Chapter 25: Chapter 25

The Imperial Army’s main auditorium.

The captains, including Luke, were positioned against the side walls of the stage. From his seat, Luke had a full view of the auditorium, teeming with soldiers dressed in pristine uniforms, standing rigidly in their assigned positions. The air was thick with tension, the weight of the occasion palpable.

Imperial banners hung proudly, their grand designs rippling gently in the air. The ceremony began with Veil’s retirement. A master of ceremonies listed his many achievements as Commander-in-Chief, followed by Veil delivering a short farewell speech.

Some soldiers openly wept during his final address. Veil’s character had earned him profound admiration from his subordinates. While his accomplishments as Commander-in-Chief might not have reached the heights of his predecessors, his unwavering compassion and care for the troops made him the most respected leader in the eyes of the army.

After Veil greeted each of the captains, the inauguration of the new Commander-in-Chief began. At the booming command of the announcer, every soldier snapped their salutes in perfect unison, their fingers pressed firmly to their foreheads. Luke and the other captains rose to their feet as well.

From the far end of the hall, Theo began his slow walk down the aisle created by the ranks of soldiers. His black cloak billowed behind him with every deliberate step, the image of a leader stepping into destiny.

For Luke, it finally felt real. He had succeeded in guiding the protagonist to his happy ending.

Theo reached the stage and received the golden insignia symbolizing the Commander-in-Chief’s authority from Veil. After delivering his inaugural speech, the ceremony concluded smoothly.

“Congratulations, Commander-in-Chief.”

“We look forward to your leadership.”

The captains, adopting a formal tone, voiced their congratulations in unison.

Theo Ledric was now the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army. This was the culmination of Luke’s role as a villain, the goal he had tirelessly pursued. While quietly congratulating himself for his efforts, he noticed Theo approaching him with an outstretched hand.

“...You don’t seem too pleased about my inauguration,” Theo remarked after Luke responded with his usual sarcasm and brusquely slapped his hand away.

Luke nearly retorted, denying the accusation and insisting that wasn’t the case. But he held back. His role as a villain might have ended, but he had to see it through until the very last moment. Suppressing the words that threatened to spill out, Luke turned and left the auditorium.

He could hear murmurs from the captains behind him, but what did it matter now? He was leaving this place for good.

“Man, that was a long journey. Helping the protagonist succeed is a real pain,” Luke muttered to himself, scratching the back of his head. He shrugged off his cumbersome cape, letting it fall unceremoniously to the ground.

The story was over. The ending had been reached. Now, it was time for Luke to write his own epilogue.

***

After the inauguration, Theo was swept into a whirlwind of activity. Congratulatory greetings from soldiers across the ranks proved to be an event in and of itself.

“C-Captain, s-sob… I’m so proud of you… sniff…”

“Philip, it’s no longer ‘Captain.’ You need to address him as ‘Commander-in-Chief!’ Ugh, my eyes sting just looking at you,” Milo teased as he wiped a tear from his own face.

Even as Philip and Milo shed tears in front of him, Theo’s expression softened into a gentle smile.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you,” Theo said warmly.

His words moved the rest of the 1st Division to tears, their emotions overflowing. Soldiers from other divisions, watching the display, burst into laughter, treating it like a show.

“There’ll be a new captain assigned to the 1st Division soon, but I trust you all will do well without me,” Theo said.

“Yes, sir! Of course!”

What Theo would miss the most about becoming Commander-in-Chief was no doubt leading the 1st Division soldiers with whom he had shared the trials of battle.

“When Theo leaves, the 1st Division will probably be crying themselves to sleep every night,” Leo quipped as he descended from the podium and casually slung an arm over Theo’s shoulder.

“Leo, it’s Commander-in-Chief now. Watch your tone,” Roena chastised, her sharp ears catching his slip.

