My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 197

“Indeed. Surveillance Magic…”

“Right. Former Emperor Lupin set up the Surveillance Magic out of fear he might be assassinated, but now that there’s something more pressing, we need to change how it’s utilized.”

Maria switches the target of her Surveillance Magic from Lupin to Chris, monitoring every single one of his actions.

Since the Surveillance Magic has a recording feature, if we can capture even a small piece of evidence, we can corner him.

If Raghur had made a deal, I would expect to see Magic Beasts coming out, but remembering that there was no sign of magic energy coming from his body, it’s safe to assume a contract has been made.

And when a contract is established, a mark is always left on the back of the hand. This setting is absolute, and there’s no avoiding it.

“But Teacher, will Emperor Chris show any openings?”

“If he has dispelled the illusion, he will definitely show an opening.”

Given the response after using the True Word, it seems he did dispel the illusion, but his answer of ‘no’ indicates there’s a possibility he hasn’t.

Chris could simply see Raghur as a spirit and contracted with him.

“But we still need to stay prepared on our end. So…”

As I spoke to Maria, I turned around. Behind me stood the Spirit King, who had remained silent with a bitten lower lip ever since Raghur’s name was mentioned.

“Ariel, you need to explain everything you know about that guy. No details about Raghur should be left out.”

There are still fragments of knowledge in this world that I do not know. Naturally, there are parts I can’t remember either. I am neither a god nor the World Tree.

“…You even know about Raghur? You really seem to know everything.”

“I’m asking because I don’t know.”

In truth, I do have a general understanding. While variables can arise from actions, the character’s setting itself does not change.

“Do you realize how rude it is to ask the Spirit King about the disgrace of the Spirit Realm?”

“The current Emperor might be connected to the Demon Tribe. This isn’t the time to nitpick about such things.”

If we’re not careful, we could easily be devoured by the Demon Tribe from the inside out. The moment the Empire is neutralized, this world will explode. There’s no need for the Demon War to break out.

For instance, what if Chris listened to Raghur and ordered his knights to attack the Other Races? The knights below, having no idea what’s happening, would prepare for war, just like former Emperor Lupin initiated the Massacre of the Other Races.

This is definitely not something to brush off lightly.

“Speak. Tell me everything you know about Raghur.”

“Raghur… Ever since he became an Intermediate Spirit and developed a self, he has been a special existence in the Spirit Realm. He was the only spirit capable of perfectly wielding all four attributes. There are hardly any spirits with high responsiveness to all attributes. Even among us Spirit Kings, not all attributes are strong. We can manage up to the 8th tier overall, but…”

If he can use other attributes up to the 8th tier aside from his main attribute, isn’t that good enough to be called an All-Attribute Spirit?

“The World Tree often warned Raghur that having high responsiveness to all attributes makes it easy to lose one’s identity.”

“I see.”

“When Raghur climbed to the Intermediate Spirit level, he expressed his desire to become a Spirit King to the World Tree. However, the Spirit King said it was only those chosen by him that could rise to that level, and firmly rejected him.”

I’m aware of this story too. After Maria killed Raghur during the Demon War, it was visible in the ensuing flashback scene where even the Spirit Kings talked about it with emotion upon witnessing his death.

“But unable to hold back, Raghur confronted the World Tree, claiming he possessed excellent responsiveness to all attributes and could defeat the Spirit Kings. In the end, the World Tree granted Raghur a chance.”

“If he wins a duel against a Spirit King of the same attribute, he would be allowed to become one?”

“Yes, that’s right. However, Raghur was unable to defeat any Spirit King. The difference was minuscule, rooted in the comprehension of attributes. Even if they share the same attribute, skills have strengths and weaknesses. The gap in understanding was just a bit insufficient.”

So that outstanding spirit was taken by the Demon King?

“But… Raghur could not acknowledge the outcome, and after a certain day, he left the Spirit Realm. It seems there was some conversation between him and the World Tree during that time. The voice of the World Tree, filled with rage, was something I had never heard before. I tried to ask what they talked about, but he wouldn’t tell me, so I couldn’t find out.”

I know what that conversation was about. The World Tree told Raghur that if he insisted on being obstinate, it would strip him of his powers. Raghur’s high responsiveness to all attributes was not due to some special factor; it was intentionally set by the World Tree to be specialized in all attributes.

So that it wouldn’t be a problem to support a Spirit King in any situation or position.

But when the spirit created to assist insisted on becoming a Spirit King, the World Tree couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Ultimately, after a conflict, Raghur faced the danger of having his powers stripped away, and just before he was about to lose it all, he escaped from the Spirit Realm.

