My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 127

Paremus? Why…?

The moment the worst figure after the Demon King was mentioned from Ariel’s mouth, I was left in a daze.

My mind went blank, and no words came to me. Reality seemed to be denied as my thoughts froze, leaving me in shock for a while.

“Praus?”

“Huh?”

“That expression… Did you know from the start?”

Huh? What is she talking about?

“I see. Praus said he would go meet Orient, expecting that Paremus would act.”

No, that’s not it. Not at all. What delusion is she having?

Thanks to my Expression Management Skill, I might appear unfazed to Ariel, but inside, my thoughts were in complete turmoil. It felt like I had been smashed in the head with a hammer.

Ariel’s foolish words brought me back to reality. I quickly covered my mouth and turned my brain back on.

Sudden appearance of Paremus.

I had to think about the implications of this.

This was beyond my assumptions. Going to the border, I thought I might encounter monsters or demons, but I never imagined I would meet a final boss level like Paremus.

No, I hadn’t considered such a scenario from the beginning.

Paremus had been critically injured in his battle with Pasma. It would take time for that critical wound to heal completely.

In the game, he was shown as fully healed in the year just before the Demon War…

Could it be that he has healed much faster than in the game? If so, how?

I couldn’t make heads or tails of the cause with the information in my head.

Is this also a variable?

A variable was something I couldn’t control. If the situation were entirely different from what happened in the game, making predictions would have no meaning.

Then what I needed to consider was why Paremus had acted.

While listing potential scenarios related to the demon tribe, I realized there was no one left but the Black Dragon.

“Is it really because of the Black Dragon?”

I pulled away from Ariel and stepped forward with quick strides.

“Could he have brought an army with him?”

Ariel immediately followed me. I asked her as she stood beside me.

“No, it seems he only brought one supporting demon.”

So, two, including Paremus.

Considering it wasn’t an army, I could at least breathe a sigh of relief.

I didn’t know why his wounds had healed quickly, but at least he didn’t seem to be in a condition to lead an army.

However, it was too early to be at ease.

Could the current heroes handle Paremus, who moved seven years ahead of time?

The heroes had indeed grown much more than in the game, and two of them had made contracts with the Spirit Kings. I expected they wouldn’t be completely outmatched.

But the situation was entirely different from the time of the Black Dragon, so I couldn’t shake off my anxiety.

The difference between ranks 2 and 11 may seem marginal numerically, but comparing their powers, it was like comparing heaven and earth.

In other words, this meant it wouldn’t be easy to get through like with the Black Dragon. The attacks that worked on the Black Dragon wouldn’t necessarily work on him.

“He’s quite the impatient one.”

Still, I couldn’t ignore it.

Orient was an essential being for us. I needed to infuse her power, a fragment of the World Tree, into Maria.

“What are you planning to do?”

Ariel cautiously asked. The fact that she was terrible at Expression Management seemed to stem from Pasma.

“What would you like me to do? Pasma.”

Maintaining my gaze straight ahead, I asked the crimson spirit floating beside me. Ariel flinched. It seemed she had momentarily forgotten that I was connected with Pasma due to Paremus’s sudden appearance.

[…Praus, my dear friend. You know better than anyone what sort of humiliation I’ve faced.]

Yeah, I knew well.

The reason that this couple was doomed was because of Paremus.

[I won’t ask for anything else. I just hope you let me borrow your body so that I can kill Paremus. If you do that, I will serve you until the moment I disappear.]

It felt like a warrior who had resolved to risk his life was speaking.

However, no matter how heartfelt his will was, my answer had to be negative.

“You can’t kill Paremus even if you borrow my body.”

When I considered the possibility of fighting and winning against Paremus, the answer was already clear. And that fight wouldn’t align with my intention of training heroes for their difficult journey ahead.

Both stabilizing the Empire and training heroes to safely navigate the Demon War were meant so that I wouldn’t have to take action myself.

When the time came to kill the Black Dragon, there was also the point where I had to make the demonstration, but I was confident I could do it.

However, Paremus was a different story.

Even together with the heroes and the Spirit Kings, the odds of winning were slim. In the game, if you got hit a few times and used a potion, you might be able to continue fighting, but reality was inflexible regarding that.

Taking just one hit could mean death in this world.

How could I allow a reckless challenge against a final boss level like Paremus? There was only one coin to use.

