My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 276

“Wait, I thought it was a forest. But it looks like a city?”

“Oh, that… Huh? Lord Praus is speaking formally…?”

Hakan was shocked.

I appreciate the reminder of just how much chaos I caused when I had expression management in place.

“…Don’t worry about that.”

“Ah, yes. I modeled it after human architecture. I judged that building city walls is much safer than just putting up fences in the forest. We have to be prepared just in case the Demon Tribe attacks again or if a war breaks out with humans.”

War…

As long as Seri is the Emperor, I can guarantee that there won’t be any war. She understands the importance of respecting Other Races, and I’m here as well.

Seri knows better than anyone that I’ve been working frantically for Slave Liberation. Therefore, she must realize that acting dismissively towards Other Races would be a betrayal of me.

Moreover, with heroes of various tribes all gathered in one place, I believe that humans and Other Races won’t fight.

“Ah, aah! I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything unnecessary.”

Hakan, noticing our expressions, panicked and waved his hands.

“No, you’re right. Having power is essential to stand on equal footing and enjoy freedom and rights. What you said, Hakan, is absolutely correct.”

“Is that so?”

“However, as long as we’re here, there won’t be any war.”

“That’s a comforting statement.”

We leisurely wandered around the city under Hakan’s guidance. Each person we passed was startled to see Leoness and came towards her.

Every passerby asked where she had been, and each time Leoness awkwardly smiled and mumbled responses.

After two hours of walking, we concluded our tour around the city.

Although we hadn’t seen everything, it seemed fine to end it since Leoness said so.

“So, how do you feel, Leoness?”

“Uh?”

“Seeing that the Beastman Tribe is living well, how do you feel?”

“I think it’s a relief. Everyone seems so free. It feels really nice to see them happily playing without any worries.”

“Yeah. Are you satisfied?”

“Satisfied… Yes, I am satisfied.”

This…?

“Lady Leoness, Lord Praus, Heroes. Aren’t you hungry after all that walking? Allow me to guide you to a delicious restaurant.”

Hakan naturally led us to the restaurant. We had no reason to refuse, so we gladly followed.

As we entered the restaurant and sat around a round table, Hakan asked for all the dishes on the menu.

“…Hakan, what’s the atmosphere in the Empire like?”

Leoness asked cautiously. Hakan rubbed his chin and replied.

“The Empire? Hmm. There’s quite enough consideration for Other Races. It’s not bad… No, it’s good. At least for now.”

“For now?”

“Yes. Honestly, while we claimed we wanted independence to protect our culture, the real reason was our fear that humans would oppress the Beastman Tribe again, so we needed to prepare.”

Hakan spoke honestly, despite glancing at us. It seemed he trusted us, even though we belong to different races.

Thinking about it, we had helped them achieve Slave Liberation, so it might be expected.

“Currently, I feel that relying on the Empire is better than seeking independence, as we are being treated equally. Though who knows when that might change.”

“As long as I’m here, it should be fine.”

Though I hadn’t chosen Seri, she still unwaveringly followed me.

Even when I gradually told her to date other men, she continuously sent messages like a scroll, reaffirming that she didn’t want to, but could maintain a relationship with me. It was quite a headache.

“Having you say that, Lord Praus, is truly reassuring.”

Hakan smiled genuinely. It feels like just yesterday we were growling and fighting, yet now it has completely transformed into friendship.

That must mean that the world has become peaceful and pleasant to live in.

“By the way, Lady Leoness, I’m sorry to ask again, but are you really not considering leading us?”

“No.”

She answered firmly, with no additional words beyond her rejection.

“…Is that so.”

“Yeah.”

“Then since Lady Leoness is here, let’s hold a simple festival.”

“Huh? No, what festival? I’m not anyone important. You don’t need to go through that trouble. Just bringing some delicious food when you visit is enough.”

Leoness shook her head in refusal.

It seemed like she was scolding Hakan for wanting to do something for someone who now couldn’t fit in even if she wanted to.

