My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 191

“Ultimately, it’s Chris, my older brother, who will become the Emperor.”

Seri had a calm expression, but her voice was tinged with regret.

“That’s right. It was part of the deal.”

For now, I planned to keep an eye on the Crown Prince’s actions. The empire run by the Crown Prince who emerged from the game wasn’t entirely bad. It felt like Emperor Lupin was still governing the empire.

In reality, unlike his other siblings, he received direct training from the Emperor, so he understood well how to manage the empire.

However, his issues began to surface when the legions of the Demon World were completed. Chris still harbored unnecessary pride and stubbornness, always linked to other races.

Just before the full-scale outbreak of the Demon War, he failed to make sound judgments even as hundreds and thousands of knights and adventurers were dying at the borders.

Taking advantage of that, the Resistance began to move, leading to a civil war.

As he faced the worst catastrophe—simultaneous pressure from the Demon Tribe and a civil war within the empire—Chris was branded as an incompetent Emperor by the citizens.

If that were the case, as I mentioned before, it would turn into a time game. A happy ending could be achieved, but one would have to overcome the worst difficulty. Naturally, half of the empire’s population would die in the process. That was assuming it yielded the best results.

However, this time, I had established independence before the civil war broke out and built rapport with Leoness, the leader of the Resistance, so the likelihood of a civil war occurring was low.

In other words, it meant Chris would hardly be branded as incompetent in this world.

As long as he doesn’t act foolishly.

“Do you think my older brother will do well?”

“He will. That guy has received a wealth of education from a young age and has accumulated experience. There’s no doubt he will handle things well following Emperor Lupin.”

“…You’re overestimating him more than I expected?”

“If he was completely incapable, Emperor Lupin wouldn’t have chosen him as the Crown Prince from the very beginning.”

Emperor Lupin was fond of his children, but he wasn’t foolish enough to select his eldest son just based on birthright. He chose him as the next Emperor because he was both capable and the eldest.

“I see. Then, who do you think will lead the empire better, me or Chris?”

“Chris.”

“That was quick, wasn’t it? So it seems I can’t do it, huh?”

“Again, that guy has been running the empire for over a decade. He must have accumulated experience and know-how to that extent. Although your problem-solving skills may be higher, it can’t be compared unless you’ve directly experienced that part.”

“Is that so?”

“But if Chris becomes Emperor and still rules inflexibly, then your evaluation will rise above his.”

Inflexibility meant embracing a dictatorship, which would result in ignoring the suffering of the empire’s citizens. By that time, I wouldn’t stay still either.

“Then I have no choice but to wait. I hope my older brother makes a blunder.”

Hoping for a blunder…

Did he originally want to become Emperor this much?

…Ah, it was because of me.

I recalled how he said he felt inferior compared to others when standing next to me.

“…I think your personality has changed a lot, Seri.”

“Uh… Does it look that way?”

“You used to be so timid that I worried if you’d manage to get by. Now you’re… not hesitating to express your opinions at all.”

“Is that how you felt……? Can I be a bit disappointed then? Ah, but I still appreciate your concern.”

Seri pouted, yet there was a hint of happiness in her expression.

“At this rate, you won’t have to worry anymore. I hope you continue to act like this from now on.”

I placed a small piece of parchment on the table, detailing the issues the nobles were currently raising.

“If I keep receiving help like this, I won’t have any way to build my own skills, right?”

“This time is different.”

“Different how?”

“I just wrote down the keywords. You need to find the answers. It’s originally my job, but I don’t have the time for that.”

To be accurate, it’s not that I don’t have the time; it’s just that I didn’t feel like engaging in such bothersome tasks.

While resolving problems, it would be nice to farm some artifacts, but I was currently in a state where there were almost no farming tools left.

Even if there were, most were items that could only be obtained by meeting ‘special conditions’.

That’s why I decided to pull some strings with Seri and leisurely enjoy life while looking for opportunities to meet those special conditions.

After all, I needed to have a foundation ready for her to become Emperor at any moment.

“Praus, you’re not planning to mess around with other girls, are you?”

I froze.

Seri pointed out with a smile. I felt my conscience prick, even though I had no intention of hanging out with girls.

“Mess around with girls? When have I ever done that?”

“Do you really think that way?”

The moment I heard Seri’s words, a chill ran down my spine. Even though she wasn’t a strong being like a Hero or an S-Class, there was an unintentional pressure that made me swallow my saliva.

“…What are you trying to say?”

“It doesn’t really mean anything. I just thought if you’re going to mess around with other girls, it wouldn’t be a problem to hang out with me instead…”

She twirled her golden hair as she spoke.

“Again, I have no intention of messing around. Since we’ve achieved Slave Liberation, we have ample need to prepare for the Demon War.”

“Let’s leave it at that for now.”

Seri nodded, pretending to understand.

The Heroes, who had been quietly observing our conversation while sipping cocoa, couldn’t contain their curiosity.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Teacher make a one-sided excuse.”

“Seems like he shows a weak side only to Princess Seri. Just like that… obscene incident from last time.”

“Ah, but if you don’t have anything special to do, you should play with us! Just like the snowball fight we had recently!”

You guys really don’t help at a crucial moment, just selecting useless topics to talk about. Even if I really am nothing more than a teacher, isn’t that a bit much?

“But Teacher, are you weak against strong-willed people? Or do you perhaps have a preference for that type?”

“…What?”

Iris asked cautiously. I gazed blankly at her. It was simply due to a lack of strength, you know? I wanted to refuse as well.

“No.”

“But Teacher seems to respond surprisingly well when pushed hard?”

“…”

Damn it. I couldn’t deny it.