Moreover, facing him now was too early with the heroes’ growth still in an imperfect state.

If we did face off against Paremus, one of us might die.

It was best to avoid a fight if possible.

But if we couldn’t avoid combat, we’d have to brace ourselves.

Ideally, I wanted to farm for other defensive artifacts before going, but it didn’t seem like we’d have that time, given ‘her’ nature.

“Let’s postpone the battle. For now, we focus on rescuing Orient.”

[But…!]

“If you die, that’s the end of it. Just like how you wish for me to meet the same fate as your broken body?”

I drove home the point to Pasma, who was being obstinate like a little child. At that moment, both Ariel and Pasma opened their mouths simultaneously in shock.

[H-how do you know I died in such a way?]

“…Praus, how do you even know that Pasma died like that?”

They both asked me almost at the same time. I realized too late that I had made an error in my words.

“Praus… how do you know that? You weren’t even born back then. I never saw you receive that information from someone…?”

Ariel asked seriously. I turned my gaze away. I had no choice but to choose silence. I couldn’t say I had seen it in the game.

“…Are you a player?”

It was a cautious inquiry.

“Is it because you’ve transcended cause and effect? Can you know the past just by looking at someone?”

“That’s something only a god could do. I am merely…”

I only peered into it. It was simply seeing and hearing that knowledge passed along.

“…Don’t bother with trivial things. For now, let’s head near Orient—”

Kwah!

My arm was pulled back as I moved forward. The action caused my center of gravity to falter, and I couldn’t help but fall into Ariel’s embrace.

“What are you—!”

“How is that a trivial matter?!”

She yelled while pressing her face closer to mine, still holding tightly to my waist. Ariel couldn’t hide her excitement. I could feel her heart racing against me, unable to control her breath.

“Tell me, Praus…! How did you know that? Were you perhaps at the spot where Paremus was fighting…?”

“We’re running out of time! Is this really the time for such discussions?!”

This world is the universe of the game I played, and you are those characters. I couldn’t say that, so I had no choice but to stammer.

“Now that I think about it… When you came to find us, when I buried Pasma’s equipment at the spot where he died, you seemed to know everything.”

“Master! Lady Ariel!”

Amidst Ariel’s persistent questioning, the heroes spotted us and hurriedly made their way over. Behind the heroes were Urka and Phoenix as well.

“Who are you really…? No, what does the Player that the World Tree spoke about mean?”

“Back off for now.”

Even with my companions watching, I couldn’t let go just yet. I couldn’t escape, with how tightly she was gripping my waist and arms.

“Master, Lady Ariel, what are you doing?!”

Maria asked somewhat cautiously, her face displaying shock.

“Ariel! What are you doing?!”

With Phoenix’s roar, Ariel’s attention finally left me.

“I was trying to have a conversation, but Praus kept trying to escape, so I just grabbed him. Don’t misunderstand. I only have Pasma—”

“Do you think now is the time to ask such things?! In a situation where Orient might die, why are you delaying? We need to save her immediately!”

“…”

As Phoenix exploded in anger, the grip holding me loosened a little. Seizing that opportunity, I broke free.

I glanced at the trembling fist of Ariel and then turned away.

“Stop.”

“…”

“I know the fate of Orient is on the line, but you need to listen.”

If I don’t say it, it seems she wouldn’t move an inch. The hostility radiating from her was dizzying. Whenever it came to matters regarding Pasma, her eyes seemed to lose all composure.

I scolded my mistake and met Ariel’s gaze.

“…I will explain everything after this is all over.”

I sighed and reluctantly spoke.

By then, all the information I had would likely be useless anyway. It wouldn’t be so bad to lay everything bare and part ways with these people.

“After everything…?”

“After the Demon War is over. When the Demon King is dead and peace has returned, ask me again. ‘Who are you?’ Then, I will answer.”

After replying this way to Ariel, I looked at the heroes.

“Same goes for you. Once the Demon War is over, if you have questions about me, I will answer them all. Everything from who I am to how I knew you would awaken as heroes. Everything.”

Before I took another step, I glanced back and forth between Pasma and Ariel. They seemed surprised by my response, silently observing me, as if trying to discern my true intent.

“So don’t ask me anything right now. Even if you do, I won’t be answering.”

I turned my body and took the lead.

“Let’s go.”

Regardless of everything else, Orient comes first.

Please stay still, Orient.

I know how you feel about Ariel.