My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 110

“Multiple Barriers?”

“I’ve set up the barriers here so that no one can enter unless they come with me. It took several days, you know.”

Barriers? Oh, don’t tell me…

Does it mean that like Ariel, he also placed barriers around the graves of the heroes?

“The barrier was created using the amount of mana I expend when casting 8th rank magic. I layered the barriers over several days and made the flow of mana interconnected. Therefore, even Spirit Kings would take time to break through or penetrate it.”

So, you mean I destroyed that all at once?

That’s truly surprising.

But this isn’t my power; it’s the power of the artifact.

It’s clear that I use my mana to activate the artifact’s power, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely my strength.

If my mana can’t be used on the artifact, then it’s ultimately ‘fake’.

I realized this when I, without Pasma’s help, tried to create the Aura Sword and couldn’t cut anything.

My mana is as useless as a mere disguise like killing intent.

Though I still don’t quite understand why it becomes ‘real’ the moment I use the artifact, at least I don’t consider that power to be mine.

Even if it were truly my strength, my body is still at a normal person’s level, so I can’t even see an enemy’s attack, and if I take even a single hit, it would be an instant death—I’m still weak.

Either way, it would be better to act as if the power comes from the artifact here. The perception of being strong was already sufficiently proven just by withstanding Glaciar’s attack and surviving.

“…That’s the power of my artifact—”

“Don’t say that sword has any abilities. A swordsman who has used that sword all his life has never once demonstrated such an ability.”

I tried to clarify beforehand that it was the weapon’s power to avoid misunderstandings, but was cut off immediately.

But doesn’t that imply that there was an ability that originally didn’t exist for some reason? How?

“…Wasn’t it just a matter of timing that you couldn’t use it?”

“Timing? You didn’t even use it when you were about to be killed by the Demon King. What timing are you talking about?”

You sure know how to make someone speechless. Seriously!

“I should’ve realized when you withstood Glaciar’s All-Freezing Technique and brazenly glared at me…”

It seems Naiad thinks that breaking the multiple barriers was not the power of the artifact, but purely my skill.

I cast a sidelong glance at others.

Their reactions weren’t much different from Naiad’s. They didn’t doubt me.

The heroes might have had some admiration towards me, but even Ariel, who knew I was weak, was staring at me in surprise with her mouth agape.

That face—I think I’ve seen it when I first showed the Illusion Storm?

“Plaus, are you stronger than a hero? The killing intent you showed before matched the power of the first Demon King when facing him. No… it might even have been stronger.”

The more I heard, the more tangled it got.

“What on earth is your identity, Plaus? Are you a player, a trait? What is your essence?”

I had no idea how players were described in that world, so I couldn’t readily answer. There didn’t seem to be any good that would come from responding.

Understanding the terminology from that world could lead to countless variables.

To begin with, I have the Spirit King, Ariel.

I wouldn’t even need to pass information to him; I could get plenty of it through Ariel.

“I’ve already said it. I’m someone who understands this world better than anyone else.”

“…Is that so.”

He seemed to conclude that I wouldn’t provide any information and nodded several times in resignation.

“Then let me ask just one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Why are you raising the heroes? Is it to protect the Empire from the Demon Tribe?”

For a safe retirement!

…But saying that feels a bit off. Hmm.

While pondering a plausible reason, I recalled an NPC’s dialogue from a game and opened my mouth.

“There are still many sights to see in this world. I can’t just let the Demon Tribe destroy it.”

Though the nuances were different, it was a line that Urka had said in front of Peremus.

The exact wording was, “There are still many sights in this world. I can’t let you destroy it.”

It was a line right before his awakening.

Surely a memorable scene.

If this time, Urka and Peremus end up facing each other again during the Demon War, I would suggest to Urka that he run away. That doesn’t mean I intend to face off against them.

“Is that so? In that case, that would truly be a relief.”

Naiad smiled at me for the first time.

The tension, previously taut with caution, seemed to ease just a little.

“…I will contract in front of the first hero.”

With those words, Naiad snapped his fingers.

A massive magic circle appeared centered on where Naiad stood.

“Everyone else, step outside the magic circle. Only the white-haired fox… No, Iris, may enter.”

At his words, Phoenix and Ariel stepped back. Tina, Maria, and I also took a few steps back.

Iris, who had been standing still, looked at me. She sought my permission. I nodded.

Iris, having received approval, stepped forward toward Naiad.

“…Do you have any objections to contracting with a Beastman?”

Iris, standing before the magic circle, asked. Naiad snorted and straightened his expression.

