My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 25

“Is this the real thing?”

Looking at the hologram in front of me, it seemed genuine, but somehow it felt hard to believe.

“Even when given with a pure heart, you still doubt.”

“But I know that the Spirit King’s Sword is a weapon created by condensing mana over a long period. Isn’t it a bit too easy to hand over such a weapon?”

It wouldn’t be strange to have doubts when a weapon forged over more than a hundred years is given away without any cost.

“Do you know that as well? What exactly don’t you know?”

“I know about most things. So what’s the true intention behind giving this to me?”

“…You’re going to kill the Demon King, right? With those kids. I’m just trying to contribute to that. If what you wanted was a contract with me instead of the sword, I would have declined.”

Ariel said this nonchalantly. After staring at her for a while, I sheathed the sword.

It’s better to accept this for now.

“More importantly, when will you let me talk with Pasma?”

“Wait. Not yet. I’ll let you when everything is settled and it’s safe.”

“But wouldn’t it be better for you if Pasma were possessed right now?”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement.

Even if temporarily, it could exert power comparable to that of a Sword Master.

However, the spirit possession skill consumes a tremendous amount of energy. It felt like my HP was being directly reduced, not just my MP.

The issue was that my body wasn’t built to withstand Pasma’s possession.

With training, I could somewhat reduce that gap, but it would probably take years of strength training at the very least.

That’s why I intended to give it to Tina, but somehow it seems like I’ll end up using it.

“The possession skill consumes far more energy than you think. It’s best not to use it unless your work is done or it’s necessary.”

“Tch.”

“Besides, there’s something that needs to be dealt with right now.”

I spoke while looking at the wolf corpses lying on the ground.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have bothered to deal with the wolves, but since I foolishly lit a fire for them, I didn’t have a chance to back out.

“Dex.”

“Yes… Lord Praus.”

What a pathetic sight, slouched without any growth potential.

So am I supposed to commit suicide since I’m no better than a villager?

“A few days ago, Duke Aus submitted a request for the adventurers to investigate Brih Forest, right?”

“It’s been about ten days, I think.”

“Then why haven’t any adventurers come out to investigate yet?”

“Ah, well… A party of C-Class adventurers misjudged the situation and got taken down by the wolves.”

“Really?”

It didn’t seem to be a level that would take down C-Class adventurers. Were the newly awakened Three Heroes abnormally strong?

“I heard they are planning to send B-Class adventurers to investigate again in a day or two.”

“I see.”

Hmm…? A day or two?

This is problematic.

If they find out that we took care of the monsters on our own while they were supposed to send B-Class adventurers, they surely won’t hold back in demanding compensation from us.

Adventurers are the type of people who would go as far as to risk their lives for money, so if we don’t pay a corresponding price, it’ll definitely turn into a fight.

To avoid unnecessary conflicts, it seemed we had to head to Aus immediately.

“Delma.”

“What is it?”

I tilted my head at Delma’s voice, which had become considerably more subdued since we set off.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“Does it look like I’m sick?”

‘Thank goodness. He’s of a certain age, so it would be troublesome if he fell ill.’

“Is the old man already whining for sympathy?”

“Who said I was whining?!”

“Don’t get rattled over such trivial matters. More importantly, can you move the carriage?”

“…The kids are tired. They need to rest, you little brat.”

“We just need to get to Aus.”

“Getting to Aus from here will take several hours. No way.”

If we just hang around here until the adventurers show up, it’ll be a problem.

Should I borrow the kids’ strength if needed?

They’re no longer ordinary ten-year-olds.

Even if they went to the Adventurer Guild, they could probably rate as B-Class or even higher than that.

‘It’s a shame it’s important now…’

“Those are pointless words.”

“Only yours counts, huh!”

I lightly ignored Delma’s outburst.

Though it can’t be helped, it seems I’ll have to deal with any conflict among the adventurers as smoothly as possible.

Still, there are strong people on our side, and there are enough tools to use as means, so it should be fine.

*

“Come here, Iris.”

“Ah, yes, yes!”

As I patted the spot next to me, Iris cautiously sat down. Her tail fidgeted as if she were nervous.

“Make sure your hair is dried properly. Otherwise, it’ll smell.”

“M-my hair smells—?!”

Iris’s ears perked up in surprise.

“I-I just washed it! It doesn’t smell!”

She fervently denied it, lifting her clothes to check her body odor. I silently dried her still-damp hair with a towel.

After confirming that the moisture had been sufficiently removed, I called out to Maria.

“Maria, use Wind Magic to dry Iris’s hair.”

“Yes, Teacher!”

That’s the concept, right? Please tell me it is.

“Teacher, does that mean Lord Praus is a magician?”

Iris, having her hair dried by Maria’s Wind Magic, asked.

“That’s just her calling me without permission—”

“Hey! Praus! Why are you only doing this for Iris?!”

Tina interrupted, pouting as if she were about to sulk for not having received the same treatment.

“You’ve dried your hair well already, so that’s why I’m not doing it for you.”

