My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 205

“Greatness? Praise? Don’t make me laugh. You are nothing more than a cockroach spreading evil in this world.”

Iris dashed out first. Tina got ready, preparing the All-Cutting Sword. Maria stood by, seemingly ready to support Iris, merely holding her staff as she waited.

In the meantime, I gulped down a Recovery Potion. Only then did the pain subside, allowing me to move my body again.

“Teacher is taking a break.”

“…Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yes. We’ll handle it ourselves.”

How commendable! Then I’ll just trust you all and take a little break!

Yay, yay! Finally, I can feel the reward of training you!

“Right. I appreciate you. However, as long as Tina and Iris are not in danger, do your best to avoid combat. When Ecabel truly starts using her power, your magic will be essential.”

That line about showing greatness.

It reminded me of the statement made when revealing her true form. The moment she transforms into Leviathan in Phase 2, we will face the worst situation.

I have to conserve Maria’s strength in preparation for that.

“Yes, understood.”

I can only hope it ends with Tina and Iris.

*

“Phantom Dance!”

Kaan!

Iris’s fierce thrust aimed precisely at Ecabel’s heart but was blocked by her claws.

“Hmph~ Not bad. But you’re lacking both in strength and speed compared to Praus.”

“Shut up!”

Kang! Kang! Kang!

Ecabel deflected all of Iris’s frenzied attacks as she spoke.

“By the way, what’s your relation to Praus?”

“I have nothing to tell you, you brat!”

Kang! Kang!

‘Even though I’m attacking while looking for an opening, she’s casually blocking me. It’s clear that Teacher has had a tough time.’

Though Iris seemed momentarily thrilled, she was more rational than anyone else present.

‘Then I’ll make it faster and less predictable…!’

“Phantom Dance!”

“Ah, that technique.”

As she twisted her body violently and wielded her sword, Ecabel instinctively realized it was a technique used by Praus. At the same time, she realized that Iris was Praus’s disciple.

Kkiik!

“That technique is certainly tricky. But once your sword is caught, you can’t attack, right?”

Just as Ecabel caught the Guardian of the Sanctuary, she grinned.

“All-Cutting Sword.”

Ecabel felt the energy aiming at her and twisted her body. However, dodging the invisible sword energy was too much to ask.

Her right shoulder was cleaved off, and Iris gained her freedom.

“What an interesting technique. Is that girl also a disciple?”

‘To cut off my arm… In terms of offensive power, she might be above Praus. Plus, it’s hot. Did she contract with the Spirit King of Fire or something?’

“Shut up and focus! You said you’d show greatness, right?”

“I can show it. But I don’t really like revealing my true form, and it’s obvious you won’t be able to handle it.”

“That’s ridiculous! Absolute Domain!”

“!”

Ecabel expressed curiosity as she watched Iris move even faster.

‘Did she suddenly get faster? No, I’m the one who’s slowed down. It seems to be a technique that slows everything within a certain range. Interesting. That girl sending out sword energy from afar is cool too. What about that elf? In terms of mana, she’s on Raghur’s level, but she shows no signs of attacking me.’

“Well, whatever. My goal is Praus anyway.”

The rest can die, I suppose.

Concluding this, Ecabel immediately restored her arm, catching Iris’s sword with her recovered hand.

“Is that all you’ve got? I feel like Praus was faster even without pulling such tricks.”

“Don’t underestimate me!”

Iris knocked Ecabel’s hand away with her foot and swung her sword.

Kang! Kang!

“That’s right, keep going.”

Even though Ecabel was aware of her disadvantage, she maintained her composure. She had absolute confidence in not losing.

‘Damn it, her scales are too tough! Even if I find an opening, it’s not easy to pierce through the scales covering her entire body. And even if I manage to wound her, she’ll recover quickly. But if I use a big technique, she’ll sharply close the distance and attack every time.’

Iris skillfully dodged Ecabel’s claws and tentacles while attacking.

‘Like Peremus, none of her attacks are particularly threatening, but they are annoying. Then…’

Kaan!

Iris struck Ecabel’s center fiercely, causing her to stagger momentarily. During this unexpected hit, Iris shifted her stance. Water spiraled around her sword. As she prepared to thrust, Ecabel extended her claws. But—

Serek!

Both of her arms were severed.

“…!”

With Tina’s All-Cutting Sword accurately slicing Ecabel’s arms, her chest was left exposed and defenseless.

