My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 271

Prin.

It was the name that Urka and I gave to our child.

With pink cat ears and a tail that perfectly resembled her mother.

Most of her hair was pink, but the tips were black, and while her pupils were beast-like, they were oddly colored with black and pink.

The heroes who witnessed her birth didn’t seem pleased at all. They appeared to be consumed with jealousy, fearing that their positions would be taken by this child.

However, months later, one day Prin, crawling around, recognized the heroes as her sisters and suddenly embraced them, which caused the heroes to become completely smitten with her from that day on.

Then Tina said to me.

“To be honest, I still feel a bit resentful about it, but I’ve decided to accept everything. Urka may have gotten ahead of us, but we don’t dislike you, Teacher.”

The first to accept the fact was Iris, but the first to brush it off was Tina. Once she did, Iris and Maria seemed to think it was an ‘accident’ they couldn’t help.

“Besides, seeing Prin makes me want to have a child of my own someday…”

And the following declaration was that the heroes intended to have a relationship with me once they turned twenty.

Since improving my relationship with the heroes was important to me, I replied that they could do as they wished when that time came. Although I felt quite lost about how to persuade Urka later.

“Uuung…”

“Mmm~ She’s eating well.”

Tina, watching Prin eat her baby food, smiled widely. Iris and Maria didn’t look much different. They were glancing over at her as she diligently moved her small mouth, chomping away.

“You guys, are you ready to leave or just playing around?”

“Of course.”

Today was the day of Slave Liberation.

We had to rush to care for Seri, so we needed to hurry.

When I told Seri about Urka’s pregnancy, I can’t even describe how much nagging I received.

I exchanged a wry smile inwardly, pulling my gaze away from the heroes and heading to the kitchen.

“Urka, do we really have to go today?”

I asked Urka, whose pink hair was tied back in a ponytail.

Since giving birth to Prin, she had learned every household chore from me.

Besides the tasks that required magic, she handled all domestic work.

She always tried to prepare delicious meals out of guilt toward the heroes, and now they were getting along well.

“Of course! It’s Slave Liberation Day!”

“How are you feeling? Didn’t you run around the hill a few laps yesterday?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry. Actually, sweating a lot last night made me feel better.”

Even after giving birth, Urka had kept up her physical and magical training while caring for Prin. She insisted that she needed the strength to protect Prin in case any demons invaded our home.

Watching her, I was reminded how she not only had remarkable maternal instincts but was also someone I learned a lot from.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

I said, straightening my clothes. Suddenly, Prin reached out towards me.

“Daddy! Me! Me!”

She flailed her arms as if asking to be picked up. I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at her cuteness and lifted her up.

Prin’s slender tail brushed against my face as she touched it.

“Nice.”

“Is that so?”

I’m not sure if this is paternal love, but every time I look at Prin, I just want to give her everything. I wish for nothing but for this child to grow up without any deficiencies or worries.

“Prin might become a competitor someday.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at Maria’s words as I quietly watched.

“…Are you crazy?”

That’s incest!?

“Let’s head out.”

“Prin. Come here to Mom.”

“No…. I like Daddy more.”

“Come here.”

“No!”

“It’s fine if you just act like this until we reach Pretéum.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. I’m doing it because I love it.”

I adjusted Prin in my arms and opened the door.

“Let’s go.”

*

With the Emperor’s declaration, applause resounded from all directions.

I quietly listened as Urka and the heroes sobbed.

“Finally… freedom. I’m so glad. Truly…! I can give my child a world where she can enjoy her freedom…”

Urka pressed against me, crying. She kissed my lips.

“Thank you… Thank you, Praus.”

I gently patted Urka’s back and took a glance at the heroes.

Iris and Maria were also crying, but Tina was comforting the two, fulfilling my role.

Prin, on the other hand, only tilted her head in confusion, staring at me with bright, curious eyes.

Right. You don’t need to know. Just grow up well without any thoughts.

I’ll create that world for you.

*

After that, the heroes returned to Secul every time something happened to see Prin.

Especially when Ekabel and Raghur’s attack caused hefty casualties among the beastmen, it seemed the heroes, despite being tough, felt deeply shaken and held Prin for a while to calm down.

Prin, who was unaware of anything, just grew bigger day by day, petting the heroes’ heads.

I too was shaken when Leoness died, but thanks to Urka and Prin’s comforting, I quickly shook it off.

Having a family during times like these felt really reassuring. As time passed, I grew to appreciate not just the heroes but Urka and Prin immensely.

Not long after, the Demon War erupted, and we faced near-death crises several times.

However, we managed to emerge victorious in the Demon War by defeating all four legion commanders without losing anyone.

“Ah~ Not seeing Prin for months feels like withdrawal symptoms are kicking in.”