“I’ll wash my hair right now!”

“There’s no point in washing your hair that much.”

I grabbed Tina’s collar as she ignored my words and tried to get out of the carriage, forcibly pulling her back and making her sit in front of me.

“You’re such a hassle, honestly.”

I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a comb. How did I end up managing the kids’ hair?

“Your hair is damaged. It’s best to cut off the damaged parts.”

I carefully combed her hair to avoid tangling. Everyone around me looked at me in surprise.

“I never thought Lord Praus would do something like this… It’s quite a reversal.”

“Looking at your speech, I thought you had a terrible personality. But you seem to care for your own people.”

“Hmph. Your words are quite harsh, but doing even this must benefit the child’s mind, huh?”

[Friend, your actions are surprisingly delicate compared to your speech.]

I know it’s self-inflicted, but can’t you just say nice things after I show a good side?

It’s truly sad, and I could almost cry.

“P-Praus!”

“…What is it?”

She fidgeted, twisting her fingers. Her tail swayed shyly.

“Can I get my hair done too after Tina?”

“I understand.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Just wait a bit.”

As I watched Tina’s hair being neatly arranged, she stood up, smiling happily as she swayed her feet.

“I feel like my mom is doing it for me.”

“!”

Mom.

Tina probably said it without any thought, but for Iris and Maria, talking about parents and family was a taboo.

The expressions of the two, glancing at me, stiffened.

They barely managed to upturn their lips at my gaze, but the deep sorrow in their eyes couldn’t be erased.

For them, who lost their families in the Massacre incident, family talk was quite a trigger for serious trauma.

“Tina.”

“Yes?”

“Do you miss your parents?”

“…I do.”

Even after being abandoned, and becoming a hero, wanting to find one’s parents is something unavoidable.

It’s not just because they are young; it’s a sentiment shared by all people.

Just like the saying that blood is thicker than water, the bonds within families aren’t something easily severed.

“But now that Lord Praus is here, it’s okay. I’m wearing nice clothes, eating a lot of delicious food. I can sleep without feeling lonely.”

Hehehe.

The pure laughter that only a child can make thawed the frozen atmosphere a bit.

Iris and Maria too showed a slightly relieved expression.

“That’s good enough.”

I finished tidying Tina’s hair.

As I stopped combing and gazed at Tina, she got up from her place.

“Wow, Lord Praus, you really did a great job! My hair feels different somehow!”

“It hasn’t improved.”

“Just say it feels better. Always so difficult.”

“But… it’ll get better from now on.”

“Hehe!”

“Iris, come here.”

Tina patted the spot she had just vacated. Iris cautiously took her seat.

Her incredibly thick hair looked like it wouldn’t be easy to comb through. I gently worked through it with my fingers while slowly brushing with the comb.

Iris made a pleasant sound under my touch.

“I’ve never had this done before. Hehe.”

“Is that so?”

My voice came out dispassionately. But it seemed Iris didn’t mind, her tail swaying happily.

“…Lord Praus.”

“Say it.”

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

“…I just brought you along to use you.”

“Still, if you had just left me, I would have died right there.”

Iris’s tone felt quite rigid, but it contained enough emotion to convey sincerity.

After tidying her lush hair, I glanced down at her swaying tail.

“…Do you need to do your tail too?”

“Ah, no. This area is a bit sensitive…”

Iris jumped up in surprise, hiding her tail. It took me a moment to understand her reaction.

As for the beastmen in the game, their tails were sensitive areas, though not erogenous zones.

“Maria, do you want your hair done too?”

“No, I’m good. I’ll go to bed first.”

“Alright.”

She clearly set a boundary and instantly went inside the carriage to lie on her sleeping bag.

She was only using me to get stronger, to ensure she wouldn’t lose anything precious to the Demon Tribe or humans again.

If she thought I wasn’t of any help, she’d be the first to leave without a second thought.

Still, I didn’t have any intentions to stop her, but I hoped that at least during our time together, we could be friendly.

If we could get closer while being together, perhaps she would protect humans as well.

“Time to prepare for bed. I’ll take the first watch.”

“Prazus, I took the first watch yesterday. Can’t I take it first today?”

“No.”

“Hmph…”

Ignoring his protest, I stepped outside the carriage.

*

“Lord Praus! Lord Praus! I’m here!”

“…You’re loud first thing in the morning. If you’re on the watch—”

I got up at Dex’s fuss. After taking down the tent, I stepped outside, where some unusual people stood before us.

All of them had swords at their waists and wore lightweight armor for protection.

“Are you the ones who took down the wolf monsters?”

They clearly had an aura of “I’m an adventurer.”

Hearing their arrogant tone made me have no desire to engage in conversation.

So this is what it feels like when others talk to me, huh?

That’s some effective mirror therapy.

“Answer me, you bastards!”

The adventurer with a big sword shouted. However, no one flinched.

If they knew who was standing here, they wouldn’t act that way.

Well, anyway, a problem has occurred, so what should I do now?

I’d like to resolve this as calmly as possible.