My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 288

“There’s always a way.”

“Your attitude when asking is downright terrible.”

…?

As words completely unrelated to my thoughts burst out, my mind suddenly went blank. I tried to explain to prevent any misunderstanding, but the atmosphere turned icy in an instant.

Todiah sighed as he touched his forehead, wearing an expression that said he expected this.

All the other dukes, Dex, and the knights standing guard were looking at me with bewildered expressions in the audience chamber.

“You! What did you just say to His Majesty the Emperor?”

“I understand you might suspect me of being an informant because I have information related to the Demon Tribe, but shouldn’t we first express gratitude for having protected the Pretéum Empire and its citizens?”

I made a small issue out of what could have ended simply by lying down and speaking the truth.

“You!!!”

Conver started marching toward me, seething with rage.

No way. If that guy gets any closer, my neck will be cut off in an instant. It seems I have no choice but to use my skill.

I fixed my gaze and activated my “Killing Intent.”

Everyone present froze in response to my aura. Conver, who was approaching, seemed to have his legs stiffen, halting midway down the stairs.

…What do I do now?

“Guh…! You! If you don’t retract your Killing Intent this instant, I will execute you right here!”

“Praus! Withdraw your Killing Intent immediately! Do you wish to be labeled a traitor?”

Glair shouted urgently.

“…He still hasn’t come to his senses.”

The one who hadn’t come to his senses was my mouth.

It may be a bit early, but I have no choice but to reveal it now.

“Ariel.”

As I whispered her name, the flow of energy in the atmosphere of the audience chamber began to shift. Even in this enclosed space, the emperor’s and nobles’ garments fluttered.

“What’s this wind…?”

Just as they began to wonder, a long-haired woman with golden locks appeared behind me. She landed gracefully in her green fairy attire.

“Yes. Were you asking me why I knew about the Demon Tribe’s information? The one who can answer that is right here.”

As I retracted my Killing Intent, the people around me sighed with relief.

“Praus, you really are a troublemaker, aren’t you?”

Ariel scolded me with her hands on her hips. I inwardly smirked and apologized.

“Sorry, Ariel.”

“Shut it.”

Damn. Expression management.

“Oh my, how bold? Do you want to die? I won’t help you.”

“…”

I responded by sharply turning my head. I decided not to speak.

“Anyway, you leave all the hard work to me.”

“Who are you, exactly?”

“…My name is Ariel. I am the Spirit King who governs the wind among the four great elements.”

“!”

The audience chamber erupted into whispers at the reveal of the Spirit King.

“The Spirit King…?”

Everyone stared at Ariel, who held her head high as if they couldn’t believe it.

“Isn’t she a fake?”

“But if she appeared suddenly, it means she can use Teleport, right?”

The knights murmured, eyeing Ariel warily. Ariel arrogantly squared her shoulders and looked around.

“How dare you, a mere worthless human, suspect a Spirit King such as myself? If I wish, I could destroy the whole imperial palace right here and now.”

The relationship between spirits and humans wasn’t particularly good since spirits were often used by humans. But how on earth did Pasma manage to charm such a being?

“Had there been any lack of respect for Pasma, who risked his life to protect the Empire, I would have destroyed this palace with my previous statement. Consider yourself warned.”

“Pasma…?”

“Are you referring to that Sword Master Pasma who died decades ago?”

“Yes. He perished while fighting the Demon Tribe’s commander, Peremus, just to protect the Empire.”

Ariel recalled the incident with an overt hostility. The emperor, watching her silently, closed and opened his eyes slowly.

“…I remember now. When I was much younger, I met you once. You were the spirit contracted to Pasma, who had reached the level of Sword Master.”

Emperor Lupin’s brief remarks seemed to irritate him.

“I apologize, Spirit King Ariel. However, didn’t the contract break when Pasma died? Can I ask why you have returned to the Human World?”

Ariel shot a glance at me. I nodded. She sighed and looked directly at the emperor.

“Because you suspected my contractor, I came to clarify myself.”

“Contractor? Don’t tell me…!”

“How did Praus know about the Demon Tribe? Simple. I transferred the knowledge I possess from living since the time of the first Hero to him.”

She could really excel in acting, without even blinking.

Her ability to lie without a hitch was remarkable.

From that point on, the discussion progressed rapidly.

The misunderstanding of me being a Demon collaborator was resolved, and gratitude was expressed for saving the Pretéum Empire, along with a modest reward.

“I swear I can’t take this anymore! Do you have ten lives or something?!”

And Glair’s nagging on top of it all.

Anyway, as the stigma of being a collaborator with the Demon Tribe was lifted, I began to seek a way to cooperate with the Aioum Kingdom to tackle the Demon Tribe.

I trusted that the issue with Marquis Lector would be handled appropriately by the Empire, so I concluded the matter with some simple advice.

*

“That was a close call…”

That evening, we returned to the inn, and Stella cautiously sought me out in my room. I had booked another room since I couldn’t keep sitting on a chair forever.

“…It wasn’t like I was actually captured in the first place.”

