My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 27

“There will be a carriage inspection momentarily.”

“What’s going on?”

“Ah, it’s a special order from the Duke. They’re checking carriages entering Aus City. They said they’re looking for someone named ‘Praus.’ If they find him, they are to bring him immediately.”

A drop of cold sweat trickled down my spine at the voice coming from beyond the tent.

Ah, those damn adventurers, did they start running their mouths already? But how did they find out my name?

“Hm. If they’re looking for Lord Praus as the Sixth Sword Master, that information isn’t as valuable as I thought. What a pity. It was quite valuable information.”

As my information, which I intended to sell for money, spread, Dex’s taste for it sharpened. This guy really is something.

“This is why I don’t want to breathe the same air as loose-lipped people.”

“Must be for your own interests, huh?”

“Well, that’s how it goes. But still, Lord Praus knows my identity and hasn’t blabbed, so he’s someone I can trust.”

“I don’t trust you at all.”

“Come on, we’ve been through thick and thin for over a week now! Hahaha!”

Just when Dex’s crude laughter echoed inside the carriage, the tent entrance fluttered unexpectedly.

“Is Lord Praus here?”

“I am Praus. What’s the matter?”

I stood up confidently. Upon locking eyes with the guard, he flinched.

“…You’re not impersonating, are you?”

Tina retorted to the guard’s words.

“Praus wouldn’t impersonate anyone.”

“Tina, that’s not impersonation; that’s extravagance.”

“…Oh, really?”

At Iris’s pointed comment, Tina scratched her head awkwardly.

“What’s impersonation then?”

“It’s lying. About names or statuses.”

“That’s pretty mean. Lying like that. If you lie, you should get a needle poked in your butt.”

Is this what true innocence looks like?

It definitely wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, so why does my butt feel tingly?

Tina’s muttering brought a wry smile to Iris’s face.

“Well then, Lord Praus, Duke wishes to see you. Can you spare a moment to talk?”

“What for?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked what he called for me for.”

It must be absurd for the guard to be treated coldly by someone younger than him.

But then, as a city guard, he must be quite the strong knight, even if he’s not from the Royal Knight Order. Am I going to be okay?

“Duke will explain that. Let’s go.”

“That’s not funny. I won’t go unless you give me a proper reason.”

“Are you implying you refuse the Duke’s orders?”

Killing intent radiated from the guard. Others reached for their weapons before I had the chance.

“Now that you’ve set foot in Aus Territory, it’s best to comply with orders. Unless you plan to commit treason right now?”

‘Oh come on, no way. Would I do that?’

“I said I would go if you bring back a proper reason.”

“How dare you disrespect the Duke! That is unforgivable—”

Before I knew it, Iris had her sword against the guard’s neck. It was a speed that didn’t require her to blink.

The guard’s sword hadn’t even cleared its sheath. He froze, eyes rolling to meet Iris’s.

“Whoever you are, if that sword is drawn, you will die.”

Iris, while your actions are commendable, let’s not kill anyone, okay? You’re scary.

“Do you really think this is okay? You guys—”

“It’ll be just fine.”

It was Ariel who answered the guard.

“It’s still a bit overwhelming, but taking on one Duke is something we could manage even now. I’ve got my weapon too.”

Ariel’s gaze briefly turned to me.

“Hey you! Are you brazenly plotting treason right now?!”

“Talking about treason in front of the Spirit King is laughable. What does a pathetic human nation even matter?”

“W-what?!”

“Hey, if you raise your voice in front of me one more time, I’ll wipe this city off the map.”

Just when Ariel’s expression turned serious, the guard seemed to sense a chilling aura and closed his mouth tightly.

[Praus, be ready to calm her down.]

“Why?”

[She’s really scary when angry.]

Is she some kind of housewife…?

Seeing my voice tremble, it must be real.

Well, a Spirit King at the level of a demon general could probably destroy the area just with a scolding.

But am I really talking down to such a Spirit King and telling her to shut up?

…Can I really live a healthy life until I die?

“I don’t think I could stop that.”

[Well, if it’s you, it should be fine. Ariel enjoys talking to you quite a bit, you know?]

Isn’t that a bit too trusting?

I don’t have the slightest intention of engaging in NTR, but it seems my presence would make things complicated.

Yet since the parties involved say it’s okay, I had nothing to say.

“…Iris, that’s enough.”

At my words, Iris glanced at me and sheathed her sword.

Only then did the guard exhale. But tension still loomed.

“You guys are dangerous. You absolutely cannot enter Aus City. I will issue a ban.”

“What’s happening?”

Another guard with a spear approached.

“There is a person named Praus, who the Duke is searching for, and they all in the carriage are deemed dangerous individuals—”

“Is that so? Well then, I suppose it can’t be helped, but we cannot let the carriage in. It would be a problem if we allowed dangerous individuals inside and they caused a terror attack or something.”

We definitely need to get in. We have artifacts to retrieve.

They say a single word can settle a debt of a thousand nyang. Why am I suffering because of such a useless skill?

But now that I’ve spoken, I can’t take it back.

So right now, we needed evidence to explain why we came.

“Dex.”

“Yes. Ah, if you’re ordering me to deal with these people, I could do it, but I’d rather not take any unnecessary risks—”

“Shut up and show them the wolf’s ear. I’ll leave the explanation to you.”

“Oh, that one.”

Dex slapped his palm, then retrieved a pouch placed by our luggage and offered it to them.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the ears of wolf monsters from Brih Forest.”

