The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

“Hey, Linus.”

I pointed at Linus as I spoke.

“This guy dragged me out of my comfortable life in Brunswell and into the academy. Now he wants me to be a festival helper too?”

“Not a helper, but the main character.”

Linus responded with his usual serious expression.

“Why do you think the word ‘comrade’ is in all our citation records? And why do I keep both medals? It’s because we achieved all this together.”

Linus straightened his back and continued.

“I’m not the hero of the continent. I’m just someone who was with the heroes. If it weren’t for you, Dian, I would have died in a trench in the Kingdom of Avoca before I could accomplish anything.”

Celine nodded silently in agreement.

“Dian, for various reasons, you were forgotten by the world, both by choice and circumstance. But that doesn’t mean your accomplishments disappear. Even if they were erased from records, they remain in the hearts of those you saved.”

Linus placed his fist over his heart.

“So, Dian, show those people who saved them. Show them who allowed them to live their current lives. The courage and hope you gave them made them who they are today.”

This guy, really. He’s got a knack for romantic speeches, just like the original protagonist hero he is.

Back then, when we went to save Tatarnok village, it was his speech that convinced me.

“Alright, alright. I’ll go.”

“Thank you, Dian.”

“Damn it.”

I playfully tossed my fork at Linus, who caught it with just a flick of his fingers.

Even after ten years, he’s still sharp.

“Oh, right. Linus, there’s one place I absolutely won’t go.”

“Where do you mean?”

“Victory Day. You’re not thinking of dragging me there, are you? If I go, I’ll have to see the Emperor and all those annoying people.”

“Victory Day isn’t something I can decide on, so I can’t give you a definite answer.”

Victory Day is a national holiday celebrating the victory of the human alliance over the demons in the Four-Year War.

During this time, the Emperor and all the high-ranking officials gather at the Victory Monument for grand speeches, reenactments of major battles, and memorial services for the fallen.

It’s much like Memorial Day, and since it’s a national holiday under the Emperor’s jurisdiction, Linus can’t really influence my attendance.

“But… there’s a high chance you’ll be invited from this year.”

Linus said after taking a sip of wine.

“All the other special unit members have been invited to the capital every year for the festival. They didn’t know your whereabouts before, but now you’re officially a professor at the academy.”

“Is that so? Who knows? Would the Emperor really invite me? That guy is so petty. He got all sulky because I didn’t accept the gifts he sent and left. That’s why he erased all my records.”

“You have a point.”

Linus nodded, stroking his chin.

“But since we can’t ask His Majesty directly, we’ll have to wait and see.”

“I doubt he’ll invite me. He might have a fit seeing my face. He’s old now; he might get too excited and have a heart attack.”

I have a rough idea of what’s going on in the Palace.

Our Emperor is so timid and narrow-minded that when I fled to Brunswell, he felt insulted and got extremely upset.

Because of this nature, he doesn’t get along with the Second Princess at all.

Unlike the other princes and princesses, the Second Princess distinguished herself greatly during the war but is not recognized as a legitimate heir because she’s the child of a concubine.

However, it’s only the Emperor and the Royal Family who don’t recognize her. Most frontline officers, who fought alongside her in the 3rd Corps, support her.

These ‘frontline officers’ are war heroes from the 3rd Corps, who fought under the Second Princess.

Given the support of these post-war influential figures, the Emperor must be insanely jealous of the Second Princess.

And now, the last special unit member, whose whereabouts were unknown, is appointed as a professor at the Special Mission Academy under the Second Princess.

With post-war influential figures like Linus and me now part of the Second Princess’s camp, the Emperor must be furious.

So, I doubt I’ll receive an invitation.

# # # # #

After finishing breakfast, it was finally time for what Hindrasta had been waiting for; leaving Linus’s house.

“Since you live nearby, let’s see each other often, Dian.”

Linus shook my hand and patted my shoulder.

“We still have a lot to talk about.”

“Sure. I’ll come by when I’m not busy.”

“Always keep an eye on your surroundings when you return to the academy.”

Celine, holding Lumien, said with a slightly worried look.

“Don’t give that Oracle Priestess Maya any reason to report you. She’s probably informing Lormane about everything.”

“Got it. I haven’t done anything problematic so far, but I’ll be careful.”

“And be cautious around Headmaster Kirrin too.”

