My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 233

When I possessed Pasma’s body and talked with Ariel, I always had this thought.

Is Ariel really facing Pasma, I wondered.

Thinking back, it’s quite a question, isn’t it? Even though I possessed Pasma’s body, the one she was looking at was me.

She was seeing my face and hearing my voice.

Could she truly think 100% that the person she was conversing with was Pasma?

Of course, even if I intended to act, Ariel would catch on.

After all, we were lovers, and given how she still mourned and suffered, she likely remembered most of Pasma’s life.

Yet, in the end, the one she was talking to was still me.

While I lent my body to Pasma, I found myself questioning this relationship time and again.

Nevertheless, I didn’t complain.

I knew Ariel was mentally relying on this relationship so much, and refusing would only put me at a loss, so I couldn’t stop their conversation.

Thus, I accepted it with averted eyes, hoping for things to improve.

I never expected it would come back to me like this.

“——Useless?”

I sighed.

“Praus!”

“Hmm?”

I glanced sideways at the sudden excited voice. There stood a woman with golden hair, looking puzzled.

“What’s wrong? Why are you spacing out in the middle of a conversation?”

“…Ah, right.”

Currently, I had come to the Emperor’s office.

Emperor Seri had asked me to come directly instead of sending any papers due to the overwhelming amount of paperwork from this war.

“Is it because so many people have died?”

“Exactly.”

“That’s a lie.”

What? How did she know?

My expression management skill should’ve kept my facial muscles completely still!

“Just a moment ago, your expression looked like you were missing a woman.”

“…No, it wasn’t.”

“Whether it is or not, hehe.”

Did she just probe me…?!

“I was almost upset, you know? If I were really thinking of a woman, I would have locked you in my room and seduced you so you couldn’t think of another woman!”

Seri said with a sly grin.

“Such a shame!”

“Don’t say that in front of my students or you’ll get yourself killed.”

“Then you’ll protect me, right? I’m still someone you can’t do without!”

“…You are quite cunning, huh?”

“Who taught me that? Hehe!”

She laughed while covering her mouth.

Truly, if I had to live in this world for the rest of my life, it would be more beneficial to have Seri as the Emperor.

It’s like how having connections with a president works in modern times.

I might even be able to ask for money when I’m low! Ah, is that too trashy? Hmmm.

“Now… let’s stop the jokes here.”

…Is that a joke? If everything said until now was serious, that would be a bit frightening.

“A lot of people have died in this war. The estimated numbers show millions.”

“I thought the damage wouldn’t be that bad since the heroes returned quickly?”

“It seems the Demon Tribe surrounding us has been relentless, and we lost about a third of the Empire’s force at the frontier. Six noble territories were completely devastated while our secondary defensive line was breached, so the damage likely amounts to that much.”

Millions, huh.

There probably wouldn’t be any registration of people like in modern times, so the actual deaths might be even higher.

“That’s not all. You know that most of the Beastmen living in the Beastmen’s Forest have returned to the Empire after Ecabel’s attack, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks to entering the Empire, most of the Beastman Tribe survived, but the Elf Tribe suffered devastating losses. I heard that before the 4th Legion went to the Aioum Kingdom, a massacre occurred in the Elf’s Forest.”

“How many were affected?”

“I don’t know exactly, but since not many Elves returned to the Empire, I think they also suffered millions in casualties.”

Does that mean the death toll from this war is nearing ten million?

It was a mind-numbing figure.

“Of course, many Elves have returned to the Empire after I ascended to the throne, so this number is somewhat exaggerated. To know for sure, we need the war to end first. Still, I’m thankful that because of you and the heroes, the death toll was limited to this. If things had gone poorly, we could have exceeded ten million casualties just from our Empire alone.”

It was an unbelievably high number to rationalize.

Even though this world had a larger population than many medieval settings, anyone would be shaken to hear that millions had died.

“Speaking of which, your students are currently in Aioum Kingdom to subjugate the 4th Legion, right?”

“That’s right. They rested all day yesterday, so their condition shouldn’t be bad.”

I had waited all day to recover my sword from the blacksmith.

So, this morning, when my vengeance was restored and I grabbed it, just as expected, I didn’t hear Pasma’s voice nor did any hologram appear.

I thought I should tell Ariel about this, but she hadn’t shown herself since she got angry with me. What on earth is she doing…?

“Then it seems the situation will be resolved quickly.”

“…I hope so.”

“…Praus, your body is here, yet your mind is somewhere else?”

“I’m just troubled by something.”

“Is someone you know hurt?”

Hurt, huh…

In a sense, yes, but it’s because of me.

“Not really. You don’t need to worry about that. But I don’t think I need to know about the casualties.”

“Ah, I just mentioned the casualties so you’d know. The main point is what comes next.”

“What is it?”

“I need to ask you for a favor.”

“A favor?”

“This is the crucial part. It seems that the territory the Legion trampled has been corrupted by magic. If we don’t resolve this issue, we won’t be able to restore the territory. What do you think we should do?”

“…I have someone trustworthy for that.”

But whether they would listen to the words that made Ariel angry remains to be seen.

“Is that so? That’s a relief. Then I’ll ask that person, and as for the reward, I’ll arrange to give it once the war is over.”

“There’s no need for a reward.”

“What? Why not?”

