"Dian! Is Dian here?!"
The tavern door burst open as a young woman rushed in.
"Olicia? What's wrong?"
I was just about to pick up my chopsticks when I turned to see Olicia grabbing my arm and pulling.
"The Black Forest Bandits are coming here right now!"
"Black Forest Bandits? I thought I taught them a lesson before?"
"This time their leader came personally! He says he's going to get revenge on you...!"
Revenge? What ridiculous fellows.
"Alright, let's go. First, let go of me."
I removed Olicia's hand from my arm and left the tavern.
Outside, various noises reached my ears.
The sound of things breaking, curses, screams, and hurried footsteps. Things that didn't quite fit the peaceful and quiet eastern rural village.
Beyond the low rooftops, I could see a black flag with crossed swords and bamboo fluttering. The flag of the Black Forest Bandits.
Against the backdrop of that distinctive flag, I could see about a hundred people walking toward us.
They were dressed in black uniforms matching their flag, holding all sorts of bladed weapons like swords, spears, and what looked like fire pokers.
Let's see. Those guys in the back are just small fry, and that one in front with the executioner's sword must be the leader.
"Olicia. Go home. Oh, she's already gone."
I smiled as I watched Olicia already escaping through the alleyway. Meanwhile, the Black Forest Bandits kept approaching.
Standing in the middle of the road with my hands on my hips, they spotted me and gradually slowed their pace.
"Boss! That's him!"
One of the members pointed at me.
His left sleeve was empty and fluttering—must be one of the guys who got hurt by me last time.
The Black Forest Bandits are supposedly a group that protects this Silver Night Village area, but they're really just thugs, bandits, and robbers.
Given the cultural characteristics of the eastern region, it's not unusual for people who couldn't endure the harsh taxes to flee and become bandits.
Moreover, since they're engaged in illegal activities, most of them are ex-convicts or lowlifes with notorious reputations in the area.
Not long ago, they came right up to the village demanding protection money and causing trouble, so I taught them a lesson. Now they've come back in a group.
"Are you the one who messed with our guys?!"
The leader drew his executioner's sword, pointing it at me and shouting hoarsely.
"How dare a country bum like you mess with the Great Black Forest Bandits and still..."
"Sorry to interrupt you," I raised my hand to cut off the leader's words.
"I was in the middle of eating, so I need to finish this quickly and get back. You came for revenge, right? Then hurry up and get it over with."
"Y-you crazy bastard!" "Kill him!"
I sighed as I watched the bandits charge at me with battle cries.
Somehow I'd reached the second ending and inadvertently became the Hero of the Continent.
Feeling the pressure, I ran away and now I'm really trying to live quietly, but occasionally noisy incidents like this still happen.
# # # # #
"Welcome back, Dian!"
As I opened the door to my house, Olicia came running to greet me.
"How did it go?"
"I taught them a lesson so they won't come back again."
"You worked hard. I'll bring you something cool to drink."
"Sounds good."
I went out to the front yard and sat in a chair.
The wind blowing from the low hills behind the house rustled through the dense bamboo grove, creating a pleasant sound.
This is Silver Night Village, a remote rural place in the east. It's where I settled after leaving the Imperial Castle.
After killing the Demon King and fleeing to the Academy, I had to consider where to escape next.
Brunswell was already exposed to others, and my personal information had spread throughout the Empire, so I couldn't stay in the west anymore.
I wanted to rest somewhere peaceful and quiet where no one knew me, then return once things calmed down. But where would be good?
This place is too underdeveloped, and that place has too much trade with the west, so that's no good.
After studying the map for a long time, I found a suitable place.
Silver Night Village, a small rural village in the eastern part of the continent.
Almost no exchange with the west, beautiful natural scenery, moderately developed, and no one who knows me. This place would be perfect.
That's how I left the capital and came to Silver Night Village, and it's already been a year.
I bought a small bamboo-surrounded house and have been living leisurely.
I'll rest and wait here sufficiently, then return once matters related to the Demon King's revival are forgotten.
I already graduated from the Academy last autumn, and the children have safely entered the places I designated for them.
Knightley went to the Department of State Affairs, Merylda to the Cryptanalysis Office, and Hindrasta to some unknown special task force.
Kirrin is still at the Academy, very busy preparing for her second graduation.
