My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 222

After Praus left the Spirit Realm, the Heroes plunged into training to break through their limits as soon as possible, but distracting thoughts kept holding them back.

“……This isn’t working after all.”

Tina, who had been staring at the All-Cutting Sword, suddenly sprang to her feet.

“Great World Tree.”

“Yes?”

Yggdrasil, watching over the Heroes’ growth in place of Praus, looked perplexed as Tina approached her, brandishing her sword.

“Please send me to the Human World.”

“But Praus told you to stay here until you break through your limits, didn’t he?”

“I’m asking you to send me anyway! The Teacher can’t hold back the Demon Tribe alone. I need to go. Iris and Maria can take turns growing after me.”

“Um… I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

Yggdrasil shook her head. She also believed that Praus’s judgment was sound. They needed to achieve their breakthroughs before the Demon War intensified to even start a counterattack.

Knowing this, Praus had left the Heroes behind and gone alone.

“I will only send you to the Human World when all three Heroes have successfully broken through their limits. There will be no compromise.”

Yggdrasil said this, pretending not to notice Iris and Maria, who were focusing on her words.

“Why……! I could break through after going to the Human World!”

Tina’s irresponsible statement made Yggdrasil sigh.

“Don’t rely on such an uncertain probability. Praus merely chose the best course of action. For the sake of humanity’s future.”

“If things go wrong, the Teacher might die! Remaining here will only distract me; I won’t be able to do it properly.”

“If you have time to say such things, how about focusing on grasping the essence even a little? If you truly think every second counts.”

“……Damn it.”

Tina bit her lower lip and clenched her fists tightly.

“……What if.”

“What?”

“What if the Teacher dies? I won’t forgive it.”

“……Praus is a strong person. He won’t easily fall.”

As she spoke, Yggdrasil forced a smile at Tina’s hostility. She had never imagined that one of her blessed Heroes would harbor such animosity towards her.

In the end, Tina reluctantly returned to her place. Iris and Maria also tried their best not to show their feelings, but they couldn’t completely hide their anxious hearts.

“……I’m worried I might die, so make sure to stay alive until the Heroes arrive, Praus.”

Yggdrasil felt the massive magic close to the roots she had laid in the Human World and gently closed her eyes.

*

“It’s disgustingly chaotic.”

As the army approached, it felt like vast magic was gathering. Even though I couldn’t see it with my eyes to gauge its size, just breathing made my throat tremble with a tingling sensation.

“Do we have a chance?”

Urka stood next to me and asked.

“No.”

“That’s a really discouraging thing to say.”

Urka chuckled in disbelief. But what could I do? I could slow the army down, but stopping it alone was impossible. Probably 95 percent of the soldiers here would die.

I didn’t say anything for the morale of the knights, but I felt guilty towards them. No one would recognize them if they died here.

“Urka, you take on the Demon Tribe until the 2nd Legion breaks through the city wall, then return to Aus Territory. Conserve your stamina.”

“What about you, Praus?”

“I’ll be following soon.”

I didn’t know who would rise as the next Deputy Commander, but he wouldn’t be as bothersome as Pero.

Originally, I would have wanted to send Iris to Urka’s side to try and stop the 1st Legion’s advance, but it couldn’t be helped now.

So, I planned to kill Lichen if possible, reduce the numbers of the 2nd Legion, and then flee to Aus Territory. The 1st Legion’s advance was far more terrifying, so I had to stop Peremus in Aus Territory with Urka.

“Ariel, set up the teleportation spells in advance.”

“Okay. I’ll prepare them.”

It wouldn’t be long before we would witness the spectacle of the Demon Tribe invading the Empire. I wondered if the Heroes were doing well…….

“Hey, Praus.”

“Yeah?”

I heard a rough male voice beside me. There stood a tanned muscular man with blond hair, a great sword slung on his back.

“……Inkuro, why are you here?”

“You’re going. There’s no way I’d just sit back like a coward.”

Such pride.

At first, he reminded me of a golden sun from a fictional work, and given his obsession with women, I didn’t want to see him much, but now, he honestly seemed like a comedic character. Of course, he might be a reliable ally in battle.

“It’s not cowardly at all. Everyone fears death.”

“Then why are you here? Because you’re a Hero?”

A Hero……

It’s a very useful identity in this world, but during the Demon War, it’s the worst identity of all. Heroes are always forcibly sent to the frontlines simply because they are Heroes.

“I can’t play such a grand role as a Hero. Those people have already been decided.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

What nonsense? It means I’ll just pretend and slip away.

“A fool would never understand that.”

“What?!”

As Inkuro lunged at me like a bull, Urka stepped in.

“Don’t touch Praus, you pig!”

“What did you just call me, you stupid girl?”

“Pig?! I’ll kill you before you kill any Demon Tribe members!”

“That’s what I hoped for!”

Seeing the two actually ready to fight as they both drew their weapons, I let out a sigh. It seemed like peace was nowhere in sight.

“Ah, speaking of which… Hey, Praus. Is that girl coming?”

After their skirmish, Inkuro asked while pushing Urka away.

“That girl?”

“Stella, the one I tried to buy as a slave years ago.”

“……Ah, you were interested in Stella. But it’s been years already; you still haven’t given up?”

“Of course not. That girl is mine.”

At this point, it was more pure love than NTR, right?

“That girl is a member of the Demon Tribe. I once tried to persuade her, but her resentment towards humans was too strong, so she wouldn’t even listen.”

“You spoke to her?! You bastard! I had my eyes on her first! If you touch her, I’ll kill you.”

“……I’m not interested. Stella isn’t the kind of slave you think she is.”

“I don’t care who got to her first. The fact that she’s not a virgin makes her even more appealing. Looks like you really know nothing.”

