My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 6

“Hmm. As expected, my clothes are big.”

As soon as I returned to the inn, I saw Iris wearing my T-shirt as if it were a fashion statement for missing pants. Her hair, along with her ears and tail, was damp, as if she had just washed up.

When our eyes met, Iris’s ears and tail perked up as if struck by electricity. She looked cute, but I really wished she wouldn’t show off her backside.

It was because her tail was making the T-shirt ride up, threatening to expose her behind.

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“I-I just put on whatever you said to wear, but I might be wearing something meant for you, Master…”

‘What a pointless worry. She could just do what she wants without being so cautious. But then again, asking someone who’s been a slave all her life to suddenly move freely might be overwhelming for her.’

“If you have time to worry about that, you should be thinking about how to live your life from now on. Right now, you’re useless.”

No, words that are the complete opposite of my thoughts just burst out. At this point, it seems like it would be more beneficial for me to just keep my mouth shut. It is my mouth, but I could faint from my dreadful way of speaking.

“I’ll make sure to clarify a few things. Hammer this into that brain of yours.”

“Yes?”

“First, only say you’re sorry when you truly mean it. If you keep throwing out apologies indiscriminately, I’ll make sure you genuinely feel sorry each time.”

Isn’t that supposed to be a non-pressuring approach, you damn mouth?

“Second, I am not your master. From now on, refer to me as Mr. Praus or just Praus.”

“Praus… is that your name?”

“That’s right.”

“…Ah, understood. Lord Praus.”

She clearly doesn’t want to drop the excessive honorifics. It might have to do with her long life as a slave, but the killing intent she is still exuding has a significant impact too.

“Third, I won’t criticize whatever you decide to do.”

“!”

Her already big eyes widened further. Maybe she thought she misheard, as she fiddled with her ears several times.

“Did you not hear?”

“N-No, it’s just… I didn’t expect you to say something like that.”

What if I say something to her, and then later, after awakening the powers of a hero, end up getting beaten up? I’d probably die from just one hit.

“I keep my word. If you understand, just go grab some appropriate underwear and clothes. Don’t take everything. There are two others besides you.”

As I placed the bag of clothes I bought on the bed, she responded.

“Other two?”

She expressed her confusion.

If I say that you guys are heroes and I’m trying to save you, she might be shocked, so it’s better to hide that for now.

“You don’t need to know the details. You’ll see their faces later, so until then, don’t worry about it.”

“Yes… um, but Lord Praus.”

“What is it?”

“Um… it’s fine to wear the underwear a little lower, but because of my tail, I’m having trouble with the pants. I’m terribly sorry, but could I maybe damage them a bit?”

Iris, after looking over the clothes she received, asked cautiously.

“What’s given to you is yours. Do whatever you want.”

“Thank you very much.”

“More importantly, aren’t you hungry?”

“I had some dried meat.”

“That’s it?”

Is dried meat going to cut it? She’s still growing. Her arms looked like nothing but bones. Sure, there’s muscle on those bones, but even an unathletic commoner wouldn’t be this undernourished.

I headed straight out of the room. I would have preferred to feed her at the restaurant, but without proper clothes, I had no choice but to fetch something.

“Owner.”

“You… don’t give me that look like you want to pick a fight.”

‘Haha, I’m sorry. This is all thanks to my skill.’

“Shut up with the stupid talk. What kind of food do kids like?”

Honestly, he never says things the way I want them.

“Hmph. I don’t make food for rude brats!”

“Is the owner really a piece of trash who lets kids starve?”

“…What do you mean?”

“It’s for a kid. Just tell me what kids like to eat.”

“A kid like that wouldn’t learn a damn thing if you keep talking like that.”

“That’s meddling.”

He snorted. Perhaps because the topic of children came up, he sighed, unable to refuse.

“How old?”

“Ten years old.”

“Then she’ll eat just about anything. Make it a Children’s Set Meal. It’s put together with things kids like.”

“Fine, but I—”

“Yours isn’t included.”

He continued to look at me disapprovingly with his arms crossed.

‘Wow, is he really sulking over my slightly harsh way of speaking? What a narrow-minded guy.’

“…Brat.”

“What?!”

“Still, since I said it, I’ll keep my word. Brat.”

Following suit, I crossed my arms, responding as if to say, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

“You brat…! You better bring your kid here right now. If not, she’s going to starve too.”

“Understood. How much is it?”

“Two pieces of Currency.”

I pulled out three Currency coins from my pouch and placed them on the counter.

“Hmph, you’re aware of your mistakes, huh?”

“Bring it over.”

Ignoring his words, I made my way back to the room I was staying in. Just then, the owner’s voice rang out from behind me.

“Hey! One Children’s Set Meal!”

“Okay~!”

When I returned to my room, I found Iris making a hole in her pants. She hurriedly got off the bed when she saw me.

“Did you, did you come back?”

