My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 29

“Lord Praus, will you accept that proposal? Chomp chomp.“

Dex, seated across from me, asks while diligently slicing into his meat. The sound of his chewing was incredibly unpleasant.

“I don’t want to accept it. And don’t talk while you’re eating.”

“Teacher! This is delicious too! Eat up, hurry!”

He pokes a piece of square-cut steak with his fork and offers it to me. Juicy meat oozed out.

“Come on.”

I reluctantly looked at it and forced it into my mouth.

The meat was so tender it seemed to melt away in my mouth. At last, I felt like I was experiencing proper cuisine for the first time since coming to this world.

“Teacher! What do you think?”

“I’m not your teacher.”

I shot back at Tina, who was sparkling with excitement and awaiting my review, then glanced at Duke Tori, who was seated at the head of the long table, enjoying his meal.

“Why aren’t you touching your food? Should I prepare something else if it doesn’t suit your taste?”

“I think of everything I’m eating right now as a ‘debt,’ so I’m somewhat hesitant.”

“Is it a debt? What should I do to make it better?”

Iris, who had already popped a chunk of steak into her mouth, mumbled through her food.

…What are you even saying?

“Eat as much as you want.”

I waved casually at Iris while glancing at Maria, who was sitting across from me.

Maria was quietly eating while her eyes sparkled with delight.

She looked so innocent at times, but it’s quite a problem how much resentment she has towards humans.

“I’ve never eaten food this delicious in my life! It’s unbelievable that I’m spending time in a Duke’s residence.”

Delma, sitting in the corner, was even shedding tears.

He looked like the happiest man alive.

Meanwhile, I felt like this moment was the most miserable of my life.

Gulp!

Dex swallowed the meat he had put in his mouth.

“So, Lord Praus, are you thinking of taking care of the S-Class Adventurer?”

“Sorry, but the request I put forth to Praus is not to ‘handle’ but to ‘subdue.’”

Tori corrected Dex’s words.

That makes sense. After all, that person is someone precious to him.

The reason why the duke seems to care especially for other races is entirely because of that person.

The problem is that person is Maria.

A beastman with a deep-seated grudge against humans.

“You know better than anyone how difficult it is to defeat an S-Class Adventurer, right?”

“That’s why I’m asking a Sword Master like you. You can use the Aura Sword, which even an S-Class Adventurer couldn’t master.”

It’s fake, you know? Just as useless as the killing intent.

I want to scream. I want to get out of this misunderstanding.

Do these people even know the turmoil in my heart?

Chomp!

Slurp!

The sounds of food being devoured from all directions made me chuckle quietly.

It was ridiculous to see them stuffing their faces without a care in the world.

Yeah, go ahead and eat. Damn it.

“Think about it a bit more and let me know. Don’t think of this meal as a debt, think of it as an investment.”

Make sure you give it to someone worth investing in. Otherwise, it’s just throwing money into thin air.

If this guy lived in modern times, he’d definitely be the type to invest everything and go bankrupt!

Be thankful you were born a noble.

*

“Wow~ There are so many rooms!”

Tina runs playfully down the corridor. Iris and Maria are also wide-eyed, looking around.

“This annex is unused, so there’s no need to watch your step. I’ve called for the servants, so there shouldn’t be any inconvenience during your stay.”

“Is there really a reason to go this far?”

“Just defeat that girl… ‘Urka.’ That’s all I’m asking.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

Think about it, huh?

How am I supposed to defeat an S-Class Adventurer myself?

This request is a problem only the involved parties can resolve. I can’t rely on the Spirit King or the Hero’s power.

Even in the game, it was a quest I solved with an Iris that I had leveled up considerably. To think I’d receive such a request as a weak human!

Damn, this is a bad game!

“I hope you’ll think positively. I must return now. The servants will arrive soon, so enjoy your few days here.”

He extended his hand toward me. I simply nodded. He awkwardly withdrew his hand and turned to leave.