The World Tree can intervene without thinking about the consequences only within the Spirit Realm, so it couldn’t do anything about Raghur once he left it.

Infuriated by the World Tree that sought to strip him of his powers, Raghur went to the Demon World and pledged loyalty to the Demon King, fully taking the path of the Demon Tribe.

As he crushed the lower demons in his way, he eventually claimed the position of Deputy Commander.

His official rank in the Demon World is 6th. That means he is the strongest aside from the Demon King and the Commander.

“I didn’t expect Raghur to leave the Spirit Realm and join the Demon Tribe.”

“I get the gist of things. No matter what caused him to become a Demon, it doesn’t matter. Now that he’s one, he is our enemy.”

“That guy is a disgrace to the Spirit Realm. I think he must be killed. The spirit who should protect the World Tree is siding with the Demon Tribe…”

Ariel’s brow furrowed deeply. I could see her barely suppressing her anger.

“Tell me about his abilities.”

“As I said, Raghur can wield all attributes. Oh, I’ve heard that after becoming a Demon, he has gained the ability to use an illusion skill. Right now, he might be much stronger than our Spirit Kings.”

So this part seems unchanged from what I know. If this hasn’t changed, then Maria should be enough.

“It’ll be strong. Demons grow stronger as they consume each other. Even if it’s a spirit, he has the Demon King’s power backing him, which means this won’t change. I estimate Raghur’s power level is at the 9th tier of all attributes.”

Though I said “estimate,” it’s likely that he really is at the 9th tier. This means Chris is currently at the level of a 9th tier Magician. Even if the illusion is dispelled, the contract will remain in effect.

Of course, the tier and frequency he can use will vary depending on the amount of mana the contractor has, but it is indeed true that he has grown stronger.

“If he’s at the 9th tier of all attributes…”

“Right. I wonder if all the Spirit Kings combined can even possibly win against him.”

“Then what do we do? Can we win?”

“There is a way.”

I gently rubbed the head of the elf who was staring intently through the sights revealed by the Surveillance Magic. Her blonde hair flowed smoothly under my hand.

“Maria will be the one to face him.”

Right now, Maria can contend with Raghur. However, for her to win convincingly, she would need to break through the 9th tier. She must reach that state while synergizing with the Primordial Staff, which is blue.

If that happens, Maria should easily handle someone like Raghur.

“Leave it to me!”

Maria huffed, clenching her fists. I smiled softly and continued to pet her head.

“Of course, first, we need to deal with Chris, who seems to have contracted with Raghur. But we don’t have a reason for that.”

The newly crowned Emperor’s neck doesn’t have any justification for being severed.

The Other Races have been freed, and the succession of the Emperor has concluded. In the serene atmosphere of the Empire, we could not recklessly initiate conflict without reason.

“Unless we can prove that Raghur is behind Chris, we have no choice but to wait until they act.”

Even if our response is somewhat delayed, that is the best we can do. However, that doesn’t mean I plan to sit idly like an idiot.

It may not be beneficial for us to provide information at this point, but I feel it would be necessary to speak with the former Emperor, who is also Chris’s father.

After all, he’s trying to kill his own son, so he should at least be prepared mentally.

*

Knock knock.

A man with violet hair, Raghur, knocked on the door of the house.

“Is anyone there?”

“…Who is it?”

An elderly man with white hair and one arm opened the door. Upon seeing Raghur’s youthful appearance, missing an arm yet with white hair, he realized this person was Ter.

“Is this the home of Soro and Ter… the S-Class siblings?”

“…You seem to have come to the wrong place. Please go back.”

“Hmmm. You look just like I was informed. A white-haired one-armed man with a woman whose self-esteem has dropped to the floor. You’re Mr. Ter and Ms. Soro, right?”

Raghur smiled as he peered into the house through magic. Inside, Soro sat hugging his knees.

“What do you want?”

Ter, gathering mana in his arm, revealed a killing intent as he questioned Raghur.

“Oh~ I’m not here to fight. I came to kidnap you because someone wants to see you.”

“You bastard! Compression!”

As soon as Ter targeted Raghur, he prepared to throw a punch. However, his fingers couldn’t fully fold.

Raghur had cast a barrier to prevent his magic from crushing his own body.

“Looks like I have to display my strength then.”

With a smirk, Raghur clasped his hands together, and in an instant, a multitude of magic circles spread out behind him.

“What attribute do you wish to be subdued by? Pick one.”

Behind him were countless derivative magic circles along with the four major attributes.

