My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 100

“Pfft! Are you talking about Seri?!”

The storm of laughter echoed in the Emperor’s office.

As soon as Chris left the meeting room, he brushed past the nobles and headed straight for the Emperor’s office.

He couldn’t help but feel anxious, worrying that the succession might somehow fall to Seri.

“Yes, indeed.”

“Quite impressive. Or is it Praus that’s impressive?”

Emperor Lupin sipped his tea and gave a small murmur of admiration.

Praus had been making choices so unpredictable that Lupin thought the foundation of those actions was rooted in “information power.”

The corruption discussed in this meeting was no different.

Even Rexton, who was sensitive to money, was oblivious to the corruption that Seri and Praus were well aware of.

It was impossible to determine where that information was coming from.

No matter how many people Praus sent to gather intel, there was never a report about anyone having contact with someone possessing an information advantage.

“…Did His Majesty know everything?”

Lost in thought for a moment, he snapped back to reality at Chris’s voice.

“Hmm? Oh… Are you referring to Seri’s faction?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Right. I knew about it. Before taking Seri away, Praus had infiltrated the Imperial Palace using a magician. It’s probably that elf who’s close to him. That elf must be at least a rank seven.”

The barrier of the Imperial Palace was at rank seven, so a rank six magician couldn’t get past its defenses.

“That elf… But why didn’t you tell me? If you had, I would have taken action.”

“That’s exactly why. I thought it would be more advantageous not to inform you and to use Praus.”

“Use… you mean?”

Chris’s pupils quivered like a flame flickering in the wind.

Seeing Chris’s slumped shoulders different from usual, Lupin let out a sigh.

“How could someone destined to be Emperor be so spineless? Get a grip.”

“…Yes.”

He straightened his posture. With his shoulders back and waist straight, he took a deep breath. His expression improved considerably.

“I understand what you’re worried about. You’re wondering if I might hand the succession to Seri, right? But from the beginning, I decided you would be the next Emperor. That won’t change.”

“Is that… true?”

Chris exhaled a sigh of relief. The relief was so apparent that Lupin frowned.

“Don’t show your emotions. Displaying emotions is like inviting others to exploit your weaknesses. You are the future center of the Empire. Remember, if you waver, the Empire wavers too.”

“Yes. From now on, I will pay close attention to even the smallest actions to avoid concern.”

“Good.”

Lupin took another sip of tea and set the cup down.

“We drifted off topic for a moment. I mentioned it would be easy to use Praus, right?”

“Yes.”

“The birth of a hero means the birth of a Demon King. In other words, the first thing you need to resolve when you ascend as Emperor is to ‘quell’ the Demon Tribe.”

Only then did Chris realize, eyes widening in understanding, and looked at Lupin.

“I see. Praus possesses such great power that he can handle the Black Dragon in just three rounds… But I don’t know how to use him. That guy… he doesn’t follow logic, does he? He acts however he wants, regardless of who he’s facing, which leaves a lot of variables.”

Praus had shown that he spoke casually even to the Emperor and had boldly unleashed killing intent.

Chris thought it was impossible to anticipate his actions.

“To do that, I had to leverage Seri. With Seri around, he would have no choice but to follow my orders merely to gain the right of succession from me.”

“!”

“Until then, let him win appropriately. For the sake of using Praus.”

‘For such a reason…’

Regardless of the reason, it was true that Praus intended to use Princess Seri to dominate the Royal Family.

Chris admired how Lupin was turning this point to his advantage.

At the same time, he felt a strange frustration at realizing he was somehow inferior to his aging father.

“I told you to always think deeply and diversely.”

“My apologies.”

“List the possibilities and scenarios. Even if there’s only a one percent chance, keep it in mind.”

He warned while spreading his fingers. Chris bent his waist while seated.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“And don’t worry. Even if I die, the right of succession won’t go to Seri. I’ve left my will.”

Lupin placed a neatly rolled up parchment on the table. As he swept his fingers over it, he momentarily fell into sentiment.

‘The first thing that comes to mind when contemplating my lifespan is the will. How bittersweet.’

He put the will back into his inner pocket.

Chris couldn’t take his eyes off the parchment. He followed it with his movements. Seeing this, Lupin chuckled softly.

“I’ll put it in the vault, so make sure to take it when I die.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now that we’ve finished discussing, you can go. I’m busy.”

Lupin got up from his seat. As he walked towards the office desk, Chris too got up from his chair.

“Uh… What shall we do with Praus once the Demon War is over?”

“You’re asking something with an already predetermined answer.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Kill him. No human who exposes the Royal Family should be spared.”

‘No human who exposes the Royal Family should be spared…’

He silently recited his father’s words, as if trying to engrave them in his mind.

And at that moment, neither of these two men could know that this statement would serve as the spark for the future succession war.

“I understand. I will keep that in mind.”

With a strong reply, Chris strode out of the office.

