A villain is a noble role.

At least, that’s what I believe. Why? Because a story can only truly thrive when there’s a villain. A sinister role must exist for the virtuous role, the protagonist, to shine. It’s like how sunlight inevitably casts shadows, or how there’s always a below when there’s an above.

The villain injects tension into the narrative, stirs up incidents, and propels the story forward. That’s not all. Readers of the story often bond through their shared disdain for the villain, engaging in heated debates and discussions that sometimes devolve into chaos. And naturally, the story gains popularity in the process.

But above all, the villain’s presence shines brightest when they’re by the protagonist’s side. With the villain there, the protagonist grows (though not always in a positive way), cherishes their relationships more deeply, learns truths about life they’d never grasped otherwise, and moves forward.

In short, the villain is an indispensable element for the protagonist to reach their happy ending.

That’s why I thought: The one with the most to do and the hardest job in a story isn’t the protagonist, but the villain.

And back then, I didn’t know. That I, of all people, would end up embodying that overburdened villain.

***

It was June, the end of spring transitioning into the start of summer.

“Attention!”

A commanding voice echoed through the hall. This was a joint auditorium located within the Empire’s military territory. Soldiers clad in meticulously tailored uniforms, bearing the Empire’s flag, stood in perfect formation. The vast hall was filled to capacity with these soldiers.

“Salute the newly inaugurated Supreme Commander!”

Once again, the commanding voice boomed, and the soldiers snapped to attention, saluting in perfect unison like wind-up toys with not a single mistake in their movements. Amidst this charged atmosphere, a man walked in with an air of calm.

Jet-black hair and deep brown eyes. His gaze, beneath his thick eyebrows, was sharper and more resolute than that of any soldier present. Towering among his comrades like the Empire’s flag itself, he strode unhurriedly down the aisle created as the soldiers parted for him.

His black cape billowed behind him with every step. The numerous insignias on his shoulders and chest gleamed under the lights, while the violet sash crossing his chest—a symbol of the Empire—stood out vividly.

With an impassive face, the man walked to the front of the stage. Above him, the Empire’s military flag crossed with the royal palace’s flag, forming an X. He glanced at them briefly before stepping onto the stage.

There, he was greeted by the outgoing Supreme Commander. Standing before his superior, the man offered a salute. The superior returned the salute with a gentle smile, and the hall rang with a crisp “At ease!”

“Take good care of the army, Teo.”

“I will carry out my duty.”

The superior smiled as he removed a golden insignia from his chest and affixed it to Teo’s uniform. It was the emblem of the Empire’s military—a golden eagle—and a symbol only the man at the pinnacle of the Empire’s military could bear.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly. The attendees congratulated Teo on his inauguration, and he graciously returned their goodwill with a speech of gratitude.

“...Luke.”

After the ceremony concluded, Teo approached the captains standing behind him. The first person he extended his hand to was none other than Luke.

“Well done.”

Luke’s light brown eyes slowly focused on Teo’s outstretched hand. Then, with a twisted smile, he gripped it firmly.

“Mockery?”

“...You don’t seem pleased about my inauguration.”

How could I not be? Absolutely thrilled. Luke concealed his genuine smile and released Teo’s hand with a flick. Then, he descended the stairs and exited the auditorium ahead of everyone else.

“Did you see that? Captain Luke just ignored the Supreme Commander’s hand.”

“Captain Luke hasn’t changed at all. But hasn’t the outcome already been decided?”

Soldiers, who had been pretending not to notice, began murmuring amongst themselves.

“He must be furious. He did everything he could to claim the Supreme Commander position for himself. Pulled every string.”

“Serves him right. He’s reaping what he sowed.”

Yes, this was a case of cause and effect—karma, if you will. There was no other way to describe it.

As Luke exited the auditorium, he clenched his fists. As always, the protagonist achieved the success and recognition they desired, while the villain was left with nothing but a crushing defeat.

And that was exactly the outcome Luke had been hoping for all along!

“Ugh, what a slog. Helping the protagonist succeed is ridiculously exhausting.”

Scratching the back of his head, Luke shrugged off his cumbersome cape.

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