My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 129

“Teacher, is it really okay?”

Maria, who was flying next to me using Wind Magic, asked.

“Being ranked second means they are incredibly strong. Is it really fine to leave it to both Tina and Iris?”

“Even after I explained it on the way, are you still worried? Are you afraid those two will die?”

I asked without stopping my stride, weaving through the forest while watching the faintly passing trees and grass. Maria responded hesitantly, “A little,” as she looked around.

“Don’t worry. It wasn’t sent thoughtlessly.”

This forest we were traversing was not created by primordial nature but was twisted from causality through the power of the World Tree, crafted by Orient.

Having witnessed the forest that had once disappeared due to Peremus’s attack re-emerging, I knew it wasn’t a mere illusion.

Additionally, since it was created by twisting causality, it held special effects, one of which was the ability to drain Magic Beast power from the Demon Tribe.

Magic is akin to humans’ mana for the Demon Tribe. Without their magic, even high-ranking demons could lose enough strength to be challenged by an A-Class Adventurer depending on their traits. And Peremus was no exception.

Even though he was based on physical form, without magic, he would find it difficult to face a Hero.

Furthermore, since they had contracts with the Spirit Kings, they could cover for the Heroes’ complacent attitudes. If all went well, they might even show the scene of defeating Peremus.

Of course, the best scenario would have been for Orient to hide until the end and rescue them without a confrontation, but since he had revealed himself, that was just wishful thinking.

Ultimately, my only choice was to bet my life on the highest possibility on the board set by Orient.

When I explained this fact to Maria, she seemed somewhat reassured and looked me in the eye.

“And I’ve set up one more contingency plan. If everything goes according to plan, we can definitely stop Peremus.”

“Ah, you’re talking about the artifact you mentioned before we parted ways?”

I nodded.

“I see.”

“And it’s not just those two we need to worry about.”

The Demon named Pero, whom we were about to face, would undoubtedly be a far more troublesome opponent than Peremus, who merely swung his fists.

Snap!

Just as Maria and I stepped on a branch, a flurry of white doves erupted into the air from the grass. We instinctively stopped in our tracks.

“Come no closer.”

A figure in a tailcoat wearing a Pierrot mask looked down at us from a tree.

“I’ve been watching you approach from the very beginning. Each step you took raised my anticipation, and I couldn’t hide my excitement.”

I placed my hand on my Revenge Sword, taken aback by his sudden proclamation. Maria began to gather Wind Magic in her hands.

“Who are you?!”

“Greetings, humans. I am Pero, the Sorcerer of Black Light.”

“That guy is Pero…?”

Ariel’s brows furrowed as she took in Pero’s attire, which was unlike that of a typical demon. It seemed she was questioning if it was really him.

“From now on, I shall graciously guide you into the world of magic.”

He tipped his hat slightly, and the eyes beneath the Pierrot mask gleamed red.

*

“Did you just tell me to come in? You’ve become overconfident after just one fortunate encounter. How far will that arrogance take you?”

Iris spoke quietly, not taking her eyes off Peremus, who was striking his palm with his fist.

“… Orient, right?”

“Uh, uh?”

Orient blurted out a dazed response, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a white fox recognizing him immediately.

“Teacher has asked for something.”

“Teacher? What do you mean, ‘asked’?”

“Teacher said to retrieve the sword stuck in the Sanctuary and bring it to himself.”

“The center of the Sanctuary? How do you know about that?”

Sanctuary. It refers to the domain that protects the roots of the World Tree.

A special space made so that no one can easily intrude.

The sword lodged there was made with the intent to ensure that no others—aside from Orient—could discover or approach the roots of the World Tree.

“That’s not something I can just fetch. It was made to protect the roots of the World Tree from humans…!”

“Teacher anticipated that you would respond that way, Orient. He added that just because the sword is stuck there, it doesn’t mean the roots of the World Tree are safe. If you maintain a defensive posture forever, you won’t be able to protect what you want to protect. You already understand that feeling, don’t you?”

“Who exactly is your teacher—”

“Who are you speaking to?!”

Peremus slammed his fist into the ground, closing the distance to Iris in an instant.

Bang!

Iris’s sword met Peremus’s fist, causing a deafening roar that reverberated through the forest.

Crackle crackle.

Iris’s hand trembled. Even while using the Absolute Defense skill, she felt a throbbing pain in her wrist. She realized what this meant.

‘He’s stronger than me. This demon is.’

This meant his pure physical prowess exceeded her capabilities.

“There’s no time to hesitate!”

“It’s quite fascinating. No one has taken my punches so calmly until now. Yet, a mere young Beastman can take my punches. I suppose I should exert more strength.”

“Please make a decision quickly!”

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

With the impact of astounding consecutive strikes, the ground cracked, and trees were uprooted. The scenery of the forest began to change again.

As the terrain transformed, Iris felt anxious and glanced back at Orient.

Upon making eye contact with the unyielding white fox before her, Orient steeled his resolve.

‘Anyway, since I’ve revealed myself, the likelihood of the World Tree’s root location being discovered has increased significantly. There’s no room for doubt. Besides, the one in front of me is… Probably a Hero.’

