My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 189

BANG!

The door to the tailor shop swung open forcefully.

Everyone inside the tailor shop jumped in surprise and stared at the door.

There stood the Crown Prince, gasping for breath, boldly.

“Your Majesty!”

“…Continue.”

Lupin spoke to the maids who were checking his attire. At his words, they hurriedly resumed their tasks.

The maids carefully adjusted the Emperor’s clothing, making sure not a single wrinkle remained, and draped a cloak over his shoulders.

“All done, Your Majesty.”

Once the maids finished their work, they politely retreated. Lupin glanced at his outfit and nodded in satisfaction.

Watching this, Chris was fuming.

“Once you’re done, get out at once!”

At Chris’s roar, the maids looked to Lupin for guidance. Lupin sighed and quietly said, “Leave.”

The maids quickly exited the tailor shop. As soon as they were out, Chris slammed the door and glared at his father.

“Your Majesty… No, Abamama! Are you really going to do as Praus commands?”

“…What are you talking about now?”

Lupin clicked his tongue. He had just gathered his thoughts, but looking at his son brought a wave of regret and doubt about the deal he made with Praus.

“It’s about the liberation of the other races! I’ve been telling you, Abamama, for months! Why are you going along with Praus’s wishes?”

“Should I just stand by and watch as the Empire built by me and my predecessors collapses?”

“But……!”

“Do you think I can ignore the meteor looming above your head and still say such things? Do you even realize what would have happened if it had truly fallen on Pretéum?”

It would have been devastation.

With that addition, Lupin scowled at an unexpected wave of fatigue that hit him.

“Still, don’t you think liberating the other races is going too far?”

“Praus’s demands have been consistent from the beginning! Incorporating Duke Tori Aus to his side! Making contact with other Grand Dukes! Breaking off Seri’s engagement to elevate him as Emperor! Having formal duels with Urka and Soro! Threatening the royal family!”

As Lupin recited everything Praus had done, he realized just how thoroughly prepared he was.

“All of it! All of it! It was all for the liberation of the other races! With that level of thoroughness, his strength surpasses S-Class. No, he might even win against the entire Empire. If you were in my position, would you refuse such a deal?”

“I wouldn’t have done it.”

“Do you think you could have? For what reason? He’s a rational person. He cannot be persuaded with mere absurdities.”

“Still, it doesn’t have to be about liberating other races. Then why on earth did you initiate a massacre? Were you planning to give up this easily?”

“You… did you just say I easily gave up?”

As Lupin glared fiercely, Chris flinched.

“Do you even realize how many from the White Light and Black Light Corps died in the last battle?”

The casualties and injuries numbered forty-six in total. While most ended up with injuries rather than fatalities, losing three S-Class was the biggest blow. The absence of those three S-Class meant a weakening of the imperial authority.

“They were originally supposed to give their lives for the royal family!”

“…You really treat people like expendable commodities.”

Feeling exposed, Chris couldn’t muster a response.

“Fine. Let’s set aside their sacrifices for now. If the meteor had struck, how many lives do you think would have been lost?”

“That’s….”

The moment Chris imagined a meteor crashing down, he found himself speechless. He knew that most inhabitants of the capital would have perished.

“But I doubt Praus would have dropped a meteor onto the capital, wishing for the liberation of the other races. The fact that he possesses immense power while putting Seri at the forefront indicates that, for reasons unknown, the Empire must be valuable to him.”

“Even if that’s true, we would have perished that day. And Seri would have become the Emperor.”

Chris’s logic accurately pinpointed Praus’s thoughts, and Lupin agreed with his words. However, Chris had not foreseen the looming consequences.

“Praus deserves to be punished for insulting the royal family. Yet, recognize that he is a necessary existence for the peace of the Empire. Acknowledge him and utilize him. Just by doing that, the Empire can become safe from the Demon Tribe. That alone makes the liberation of other races worthwhile.”

“…Then why did you initiate a massacre? Are you not afraid of giving up so easily?”

The massacre caused numerous knights to develop trauma, leaving behind irreparable scars on the other races. Chris could not understand why his father seemed so willing to give up after such immense sacrifice.

“I merely intended to use them for the development of the Empire. Even if the Empire has been deemed rotten, has it not made significant progress compared to what my predecessors built?”

“Then shouldn’t we continue to utilize them?”

“As long as Praus exists, it’s impossible. Even if I had not accepted his deal, he would have forcibly liberated the slaves.”

“Is the imperial authority so diminished that it can’t even capture a mere commoner?”

“Diminished… you say?”

Lupin’s expression twisted at Chris’s provocative statement. His clenched fist tightened as he strode toward Chris.

With every step he took, the ornate robe he wore shimmered with countless jewels and sparkled brilliantly.

“If you dare say that… then go ahead and try.”

“Pardon?”

Lupin stood before Chris, removing the crown he wore and holding it out.

“Try to face Praus as Emperor.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“However, if you do face Praus, you’ll have to stake everything. Your life, status, rights—everything. You’re saying you’re prepared to gamble your life, right?”

