Chapter 211 – If It Works, It’s a Revolution (9)

On the way to the Academy, the Second Princess explained everything.

“A secret prince?”

“Yes. My half-brother. The Empire’s Third Prince.”

“So the secret prince was real?”

“He was exiled when we were children.”

As I heard the reason for the Third Prince’s exile, I quickly sifted through my knowledge of the original story.

Nothing.

There wasn’t a single character with a setup this peculiar in the original.

If there had been, I’d have known it immediately.

So, is this some hidden setting that never made it into the original story?

Or is this just how the world drifted along naturally after the main plot ended?

For instance, Hindrasta being forcibly polymorphed and banished to the human realm never happened in the original either.

This secret prince is probably something like that.

“So, you decided to strike first? Try to burn him alive?”

“Looks like I failed.”

“So that’s why you’re fleeing the capital now. But then why not head to another safe outpost or the Esto Trading Company?”

“The Esto Trading Company? Don’t tell me… you know about that too?”

# # # #

The Second Princess was inwardly shocked.

Even for someone like Dian, she hadn’t expected him to know the truth about the Esto Trading Company.

A covert Special Operations unit she had created in secret, hidden from the eyes of the Capital.

She had cloaked it with bureaucratic structures, administrative diversions, and layers of deception—thinking it was perfectly concealed.

And yet he saw through it so easily?

Could it be… just from glancing over things at its inauguration ceremony?

You really are something else, Dian…

# # # #

I just shrugged at her question.

Esto whatever—it’s not like I knew anything about it in the first place.

The only reason I caught on was because that “inauguration ceremony” had happened to be the same day I visited the Second Princess to ask permission to use illusion magic for the contest.

Smart Kaiden whispered the whole story to me while we were there.

“I just sort of picked it up. But why come to the Academy instead of going to a place like that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

The Second Princess shot me a look like I’d asked something stupid.

What’s obvious about it?

Did she actually think the Academy’s professors were stronger than her Esto unit?

“The professors aren’t an option.”

“What do you mean?”

“They have classes to teach. Graduation’s only a few months away.”

“Of course. What else would professors be doing if not teaching?”

“Exactly.”

The Second Princess stared at me in silence, then asked,

“So what are you going to do?”

“Pardon?”

“The secret prince has returned to the Capital. He’s sided with the Emperor, and now he’s trying to eliminate me.”

“That’s unfortunate. I hope things work out.”

She fell silent again, eyes fixed on me.

“What?”

“What are you going to do?”

“Uh…?”

Why is she asking these vague, floating questions again?

Is she asking what I would do in her place? I don’t care about this whole power struggle.

“Are you… asking me? I’m not really interested in that sort of thing.”

# # # #

The Second Princess smiled faintly at Dian’s reply.

Not interested in politics?

Then what were all those quiet pieces of advice he’d been slipping her?

Is he playing coy in front of his future wife, hiding his true intent?

There’s no need to pretend.

We’re the same, you and I.

We have power. We have skill. It’s only right that we rise to where we belong.

If you’re qualified, it’s natural to want what comes with that.

There’s nothing shameful about pursuing power.

# # # #

“It’s not something to be ashamed of, Dian.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s just something to learn, little by little.”

“Uh… sure…”

Pretty sure she hit her head hard or something.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“I have to eliminate the Third Prince and his people.”

“That probably is the best solution.”

There were more of those monstrous things, after all.

But with the forces the Second Princess currently had… could she really deal with them?

She could bring in her own army, but that risked being branded a traitor.

As for her special unit, that’d be even harder.

From what she told me earlier, brute force seemed the only effective method—but they specialize in infiltration and assassination, not frontal assault.

All in all, not an ideal position for her.

Still, I’m sure she’ll figure something out.

She’s capable and decisive.

Looking at it now, my decision to leave the Capital ten years ago really was a stroke of genius.

If I’d stayed, I’d be caught right in the middle of this mess, struggling to survive.

I’m just not the type for center-stage drama.

Supporting character? That’s more my speed.

# # # #

“That probably is the best solution.”

Dian fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Was he devising the perfect strategy to wipe out Berken’s group in one blow?

Moments later, he said,

“Well, in your situation, that’s probably the most effective move.”

“Could you help me accomplish it?”

“Of course. I’ll be cheering you on. You can do this, Your Highness.”

His answer gave the Second Princess a brief pause.

So… that means he’ll help, right?

Yes. That must be what he means.

After all, every message he’s sent me so far has been about backing me.

Yes, Dian. We’ll do this together.

Let’s tear down this rotten royal family side by side.

When a new age dawns, I want you there with me.

# # # #

“Of course. I’ll be cheering you on. You can do this, Your Highness.”

And that’s where I bowed out.

No interest in throwing myself into that mud pit—offering moral support is more than enough.

By then, we had arrived at the Academy.

“So are you going back to the Capital right away?”

“Do you think it’s alright?”

“Huh? Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Well, I guess there’s no reason not to.”

What the heck is she saying now?

“So you are going back, then?”

“Time is of the essence, Dian.”

“Got it. And you two—are you going with her?”

Zakrion and Sharian, sitting atop the carriage, both said yes.

“Alright then.”

I hopped off the carriage, shut the door, and called to the coachman.

“Back to the Capital! Double the fare—covered by the silver-haired beauty!”

“Yes, sir!”

The coachman, ecstatic, cracked the reins and sent the carriage surging forward.

# # # #

As the carriage jolted into motion, the adjutant blurted out in panic,

“Y-Your Highness! Why isn’t that man coming with us?!”

The Second Princess was just as startled.

What are you thinking, Dian?

Is this part of some pincer movement plan?

Like we draw attention at the front gate while he scales the wall in back like usual?

“Wait! Your Highness, look at him!”

The adjutant’s voice made her lean out the window.

Dian was strolling casually into the Academy with his hands behind his back.

“Stop the carriage!”

The adjutant shouted, and the coachman yanked the reins.

He jumped out and ran to Dian.

“Mr. Dian!”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing?!”

“Heading home.”

“What?! What do you mean, home?!”

“My house. It’s nighttime. I missed dinner with the faculty, so I’m just calling it a night.”

“Aren’t you going to the Capital?”

“The Capital? I thought you were going there.”

“You have to help us defeat the secret prince’s group!”

“You said Your Highness was taking care of that.”

As this baffling exchange continued, the adjutant finally snapped, grabbed Dian by the shoulders, and shook him.

“I mean you’re supposed to go with us and help!”

“Me? Why?”

“Because! For your future wife, of course!”

“Future wife? Oh?”

Dian snapped his fingers in realization.

“You sent that letter?”

“You got the letter? Then why didn’t you come right away?!”

“I thought it was a prank. But wait, Commander.”

He took a step back, clearly uncomfortable.

“Why are you calling yourself my future wife? You’re the one who sent that letter? You… cut your hair short, or…?”

“Wh-what are you saying?!”

The adjutant stood there, mouth agape.

“So it was a misunderstanding.”

The Second Princess stepped down from the carriage and approached, smiling.

“The adjutant did send the letter—but I wrote it.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, Dian. Do you understand now?”

“…No? Who exactly is supposed to be my ‘future wife,’ then?”

“It’s me.”

“…Sorry?”

“I said it’s me, Dian.”

“Ah… right. Suuure…”

Okay. Yeah. She definitely hit her head really hard…