The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly
Chapter 220

Chapter 220 – Side Story, or (1)

The Imperial Capital was more or less back in order.

Berken hyung had taken the Emperor and the rest of the royal family and departed for the southern villa.

It was well-staffed, with guards and servants almost identical to those in the capital, so they wouldn’t be lacking for anything.

The move itself had been carried out swiftly and secretly via the capital mages’ dimensional gates.

“Thanks, Dian”

Berken hyung said, patting my shoulder.

“You saved me again—just like ten years ago.”

“We help each other out. That’s how it is.”

“When you’ve got time, come visit the villa. I’ll treat you like a king. Bring Linus too.”

“Sure.”

After giving me one of his signature bone-crushing hugs, Berken hyung stepped through the gate.

The Emperor, now a complete fool, followed him absentmindedly. The Fourth Princess was still thrilled about “moving houses.”

Only the princes dragged their feet, grimacing all the way. Still in denial, apparently.

They didn’t get it. They weren’t fit to rule, and if they stayed here any longer, the Second Princess would’ve had their heads. They didn’t realize that heading to the villa might’ve been the best decision of their lives.

With the royal family gone, the only remaining bloodline in the capital was the Second Princess.

Which meant I had no reason to stick around. Time to head back to the academy.

“Professor Dian!”

Just as I was packing, the head court magician came running up and grabbed me.

“You’re returning to the academy?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Please tell Kaiden that I received his reply to my last inquiry. His insights helped me solve a difficult problem—I’m very grateful.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him.”

The head magician had been receiving what was basically remote tutoring from Kaiden.

A while ago, when Kaiden had sealed his mana in the capital—something practically equivalent to attempted murder—the magician had surprisingly accepted Kaiden’s apology and lessons as if he were the one who should be thankful.

That’s how much prestige Kaiden held in the magical world.

In modern terms, he was probably the equivalent of someone like Richard Feynman.

“This is for Kaiden.”

The magician pulled a small bundle out of his robe and handed it to me.

I peeked inside: snacks and sweets.

“For the road, just in case—”

“No worries, I won’t forget. We’ve got a dessert cafe at the academy too, you know?”

I laughed, parted ways with the magician, and headed toward the gate.

“Professor Dian!!”

Just as I was crossing the drawbridge, the Second Princess’s personal aide came sprinting toward me, breathless.

“Where are you going?!”

“Back to the academy.”

“Why now?”

“What do you mean why? The princes are all gone. There’s nothing left for me to watch over.”

“Please stay a little longer.”

I tilted my head at the sudden request.

“Why? Is there something else I need to do?”

“Please attend Her Highness’s coronation ceremony.”

“No thanks.”

“Why not? It's customary for dignitaries from across the Empire and beyond to attend.”

“I’m not a dignitary of the Empire. Why would I go?”

“But the Demon King Slaying Special Force is considered an imperial honor. Of course you're a dignitary.”

“Really? Then invite Linus or someone else. I’m not going. You’re obviously going to put me up on some platform and make it look like I’m giving her my backing or something.”

The aide flinched. Clearly hit a nerve.

“I don’t like being used as a prop. I also don’t want that kind of attention.”

“But Her Highness sincerely wants you to be there to celebrate with her…”

“Just tell her congratulations. I’m not going.”

“But you’re not a stranger! Her Highness supported you from the very beginning of your appointment!”

He grabbed my arm as I turned to leave and spoke quickly.

“I’ll speak to Her Highness. We won’t put you on display—we’ll prepare a quiet, discreet seat. She doesn’t want to use you. She just wants you to see her become Emperor.”

“…Fine. Just send an invitation. I’ll think about it.”

“You must come! Please don’t just think about it, come! We’ll sneak you in through the back, keep it low-profile!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Her Highness truly likes you—as a person. Please don’t take that lightly.”

His earnest expression and tone made me curious.

“Why are you so loyal to her, anyway?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been appointed her personal aide.”

“No, I mean—you’re so loyal, it seems like you’d jump off a cliff if she told you to. No questions asked.”

“Her Highness isn’t the kind of person to give such orders without reason. If she did, there’d be a reason.”

He said it with total conviction.

“See? That’s what I mean. You’re not some cultist. It’s fascinating.”

“If someone saved your life, wouldn’t you act the same?”

“Saved your life? She did?”

“Maybe you don’t know, but I was once an Imperial Knight.”

“…You were an Imperial Knight?”

That caught me off guard.

He looked too mild-mannered for it.

The Imperial Knights were the elite of the elite—like Linus and me. Human weapons capable of taking on entire battalions. Before the Demon King’s rise, they were the continent’s most feared military force.

Though they’d fallen from prominence after taking heavy casualties in the war.

“I was on the verge of annihilation in one battle. Her Highness came with a small unit and rescued us.”

“Not the Third Legion?”

“No. It was a thirty-man task force led by Her Highness herself. They broke through enemy lines and got us out.”

His eyes shone as he recalled the memory.

“She risked her life to save people she had no obligation to help. How could I not swear loyalty to her?”

Listening to him, I thought to myself:

Maybe it was a calculated gamble to gain Imperial Knight loyalty.

But even so, leading a small unit through a siege and pulling off a rescue like that? That’s not something just anyone could do.

She really was impressive.

“Anyway, please do attend, Professor. We’ll be waiting for you.”

I parted ways with the aide and climbed into the carriage waiting beyond the drawbridge.

And immediately climbed back out.

Someone was already inside.

“Get in, Dian. Weren’t you headed back to the academy?”

“Not a fan of sharing rides.”

“Just a brief chat. It’s been a while.”

It was the Minister of State. He waved me in.

“I won’t say anything you’ll hate. Come on.”

After a moment’s hesitation, I got back in.

He wasn’t the kind of guy to waste words.

“You’re still in the capital, huh? I thought you’d be fired by now.”

“I thought you were dead. If not for all this, I’d have assumed it.”

“Oh, come on. You knew I was at the academy the whole time.”

He didn’t deny it—just chuckled.

“Were you involved in all this?”

“Me? Nope.”

“Right. Of course not.”

The minister nodded.

“I always knew this day would come. It was just a matter of when. Frankly, it came at the perfect time.”

“What happens now that the Second Princess is Emperor?”

“Me? I’m fine. She asked me to stay on.”

Makes sense. The guy’s sly and capable—too valuable to discard. He never openly took sides, always played the middle, kept his image spotless.

Smart move on her part to keep him.

“…You’re still unmarried, aren’t you, Dian?”

“…Yes.”

“You’re at that age, aren’t you?”

“Are you trying to set me up?”

“If you’re open to it.”

I looked at him and said:

“You’re trying to push me toward the Second Princess, aren’t you?”

“Ha ha…”

He gave a sheepish laugh.

“Just hear me out. There’s a reason. For succession, she needs a consort—and you’re the only one who could ever match her.”

“I already told her no.”

“You… did?”

“If I were going to be her husband, I wouldn’t have run away ten years ago. Why would I waste a decade just to crawl back?”

“Hmm… fair point. But Dian, being the Emperor’s husband doesn’t have to mean running the Empire. You could just stay by her side and provide heirs and—Dian! Look out!”

I leapt out of the moving carriage.

That crazy bastard.

The Minister of State—one of the most powerful men in the Empire—trying to play matchmaker.

I flagged down another carriage by the roadside and fled straight back to the academy.