Maria said, stretching her body.

“Although there’s still the Demon King, it would probably be tough to charge straight at him, so how about we relax at home with Prin?”

Tina raised her hand, asking for my opinion. The other heroes seemed eager to do the same.

Iris didn’t show much change on her face, maintaining her composure, but her fluffy tail was wagging vigorously.

“Shall we go?”

After Maria teleported us back to Secul, we opened the door and stepped inside.

“We’re home.”

“Praus! Tina! Iris! Maria!”

Originally an S-Class, Urka was supposed to participate in the Demon War but was allowed to sit out due to Emperor Seri’s consideration. Even if she hadn’t, I would have forcibly pulled her out anyway.

She hugged us each, her eyes glistening with tears. Such affectionate behavior was something she would never have done before, but living together must have fostered some connection.

The heroes didn’t seem to mind her actions and responded kindly.

Prin, waddling out behind, also hugged the heroes. That’s when the heroes’ expressions finally relaxed and softened.

“Welcome back. I’m really glad you’re back.”

Just having someone ready to welcome you home brought a warmth to my nose.

“Not everything is completely finished yet, though.”

Of course, my Expression Management Skill only allowed me to spit out bland words without a care.

“Still, we all came back alive. I’m sure we’ll all return alive when we hunt down the Demon King too.”

However, shortly after, Urka’s mood plunged. It was due to the fact that Paroco had died.

Once she learned that fact, she fell silent for a long time. Paroco had been there to support her during her toughest times.

Seeing her break down in tears turned the situation upside down.

Still, those few moments of rest before defeating the Demon King felt incredibly sweet.

Watching the fireworks I displayed brought joy not only to Urka but also to the heroes, but when Prin reached out with her tiny hands, I felt genuine happiness.

After that short yet long break, we prepared to head to the Demon King’s Castle.

“Where are you going~?”

“To save the world.”

“What’s ‘the world’~?”

“It’s the place you’ll live from now on.”

After finishing my last equipment checks, I roughly ruffled Prin’s hair.

Her pink locks stood up like a silly straw. The heroes also took turns ruffling her hair.

“Be good, Prin.”

Tina extended her fist towards Prin. Prin cutely balled up her tiny hand to bump it against Tina’s fist.

When did they start creating such signs? Seriously…

“You should say ‘See you later,’ Prin.”

“See, see you later, Daddy.”

With her hands pressed on her belly and bowing cutely, the heroes burst into laughter.

“See you.”

I knelt in front of Prin and said. I pinched her plump cheeks playfully and stood up.

“It feels like we have a solid reason to come back alive, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right. Let’s all come back alive.”

“Yay!”

Our morale was at an all-time high as we prepared to hunt the Demon King.

*

We succeeded in beheading the Demon King.

As I talked with the World Tree and Initina, the heroes clung to me and shouted.

“Let’s hurry back! I’m so excited to share our adventure tales with Prin!”

“Right! Prin is waiting!”

“Let’s take a break first, you guys.”

Free from Expression Management, I smiled and said.

Perhaps now I could honestly tell Urka that I loved her.

At some point, Urka had become someone I couldn’t imagine living without. Whenever times got tough, the first person I thought of was always Urka.

Even while defeating the Demon King, I realized I had come to like her again.

“Then let’s rest at the house in Secul’s yard.”

“Aren’t you being a bit unreasonable?”

“And don’t you remember?”

“Hmm?”

“That promise we made when we turn twenty.”

“…Yeah. I didn’t forget.”

“Good.”

The heroes hugged me, laughing, and Maria attempted a teleport back to Secul.

Upon our return through teleportation, we saw Urka and Prin waiting outside, and in unison, we waved our hands energetically at each other.

Thinking I would send the report about our victory over the Demon King through a scroll later, I walked slowly towards Urka.

“Urka, I’m back.”

“Yeah. You’re back safely.”

Urka came to me with tears in her eyes, forgetting that Prin was beside her, and kissed me.

“Urka.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

She raised her head to look at me, her red eyes widening in surprise. After a few moments of stammering, tears streamed down her face as she scolded me.

“…You’re too late. Silly.”

“Uuung? I love Daddy too!”

“I love you too, Prin.”

I kissed Prin’s cheek, feeling happy that I could offer a peaceful world to her.

*

And so, years later, when the heroes turned twenty…

“Shall we start making babies?”

I opened my arms with a wry smile at the unexpectedly different atmosphere. The three heroes happily approached me, grinning.

“Praus.”

“Yeah?”

“When we’re done, do I have to get some too?”

Urka peered at us through the gap. I could only nod with a wry smile.

Ah… I wonder if I’ll survive this convoluted relationship.