My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 83

Entering Duke Tori’s Residence, guided by the butler.

I mean, who wouldn’t guess it was a duke’s place? It’s gigantic and spacious.

I really have no clue how to clean a house this large. Is that why they have so many servants?

As I walked, it wasn’t uncommon to see beastmen and elves dressed in maid outfits.

“Surprised to see so many other races compared to other dukes’ residences?”

“Yeah, a bit unexpectedly so.”

I had met them at the tea house and stayed in the annex, but I had never been inside the main residence.

Moreover, the servants I met in the annex were all human, so I thought this place would also be managed by humans.

“I remember only humans serving in the annex.”

“When receiving external guests, we usually employ human servants. Many people react sensitively to other races.”

Is that so?

Most of the time, nobles visiting a duke’s residence are presumably those aligned with the royal family, so I guess it makes sense.

“Everyone here was once sold as slaves and lost their will to live at least once. If you encounter them, please try to be understanding and gentle.”

The other races we passed bowed their heads as we walked. I spoke to them quietly.

“Don’t worry. I like humans, beastmen, and elves all the same.”

“…Is that so? Then those who are visiting with you must be living with love, that’s a relief.”

Watching him smile kindly, I turned around.

It was probably because I had never expressed it directly, but they all looked shocked.

“Plaus, do you like me?”

Urka, who advanced suddenly, asked.

The heroes also seemed like they wanted to ask me, but it became awkward since Urka beat them to it, making grim faces.

“…No.”

“You liar.”

“……”

Urka glanced back and whispered to me.

“If you say you like me, I’ll date you. You’re entitled to that, Plaus.”

Her words made me stop in my tracks without realizing it.

Seeing my reaction, Urka looked at me with sparkling eyes full of hope.

Damn it. I was annoyed by my racing heart.

After all, who wouldn’t want to date Urka, one of the game’s top beauties?

“I’m good.”

“Tch. If you had accepted, I would have formally told Tori that I want to live with Plaus.”

Urka clicked her tongue, looking regretful.

“…Aren’t you supposed to like Duke Tori?”

“Uh? Am I giving off that vibe?”

Was it an unexpected question? She looked flustered.

Her eyes, which had been directed at me, wandered. She scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“I’m just asking.”

“I used to… well, I liked him when I was younger, you know.”

“You’re still quite immature, aren’t you?”

“I am not?!”

Thwack. Thwack.

She hit my arm in denial.

Ouch. I’ll probably have a bruise on my arm tomorrow.

“Anyway, I don’t like him anymore. Tori’s a friend. Beyond that, we couldn’t be.”

“Is that so.”

I responded dismissively. She peeked at my reaction, then whispered again.

“Ah, even if I look like this… I’m a virgin… So you don’t have to worry about that. I liked him when I didn’t know much about it.”

So, is she saying she’s a thirty-something virgin who’s never done it?

Ah, maybe not a virgin. I have no idea how old beastmen typically get married.

“…I wasn’t asking.”

“But you might ask someday, right?”

“Yeah, I guess I might.”

“Really?!”

“No.”

I gave her a light tap on the head and resumed walking.

“Hmph….”

Both Ella and Urka seem to have different standards of liking others, and it’s confusing.

Even though this world is based on survival of the fittest, being strong doesn’t guarantee everything…

I did show them consideration, but I’m not sure that would instantly spark romantic feelings.

Just looking at my… I mean, Plaus’s attitude, wouldn’t it drive anyone away?

I’m not entirely sure, but at a time like this, romantic feelings aren’t particularly favorable.

No matter how I twist the narrative, I couldn’t predict who would live and who would die.

Tragedy was enough with Pasma and Ariel.

*

As soon as we entered the reception room, Duke Tori stood up from the sofa. He approached me and extended his hand.

“I was a bit surprised that you came by unexpectedly.”

“I apologize for that.”

I lightly shook his hand. He looked surprised as if he thought I would ignore him, then he chuckled lightly.

“…You’ve grown much more refined since we first met. Please, have a seat.”

Urka naturally stood beside Duke Tori.

I guess he’s quite clear on distinguishing between public and private matters, not that naive after all.

Ariel, the heroes, and I sat side by side on the opposite sofa.

“I heard you recently dealt with the Black Dragon. That was quite a feat.”

“Someone had to do it. I just happened to be that someone.”

“You’re quite the cool one from start to finish.”

“Am I?”

“What reward did His Majesty the Emperor grant you?”

“One thousand gold coins.”

Given my audacious demeanor and cheeky tone, he probably thought it was meaningless to grant me a noble title.

If anything, it could threaten the hierarchy.

“Unbelievably so. It should be a surprising feat that doesn’t warrant a noble title. I heard you alleviated the territorial expansion issue by dealing with the Black Dragon. Just a mere thousand coins…”

While “mere” might be overstating it, it’s a meager reward considering it was for slaying a Black Dragon.

