My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 63

“I’m telling you in advance. Don’t even think about using your power without my instructions.”

I said this to the two heroes who were openly showing their hostility since entering the Imperial Palace.

Iris and Maria, the two heroes, were breathing heavily, their composure clearly shaken.

They were likely thinking, “Isn’t this the perfect chance to kill the Emperor now?”

From their perspective, having entered the palace, it would seem like the most opportune moment to take the Emperor’s life.

However, as long as there is a Crown Prince who shares the same mindset as the Emperor, there would be no point in even attempting to behead him.

Besides, the Emperor would meet his end soon enough without our intervention.

We only had five years left. There was no need to dirty our hands unnecessarily.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Tina answered promptly.

“……Yes, I understand.”

Iris took a deep breath and affirmed my words. I found it admirable.

“……”

But Maria still didn’t respond.

Her desire to tear the palace apart was evident on her face.

We couldn’t meet the Crown Prince like this.

If we met while she was still agitated, who knows what kind of accident might occur?

I glanced at the back of a Black Light Corps member for a moment before stopping in front of Maria.

Her path was blocked, and she stopped moving. She slowly lifted her head to look at me.

“Answer me, Maria.”

“……”

“I know you don’t like it when I have to ask twice, right?”

Maria bit her lower lip, her clenched fist trembling slightly.

It seemed she was torn between prioritizing her emotions or listening to my rational words.

Honestly, I understood her feelings.

If my family had been slaughtered, I wouldn’t have been able to contain myself either. I would have done anything to kill that person.

But acting on that would lead directly to a bad ending.

Knowing that, I had to prevent her resentment from spilling out.

“Maria, I told you to answer.”

“……Yes.”

Reluctantly, she opened her mouth. She did answer.

“Don’t use your power.”

“Why… should I do that? I know there are good people like you, Teacher, but—”

“Stop with the unnecessary chatter.”

There’s no good that comes from prolonging the discussion.

This is the Imperial Palace.

There are countless people close to the Emperor in this place. Whatever they see and hear will be reported to him.

There was no benefit in deliberately providing information.

“But…!”

I couldn’t reason with someone so young.

If I told her what I knew, she might understand, but I preferred it if she didn’t know.

Telling twelve-year-olds that they have a duty to save the world would only burden them unnecessarily.

So all I could ask them for now was to stay calm.

“Stay quiet, please.”

“Are you planning to make me your enemy, Maria?”

“!”

Maria’s eyes widened, shaking intensely. She let go of her tightly bitten lip, staring blankly at me.

Her hesitation and conflict were visible on her face.

It seemed that as much as she wanted to achieve her revenge, she also valued me.

Just three years ago, we were only using one another, thinking about our goals and telling each other to stop meddling, but now it seemed we couldn’t ignore the bond built over the years.

“That is…”

“Maria.”

I murmured her name as I crouched down.

“……Yes.”

“Do you not trust me?”

“No, it’s not that… not at all…”

“If you think you can’t trust the world, remember what I told you about trusting me? Back then, you gave me a positive answer. Was that a lie?”

“No! Absolutely… it’s not!”

“Then that’s good.”

I straightened my bent knee and said.

“What?”

“I will never betray you, no matter what happens. Just remember that. Any other worries are a luxury.”

“……I understand, Teacher.”

Maria’s expression finally brightened a little.

Though her tone wasn’t great, it seemed I had adequately eased her concern about becoming my enemy.

In any case, all problems boiled down to managing one’s expressions.

It’s true that being flexible is important, but it’s also undeniably the root of all incidents.

“Is our conversation over?”

“……Yes.”

“You should keep that in check. If your actions cause any problems for the royal family, everyone related to you will be subjected to execution.”

Execution, huh…

I wonder if they realize most people associated with me are strong.

Just the people behind me could easily obliterate the palace if they wanted to; I could hardly imagine how they’d go about executing people.

Of course, I know the Black Light Corps isn’t a weak organization.

The reason S-Class individuals follow the Emperor’s orders without questioning them is because they possess power that even S-Class individuals can’t hope to contend with.

If it were just a matter of money, managing the adventurers would have been difficult. Especially for other races like Urka.

So why does the imperial family acknowledge my audacity?