“I think we need to eat outside. Come dressed and follow me.”

“Really? Oh, yes!”

As I took Iris with me, the owner glared at me disapprovingly.

“A Beastman? Did you marry a Beastman?”

“Don’t ask useless questions.”

“Ha, right. Digging into someone’s personal life gets you nowhere. Especially with a bratty guy like you.”

“Hey, owner.”

“What?”

“Lord Praus isn’t a bad person at all. Hehe…”

“…So you’re kind to kids, huh?”

Is he actually defending me right now? My way of speaking seems far from kind.

I shrugged at the owner. If the kid thinks that way, then so be it.

After a brief tussle, I sat down at a table to wait. Iris’s white tail swayed as she seemed excited about what food might come out. I guess she’s really puncturing her pants well.

“Uh, um, Master… no, Lord Praus, aren’t you eating?”

“I’m fine. Dried meat works for me.”

As I said this, I pulled out a piece of dried meat I had stored in my pocket and began chewing on it.

Iris watched me with a strange expression.

“What’s with the stare?”

“Oh, nothing. But, um, Lord Praus, why did you buy me?”

“I don’t know. You’ll find out later, in due time.”

I said nonchalantly while resting my chin on my hand.

Before long, the innkeeper came out from the kitchen and placed a wooden tray in front of Iris.

The Children’s Set Meal.

Starting with fried rice, there were sausages, a fried egg, salad, soup, and bread. It was a well-balanced meal made up of typical dishes.

“Whoa~!”

Iris gasped wide-eyed, sparkles shining in her eyes. As she swallowed, she reached for the rice, but then hesitated.

She glanced at me as if asking if it was okay to eat.

“Go ahead. Eat.”

“Y-Yes! Here goes!”

She scooped up a handful of rice and stuffed it into her mouth, but some of the grains fell onto her clothes.

“Ah!”

Iris frantically brushed the grains off her clothes. However, the oil from the fried rice left a stain.

“I’m sorry, Lord Praus! I stained the clothes you bought for me. I’ll accept any punishment—”

“Shut up. Eat slowly. Use the spoon here too.”

I interrupted her, extending a spoon toward her. Iris shook her head vigorously.

“I-I can’t use a spoon because I’m a Beastman slave…”

“Sigh, you’re being annoying.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

At my words, she stood up and bent slightly. People around us stared at her, and the innkeeper shot a disapproving look at me.

What? I didn’t do anything.

“Stop causing a scene and sit down.”

“Y-Yes, yes.”

She sat back down, her ears and tail drooping. She looked like she was scolding herself for her mistake.

“Iris.”

“Yes, yes!”

“You’re a person.”

“…”

“If you can’t remember what I’ve told you, I’ll keep reminding you until you do. Again, you’re a person. Do things confidently, no matter what.”

“…Yes.”

The more I told her she was a person, the more her voice trembled. Carefully, she took the spoon I handed her and began to transfer rice to her mouth.

As Iris started eating while crying, I internally wondered, ‘Is it so good that she’s crying?’

*

Iris couldn’t believe it.

‘Someone who prioritizes a slave over himself…’

Even though she had been marked as a slave, Iris still thought of herself as one.

This stemmed from the Empire’s disdain for the Beastman tribe, which was one of the discriminated races, and memories of her two-year life as a slave.

Yet here was someone treating her like a human being; for Iris, it was full of contradictions.

‘He actually ordered food for me while he has dried meat to eat. Who exactly is my Master? Why…’

Tears filled her eyes.

Iris had been trying to hold back her emotions, but the tears kept flowing.

It was somewhat expected.

She was merely a ten-year-old child. There’s no way she could manage her feelings like an adult.

Moreover, the tough times she had endured just to survive flashed through her mind like a film, and it was impossible not to feel overwhelmed.

‘He said he doesn’t like crying…’

But Praus silently watched her, as if he understood her feelings.

‘He seems indifferent, but in truth, he’s very thoughtful.’

Iris’s thoughts were not wrong. It was clear that Praus was showing consideration.

But the reason Praus couldn’t order food for himself was due to how he addressed the innkeeper, calling him a brat and such.

There was no intention behind it whatsoever. However, for Iris, who couldn’t see that scene, recognizing it was quite difficult.

As Iris ate while shedding tears of emotion, Praus was thinking about something else.

‘First, I should look for artifacts hidden in the Empire.’

As the slave trader mentioned, the slave auction at Wyrang’s Indulgence had amounts that commoners couldn’t participate in.

It started at a staggering 100 Gold Coins.

Currently, Praus had about 200 Gold Coins in his purse.

This had been saved from the money his father, Paroco, sent him since getting a job as the marquis’s chamberlain.

However, this sum was still far from sufficient, so he was considering using his knowledge of the game.

‘I used to supplement any funding shortages in the game by selling artifacts on the black market.’

He recalled the trial and error he experienced while clearing the game and began to formulate his plans.