My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 33

Duke Tori and Urka were walking out of the annex towards the main residence where they lived.

“Urka, what are you thinking?” Duke Tori said seriously. Urka tilted her head, noticing the unusual tone.

“Huh? I’m not thinking about anything. I just want to defeat Inkuro and fight against Praus, who has reached the level of a Sword Master, that’s all.”

“You’re not thinking about anything, yet you say such things? Do you think you have the right to act on your own? Are you out of your mind?”

“It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

Seeing Urka maintain her nonchalant attitude, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Is that something you can say with a sane mind?”

“Talking like that makes it sound like I’m volunteering to be a slave. I told you, it’s not like I’m entering as a slave, I’m just going along.”

“That’s the same thing!”

His raised voice was filled with anger. The knights patrolling nearby sensed something unusual and approached them.

“Is something wrong, my lord?”

“No, it’s nothing. Just go away.”

“But…”

“I said go!”

The knights were flustered by the Duke’s uncommon outburst and quickly bowed their heads.

“Yes! Sorry! Have a good night!”

After finishing their apologies, they hurriedly left.

“My lord, why do you have a Beastman by your side?”

“Shh, be quiet. They might hear you.”

The knights fled as if they were escaping. Urka, who had been watching them closely, finally spoke up.

“Yeah, that’s the usual reaction of ordinary humans. But Praus was a bit different…”

“Tori.”

“What?”

“Did you know? That guy Praus, he took care of that elf child before even bothering to grab the expensive weapon I was holding? Seeing him hold it so precious made me think a lot.”

“And why is that…?”

“I just never imagined there would be someone like him.”

“There are many people in Aus Territory who care about Other Races.”

Duke Tori rebutted as she nodded without denying it.

“I know. Thanks to your efforts, the feelings between the tribes have eased significantly in Aus Territory, so it’s normal for people to get along. But still…”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

“Even so, most humans still see Other Races as mere slaves.”

“At least in Aus Territory, there are hardly any people like that. Everyone is favorable, just like how I think of Urka.”

Urka’s ears perked up. Her tail swayed softly, reflecting her emotions.

She felt happy with his words, but at the same time, there was a bittersweet feeling.

She clearly remembered what Duke Tori had done to protect her.

When his father had told him to abandon her, he had steadfastly persuaded him, allowing her to stay in the Duke’s Residence—an unforgettable memory for her.

In contrast to that, she had once passionately loved him.

However, Duke Tori, despite knowing her feelings, did not choose her and married a human woman instead.

Having loved him all her life, facing the reality forced her to bury her emotions, which was incredibly sorrowful.

“I’m not just talking about Aus Territory.”

She paused for a moment. The words to follow were somewhat ambiguous.

“Anyway, Tori, how many people do you think would risk their lives for the elf, who is an Other Race?”

“What?”

“Of course, just because someone saved a child doesn’t mean you can comprehend their entire character. It was just that their unwavering demeanor reminded me of you when you were little.”

She smiled faintly, recalling the Duke from back then who looked at her without any worries.

“So I just blurted it out in a fit of anger. There’s no other reason. After all, the only thing I can bet is my body. Sure, I’ve earned a lot of money since I was recognized as S-Class.”

“Then what about the things you were doing up until now? Are you planning to leave the Duke’s Residence?”

“Hahaha! What nonsense are you saying? It’s all about me winning, right? You really think I’m going to lose?”

Urka’s demeanor, looking at Duke Tori, radiated confidence. He also didn’t think she would lose. No, he didn’t want to.

But he had a ‘reason’ that she had to lose.

“Oh, but it might be better for you if I lose, right?”

“…Are you still dreaming of rebellion?”

Rebellion.

That was a word that no one else should ever hear.

Her face momentarily froze at his words before she suddenly burst out laughing.

“Rebellion? It’s not something grand like that. I want to kill the Emperor who massacred my tribe and made us slaves. If that scoundrel wasn’t around, I would have been living happily with my family by now.”

“I didn’t keep you in the Duke’s Residence for you to commit rebellion. Why don’t you consider the possibility that you might cause harm to the Duke’s Residence?”

At his words, Urka paused for a moment.

The thought of putting the Duke’s Residence—the place that had protected her—at risk was something Urka did not want.

“…I’ll make sure it won’t be harmed. Even if they investigate the Duke’s Residence, I can just say it was my own doing.”

“That’s not a simple matter. And you know you can’t do it alone. Why do you keep acting this way?”

“Don’t you think this is the way for the Beastman Tribe to find happiness in the future?”

“I’ve been working hard so that doesn’t happen. For Other Races to live peacefully in Aus Territory…”

Urka shook her head firmly.

“No, Tori. As long as the Emperor remains as the Emperor, the slave system will never disappear. The Emperor must die before the Beastman Tribe can find happiness.”

“I’m striving for the happiness of Other Races. To ensure that they aren’t treated as slaves or subjected to labor and sexual exploitation…”

“You promised that you would abolish the slave system the moment you inherited the Duke’s position. It’s already been 20 years since then.”

“Because the politics among the nobility are tangled. It will definitely get better someday.”

“When will that someday be?”

He couldn’t say anything in response.

Feeling a hint of loneliness, Urka smiled as if she understood him.

“Let’s stop talking about this. I don’t want to raise my voice at you.”