The captains had also stepped down from the stage and gathered around Theo, blending into the celebratory atmosphere. Today was not just a formal military event but also a rare festive occasion. In an army that typically adhered to rigid discipline, a ceremony like this—celebrating a new leader while pledging continued loyalty to the Empire—was a moment when ranks temporarily blurred, and everyone shared in the joy.

As lively conversations buzzed around him, Theo’s gaze drifted toward the stage. His eyes landed on one spot: the empty seat where Luke should have been.

“Well! Since it’s the Commander-in-Chief’s big day, let’s drink till we drop!” Leo announced enthusiastically, prompting cheers and raised glasses from the surrounding soldiers.

“Sorry, but I need to step out for a moment…” Theo began, trying to slip away.

“Where do you think you’re going, Commander?”

But Theo found it nearly impossible to leave. Hands tugged at his sleeves from every direction, pulling him into the crowd. Even as his eyes lingered on the stage, he was helplessly swept into the throng.

Later that evening, the celebratory banquet moved to the headquarters' dining hall. Packed with soldiers, the tables were laden with sumptuous food and, most importantly, alcohol. Spirits were high as the soldiers celebrated with abandon.

Still, not everyone was present. Due to the military’s need for constant vigilance, some guards had to remain on duty, unable to join the festivities.

“Leo.”

Theo approached Leo, who was already deep into his cups.

“Oh… uh, I mean, yes, Commander?” Leo replied hastily, correcting himself under Roena’s watchful glare.

“It’s fine. Tonight, let’s keep it casual. Have you seen Captain Luke?”

Theo scanned the boisterous room as he asked. Soldiers were mingling freely, their usual divisions blurred in the camaraderie of the evening. Even the captains were seated among their troops, sharing drinks. Yet Theo’s eyes searched only for one person—Luke, the sole captain absent from the event.

“Hmm… haven’t seen him. Probably didn’t show up. You know how he feels about gatherings like this,” Leo replied casually, taking another sip.@@novelbin@@

“Yeah, no way he’d come here,” Milo chimed in, swaggering over with unsteady steps, his face already flushed bright red from drinking. “He’s probably sulking in his quarters. No way Luke’s ego could handle showing up after losing the top spot to you, Theo.”

“Exactly. And it’s better this way, honestly. Him being here would just ruin the mood,” added Captain Winnie of the 4th Division, laughing as she joined the conversation.

Theo’s brow twitched slightly, but before he could respond, Roena banged her glass down on the table with a sharp thud.

“This isn’t the time or place for petty gossip,” she said, her piercing gaze silencing Milo and Winnie. The two captains muttered under their breath and slunk away.

“He’s probably just sleeping in his quarters,” Leo said confidently, trying to lighten the mood.

Theo, however, remained troubled. It was true that Luke rarely participated in military functions like this, and it was late. But something about his absence gnawed at Theo, leaving him restless.

Since the war with Mambern, Theo could count on one hand the number of meaningful conversations he’d had with Luke. Their relationship had never been particularly close, but every encounter since then left Theo feeling unsettled, like a thorn was lodged in his chest.

“Leo, I’m going to step out for a bit—”

“Commander! There you are! Please come join us at our table!”

“Commander! This is your last night as the 1st Division’s captain—you’ve got to drink with us!”

Before Theo could leave, Philip and several members of the 1st Division surrounded him. Their cheerful insistence, coupled with Leo’s encouragement to “go have fun,” left Theo no choice but to stay.

“Alright, alright, let go of me,” Theo relented, allowing himself to be dragged toward their table. Yet his gaze lingered on the window, where the moon hung bright in the night sky.

Theo consoled himself with a thought: there would be other opportunities to talk. After all, Luke was still part of the Imperial Army. The timing didn’t have to be perfect; their conversation could happen tomorrow, or the day after.

Surely, Luke needed time to process everything after the inauguration. Giving him space for now wasn’t a bad idea, Theo reasoned.

But it was that very reasoning—so rational and convenient—that Theo would later come to regret deeply.

Because what Theo didn’t realize that night was this: it had been his last chance to see Luke.