My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 126

“Lord Peremus.”

“…What is it?”

After the assembly had concluded, a figure clad in a tailcoat with a silk hat and a Pierrot mask called out to Peremus. He had been striding forward but stopped and turned.

“Are you planning to go right now?”

“The Demon King has given his orders. I will sever the Spirit King’s head and bring it back without fail.”

As he clenched his fist, his muscles bulged grotesquely.

“Your muscles are impressive once again today.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

The man watching Peremus move forward fiddled with his silk hat using his white-gloved hand.

“May I accompany you?”

The eyes behind the Pierrot mask glowed red. He was Pero, the Deputy Commander of the legion led by Peremus, holding the official rank of 7th in the Demon World.

“I’m going alone. This is my responsibility.”

Despite Pero’s words, Peremus did not stop. Pero clapped, and an old door suddenly appeared before Peremus.

Creak! Creak!

With a strange sound from the old hinges, Pero opened the door and stepped through.

“As Deputy Commander, I believe I have a responsibility too. It was none other than me who ordered the defense of the Catrot mining area to prevent humans from encroaching upon the Black Dragon.”

Once Pero let go of the door, it crumbled into dust. The particles clustered in his grasp as he pretended to rummage through his hat. When he finally withdrew his hand, it held a human head, eyes missing.

“Hoho, I was just eager to see a living human again.”

Peremus let out a dismissive sigh at his words.

“You had no intention of getting rid of the bait from the start, did you?”

“As your deputy, I should always be by the side of the commander of the 1st Legion. I must prepare for the day I become the Demon King.”

Pero smiled as he put his hat back on. Though Peremus couldn’t see it through the mask, his smile reached from ear to ear.

‘Well, this is just pathetic flattery. In reality, I wanted to try my magic against the Hero. It might be fun to tear apart something that surely has a stout body. Hehe…’

“You devious brat.”

Hearing the laughter that leaked from behind the mask, Peremus scoffed. Pero slightly tipped his hat, as if accustomed to the banter.

“You flatter me.”

*

“…What is it?”

It had been two days since I returned to Duke Aus’s residence, and I was about to set off to the southern border.

However, I had no choice but to comply with Tori’s call to the reception room, and as a result, I faced the annoying presence of a certain someone.

“To speak so rudely to someone of high status and older age. Praus, you truly lack manners. Who taught you such…”

The Economy Minister Rexton pushed up his glasses, giving me a tired look. If I were to take one more step, he’d be dropping a real insult on me? He knows a slap would be coming.

“…What brings you here?”

“You’re the only one who can talk to the Grand Duke like that, Praus. I mean, you act the same way around His Majesty the Emperor, so I must seem like no more than a passing dog to you. Right, right.”

“And why exactly are you here? It’s not like a Grand Duke would come to the Aus Territory just for leisure.”

“I won’t take long; I just wanted to see you before meeting His Majesty the Emperor.”

His gaze was sinister. It felt like he was showing an unabashed desire to use me for his gain.

I stole a glance at Tori. He remained silent, unable to speak against Rexton, even if he wanted to.

I settled myself in front of the sofa across from Rexton. He promptly pulled out a bundle of papers from his bag and placed them on the table.

He nudged them toward me.

The top paper read “Resolution for the Abolition of Slavery.”

Showing this to me meant he had decided to lean towards ‘neutrality.’ Thankfully, it seemed my plan was proceeding as expected.

“I’ve decided to ‘hope’ for the abolition of slavery as Praus suggested. I plan to personally persuade His Majesty the Emperor regarding this resolution.”

“…That could lead to misunderstandings that you are allied with me.”

He poked at the bundle of papers inscribed with this resolution.

“If anything, I’ll only mention the economic revitalization aspects through the abolition of slavery. If there are any misunderstandings about joining your faction, I will deny them, so worry not.”

“Once a person starts to doubt, it’s not easy to shake it off. So you must be cautious with every word you utter.”

I flipped through the papers, casually reading the densely written text like a thesis.

Market infrastructure, labor force concerns, commodity prices… Ugh, I feel the urge for a presentation. When will I finish reading all this?

“So you said you would maintain ‘neutrality.’ If His Majesty or Prince Chris inquires about you, I will of course inform them to my knowledge. His Majesty is quite fixated on you, so exploiting you could easily gain me his trust. Naturally, I plan to provide you with information and funding as well, since we’re uncertain about who will become Emperor.”

He was both irritating and logical. Every point he made left me without a retort.

Such a clever character must be brought onto my side, but for now, I had to settle for him maintaining neutrality.