It might have something to do with the previous Knight Commander’s duel, but it’s also because they are “over-interpreting” my strength.

Considering they need to gather forces for the upcoming Succession War, they probably think that if they lose strength fighting me, their claim to the throne will be jeopardized.

Thus, they can only be wary of me no matter how I act.

Moreover, now there are incredibly talented heroes making an appearance, which must make things even more complicated.

Considering all these various factors, it seemed highly unlikely that before he sits on the throne, he would attempt any reckless moves against me.

“If you can, try it. The empire will disappear that very day.”

Of course, I wouldn’t be the one to destroy it. The kids would take care of it, I suppose.

He squinted at me and then sharply turned his head.

“If you die, it’ll be because of that obnoxious tongue of yours.”

“Then your death will be due to your obnoxious wide eyes.”

“I’ve thought this for a while, but you really are a cocky one. Just recalling the offense you committed against His Crown Prince still makes my teeth grind!”

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“You don’t deserve to meet the Crown Prince.”

As he said this, the man’s hand slipped behind his back.

“Don’t draw that. The moment you do, I’ll cut off the arm holding that weapon.”

Iris spoke up calmly, her fluffy fox tail standing erect.

“I’m only holding back because my Teacher told me to. It’s not because you’re allies of the Emperor that we are being docile.”

The powerful aura emanating from Iris left the Black Light Corps member frozen in place.

Just the eyes glaring like that would send chills down anyone’s spine.

“……Just go already. I’m not here to kill you; I’m here to meet Crown Prince Chris.”

The man narrowed his eyes for a moment before reluctantly releasing the weapon.

“Don’t get any second chances.”

I watched the man take his first step before petting Iris on the head.

“You can stop now.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Her tail, which had been standing upright, fell limply and swayed gently.

“If you continue to pose a threat like this in the future, you can act. However, the best outcome is that no fighting occurs. Understand that well.”

“I understand.”

Before moving again, I took a last look at the expressions of the heroes. They seemed relatively calm now.

“Praus, should I grant you a blessing again like before?”

At Ariel’s suggestion, I shook my head.

“No need. Let’s go.”

It would be troublesome if something unexpected happened due to an unnecessary blessing, so it was better not to have one at all.

*

“It’s been a while, Praus.”

“…Indeed. Crown Prince Chris.”

I thought we were headed to the royal audience room, but unexpectedly, we stopped at the Crown Prince’s office.

On the long sofa sat myself, the three heroes, and Ariel. The Crown Prince was sitting at the head, sipping tea.

“Who is this lady here?”

He looked at Ariel and asked. It seems even a Crown Prince might find a beauty like her interesting.

“……She’s a friend.”

I gave a vague answer since there wasn’t a specific relationship to clarify.

Ariel looked at me with wide eyes, her expression quite unfazed.

I wanted to ask what she was looking at, but I held my tongue.

“Oh, so she isn’t your lover?”

“She’s a friend.”

I emphasized not to let any assumptions slip out. I didn’t want unnecessary entanglements.

“Given those ears, she looks to be from the Elf Tribe… but then again, you’ve taken in students from both the Beastman Tribe and the Elf Tribe, so it’s not surprising that you have friends from other races as well.”

I wonder what his reaction would be if he knew she was the Spirit King.

“So… what’s the reason you called for me?”

“Straight to the point, huh? Well, I don’t like to drone on aimlessly either. Let’s get right to it. Ah, but before that… I would like your disciple and this lady to leave.”

“……Is that so?”

“Teacher, can we stay together?”

When Tina refused, the others clearly expressed their objection as well.

“It will only take a moment. Just step outside.”

If he thinks I’m strong, then he shouldn’t attack me. There’s no danger in being alone.

That said, I wasn’t worried about the heroes or Ariel. The royal family’s manpower would have to be significantly gathered just to stand a chance against me, so I wasn’t concerned.

If I was worried at all, it was only that they might cause trouble while I wasn’t around.

In the end, those who respected my wishes were led out by the Black Light Corps.

The door closed.

Since they left with the Black Light Corps, the chances of eavesdropping from beyond the door are slim.

When the commotion in the hallway gradually quieted down, the Crown Prince gazed at me with a peculiar expression before slowly speaking.

“Praus, why did you accept a student from another race?”