My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 240

“Do we really have to go?”

Tina grumbled, her hands tucked into the pockets of her hoodie.

“Of course we do. It’s a chance to introduce the heroes who saved the Empire and the Kingdom from the Demon Tribe.”

A few days ago, Seri had contacted me. She seemed to believe that the Demon War wouldn’t end without slaying the Demon King and asked if I would send the heroes on that mission.

To which I responded that I would.

Then she suggested it might be a good idea to commend the heroes’ achievements and inform the Empire of their existence.

Naturally, I accepted without hesitation. Without their efforts, not only the Empire but the entire Human World would have faced grave danger. It seemed only right to honor their deeds and provide them with substantial rewards.

“Why’s everyone making such a fuss when we haven’t even killed the Demon King yet? You’ll be cursing if we don’t manage it after all this hype!”

“Hmmm. Tina, are you saying you’re not confident about killing the Demon King?”

“No way! I’m totally confident!”

Tina shouted indignantly at Maria’s provocation. What a prideful thing to say.

“Still, Tina has a point. I don’t understand why you want to put pressure on us. Sure, we should kill the Demon King because we need to, but we don’t really want fame or a huge reward. We just want to live peacefully with our teacher, like we do now.”

I understood their feelings. They fought against the Demon Tribe not for glory or recognition, but simply because I asked them to.

They weren’t looking for any kind of hospitality or honor. They weren’t the type to care about such things at all.

So, it was understandable they felt averse to the whole situation.

However…

“Your presence is essential for the stability of the Empire.”

“For the stability of the Empire?”

“By showing the people of the Empire that we also possess powerful allies to counter the Demon Tribe, we can quell the chaos of war.”

Seri really is clever. In this world, heroes are symbols of salvation, and she thinks that by utilizing them, she can change the atmosphere within the Empire.

“I don’t really care whether the Empire is unstable or not.”

Maria crossed her arms, looking grumpy as usual.

“…It is daunting to be introduced in such an official setting, with thousands upon thousands watching us, but it can’t be helped. You are already the heroes who saved the Empire.”

I spoke as if it didn’t matter, but in truth, part of me hoped the heroes would receive more recognition. It was my wish that many would appreciate the things they had done, which was also the happy ending I had envisioned.

“The more famous you become, the heavier the burden will be, but your treatment will change. Once the rumors spread that heroes belong to other races, no one will dare look down on your kind.”

I patted Iris and Maria on the head.

“So don’t think too negatively about it. It’s a good thing for everyone.”

The two heroes accepted my gesture and nodded. Thankfully, they seemed to understand.

Tina, who had been silently listening, stroked her chin as if seriously contemplating something before snapping her fingers.

“Then since we’re becoming famous anyway, how about we ask Emperor Seri for a super huge territory?! Like a quarter of the Empire! And then we’ll build a grand duke-like mansion and live like nobles!”

“Oooh!”

Iris and Maria chimed in with enthusiasm over Tina’s ridiculous idea.

Do they even understand what a quarter of the Empire means? That’s much larger than a Grand Duke’s territory, you know.

Even if they received such a territory, if they didn’t have the strength to govern it, the people of the Empire would ultimately suffer.

Considering Tina’s level of intellect, it was unlikely she had thought that far, so it felt right to take her words lightly.

“…Enough chit-chat. If you’re ready, let’s go.”

It was about time to depart.

—

“Welcome, Praus.”

Seri sat elegantly in a dress adorned with lavish decorations. Facing her, it struck me again how she had truly become an Empress.

“Is your outfit fitting well?”

I wasn’t talking about the dress, but about her position as Emperor. Seri would surely catch my intent immediately.

“…Do you think it’s pretty?”

…Was it not?!

“It’s pretty indeed.”

“Is it the prettiest in the world?”

“…Well, I don’t know.”

“Then… do you think I’ll fall for you?”

Watching Seri’s confident expression made her somewhat annoying. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the same person who years ago had been too insecure to meet my gaze.

“Ah! The Emperor is flirting with my teacher! The teacher belongs to me! You can’t have them!”

“…”

Tina clung tightly to me. I hoped she wouldn’t provoke Seri unnecessarily. After all, she could become a yandere if things went south.

“Hmmm…”

“Teacher is not Tina’s.”

“Right. Teacher is mine.”

“Not Maria’s either.”

Oh, as expected of Iris.

“Then whose is it?”

“It’s ours.”

…Iris, that answer is a fail. I’m not an item, nor can I belong to anyone!

“If you keep saying that, I’ll start claiming I’m mine too!”

I pressed my temples, already feeling the fatigue settling in. Seri had been watching the trio’s banter with narrow eyes.

Just as she seemed about to speak, I jumped in first.

“Rather than thinking I might fall for you because you’re beautiful… I feel like I can trust you now because you’re so dependable.”

“…What do you mean by that? It sounds like a parent finally finding relief after letting their child be independent.”