“Lady Leoness, everyone has missed you. When all the Beastmen were enslaved and couldn’t do anything, you took the lead. Please allow us to at least express our gratitude. Isn’t that reasonable?”

Hakan seemed quite eager, as though he missed Leoness dearly. She sighed and cast a sidelong glance at me, as if asking if it was okay.

“It’s fine.”

“Really?”

Did Leoness sense that she manifested in this world by absorbing my mana? She seemed to be assessing my intent.

“It’s fine. I could stay here for days without running out of mana.”

“Really?”

Hmm. She, with her arms crossed, pondered for a moment and eventually nodded.

“Okay, then just a little…”

“Very well. I’ll prepare it as splendidly as possible by dinner.”

“Don’t make it too extravagant.”

“Understood.”

Though he answered affirmatively, it was clear Hakan would ignore her words and go grand. The subordinates would unnecessarily suffer because of it.

As I silently wished for the beastmen to have an easy time, one dish after another was placed on the table until it was soon filled.

“Before that, let’s taste the dishes I recommend from this place. Come on, dig in.”

*

That evening.

As news of Leoness’s return spread throughout the city, hordes of people gathered in the plaza.

The plaza filled with many people, starting a campfire and joyfully celebrating. They drank, ate, and performed unique rituals around the campfire among the Beastmen.

Meanwhile, Leoness was surrounded by numerous Beastmen asking her where she had been, expressing how much they missed her, and they didn’t let go until she was utterly exhausted.

Some even held her hands and hugged her, weeping.

“Wondering what that’s all about?”

Finally shaking off the Beastmen, she trudged over and sat down beside me. The heroes had briefly left to enjoy some delicious food.

“Uh? What are they doing?”

Given that there are many animal types within the Beastman Tribe, everyone had different appearances, especially regarding ears and tails.

A male and female Beastman, facing each other by the campfire, half-turned their bodies and entwined their tails.

“Unlike humans, where couples dance to check each other’s feelings, we Beastmen entwine tails to express our wishes that our bonds never break. It’s typical among family, lovers, friends, etc. Though, the most common relationship is, of course, lovers.”

“Oh, I never knew that.”

Is it like making a promise by intertwining pinky fingers?

The Beastman Tribe has quite an interesting culture.

“Uh… Uh, if you didn’t know, w-what about trying it now?”

She stuttered and shyly made the suggestion.

“Isn’t that something for lovers? I don’t have a tail since I’m human!”

“You can wrap around mine. Like this.”

Leoness wrapped her tail around my waist. Surprisingly, her tail moves quite freely.

“…That’s true.”

I stared blankly at the flames of the campfire. While listening to the laughter all around, I spoke up.

“Leoness.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you truly satisfied with this?”

“I’m satisfied.”

“If you want, I could let you live in this world instead of the Spirit Realm.”

“That’s fine. I can just come visit again whenever I want.”

She said that with a somewhat carefree expression.

“I just wanted to reconfirm that everything I’ve done until now hasn’t been wrong. And today, I’ve certainly confirmed that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I haven’t seen the Beastmen living and laughing like this for years.”

Leoness gazed at the Beastmen with a satisfied smile, as if basking in their joy.

“Yeah. If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.”

There’s no need to say anything more.

“Praus.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. Truly.”

“What are you thanking me for—”

As I was answering, she leaned in closer, grabbing the nape of my neck and kissed me. It wasn’t a deep, sticky kiss involving tongues, but merely her lips pressed against mine as if sealing a pact.

However, it didn’t last long. The heroes returned, having sampled the food.

“What are you doing to our husband?!”

I calmed the heroes down.

“You always kiss me whenever you’re grateful, right?”

“Do you want something more?”

“If that happened, those guys would probably try to kill me.”

“That’s a good point.”

We all laughed brightly, looking at each other, regardless of who we were.

From now on, Leoness and I will maintain this kind of relationship forever.

Probably for life.

Always by my side.

And someday, she too will be able to shake off all her worries and find new happiness.

For sure. Definitely.