My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 152

“Teacher, is there no chance that this Demon Tribe will resurrect again?”

“If we block the magic, even a high-ranking demon will inevitably become powerless. Especially those demons who primarily rely on magic for combat.”

I looked down at KyouKyou’s lifeless body.

“More importantly…”

I crouched in front of the body of the headless demon, rummaging through its clothes.

“What’s important right now is to prove your innocence.”

“S-Teacher? What are you doing right now?”

“There should be a tattoo. KyouKyou must have left marks on the bodies of the nobility to strengthen her brainwashing.”

Demons never trust humans, no matter what.

Moreover, KyouKyou had observed the treachery of humans longer than anyone else, having been in the Human World for decades.

There’s no way she wouldn’t have made preparations. Surely she must have taken some measures against the nobility.

After tearing through the clothes, I found a dark, twisted skull tattoo on the inner thigh.

This tattoo, signifying the destruction of humanity, was drawn in exactly the same way on the back of the Earl’s body that Iris knocked out.

“…This is solid evidence.”

Just by comparing the tattoos on KyouKyou’s corpse and the nobility, it was sufficient to prove a connection to the demon tribe. If that’s not enough, explaining the traces of the demon tribe remaining underground and the truths about Mens Trading Company to the king could clear up any misunderstandings.

The Mens Trading Company had been functioning due to KyouKyou’s brainwashing. Now that KyouKyou was dead, that company would be unable to operate any longer. No longer would consumers be spellbound into buying useless items.

The economy, which had been inflated, would die out, and it would experience a long period of stagnation. In fact, it wouldn’t just be a recession; it would return to its original state.

I looked down at the fallen Earl and took out a delivery scroll meant for the royal family, writing down that I had discovered traces related to the demon tribe and requested a swift investigation.

Seeing something once is more persuasive than hearing about it a hundred times.

There’s nothing more convincing than facing them directly.

After double-checking the contents I wrote on the scroll, I was about to tear it when Ariel appeared behind me.

“Praus, I brought a notebook that’s related to the Mens Trading Company. Also, I’ve captured all the evidence this human was trying to hide using Surveillance Magic, so you can check it anytime.”

“Is that so?”

With this, Iris killing Marquis Lector would be taken into consideration. The Aioum Kingdom was bound to execute anyone connected to the demon tribe.

It wouldn’t matter who killed him. There might be some lingering discomfort, but it wouldn’t be significant.

“Now, we just need to get the evidence from the Phoenix side of the Count’s family.”

“Good. Our job here is done. We’ll exit quietly as we came in.”

“Understood.”

“Okay.”

“By now, Tina is probably moving according to the route I provided. We’ll wait here nearby, join up with Tina, and then return to the Royal Palace. Let’s go.”

I tore the delivery scroll with determination.

*

I exited the Earl’s residence and, with Ariel’s help, leaped over the garden wall. I noticed Iris licking her lips in disappointment, but I ignored it.

“Ariel, any word from the Phoenix or Orient side?”

I asked, crouching down deeper into the forest.

“None.”

That’s strange.

If KyouKyou had come this way, then it meant the situation at the Count’s residence had ended. Yet not receiving contact meant an unexpected situation had occurred.

As I was about to employ another means of communication due to this ominous sign…

“…Looks like I’m not the only one with business here.”

“!”

A feeble voice that sounded vaguely familiar.

I looked at the human figure walking toward us, long hair flowing with movement.

“I don’t feel any of KyouKyou’s magic at all. Hmm… looks like I might be a little late.”

Stopping in her tracks, she muttered to herself.

“…I guess it doesn’t matter. I had no interest in such plans anyway.”

The silhouette, with her head tilted languidly, suddenly stopped, as if staring directly at us.

At that moment, I instinctively placed my hand on the Revenge Sword. Even without sensing magic or mana, I could tell the ominous energy radiating from this silhouette was not good.

“Praus, that’s the demon we saw at the border.”

“!”

If the demon we saw at the border is Stella Forna, why is she revealing herself now?

She typically strikes after the Demon War has begun. Now was the time she should be gaining power in the Demon World.

Could this possibly be another variable?

“That woman, she’s on a whole different level than before. The magic I sense from her is far stronger than that demon named Pero!”

Stronger than Pero? That’s absurd.

That means she’s nearly a legion commander level demon. Has she really grown that much already?