Anyway, all I really need is enough to cover living expenses. I have no desire to build a mansion like a noble, as long as I have enough to live on for the rest of my life, I’m satisfied.

“I didn’t deal with it specifically to become a noble, so it doesn’t matter. Anyway, that’s not why I came here.”

“I see. Then what brings you here?”

“I would appreciate it if you could keep what I’m about to say a secret. It doesn’t benefit either of us for others to know.”

“…What is it?”

While it is true that I’ve built a bond with Duke Tori by easing Urka’s will, he is, after all, still a noble.

Even though he denies the institution of slavery and shows consideration towards other races, it’s an undeniable fact that he is loyal to the emperor.

In other words, while it might be easy for him to speak out, there’s no guarantee he’ll stand by my side.

Thus, to persuade him, I had to provoke the weaknesses he still held.

“Duke Tori, who are you currently supporting as the next emperor?”

“…Why do you ask?”

His gaze changed.

It shifted from one of familiarity to one of caution, revealing a sober seriousness.

“I have just joined the forces of a particular candidate for the next emperor.”

“You’re… joining a faction? Wait, does that mean… you intend to participate in the Succession War?”

“Correct. So please answer me.”

In fact, I already knew.

There’s no way I wouldn’t know which candidate the dukes are backing at this point.

“…You seem to already know what I’m talking about.”

He said as he looked closely at me.

“Does it appear that way?”

“…Then do you fear I may consider you an enemy?”

“No, I don’t mind being seen as an enemy. In this place, you will end up backing a candidate like myself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Plus, I’d like you to be the support for the faction I’m backing.”

“…Are you saying you will resort to violence?”

His eyes narrowed.

I’m not that violent, you know.

It seems Duke Tori has the impression that I’m some cold-hearted individual.

“If it were that simple, I wouldn’t have come to you and could have overthrown the entire royal family ages ago.”

“That’s impossible. Even you wouldn’t—”

“Is it too far-fetched?”

I cut him off and applied slight pressure to my eyes.

“….”

Gulp.

I saw his Adam’s apple bob.

Just then, Urka extended her palm to me.

“Plaus, lower your killing intent. Tori’s an understanding person.”

“…Alright.”

I slightly nodded at Urka’s words, easing the intensity in my eyes.

“Before anything, I’d like to ask you, Plaus. Who are you backing? Crown Prince Chris? Or perhaps one of the other princes?”

It seems he does not consider Princess Seri as a possibility.

Well, considering that I only learned who she was when the Resistance rose, it’s understandable.

After all, no one votes for a candidate whose approval ratings are close to zero.

“I know you’re backing Crown Prince Chris.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Do you think I wouldn’t know? The Succession War does not inflict direct damage to the dukes, but supporting another candidate would only narrow their standings, so you have no choice but to back the most likely candidate.”

“Indeed, you seem to have an eye for the world.”

It’s not that I have a keen eye, but it would be odd for someone not to know this. Even a person with minimal awareness should catch on.

“Moreover, isn’t the duke family one that must show loyalty to the empire above all? You have no options other than that.”

“…Then who is the one you’re backing? The Second Prince?”

“Princess Seri.”

“What?”

“The person I’m backing is Princess Seri.”

His expression soured in an instant.

As soon as I mentioned someone with seemingly zero potential, he slumped his entire face down in despair.

“How… could you support Princess Seri….”

He sighed, pressing on his temples.

“You’re underestimating her.”

“Do you even know what kind of situation she’s in? She recently got engaged to the son of Duke Todiah—”

“Don’t worry. I’m fully aware of everything.”

He cut me off, as if about to list all of Seri’s shortcomings.

“The Crown Prince told me he would make it illegal to brand slaves of other races. Do you really think that by supporting him, you can fulfill Urka’s wish?”

“Is that true?”

He asked incredulously, and I nodded without hesitation.

“I want the next emperor to be someone who can show compassion to other races. What are your thoughts, Duke Tori?”

With my words, Tori’s gaze shifted to Urka behind him.

Good, he took the bait.

Given that he’s looking at Urka, I’ll take control of this situation.

This was exactly my plan.

One key phrase could draw back the rationality he held firmly to when faced with a deal.

That phrase was Urka.

For Duke Tori, Urka represents ‘regret’ and ‘remorse.’

He loves her, but the regret of not being able to express it and the remorse of ultimately not choosing her.

If Urka hadn’t existed for him, he likely would have had an outlook no different from any other noble.

“Of course, if that were possible, that would be great, but…”

He mumbled timidly, flinching before looking at me.

“Could it be that Princess Seri is willing to accept other races?”

Once one’s emotions consume their rationality, even if they realize their choice was wrong, it’s too late to change.

Emotions narrow your vision, and that narrowed vision forces choices upon you while suggesting that it was indeed the right choice.

Even if they may later regret it, it would be too late to turn back.

“Of course. That’s why I’ve chosen her.”