I answered nonchalantly as I rolled up the parchment on which I had drafted my next plan.

Stella stood in front of the table, looking down at me, as if waiting for me to tell her to sit.

“You can sit if you want. There’s no need to ask for permission. You’re not a slave.”

“…You always seem to brainwash me with that one line about not being a slave.”

She smiled and sat at the table’s opposite side, pulling her clothes closer as if it were slightly chilly.

“I’m just stating a fact.”

“It turns out you’re a cold-hearted person, but oddly kind as well.”

“Shut up.”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“Not in the slightest. By the way, what about the others?”

“They’re sleeping.”

“Right. They’re still young and in the prime of needing sleep to grow.”

I hope they become strong enough to save the Empire and liberate the Other Races.

This time, risking my life is enough.

“…Praus.”

“Yes?”

“That Demon who came a few days ago… Wasn’t he the commander?”

“Correct. The Fourth Commander, Habito.”

“I saw from a distance when you fought him.”

Was it really a battle?

To be honest, it was thanks to Pasma’s reflexes and the Aura that Ariel provided that I survived at all. All I contributed was lending my pathetic body to Pasma.

“Is that so?”

“He was… really impressive.”

“Yeah.”

“The reason you had to fight that Demon was… because of me, wasn’t it?”

“Exactly. He intended to turn you into one of them.”

“…That’s terrifying.”

“I should have killed him on the spot… It’s disappointing.”

Had other S-Class Adventurers not arrived, I would also have died right there, and Stella would have been kidnapped. Worst case, the Heroes might have been slaughtered.

We were fortunate that things worked out, otherwise, the entire plan would have fallen apart from the start.

Sighing softly, I noticed Stella bowing her head, so low her forehead nearly touched the table.

“…Thank you. Thank you for going that far for me. Truly, thank you.”

“It’s fine.”

Honestly, receiving gratitude didn’t change anything.

Without becoming the Deputy Commander of the Demon Tribe, Stella was just an incapable noblewoman. A girl who once had her head in the clouds in this world. Not that she wouldn’t change from that.

Regardless, Stella had no practical use in the plans moving forward.

Moreover, since the future of Stella becoming the Deputy Commander had changed, we would also need information regarding the new Deputy Commander of the Fourth Demon Legion.

While I was at a loss for this, I had to avoid regrets. It would be more unsettling to know something and not act on it.

“Stella.”

“Yes, Praus?”

“I told you I would let you have your revenge, right?”

“Yes. I remember.”

“The revenge I can grant you is to kill Marquis Lector by your own hands.”

“Ma-Marquis Lector?”

As I directly mentioned his name, she stuttered, looking troubled.

“Yeah.”

Strictly speaking, I also wanted to kill KyouKyou, the Demon allied with him, but that was beyond Stella’s capabilities.

That was something to let either me or the Heroes take care of, or leave it to the Empire.

While I’d mentioned regard regarding Marquis Lector, I didn’t plan on killing him immediately, but the situation could change, so I might not directly be able to fulfill the revenge.

For now, I want the Empire to open the doors for collaboration with the Aioum Kingdom and provide an opportunity to kill Marquis Lector. If not, we might have to attempt an assassination on our own.

“Of course, it’s not guaranteed. It’s something possible only if the opportunity arises.”

She didn’t respond, just slowly nodded her head.

“Will you be able to do it?”

“I… think I could manage it with you around…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be by your side when your revenge is fulfilled.”

“…That’s quite reassuring to hear.”

She covered her mouth and smiled absentmindedly.

“However, there are many preparations to be made for that.”

Recovering numerous artifacts, the growth of the Heroes, and the Spirit Contracts.

There were countless tasks to accomplish.

Without a doubt, some of these would involve risking our lives. But cruelly, only by overcoming those trials could we conquer the Demon King.

We couldn’t keep cowering in the Capital.

“We will soon embark on an adventure. We have to confront the Demon Tribe for the Empire’s sake.”

“We?”

“Yeah. You and the ones sleeping in that room over there.”

“…What about me?”

Stella suddenly remembered her exclusion and hastily asked.

“Stella, you are powerless.”

Despite that, I didn’t have to be too harsh with her about it.

I didn’t have to say it so bluntly.

“I can be of help. I can handle gathering information and carrying things!”

“No. You won’t make it through a process that someone like you, who has never held a sword, could possibly endure. You might… die.”

It would be meaningless if after everything I somehow let her die.

“Thus, I offer you two choices.”

I held up two fingers as I spoke.

“First, you can become a maid in the Todiah Family and serve. Second, you can use the money I give you to find a job in Pretéum or Todiah and support yourself.”

“…”

“You need to stay safe until you can take revenge on Lector.”

Stella clenched her fist atop the table. She bit her lower lip, trembling with anxiety.

It was only natural. This was somewhat akin to leaving her to fend for herself.

But I had no choice but to pressure her.

If we wanted to succeed in Stella’s revenge, she had to be alive by then, and we needed to be strong enough to deal with most Demon Tribe members.

“What will you choose?”