Could it be that she gained this power by defeating the Black Dragon and Pero, both significant figures in the Demon War?

Damn it, I don’t know.

[Praus, that’s not a mere clone we met before. That’s the real deal. Hurry and let me inhabit you!]

When I was caught off-guard by this unexpected variable, the silhouette raised her hand toward us.

“Long time no see, Praus. Have you been well?”

As Stella spoke, Iris and Ariel immediately got ready to fight.

“I came because I thought I’d answer your question since you didn’t come as promised.”

In the blink of an eye, Stella was suddenly standing right in front of me. Despite Iris and Ariel not taking their eyes off her, they couldn’t react.

I looked up, stunned by her movement, far beyond my expectations. Her gloomy features were visible beneath her shining golden hair. Her eyes narrowed.

“Don’t be too wary. I’m only here to talk.”

I tried to draw my sword, but I was stopped by Stella’s palm as she crouched down.

“Of course, if you attack me, I won’t hold back either.”

“…What do you want?”

“What do I want? I came to kill the humans who turned me into this.”

Oh no. Not now. At the very least, I needed to wait until our misunderstanding was cleared up before anything happened. If she kills someone now, we’ll be accused of assassinating not only Marquis Lector but also the other nobility.

“…To maintain your composure in a life-threatening situation is quite impressive.”

Stella gazed intently at my face, finding interest in this situation.

“So how do you plan to respond to my question?”

“Ah~ about that?”

Stella pointed at me and smiled, revealing her snow-white teeth, all sharpened like daggers.

She had the face of a human, yet I could feel she was no longer fully human.

Of course, she could turn back into a human at any moment, but if she refused, it would be a mere wishful thinking.

“I will live as a demon tribe.”

“…If I could turn you back into a human, would you consider giving up being a demon?”

“No. Not at all.”

Stella responded decisively, her answer sounding like she had already predicted my question.

“It’s laughable to think I would become human now. My life is already over.”

“…”

“Praus, do you think there’s a human who would accept me now? Wouldn’t they just sell me into slavery, or drag me off as a demon? I’ve endured all sorts of humiliation and ended up with this filthy body. Do you think anyone could understand that?”

“Maybe there’s someone who—”

“If there is, they would only be a treacherous human wanting to take advantage of me.”

Her answers were firm.

She had made her mind. I was now certain that it would be impossible to convince Stella with any sweet words.

“I hate humans more than I hate demons. I loathe them. I will kill every one of the humans that turned me into this, including you, who are human.”

It’s quite unfair to be hated for having done nothing.

…No, is it because I did nothing that I’m being hated?

“If I try to kill someone, you’ll surely step in front of me, won’t you?”

The magic gathered in her palm, flickering before my eyes.

“If that’s the case, then do me a favor and die here.”

“Ah!”

Swish!

Stella’s hand, which had been rushing toward my face, momentarily hung in the air. Iris had sliced off her forearm.

“Don’t lay a hand on my Teacher!”

“That won’t hurt that much.”

Bang!

In an instant, Stella’s hand regenerated and swatted Iris’ sword away. Despite her perfectly timed defense, Iris was pushed back.

“Ugh!”

Is her physical capability already nearing completion?

Cases like this usually occur just before a Demon War…

“Don’t resist. I’ll send you away without pain.”

Once again, I saw the black palm heading towards me and shouted.

“‘True Word’!”

She flinched and frozen in her tracks. Taking advantage of that moment, I tried to persuade Iris to retract her sword.

Iris yelled asking why I’d stop, but I couldn’t help it. I needed to hear her answer first.

“Stella, I’ll ask again. Do you really not want to be human?”

“I absolutely do not want to.”

Despite using the True Word, she denied it.

In that case, I had to prepare myself.

“Is that so.”

I kicked Stella in the stomach while she was still dazed.

Thud!

Watching her tumble down onto the earthy ground, I grasped my Revenge Sword.

“‘Revenge Spirit’.”

As Pasma inhabited me, I infused my sword with mana. Watching Stella slowly rise, I opened my mouth.

“I let it be known that I knew how you would end up. I won’t apologize for it now; back then, I thought it was the right choice.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“Right… It’s my responsibility for what happened to you.”

I tightened my grip on my hand holding the Revenge Sword.

“So if someone must kill you, it will be me, without a doubt.”

That would be the only way I could take responsibility.