Seeing the puzzled look on Seri’s face, I couldn’t help but smirk.

“…That person is the Spirit King.”

*

“Ugh!”

Blood spattered from Inkuro’s mouth.

“Damn it. He’s several times stronger than when we fought in Pretéum…”

He poured a potion onto his severed left arm to stop the bleeding. But the magic seeping from the smaller wounds caused severe agony.

“Really pathetic. Is that all you’ve got? Here I am, facing you directly, and all I feel is disappointment.”

“Shut up, bastard. It’s not over yet.”

Inkuro gripped his zweihänder with his remaining right hand and swung it at Habito. But it was effortlessly blocked.

“Do you still not feel the gap between us?”

“A gap? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Boom!

He aimed at Habito’s chin, but Habito merely tilted his head slightly to dodge.

“From the moment you couldn’t unleash fire, this fight was already decided!”

Bam!

Inkuro, struck by a punch, flew back and crashed into an empty house, sprawling out. His abdomen, hit by Habito, twisted, leading to organ rupture.

As he vomited blood, he struggled to maintain consciousness, lifting his upper body with difficulty.

“Damn… it hurts like hell…”

The magic seeping through his body was disrupting his mana flow, making it difficult for him to summon the power of the spirits or to recover.

“Despite the pain from the magic, you’re not even screaming.”

“It itches, bastard.”

“When you were in Pretéum, the Grand Anti-Demon Magic had weakened the magic, so you might have been okay, but here, it’s a different story.”

He chuckled, walking toward Inkuro, blood pooling in his hand, gradually shifting into a spear shape.

“Habito.”

A voice echoed in Habito’s mind.

“Yes, Demon King.”

“Go to the Marquis Medis House and kill the butler, Paroco.”

“Me? Really?”

Habito couldn’t comprehend the Demon King’s intention behind the command.

“Indeed. With war ongoing, there shouldn’t be too many guards.”

“I can use the Demons I had previously planted without needing to go myself.”

“Currently, aside from your Legion, all the other Legions, including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd commanders, have collapsed. The only remaining Legion is yours.”

“…Are you saying to retreat?”

“Exactly. By now, the heroes might be heading your way. Before they arrive, retreat with the upper-ranking demons of the 4th Legion. It’s best not to fight a losing battle.”

“…Understood. I shall obey.”

Once the conversation with the Demon King ended, Habito conjured a spear made of blood. He hurled it straight at Inkuro.

“Just die already.”

“Ah… dammit. I wanted to have one last go with Stella…”

As Inkuro’s strength waned, closing his eyes, the turquoise barrier intercepted the spear.

“Phantom Wave Slash.”

With a clang, just as he barely opened his eyes, he gazed blankly at the sword energy pouring down from the sky.

Boom! Crash!

Just before the sword energy hit him, Habito dodged. A dark-haired girl landed in front of the collapsed Inkuro.

“Hey, what a mess you’re in!”

“Who are you…?”

*

The past territory of Count Forna.

Now it had become a desolate place, unmaintained and unused by anyone.

As Stella wandered through the mansion, she began sifting through the documents her father had used in his study.

However, since the royal family had already taken the important documents, obtaining any information from that time was impossible.

“What are you doing here?”

Lost in a nostalgic mood, she quickly stood up at the unfamiliar voice.

Stella looked at the white fox ears silhouetted in moonlight.

“You’re… that Beastman who was next to Praus in the Baron’s territory…?”

“…I sensed magic here and came looking. I didn’t expect to run into you in an unexpected place.”

Stella and Iris faced each other with surprise, yet neither let their guard down, ready to fight at any moment.

“…This is where I lived. When I was human.”

“Why are you here?”

“I just wanted to see it. I haven’t been able to come here for years after being sold as a slave.”

“I see.”

Iris didn’t care about Stella’s circumstances.

No matter how much of a human she once was, she was now a Demon who had undoubtedly killed countless people.

As a hero, she would show no mercy to demons.

However, one thing did weigh on her mind.

“Before we fight, can I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Do you have anything to say about my mentor?”

“Mentor… you mean Praus?”

Iris nodded. Stella hesitated for a moment before replying.

“I don’t have anything particular to say… but I do have a question.”

“A question?”

“When we fought at the Baron’s estate, it seemed like Praus knew me from the beginning. He seemed aware I would get dragged away by the demons. But I know nothing about Praus. What does he know about me to say he would turn me human again?”

“…My mentor doesn’t talk about it. I have no way of knowing your relationship with him. However, he has shown mercy to you, the only one among the demons. That is a definite fact.”

“Why do you think he showed mercy?”

“I don’t know. I can’t fathom what my mentor is thinking. Still… I believe in him.”

“…So if I say I want to become human, you won’t kill me?”

“I won’t.”

Iris replied without a hint of hesitation.

“W-Why not? I was trying to kill you.”

“It doesn’t matter. I am alive now, and so is my mentor.”

Stella blinked with a bewildered expression at her absurd response.

“W-What reason do you have to trust Praus so much?”

“I have never regretted believing in my mentor. Although the process has been rough and chaotic, he has always led us in the right direction.”

“…I see.”

Stella marveled at Iris’s unwavering trust and found it quite admirable.

“So are you willing to become human?”

Iris asked again, and Stella slowly began to speak.

“I…”