My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 78

“Princess Seri! This person…!”

“It’s alright. I will vouch for them.”

As Princess Seri intervened, the knights reluctantly sheathed their swords and lowered their heads.

Their gazes were sharp, seemingly questioning how I had charmed the princess.

I looked at them as I entered the audience chamber.

Upon entering, I was greeted by a high ceiling and numerous murals. The overwhelming grandeur left me in awe.

It was a space so lavish that it was hard to fathom how much money had been spent.

At our feet lay a massive red carpet.

The golden chair placed atop the stairs where the emperor sat was quite high, requiring one to look up at it. It seemed to be a physical testament to being superior to others.

After surveying the entire audience chamber, my personal impression was that it felt like an unnecessarily vast space.

If they had this kind of money, they could have distributed bread to the citizens living in the outskirts.

I stepped onto the carpet to approach where the emperor sat. It was incredibly plush.

While moving forward, I heard a thud from behind, and when I turned around, the knights were closing the door.

Even though there were knights already waiting inside the audience chamber, they still sent Princess Seri here.

What a nice way to remind me just how she was treated. Thank you, Your Majesty!

“Isn’t this method of contact risking our relationship getting exposed?”

“Don’t worry. Father told me to open the door myself.”

“Is that so?”

“Well then, I’ll see you shortly.”

With that quiet exchange, Princess Seri stepped off the carpet to stand beside her siblings.

Now I noticed that in front of the emperor stood candidates for the next throne, from Crown Prince Chris to Princess Seri.

Behind them stood a significant number of royal knights, all poised and ready.

“Hmmm…”

Did Rexton inform Emperor Lupin that he would participate in the Succession War?

I wasn’t surprised that he would say something like that, but I hadn’t expected them to gather the candidates and call for me.

What was his intention?

“Greetings. Hero Praus. I, Emperor Lupin Aiter Pretéum, personally welcome you.”

“Thank you for the welcome, but first, allow me to correct one thing. I am not a hero.”

“Hey! Your Majesty’s safety is at stake! How dare you speak so carelessly!”

A knight standing next to the emperor shouted at me. It wasn’t Conver. He was a much younger man.

Did he come to terms with someone and got cut off? If so, I really apologize.

“…Where has Conver gone?”

“I am currently pointing out your tone! Don’t change the subject!”

I sighed as the knight pointed at me.

Of all the bothersome people, why did it have to be someone so eager for promotion near the emperor?

Should I just use my killing intent to intimidate him?

Just as I was about to gather my strength, the emperor spoke solemnly.

“Knight Commander Conver is on leave.”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

Is that so? Then that’s a relief.

But was it really necessary to mention he was on leave in such a serious manner?

This old man really enjoys the unnecessary.

“Enough. Be quiet. It is already common knowledge among the citizens that Praus speaks carelessly without regard for status.”

…Is he making fun of me?

I’ve never heard that before!

“The only one who would ask for understanding for being rude to a Crown Prince would be you. Many people here fear for their lives and can’t even speak to the Crown Prince.”

“I am normal.”

When I boldly replied, the now-surprised emperor paused.

“…So that’s why you’re able to be so confident in front of the Crown Prince. Isn’t that right?”

This seemed to be a reference to the Black Dragon.

To summarize the emperor’s words, he was implying ‘You’re acting out because you believe in your strength.’

“So?”

“Looking through legends and tales of past heroes, it is said that a hero gains qualifications by overflowing with a sense of justice and kindness, yet that doesn’t seem to be the case with you.”

“Well, I’m not a hero, am I? I just said that a moment ago.”

“You say you’re not a hero? Is your hearing failing because you’ve grown old? Perhaps I should take you to see a physician.”

…This is bad, isn’t it?

It seems my expression management skills are no exception regardless of who I’m dealing with.

The princes wore bewildered expressions. The Crown Prince was no exception. Seeing him this flustered was refreshing.

Princess Seri’s eyes widened as she bit her lip, trying to suppress a laugh.

“You, you dare…! Are you insulting His Majesty the Emperor?! Your Majesty, if you give me the command, I will behead this scum immediately!”

Please, don’t overdo it. You’re just making the situation worse.

In fact, it couldn’t get worse. After treating the emperor as deaf, I wouldn’t have any excuses if I was executed right there.

As I imagined the worst-case scenario that could happen, I heard Lupin’s voice.

“…How do you know that my hearing isn’t good?”

What’s going on?

I momentarily zoned out at the emperor’s unexpected reaction.

“I see. A hero should be able to pick up on that, huh.”

The emperor mused, apparently coming to a personal conclusion.

“Do you perhaps know of a solution?”

Does he think I’m some kind of physician?

I only knew a little about how this world operates.

“…You’re just old.”

“What?”

The emperor shot straight up, evidently shocked by my bluntness.

“No matter how well one eats, lives in fine places, and avoids stress, death will come eventually.”