A click resounded as the door closed, and only then did Lupin look towards the door he exited.

‘Before I die, the Demon War must break out. If not…’

Lupin gazed at the gloomy weather, forcing himself to erase the ominous scenarios joining his thoughts.

*

“Are you telling me to go to the next nobles’ meeting alone?!”

Seri, who had been learning management from Tori, bolted up from her seat, as if experiencing a seizure.

“You’ll be going together with Duke Tori, so it’s not really alone.”

“But…”

“Seri, I can’t follow you forever.”

I had to travel far for a while, searching for the artifacts hidden in various regions and meeting other Spirit Kings while assessing the level of the heroes.

“Don’t worry; the rest will be handled by Duke Tori. So go wild without a care.”

“If I go wild, that’ll be troublesome for me, so stay obedient.”

Can you not read the atmosphere? Do you absolutely have to act like this?

“Duke Tori, how do you plan to put Seri on the throne when you’re so chicken-hearted?”

“Don’t you think you’re strange?”

I proudly denied it.

It’s not me that’s strange; it’s the skill I possess that’s strange. I’m not at fault here.

“You’re just so brazen…”

He placed his hand on his forehead, shaking his head slowly.

“Although everyone has their own methods, your method is too extreme. That’s why you’re making enemies around you.”

“…If I don’t do this, I’ll be looked down upon. Seri has already been disregarded by others. Though she’s adjusted to the right limits, if we don’t instill the notion that she’s not to be messed with, they’ll keep coming at her.”

I unconsciously reached to pat Seri’s head and then swiftly withdrew my hand. Her previously beaming smile froze.

“Praus…?”

For the past two months, I hadn’t even the slightest clue how much effort I had put into elevating her determination and self-esteem.

Because of this, our relationship had grown remarkably closer, to the extent of being beyond explanation.

However, if she genuinely liked me, I needed to avoid contact with her as much as possible.

I had to somehow put Seri on the throne.

But if becoming Emperor meant marrying me…

I would have to tell her a “lie.”

Knowing that Seri had a yandere nature and yet lying would likely unleash unknown consequences.

Thus, until she ascended to the throne, I must not narrow this distance. Absolutely not.

“Seri. This is no different from the last nobles’ meeting. Hold your ground among those fierce men. This may be a strange way to show support, but…”

I handed her a piece of parchment containing some of the details I had previously jotted down in Korean.

“What is this?”

“It contains the problems each noble is currently facing. Refer to this and try to talk it through. All the hints should be there.”

The contents written on the parchment stemmed from the ‘side quests.’

Since it was a bit premature, I couldn’t even begin to express how many times I wracked my brain to remember how many years ago it mentioned ‘years ago’ in the quest details.

If I hadn’t replayed the save and load countless times, I wouldn’t have remembered a thing.

It’s truly ridiculous, but I never thought a day would come when I’d be grateful I was terrible at the game.

“If you can’t do this, you won’t be able to become Emperor.”

“I understand. I’ll give it my all. Oh, and if I successfully wrap this up again, will you grant me a wish?”

After gauging her emotions, I had been trying to restrain my offers for rewards.

But since she needed to make a significant impact during the crucial nobles’ meeting, I had to dangle a reward.

“What do you want?”

“I want to save that for after I’ve succeeded. I don’t want to spoil the excitement.”

“I can’t grant just any wish.”

“Don’t worry. It’s something only Praus can grant.”

The more intelligent one is, the trickier it is to manipulate them.

“Alright, I’ll do that.”

She smiled contently as she began to delve into the book. I quietly stared at her back before leaving the room.

Just before closing the door, Tori poked his head out.

“Shouldn’t you be watching her from the side?”

“No. That’s unnecessary.”

He said while shutting the door.

“That girl seems to turn into a completely different person the moment she asks you for a reward,” he added.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Should I say it’s blind? Or that she doesn’t hesitate to use any means at her disposal? Either way, it’s like that.”

Doesn’t hesitate to use any means…

That’s quite an unsettling thing to say.

I let out a hollow laugh while looking out the window.

Outside, Tina and Iris were sparring with aura swords that perfectly embodied their forms.

Engaging in a duel with aura swords, possessing cutting power capable of slicing through even magic, could genuinely be interpreted as putting their lives on the line.

While I was absorbed in watching, the two stopped their duel and looked up simultaneously.

They instantly spotted me on the third floor.

Could it be that they sensed my presence? We’re this far apart?

I quickly double-checked to ensure I hadn’t radiated killing intent, but the hologram remained unchanged.

The two wiped the sweat off their palms with the backs of their hands and waved toward me.

Even after merely two years of growth, which normally takes countless years, their development seemed to accelerate further.

If they continue growing like this…

“Perhaps, without needing to wait for ‘a thousand years,’ we might invade the Demon World first…”

I thought that as soon as the princess becomes the Emperor, it might be one strategy for us to move against the Demon World.