“Oh, I see. So Teacher is weak to strong-willed individuals.”

The Heroes’ expressions grew more mischievous. Tina, in particular, had a playful look written all over her face.

I had no way of countering if these kids came at me. I’d just have to resign myself to whatever they do.

“Teacher, come spar with me right now. Today, I’ll prove that I’ve surpassed you.”

You mean to say if you prove it, you’ll go on and do as you please?

“I refuse.”

“Isn’t that acknowledging that I’m stronger than you?!”

“…You might die.”

Of course, I meant myself.

“I can’t let you have it easy like before. You’ve all become stronger than me by this point. If you still wish to, come on in.”

As I glared at them, Tina flinched. Even nearing completion, she seemed to shrink before my Killing Intent. The other Heroes also trembled slightly as their eyes met mine.

“How on earth do you cultivate that mana…?”

“I don’t know.”

I honestly had no idea. After possessing this body, I was in such a situation. All I knew was that Praus was actually quite capable.

…If only that were true, I wouldn’t be suffering like this.

“Got it, so you want us to figure it out ourselves. I understand. This is also a part of our training, right?”

Huh…?

“Well, up until now, you’ve told us too much to make us stronger, Teacher.”

“Oh, so we’re essentially in the palm of your hand now, huh?”

What delusion are you guys harboring?

“It’s fine, we still have 5 years left. In that time, we’ll surpass Teacher.”

I was okay with becoming the motivation for the Heroes to grow stronger. But their intent was too impure.

The Heroes’ words only sounded like they were planning to do something about me after five years.

“You….”

“Just wait. I’ll absolutely crush you, Teacher.”

Tina clenched her fists, burning with determination. Ah, I’m so excited I could almost cry.

But you guys could beat me even now…

*

Time swiftly passed, and soon only the Emperor’s coronation ceremony remained. The Crown Prince gazed out the window, murmuring to himself about the festival atmosphere that would unfold in Pretéum the next day.

“Finally, it’s tomorrow. Tomorrow… what I’ve longed for will finally come true.”

What he had yearned and wished for so dearly would be realized the following day.

‘Once I become Emperor, it would be wise to remain quiet for a while. The problem is how to get rid of Praus. Killing him is beyond the current strength of the empire.’

He had previously spoken of Praus as if he were nothing, but he had never underestimated him seriously.

‘Meteor was undoubtedly cast by an Elf with the qualities of an Archmage, not by Praus. While Praus possesses the mana to wield nature, it doesn’t seem like he learned any magic.’

That was an even bigger problem.

Despite having such a powerful asset in Praus, he had now gained the additional power to use 9th-tier magic. Moreover, there were also two swordsmen who had conquered the White Light Corps and Black Light Corps.

Even if they gathered all of the nation’s defense forces, he couldn’t think of a way to kill Praus.

Chris sighed in frustration due to the overwhelming disparity in power.

‘Unless they cause an internal conflict on their own, it will be impossible to seize an opportunity.’

Even if Chris engaged in total warfare, he predicted his knights would be annihilated by Meteor before they could even approach. Even the Magic Guild Leader managed to temporarily halt Meteor, which was the extent of their capability.

‘I’ll have to think about this gradually later. The nobles still follow His Majesty more than me. At least, I must endure until I can completely turn them to my side.’

In the end, Chris decided to hide his sword and wait until Lupin’s death, unable to come to any conclusion.

Gazing at the moon in the sky, he realized it was getting late and headed to the bedroom connected to his office.

Even with a wife, it had been a long time since he had slept together due to his constant workload.

After all, the marriage was initially to establish his power and secure heirs, so there was no reason for feelings to develop.

“Can’t sleep because I’m too nervous.”

Lying in bed, the Crown Prince furrowed his brows.

He still couldn’t grasp the reality of becoming Emperor. The days spent desperately trying to protect his rights flashed before him.

And then—

“If you can’t sleep, should I sing you a lullaby?”

“!”

Chris was startled awake by an unfamiliar voice and recognized an unknown presence looming over him.

That presence was like a shadow. It seemed human, but its entire body was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to discern what kind of being it was.

“Wh-Who are you!!”

“I’m a ‘Spirit’ who has business with you.”

“Is there no one outside? Immediately kill this intruder—!”

Thud.

The powerful force blocked the Crown Prince’s mouth. He couldn’t finish his words, and rough breaths escaped through his nose.

“No matter how loudly you scream, it won’t be heard. This is the Imperial Palace, but it’s not truly the palace.”

“W-What do you mean…!”

“But I don’t like noise. So just shut up and listen to me. Nod if you understand.”

As soon as Chris heard those words, he nodded frantically. Though he was terrified of the cryptic being, the survival instinct drove him to respond.

The shadow slowly removed its hand from Chris’s mouth.

“D-Did you just say who you are?”

The being was obviously a Demon.

Chris instinctively realized that his opponent was from the Demon Tribe, but he calmly attempted to speak. That was thanks to the courage instilled in him from a young age.

“…Hmm. It’s fine to introduce myself. We are now to become friends, after all.”

The presence crouched down to gaze at Chris.

“Of course, before that, I need to know whether you’ll accept my friendship or not.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Don’t you wish to kill Praus, Emperor Chris? Oh, not yet, your highness, huh?”

“!”

As soon as Praus was mentioned, Chris’s eyes widened. He was caught off guard by a suggestion that pierced through his own desires.

“That reaction. It’s as if you were waiting for me.”

The shadowy figure let out a laughter that echoed ominously. It then extended its hand.

“Good. I’m pleased. I’ll lend you the power to kill Praus. This body, which once was close to becoming the Spirit King.”