My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 136

Since my conversation with Chris, the atmosphere in the conference room has grown heavier. Everyone present was too cautious to speak, glancing nervously at Chris. Well, everyone except me.

Amidst the prolonged silence, Chris spoke up.

“Let’s start the noble meeting. Explain the matters to be discussed this year.”

At his words, Marquis Medis stood up, holding some papers.

“I am Medis, responsible for explaining the agenda of this noble meeting.”

With a light introduction, he began his explanation.

The primary issue discussed was the food crisis. He brought up how, due to the weather anomalies, droughts, and earthquakes that occurred in the latter half of last year, the food production had significantly dropped.

Marquis Medis stated that if this situation continued for several years, a food shortage could arise.

Next came the discussion on the recent intensification of demon presence in the western region, causing troubles for the knights near the border, along with the resolution to abolish the slave system for other races.

Then followed the matter of the ongoing conflicts between Duke Kalus and the Aioum Kingdom.

Numerous issues were brought up afterward, and when the explanations concluded, Marquis Medis took his seat.

“We will handle the decreased harvest from last year with our stockpiled food. However, we need to be prepared.”

To solve the problem and prevent similar occurrences in the future, understanding the cause was paramount, but I already knew why the weather anomalies were happening.

Orient spoke to me separately after she contracted with Maria.

At that time, Orient said to me, “Since the last fight with Peremus, a small amount of mana from the Human World has been consumed by demons.”

She went on to warn me that the natural state would remain unstable for several months while she was purifying the demons.

Moreover, she had left threatening instructions to eliminate high-ranking demons like Peremus as soon as possible.

Having provided me with the sacred weapon, it seemed she intended to reap its benefits.

“Has there ever been a time when weather anomalies occurred like this before?”

I snapped back to attention at the Crown Prince’s words and surveyed the people sitting around the circular table. Everyone seemed to be pondering deeply, but no one dared to voice their opinions.

Well, except for one.

Princess Seri seemed to know what she should say.

Having already heard about Orient and spent a year reading countless books to gain knowledge, it was expected.

As I observed her closely, Seri raised her hand.

“Yes, there was, Your Highness.”

“!”

All attention focused on Seri. Chris, displeased that the spotlight was on her, bit his lip sulkily.

“… When was that?”

He reluctantly asked.

“It was before the first Demon War, just before the demons attacked the Pharaoh Kingdom.”

“What?! Are you saying…!”

“Are you implying the current weather anomalies are related to the demons?!”

The conference room erupted into chaos at her words. Chris shouted, and the heightened voices quickly quieted down.

“Princess Seri, are you certain? Natural disasters have been occurring every year. Some regions occasionally experience weather anomalies. Do you truly believe they are connected to the demons?”

“However, this is the only time we’ve seen a continuous drop in food production to this extent since the Demon War. You’ll find evidence in the books recorded by the heroes.”

The remarkable achievements of the heroes who saved the empire are remembered, but it’s likely they wouldn’t have obsessed over the weather details back then for practical purposes.

“Then should we consider that these weather anomalies are connected to the demons?”

“I can’t say for certain. Records are only for reference. In fact, it’s impossible to verify.”

Other nobles sighed at Seri’s words. Chris smirked as if he expected that response. It was a smile born from relief.

“However, there is one similarity between the past and the present.”

“Similarity?”

“It’s that both times, the demons attacked the Pharaoh Kingdom hundreds of years ago and last year when Peremus crossed the border to attack our Pretéum Empire.”

The demons’ assaults.

By drawing connections from these two cases, the argument gained strength.

“However, it’s unreasonable to say that the weather anomalies are solely caused by the demon assaults, isn’t it? Unless the demons are using the 9th-tier magic…”

“Exactly. It isn’t the attack itself that matters. What matters is that the demons’ incursion has mixed their magic with the mana.”

“Mana mixed with magic?”

“You all know what happens when someone with mana gets consumed by demons, right? The mana gets devoured, and their life force deteriorates. This can be predicted to have similar reactions when applied to the mana floating in nature.”

I thought it was clever how Seri spoke to enhance her persuasiveness while presenting this conclusion as if it was her own, rather than citing me as the source. If she had mentioned that I shared this information, they would have dismissed her like before, ignoring everything except for Praus.

“… Then, is there a solution?”

The cause has been identified. Now, the remaining question was the solution.

Seri hesitated to answer, casting a brief glance at me. Seeing her expression filled with regret made me feel as though she was silently asking, ‘Don’t hate me?’ I nodded slightly.

“That is—”

“Wait, before that, I’d like to ask one thing.”

Just as Seri was about to speak, Glair Todiah interjected.

“If this weather anomaly has occurred due to the demon’s attack, then doesn’t that imply the risk of another Demon War is possible, not just the natural disaster issue?”

“… I think we should consider that possibility.”

“A Demon War…”

The nobles were taken aback.

It was only natural. The Pharaoh Kingdom was destroyed during the last Demon War, which nearly led to the downfall of the empire as well.

There wasn’t a single person in attendance who wouldn’t be anxious about the notion of facing such a crisis again.

“Whether we like it or not, to resolve the issue of weather anomalies, the extinction of the demons is imperative.”

To eradicate the demons. This was a burdensome statement for someone who, although delusional, carried the title of hero. Seri must have cautiously conveyed this thought herself.

