My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 157

“I’m back.”

I barged into Duke Kalus’s office, ignoring the anxious butler fidgeting beside me. There was no need to show courtesy to those who weren’t on my side.

But now that I think about it, have I ever had to be courteous to someone of higher status since coming to this world?

I briefly questioned myself but quickly brushed it aside.

“Praus! What do you think you’re doing?!”

As expected, Kalus shot up from his desk and pointed a finger at me. I marched forward, irritated by his ranting voice.

By the time I stood in front of the table, his voice dwindled and the stiff fingers gradually drooped. The killing intent I had previously displayed seemed to have left a lasting trauma.

This is why someone born with a high status should be made to bow their head at least once.

“Here’s the treaty.”

I pulled out a rolled-up parchment and placed it on the desk, causing him to look at me with suspicion as he unfurled it.

“…What’s this? Did you really pull it off?”

His shocked face while reading the treaty did not sit well with me. Did he think I wouldn’t be able to do it? Should I slap him for good measure?

“Is it real? Hurry up and verify it—”

“Shut up.”

“B-but I mean, how can this be…?”

“Stop babbling in front of me and go discuss the strengthening of the survival rights of the Other Races with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…Alright. I’ll keep my promise. I’ll submit a proposal to the Emperor about amending the laws for the survival rights of the Other Races.”

“Make sure to do it thoroughly. If you do it half-heartedly, you should consider me your enemy.”

I said, exuding a subtle killing intent.

“D-don’t worry… A deal is a matter of trust. I wouldn’t break that.”

“Good. And one more thing.”

“One more thing?”

“I’d like to borrow a direct communication scroll to the Emperor.”

It was a special delivery scroll that a duke would possess, allowing direct contact with the Emperor without any hassle.

“What?! Why do you have anything to say to the Emperor?!”

“Considering I’ve solved the issues you groaned over for years, isn’t it only normal for me to receive a reward for that?”

“This guy… No matter how good your results are, you can’t just say whatever you want to the Emperor! Until you fix that, you don’t have the right to contact him!”

“The right, huh… Who do you think has been more dedicated to the Empire than anyone else?”

I lifted my chin defiantly.

“I have accomplished things you couldn’t. The recapturing of the Cartlod Mine, the subjugation of the Black Dragon, the eradication of the Demon Tribe within the Empire, resolving disputes between the Aioum Kingdom, and monopoly of resources — I’ve done achievements worthy of noble rank. What does it matter now to point out etiquette and formality?”

“…”

“Once again, results are everything.”

With each of my right words, he had nothing to retort. He just ground his teeth, then handed me a scroll begrudgingly.

“Don’t write anything unnecessary.”

“Don’t worry.”

I could use formal speech when writing.

I picked up the ink and pen from the desk and placed them on the coffee table. I immediately sat on the sofa and began writing on the scroll.

*

It took a while since I had no way to fix mistakes, but it wasn’t a bad piece of writing. While I was writing, Kalus’s glances were annoying, so I glared at him, causing him to look down.

After reading the content on the scroll once more, I ripped it apart without hesitation. For a moment, the scroll glimmered, and the words I had written disappeared. This should have been safely delivered.

Anyone with a little flexibility would listen to what I had to say. But if not, then I would have to act as I initially intended.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“Are you heading to Aus Territory?”

“No. I plan to stay here for a few days.”

“…What for?”

He looked uneasy, seemingly worried I would cause trouble in his territory.

“I have people to meet and things to find.”

I hadn’t had the time to look last time due to being busy, but now that the issues were resolved, I felt relaxed.

It was about time I gathered the Spirit King’s weapons and prepare Maria’s ultimate weapon.

Of course, I intended to meet Leoness first.

It had only been two days since I proposed the idea, but I thought I had given her enough time. It wasn’t even something to worry about.

“Who are you going to meet?”

“I can’t stand seeing the Other Races struggling.”

“If you’re human, how about doing charity for humans too?”

Charity, huh…

Were they really keeping an eye on me?

“If you want me to do that, you have to first elevate the Other Races to an equal status. Only then can I offer charity equally to humans and Other Races.”

I emphasized the word “equal,” and his expression soured.

