My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 287

“Where is this…?”

As I slowly opened my eyes, pain punctured my entire body. The softness enveloping me felt far from what I’d expect from an inn’s bed.

“Oh, you’re awake!”

“…?”

I turned my head towards a familiar voice nearby. Ella Todiah was looking at me with a lively face.

“Lord Praus, are you with us?”

“Ella… Todiah…?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Ella Todiah. Now that you’re awake, I’ll go fetch the others.”

Looks like I’ve survived, thank goodness. But seeing my trembling arms made it clear my muscles and joints were under heavy strain.

It seems like recovery will take a while. Who’s going to feed me a recovery potion?

I struggled to prop myself up. Watching Ella exit, I took a moment to look around the room.

The luxurious wallpaper and impeccably clean furniture starkly contrasted with the rough inn I was used to, so I had a hunch about where I was.

Not long after, Glair and the heroes entered the room. I felt relieved to see Stella, the last one to walk in.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to have been dragged off by Habito.

“Lord Praus! Are you okay?!”

“Are you alright?!”

The heroes scrutinized my condition. Fortunately, my body bore no significant wounds; it simply creaked like an old door.

“Is he okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“With that scowling expression and cheeky attitude, you sure seem fine.”

“Where am I?”

“In the royal palace.”

“The royal palace…?”

Shit. I covered my face.

Of all places, it had to be the palace. Duke Todiah has plenty of guest rooms available.

Considering I spotted Soro and Ter right before fainting, it’s clear that I’m under the royal family’s care.

I didn’t exactly feel guilty about having acted with ulterior motives, but resting in the palace meant I would inevitably be interrogated about why the demon tribe attacked.

I had thought up justifications, and I had rehearsed my words, so I was fine with that…

“Plaus.”

“Yeah?”

“The Emperor commands you to explain how the demon tribe, specifically a unit commander, was able to invade Pretéum. If you keep silent here, it could be misconstrued as collusion with the demons.”

‘That’s true. I get it. Still, it feels a bit unjust. I’m the one who defended the capital from the demons.’

“I defended Pretéum from nearly being reduced to ashes, yet they suspect me of colluding with the demons… How utterly incompetent.”

Look at how I’m speaking. If I said this in front of the Emperor, I’d be sentenced to death on the spot!

“Plaus, that’s an insult to the royal family.”

“I’m just stating the facts.”

“Sure, we might have a personal connection, so it could be overlooked, but the royal family is different.”

I know that. Honestly, I want to express the frustration boiling within me, but damn expression management won’t allow it.

“However, Dad, honestly, I think it’s strange to suspect someone who risked their life fighting for us as being in cahoots with the demons.”

“Still, what can we do? The Emperor directly demands proof. If you provide that, there will be no issues.”

Glair expressed discomfort.

“Proof…? I suppose if they ask for it, I’ll have to find a way.”

“Is there a way?”

“…Can we summon the head of the Secret Garden?”

“The head of the Secret Garden…?”

By now, the Secret Garden should have validated information regarding the Aioum Kingdom. The question is whether they’ve noticed the current situation in the Aioum Kingdom, even if they couldn’t find a solution.

Even if they don’t know, it doesn’t matter; if Dex can prove that I provided that information, the story can unfold.

In fact, it’s likely they would take care of the issues in the Aioum Kingdom themselves once they start to investigate.

“Understood. I’ll summon them urgently.”

Glair pondered for a moment before nodding.

Just then, knights clad in faintly glowing golden armor entered. Their chest plates bore a design reminiscent of a phoenix.

“We meet the Duke of Todiah and Lady Todiah.”

The knights bowed deeply toward the Todiah family.

“Excuse me, but I’ve come to see Lord Praus about a matter. Is it alright if I enter?”

“No.”

Glair spoke firmly.

“Pardon?”

“It’s time for him to rest.”

“But… His Majesty…”

“Regardless of proving that he might be colluding with demons, it’s a fact that he risked his life defending Pretéum from the demons. Isn’t that a level of courtesy we can extend?”

The knights shot me sidelong glances, looking puzzled.

It was a command from the Emperor, and they were supposed to drag me away immediately, but with Todiah standing firm, they were left with no choice.

“…Very well. We’ll come back shortly.”

“Right. I’ll speak directly to His Majesty.”

“Understood. Then…”

After bowing, the knights turned to leave. Todiah then stepped out into the corridor and said,

“Time’s bought. I’ll be back shortly, so wait a bit.”

The door closed, and silence fell for a moment.

“Lord Praus, what do you plan to do?”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

Considering that the Empire still holds the history of the ‘first heroes’ in high regard, I had sufficient methods to persuade them.

*

Creak, creak.

Every time the knights stepped forward, I could hear the sound.

They walked with me at the center as if maintaining a protective formation, casting suspicious glances in my direction.

“Here we are. Enter.”

The knights halted in front of an ornately golden decorated door.