“Praus! Ah… I decided to call you Teacher! Teacher!”

“Don’t call me Teacher.”

“Is this place ours for the next few days?”

“It’s not ours. I don’t know how long we’ll be staying.”

Ah, I just want to disappear and avoid this request.

Every action taken by the Duke toward us feels burdensome. The pressure to meet expectations made me sigh involuntarily.

“Tina, don’t be so reckless—”

“As a child, I can act like a child. You too, Iris.”

I interrupted Iris, who was going to scold Tina. However, she quickly shook her head in refusal.

“But the reason I’m with Lord Praus is…”

“Your worth has already been proven. Don’t unnecessarily cling to me. I won’t abandon you.”

Even though I said it, my tone was utterly inappropriate to instill proper mental education in a child.

Am I becoming a villain here?

As I lamented internally and glanced at Iris, she appeared to be smiling reassuringly.

“…Yeah. Hehe.”

Iris also moved on, glancing curiously into the opened doors, pondering where to sleep.

“Hmph! Acting like a child.”

Maria scoffed as she looked at the two, crossing her arms with a displeased expression. I smacked the top of her head lightly.

Thwack.

She lifted her head in surprise, blinking her eyes.

“You’re acting like a child too.”

“Do… don’t treat me like a child. I’m near a Grand Magician level who can handle all elements!”

“At your age, a real Grand Magician could implement all magic of all attributes.”

“!”

Of course, that was the protagonist from another novel.

But you all are technically the protagonists in a game, so we’re even, right?

“Now that you’ve awakened and can use some magic, do you think you’ve got the world in your hands? Don’t get cocky.”

“…Yes.”

She bit her lower lip, looking quite frustrated.

“And at your age, you should be more energetic. I know you have a sad past and the treatment you’ve received.”

“Knowing doesn’t give you the right to say that.”

“But it doesn’t have to be that way anymore.”

I moved my hand, which had just slapped her head, and gently brushed through her hair. Maria flinched at my touch, then abruptly pushed my hand away.

“Even if you call me Teacher! I haven’t necessarily given my heart to you.”

“I don’t expect that. You can use me. But while we’re together, it wouldn’t hurt to get along.”

“I hate all humans. To the point of wanting to kill them. And you want me to get along?”

“Hmm, that sounds a bit scary. To think the protagonist I saved has a cursed fate to kill me.”

“You? Kill me?”

What kind of provocation is this?

There are plenty of good words suitable for the situation.

Like, “But I want to be friends with you,” or “I understand your feelings!” There’s no shortage of alternatives.

Was my mouth born to invite hatred?

Damn. I just want to cry.

As I gazed at her silently, she took a step back with a small “Kuh.”

“Not now, but someday, I might topple the Empire for the prosperity of the Elf Tribe. And if you stand in my way then, we might have to fight—”

“That won’t happen.”

I cut her off firmly.

“Huh?”

“There will be no toppling of the Empire, nor will we fight.”

If Maria were to upheave the Empire, it would inevitably lead to a bad ending.

The scenario was intentionally twisted by the game writers to create character conflict, but this was a part that had to be resolved.

The best scenario would be to resolve conflicts as non-violently as possible, but that would require Duke Tori’s help.

To eradicate the Empire’s slave system and gain territory where Elves and Beastmen can live, a politically savvy person was crucial.

And the most suitable person for that was Duke Tori. He was the only noble who was friendly toward other races and trusted.

“What do you mean?”

“Just what it says.”

“How can you be so sure?”

‘Because it’s that kind of scenario.’

“It’s because of fate.”

Maria’s eyes widened at my words. I was equally shocked.

How could such cheesy lines come out of my mouth!

“Wh-what do you mean?”

If I play my cards right, she wouldn’t resort to mass slaughter against humans. The resentment against them would remain, but she wouldn’t oppress people.

“A Grand Magician shouldn’t be clueless about this. How pathetic.”

