My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 71

“Ah! Lord Ella Todiah, congratulations on your return to the battlefield.”

As soon as the knight standing in front of the castle spotted Ella, he approached her. She seemed taken aback and let out a snort.

“……Who celebrates someone returning from battle?”

“It’s a celebration for us. Just having you, Lord Ella Todiah, here gives us a sense of security.”

“Ugh, I know, right?”

Ella replied, casting a glancing look at me. It was a look that suggested I was that kind of person.

I pretended not to notice and placed my foot on the stairs leading up the city wall.

“Hey, if you go up there recklessly—”

“No, that person is fine.”

Ella prevented the knight from stopping me and followed along.

“Who is that person?”

“Lord Praus.”

“Oh… the one causing chaos in the Empire, relying only on strength.”

Chaos? Why is my image like this?

I know it’s all my doing, but it felt a bit unfair.

“Wow, but you brought kids here? Just how low will it go…?”

“They may look like ordinary children at a glance, but they’re incredibly strong.”

It seems that when it comes to S-Class, their perspective changes.

I casually listened to their conversation as I climbed up the city wall.

Whoosh!

As soon as I reached the top, a fierce wind blew, tangling my black hair that covered my forehead. Other heroes were experiencing the same.

The knights on the wall were checking the mana pools.

“Over there is the Demon World…”

Ariel clenched her fists, grinding her teeth. It was rare to see her so distressed.

After all, few could maintain their composure knowing a being that had taken the life of their lover decades ago lay beyond.

“It feels genuinely unpleasant now that we’ve come this close.”

“My body’s trembling.”

“I think we need to purify the magic. Is there no way?”

Maria asked, glancing at the swirling violet aura of a sword floating nearby.

Unfortunately, as long as the Demon King was alive, it was impossible to fully purify the magic.

“There’s no way unless we kill the Demon King. However, the area inside this wall is protected by Grand Anti-Demon Magic, so the magic can’t enter.”

I pointed out how the violet mist floating in the air couldn’t advance towards us.

I reached out to grasp the black mist. It felt nothing.

I understood that I could cross over without issues.

The heroes, Ariel, and even Ella had all gone through a series of processes.

None displayed symptoms of any kind. Even if they did, the Purification Stone would take care of it.

“That’s the Katrode mining area over there.”

Looking at the scene, I pointed toward the artificially disrupted patch of forest. Upon closer inspection, a few ruined buildings were visible.

It looked like they had been ambushed while attempting to excavate the mining area.

“Are you really thinking of going to Katrode? There’s a Black Dragon—”

“I know. I was informed about it. I came here knowing from the start.”

“What…?”

“Tonight, the Black Dragon will be no more.”

I boldly declared and began walking toward the stairs.

“Open the castle gate.”

“Lord Praus! Please stop! No matter how strong you are, the Black Dragon is a demon tribe that even Lady Todiah could not defeat!”

“Enough chatter, just open it. Before it comes here and turns this place to ruins. Or I could just break through on my own. What will it be?”

I spoke with a thirst for revenge, the sound of my sword rubbing against its scabbard echoing.

The knight and I locked eyes in a brief standoff before he closed them tightly.

“……Once you step outside the castle wall, your life won’t be guaranteed. Are you really okay with that?”

“I don’t know who you’re worried about. Just open it.”

“And if provoking the Black Dragon causes damage here, you’ll be held responsible.”

Responsibility? Now, that feels burdensome.

I nodded. The knight then took the lead down the stairs.

As I stood before the castle gate, a sudden tension gripped me.

Once this gate opens, survival begins.

Just reaching the Black Dragon will likely require fending off several monsters.

But I’m not worried.

If this world is anything like a game, the heroes’ levels should be comparable to what I expect.

Even if not, I have an artifact. At least I won’t die.

[Praus, how’s your condition?]

“Not a problem.”

[Are you considering having the kids help you catch the Black Dragon, like last time with the Wolf Monster?]

“Not a chance.”

The other little monsters might be fine, but I had to handle the Black Dragon myself.

Otherwise, I couldn’t establish my reputation as a strong person going forward.

And here, the border castle had surveillance magic installed to track monster movements.

Simply put, it was like CCTV. If my performance was caught on that, no one would be able to question my strength anymore.

“I’ll take on the Black Dragon by myself.”

“What?”

Upon hearing my declaration at the castle gate, everyone almost simultaneously stared at me blankly.

“Lord Praus, even if you are Lord Praus, the Black Dragon is….”

“It’s fine.”

There was a way to counter that menace. I just needed to land the first blow.

“Ariel, assist me.”

“You know this, but without being the contractor, I can’t use magic that twists causality directly.”

“Don’t worry. What you need to do is simple.”

“You three and Ella will open the path to the Black Dragon and prevent other monsters from interfering when facing it.”

