My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 4

“What’s going on?”

Following Polde’s guidance, I stepped into the alley, where a muscular man stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall.

He was all bulging muscles and carrying a sword, clearly a lookout.

“I came to meet the Slave Trader.”

“Hm? Did you already manage to gather more money after just buying a slave?”

The man grinned as he eyed Iris next to me. Iris, with her fox ears folded down, hid behind my leg.

“Oh, so you came to resell her because she’s useless?”

“No. I came to transfer the Slave Contract.”

“Transfer, huh? So you’re transferring it to that guy behind you who looks like a knight?”

“That’s right.”

“Hey, you—”

He couldn’t finish his sentence. The moment he threw a glance at Iris while turning to me, his mouth shut.

“Ugh… Where did you bring that person from? Not a knight, huh?”

“Doesn’t seem like a knight. But he definitely seems strong.”

A knight? Just how powerful must this Killing Intent be to get such reactions from everyone?

At this point, I was curious as well.

I couldn’t feel my own Killing Intent or magical power, so I was eager to know what others could sense when they faced me.

“How long do we have to wait, Polde?”

“I-I apologize. Anyway, I want to meet the Slave Trader. Please step aside.”

“No, it looks like there’s nothing good that could come from letting you in.”

The man blocked our path, muscles tense. He gripped his sword’s hilt.

“Tsk. This is getting complicated. Is this happening because I’m unintentionally radiating Killing Intent? And I’m pressed for time.”

“Are you saying you’re going to block my way?”

At my words, he jumped back in shock. His hand, still gripping the hilt, trembled.

“Gah! What Killing Intent…!”

His breathing became ragged. I could see his knees shaking.

Not bad. Alright, let’s keep this going.

‘It’s because I don’t have time, you know? I’d appreciate it if you stepped aside.’

“I won’t say it twice. Step aside. If you don’t, you’ll really die.”

Please, don’t make this situation harder. My mouth—

The man hesitated. But he seemed reluctant to back down, gritting his teeth and tightening his grip.

‘Ah, come on. Just let it slide.’

“The moment you draw your sword, you’ll die.”

Yikes!

Had my Killing Intent intensified? The man was sweating bullets now.

A standoff between him and me.

Polde was looking at me in awe.

“Gah! I-I can’t do anything!”

The man was trying to draw his sword.

Hey, hey, don’t do that! Don’t draw it! Am I going to cry?

“Stop! That’s enough.”

Just before his blade could fully come out of its sheath, the man paused and turned towards the voice he heard.

There stood a suspicious-looking bespectacled man in a robe.

“You don’t have to be so wary.”

“But…”

“If that guy here wanted to cause a ruckus, he wouldn’t even bother talking.”

The mouth visible under the hood smiled slyly.

What’s he interpreting on his own? I appreciate him diffusing the situation, though.

“By the way, you said you were transferring the contract?”

“That’s right.”

The robed man adjusted his glasses and locked eyes with me.

“Wow… You’ve got an impressive aura. It’s no wonder my colleague would be tense.”

The man stammered, stepping back.

He had definitely eased his Killing Intent, but showed no signs of being intimidated. It seemed he was familiar with facing strong opponents.

“Well, anyway, there’ll be a fee for the transfer, though. Is that okay?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Good. Please come in.”

Phew, it seems like I managed to dodge a near-death experience.

I stole a glance at the man. He was avoiding my gaze, slightly bowing his head.

‘What a coward.’

“You. If we meet again and you still act like this, you won’t survive.”

Why am I warning someone who’s acting docile? Am I going to die?

I hurled a warning full of arrogance and stepped toward the stairs leading down.

“You must be quite skilled. That kid is rumored to be rather strong in the underworld, and you subdued him just with your gaze.”

…Really? I didn’t know that.

Did I just issue a warning to someone like that? Am I going to die? Am I dying?

“I’m not interested.”

But regardless of my chaotic emotions, my mouth acted on its own.

“Wow. Impressive.”

I chuckled in admiration.

After a short descent down the stairs, I found a heavy iron door. It was ajar, likely where the man had come from.

As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the sounds of crying from numerous cages. There were both human and animal cries.

“There are many slaves.”

“While we’re at it, why not take a look at some instead of just transferring the slave?”

“Not necessary. But there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I know there’s going to be a grand Slave Auction in a week. Do you know where it’s held?”

“Hmm. I do know. But the slaves there are too expensive for commoners to buy.”

“Just answer my question. If you say anything like that again, I’ll seriously beat you like a dog.”

Aren’t I the one who’s going to get beaten like a dog? I want to cry.

“Ouch. Seems I’ve bothered your mood. My apologies.”

“So where is it?”

“Ah~ for information like this, I’ll need to charge you—”

He’s a slippery one.