The repair work on the Imperial Castle walls and some buildings that collapsed during the battle with the Demon King was recently completed.
At that time, there was tremendous damage everywhere due to the Demon King's vortex and Linus's extreme aura.
The special envoys, the Nemara and Drebron siblings, succeeded in finding Dark Elves and Demon Race members hiding deep in the continent.
The Emperor, as promised to me, pardoned them all and incorporated them into the Empire.
Additionally, Mirelis has been steadily implementing the advice I gave before his coronation, stably running the Empire.
All this news comes from Kaiden, who regularly sends updates through magic.
He's the only one who knows I'm living here.
And one more person.
"Have a cool drink, Mister!"
Ismera handed me a cold green tea with a bright smile.
When I was escaping from the Academy, I couldn't help but think of Ismera.
So I asked Kaiden for one more favor.
To ask Ismera if she would like to resign from her vice principal position and join me here.
And Ismera resigned as vice principal and came to me.
I explained everything to Olicia.
I told her that I had saved Ismera during the time I was running around with Linus, and that connection led to this situation.
Much was omitted from "led to this situation," but Olicia didn't show much resistance or surprise.
"I was starting to worry anyway. I was afraid you might live as a bachelor until you died of old age."
So the three of us have been living together in this bamboo-surrounded house for over a year.
If you ask if I'm happy, the answer is yes.
Ismera, free from her bitterness, has become a generous and gentle woman.
Olicia really likes this Ismera and follows her well.
Ismera sat diagonally in the chair next to me and looked up at the sky.
"Look over there, Mister. There's an incredibly large bird flying."
I turned my gaze to where Ismera was pointing, and indeed, a huge bird was gliding with its wings spread.
What kind of bird is that big? If it looks that large from here, it must be enormous in reality!
"Isn't it getting closer?"
Ismera said, straightening her posture.
It really does seem to be descending.
"Huh? What the—?!"
As it gradually grew larger, Ismera exclaimed in surprise.
"That's not a bird!?"
It wasn't a bird. It was a dragon. Covered in white scales with a pinkish tint.
As the dragon descended, its wings blocked the sun, instantly turning the bamboo grove into night.
The heavy wingbeats caused the bamboo to bend helplessly, with some breaking and falling to the ground.
"Ahhh!! No! The bamboo grove is being destroyed!!"
Olicia, who had run out at the commotion, screamed.
"Why on earth is there a dragon here?!"
Just as the dragon's belly was about to touch the tops of the tallest bamboo, it disappeared in a flash of light.
"Haa? So you were hiding here?"
When I opened my eyes, Hindrasta was standing in the middle of the ruined yard.
She stood with her hands on her hips in a cocky attitude, naked from just polymorphing.
"Student Sophie?"
Ismera was horrified at the sight of the proudly standing naked Hindrasta.
"What kind of appearance is that! Put something on immediately!"
For Ismera, Hindrasta's lack of clothing seemed to be a bigger problem than her transformation from a dragon.
"What's with you? How did you undo the polymorph? Wasn't it cursed?"
"The elders thought I was being diligent and repentant living in the human world, so they removed it!"
Huh, can such things happen?
But aside from the polymorph, how did she know I was here?
"Dian, you!"
Hindrasta pointed her finger at me.
"You can't run away anymore! Come here! Let's settle this today!"
Crazy dragon!
"Dian!"
Suddenly, Kirrin appeared like a shadow and rushed to embrace me.
"Principal?"
"You disappeared without saying anything! I thought you might have died somewhere!"
"I'm not dead. But Principal, how did you..."
"Professor Dian!"
There were more.
Knightley and Merylda.
"Who runs all the way out here just to avoid getting married?!"
"Professor. Hello. I'm so glad to see you're healthy."
"Why are you... gack!"
Before I could finish speaking, Merylda and Knightley rushed over and hugged me.
"Because of you, I'm working overtime at the Department of State Affairs suffering! That's so irresponsible!"
"Professor. I'm never letting you go again."
Trapped by three women, I now tried to accept the situation.
At least there shouldn't be any more people coming.
"Head Professor!"
What? I can see Professor Lina over there. Am I seeing things?
"Why are you here...?"
"I heard people with 'grudges' against you were going to find you, so I tagged along!"
"What grudges..."
"The longing and affection for Dian who disappeared without a word."