This was an assignment perfect for the newbies, without overwhelming them.

“Teacher, are you sure? I can help if necessary…”

“Do you think I’m going to lose?”

Before my words were even finished, the heroes shook their heads. They really have no doubt about my abilities.

“Yeah. I… no, we will win again this time.”

Even though I say that, I won’t be the one fighting.

Still, I’ve laid out a decent strategy, right?

[It’s been a while since I’ve killed a demon tribe.]

Pasma’s voice echoed in my ear.

“Right. I can finally fulfill my promise.”

[But my good friend, what I truly desire is not simply to kill the demon tribe.]

“I know.”

What he truly desired wasn’t just to wipe out the demon tribe; it was to kill Peremus.

“You will eventually meet him if you keep killing the demon tribe.”

[Yeah. That’s true.]

When that time comes, will Pasma be able to let go of all his regrets?

… I almost asked that, but held back.

Letting go of regrets means there’s no longer reason to remain in this world.

“I’ll open the gate now!”

Creeeak.

The castle gate opened.

“I’m going to proceed as stated. You must move as swiftly as possible until I approach. Understood?”

“Yes!”

I drew my first sword.

[Equipping “Unyielding Revenge.”]

[Skill “Wraith” can be temporarily used.]

“Wraith.”

Pasma’s soul seeped into my body.

“Let’s go.”

*

“Wolves ahead! Tina.”

Tina, who had been dashing alongside me, quickly sprang forward, decapitating five Wolf Monsters in an instant.

She stepped past the puddles of blood strewn across the ground.

“Take out the Ogre on the left. Iris, handle the skeleton squad coming from the right, Maria.”

Iris and Maria simultaneously broke formation.

As Iris approached the Ogre, a club came crashing down toward her.

Bam!

But she deflected the club with her sword. I turned my head, enchanted by the sight of the thicker aura sword effortlessly slicing through the massive club.

Over there, it ended swiftly.

Before long, the Ogre’s head dropped to the ground.

“I’ve handled it.”

Iris rejoined the formation.

Meanwhile, Maria, dealing with the skeleton squad, was on the ground, palms planted.

“Sinkhole.”

At her command, a gigantic hole appeared beneath the skeleton squad. The monsters, unable to fight gravity, fell into the pit in an instant.

The ground seemed to close its mouth, sealing the hole as she withdrew her hands.

“I’ve taken care of it.”

She effortlessly slipped back into the lineup, announcing the completion of her task.

From here to the mining area should take us 10 minutes at full speed.

“Maintain this speed and eliminate any monsters in our way.”

As we went deeper, the monsters became more concentrated around us, reacting to the sounds of battle and pinpointing our location.

But who was it that I was bringing along?

They were heroes resistant to demon tribe fear.

Even as the flood of monsters increased, our pace didn’t slow down at all.

Now, they were breaking formation and returning just in time without me needing to give orders.

Especially Tina, who fought so uproariously, took a bath in fatigue before returning.

“Are these kids… strong? What the hell?”

“……they are my students.”

It probably wouldn’t raise any eyebrows to say “students.”

After running for a while, we entered the mining area.

“From now on, I’ll be facing the Black Dragon. Stay as far away from here as possible, keep hunting down visible monsters. I’ll finish in 5 minutes.”

“Yes!”

The heroes and Ella answered.

“Ariel, follow me.”

“Got it.”

Once we stepped into the mining area, the number of monsters dropped drastically, until none were visible in sight.

This was due to demon behavior; they abhorred intrusions into their domains.

So, if someone entered their territory, they took it as a ‘challenge,’ meaning there couldn’t be monsters lurking in the mining area where the Black Dragon settled.

[That’s as far as you go. Turn back, wretched ones.]

I halted my steps and gazed up at the towering mountain.

Despite the considerable distance, the voice reached me clearly—thanks to the “Telepathy” skill.

[Humans are truly the most unlearned creatures. So many lives were lost last time, yet you throw away your worthless lives again.]

“Haah…”

I took a deep breath. I tensed my shoulders and then relaxed them.

“Pasma, are you ready?”

“Always been.”

“Perfect.”

I took a step forward.

“I’m here to claim your territory, so fuck off! Damn reptilian brat!”

I raised my middle finger and shouted.

After all, the battle begins with provocation.

[How dare! How dare a lowly human!!]

A black object leaped from the mountaintop. With colossal wing beats, the air currents shifted.

Raaaar!

The dragon’s roar echoed into the sky, shaking the atmosphere and trembling the ground.

[Today, I shall extinguish you, humans!]

I plugged one ear as I drew my second sword.

[Equipping “Glass that Swallows Greed.”]

[Skill “Dynamic Action” can be used three times a day.]

The blade, made of glass, glittered in the moonlight.

Alright, let’s see what you’ve got!