My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 261

“Brother, it’s already daytime. The guests are supposed to arrive today, remember?”

Swish!

Iris pulled back the curtain and gently shook my body. I rubbed my eyes and sat up.

“Ah… yeah… It’s been a while.”

“It’s only natural since we were quite intense yesterday. My waist hurts too.”

“Sorry. Did I go too hard?”

“No, not at all. I actually loved it. I felt like I might faint from all the sensations, though. Hehe.”

As Iris giggled while recalling the pleasurable moments from last night, her white tail wiggled back and forth. I grabbed her moving tail and rubbed it against my face.

“This fluffiness is so nice.”

“Didn’t you touch it like this last night? You still need more?”

“Yeah. It’s so healing.”

“Hehe. I’m glad that you’re finding more reasons to like me. I’d love to let you snuggle with my tail every day, but with Tina and Maria around, we should probably take turns.”

“Yeah. That was the agreement.”

Doing three at once was too strenuous, and I couldn’t concentrate properly, so we had been rotating one-on-one since our first time.

“Still, during that time, if you only look at me, I think I prefer the turn-taking instead.”

Smooch.

With that, she kissed my forehead and lips.

“Anyway, please wake up now.”

After Iris patted my back, she opened the window and rolled up the sheets we had been tangled up in. The moment she stepped out, Tina and Maria sneaked in.

“Wow, it smells like semen! You had a wild night again!”

“Tina, you’re too loud first thing in the morning.”

I picked up my scattered underwear, saying, “You’re embarrassed? Do you want to do it like this, brother?”

“Tina, I told you the Spirit Kings are coming today. There won’t be any time for more fun.”

“Just kidding, just kidding. Anyway, it’s my turn today.”

After Iris scolded her, Tina chuckled. She coyly approached and whispered in my ear.

“Today’s play, I’m going to eat you up, so be ready, okay?”

I shrugged and got up. How long has it been since we first had sex that we’re talking about this so casually? She was such a naughty girl.

*

“But hey, do you guys have dreams?”

During breakfast, when I asked my question, the three of them tilted their heads almost simultaneously.

“Dreams?”

“I have dreams every day!”

Tina looked puzzled.

“I meant dreams not while sleeping… like what you want to do in the future, or something you’d like to achieve. You can’t just wake up, eat, have sex, and sleep your whole life, right?”

“True…”

Iris and Maria contemplated seriously in response to my words. Perhaps my perspective was too modern. Back in medieval times, setting and achieving personal goals might have seemed far-fetched when merely getting by day to day was a challenge.

“I think I’d be fine just being by your side… But I fear if I became a knight, I wouldn’t get to spend as much time with you. And I wouldn’t want that.”

“I’m not forcing you. I was just asking. If you’re happy as you are, that’s all that matters.”

I suppose this leisurely, somewhat boring life brought on by peace could still be happiness for heroes.

“I think performing shows with magic would be nice too, like the fireworks we saw that time.”

“Fireworks, huh?”

“I still can’t forget the fireworks we saw. If there were any people around, I’m sure they would’ve been captivated just like I was.”

To her younger self, the fireworks must have left a positive impression. I felt relieved that I had shown it to her.

“Of course, it wouldn’t hold the same meaning without Praus. At that moment watching the fireworks, having Praus by my side is more important than anything.”

“I… really love my life right now.”

After Maria, Iris followed up.

“I don’t have any dreams or goals… but just being able to continue living like this makes me really, really happy. So please don’t go anywhere and stay with me until the end.”

So, it seems their happiness hinges on me being there after all.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I’m here to witness the whole process of the heroes finding their happiness.

“Let’s eat.”

*

“Welcome!”

“Yay~! Thanks for calling me!”

Tina greeted the Phoenix with a high-five. Naiad and Orient followed the Phoenix in with poise.

“Welcome, Naiad.”

Iris, wearing an apron, greeted him, and he simply raised his hand in response while scanning the room.

“Things haven’t changed here over the years.”

“Isn’t that how most places are?”

“…Well, I suppose there are a few things that have changed.”

Naiad, staring intently at my face, suddenly smirked as he passed by. What was that about? It felt off.

“Welcome, Orient.”

“Hi, Maria.”

As Orient greeted, she glanced over at me.

“Welcome.”

“Hmph. I didn’t come here just to see Praus.”

“True. I appreciate you coming anyway.”

“…So what am I supposed to be now…?”

Orient mumbled, furrowing her brow.

“Well… Thanks for bringing a smile back to Ariel again.”

She bowed, and before I could even reply, she straightened up and turned her nose up as if deflating.

“Wait, did Orient just bow to Praus?”

