My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 187

I can see the future.

In a way, that’s not entirely wrong. Until now, I’ve been predicting the future based on information from the game and acting accordingly.

However, strictly speaking, I don’t have the ability to see the future.

If I had the ability to see the future, I wouldn’t have gone through so many trials and errors to liberate the slaves.

I know more about the future than anyone else, but that’s only the future within the game.

The game has all its sequences set in stone, so no matter how I act, the future won’t change.

But what about reality?

With a single action of mine, or even a single action from those around me, the future can change. In other words, the information I know could become completely useless at any time.

That’s why it was right for me to deny her question.

But for some reason, words came out that were somewhat different.

“Then what will you do?”

“What…?”

Leones, who threw out the question, and the heroes all looked at me with wide eyes.

“If I really can see the future, and I used you to see the future I want, what would you think?”

“Are you serious?”

“I just want you to answer my question.”

“…If that were really the case, it would be shocking…”

Leones scratched her head in confusion, her hair tied up swaying. I patiently waited until she opened her mouth again.

“Still, if that were really, truly the case… I would think we need to cooperate.”

“Cooperate?”

Although it was an unexpected answer, I reacted indifferently on purpose. Leones nodded her head with a serious expression.

“I’ve been watching Praus be friendly to our kin and the Elf Tribe for months now. Thanks to his unwavering support, many of our kin have been saved. Moreover, Praus’ words have always been right and instilled hope for the future we can move toward.”

“Is that so?”

“I don’t doubt it anymore. No, I can’t doubt it.”

Not doubting it.

That was precisely the phrase I wanted to hear.

This meant she would believe and follow me, no matter how I moved the Resistance.

In other words, it was blind faith.

At this point, even if the other races declare independence, if the ruler of the Resistance is Leones, there’s a possibility I can still maneuver them.

“And about that slave liberation story I mentioned earlier… You orchestrated that, didn’t you? You must have been working behind the scenes to free us, just like when you made the Survival Rights Enhancement Law.”

“Yeah.”

“Impressive…”

Leones genuinely admired it.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without my students. It’s all thanks to them.”

As I looked around at the heroes who usually loiter around me, I wondered if they could catch the Demon King with the same momentum?

In response to my praise, Tina proudly smiled, hands on her waist, Iris shyly blushed and wagged her tail vigorously, while Maria huffed and raised her nose imperiously.

Oh, those kids are really something. Aren’t you all about to turn fifteen?

“Still, the one who led the slave liberation was Praus, right?”

“That’s right.”

If I had left it to the heroes, they would have destroyed everything in a ruckus.

Knowing that the Empire needed to be intact to smoothly counter the Demon War, it was important to direct the heroes’ power away from the Empire as much as possible.

Of course, there was a time when I used the heroes to threaten the Empire during negotiations with the Emperor.

Regardless, I thought it was a fair trade to obtain permission for slave liberation at the sacrifice of the White Light Corps and Black Light Corps.

Although losing three S-Class heroes could slightly shake the Empire’s stability, many alternatives still existed.

The most significant alternative was being able to keep the Resistance intact.

Minimizing casualties during the Succession War and the rebellion was crucial for the upcoming Demon War.

Moreover, once the Crown Prince becomes the Emperor, it meant there would be no need for a Soro-Ter raid, making it a double win.

“…Praus.”

“What is it?”

“Would you not want to return to our hometown with us?”

“Huh?”

Leones, who had been silent for a moment, unexpectedly threw out a proposal. Iris and Maria gasped in surprise, mimicking my stunned expression.

“If we need someone to lead us until we find stability, I believe it should be Praus.”

“We’ve just been liberated; we can’t be following a human again.”

“No. Once everyone knows that the one who achieved the slave liberation without sacrificing anyone is you, everyone would want to follow you.”

Leones extends her hand to me.

“Let’s go together.”

I gazed steadily at her hand. This was an opportunity to fully bring the other races to my side. If I took her hand, I could secure cooperation with the other races.

But I couldn’t grab her hand.

I had made a promise to the Emperor. To protect the Empire.

If the Emperor had kept his promise of slave liberation, then it was only right for me to keep mine.

Moreover, the reason I saved the other races was to increase the odds of winning the Demon War by using the other races to protect the Empire.

So what meaning would it have if I actually left the Empire? Given that I had already gained Leones’ trust, remaining in this story was of more detriment than benefit.

Just before I could utter my rejection to Leones, I recalled something she had once told me.

“Humans don’t offer favor without any benefit.”

Hearing her words back then, I had silently agreed. And it was still applicable now.

“…I won’t go.”

“Why not?”

“The job isn’t done yet.”

“The job? What do you mean?”

“This Empire is still unstable.”

I could say the Emperor would die soon, but the Crown Prince is still here. Until I can prove that the Crown Prince isn’t incompetent or he steps down from the throne, everything won’t stabilize.