Even facing my Killing Intent, he hadn’t lost his smile, which was impressive. I pulled out a single Silver Coin and tossed it to him.

He caught it with ease and smirked.

“Thank you very much.”

“That coin covers both the transfer fee and the information.”

“Of course.”

“So where is it?”

“Have you heard of ‘Wyrang’s Indulgence’ in the black market?”

Wyrang’s Indulgence.

It was a well-known tavern in the black market. It was large, with all kinds of liquor circulated from the Empire. Anyone who had been to the black market at least once would know of this establishment.

“We’ll be holding it in the basement of that place.”

“Got it.”

That aligned with the information I had in mind.

“Alright. Prepare for the contract transfer. And Polde.”

“Yes. Yes.”

I handed him two Gold Coins. His eyes went wide as he alternated between me and the money.

‘You worked hard. Now go.’

“Now put the contract down and scram.”

At my words, he quickly handed me the contract and bolted out. I glanced at Polde as he left, then shot Iris a sidelong glance.

She was staring blankly at the heavy door through which Polde had exited, wearing a bitter expression, as if she felt abandoned.

What kind of comfort could I give her? She was already so hurt.

My gaze… or rather, Iris, sensing my Killing Intent, looked up at me. I spoke as I saw the hope extinguished in her eyes.

“Don’t make that face. It’s unpleasant.”

What am I saying to a child?

At a glance, I seemed like the greater villain than Polde.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Iris startled, bowing and straightening repeatedly. Each movement seemed painful, and she grimaced.

“…Is there a potion here?”

“A potion? We do have some. They’re used when slaves are ill.”

“Get me something decent.”

“Understood. Please sit here.”

She pointed to a table meant for receiving guests. I nodded and sat on the chair in front of it.

Iris stood next to me, covering her ears. She squinted her eyes and shook her head lightly.

“Sit in the chair.”

“But… I-I’m just a slave…”

“Not anymore.”

She cautiously glanced at me and sat down beside me. Her tail swayed slightly.

Before long, the Slave Trader returned with a potion and the tools for branding slaves, which looked like a large stamp.

He immediately handed the potion to Iris.

“Drink this.”

Iris looked at the bright red liquid in the bottle, squeezed her eyes shut, and gulped it down.

As soon as she drank it, her expression improved. The pain seemed to have subsided.

But unfortunately, the swelling didn’t seem to go down immediately. It looked like it would take some time.

“The effect doesn’t seem too good.”

“What potion would be good for a slave? If you want a good one, you should head to the church.”

“True. How much is the potion?”

“Fifty Coins, please.”

“That’s expensive.”

For this level of effectiveness, I thought I could buy it for twenty or thirty Coins. Are you trying to rip me off? I even tipped you!

“What can I say? This is my shop. The prices are up to the merchant’s discretion.”

I had no retort. Fine, as long as I can gather the Heroes, I can’t afford to complain.

Reluctantly, I handed over fifty Coins along with the Slave Contract. The moment he received it, he set the contract on fire. Then he swiftly lifted her shirt and touched the area where the brand would go.

“Ugh!”

Iris shut her eyes tightly in shame and grimaced. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Do it.”

The brand that had been embedded in her body gradually faded away.

“Now, would you like to write the Slave Contract? We’ll need a drop of blood.”

“No, that’s unnecessary.”

I got up from my seat and checked to see if the brand on Iris’s chest had disappeared. The mark that had been stamped like a tattoo was no longer there.

“Wait? Were you not going to turn her into a slave?”

‘It’s too pitiful to turn someone like her into a slave.’

“Why would I need to make her a slave? If she doesn’t listen, I’ll just kill her. That’s all there is to it.”

How did that even get filtered into this kind of statement?

Iris, who had been listening beside me, trembled. Her teeth clacked together nervously.

“But it would be easier to manage with the Slave Brand, wouldn’t it?”

“Not necessary.”

The Heroes just need to be nurtured until they awaken their powers.

After that, they’ll take care of themselves while roaming the continent, hunting down Demon Tribes.

My role was simply to help the Hero survive.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes… Master.”

As I walked on, she hurriedly followed behind, apparently fearful of me possibly killing her.

“Don’t call me Master. I have no intention of being your master.”

I said as I opened the heavy door.

“B-but…”

“Please visit again.”

I didn’t respond.

Unless a Hero comes captured as a slave, I likely wouldn’t have any reason to return here.

As soon as Iris stepped out, I closed the door and ascended the stairs.

“Iris.”

I stopped midway up the stairs and looked back. Iris, who had been following behind, fidgeted nervously.

“Yes…?”

“You are no longer a slave. Live like a decent person.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“This will be my first and last command to you.”

With those final words, I continued up the stairs.

I didn’t need to hear her reply. Seeing her silently crying upon hearing my words was enough.