My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 284

“Welcome.”

A woman’s voice came from behind the goblin mask.

“This is the place to renew the Slave Brand and make the payment. Are you ready with the money?”

“No problem.”

Glair dropped several heavy money bags onto the table. He couldn’t fit four thousand gold coins into one bag, so he divided them up.

The sound of the coins made the goblins exchange knowing smirks.

“Then, excuse me.”

The goblin that took the money bags began pouring the gold coins into some kind of device. Watching the coins rain down, the device started to whirr to life.

Hearing the noise, the two blonde girls next to me shrank back and began trembling.

Did they finally realize that they were about to be sold?

Before long, the gold coins were counted and organized.

“That’s a total of four thousand gold coins. Your payment has been confirmed.”

His voice had a subtly nasal business tone. Looks like these goblins are just as money-hungry as the merchants.

“Now, we will proceed with the next procedure: renewing the Slave Brand.”

“Wait.”

I reached out toward the goblins who were roughly seizing the arms of the two blonde girls.

The goblins paused in their actions, surprised that it was me, not Todiah, who was speaking up.

“I will take custody of the items. Listen to me.”

Todiah arrogantly tilted his chin toward me.

“Is that so? Then… why did you say to stop?”

“Not renewing it; remove the Slave Brand.”

“What? But…”

“We bought these slaves with our money. They should be free to do as they wish, right?”

As I subtly revealed my displeasure, the goblins flinched visibly.

Even behind their masks, it seems they can sense the Killing Intent. But how strong must it be if a hologram actually appeared?

The two goblins exchanged glances, then nodded.

“Understood. We will proceed accordingly.”

The goblins began to burn the Slave Contract as if it were Iris’s brand, starting the process of removing the brand itself. They easily pulled up the girls’ clothing to prepare for the operation.

I turned my head to avert my gaze. Glair couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

“Hah. I didn’t expect you to be considerate.”

“I wish you’d be quiet.”

“Only the Royal Family can speak to me like that within the Empire. Are you a member of the Royal Family?”

He sneered in mockery. Just as I was giving him a disapproving look, I heard a muffled groan.

“Ugh!”

“Ugh…!”

The girls desperately bit down on their lower lips to endure the pain as the brands on their chests disappeared.

Before long, the Slave Brand completely vanished, and the Restraint Devices that had bound their necks and limbs were removed.

They were fully liberated.

They were finally able to grasp freedom once again. Of course, it would only be alongside me.

“Nice to meet you.”

I approached the two who had just escaped slavery and greeted them.

Having just freed themselves from pain, they couldn’t even lift their heads upon hearing my words.

“What are your names?”

“…Stella. I’m Stella…”

The taller blonde responded. Though she had a family name of Fornara, she seemed to think it had lost all meaning.

Her face looked haggard, as if she had lived through an entire lifetime’s worth of suffering.

After all, she had been expelled from the Kingdom for being a demon tribe’s stooge, then sold into slavery while her family suffered annihilation. It must have been no easy task for someone so young to endure.

Still, having resolved to save her, my priority now was to raise that shattered self-esteem of hers.

Eventually, I’d have to deal with Habito as well.

I’d awaken the Heroes, retrieve only the weapons, and then hide in the Pretéum Empire for a while.

If I could bring the Sword Master along, it might be possible to kill Habito with just Glair and Ella.

“What about you?”

“…Slaves have no names.”

I asked the Third Hero. She wouldn’t even meet my gaze. She simply nodded slightly, as if to affirm it.

“The Slave Brand that was just on your body has been removed. The Restraint Device that bound you is also gone. Yet, you still consider yourself a slave? If that’s the case, you will live as a slave for the rest of your life.”

At my words, the two girls finally looked me in the eyes. I spoke calmly once more.

“Tell me your name.”

“…Maria…”

Maria. The same name as the Third Hero.

The Third Hero, who would become the future Archmage.

I had just acquired the legendary Magician who could sweep away tens of thousands of troops with a single gesture.

Finally, I had gathered everyone. What a touching moment.

If I were capable of showing emotions, I would be jumping for joy right now. But at that moment, I didn’t even have the luxury to feel that way.

Regardless, it could be said that I had successfully taken my first step.