She made a deflated face at my answer before bursting into laughter.

“Haha, just kidding! As an Empress, I am still greatly lacking, relying on my father’s power little by little. He gives me hints rather than directly telling me, which helps relieve some of my burden in governing the Empire.”

“Is that so? If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, since you’re capable, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Then will you marry this capable woman?”

“…What?”

“Ah, was that a ‘serious’ question?”

The heroes, who had been arguing, quickly turned their heads to Seri. Oh dear, we’ve touched on a sensitive topic.

This was probably a declaration of war aimed at the heroes. I could sense Seri’s determination not to let me monopolize her.

“This isn’t the time to be discussing that.”

I turned upon hearing a creaking noise from behind. An imperial knight stood hesitantly at the doorway, contemplating whether to enter or not. Upon meeting my gaze, he hurriedly entered and saluted.

“Your, Your Majesty, all preparations are complete. The Surveillance Magic to showcase the heroes’ feats is installed, and there’s no problem with the loudspeakers.”

“Understood. Let’s go right away.”

Seri answered leisurely.

“Yes!”

“Oh, and…”

“Yes!”

“Keep what you just heard to yourself. If any unsavory rumors about me and Praus arise, it’ll be because you were blabbing. In that case, you’d better be prepared.”

Her chilling voice echoed emptily in the room. The knight flinched and took a step back. Facing Seri’s piercing gaze, he gulped nervously, his mouth opening and closing.

“… Y-Yes!”

“Well then, let’s go, Praus.”

Whoa, it’s seriously scary when she gets serious…

As I stood there dumbfounded, Seri approached me with a bright smile and whispered in my ear.

“Or would you prefer to call me your spouse instead?”

“…Praus is enough.”

I reluctantly replied. She’s really getting crafty.

“Alright then. Praus.”

She lightly brushed my arm and walked away with a meaningful grin. Really, where did she learn to be such a sly fox? I haven’t taught her anything…

“Hmmm~ Your arms are quite strong.”

As Seri walked out with a mischievous smile, I let out a sigh while looking at her back.

“Ah! Teacher, you should refuse her! Don’t just stand there listening!”

“That’s right! We trust you won’t be unfaithful to us, but still, being so open about it is…!”

“It’s best to clarify relationships, Teacher. If not, I might just kidnap you to a deserted island!”

Now there was yet another reason to sigh.

—

“By the way, it’s been over a month since Praus’s father passed away, hasn’t it?”

“…Yeah.”

Has it really been that long already?

“Are you doing alright?”

“Thanks to those kids.”

I pointed my thumb toward the heroes, who were whispering among themselves, as I glared at Seri from behind. The cheerful energy of the heroes had pulled me out of my somber mood.

After Paroco died, the heroes had been gloomy for a week, but realizing they couldn’t stay that way forever, they began resuming their usual behavior.

As we adapted to that, we had unconsciously returned to our daily lives and could act as we always had.

“I’m glad they’re with you, Praus.”

“I think so too. I truly appreciate it.”

Seri looked at me with a warm smile.

“Praus.”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve become quite honest, haven’t you? Your speech is still a bit stiff, though.”

“Is that so?”

Maybe it was because we were one step away from fully managing our expressions. Or perhaps it was because I had temporarily accepted Paroco as a father figure.

Either way, it couldn’t be a bad thing.

“It feels like… I can finally see things straight now.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Praus seemed indifferent to anything personal. Even if it was something concerning you.”

Somehow, it felt like she had struck a chord.

“Because you accepted every situation as if it were someone else’s business, you could act more rationally than anyone and always solve situations wisely.”

“Is that so?”

“I admired you for that, but at the same time, I felt like you were a bit distant.”

As I remained silent, taking it all in, Seri noticed my reaction and waved her hands in embarrassment.

“Ah, of course! This is just my personal feeling. Surely, Praus wouldn’t likely be indifferent about his own issues.”

“…Perhaps that’s not entirely wrong.”

Before meeting the World Tree, I had merely thought of this realm as a game world.

Even when I said I would accept it as reality, it had been hard to reconcile my knowledge with the disparities I felt each time my understanding of this world aligned with the game I knew.

“But I am who I am.”

I am Praus in this world. Regardless of the soul residing within, this fact would not change.

“Right. Praus is Praus.”

Seri grinned as if relieved that her worries were unfounded.

“…Only one step left to go.”

“Indeed.”

The subjugation of the Demon King.

Only that one step remained.

Just before she stepped onto the terrace, she halted.

The guiding knight also stopped. Slowly turning to look up at me, Seri smiled.

“Please listen to my speech today! I will make sure the citizens of the Empire sing praises for the heroes! And come back boasting proudly about slaying the Demon King. When you return, the reward will be my responsibility, and I’ll grant you anything!”

She extended her hand toward me, shouting confidently. Fixated on her, I grasped her hand. I could feel the strength in her grip.

“Alright.”