Ariel entered, looking puzzled, prompting Orient to panic.

“No! No, Ariel! This isn’t…”

“What’s the rush?”

“Ugh! It’s all your fault.”

“Don’t pass the blame.”

Brushing off embarrassment doesn’t make things okay.

“Hey, Praus, how’s it going?”

“Hey.”

While I answered Ariel’s greeting, I looked at the two with crossed arms.

“My friends, have you been well?”

Pasma still looks incredibly handsome, even after seeing him again. Is this what a beautiful couple looks like?

“Yeah. You both seem to be doing well.”

“Thanks to you.”

“Keep living happily together, alright?”

“Happily? Praus, you have a peculiar way of putting it, it’s a bit off-putting.”

“What?!”

“Hahaha!”

As I got flustered, everyone around, including Ariel, burst into laughter. Naiad chuckled too.

Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, food began to fill the table one by one.

Surely that guy would feel left out if only I didn’t call him when all the Spirit Kings were gathered, right?

“World Tree.”

At that moment, a teal-haired girl appeared before me.

When Yggdrasil manifested, the Spirit Kings flinched.

“W-World Tree?!”

“Hello, everyone.”

As the Spirit Kings hurriedly bowed their heads, Yggdrasil waved her hands.

“Please, stand. There’s no need for formality here. I’m a guest as well.”

“Well then, I think we’re all here. Shall we start the dinner?”

Between the people gathered around the large table, the sounds of utensils clinking were constant. Occasional chatter and laughter acted as the lubricant of our meal time.

Having dinner with heroes is wonderful, but I also don’t mind this lively gathering where many people converge.

*

“Phew…”

“What are you doing out here?”

“I just stepped out for some fresh air after eating. Why are you out here?”

Yggdrasil stood next to me, arms crossed.

“I was worried my contractor might overthink things.”

“Overthink?”

She merely rolled her eyes at me before looking up at the sky. Softly, she said,

“Do you still feel detached from this world?”

“…No. I don’t think that way. I’m Praus.”

Yeah. I’m Praus. I won’t act awkwardly any longer. I intend to continue living here as Praus.

“I’m glad you think that way.”

The smile on her face seemed somewhat stiff. It felt awkward, as if she was forcing herself to show a smile.

“You don’t look too happy.”

“…Oh, did you catch me?”

She scratched her cheek awkwardly. The smile she had lifted before slowly drooped down.

“I still feel guilty for bringing you here without permission, putting such a heavy responsibility on you.”

“…Really?”

“Just like you want to see the heroes happy, I want to see you happy as well. That way, I think it would ease my heart a little. Am I being too selfish?”

“…Honestly, if I had died empty-handed in this world, I probably would have felt resentment. But thanks to your support, I’ve been able to get through it. So, it’s fine.”

Of course, despite my words, I nurtured a lingering regret that if I had acted more wisely, maybe the outcome could’ve been better.

“…I’m still plenty happy. I’m living well and enjoying myself.”

“Is that so? Then I’m truly relieved to hear that.”

Only now did she manage to smile more comfortably.

Bang!

Before Yggdrasil’s voice could settle, the door burst open.

“I’m going first!”

Maria darted out with Tina, Iris, and the Spirit Kings following her outside.

“Let’s go!”

“Where to?”

“Ah, brother! Maria says she’s going to show us a marvelous fireworks display! Hurry up!”

“Yeah! Let’s go quickly!”

Tina and Iris pulled me along. Feeling the warm grip of their hands, I chased after Maria.

When I reached the hilltop of Secul, I watched as Maria shot magic high into the sky from a few meters behind her.

In the night sky, myriad lights blossomed beautifully. The lights turned into flowers, animals, and hearts.

As I stared blankly at the array of different shapes and colors harmonizing together, I heard the voices of the three heroes calling my name.

“Brother!”

“Big brother!”

“Praus!”

I looked down at them. They clustered close, simultaneously bombarding me with questions.

“Are you having fun?”

“Huh?”

“Are you having fun?!”

Somehow, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were pressuring me for an answer. But I didn’t mind.

“Yeah. It’s fun.”

When I smiled, the three of them beamed at each other joyfully.

“Hehe! I told you, once I made the fireworks with care, you’d have fun!”

“Maria, you’re the best.”

Tina gave a thumbs up, and Iris nodded, wagging her tail excitedly.

“What shape should I create next?!”

“Well then—”

Surely, I mean… we will continue to live like this, laughing together. Sometimes fighting alongside the heroes, sometimes joyfully sharing every emotion together.

Little by little, we’ll embrace happiness as we navigate through life.

Without a doubt, it will be that way.