It was the Emperor’s audience room.

One of the knights pushed the door open. Inside, several knights and the four great dukes of the Empire had gathered. They were all individuals I would eventually need to meet.

Walking confidently, I stepped inside. I felt no sense of guilt; I merely expelled the demons; there was no more to it.

“Stop there.”

A resounding voice echoed through the audience room.

Who’s that…?

That must be Conver, the head of the royal knight order.

I halted in my tracks at his command.

“Show proper respect to His Majesty the Emperor, commoner.”

“…”

Respect, huh…

That’s a bit annoying.

Considering the social hierarchy of this world, he’s an Emperor, and I’m a commoner, so it makes sense to show respect.

But right now, I’m in the position of a distinguished guest, aren’t I?

I just helped stave off a crisis in Pretéum.

Of course, if I hadn’t brought Stella along, none of this would have happened, but it still annoyed me how they treated me after putting my life on the line.

Nonetheless, the hierarchy in this world is an undeniable factor. If I wanted to avoid dying here, I had no choice but to yield.

I lowered my head and offered a greeting, but that was all.

Not knowing the noble’s standard way of salutations, I could only bow as I would in my own country.

“Tsk. A commoner who doesn’t even know basic etiquette.”

Ugh. This guy just won’t quit.

At this point, is there even a reason to endure it? Even without a weapon, I had insurance with Ariel, so I had nothing to fear.

I raised my head.

For this moment, I needed to act like Praus.

“…I fought with my life on the line against the demons, including a unit commander.”

“Who dares to speak—”

“Shut up. I’m talking.”

“What, what…?”

Conver uttered in shock.

“Etiquette? Do you think this is the time for that?”

Conver, unable to hold back at my words, drew his sword. The other knights followed suit, drawing their swords and aiming them at me.

What a bunch of scumbags. They’re the only ones armed.

Come on, give me a weapon too!

“…You must be well aware of who stands before you, the Emperor!”

As if observing the situation, Emperor Lupin Aiter Pretéum sat calmly, watching my actions.

“I drove off the demon unit commander with my life on the line. Had I not discovered it early, Pretéum would have been reduced to ashes. Can you dispute that?”

“Right now, I’m not talking about your contributions but about etiquette!”

“Etiquette? If you can prove I’m not colluding with the demons, who should be showing proper etiquette? The fact remains that you all benefited from my actions. Isn’t that so?”

“Hah! That’s only if you can prove it!”

I glanced at Todiah. Glair let out a silent sigh.

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“I’ve brought a witness to prove Lord Praus’s innocence regarding any collusion with the demons.”

“A witness?”

“Let them in!”

At Todiah’s shout, the audience room’s door opened again, revealing a familiar face.

With black hair and green eyes, it was Dex.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

He stood beside me and conducted a graceful bow consistent with noble etiquette. The Emperor waved his hand casually in response.

“Please understand that I’m neglecting to introduce myself due to extenuating circumstances.”

“Very well. Why have you come as Lord Praus’s witness?”

The Emperor nodded, having recognized his identity.

“Though it was the Duke Todiah’s request, I personally do not believe Lord Praus to be colluding with the demons. I’ve had my subordinates follow him closely, yet never once saw him engaging in any exchanges with the demons.”

“However, demons always behave unpredictably. Couldn’t they have communicated in a way that evaded the naked eye?”

“…That’s not entirely impossible, but I doubt someone colluding with demons could easily pass on information.”

Dex glances at me.

“He passed on information?”

“About a month ago, Lord Praus came to me with a specific piece of information. It concerned the Mens Trading Company, which is currently growing in the Aioum Kingdom.”

“The Mens Trading Company? Isn’t that operated by Marquis Lector of Aioum Kingdom?”

“Yes. After roughly two weeks of investigation, I found the possibility that Marquis Lector might be colluding with the demons.”

“Possibility?”

“This here.”

He procured a vial from his belongings that contained a token.

“I brought this just in case. While I can’t ascertain the details, it’s evident that something was manipulated with this token.”

“Manipulated? What do you mean?”

“When my subordinate grabbed this token, he suddenly insisted he needed to buy something and began purchasing items from the Mens Trading Company.”

“Purchasing items is not strange behavior, is it?”

“Yes, indeed. But the issue arose when he started buying items that were utterly useless, mere pebbles.”

“What?!”

As Dex continued his narration, the tension on the faces of those around us deepened.

“I’ve yet to grasp that phenomenon. However, based on my subordinate’s behavior, I’m led to suspect that it was likely ‘mind control.’”

“Mind control…?”

The four great dukes and even Emperor Lupin fell silent, recognizing the severity of the situation. The Emperor, resting his chin on his hand, straightened his posture and looked at me.

“…Plaus, how did you sense unrest in the Aioum Kingdom? It might be good to speak openly about everything.”

Feeling the Emperor’s pressure alongside the gaze from everyone, I slowly opened my mouth.