My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 137

Duke Kalus.

His full name is Magna Kalus.

He is a noble who holds the largest territory in the eastern part of the Empire and is responsible for interactions with the Aioum Kingdom, playing a central role in trade.

“What? That guy?”

According to Marquis Medis’s explanation, the root of the conflict seems to revolve around resource allocation and territory size.

With no proper border maps established, military clashes were frequent, leaving both nations unable to utilize their resources.

“…How do I put this? Do you know much about the Aioum Kingdom?”

No, not really.

Given that the primary background is the Empire, information about the neighboring Aioum Kingdom wasn’t abundant. In fact, they hadn’t dealt with resource conflict issues like this in the game before.

But I had the “information” and “means” to understand the situation.

I merely needed to utilize some of the information that was highlighted during the Stella Forna episode.

“I don’t know it well.”

“Then how do you plan to resolve this?”

“I just need one favor.”

“A favor?”

The expressions of the nobles shifted in real-time. It was blatantly clear they didn’t want to fulfill my request.

“I would like to meet with the King of Aioum.”

“And what do you intend to do by meeting the King?”

“Spy detection.”

“Spy detection, you say…?”

I added words to give a clue to the confused nobles.

“Years ago, there was a family that was annihilated in Aioum Kingdom for being associated with the Demon Tribe. Do you remember it?”

“…Are you talking about the Forna family?”

Fortunately, it seemed a few nobles remembered. That made things quicker.

“Speaking of which, wasn’t one of the nobles who bought Stella Forna killed by a demon named Habito?”

At someone’s remark, murmurs began anew.

The death of a noble could escalate into a serious issue, but I had heard from Ella that the Emperor had intervened.

Upon hearing reports that even two S-Class knights struggled under Grand Anti-Demon Magic, it was deemed unfeasible to dispatch knights to the Demon World.

“In any case, there are more spies related to the Demon Tribe in the Aioum Kingdom.”

“!”

Everyone in the conference room widened their eyes in shock. Their astonished expressions were quite the sight. Even the guard knights, who were laxly vigilant until a moment ago, began to tense up.

“Is that really true?!”

“Yes.”

Upon reflection, it made sense.

They possessed the capability to turn a Count’s family into spies. Would those formidable demons only target a single Count’s family?

Surely not.

The demons were always prepared to engulf the Human World. To efficiently secure victory in the Demon War, they would be buying or threatening humans for information.

Surely, there must be others connected to the Demon Tribe within the Empire besides the Aioum Kingdom. However, compared to Aioum Kingdom, it provided a bit of reassurance.

Because the Empire had “Grand Anti-Demon Magic” installed in every city, something that the Aioum Kingdom lacked.

As nobles teleport between cities, the chances of them being influenced by demons were relatively low.

The real issue lay with the commoners living on the outskirts of cities or in villages.

They might have been in contact with other races. There could be someone enticing them under the promise of liberation from slavery.

Yet, the likelihood of those other races falling into demon hands was rather slim. Before the Empire engaged in massacres, the demons had been toying with and slaughtering other races.

In the first place, demons typically only assimilate those with threatening talents, so while I couldn’t be completely at ease, I didn’t need to worry too much.

“Is the source of that information reliable? Where did you obtain it?”

It was the Crown Prince’s question.

It was understandable for him to be suspicious. In the real-time reports, I had not received information about me contacting a figure from the Aioum Kingdom, and yet I was knowledgeable about it, so skepticism was natural.

“The validity of the source of information does not matter. If I can bring about results by going myself, everything I just stated will be ‘true.'”

In truth, I didn’t need any assistance to meet the King. There were plenty of ways to induce a meeting with him. I just preferred an easier route.

“…In the end, your intention is to extract the spies that Aioum Kingdom has not yet purged, and in return, acquire the resources at the border, isn’t it?”

“Obtaining a monopoly might be difficult. But don’t be disappointed. This could allow us to firmly establish Aioum Kingdom as a ‘subordinate.'”

The concepts of “superior” and “subordinate.”

Those were terms that Chris could not dislike.

Unlike the Empire, the Aioum Kingdom lacked Grand Anti-Demon Magic.

That meant if the demons started launching attacks, they would be significantly more vulnerable than the Empire.

Once they requested our help regarding matters related to demons, the likelihood of them needing further assistance would rise. Naturally, they might then demand something in return.

“Are you really considering that…? Then, Praus, do you already have suspects in mind?”

Chris remarked with hushed admiration. It was evident he wanted to draw me into his faction, disguised under a look of disappointment.

“I do.”

I could confidently say I wanted to see the King because of that.

The commoners wore an overly vast range, making it impossible to sieve through them one by one, but for the nobles, I had already pinpointed them.

Those above the Count level.

“Then, what do we need to pay you in resolving this issue?”

The Crown Prince asked coldly, seeming to think I wouldn’t undertake this request without demands.

Well, considering that an opposing faction was actively helping, it was indeed odd to have no requests.

“My request is simple. I want the treatment of all other races in the Empire to be improved.”

“That’s something I mentioned a moment ago…”

“This is not about liberating slaves. I want their right to exist to be guaranteed.”

At the very least, they should not end up like discarded tools that were used and cast aside.

As such cases accumulate, other races will grow to despise humans.

“Considering the recent active activities of demons and unusual weather phenomena, I hope you also consider the possibility of receiving help from other races.”

I tapped my temple lightly.

“Whether we perish at the hands of demons or at the hands of other races, the outcome wouldn’t differ much.”

I had no intention of forcing you to accept what you wouldn’t. After all, you wouldn’t agree anyway.

