My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 156

“What was that sound?”

I couldn’t understand why she was proposing a contract to me. Suddenly, a contract? Why?

“Join me in a contract. With your magic, even without being a Hero, you could wield my power perfectly.”

“No, that’s not the point right now.”

If Ariel had any intention of forming a contract with someone other than Pasma, she would have done it with a Hero long ago.

But I knew about Ariel’s circumstances, which is why I hadn’t suggested a contract until now. Surely, she was aware of that too, right?

“Ariel, you’re still…”

I was about to speak, but I quickly glanced at the Heroes. I figured they had picked up on some of what was happening since we lived together, but it wouldn’t be beneficial for them to overhear this conversation.

“Even if you do, it should be with the Heroes, not me. Why with me…”

“It has to be you. Watching this fight made me realize. If it’s you, I’m sure you can take revenge for Pasma.”

“Killing Peremus is the only way to win the Demon War, so I will kill him, but that doesn’t guarantee it’ll be me who does it.”

I didn’t want to be on the front lines anymore.

If I could use the information I had to equip the Heroes and help them grow, they wouldn’t be swayed by the Demon Tribe like they were now. They’d handle it without me stepping in.

Yet still, it was troubling that Ariel insisted on forming a contract with me, claiming I could help achieve revenge.

“Ariel, you don’t have to force yourself into a contract—”

“I do! I don’t want to just stand by and watch anymore.”

Ariel was pounding her chest as she spoke. A look of anguish crossed her face. Did she perhaps feel guilty for not being able to do anything in the last battle?

“…”

No, even so, I had crossed the line.

Even if I had produced results without mistakes until now, it was still all due to luck.

At my core, I was just an ordinary person. There was an absolute gap between me and others.

Right now, the mana visible to others couldn’t be used without an artifact or some sort of medium. The idea of forming a contract with someone like that—was I out of my mind?

“…Let’s think about that contract later.”

Looking at Ariel’s expression, it seemed she wouldn’t back down from her opinion.

“No way. We’re doing it now.”

“But why…”

I couldn’t understand why she was insisting on this, even when she had maintained her belief of not forming contracts with anyone other than Pasma.

“Just do it?”

Suddenly, Phoenix butted in.

“Ariel has thought a lot about this and spoke to you. It’s not like she sees you as a romantic partner or anything. Think of it as making it easier to deal with the Demon Tribe.”

“So if we’re killing the Demon Tribe, it’s even more reason to do it with a Hero—”

“…Do you really think you’re that weak?”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t think so at all.”

That’s because fighting is not just about brute strength.

There would always be variables in battle. And I had information to control those variables.

I preferred fighting with the optimal strategy based on information. To tilt the odds even slightly in our favor.

If that’s considered strong, then fine, but at the very least, I don’t see it that way.

Still, being physically weak was still being weak.

“Phoenix, what are you saying? Why would my Teacher be weak?”

“Right. You can take on Peremus alone and win.”

“Ah, yeah, well, that’s true… Ah… I don’t know anymore.”

Phoenix ultimately gave up.

“Anyway, contract with her. You won’t lose anything.”

What do you mean I won’t lose anything?

Using me to make a Hero stronger—how could there be no loss in that?

“…Prau, I’m counting on you.”

“I’ve never seen the Spirit King ask for a contract before.”

“Phoenix, just be quiet. You talk too much.”

Ariel chided Phoenix, and only then did he shut his mouth with a disgruntled face.

“Well… Let’s think about it. It’s not urgent. What’s important right now is to assess the situation and what I need to do.”

I said as I got off the bed. The Heroes were urging me back down with “Rest more,” but I refused.

The moment I got off the bed, the hologram that had been hovering vanished.

“So, Ariel, I’d like to hear the details of what has happened.”

At that, my speech returned.

The facial muscles, which had been freely expressing emotions, had stiffened and were hard to move. But it felt a bit easier to move than before.

So, does the expression management skill progressively wear off each time it temporarily deactivates?

“Ah! My speech has returned!”

“Prau, are you two-faced?”

Not really…

What exactly is the trigger for this expression management to deactivate?

*

Ariel told me that the battle in Jejak had resulted in hundreds of casualties. Most were moderately injured, but many died when nearby houses collapsed due to the battle.

The Kingdom also decided to take those casualties into account.

Thanks to Ariel continuously filming without releasing her surveillance magic, there were no issues with clarifying misunderstandings.

As for the part where we killed Marquis Lector, we presented evidence from KyouKyou and the nobles, so they decided not to make a big deal out of it.