That's when I heard Kaiden's voice.
I turned to see Kaiden standing there. And beside him was a dimensional gate.
So they've been coming through there one after another!!
"Kaiden! You traitor!"
"Traitor?"
Kaiden smiled gently.
"When you told me not to tell anyone, I never actually agreed to that."
"Even so, you jerk! You clearly knew my intentions!"
"I did know, but I couldn't bear to watch those who were suffering after your disappearance."
"You evil man!"
I tried to break free from the people, but I couldn't.
Suddenly, a golden divine barrier spread out, enclosing the yard like a cage.
Don't tell me this is...
"Dian."
Rormane walked out of the dimensional gate.
She was wearing ordinary clothes rather than the Order's purple priest robes.
"Rormane?!"
"I've finally found you. After being expelled from the Order, I've been longing to meet you again."
"Expelled? You were expelled?"
"Yes, Dian. I was expelled for the crime of embracing you after you killed the Demon King."
What is she talking about? But somehow Rormane's expression looks extremely happy.
"So Dian. Now nothing binds me anymore. For that reason, I want to convey my feelings that I couldn't express all this time."
"That's all well and good, but why did you all come here in a group?!"
"To prevent you from running away again, of course. Everyone gathered here has reached sufficient agreement during the year you've been missing. Oh, and..."
Kaiden snapped his fingers.
"His Majesty the Emperor will also be arriving soon, so please be aware."
What?! Mirelis too?!
Illusion magic began to spread from Kaiden.
If I get trapped in there, it's over. Even I can't break that!
I tried to activate my transmigration special ability, but for some reason, time wouldn't stop properly.
Now I noticed that Kaiden's hands had been glowing for a while. Could it be!!
"Olicia! Help me!"
But Olicia wasn't beside me.
She was standing in front of Kaiden, receiving something.
"Miss Olicia, go enjoy yourself in the capital. The dimensional gate will take you right there."
What Kaiden was giving to Olicia was a few shiny gold coins.
"Use this money to buy pork cutlets and whatever else you want, then come back tomorrow."
"Hehe. Thank you!"
Olicia crossed through the dimensional gate without looking back.
"Ismera!!"
I desperately called for Ismera.
"Ahaha..."
But instead of fighting for me, Ismera let out an awkward laugh.
"Well, you see..."
Kaiden smiled at the flustered Ismera.
"Ismera. A year is a long time to be alone. Don't you think Olicia needs a guardian when she goes to the city?"
"D-do you think so...?"
Ismera glanced nervously at the others, then fled straight to the dimensional gate.
"I'm sorry for everything until nowww!!"
"Ismera!! Go call Linus!"
"Linus will not be coming."
Kaiden smiled smugly as he closed the dimensional gate.
"Linus was also very disappointed that you disappeared without telling him."
Damn it. I'm completely screwed.
It's my fault for trusting that golem who doesn't understand human decency!
I transmigrated into a supporting character in an orthodox fantasy novel.
A story where the hero and his companions overcome all sorts of hardships and trials, eventually killing the Demon King and restoring peace to the world.
In typical transmigration stories, the person who transmigrates into a supporting character uses their knowledge of the original work to cause trouble. They steal the protagonist's opportunities and love interests, and ultimately take over the ending all by themselves.
While saying nonsensical things like "I just wanted to live quietly."
But that's garbage behavior.
I couldn't twist and tarnish an already completed original work.
And, following the original plot was beneficial for me too.
My greatest weapon was knowing the original story's standard route. Actively changing it would be tantamount to suicide.
Rather than becoming the protagonist myself, it was much better to let the original protagonist kill the Demon King normally and live quietly in a peaceful world.
So I helped. I fought alongside the protagonist and his companions, risking my life.
I focused solely on completing the ending according to plan and retired as intended.
But I came back to the world again to help the protagonist who still needed my assistance, and this time I neatly wrapped up the side story's ending as well.
I thought I could finally live quietly, but...
"Aaaagh! Let go! Don't take off my clothes!!"
As I struggled to break free from people's hands, Rormane smiled.
"Don't be afraid, Dian. I'll keep 'healing' you with divine power."
Kaiden's illusion magic completely enveloped the surroundings.
This can't be the best ending for a transmigrated supporting character!!
There was nothing like this in my knowledge of the original work!!!