My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 226

Time flew by quickly.

Now, only one day remained until the fourth day. According to the report from our commander, nobles owning territories near the border had evacuated to the capital.

The number was a total of four. Four territories of the Empire had been obliterated.

Naturally, the knights who tried to protect those territories had all met their demise, and most villages had been annihilated as well. They couldn’t even gauge how significant the loss of life was, and they all wore sorrowful expressions.

“Praus, how’s the situation?”

Urka approached and asked.

“No problems.”

After resting for a few days, my body had returned to its normal state. There was no stiffness or pain when I moved. I should be fine facing Peremus.

“Do you know how shocked I was to see you faint when I got here?”

“If I just fainted facing a commander rank opponent, isn’t that a good thing?”

“…Hmm? Now that I think about it, that might be true?”

How many people could it be said that they merely fainted while facing a commander rank opponent?

Probably only me.

Those below S-Class couldn’t handle a commander, and heroes could kill a commander without even fainting.

“Still, it’s truly regrettable that I couldn’t behead him! I thought you could do it, Praus! Of course, it’s much better than you dying!”

“Is that so? Thanks for worrying about me.”

“Fufu! I’m the only one worrying about Praus while guarding the front lines, right? You can praise me more!”

I couldn’t help but smile. Only Urka could maintain this kind of atmosphere in such a grim situation.

However, she wasn’t the only one on the front lines.

“Thank you for being here with me without fear. I knew you were struggling to deal with monsters and demons usually, but I only just now feel grateful.”

“Hmph! The honest Praus is the best! You really should go out with me!”

Urka broke into a big smile and linked her arm with mine. The knights glancing over at us chuckled. It was also a look of envy.

“To be engaged in romance during war… You’re out of your mind.”

I turned around at the familiar cold yet accustomed voice coming from behind us. A slender man with water-colored hair was coming towards us, removing his black gloves.

“Glair…? Why are you here?”

“I’m not here because I want to be. It’s an order from His Majesty Emperor Seri. He said that even if Praus is facing Peremus, Urka alone would struggle against the Deputy Commander and the 1st Legion forces, so he sent me here.”

Oh, so that guy Seri is now pulling on the Todiah head?

Fine. Show me how emperor-like you can be without me. Don’t get any unhealthy ideas about national orders or whatnot.

“The situation in Todiah isn’t very good either, is it?”

“It’s fine. There are Master Logia and my son and daughter there.”

Logia, huh. Whether that guy can endure would decide if Todiah lives or dies.

Once the 3rd Legion starts its attack, Logia and the Todiah family won’t be able to hold them back. With one breath from Ecabel, most of the knights will be toast.

But at least, if we take care of Raghur, the Magic Domain will be relatively free. With Logia around, we should be able to hold out to some extent. However, to deal with Ecabel properly, a powerful blow would be needed. Would the heroes be able to coordinate?

“Is your son the firstborn or the second?”

“The second.”

Acker Todiah, huh. That guy is also an excellent Magic Swordsman, but his level probably doesn’t reach S-Class. With Logia and Ella, it’s somewhat better at least.

“What about Benos?”

“He decided to take charge of the 2nd Legion, which is advancing with adventurers and Rexton’s knights. I hear Knight Commander Conver is also there.”

“The Knight Commander is there?”

“If the second line of defense falls, the casualties will multiply compared to now. We can’t help but do our utmost to defend here.”

The situation truly wasn’t easy.

Even though they constructed a defense line predicting the movement route, there’s bound to be a difference with and without the city wall.

Not to mention, we had consumed a significant amount of force in the first defense. Our numbers were simply too small to face off against the encroaching Demon Tribe.

“…Have you broken through the eighth rank?”

“Of course. What do you take me for?”

He stated that with surprising confidence. Look at that pompous attitude.

“If I hadn’t told you, wouldn’t you have been unable to break through?”

“…”

Glair surprisingly remained silent.

“Are you not denying it?”

“To be honest, I was able to break through easily because you told me. Master Logia hadn’t even informed me.”

That guy is surprisingly cunning.

He probably doesn’t want someone better than him to appear. But he does share some knowledge before dying.

“I see.”

“Let’s stop chatting and take a quick break. That ghastly monster will arrive soon.”

At Glair’s words, I looked at the densely packed forest. People began to tense at the sight of the dark purple haze rising above the trees.

“Praus, I entrust Peremus to you. Urka and I will handle the Deputy Commander.”

“…Understood.”

It would be nice if they would assign me a weaker opponent.

I wonder how long I could keep pulling this off.

Today, I felt an urge to see the heroes.

*

“Emergency! Get up!”

The legion, which had arrived much earlier than expected, began to emerge from the forest and rapidly came into view.

“Prepare! The enemies are approaching!”

“When I see that ominous demon coming from far away, my legs start to shake.”

“Are you scared?”

“It’s strange that you, calm as always, would say that.”

As I lightly teased, Glair responded sulkily.

“Praus!”

Ariel landed beside me, her expression urgent.

“What’s the matter?”

“I was uncertain as they look quite different now. Do you see the demon-like figures at the forefront of the 1st Legion?”

As she hurriedly spoke without a moment to catch her breath, I placed my hand on my magic-enhanced glasses. Adjusting them just right, I observed the figures walking towards us from a distance.