“Yes! I’ve been ready since I was chosen as the next Crown Prince!”

To the Emperor, it seemed to imply that Chris had made up his mind to eliminate the other princes.

“…Alright, give it a shot. But remember this: the moment you become hostile to Praus, victory will elude you. You will undoubtedly be forced to step down from the Emperor’s seat.”

In truth, Lupin had not wanted to say those words.

He wanted to tell him to cherish his brothers after becoming Emperor. He wanted to warn him not to oppose Praus at all. Yet, through this conversation, he felt it was impossible to convince his son.

“That will never happen.”

Seeing Chris’s confidence, Lupin slowly closed and opened his eyes. He had an instinctual feeling that the next Emperor would be Seri, but he deliberately ignored it.

“I will hand over this crown to you before the year ends.”

This meant he intended to hold the imperial coronation ceremony before the year was out. Chris wasn’t foolish enough not to understand that, and his previously stern expression changed drastically. Instantly, his eyes filled with authority.

“I hope you will take over and shine this Empire.”

“…Leave it to me, Your Majesty.”

Feeling anxious as he looked at Chris, Lupin reassured himself.

‘This will be enough. This will…’

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking echoed through the quiet tailor shop.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Tori Aus, Your Majesty. I’ve come to escort you now that it’s time.”

“Let’s go.”

Lupin donned his crown again and left the tailor shop. For one last task before stepping down from his position as Emperor.

*

“WAAAAH—!”

Before the Emperor could speak, the citizens erupted in cheers, loud enough to shake the heavens. But most of the shouts came from humans, while the other races scowled at him discontentedly.

“There are bound to be those who welcome me here, and those who don’t.”

Emperor Lupin spoke into the megaphone.

He was calm. Despite standing before a vast crowd, there was no tremor in his voice.

“I know. I have committed acts to such a degree that I am called the worst among past emperors, acts that should never have been done. It is only natural for you to criticize me. You can say anything you like.”

Before his words even finished, boos erupted from the crowd. Some even threw objects toward the balcony, knowing they wouldn’t reach.

“I am aware of the mistakes I’ve made, and I have felt doubt and regret about my actions. Yet, I do not believe that mere apologies now will grant me forgiveness. Countless individuals have faced unreasonable sacrifices due to my overreach, and how can apologies alone bring forgiveness?”

“If you regretted it… you should have done it earlier…!”

“You knew and did it anyway…!”

As the crowd jeered, Iris and Maria simultaneously gritted their teeth. I cautiously approached and grabbed their hands.

“T-teacher?”

As I gently opened their hands, I noticed their nails had dug deep into their flesh, causing considerable bleeding.

“Don’t get too worked up. You both know well that the Emperor is that kind of person.”

“…Yes…”

I sprinkled some potion on their hands. While the traces of blood couldn’t be erased, their wounds healed almost instantly.

“Even so, I must apologize to you. It is an act that should never be committed by a human, to trample upon your dignity for the sake of the Empire’s prosperity. I sincerely apologize.”

He said he was sorry but didn’t bow.

For the Emperor to bow would imply the Empire had surrendered to the other races.

Yet, merely saying he was sorry could sway the crowd. They showed visible surprise at his unexpected words amidst their relentless jeers.

“Washing the sins away?”

I muttered as I listened to the Emperor’s speech.

“Washing the sins away? Where did laundry come into play?”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

I had half-heartedly suspected it. To think he would try to wash away the mistakes he’s made in his speech without letting it affect Chris.

From then on, he continued the speech with excuses, and when it seemed to reach its conclusion, he began to get to the point.

“Having apologized, obviously, responsibility must follow. Today, I intend to announce a significant fact to all the other races in the Empire.”

At the mention of a significant fact, the crowd murmured. The Emperor took a moment to study the audience carefully.

As everyone listening to the Emperor’s speech became anxious with a mix of anticipation and fear, his voice rang out once more.

“I have always believed that I cannot impose sacrifices upon them indefinitely and that I should not continue treating them unjustly. Therefore, from this speech onward, I declare the liberation of the slaves among the other races and acknowledge their independence.”

His proclamation echoed through the megaphone.

The world seemed to pause momentarily. No one spoke until everyone grasped what he was saying.

And then suddenly.

“WAAAAH—!”

“UAHH!!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

“It really… really happened…….”

Urka, who had been listening to the speech in a daze, suddenly collapsed. She began to weep uncontrollably.

As if feeling her emotions, Iris and Maria started crying as well. Seeing this, Tina embraced the two of them.

“Great job, kids.”

“Yeah!”

Iris, who was in Tina’s arms, looked at me.

“Teacher, thank you.”

There was a depth of meaning in that gratitude.

It was indeed regrettable that I couldn’t hand the opportunity for the liberation of slaves to Iris, but given the favorable outcome, I decided to be content with it.

“Really… thank you.”

Seeing Iris tightly hugging Tina, I awkwardly replied.

“…Sure.”