“Phantom Dance!”

The sword stretched out straight. Only one target was aimed at with a thrust. Each time the sword tip made contact with her scales, a rustling sound echoed, but with every impact, the scales cracked.

At last, Iris’s sword pierced her heart.

“Kuhak!”

“Die!”

“Not bad…! But even with an attack like that, you can’t kill me. My recovery is faster!”

Ecabel coughed up blood yet didn’t lose her smile. Regenerating her severed arms, she lunged towards Iris with her claws.

In response, Iris unsheathed her past glory at her waist and slashed at the claws.

However, unable to endure the constant attacks, Iris was forced to pull back.

And that was the moment Tina struck again.

As Ecabel’s body was accurately hit, she was torn in two, her body teetering on the edge of collapse. But at the severed end, tentacles forcibly reattached her flesh.

‘What extraordinary recovery.’

“Currently, I have definitely grasped the strengths of you all… No, Heroes. Indeed, you cannot defeat the Demon King. Naturally, neither can I.”

Ecabel leaped high into the air. Reacting to that, Tina and Iris sent out their sword energy, but she easily dodged it.

And observing this, Praus instinctively realized.

“She’s coming. Maria, get ready!”

“Yes!”

As Maria prepared to cast magic at any moment, the airborne Ecabel looked down at the Heroes, spreading numerous tentacles.

“Consider it an honor to witness my true form.”

Ecabel’s voice echoed widely as if she were using Amplification Magic.

“Polymorph.”

A brilliant light of intense purple burst forth, dyeing the sky. Everyone present could no longer withstand the intensity of the light and shielded their eyes.

Before long, as the light faded, those who lowered their hands had no choice but to freeze in place.

“What the hell is that…”

An existence so immense it couldn’t fit in their line of sight looked down at the Heroes. Whether it was a shark or a dragon, it was indistinguishable, resembling the Leviathan they had seen in myths.

In fact, Praus knew from the game that Ecabel’s true form was inspired by Leviathan.

“A colossal monster, Leviathan…”

Praus engraved the sight he had only seen as a mere picture in the game into his eyes once more.

What had once been a simple drawing now became real.

Faced with this overwhelming creature, he felt as if fear was going to swallow him whole. To prove it, his legs trembled uncontrollably.

“Can we really defeat that…?”

Maria muttered as she gazed at the monstrous Ecabel.

At that moment, Ecabel’s jaws gaped wide as she manifested her true form.

“Ecabel, return at once.”

‘…Demon King?’

“You lucky fools. I was about to kill you all right here.”

‘If it weren’t for the sudden call from the Demon King, I would have killed the Heroes and taken Praus with me. What a shame.’

Reluctantly acceding to the Demon King’s immediate summons, Ecabel obeyed. The Demon King’s commands were absolute.

“What?!”

“Next time we meet, I will surely kill you. Heroes.”

Ecabel opened a colossal gate where her massive body could enter.

“Oh, Praus, I’ll see you later. When that time comes, I’ll properly fight you and make you submit. Probably on the day humanity meets its doom.”

“Stop right there!!”

Just as she was about to step into the gate, Tina swung her sword.

“All-Cutting Sword!”

Fwish!

Tina’s sword energy burst forth, causing blood to spray from Ecabel’s torso. However, due to her strong scales, the attack lacked sufficient power to completely sever her body.

‘Just as I thought, that Hero is the most threatening. The attacks from the Beastman side were somewhat weaker, but they could absorb any attack without faltering, making it quite troublesome. I’m not sure about the elf side, but… Well, I should report what I’ve found out.’

Fleeing into the gate, Ecabel vanished, leaving nothing behind for the Heroes to see.

“Where do you think you’re going!!”

Iris screamed in despair. But there was no way Ecabel could hear her voice now that she had already left.

“How dare you run away after all this?! I’ll kill you!”

“…Stop it. For now, we need to gather ourselves.”

Maria held back an agitated Iris. Realizing her own lack of control over her anger, Iris scolded herself.

“Teacher, Ecabel got away…”

Maria looked at Praus, who was still unable to turn back, with confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

The moment Maria stood next to him, her expression hardened. Tina and Iris followed suit.

“This person…”

Paus lowered his head with a clenched fist.

In front of him lay the Beastman, Leoness, who had died after bursting his organs from the pressure triggered by Ecabel’s attack.

“…Damn it.”