“What does that have to do with being a Grand Magician right now?”

“You’ll eventually figure it out. So be careful not to tread the wrong path.”

“The wrong path…?”

Maria’s voice dropped low. Oh no, did I slip up?

“The ones who’ve already entered the wrong path are humans; why shouldn’t I?”

She solemnly questioned, her aura darkening more than ever.

“It’s fine for humans to massacre and enslave our Elf Tribe, but why can’t we retaliate? Everything wrong is on humans, isn’t it? Why, what wrong do we commit just by existing differently from noble humans?”

“Maria.”

“I sincerely thank you for saving me from being sold into slavery. But Praus had his own ‘goals’ too, didn’t he? We’re just trying to use each other.”

Exposed to the Hero’s enmity, my body trembled slightly. This was scary.

“If you don’t want to be called Teacher, then don’t. I can grow stronger without you.”

“Maria, please watch your words.”

At some point, Iris had wedged herself between us. Tina was also standing by my side, having joined me.

Both of them were far from the innocent demeanor they exhibited just moments ago.

Especially Tina, who rested her hand on her sword’s hilt, her serious expression emanating a palpable killing intent, looking ready to strike if I told her to cut Maria down.

“What are you doing to Lord Praus?”

“Iris… Are you really that clueless? You were a slave too, right? Why cling to the human Praus?”

Maria probed Iris, her tone filled with disbelief.

“Because he’s the only one who respects me in this world.”

“What?”

“Because he granted me ‘freedom.’”

Iris answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, leaving Maria momentarily speechless.

She had understood her own position: she too was a slave and had been rescued at an immense cost.

“…That may be true, but that doesn’t mean the Emperor… or humans can smile and overlook what they’ve done to other races!”

“What do you mean? What I want to say is why are you mad at Lord Praus.”

“What?”

“His manner may seem harsh and indifferent to others, but I don’t think Lord Praus has ever acted wrongly towards you. If anything, you should be grateful. For life.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“No matter the reason, he saved you from hitting rock bottom. If it weren’t for Lord Praus, you probably wouldn’t be just scared of tomorrow, but actually wishing for death.”

Once you receive a slave brand, even suicide is forbidden.

She shot a cold glare at Maria as she added that remark.

“Iris, are you done?”

“No, not yet. Maria, why don’t you realize that Lord Praus is caring for you?”

“Caring? Isn’t it just using me?”

“Using? Pfft!“

Iris burst into laughter. The sudden outburst chilled the atmosphere even more.

Her laughter quickly ceased as she stepped closer to Maria.

“So, what have you given to Lord Praus?”

“What?”

“Let’s change the angle of the question. What has Lord Praus ‘asked’ from you?”

“That’s….”

“Last time, it was about proving our value to him? Lord Praus knew all along we could grow stronger.”

“Then he just used us.”

“What benefit does it bring Lord Praus for you to grow stronger?”

Iris’s logic left Maria speechless. She clenched her fist, staring at the floor.

Was Iris always this articulate? I had the impression in the game she was rather taciturn.

“If you grow strong, wouldn’t Lord Praus become strong with you?”

“Enough.”

I interrupted Iris’s relentless questioning.

It wouldn’t do any good to let a fight break out before they had developed far enough as heroes.

Rinsing issues over trivial matters could lead to deeper emotional rifts that might pose problems when dealing with the Demon Tribe later.

“…Understood.”

Sighing, Iris finally replied. Only then did Tina release her grip from her sword.

Tina had said nothing, but an unusual intensity could be sensed from her eyes.

“Maria, it was my slip-up. Don’t worry about it.”

Ultimately, I hadn’t given the depth of her past the thought it deserved before pressing her buttons.

But my mouth still struggles to spit out an apology.

“No… No, it’s fine. I’m sorry.”

It seems she still holds some gratitude for being saved.

For now, that’s enough. At the very least, it doesn’t seem like this argument will make her dislike me.