I Quit Being The Male Lead’s Rival

The Duchess of Wade and Ian were sitting in the VIP section close to the stage.

"Now, we will hold the official's retirement ceremony."

Boring procedures continued, but there was only one scene everyone wanted to see.

While Ian was sitting in a straight posture and staring at the stage, people whispered.

"Isn't she gorgeous when she dresses up? I didn't know Miss Annabelle was so pretty."

"Clothes are just clothes, but her expression is different. She has always been frowning, so it's good to see her with that expression."

Annabelle in a beautiful dress looked so excited.

Of course, she was excited about the rich single life that would unfold.However, everyone who didn't know the situation thought she was happy to be a member of the Marquis Abedes.

"Then she won't have to be the winner of the swordsmanship competition."

"She won't be going to the Duke of Wade's mansion every day and she won't bother Ian anymore, right?"

"There's no reason for them to get tangled up now. It would be nice."

Ian felt like he was strangely getting worse.

Of course, the worst thing about the conversations heard around him was the conversation his parents were sharing.

"If it ends up like this, he'll never want to admit it."

Leslie grumbled with an expression of being upset.

"Obviously, things are going well between her and Prince Robert that her family are even trying to use her politically."

It's been a long time since she talked about politics.

"I can see it at first glance…but what can I do?"

Braden, who was talking to Leslie, answered.

"Are you sure she's doing really well with Prince Robert? That might not be the case."

"I heard that the person who has never had a scandal before had dinner and went to the opera together with her."

Leslie stared at him and replied.

"If it's not going well, then what is it?""

"…The prince may intend to use Miss Annabelle."

"Hey, Miss Annabelle didn't even ask for it first, but she said that he gave permission right away. Isn't that just further proof that things are going well?"

In fact, everyone was making such guesses thanks to Robert's immediate approval of the paternity test.

Leslie took a step further and spoke seriously.

"Honey, if Miss Annabelle becomes a noble, she can marry Prince Robert, right?"

"Marriage?"

"Of course, there is no law that says that a commoner cannot marry an imperial family, but it must have been unprecedented."

"No, that's… Ian?""

Braden was speechless by his wife's question, and eventually changed the subject by talking to Ian.

"Relax your hands. The handle of the chair will break. What's that look for? You're not watching rotten onions."

"Okay."

"…How can you be so bored at this moment?"

Braden sighed deeply.

"Prince Robert is quite pleasant."

Suddenly, he remembered Annabelle and Robert having pleasant conversations at the opera, and he felt his mood was hitting the ground. (t/n: expression saying his mood is dropping.)

Braden continued.

"Even if I were a woman, I would want to date Prince Robert."

Ian then retorted.

"I see. But I don't think that's the information Prince Robert will like to hear."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No."

"I knew it. You're not the one who will succeed in joking."

Regardless of whether Braden sighed or not, Ian got his mind together with a very rational attitude.

Robert had to meet with him this afternoon because he had something personal to ask of him.

At that time, it would have been very embarrassing if he couldn't control his facial expression.

"Ian, I heard you have an appointment after the retirement ceremony. What's the matter?"

Just in time, Leslie suddenly asked, and Ian replied calmly.

"It's just a social gathering."

"Yeah, you don't go out to social gatherings. You're just saying that because you want to keep it a secret."

In fact, the meeting between Ian and Robert was a secret.

Ian was asked for help because the location of the secret crackdown scheduled for today was dangerous.

Ian did not want to show political movements, but he had a sense of mission as a prosecutor.

In the meantime, he had been honing his skills with the mindset of protecting the weak for justice and peace.

"I think black magic is involved. I'm not asking you to support me, but please help me for the sake of the world."

After listening to Robert's explanation, Ian promised to help him right away.

At first glance, it was likely going to be a pretty dangerous battle.

At that time, he had to actively participate as an honorary and competent prosecutor.

So even if Robert felt uncomfortable, he couldn't show it.

They were both going to risk their lives now.

'But why am I suddenly uncomfortable to see Robert?'

Perhaps it was because of his easy heart, which fluctuated late at night just because he touched Annabelle's hand once.

Ian's thoughts did not continue further.

Finally, all the boring procedures were over, and the High Priest stood in the middle and held the hands of Marquis Abedes and Annabelle.

If the halo shines on the heads of the two after pouring out all the divine powers of the High Priest, the paternity relationship would be confirmed.

"And, of course."