“Because of you, every Other Race in the Empire might be massacred.”

“Even so, I think the Empire must change. And besides… this is all hypothetical until there’s someone stronger than me.”

She smiled and stretched, then walked ahead of him.

Duke Tori clenched his fist so hard that blood began to seep out.

“Damn it…”

*

“Have you accepted the duel?”

During breakfast in the annex, Dex asked.

“Weren’t you supposed to be asleep?”

“How could I sleep in a place overflowing with information? This is all about money.”

…Money-centered bastard.

I half-expected him to sell his family for the sake of money.

After all, it was clear what happens when you lack money in this era.

I couldn’t blame him too much.

“So what have you decided?”

“For now, I’ve accepted the Formal Duel. With conditions applied.”

“What do you mean by conditions?”

“Originally, a Formal Duel is like an event, so many spectators gather. But for this duel, I asked for the number of spectators to be minimized. And I’ve asked that the result not be announced.”

It was inevitable that attention would be focused on the fact that an S-Class was battling, but I predicted that not announcing the result would prevent things from turning too badly.

“Why did you attach such conditions? Isn’t it good for Lord Praus to receive attention?”

“I don’t want attention. I’m just doing what I need to do.”

“Doing what you need to do… Are you possibly envious of S-Class adventurer Urka?”

There was no way.

Urka needed to be in Aus.

If the Demons invaded while she was by my side and the Duke were to die, all my plans could go awry.

She had to remain in Aus to protect the Duke.

She needed to buy us time until the Heroes took down the Generals.

It felt a bit like placing characters in the right spots, as in a game, but otherwise, I knew no other way.

I didn’t want to risk finding a different method that could endanger us.

“Dex, if you’re going to spout useless words, then get lost.”

“Hey. Isn’t being next to Lord Praus the best?”

“Dex, are you teasing Praus?”

Tina, who had arrived unaware, asked, her mouth full of food.

Looking closely, she really was a glutton. I wondered if my living expenses would be okay when we returned to town.

Dex flinched at the spirit he sensed from Tina and waved his hands frantically.

“How could I? I was merely listening. I couldn’t hear well while I was in my room. Who would expect soundproof magic to be placed in every room?”

“True. That’s why I only realized it late. I need to be more of a help to Lord Praus…”

Iris muttered, clenching her fist.

“I told you there’s no need to be constrained.”

“But can’t I go as a representative for that duel? Lord Praus doesn’t necessarily need to face that person, right?”

At Iris’s unexpected suggestion, everyone eating turned to look at her.

Technically there was no problem with the rules. Bringing a representative was completely allowed.

However, as Urka had expressed a desire to fight, and the yet inexperienced Heroes would be no match for her expertise and prowess.

“You all still can’t win.”

“…Understood.”

Iris looked obviously upset.

“But I know Lord Praus is a Sword Master, but can you defeat Urka? After all, she’s an S-Class adventurer.”

‘There’s no way I can lose. Not when I’ve accepted the request.’

“Do I look like someone who would lose to anyone?”

“Not really. Hmm!”

“In that case, eat your meal.”

“Yes.”

Honestly, I was worried.

But I had devised a strategy.

Wasn’t I in possession of a weapon that I couldn’t acquire in the current episode? I planned to make use of that.

“Delma, I have a place to go for lunch.”

“…Where to?”

“It’s a quiet place.”

“What are you planning?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to harm anyone.”

“Can I go too?”

“You can’t. But…”

I placed the purse with the ten gold coins that Duke Tori had given me on the table.

“Go do whatever you want in Aus City. You can sleep or go shopping. Just do what you want.”

Now that the children had become stronger, it wouldn’t be a problem for them to wander alone.

Even if someone caused trouble, having direct ties to the Duke would make it easy to resolve.

“Uh… where are you going?”

Maria asked. It was unusual for her to speak up, as she usually didn’t say much.

Was it because of what happened yesterday?

“I’m going to train for the duel. I’ll be back around dinner.”

“Whoa, training! Can I come too?”

“Do you really think I’d take someone who only deals in information with me?”

“Can I go?”

Ariel asked. Even if I told her not to come, she would come anyway…

“……Fine.”

“Lord Praus, I want to be with you.”

“Enough. Eat something delicious and enjoy your freedom. It’s a hard-earned privilege.”

“……Understood.”

Thus, Iris remained gloomy throughout her meal, and after a while, she ended up having her food snatched by Tina, causing a food dispute between the two.

They were truly noisy kids.

*

The day of the Formal Duel had arrived.

Two swords hung from my waist.

“Go for it, Teacher!”

“I can’t imagine you losing, Lord Praus. Just play with him.”

“Lord Praus, um… make sure to win.”

I patted each of the three children’s heads before turning away.

The others, aside from the three kids, didn’t say anything in particular. Perhaps having watched the preparations for the duel, it seemed they didn’t even entertain the idea that I might lose.

[Praus, how’s your readiness?]

“Don’t worry. I’m all set.”

[As expected of my friend. Now, shall we show that arrogant cat who’s the boss?]

He seemed spirited.

It was clear that he couldn’t contain his emotions after a new form of Phantom Sword Technique had emerged.

I started walking towards the Duel Arena.

Hoping this would be my last time fighting an S-Class.