However, it wasn’t the number of magic circles that left Ter’s face in disbelief, but rather the magic energy emitting from Raghur’s shoulders.

He was grappling with a profound sense of defeat, feeling as if he stood before a Fratus showing his killing intent.

“What’s with that magic…?!”

“Oh, I just realized I haven’t introduced myself.”

With a scoff, Raghur replied.

“I am the Deputy Commander of the Third Legion, a Corrupted Spirit known as Raghur. Since we may become acquaintances in the future, let me greet you in advance.”

“What did you just say…?”

“In any case, my objective is to take you and your sister with me. If you come quietly, I won’t cause you any pain.”

“Shut up!”

Seeing Ter preparing to gather mana and use a skill, Raghur sighed. But at that moment, the corners of his mouth lifted.

“To act recklessly without even gauging the opponent’s ability. If you continue that way, you’ll quickly die in the Demon World. However, your fighting spirit passes.”

*

“My Demon King, I have brought them.”

Thud.

As Raghur relaxed his grip, Soro and Ter fell face-first onto the red carpet. Next to them, Raghur knelt on one knee and bowed his head. Blas rested his chin in his hand, speaking lazily from the throne.

“You arrived earlier than I expected.”

“It seems Fratus noticed my presence, so I retreated immediately.”

“You realized it even with the use of illusions?”

“Yes. Fratus is also skilled in mind magic.”

“Were you unable to discern Fratus’s true identity?”

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t ascertain that. However, what’s certain is that the information he possesses is astonishing. He might even be one step ahead of us.”

I reported this with trepidation, worrying that I might offend Blas. Blas glanced at him indifferently and nodded.

“…I see. For now, that much is understood. Still, it seems you managed to return with a good outcome. I’m glad to have depended on you. You’ve worked hard.”

“Thank you.”

Raghur deeply bowed his head, then glared at the still unresponsive siblings.

“Hey, how long are you going to lie there? You should bow to the Demon King this instant!”

“M-Master Demon King…?”

The moment Ter lifted his head to meet Blas’s gaze, his pupils expanded. Just locking eyes momentarily with the overwhelming pressure rendered him unable to breathe properly.

As fear consumed him, Ter began to tremble uncontrollably, leading him to bow his forehead against the ground. Soro followed suit.

Before the dreadful magic, they couldn’t even raise their heads.

“…Is this what an S-Class is like? Pitiful.”

Blas sneered disdainfully as he studied the siblings attentively.

“I have just one question. Do you want to kill Fratus?”

Amidst the fear of Fratus’s name, Soro and Ter lifted their heads unconsciously.

“Oh?”

Blas found their gazes interesting. While overshadowed by horror, there was undeniably a clear intent to kill in their eyes.

“Fascinating. The desire to kill Fratus seems to be even stronger than mine.”

As Blas muttered, he readjusted himself.

“Very well. I’ll personally offer you a deal.”

“A-a deal, you say?”

“Yes. A deal.”

“May I ask what kind of deal it entails?”

Soro barely managed to ask.

“It’s simple. Join the First Legion, grow stronger than any Demon, and fill the vacancy of Pero. Then kill Fratus. In return, I will grant you power unlike anything you’ve ever known. So, what do you say? Will you take the challenge?”

Blas was prepared to kill them if they declined. Mere will can’t kill Fratus without the determination to act.

Soro and Ter exchanged glances for a moment before nodding.

“If… if we can kill Fratus and his disciples, we will accept. Please allow us.”

“…Very well. The deal is sealed.”

At the moment the Demon King announced, black flames appeared from the void, embedding themselves into Soro and Ter’s chests.

“The collateral for this deal is your lives. The moment you lose your will to kill Fratus, those flames will incinerate you.”

The Demon King conjured two orbs and threw them to the ground.

“I’ve condensed some magic energy. Eat it.”

Soro and Ter crawled toward the orbs, nearly simultaneously putting them in their mouths.

“Ugh!!”

The moment they swallowed the orbs, they couldn’t help but scream at the intense pain engulfing their bodies.

This was the process of humans transforming into demons.

Nerves throughout their bodies were severed, bones shattered, and muscles ruptured. Even their brain cells were transformed until there was not a single one left, rendering them incapable of comprehending human thought processes.

The transformation from human to demon typically takes days, filled with relentless agony.

The demons born in this manner were left with no choice but to pledge their loyalty before Blas.

“How beautiful. The sight of a human falling into corruption.”

Watching the two writhing in pain, the Demon King found himself captivated, as if rediscovering a long-forgotten leisure.