“…This is just a temporary loan.”

“I understand.”

“Who should I deliver it to?”

“The human male with black hair currently in the forest. His name is Praus, and his defining trait is… he’s quite handsome!”

Seeing the fox, who emphasized how handsome he was, Orient wore a baffled expression.

“…I understand. Please hold on for a moment.”

Just as Orient attempted to hide with Teleport, Peremus slammed the ground.

“Where do you think you’re going, Orient!!”

Iris positioned herself in front of Peremus who roared like a beast.

“I said you’re going to face me!”

Bang!

“Get out of the way, you filthy little fox!!”

“I won’t move!”

Ultimately, once Orient completely vanished, Peremus’s scream echoed through the air, filled with rage over the disappearance of the spoils meant for the Demon King.

“I’ll kill you!!”

His biceps bulged. With greater force than ever, he swung his fist towards Iris.

“Destruction—Consecutive Strikes!”

Kakakakakang!

Before the noise of the sword meeting the fist could dissipate, the next attack came in succession.

“Urgh!”

Iris managed to block all of his strikes, but it was the first time she let out a groan.

‘My wrist feels like it’s about to break…!’

Because he was far stronger than she’d anticipated, expression management became a challenge.

However, even without trying too hard to maintain her expression, she was performing better than Praus had expected.

Even if some of Peremus’s magic has escaped, he was still a high-ranking demon by physical capability alone.

Yet she managed to keep up without being overrun, and if any other demons were watching, they would have undoubtedly expressed amazement unconsciously.

‘The physical strength that doesn’t fall behind my own, and the reflexes that perfectly read the path of my punches. Everything seems incredibly well put together. At such a young age, she’s reached an astonishing level. And—’

Peremus’s gaze flickered to the side.

Even while facing Iris, he was more wary of Tina. He understood that her ability to perfectly sever his toe meant she could inflict significant damage.

‘That brat… What kind of speed is this?’

Noticing he couldn’t observe any movement until she was at his neck with a blade, Peremus’s lips curled into a grin.

He was not the type to feel fear, anxiety, or dread that one might sense just before death. The only emotion he experienced, facing the threat to his life, was mere competitive spirit.

Bang!

Peremus clenched his fist and swung up at the red blade aiming for his neck.

His arm snapped back, sending Tina’s body soaring. Clenching her teeth, she gripped her sword, enduring the numbness creeping up her arm.

‘I almost dropped my sword…!’

As she attempted to adjust her posture in midair, a giant fist bore down upon her. Peremus was faster than her movements.

“Die!”

The thrill of anticipation laced his voice just before his fist would reach Tina.

Swish!

“!”

His right wrist was severed, and blue blood gushed forth from the empty space left behind.

“Did you think I approached thoughtlessly?”

Tina grinned, and before she knew it, two swords were in her hands.

The sword she had recently thrust at his neck wasn’t the All-Cutting Sword, but Flamme, crafted by the Fire Spirit King. Anticipating Peremus would deflect it, she had timed her attack perfectly, severing his wrist with the All-Cutting Sword.

“Not bad. But I’ve got two fists.”

Seeing Peremus launch his left fist, Tina readied her defense. But compared to Iris, her defensive skill was nowhere near adequate; taking that punch would surely lead to a fatal injury.

“Naiad!”

At Iris’s shout, a wave-shaped pattern on her palm radiated a blue glow.

Clang!

In an instant, Iris caught up with Peremus’s moving punch, blocking it just as it was aimed straight at Tina. Though she could have targeted Peremus from behind, her priority was saving Tina.

“As long as I’m here, you won’t be able to lay a finger on Tina.”

‘That brat… Has her speed increased?!’

Witnessing the change in Iris’s hair from pure white to a deep blue left Peremus alarmed as he glanced at her wrists, which betrayed confusion.

‘She forged a contract with the Spirit King of Water…? This little girl?!’

Upon seeing the markings often seen only on those who had formed contracts with Spirit Kings, Peremus felt fleeting unrest.

“Ah, I see. You are… a ‘Hero’. Ha, haha…! They say that instead of a chicken, you should use a partridge to describe a chicken; if I kill the Hero instead of the Spirit King, the Demon King will surely be pleased!”

His greed was evident as he gazed at Iris, who stood before him defiantly. Iris smirked and threw a punch.

“Wrong. The one who’s going to die here is you.”

As the water energy wrapped around Iris, Naiad appeared.

“To face the most troublesome demon right after my first manifestation. Is it fate of the Spirit King or the Hero’s fate after all?”

“I’m sorry. I needed to borrow some strength.”

“Of course you should call for me. That one is currently beyond what you can handle.”

Naiad looked much like when we had encountered her in the northern Glacier Region, except her face bore an expression of icy calmness.

“The Water Spirit King, Naiad, I presume? Hahaha! Good. Come at me with your full strength.”

He couldn’t hide his excitement as he restored his hand. Absorbing the mana from the air to transform it into magic, he triggered the ultimate healing.

“I will kill you all!”