“Kirrin? Why? I’m supposed to help her, not the other way around.”

“Headmaster Kirrin is different from Lormane.”

Celine shook her head.

“She’s probably thinking of ways to stay in her position without returning to the forest.”

“What kind of ways?”

“I’m not sure, but she seems to have ulterior motives. She doesn’t seem like a thorough person, so she might cause a big accident by overextending herself.”

Celine was absolutely right. Kirrin always had some sort of flaw that made things tricky.

“It’s time to go. Thanks for the hospitality.”

I shook Linus’s hand one last time, gave Celine a light hug, and wiggled my fingers at Lumien in her arms.

Then Lumien stretched out his little hand and grabbed my finger with a surprisingly strong grip.

“Ouch!”

How can a child have such strength?!

“Goodbye, Dian. And Hindrasta.”

As I got into the carriage, Dian and Celine waved.

Hindrasta just rested her chin on her hand and stared out the opposite window, but I could see the beads of sweat on her forehead.

“Haaa…”

Hindrasta let out a long sigh only when we were past the wide fields and could see the city buildings in the distance.

“Damn it, what on earth is this…? I came with you because you said you’d take me to the city….”

She mumbled as she looked out at the horizon.

“I’m already bitter enough about being stuck in the academy… Damn it, damn it….”

Eventually, her shoulders began to shake, and tears fell from her eyes.

“Who told you to cause trouble? Even after all that during the war, you still haven’t learned.”

“I can’t help it…! My body just moves on its own! I won’t do it again… Just don’t take me to that yellow head again…!”

“Hah.”

I sighed as Hindrasta began to sob uncontrollably.

# # # # #

Meanwhile, back at the academy faculty quarters, at Dian’s house.

“Sir Dian? He’s out.”

“Oh, really…?”

Kirrin looked slightly flustered as she asked Olysia.

“Do you know where he went?”

“He went to a friend’s house. He should be back after lunch.”

“I see….”

“By the way…”

Olysia looked over Kirrin’s dark skin, red eyes, and long ears.

“You’re the headmaster, right? Would you like to come in for some tea?”

“Oh? No, no, it’s fine….”

“Please, come in!”

Thinking that treating Dian’s superior well would help Dian remain in his position as a professor, Olysia grabbed Kirrin’s wrist and pulled her inside.

“Please have a seat. I’ll bring the tea right away.”

“Uh-huh…”

Olysia put down the basket she was carrying and hurried to the kitchen.

So this is Dian’s house… It’s nicely decorated and very cozy.

Kirrin looked around the house and noticed the basket Olysia had just put down.

It was filled with neatly folded clothes that had just been dried.

At the very top was the shirt that Dian usually wears.

Kirrin glanced towards the kitchen. Olysia had gone further inside and was out of sight.

# # # # #

“Here’s the tea, headmaster. Hmm?”

Olysia, carrying a tray, looked around with wide eyes.

The headmaster, who should have been sitting on the sofa, was nowhere to be seen.

As she looked around, she found Kirrin crouched by the front door, where the laundry basket was.

“What are you doing?”

Kirrin didn’t respond, so Olysia walked over slowly.

“Sniff, haaa…”

Kirrin had her eyes closed, deeply inhaling Dian’s shirt pressed against her face.

“H-headmaster…?”

“Ugh?!”

Startled by Olysia’s voice, Kirrin threw the shirt aside and bolted out the door.

“Where are you going?!”

“I’m sorryyyyyy!!”

What the…?

Olysia watched Kirrin’s rapidly retreating figure closely.

Sleeveless turtleneck, short skirt, high heels, and even earrings.

Not her usual black cloak attire.

She didn’t just come to find out where Dian was…

Hmm…

A plausible theory started forming in Olysia’s mind.

# # # # # #

Kirrin leaped across the married faculty housing complex in one bound, despite wearing high heels, and dove through the window of her third-floor dorm room.

She rolled across the floor, peering fearfully out the window.

Fortunately, there was no Olysia shouting “Catch that perverted Dark Elf!” and chasing her.

“Haaa…”

Sitting on the floor, Kirrin finally realized the gravity of her actions.

What have I done…? As the headmaster of the academy, no less…

I’m unqualified… I was already barely qualified, but now I’ve hit rock bottom…

“Aaaah…”

Feeling the overwhelming shame rise within her, Kirrin clutched her head in despair.