“Hmph. Don’t do unnecessary things.”

“If I’m not doing unnecessary things, then don’t put a watch on me.”

“…”

He closed his mouth, and his face looked tense. Did he think I was oblivious to his intentions?

Anyway, this time, it didn’t matter if they were watching or not. I planned to ask Maria and Ariel to set up a large-scale barrier.

“You might go rampaging in my territory. How can I just sit still?”

“Being anxious means you don’t trust me, doesn’t it? If demons invade your territory while you’re sitting around like this, can you still call me to save you?”

“That’s…”

“If you plan on using me, act wisely. Otherwise, you’ll end up in a lose-lose situation.”

To put it simply, it was a warning to behave properly.

*

We arrived at the slums where Leoness was located, using Maria’s teleport.

The slums, now beginning to darken, looked far more sinister than I had expected. While the high buildings behind it blocked the sunlight, the atmosphere unique to slums contributed to its gloominess.

Although there were people lighting lamps here and there to prepare for the coming night, it seemed woefully insufficient to overcome the darkness.

“Teacher, why have you come back here again?” Maria asked, surveying the slums.

“I have matters to attend to. I wasn’t able to finish what I needed to discuss last time.”

“Oh! That person is…!”

“Lord Praus!”

A few beastmen who spotted us approached.

“We owe you a lot from last time. It seems I didn’t get to properly thank you, so I came to greet you.”

“…Debt?”

“Oh, we heard from Leo… No, another beastman. Thanks to your generous donation, there are no more Beastmen or Elves starving in the slums.”

I almost slipped and mentioned Leoness.

Is this beastman also a member of the Resistance?

Just because they lived in the slums didn’t mean that all of the Other Races were affiliated with the Resistance. I was aware several conditions had to be met to join.

It was a natural procedure to prevent any information about rebellion from leaking out by accepting indiscriminately.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

I initially thought I would only be spending money on the Other Races affiliated with the Resistance, but it seemed I had provided food for all the Other Races living in the slums. It was grumbling, but not bad at all.

“…I’d like to meet that beastman. Is that alright?”

“A-all of a sudden?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to harm them. I just want to have a conversation and hear their answer.”

“Umm… Well, I know Lord Praus is kind towards the Beastmen and Elves, but…”

“I came here to meet her. I’d appreciate it if you could facilitate this quickly.”

“B-but… I’m busy right now—”

“It’s fine.”

A voice from above cut him off.

Looking up slowly, I could see a beastman gazing down from the second-floor window, her light brown hair blowing in the sunset.

“…You’ve come.”

“I heard it was noisy, and here you are indeed.”

“I need an answer.”

“Right. I should settle things.”

Leoness leaped off the rooftop, landing gracefully. I walked past the beastmen and approached her.

“Maria, unfold a barrier around us. Make sure our conversation isn’t overheard.”

“Got it.”

Maria raised her hand and snapped her fingers. Then, a gust of wind blew around her, spreading out widely to encompass us.

“Done.”

“Good.”

I didn’t forget to pet Maria’s head and then turned to Leoness. The distance between us was barely thirty centimeters. Leoness and I stared at each other silently.

Sniff, sniff.

Suddenly, her nose twitched. She leaned closer to my neck, taking a whiff.

“…So it’s that cocky man I saw two days ago.”

Cocky, huh.

For someone who went under threats and killing intent, she’s got quite the mouth.

“Not cocky, but overflowing with confidence.”

“Hmph.”

She huffed, her breath tickling my skin. I fought the urge to shiver as she pulled back.

“You mentioned you were going to the Aioum Kingdom, but it seems you’ve come back from a bit of trouble. Was that what you had to do?”

“It was necessary. Demons are enemies, regardless of race.”

“Honestly, I wish you had perished while on that mission.”

“What? How dare you say such a thing to your teacher—”

I said, stopping Tina with my arm.

“Is that a compliment? How gracious of you.”

As my mockery landed perfectly, Leoness pouted, seemingly displeased.

“Well… you know I didn’t come here to talk about such trivial matters, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you need to answer me now, Leoness.”

I took half a step closer to her.

“Is your answer affirmative or negative?”

Shall I see how much of a measly pride she has left?