“What?!”

At Dex’s words, the guards opened the pouch. They swallowed hard upon seeing dozens of ears.

“So, you… no, you all dealt with the monsters in Brih Forest?”

“By the way, adventurers claimed that the Sixth Sword Master took care of the monsters.”

“They all have filthy mouths, but they’re not bad people.”

Dex smiled at the guard. If you’re going to compliment, just stick to compliments. Why throw in insults?

“Look at those children too. Aren’t they pure?”

When Iris already had her sword at the guard’s throat, that kind of appeal was lethal.

But regardless, presenting an obvious piece of evidence made the guards seem troubled.

“It seems appropriate to take you to the Duke for now.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“However, if we let you go off on your own, we might face reprimands.”

“Ugh, I really hate complications.”

The spear-wielding guard scratched his head and looked us over.

“I’ll grant you entry if you swear you won’t go wild, no matter what.”

The guard reluctantly said that.

The only person who could respond normally to that was just one.

“Very well.”

Dex grinned as he replied.

*

Somehow, we managed to get into Aus City.

“I’m really going insane! Praus! No matter how strong you are, how can anyone dare to pick a fight with a Duke?!”

“I didn’t pick a fight.”

It was my mouth that babbled away, contrary to my thoughts.

“You lunatic…”

Delma shook his head, staring straight ahead.

The carriage was moving under the guidance of the knights. They didn’t seem to completely let go of their suspicion towards us, as they watched us stiffly.

Nevertheless, as the carriage speed slowed significantly upon entering the city, it provided ample opportunity to look around.

In Aus, I saw sights I hadn’t encountered in Pretéum.

The number of Beastmen and Elves stood out significantly.

The ambiance was surprisingly harmonious, with them interacting well with the humans. They didn’t seem to look filthy on the outside, aside from the occasional beggar.

Iris and Maria were fixated on the scene. Dex glanced at them and spoke.

“Aus Territory is likely a pretty livable area for Beastmen and Elves who lost their homes in the past massacre.”

At his words, Iris and Maria looked at Dex.

“Why is that?”

“Aren’t my kin supposed to be slaves?”

Dex shook his head at Maria’s question.

“Slaves, yes. The Emperor mandated the enslavement of other races, and the Duke had no choice but to comply. But this place is a lot better for other races than the capital or other regions. A master who takes in a race as slaves must ensure their right to live as humans. They are prohibited from starving or failing to provide proper hygiene.”

“You seem to know more than expected?”

“I’m quite familiar with the Empire.”

He answered with a carefree smile and continued.

“Anyway, beyond that, there are masters who pay their slaves or give them time off, even.”

“But still, they’re slaves… They’re deprived of their freedom and can’t live as they wish.”

At Maria’s words, Dex fell silent for a moment.

“Historically, when a war occurs, the defeated nation is often absorbed by the victors, and people from that nation become slaves.”

“That’s because you humans attacked us on your own!”

Maria shot up from her seat, ready to argue with Dex. Everyone in the carriage turned to look at her. She bit her lower lip and sat back down, self-conscious of the attention.

“I don’t know if this will be comforting, but the only person who stood against the massacre without minding the Emperor’s whims was Duke Aus.”

“!”

“Thanks to the Duke being the lord of most of the southern part of the Empire, there was frequent interaction between Beastmen and Elves during the management of that territory. It was because the Duke ordered the support of adventurers and the knight order when the monsters attacked.”

That’s right. He’s the most righteous noble in the Empire.

Despite his lofty title as Duke, he poured all his efforts into taking care of his subordinates.

Because of that, the loyalty citizens felt towards Duke Aus went without saying, and the satisfaction of the people in this city was higher than in many other places.

—At least, that’s what the scenario said.

“Duke Aus tries to be merciful to slaves, so meeting him wouldn’t be a wasted opportunity, Lady Maria.”

“Yeah. It wouldn’t be bad to meet him.”

“Teacher…”

He’s reasonable and sensible.

Yes, he seems nice overall.

But isn’t it a bit much to call for us immediately upon arriving in the city? Meeting a high-ranking person feels a bit burdensome.

“Here we are.”

With the knight’s steps, the carriage stops. I disembark immediately.

Following the patroling knight’s guidance, we arrive at a tea house that looks expensive enough for a cup of coffee to cost a gold coin.

If they told me to pay for the tea, I would probably punch the Duke. My punches can be pretty painful, you know?

“Go on in.”

Ding~!

“I’ve been waiting. Lord Praus, and your companions.”

As soon as we entered the tea house, a neatly dressed middle-aged attendant bowed with a hand over his chest.

“Right.”

I couldn’t help but respond haughtily to his dignified tone.

“The Duke is waiting for you upstairs. You may go right away.”

Before we even could respond, the attendant turned and led the way.

As we climbed the stairs and reached the second floor, a handsome middle-aged man draped in a lavish cape stood up.

His cloak bore the immortal phoenix emblem I had seen dozens of times in the capital.

“While it may seem a bit hasty, could you please tell me who Lord Praus is?”

He spoke with his head held high.

‘That would be me.’

“It’s me.”

With that natural tone, the Duke blinked a few times before breaking into a smile.

“So you are the Empire’s Sixth Sword Master, Lord Praus! It’s nice to meet you. I am Duke Tori Aus. Welcome to my Aus Territory.”

Seeing the Duke smile wickedly and extend his hand, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.