The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 203 – If It Works, It’s a Revolution (1)

“He’s been through a war, had assassins at his doorstep, and lived in fear and anxiety for ten years—do you think his body’s in any condition to endure? He’ll likely die soon.”

“I see.”

“When the Emperor dies, the legitimate children—including the First Prince—will be in trouble. They’re incompetent. They’ve survived this long only under their father’s shadow.”

“But isn’t the Second Princess disadvantaged in terms of legitimacy? The Empire values bloodlines over ability, after all.”

“That’s true. That’s why she’s probably busy right now trying to win over the princes and princesses who are friendly to her. Promising them a comfortable life if they support her claim to the throne, something like that.”

“And if that doesn’t work?”

“She’ll overthrow them.”

Nemara said.

“The Second Princess is a seasoned commander with actual combat experience, and she’s placed all the high-ranking imperial positions in the hands of the veteran officers she served with during the war. Honestly, if she really wanted to, she could seize the capital tonight.”

“A coup, then.”

“But forcefully taking power comes with too many side effects. My guess is that she’s positioning herself so that once the Emperor dies, the remaining royal children will back her of their own accord. Though, someone might turn up dead under mysterious circumstances along the way.”

“As an example to the others, right.”

Everyone seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

The Emperor was as good as gone, and the legitimate children were easy prey for the Second Princess.

If she could just overcome the issue of legitimacy, she’d take the throne without much resistance.

But suddenly, another possibility crossed my mind.

“What if… the Second Princess doesn’t become Emperor?”

“You mean she puts someone else in her place? Hmm…”

Nemara crossed his arms.

“It’s not out of the question. That might actually be the better option. Like, she could place a legitimate child she’s fully turned to her side on the throne, and she holds all the real power behind the scenes.”

“Is there such a prince or princess she could use?”

“Hard to say. I’ve heard the youngest princess isn’t too bright. If she’s going to use someone, it’d probably be her.”

The youngest princess, huh…

“But why are you so interested in all this?”

Nemara asked.

“Don’t tell me you’re considering entering politics, Professor Dian?”

“Come on, nothing like that. I’m just wondering how all this noise in the capital might affect my own peaceful life.”

I waved my hands in firm denial.

I’d left everything behind and escaped to Brunswell precisely because I hated the idea of being stuck in some high-pressure, high-visibility position.

If I had wanted to rise in the capital, I would’ve done it back when I was at my peak value.

I only came to the Academy to ensure Linus’s kid has a good environment to grow up in.

“Even so, you might be forced to choose when the time comes.”

Nemara said.

“The Emperor’s death and the succession to the throne won’t go as smoothly as people hope. Those with power, like you—and like Lord Linus—will get offers from all sides.”

“I suppose that’s likely… but I’ll just turn them all down. At least, that’s what I plan to do. I really hate burning the midnight oil and stressing myself out.”

“It won’t be that easy.”

“We’ll see.”

Nemara slowly nodded.

“If that’s your resolve, then so be it. By the way, I hear vacation’s over. Shouldn’t you be returning soon?”

“Ah—right.”

I’d completely forgotten.

“Take Kirrin back to the Academy.”

“Yeah, I should.”

I stood up.

“Take care of yourself. I hope your search for the other clans goes well.”

“Thank you. And about what I asked…”

“I’ll pass along the message to the Second Princess. But just to be clear, I’m only delivering it. I don’t want to get caught in the middle of anything.”

“Understood.”

# # # #

We began preparing to return to the Academy.

The new term had already started, so people were probably getting worried by now.

While Kirrin packed her things, Zakrion and Sharian wouldn’t leave her side.

Drebren had stepped out to discuss something important with Nemara.

“If you leave just like this, who knows when we’ll see each other again…”

“We’re worried. What if you start crying again when you’re alone…”

Kirrin smiled at her siblings’ concern.

“I won’t do that anymore. I talked everything out with Dad. From now on, I’m going to do my best—because I want to.”

“You’ve grown up so much already…”

Zakrion wiped his eye with the back of his calloused hand.

The cold-blooded figure who had ambushed me once was nowhere to be found now.

Whenever they were around Kirrin, they turned into completely different people.

“Actually, you two might be seeing Kirrin quite often from now on.”