Ultimately, King Luke understood that we had protected the Kingdom from the Demon Tribe, thus lifting the bounty placed on us and allowing the delegation to go home safely.

“And they acknowledged Prince Praus’s proposal for resource monopolization at the border, so we can return to the Empire now.”

“Is that so?”

It seemed I could finally relax, relieved that things had ended well.

“Oh, and King Luke asked me to visit him once he wakes up.”

“Me? Why?”

“Well… It’s pretty obvious he’ll make some sort of request for you to protect the Kingdom from the Demon Tribe.”

“Hmm. I see. I’ll go visit him.”

I checked my outfit.

I was dressed in a change of clothes, although it was the same suit, since it was caked with sweat and blood.

Just as I was adjusting my outfit, Iris quietly approached me.

“Teacher, do you have any aftereffects or anything like that?”

“I’m fine. I have no problem moving.”

Surely, someone must have used magic to recover me the moment I fainted. I couldn’t have held out until a magician or physician arrived on the scene.

“Thank you, Iris.”

“Huh?”

“You’re the one who restored me after I collapsed, right?”

“Well, of course, Teacher. Normally, I would have had to kill Stella, but… my skills weren’t enough…”

“You’re growing well. Keep progressing like this.”

“Yes! I’ll grow to the point where I won’t need you stepping in anymore.”

Oh my. What a commendable thing to say!

Yes, yes! Keep growing so I don’t have to step in!

*

“Is your body alright?”

In the royal audience chamber.

Seeing Luke, who was much softer in demeanor than when we first met, made me wish the Emperor could be like this.

Hmm. Should I take this chance to directly meet the Emperor and make a proposal?

Thinking back, while I had poked at the Crown Prince until now, I had never taken a shot at the Emperor. I assumed proposing something to him from the start would end in rejection.

But what if I could create and control a variable myself? Wouldn’t I be able to achieve the liberation of the Other Races without having to go through the Succession War?

Since the Demon Tribe kept spilling over into the Empire, fighting was unavoidable, but each time we killed one, we provoked the Demon King. And provoking the Demon King increased the likelihood of the Demon War starting earlier.

If the Demon War were to start sooner than I anticipated, it was better not to go through the Succession War.

Doing so would not only lead to the game unfolding as it was scripted but also force the Heroes to fight before they were fully grown.

Fighting the Demon War under such conditions could never result in a happy ending. Just recalling how hopelessly I struggled against Peremus made me realize that we could easily lose the trump card that is the Heroes.

In that case, it’s best to meet the Emperor first.

I should grab the opportunity to meet him under the pretense of discussing the Aioum Kingdom.

“…Prau, aren’t you listening to what His Majesty Luke has said?”

“Ah… I feel much better now.”

I snapped back to attention and replied.

In the audience chamber, aside from the Knight Commander and what appeared to be members of the royal family, there was no one else.

It seemed the nobility and knights were all busy with matters regarding the Demon Tribe.

“I have done you wrong.”

‘It’s alright.’

“I just needed to know.”

“That thing…”

“You certainly are consistent.”

The Knight Commander frowned upon hearing my disdainful tone, but Luke intervened.

“Regardless, I have signed the treaty accepting your proposal. The resources at the border will be exclusively in the Empire’s hands. You can take it as it is. I’m sure the Emperor will be pleased.”

I wasn’t acting for the Emperor; I was moving to wield the Empire as I wished.

Well, regardless, things seemed to have settled well, and this should enhance the survival rights of the Other Races. Even if it wasn’t outright liberation, we could hope for some decent treatment.

If I were to play with words here, I’d end up inciting a Resistance.

“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Prau.”

Just as I was about to turn away, Luke called out to me.

“If Aioum Kingdom is once again threatened by the Demon Tribe, can you protect it?”

I have to protect it. It’s a country that needs to safeguard the back of the Empire before the Demon War starts.

“…I am a citizen of the Empire. It’s only natural to prioritize the Empire. But when the Kingdom is in danger, I will not completely turn my back on it.”

“That is sufficient. Thank you.”

He gave a relieved smile.

With that last exchange, we left the audience chamber. As we passed through the massive entrance and exited the royal palace, I spotted the delegation waiting by the entrance.

“Ah, you’re out!”

With someone’s shout, the Representative of the Delegation stepped briskly in front of me.

“Thanks to you, I’m about to go insane, Praus.”

“…Please don’t go insane.”

“Can I not go insane?! I told you to be careful with your words in front of His Majesty Luke! And then out of nowhere, a noble gets assassinated and we end up in prison…!”

His voice was filled with frustration.

Eventually, I spent the ride back to the Empire listening to the delegation’s unwelcome tales of prison.