My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 43

Tori Aus and Urka, summoned by the Emperor, sensed a chaotic atmosphere right from the entrance of Pretéum.

“Just wait a moment and check it out.”

“Got it.”

The two stepped down from the carriage, heading toward the source of the confusion.

Upon reaching the spot where Inkuro, Ella, and Habito had fought, they were left speechless.

“This is serious.”

It was utterly devastated.

There were no remnants left. Just a pool of completely dried black blood on the ground.

“What happened here?”

Tori approached the Royal Knight Order guarding the scene and asked.

“A few days ago, Lord Inkuro and Lady Ella faced a Demon Lord-level demon in the capital.”

“What?!”

Urka’s head whipped around, catching the overwhelming scent of blood.

“A Demon Lord-level one?”

“Yes. I heard they wielded blood magic. The name was ‘Habito,’ which I’ve never encountered before as a demon.”

“…It seems the hierarchy has shifted in the Demon World. The strong have the opportunity to become Legion Commanders there.”

Tori’s words rang true.

In fact, for demons, strength equated to power.

As long as they were strong, there were no rules holding them back.

The position of Legion Commander was no exception.

There were rare cases where a demon from within a legion would overthrow a Legion Commander and assume the title for themselves.

“So what about that corpse?”

“They couldn’t kill him. He fled, it seems. Two S-Class Adventurers are capable of challenging a Demon Lord, it seems.”

‘No way, that can’t be true.’

Urka frowned at the knight’s casually spoken words, internally rejecting them.

The fact that the Grand Anti-Demon Magic was laid down in the capital was known to all residents of Pretéum.

‘If there was this much damage even under the Grand Anti-Demon Magic, that means they must have struggled. They definitely pushed themselves hard.’

“By the way, Ella? Are you talking about the retired S-Class adventurer Ella? I haven’t heard that she recovered from the magic infection she had last year.”

“I heard she was cured a few days ago.”

At the news of her recovery, Tori and Urka’s eyes widened.

They were shocked to hear of a cure for a magic infection that even skilled healers couldn’t remove.

“A few days ago?”

“Yes. I can’t elaborate further, but according to Lord Inkuro, she is using her body well and releasing magic power without problems.”

“…I need to hear more about this.”

Historically, there were only two ways to cure magical infections.

One was the healing powers of the saint from ancient history, and the other was the Purification Stone that was all annihilated in the First Demon War.

Thus, there had been no methods to heal magic infections, but now that seemed to have changed.

“Alright, I understand. Thank you for your effort.”

“Yes!”

“Let’s go, Urka.”

“Sure.”

The two left the scene and made their way back to the carriage.

“This is the first time I’ve been to the capital in a while, and I’m hearing all sorts of news.”

“Definitely. It is.”

They scratched their heads and sighed.

*

“Ellla, I sincerely congratulate your return.”

“I haven’t returned yet. Prince Chris.”

Despite lying in bed for a while, Ella’s etiquette remained impeccable.

Her tone, the elegance in lifting the teacup, even the way she ate a cookie, all radiated the aura of a noble.

Watching this, Crown Prince Chris was inwardly impressed.

‘It’s hard to believe such a fragile and innocent-looking lady is an S-Class Adventurer. The Todiah Family has produced strong contenders for generations, but…’

“So can I ask why you summoned me today?”

His moment of contemplation was broken by Ella’s voice.

“Oh, it’s nothing much. I just wanted to know how you recovered and what your future activities will be.”

“I can’t give details on the treatment right now.”

The Purification Stone was something everyone desired.

In a world where there was currently no way to eliminate magic, if a prince in a higher position demands it, she would have no choice but to comply.

Thus, she intended to conceal as much as possible.

“And for future activities… I plan to delay things a bit.”

“Is there a reason?”

“…I’m looking for someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yes. It’s a person very important to me. Unfortunately, it seems that they are not in Pretéum.”

“Who is it? If you tell me, I will search every corner of the empire for you.”

“No, it’s fine. I have already figured out where they are.”

As she set down her teacup, she smiled gently.

In reality, had it not been for the Crown Prince’s summons, she would have left to meet ‘that person’ immediately.

Having already paid the Secret Garden for the information including their name, appearance, and location, she was prepared.

“I see. I didn’t mean to take your time.”

“No, it’s okay, Your Highness.”

“Then it seems there will be no time to meet my little sister.”

His sister.

He was referring to the princess, Seri.

“I’m afraid that seems to be the case. I look forward to when we can meet again.”

“Alright. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness. I will take my leave now.”

Ella stood, giving a slight bow.

As she raised her head to make eye contact with Chris, she turned her body gently.

Then it happened.

Knock, knock. A sound echoed in the room.

“Come in.”

A middle-aged man with graying hair entered.

His neatly pressed attire, while different from contemporary suits, exuded elegance.

He was a servant who had been attending to the Crown Prince from his childhood to the present.

“Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

“Your Highness, Duke Tori and S-Class Adventurer Urka have arrived.”

He spoke in a calm tone, maintaining an elegant posture.

“…Urka?”

Upon hearing the unexpected name, Ella’s eyes darted with urgency.

“I see. Let them in.”

“Understood. I will inform them immediately.”

Even as he exited, his movements were unhurried, causing Ella to think inwardly, ‘This is really exhausting.’