“Wait. Those…!”

The moment I spotted the black-haired male and female resembling demons, my eyes widened.

The missing Soro and Ter had become demons… no, maids!

“What the hell, those guys.”

Damn it. If I had known this would happen, I should have killed them for sure. It was my mistake to let them live when Emperor Lupin suggested a trade and halted the fight.

“Do they have intelligence? Do they have intellect?”

“…I’m not sure. But it looks like they were talking to Peremus.”

If so, that meant they had become intelligent beings that controlled the demon energy, not soulless ones devoured by the demon.

This means I wouldn’t know how strong they had become. They must have exceeded even the S-Class limit.

Could S-Class Urka and rank 8 Glair deal with Soro and Ter?

“…Being at the forefront, especially next to Peremus means they’re the Deputy Commanders of the 1st Legion.”

“What’s up? Why do you ask that?”

Urka couldn’t hold back her curiosity and interjected in our conversation.

“The S-Class siblings… No, it seems Soro and Ter have sided with the Demon Tribe.”

“What?”

“The S-Class siblings who had gone missing… have sided with the Demon Tribe?”

Both Urka and Glair wore doubtful expressions simultaneously.

“So what should we do?”

“I’m not sure either. I can’t gauge how strong the two who have become demons have gotten.”

This situation isn’t even in the game.

In the game, once you finish the Soro and Ter raid, they become completely out of the scenario and never return.

“This is really the worst.”

“Do you think we can hold out?”

“We’ll have to try. They can’t be stronger than Peremus.”

Glair began stretching casually, lifting her staff. Urka also loosened herself up and spoke.

“In a formal duel, we had held back to avoid killing. But now, it’s not like anyone would say anything if we killed, right?”

It’s great to talk big, but in a formal duel, Urka barely managed to beat Soro. No one was unaware she had given it her all.

Even if Ter’s interference happens, considering she had the Spirit King’s weapon, this time would not be an easy duel either. Let alone, if the opponent was even stronger as a demon.

But we had to get through this. We had to hold out until the heroes arrived.

“Pasma, Ariel.”

[What?]

“Hmm?”

Both responded simultaneously.

“Your enemy is over there.”

[…I see.]

Pasma’s spirit trembled. Is he nervous?

“Are you in a panic like last time, Ariel?”

“No, it’s not that. On the contrary, I think having experienced it before, I can observe the situation far more calmly now.”

Unlike during the Aioum Kingdom event, her voice was steady. There was anger in them, but they didn’t lose their reason.

That was enough.

“What should we do? Pasma, this chance for revenge may not come again. Will you try?”

[Of course.]

His will was firm.

“Alright. Let’s give it a shot. If any issues arise, we’ll pull back immediately.”

[Understood.]

The blue-skinned demon at the forefront, Peremus, raised his thick arm and pointed at us.

At that signal, countless demons began to pour out of the forest without rest. Seeing the demons rushing towards us, the commander knight shouted.

“The demons are beginning to move! Prepare for battle!!”

Knights, magicians, and even adventurers.

The eyes of everyone defending the line were filled with both fighting spirit and fear.

“Magicians, take formation! Fireball, launch!!”

At the commander’s cry, the magicians fired fireballs into the air. The projectiles arced gracefully, hitting the monsters sprinting at the forefront.

With the deafening sound akin to cannon fire, dust clouded the vision. However, confronting the overwhelming numbers, it seemed the attack was futile as the demons charged through the obscuring dust.

“‘Spirit-Lance’.”

Alright, round two has begun.

In this place set up with Grand Anti-Demon Magic, I might be able to match Peremus to some degree.

“I’ll take care of the Deputy Commander. Urka, Glair!”

I jumped into the fray against the advancing monsters and demons.

“‘Phantom Dance’!”

Dodging attacks with precise movements, I swiftly decapitated my opponents. With movements sharper than ever, I could feel Pasma had waited solely for this moment.

“Conserve your strength. You never know when Peremus might jump in.”

“I know.”

As I severed yet another neck, I glanced to the side.

There, Urka’s flames engulfed the demons, and the rain of blades Glair conjured tore through their bodies.

Others were also holding their ground against the demon onslaught, but facing the pouring numbers, we were starting to be pushed back little by little.

“Are you Praus?! Show me your skills!”

While I was slightly distracted, an ogre presumed to be a high-ranking demon charged at me, yelling. I saw its massive sword come crashing down.

“I don’t have time to play with you.”

I skillfully dodged its downward strike and used my skill.

“‘Phantom Cross Slice’.”

Theslashes of my sword split the ogre and it was reduced to mere chunks of meat in an instant.

“How long are you going to stand there, Peremus!!”

Hearing my yell, Peremus grinned eerily.

He uncrossed his arms.

Without even blinking, he had appeared right in front of me with a clenched fist.

“Seems like an amateur demon can’t cut it. I’ll kill you myself.”

Kaang!

“Urgh!”

The impact I felt from my sword was incomparably greater than when I faced Manifestation Peremus, and I felt as if my body was crumbling. So he has indeed become stronger than decades ago.

Just before I could instinctively trigger a copycat skill, a strange sound reached my ears.

“…?”

In shock, I couldn’t help but gaze at my sword.

A crack had appeared on its surface.