“Hey, could you lend me a robe?”

“Ah, yes.”

I accepted the robe the goblin mask handed me and approached Stella, draping it over her shoulders.

Stella flinched in surprise at my gesture but exhaled a sigh of relief when she realized I wouldn’t strike her.

Then, I took off the robe I was wearing and wrapped it around Maria.

“Good. This should be fine. Now that all the procedures are complete, let’s go.”

“Yes. Thank you for visiting us. I hope to see you again at the Fourth Slave Auction.”

I answered without a word, casting a sidelong glance at the bowing goblins as I walked away. Stella and Maria looked around nervously and followed me.

“Well then, I suppose our business ends here.”

Todiah said as we exited the auction house. I nodded.

“Right.”

“If you encounter any problems, feel free to reach out.”

He handed me two delivery scrolls. I accepted them willingly, nodding my head.

The fact that he was giving me these was proof that Todiah’s connections wouldn’t end with this transaction.

“Will do. Now go.”

He chuckled at my cool farewell and disappeared with a Teleport.

I still have means to exploit Todiah. When Habito tries to reclaim Stella later, I will need their help.

To achieve that, first… I must make Stella ‘happy.’ The more she ‘despairs,’ the closer she gets to the Deputy Commander system.

“Phew…”

The chilly night air wrapped around me. After breathing in the foul air of the underground, I felt my mind clear as I inhaled the fresh air.

“You both will be going to the Inn where I’m staying. Follow me.”

There was no response.

They were probably confused about how to speak or act toward their newly changed master. Or perhaps they were just casting wary glances around, wanting to escape.

I didn’t press for conversation. They didn’t casually approach me to chat either.

For now, I’ll give them some time to gather their thoughts.

*

I lit a candle on the table and sat Stella across from me. I fed Maria a few pieces of dried meat and left her to sleep. I could prepare a proper meal in the morning.

“W-Why only me…?”

“Because I have something to discuss.”

I hadn’t originally planned on buying Stella.

I was trying to avoid doing something reckless like facing the Legion Commander while the Heroes were still in their infancy.

Now that I had involved myself, all I could do was figure out the possibilities of defeating the Legion Commander.

To do that, I needed to understand her innermost thoughts.

Just in case she was secretly communicating with Habito.

“From now on, you will answer my questions honestly. Otherwise, I’m afraid I will have to kill you.”

Sling—!

I half-drew my sword as I spoke. Stella’s eyes widened in alarm, and she let out a whimper of panic. She hurriedly clasped her hands together, ready to bury her head in the table.

“P-Please, spare me! I’ll answer anything. Whatever it is…!”

It’s a human instinct, perhaps.

Even as a slave, her will to survive remains strong.

‘They’re just kids. Maybe they could lower their voices a bit.’

“Be quiet. You’re too loud.”

Why can’t I express courtesy with my words?

“Ugh…!”

Stella covered her mouth. Trembling from the fear etched into her from the experience of slavery, tears streamed down her face.

“Answer my question. Have you encountered a demon tribe?”

If only I had an artifact like a choker, I could determine the truth. What a pity.

“D-Demon tribe…!”

At the mention of the demon tribe, she jerked up as if she had an electric shock.

“I-I’m innocent! I…!”

“I told you it was too loud, didn’t I?”

“…Ugh! So…”

Her hands on the table clenched into fists. Soon, tears began to drip onto the table, mixing her resentment and anger.

“I… I…!”

“I know.”

Before she could finish her sentence, a statement of empathy slipped out from me.

Stella’s eyes darted up to meet mine. She hadn’t even thought of wiping away the tears streaming down her face.

“I understand that you feel wronged, so I’m asking you for clarification.”

The information from the game world and this world perfectly aligns. Just looking at the Heroes and artifacts, I could tell my information was valid.

But my involvement has already begun to alter the story.

There’s a chance all the information I have could become useless trash. So, before that happens, I needed to verify the information.

Once the verification is done, it would be time to readjust.

I have to figure out how to overcome the variables.

“So, pour out all your grievances right now. I will listen to every single one.”

Stella’s body, which had been trembling, began to settle a bit. I noticed a flicker of life in her downcast eyes.

“I…”

She sat back down, wiped her tears, and slowly began to share her story.