“Discrimination is merely the stubbornness of trivial humans. Do not impose human values on spirits. It’s an insult.”

“Is that so.”

Iris stepped into the magic circle.

“From now on, answer my questions. What is your name?”

“Iris.”

“Why do you wish to contract with me?”

“To help my Teacher.”

“…Why do you say such a reason?”

Perhaps it was such an unexpected reason that Naiad responded with bewilderment.

“My Teacher is striving to fulfill a future I could only imagine. I, too, wish to assist my Teacher with that.”

The future I hoped for.

That would probably refer to the liberation of other races from slavery.

In fact, even if I did not step in, the Princess would harmonize with the heroes, and the Crown Prince’s downfall was a predetermined process. I just brought the justification.

“I see.”

It was a short acknowledgment, but it seemed he completely understood her situation.

“The only thing I require from this contract is to defeat the Demon King. For that, I, Naiad, will grant Iris all my power. However, if it is judged that you cannot fulfill this request, the contract will be terminated, and the hero’s power must be passed to another.”

“!”

A penalty always exists during the process of forming a contract. This was a natural procedure. It wasn’t just any high-ranking spirit; it was a Spirit King.

The Spirit King possesses enough power to potentially destroy the continent of Physis, which we stand on.

It could be used perfectly. It was an almost expected penalty.

In the game, such penalties were indeed applied. However, there was never a case when this penalty took effect.

If it was deemed that the hero could not defeat the Demon King, then that would either be just before the hero’s death or when they fell into despair and could not fulfill their duty as a hero.

In the game, whether engaging in reckless charges or cunning tricks, the hero could always confront the Demon King, so it was not a penalty.

But now that it had turned real, this was a proper penalty.

The moment either physically or mentally collapses, everything ends.

“Do you agree to this?”

Iris looked back at me.

“Before I answer that, I would like to ask one thing of my Teacher. Is that alright?”

I had hoped for an immediate answer without hesitation, but that couldn’t be expected.

Naiad nodded. I stepped closer to the magic circle.

“Teacher.”

“What is it?”

“I, I know that saying this raises doubts about my trust, but I can’t help but ask out of anxiety—”

“…I won’t abandon you.”

“……Huh?”

She must have meant to ask if I’d abandon her if she lost the power of the hero.

Knowing she was a hero, and realizing that I intended to use that power, she might have feared being discarded without it.

Though it was years ago, Iris still bore the pain of having lost her family deep within her heart.

To think she would be discarded by someone who brought her immense happiness and satisfaction, enough to think of them as her second family, would be accepted far more horrifically than I could imagine.

Therefore, since I brought her along, I had to take responsibility and care for her until the end.

“Don’t worry. If you cannot fight, I will fight for you.”

Sometimes, putting on a show like this might be okay.

That’s not to say I truly wanted to fight. It was just a matter of words.

“Teacher……”

Her hand rested over her heart, and a smile crept onto her lips.

“I really like that you’re so indifferent yet caring… Thank you.”

Her eyes squinted and teeth revealed in a smile.

For a fleeting moment, I was captivated by her pure yet somehow enchanting laughter.

“Ah! Iris!!”

“Ah! Iris! No cheating!”

“……?”

Tina and Maria erupted in frustration. Particularly, Tina was bouncing in excitement. What’s with you two?

“…So it wasn’t brainwashing that makes one follow a hero, huh.”

Naiad chuckled.

“Yes?”

“Nothing. Are you set in your heart?”

“Yes. I agree.”

Iris did not hesitate. It seemed she had completely made up her mind.

“The contract weighs heavier than words. The contract must be fulfilled. Do you understand this, Iris?”

“I understand.”

“Then, from this moment on, I, the Water Spirit King, Naiad, officially appoint Iris as my contractor.”

The magic circle glowed a deep blue, and a wave-shaped pattern was engraved on her palm.

“When you summon me to the Human World, you must state my name. If you do so, you and I will become one, sharing all thoughts and sensations. And take this sword as promised.”

He conjured a magnificent blue sword from thin air.

It was the Water Sword – Mare.

I handed it over to her. Iris slowly drew the sword, both hands cradling the hilt.

The blue blade caught the sunlight, revealing its sharpness.

“Thank you. I will definitely defeat the Demon King.”

Stepping out of the magic circle, Iris solidified her resolve.

She looked up at me and then gently embraced me.

“……You’ve worked hard.”

“Yeeah……”

As usual, I patted her head.

With that, my purpose was entirely accomplished.