At my words, the dark elves turned to me in surprise.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Your father asked me to pass a message. The two of you might be heading to the capital.”

“The capital?”

I briefly explained the situation, and their reaction said it all—first they’d heard of it.

So Nemara went and made that decision without even discussing it with them?

Still a long way to go…

“Let’s go, Dian.”

Kirrin slung her bag over her shoulder and led the way, her siblings trailing behind her.

Lormane and I kept a bit of distance to give them some private time to say goodbye.

The three of them spoke in low voices we couldn’t hear, brushing each other’s hair, holding hands, hugging—an emotional farewell.

“I’m really going now. But we’ll probably see each other again soon.”

After saying goodbye one last time, Kirrin left the Black Forest with us.

“Thank you again for coming, Grand Administrator.”

As we walked, Kirrin spoke.

“If there is a place in need of my divine power, I must go. That’s only natural.”

“But… what did you and your Dad talk about for so long?”

When I asked, Kirrin gave a faint smile.

“Just… stuff. Things we’d put off for over twenty years.”

“It went well, I take it?”

“Yeah. From now on, neither I nor the Academy will suffer because of each other.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Dian. If you hadn’t come looking for me… Dad and I never would’ve had that honest talk.”

“As expected of Sir Dian.”

Lormane folded her hands in a prayer-like gesture.

“Wherever Sir Dian walks, blessings and salvation follow. Truly holy and divine.”

Perhaps aided by divine power, the ground sparkled beneath my feet as we walked—as if I were casting light with every step.

“If you keep pulling this stunt, won’t you get struck by lightning or something? Hey—wait, look.”

I was about to tell Lormane to knock it off when I sensed something and turned my head.

High up on a tree behind us stood two dark elves.

Nemara and Drebren.

So they came to see Kirrin off from a distance.

Since they weren’t calling out to her, they must’ve planned to just watch quietly.

Respecting Nemara’s intentions, I pretended not to notice.

“Kirrin! It’s your brother!!”

But then Drebren shouted, and an awkward expression spread across Nemara’s face.

“Brother? Dad!”

At his voice, Kirrin spotted the two and waved.

“Kirrin! Stay healthy! Eat three meals a day! Don’t stay out in the sun too long—it’s hot!”

“Got it, Brother! I will!”

“If something comes up that’s too much for you to handle alone, send a crow! I’ll come right away to help!”

“Would you just shut up already, Drebren.”

Nemara growled under his breath.

“Bye, Dad! Take care!”

But when Kirrin addressed him too, Nemara flinched and looked at her.

Kirrin waved her hand wildly, and Nemara, after hesitating, gave the smallest of waves in return before quickly lowering it.

Even that must’ve taken a great deal of effort.

“Well, what can I say…”

Watching it all, Lormane commented,

“Dark elves are… complicated.”

# # # #

Meanwhile, in the room of the Fourth Princess at the Imperial Palace.

The Second Princess walked about slowly, inspecting the clothes hanging in the wardrobe and the curtains draped over the bed.

“You’ve decorated everything so… cutesy.”

She was speaking to the Fourth Princess.

The girl sat stiffly in front of the vanity, stealing glances at every little movement her older sister made.

As a member of the imperial family, she had silver hair, blue eyes, and a petite frame.

Completely different from the Second Princess, who stood tall and exuded confidence.

“You’re an adult now. Don’t you think it’s time to replace these curtains?”

She lifted the pink curtains covered in flower and bear prints as the Fourth Princess stammered a reply.

“W-Why are you here…”

Her teeth clattered as she spoke.

Like all the princes and princesses, the Fourth Princess was terrified of the Second.

Not just because she held power over imperial security and could silence even birds in flight—but also because her appearance was frightening.

Her body was covered in scars, and the left side of her face was hideously burned.

The Fourth Princess remembered the beauty her sister once had before the war, but even so, she now couldn’t bear to look directly at her.

She recalled how the First Prince had warned her countless times to stay far, far away from their older sister, who had turned into a killing machine after seeing too much blood in the war.

She knew she should flee the room and run to her other brothers—but she couldn’t move.

The hallway outside was already filled with unidentified people the Second Princess had brought with her.

“Wanna play a fun little game with your sister?”

The Second Princess said as she picked up a stuffed doll resting on the pillow.