“The extinction… What does that mean…?”

The gazes of the nobles naturally shifted toward me. I felt the weight on my shoulders intensify.

I crossed my arms, adopting my usual indifferent demeanor.

“… To eradicate the demons is akin to declaring a Demon War on our part. Are you all prepared for that?”

I hoped this would at least instill some awareness in them. The Demon War cannot be conquered solely by bonding with me and the heroes.

No one could muster a response. Even Chris, who used to carry himself confidently, remained silent.

“If you’re not prepared and committed, then do not speak of initiating an attack from our side. Unlike monsters, they possess intelligence. They will not simply sit idly by.”

Alright, if I say it this way, they won’t dare suggest I lead an invasion into the demon realm by myself, right?

“For this matter, we need to consider it alongside the proposal suggested by Duke Rexton. We must enhance the Grand Anti-Demon Magic to prevent the demons from crossing the border. We cannot allow a repeat of last year’s incident.”

“That’s still insufficient.”

“The Grand Anti-Demon Magic is not enough.”

It wouldn’t work on those at the commander or deputy commander level; it was far too easy for the higher-ranking demons to pass through.

The magic guild leader who crafted that spell is at the 8th tier, but to inflict critical damage on those demons, one would need to use 9th-tier magic like Orient. However, to my knowledge, the magic guild leader has never reached that was 9th-tier.

In the end, we had to allow for the demons’ incursion and strategize accordingly.

The crucial point was how effectively we could respond to such incursions.

To respond well, we needed capable individuals suited for it, even if they came from outside our usual sources.

“What are you saying…?”

“The power gap between humans and demons is considerable. If they come with an army next time, what will our response be? Can we really stand against the demons with just humans?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“… Have you considered utilizing other races?”

My comment took the nobles by surprise, including the dukes. Their expressions screamed, “What in the world are you saying?”

“Utilizing other races…?”

As soon as I blurted out my suggestion, the atmosphere in the conference room turned tense again.

“Are you in your right mind?”

“The beastmen possess strong physical abilities, and the elves have incredible mana affinity, aging traits that take years for humans to develop. But they’ve instinctively understood this since birth. Why keep them as slaves?”

“Let me ask the opposite question then. Why do you think the other races would be favorable to our empire? When we hand them weapons, who would ensure our knights’ backs are safe?”

“… We can offer compensation.”

“Compensation?”

“Gaining favor with the other races will be difficult. However, if we formally apologize to them and pay for the massacres, we may not gain their favor, but at least gain their assistance.”

In reality, even in the game, gaining favor with other races was no easy task. At the point when the Resistance arose, there would be no other races willing to ally with humans.

But with Duke Tori’s presence, it became possible.

While the empire was oppressing other races, Tori’s father was a faction leader, which meant he couldn’t exert influence. However, after becoming the leader, he committed to allowing other races to live freely. Those residing in the Aus Territory experienced this firsthand. Thus, with Tori in the mix, obtaining their assistance wasn’t too far-fetched.

Moreover, the demons posed a threat, not just to humans but also to the other races.

Although I couldn’t mention that in the meeting, perhaps if Chris reconsidered, he could lead efforts to change their perspectives.

“That compensation you mentioned would mean liberating all the races from slavery and returning their territories to them?”

I nodded. Chris narrowed his eyes, closing them for a moment before opening them again. A look of fatigue shadowed his expression.

“First and foremost, you should know that abolishing the slave system is fundamentally different from showing flexibility. Abolishing slavery indiscriminately will not guarantee the empire retains the land they’ve seized.”

I understood Chris’s standpoint. It made sense, but without abolishing the slave system, there was no basis for any cooperation discussion.

Look at him trying to avoid losses at all costs. How stubborn.

“Currently, as Tori Aus has implemented reforms regarding the slavery system in his territory, flexibility could be considered. However, a complete abolition is impossible. So, don’t bring up the abolition of the slave system again. I will not entertain that idea.”

As much as it pained me, it seemed like it was time to step back.

Judging by the nobles’ reactions, Chris’s words resonated more persuasively than mine. Naturally, they were in the position of humans dominating the other races.

Nonetheless, I doubt this conversation was in vain.

This is a sort of foreshadowing. It was intended to encourage them to rely on the other races when the next Demon War occurs.

Ultimately, the Crown Prince’s faction consists of those who are gathered under power. If that power loses significance, my words would hold weight.

“… Fine. I will not force it. I merely wanted to express my opinion.”

After a brief exchange, the meeting continued.

“Then next…”

“Since His Highness Chris reacts this way, let’s skip the resolution to abolish the slave system for this noble meeting.”

Quick on the uptake, Rexton tucked away the documents. Stepping back now signified giving up trying to convince the Crown Prince.

I hoped fervently that he would hold fast to his current convictions, but a noble is still a noble.

I couldn’t expect them to have a mindset similar to mine, living as I do, in modern times.

“Then it’s time for Duke Kalus’ proposal. He has presented a plan to prevent the more frequent clashes between the Aioum Kingdom regarding resources located near the border. I invite anyone with thoughts on this to raise their hands and speak.”

As soon as Marquis Medis finished speaking, I raised my hand.

“Praus?”

“I believe I can solve that issue.”

Well then, how about I tickle the ears of our eastern neighbors this time?