felt as though they were back in the Imperial Army’s meeting room instead of Luke’s sitting room.

“If it’s foreign reconnaissance, it’s unlikely to mean anything good. But to confirm that, we’d need more concrete evidence.”

Theo was right. While the situation was suspicious, other possibilities couldn’t be ruled out. Smuggling low-grade monsters into the Empire was common enough. Monsters like the one Luke had encountered, which were harmless and even somewhat cute in appearance, were popular with the nobility. Wealthy elites, who could buy practically anything else, had begun to covet even monsters.

Luke recalled an incident where a count had been caught smuggling a monster as a birthday gift for his daughter. Owning monsters was illegal except under special circumstances, which had forced smugglers to adopt more cunning methods. But would professionals like them really make such a blunder as letting one escape? It wasn’t impossible, but it seemed unlikely.

“I agree with that,” Luke nodded, before a strange feeling of unease crept over him.

“Wait a second.”

He abruptly raised his hand, signaling Theo to stop as he sipped his coffee leisurely.

“Shouldn’t you be looking into the evidence? Isn’t that the military’s job?”

Why was Theo dragging him into this? Reporting the monster was the extent of Luke’s obligation as a civilian. Investigating its peculiar traits and motives wasn’t his responsibility.

“If it truly was released for reconnaissance, as you suggest, then this isn’t a trivial matter. I need to hear directly from the person who captured it.”

Luke suddenly realized he had just spent the last several minutes debating theories and exchanging opinions with Theo as if they were still serving in the military together. For a moment, he hadn’t even noticed. Eight months might have passed, but perhaps the “soldier mindset” hadn’t completely left him yet.

“Luke, I have a favor to ask you.”

“What is it? Actually, never mind. Don’t say it. I already feel anxious.”

Luke closed his eyes and plugged his ears, as if to block out whatever Theo was about to say. Theo’s lips quirked slightly in response.

“Alright. I won’t say it.”

“Wait, really?”

Luke lowered his hands, looking skeptical. Since when did Theo just let things go?

“I’d like your help with this investigation.”

Ah. So he fell for it. Theo’s sly manipulation got him again.

“I may have come to Kyleum for other reasons, but this issue has been bothering me. I want to look into it personally.”

“There are soldiers here. Work with them.”

“Of course, I plan to coordinate with the local unit. But they have their own responsibilities, and it’s difficult to have them prioritize my independent investigation.”

What a noble display of leadership.

“Do you realize I’m a civilian? I’m not a soldier anymore.”

So why was Theo trying to rope a retired, unfortunate civilian into his mess?

“Since you were the first to encounter the monster, I think some level of cooperation is expected.”

“If the first person to see it had been that drunkard you threw earlier, would you say the same thing?”

Theo had a habit of going silent when he couldn’t counter something or was at a disadvantage. Of course, those situations were rare, so few people, even devoted admirers like Philip, ever noticed this quirk.

“Let me reiterate—I’m politely asking for your help.”

“Oh, your politeness is just dazzling.”

“Your tone has become even more disrespectful.”

Theo squinted at him, but Luke remained steadfast, his entire posture radiating refusal.

“If a polite request doesn’t work, I’ll consider other measures.”

“Go ahead. Do whatever you want, Commander-in-Chief.”

Luke added the title with a sarcastic drawl, and Theo visibly flinched. His expression subtly shifted.

“…Repeat that.”

“What?”

Luke instinctively leaned back, half-wondering if Theo was about to resort to physical force.

“You said, ‘Do whatever you want.’”

Luke cautiously echoed the words, not wanting his house to be destroyed if Theo lost his temper.

“Not that. The other part.”

Theo seemed oddly fixated. After a moment’s pause, Luke realized.

“Commander-in-Chief?”

Theo’s pupils dilated slightly. Then he raised a hand to his lips, as if suppressing a thought. What was with this guy? Was he sick? Or maybe he was upset about being addressed by his title now that Luke wasn’t a soldier anymore? But Theo wasn’t usually so petty.

“Well, anyway,” Luke quickly changed the subject to avoid further complications, “no matter how much you beg, I’m not going to help you.”

He stood up, signaling the end of the conversation. But Theo, having recovered his composure, suddenly brought up something unexpected.

“By the way, Luke, have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“About the ‘Faceless Mercenary’ making waves in the western region.”

“…”

“That’s actually the other reason I’m here—to investigate them.”

Luke swallowed hard. Calm down. Theo said he was here to investigate, not that he knew who the mercenary was. While it wouldn’t be disastrous if Theo found out, Luke wanted nothing to do with him.

What self-respecting web novel epilogue lets the villain and protagonist keep crossing paths? Usually, it went something like:

[The villain, after failing to become Commander-in-Chief, retired in disgrace and spent the rest of their days in an obscure rural village, unnoticed and unloved.]

“Yeah, I’ve heard. It’s been causing a bit of a stir around here.”

Having been caught off guard by Pale earlier, Luke’s ability to lie had become much smoother.

“Know anything about them? Apparently, the first monster they defeated appeared near this village.”

That monster? The one Luke had dealt with personally, later spinning a tale about a fake witness named Sebastian to cover his tracks? That one?

“Not really. I was busy moving at the time and wasn’t in the village when the monster showed up.”

Luke shrugged. What a performance. His villainous skills from his army days seemed to be coming back in full force.

Theo said nothing, simply staring at Luke. An odd tension filled the air between them.

“I see.”

But Theo was the one to break eye contact first.

“Alright, take care, and travel safe.”

Finally, it was over. Luke was cheering internally when—

“By the way, do you have a spare room?”

Those shocking words stopped him cold.

“Well, the house is big enough, so probably,” Theo said, casually glancing around the space.

Luke felt as though he had been hit by multiple counter punches in a single day.

“And what do you need it for?”

“To stay the night.”

Why the hell? Luke’s expression twisted in utter disbelief.