What a crazy guy. Honestly, that golden sun character……

As I silently cursed and looked at him with disdain, I softly said.

“……Stella will be heading toward the Aioum Kingdom via the Beastman and Elf forest. It’s anticipated she will manipulate her route through the Aioum Kingdom towards the Kalus Territory.”

I had already mentioned the Demon Tribe’s expected movements in the noble meeting room, but I mentioned it once more.

“I know that already.”

“I’m merely saying this because if you still have an interest in her, you should consider meeting her.”

“Hmph. I don’t need your meddling. I’ll handle it my way.”

“You can handle it your way, but you won’t be able to face the army by yourself. Princess Seri has already sent a delegation to the Aioum Kingdom, so we should receive the cooperation permit soon. It might be better to act then.”

“Alright. Then until that time, I’ll have to beat up the knights coming from that forest over there.”

This guy really was consistent.

*

Time passed, and night fell.

As I looked up at the full moon in the sky, Ariel came closer and whispered.

“Praus.”

“Yeah. I can see it.”

I murmured as I looked at the glinting armor reflecting the moonlight. I thought it would take longer, but they arrived much faster than expected.

Did it really take less than two days……?

It looked like fighting without the Heroes was unavoidable.

I clenched and relaxed my fists, feeling the incoming tension. My palms became drenched in sweat, and I wiped them off on my clothes while stretching.

“Pasma, what’s your status?”

[No problems. What about you, Praus?]

“It’s the worst.”

It’s truly the worst.

Originally, a commoner should have evacuated before a war, and yet here I was on the front lines, so it couldn’t possibly get any worse.

I wouldn’t have minded if I had at least been able to manage my expressions and fully utilize the World Tree’s power.

[Is that so? But you’ve managed to get through such crises well before, so I trust you.]

You’re adding a lot of pressure there.

[This will probably be stronger than any Demon Tribe you’ve faced before. Perhaps at the level of Peremus.]

“I know.”

Since I had already informed him of my plans, he seemed to have steeled himself in preparation.

[I’ll focus entirely on moving your body. I hope you’ll devote all your energy to coming up with a counterplan.]

“There’s no counterplan. The current situation is worse than any I’ve imagined before. I have a clear way to significantly reduce power, though.”

To console the sacrificed knights on the border, I intended to cut off power at least double.

“The movement of the Demon Knights has stopped!”

A knight on the city wall shouted.

A man in black armor raised his sword high. It pulsed like a living sword, and his eyes fixated on us.

I stood on the city wall railing at that moment.

“None of you follow me. If the Demon Tribe approaches the wall, don’t hesitate to kill them. I leave it to you.”

I jumped down from the wall. Ariel set up a platform at just the right moment, allowing me to land safely.

I moved forward alone.

I walked slowly, trying not to provoke any reactions.

As I got closer, it seemed to grow even larger. The distance between us felt like it was two heads tall.

“Stop right there.”

A solemn yet weighty voice emanated from the black armor, halting my steps. Keeping a certain distance, we gazed at each other.

Behind him stood countless knights clad in purple armor, ready to charge at any command. It was clear they would rush the wall if given orders.

“Black hair and black eyes… So, you are Praus.”

“……Yeah.”

“How did you make it this far? Are you inviting death? Or do you think you can crush our 2nd Legion single-handedly?”

“I just want to see if I can test my strength against you before I die.”

“Test your strength against me……?”

Laughter leaked from within the armor.

“Did you really think you could beat me in a one-on-one duel?!”

Killing intent crawled all over my body. My fingers trembled incessantly. If it weren’t for managing my expression, my face would have been a complete mess.

“Yeah. I can win.”

I focused my eyes, trying not to lose. I released my intent to kill, causing a groan to rise from the army.

“That mana…… not bad. Judging by your mana alone, I can understand your confidence. But this is war. There’s no reason for me to listen to your words.”

“Are you scared?”

“……What did you just say? Scared? You’re the one hastening your own doom!”

The pulsating tip of Miles turned toward me. In an instant, I regretted provocatively, but I couldn’t back down now.

“If you truly are a knight, then accept my duel. Show the Demon King the first trophy by cutting off my head honorably.”

“You clearly intend to use this duel to demand that your army stop if you win, right? But even if I accept your duel, it doesn’t mean my army will stop!”

“I don’t care.”

“……What?”

“I’m only saying I want to fight you one-on-one as a knight. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“As a knight…”

Even though I’m not a knight, I could easily bluff my way through.

If I could turn the situation in my favor, I’d do anything.

After pondering for a while, Lichen sheathed his sword. The hostility directed towards me slightly softened.

“……Fine. No one is to touch Praus. With my first strike, I will present Praus’s head to the Demon King.”

Is this actually going to work? This Demon really has a knightly spirit.

“Yes! Commander Lichen!”

Great, the stage has been set.

I never thought I could stop the army from advancing. Naturally, I didn’t think I could defeat Lichen either.

My goal was simply to reduce the army’s power.

“Draw your sword, Praus! The moment you draw your sword, my army will attack the wall, and that will mark the beginning of the duel.”

Lichen said, folding his arms with ease.

“Of course, Ariel beside you can’t intervene.”

He must have discerned even that she was a Spirit King at a glance. He truly was no push-over.

“Are you not ‘two’ as well?”

“Oh, so you understood to that extent. But don’t worry. I won’t use Miles’s ability. I’ll fight you purely with swordsmanship. Rest assured.”

“Is that so.”

I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, spread my feet apart, and took my stance.

From here on out, one mistake means death. I steeled myself and took a deep breath.

“「Yokai」.”

As I called out the skill name, I drew my sword.

It was the start of war.