“…Are you trying to become the Emperor?”

“I won’t be the Emperor. I don’t like ruling over anyone.”

Leones clicked her tongue at my response.

“Alright. I get it. Then there’s nothing we can do.”

Leones gave up more quickly than I expected, clicking her tongue and withdrawing her hand. Then she extended her hand again. I looked at her confusedly, and Leones said,

“Let’s not become enemies.”

“Of course not.”

It was a handshake before establishing a cooperative relationship; not bad.

I chuckled and grabbed her calloused and scarred hand. In that instant, Leones suddenly pulled me close.

Kiss.

I couldn’t react in time to her sudden action.

When I came to my senses and looked ahead, I was kissing Leones. Her breath tickled my nose.

“Aah! Teacher!”

“Master!!”

“I was assaulted!”

No, I wasn’t!

I quickly fell away from Leones and swiftly wiped the saliva from my lips with the back of my hand.

“What, what are you doing?”

“This is a token of gratitude for liberating us. If you want more than that, let’s go to my hideout. But if we go, you’d better marry me for sure.”

She chuckled with her mouth covered. In the midst of that, Leones’ laughter stopped abruptly. I could sense the ominous killing intent even I, a mere bystander, felt slowly behind me.

The heroes were raising weapons, ready to swing them at Leones. Meanwhile, Maria had already started conjuring a massive fireball with her magic.

“Master, don’t stop me.”

“Can I kill her, Master?”

“Damn you, bitch…!”

You guys, calm down already.

“Enough!”

“Master! We need to teach that ungrateful girl a lesson through pain!”

“I said stop!”

“But!”

As I narrowed my eyes, Maria flinched. Reluctantly, she dismissed her magic and pouted her lips. Tina and Iris also hesitantly sheathed their swords, watching my reaction.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

I stood up and said. Leones stood up beside me.

“Wait a minute. You still haven’t answered my question about the future.”

“Oh, that. I can’t see it.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t see the future.”

“What?! Then why did you ask that question?”

“I was just curious how people would react if they could see the future.”

Leones squinted her eyes at me suspiciously.

“Then how do you know that the demons will invade?”

“I already fought them several times before. The demons must be pretty angry. I’ve pummelled them each time they came.”

“Right. Got it. I’ll take your word for it. Then should I go to your students before I pass away?”

Leones waved her hand, laughing lightly. The heroes looked at her retreating figure with displeased expressions.

“Master.”

“What is it?”

“Since we’ve held back, can we do the same thing as that person?”

What…?! Are you talking about kissing?

“How long will we just be watching?”

Maria was demanding with Tina joining in. Iris didn’t say anything but seemed to agree with those two.

It looks like they were upset that I was publicly displaying affection with another girl.

But none of this was even part of my intention! Isn’t it a bit unfair?

“…If you still have feelings for me when you turn twenty, I’ll consider it.”

As unreasonable as it was, I couldn’t flirt with the kids. However, if I rejected them, the heroes might accumulate their anger towards Leones.

Because of that, I had no choice but to postpone this until they became adults.

The heroes’ expressions were still sour, but they seemed to be trying to understand.

“Five years. It’s a long time. I’ll be sure to take interest in it. Even if you say no later, I’ll go ahead and do it…”

“I won’t refuse then.”

“Did you promise?”

Just like that, Iris stepped forward, taking the dice faster than anyone else.

“If you don’t keep it, even if you’re a Master, we’ll make sure to do it forcefully.”

After the other heroes stepped forward, the situation hopefully came to an end. I felt somewhat cornered. I’ll make sure to slap Leones when I meet her again.

“Let’s head back now.”

“Oh, Master. Can I ask one thing?”

Just as Maria was about to use Teleport, Iris grabbed my arm.

“What is it?”

“Didn’t you say you could see the future?”

“…I think I told you I can’t.”

“It’s too much to lie to us.”

It’s not a lie; it’s the truth…

But when they asked me how I knew they’d awaken as heroes, I couldn’t throw back a solid answer, so I couldn’t avoid saying “no” till the end.

“Why are you asking about that?”

“If you can see the future… perhaps…!”

With a bit raspy breath, Iris gulped.

“In the future, who will Master marry?”

…What?

That was an utterly unexpected question. As I blanked out, curiosity flickered over Tina’s and Maria’s faces.

“Oh! That’s right! If you know the future, you can see that too!”

The heroes sent eager glances my way, filled with expectation.

This is driving me mad, really.
This isn’t a dating game!

Indeed, it seems that the greatest variable in this world is ‘love.’

*

With less than a day to go until the slave liberation.

I was alone on the Terrace of Duke Aus’ castle. The heroes were blissfully asleep. Although I got caught on my way out, I covered it up saying I went to the bathroom.

“Hey, Praus.”

“Urka…?”

At the voice calling me, I turned around to see Urka waving her hand from the window on a higher floor.