After all, once Seri becomes Emperor, the terms would change entirely.

Currently, there were no guarantees that Seri would ascend the throne, and the risks were too great to act. However, the moment Seri becomes Emperor, Rexton would become entirely our ally.

Rexton was quick in his calculations.

Once he gains that certainty, he wouldn’t hesitate in showing his support for Seri, for his sake, too.

“…That’s not a pleasant thing to hear.”

“Disappointed?”

I scoffed lightly.

“No. Use me for all I’m worth. I don’t mind.”

Because that way, I too wouldn’t hesitate to use him.

After glancing over the resolution again, I nudged it back toward him.

“You’re cooler than I expected, huh?”

“This isn’t about being cool; it’s business. We’re only using each other as long as necessary.”

“…You don’t really think like someone in their early twenties. At times, you make me feel like you’re more calculating than I am.”

Rexton sighed as he put the resolution back in his bag. Was that supposed to be a compliment?

I was silently sulking with my arms crossed when, out of nowhere, Rexton clapped.

“Oh, right. And Count Hostis, who has been caught in corruption, is set to be stripped of his nobility and subjected to special detention. I intend to formally suggest this to His Majesty along with the resolution. I would love nothing more than to execute him on the spot, but it seems he has a bit of a connection with His Majesty.”

“Hm.”

Count Hostis…

He was a noble who hadn’t played a significant role in the game’s episodes. However, with the episode’s development differing now, he could become a variable.

Especially fallen nobles were perfect for the Emperor’s use of ‘cutting off the lizard’s tail.’

He said he would punish him in front of Rexton, but behind the scenes, there was always a possibility he could be useful.

“If you notice any movements from Count Hostis, please inform me. It’s best to keep a wary eye on someone who has lost everything.”

“I shall keep that part thoroughly in check, so worry not. By the way, the Count’s position has come up. Do you have any thoughts about becoming a noble? If so, I can recommend you.”

Even if you recommend me, good luck getting permission from the Emperor.

“Who would make a guy saying, ‘I, Praus! Will commit treason!’ a noble?”

“An irresponsible person like me would only find nobility a hindrance. I’ve already turned down that offer several times before and plan to continue doing so.”

“Is that so? That’s a bit unfortunate.”

He smiled slyly as he lifted his teacup. After taking a sip of the hot tea, he pointed his chin toward me.

“So, what is your goal, Praus?”

“My goal?”

“You’re not looking to become a noble, which is a dream for all commoners. There must be a goal you’re aiming for while trying to place Princess Seri on the throne, right?”

I do have one. A very fundamental goal.

That would be to settle down with someone I love, have children, and live long enough to become a crooked old man before passing away peacefully.

Of course, I couldn’t exactly say that openly, so I had to convey it vaguely.

“Well, that’s something I’ll have to think about when the time comes.”

If I failed to stabilize the Empire or lost in the Demon War, then my life would end right there.

I didn’t want to get overly excited this early.

“Is that so? That’s quite a pity—”

“Praus!!”

The calm atmosphere shattered completely by a frantic voice. The owner of the voice was Ariel.

She burst through the door without knocking, wearing not the usual human clothes but a fairy outfit. Her golden hair and wings fluttered as she rushed toward me.

“Come quickly! There’s a problem!”

“What’s going on—”

“I’ll explain on the way! Hurry!”

Before I could hear her response, Ariel grabbed my wrist and started running.

“I’ll take my leave now. We’ll talk later.”

“R-Right.”

Just before being dragged away, I exchanged greetings with Rexton. I followed Ariel, still bewildered, as she dashed out the door without even bothering to close it.

“What in the world is the problem?”

“Demons have been spotted near the southernmost border region.”

Ariel turned to me, her expression close to panic. Now that I looked at her hand still gripping my wrist, it trembled slightly.

I instinctively sensed that things didn’t bode well and asked calmly.

“Demons?”

Is it reconnaissance? Or a surprise attack?

Seven years were still left until the Demon War. Wouldn’t the legion need time to reorganize? Why would they start scouting now?

Could it be because of the Black Dragon? But there hadn’t been any movements for months…

“What’s the situation with the demons?”

“I don’t have the details. I just received a brief signal from the Orient.”

“You received a signal from the Orient?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of signal did you receive?”

At my question, she came to an abrupt halt. Biting her lower lip, she scrunched her face as if contemplating what to say. After hesitating, she seemed to have made a decision and locked eyes with me.

“It seems Peremus appeared near the southernmost border region… where the Orient is rooted.”

What?