The High Priest closed his eyes and said.

"Let's gather the last powers of this old man and listen to the holiest god of the world."

There was silence in the square.

The bodies of Annabelle and Marquis Abedes began to rise.

~*~

I took the High Priest's hand and closed my eyes. Suddenly, my vision brightened and a voice was heard in my head.

[You are the chosen child.]

I stayed silent for now, wondering if I was called the chosen child for the paternity test.

[No, no. You're not chosen for the paternity test.]

Oh, it can read my thoughts.

I immediately thought politely.

'Then what was chosen?'

[You should know. One day, your life completely changed.]

'Are you talking about when I remembered my previous life?'

[Yes.]

I was so startled that I forgot to be polite.

It wasn't just a coincidence that I remembered my past life, but was it God's arrangement?

[One world is connected to the other by books, and the reason that you were reminded of your past life was…]

I had a very ominous feeling.

[…Because I wanted you to save this world.]

Of course, according to the original, the world was going to be very chaotic.

But it was still a happy ending…

As far as I know, today was the day Ian and the female lead met.

Tonight, Ian and Robert would go on a secret crackdown and attack the black magic.

And at a dangerous moment, he fatefully meets the saint, who was the female lead, and gets her help.

It was a world where the main characters would work hard to save everyone, but I couldn't have a sense of duty like that.

There was a male lead and female lead who were the strongest in the world, so why did I have to be the insignificant villain?

'Isn't this world made for the male lead and female lead to save anyway?'

[That is the future set in this situation, but with your help, the story can be different.]

'How can I just change the future like that?'

[Aren't I the god?]

Well, then there was nothing for me to say to that.

'But why is there a need for me to step up…?'

[It's too complicated to leave it to them and there are too many twists and turns. You should've seen it through the book.]

Of course, there were ups and downs before they were able to save the world.

But there was no reason for me to go through those ups and downs.

[Above all, the main characters alone cannot completely save this world.]

'What?'

[It means that the end of the novel you read was not truly the end.]

'Wasn't it still a happy ending?'

[That is only for the next 30 years or so. They couldn't eliminate all of the dangers because they couldn't determine the 'origins of black magic' that was left behind.]

'What is the origin of black magic?'

[The evil things that cross worlds to go to another with the help of demons. Since I am also a newcomer to this world specifically, I have no idea what it is.]

'Uh… well…'

It was a moment where I had no choice but to think about whether I was the 'evil thing' from another world.

[The 'origin of black magic' is a foreign thing that doesn't need to exist in this world. It's the cause of all the black magic that's going on right now.] (t/n: The god is pretty much clueless too…)

This content was not in the original.

It was the first time I had ever heard of the 'origin of black magic'.

[It messes things up by connecting the dark and destructive desires of humans on non-human subjects.]

It just meant that the work would not be completely finished if Ian beat everything up with the female lead.

[Anyways, these 'origins of black magic' lead humans to ruin and survive in the story while still being intact. Then it moves to another world and incites humans to create tragedy again.]

'Ah, I see.'

I responded quickly like a student with no enthusiasm.

It meant that another crisis would come in 30 years, but how could the main characters not save it even then?

[They gain more evil power each time they pass through a dimension, causing the possessed humans to wield black magic.]

'Hmm.'

[There are evil things in the stories you read in the world of your previous life. Only you, reincarnated from that world, can recognize and destroy them.]

'Ahhhhhh…'

So, it was said that the 'origin of black magic' appeared in other stories I've read.

In fact, I didn't really get the hang of it, but I didn't intend to.

[Then all the black magic would disappear on the spot without much sacrifice.]

'Ah, yes.'

[There are three 'origins of black magic' here. That's all I know.]

'Ummm, three…'

[Don't answer rudely. I'll give you what you really want.]

'Oh.'

[Please, my chosen child.]

Again, nothing was free.Instead of avoiding the prison ending, I had to save the world more thoroughly and cost-effectively.

'Okay, and…'

My vision, which had been bright, began to darken again.

Instinctively, I felt disconnected from God.

'After all, there is still a long way to go to get what I really want, but I'll just get the inheritance right now.'Instead of saving the world, I was thinking that I wanted to buy a house first, and my feet touched the floor again.

I slowly opened my eyes thinking that it was finally over.

'Are there halos on the Marquis of Abedes and my head by now?'

But…

There was no light on top of Marquis Abedes's head, who glanced at the High Priest.