As soon as the door shut, she looked directly at Chris.

“Your Highness, why did you summon Urka here?”

Ella was flustered.

It wasn’t common to invite other races into the royal palace.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time S-Class adventurer Urka visited the palace.

She had accompanied Duke Tori multiple times as a knight and had also personally met the Emperor.

However, bringing other races into the royal castle was still considered a highly controversial act in an empire that discriminated against them.

“…Are you aware of the formal sparring held in Aus City?”

“Yes, I heard about it.”

Ella responded vaguely.

“I heard Urka lost, to someone unknown.”

“Are you talking about the S-Class Urka?”

“Exactly. I called her in to get the details.”

Ella already knew who had defeated Urka.

She had paid hundreds of gold to the Secret Garden to obtain information on that person.

‘This is an opportunity to learn more about that person. While the information from the Secret Garden is reliable, nothing beats hearing it from the source.’

“Your Highness, if you don’t mind me asking, may I join in listening as well?”

“…Ah, you are also an S-Class Adventurer. It’s understandable that you would be curious about someone who has defeated a peer.”

“That’s right, Your Highness.”

“Fine. You may join.”

Chris readily accepted.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Before long, Duke Tori and Urka entered the reception room.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming all the way.”

“Not at all, Your Highness.”

“It’s been a while. Your Highness.”

“It’s been a long time, Urka.”

“How have you been?”

Though they held knives inside, their smiles remained on the surface.

This was the expression Urka had learned to master from Tori.

The foundation of politics was to never reveal one’s true feelings.

“Indeed. Everyone must have much to discuss, so please take a seat.”

“By the way… may I ask how Lady Ella is here?”

Tori’s inquiry prompted Urka to glance at Ella.

Ella looked back at Urka.

It was a tense exchange, sparks seemingly flying through the air.

“Ella, you haven’t died yet?”

“…It seems you still manage to breathe, Urka.”

Ella typically didn’t concern herself much with other races, but she reacted sharply towards those who showed a lack of etiquette.

Especially those like Inkuro and Urka, who failed to recognize the difference in status despite having comparable strengths, were subjects of her disdain.

“I probably have more demon kills than you by now.”

“Hahaha, you don’t forget about the high-ranking demons I’ve slain, do you? Don’t get cocky just because you’ve taken down a few lowly demons.”

Before the Crown Prince and Duke Tori, she bit her tongue in her head while filtering her words, making sure to maintain a smile on her face.

“You’ve always been good at scraping others’ skins, haven’t you?”

“Well, you’re no different, are you? I heard you lost in another formal sparring session as well. To an S-Class, no less.”

“Yeah, I lost.”

“…Huh?”

Urka’s overly nonchalant acceptance puzzled her.

Urka, who hated losing to others, held a compulsive pride that was inherent to an S-Class Adventurer, and every top-tier adventurer in the empire possessed this trait.

Knowing this, Ella found Urka’s reaction very surprising.

“That person is truly amazing and a good person. It’s like… just seeing them makes me feel respect.”

“What…?”

While Ella was dazed by Urka’s words, interest lit up Chris’s face.

“Oh, if even S-Class Adventurer Urka acknowledges them, can I hear the story?”

“I will explain that part, Your Highness.”

Duke Tori, seated opposite the Crown Prince, spoke, while Urka stood next to him, taking the role of a guard.

She was keenly aware that she didn’t hold the status to sit at the same table as the Crown Prince and Duke, hence her actions.

Ella also took a seat at the table, ready to listen, gazing at Tori.

“To begin with, let me explain the circumstances surrounding the fight…”

*

As Tori began recounting the events that transpired while Praus’s group was in Aus, expressions of joy appeared on Chris and Ella’s faces, gradually transforming into awe.

“He was much stronger than I had heard.”

As soon as Tori finished speaking, the Crown Prince interjected.

“Then how come he is only now showing himself?”

“I’m not sure, but what’s certain is that he should never be turned into an enemy. Praus, that person’s power is at a level where he can defeat a Demon Lord single-handedly.”

“Does that mean… he is a ‘Hero’?”

At Chris’s question, everyone present held their breath.

The Crown Prince mentioned a possibility that everyone had merely brushed off, leaving them all speechless.

S-Class Adventurers surpassed in raw power and magical might.

Only a Hero from legends could possess such strength.

The speculations swirling in their minds crystallized into conviction, as if pieces of a puzzle fell into place.

This was a reality one could not ignore.

“They say that when a Demon King rises, a Hero is born.”

“Then the one who will save the world from demons is…”

“Right. He… is the Hero.”

‘Praus is… the Hero…!’

Urka was filled with pure admiration, while Ella smiled with a meaning beyond words.

‘A Hero… I wonder how to use someone stronger than an S-Class Adventurer?’

Chris contemplated whether he could turn Praus to his side, while Tori hoped.

The four of them no longer held even a sliver of doubt.

The notion that Praus was the Hero had become an undeniable truth in their minds.

They were completely unaware that this was all a fundamental misunderstanding.

Meanwhile, while high-ranking nobles were wrapped up in their delusions, Praus was leisurely yawning, gazing absentmindedly at passing clouds.

‘Aah… I want to watch some adult videos.’