If that was the case, it’d be better to start managing the image of other races now so that they wouldn’t think poorly of humans.

In case issues arose, just hoping to receive a bit of help.

“…Alright. If you can put forth that much effort, we’ll consider it. I will arrange the meeting with the King on this side.”

With the Crown Prince’s response, this matter was settled, and thus they transitioned to the next agenda. Duke Kalus still wore a suspicious expression, but no other noble had proposed a solution aside from me, so they moved on.

After that, most of the discussions revolved around Princess Seri. Despite the pressure from the nobles, she boldly raised her points and firmly pushed her thoughts forward.

Thus concluded a successful noble meeting.

*

“Praus.”

After the noble meeting adjourned, Duke Kalus called for me.

“…What is it?”

“Do you really believe that with that, you’ll be able to monopolize the resources at the border?”

“I didn’t say I would monopolize.”

Was I genuinely thinking of taking everything? What a greedy fellow.

“Even if we become superior and subordinate, if we try to monopolize, it will only create conflicts. That wouldn’t be good. It would only generate potential enemies. Be satisfied with setting terms that favor us. It would also reduce the pressure on the other side to accept our proposals.”

“But if we can firmly establish them as subordinates, is there really a need to consider the subordinate’s position?”

“Since we have a common enemy like the demons, there may come a time when we need the Aioum Kingdom’s help as well. Look at the bigger picture.”

This guy, huh, must be someone who gets a taste of modern political maneuvering!

“And just because they’re subordinates doesn’t mean they’re necessarily weaker.”

“…But do you think catching the spies will lead to a trade-off for the resources?”

“Isn’t it said that those who get burned by fire become afraid of it? It’s the same principle.”

“…So you think having been backstabbed once, they’ll be straining to avoid being backstabbed again?”

“Yes.”

“Well—”

“Praus.”

During our conversation, Todia interjected.

“Let’s end the discussion here.”

I looked over at Todia, who had an engagement set up beforehand. With his blue hair swaying, he placed his hand on his waist and nodded.

“Just how far are you looking ahead?”

“Well…”

I evaded the question and took a step toward Glair Todiah.

*

In a private room within the palace near the conference room.

I sat facing Todia. Seated with us were Seri, Tori, Urka, and others who had come along.

“So what do you want to discuss?”

“How did you know that there are more demons’ spies in the Aioum Kingdom?”

Glair casually asked. His question drew curiosity from our group, their eyes sparkling.

“…I only saw a potential. The demons are as intelligent as humans. They wouldn’t just have one spy in place.”

They would need continuous information.

Especially during chaotic times like now, with higher-ranking members dead, they would require human intelligence even more.

“Then that cannot be regarded as certain information.”

“I’ll prove it through results, so don’t worry.”

I straightforwardly replied.

“That’s cool…”

…Huh?

Turning at the quietly voiced remark, I saw Seri wide-eyed with her mouth agape. That expression looked somewhat eerie, didn’t it?

I pretended not to make eye contact with her and turned back to Glair.

“So what precisely do you want to say to me?”

“Let me ask you bluntly. Praus, is your sole aim in making Princess Seri the Emperor to liberate and grant independence to the other races?”

“What are you saying?”

“I want to know your reasoning for wanting to elevate Princess Seri to Emperor. Is it because she has a friendly disposition towards other races? Or is it that you intend to seize imperial power behind her back?”

While his interrogation felt absurd, I could understand the reasoning. A commoner suddenly shaking the imperial family would understandably cause unrest.

“That can’t be true. I’m not interested in the political arena. I refused to become a noble for no reason.”

“If that’s the case, then there’s nothing more than your friendly disposition towards the other races in pushing for Princess Seri, is there?”

“Princess Seri is the only member of the royal family who acknowledges the value of other races. I held her in high regard for that. I thought that with her, a more beneficial Empire could be established.”

“Is that all? Are you truly not thinking of intervening in politics?”

“My involvement will only be until Princess Seri ascends to the throne. After that, she’ll manage on her own.”

Once Seri safely ascended, I intended to focus on the Demon War.

The reason for my actions was all to survive the Demon War. If that weren’t the case, would I care about politics?

“I see.”

Glair then fell silent for a brief moment.

“Then I will speak as the head of the Todiah family. If you want to borrow Todiah’s strength, you need to become Emperor. Todiah has always been a family that serves the Emperor. However, Emperor Lupin has already indicated Crown Prince Chris. In other words, Praus, it would be better for you to abandon expectations of gaining Todiah family support.”

That’s quite unfortunate.

Ultimately, it meant I couldn’t pull in the nobles I had attracted into my faction. I suppose I had to be satisfied with just the most important Duke Aus on my side.

“But Ella Todiah is a different story.”

“Huh?”

“That girl will help you regardless of her family. I hope you take good care of her.”

Ella? This doting father?

That was unexpected. I was surprised that he did not discourage Ella from joining our faction.

“Honestly, I’m still somewhat skeptical. I wonder if it’s right for Princess Seri to become Emperor. Whether it’s right to send Ella by your side. So, I’d like you to keep proving your worth, like how Urka beat Soro.”

I felt a surprisingly warm response from him, as if everything I’d done wasn’t in vain. Encouraged by his expectations, I spoke confidently.

“Yes! Just watch!”

“When have I ever been wrong? Just wait and see.”

Even if I said it, truly, what a self-absorbed notion I had.

“You’re insufferably arrogant.”

He gave a wry smile.

“But oddly, you seem most trustworthy when you’re being conceited. So I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“Alright.”

I replied confidently.

There was no handshake exchanged between us. There were still things left to prove.