This is an inevitability that applies equally to anyone, regardless of how well they take care of themselves.

The emperor was over seventy this year.

In medieval times, he would have lived far shorter than this.

It’s thanks to magic and recovery potions that he had lived thus far.

There was no way to escape death.

The emperor dying would trigger future episodes.

“But no one informed me of my bodily ailments.”

“Having no illnesses and having a lifespan are separate matters.”

Even someone who maintained a strict exercise routine still had a natural lifespan.

They could live longer than those who didn’t take care of themselves, but eventually, they would still meet death.

Of course, if one transformed into another race, they could potentially extend their life.

Still, I wondered if there were any humans in the imperial family who would be willing to keep an emperor that had undergone such a transformation around.

“So my declining senses are due to age…?”

“That’s not certain. I’m not a physician. But isn’t this something you can feel as well?”

“…I see.”

He nodded in agreement. Then he suddenly stared at me intently.

With just his gaze, he altered the atmosphere of the audience chamber in an instant. The tension felt like walking on thin ice.

Subtle killing intent sent shivers down my spine. The knights also sensed the shift and gripped their swords tightly.

It was a foreboding atmosphere as if they were about to subdue me.

“By the way, what’s with calling the emperor ‘you’? Only the Crown Prince should acknowledge such rudeness!”

“…Alright, Emperor Lupin.”

“Your Majesty.”

I’m sorry. That’s not something I can say out loud.

While I could manage to refer to his title, for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to use a respectful address. At this point, calling it a respectful address felt like a logical suspicion.

“Now that’s done, what was the reason for summoning me? It can’t just be to inquire about your health.”

“Can’t you at least refer to him as His Majesty?! His Majesty is showing you mercy!”

The knight brandished his sword, but just then, I narrowed my eyes.

[Activating skill “Killing Intent.”]

Everyone present flinched. The knights who had been poised shrank back, gripping their weapons, but none dared to draw them.

Especially the knight who had met my gaze was trembling all over with a creaking sound.

“If anyone has a problem with this, step forward. I’ll deal with you.”

Just as I was about to draw my sword under my sustained killing intent, the emperor raised his voice.

“Stop! Enough! Praus, even if you’re a hero, I cannot tolerate rudeness beyond this point! If you do not withdraw your killing intent immediately, I will have you executed!”

“…”

What an overwhelming pressure.

I know that the animosity directed at me is not mere bluster.

If I refuse, they will surely attempt to kill me.

No matter how strong my abilities are, I can’t take on all of them. I am still a normal human, even with an artifact’s power.

“…Then I won’t.”

I blinked and released my tension.

That was enough of a demonstration.

I showed them I wasn’t an easy person to mess with, so I should maintain the emperor’s dignity.

Withdrawing my hands from my sword, I raised them.

“Praus, it is indeed commendable that you dealt with the Black Dragon. It is a being that even talented individuals within the empire struggle to subdue. However, don’t think all your actions will be excused just because of that. That would be reckless.”

“I’ll be cautious.”

I nodded obediently.

Only then did the situation start to settle down.

[Praus, you’re going too far.]

“I have to do this much.”

Otherwise, they’ll use me as they please.

I scanned the faces of everyone present.

Most looked at me in confusion. Among those gathered here, no one failed to feel fear towards me.

Except for one person.

Princess Seri was looking at me curiously. She seemed somewhat relieved.

“Ahem. I’ve gone on too long, but… Hero Praus.”

“Not a hero.”

“…Ahem.”

When I stubbornly replied no, the emperor cleared his throat.

“Your strength is formidable. How do you intend to use that power?”

“I intend to use it to protect the empire.”

“!”

Murmurs filled the air.

They hadn’t expected me to utter the words about protecting the empire, and one reaction after another expressed their surprise.

The emperor smiled contentedly. The other royal family members looked at me with interest.

“Of course, I do not mean I’ll go to the border and slay demons. Only if they choose to invade the empire. If they do invade, I pledge here to crush them with my full power.”

“Is that so? Quite a satisfactory answer.”

He wouldn’t dislike someone devoted to their country.

Let alone, my statement about defeating a dragon, a high-ranking demon, would definitely seem more stable than S-Class.

“But enemies are not only outside, are they?”

“…?”

I furrowed my brows at the emperor’s ominous words.

“If chaos descends upon the empire, what choice will you make?”

Chaos.

That likely referred to the Succession War.

In the game, a question probing the heroes’ intentions was asked as well.

Aside from being four years earlier, the progression of the episode was not too different.

By the way, what did the heroes answer back then?

“Chaos in the empire… that’s not something you should be saying. If chaos comes, it will be your fault.”

That was Iris’s response.

“If chaos comes, why would I have to make a choice? I’ll just crush everything so that it won’t be chaotic again, I think?”

….That was Tina’s response.

“Chaos? Pfft. It seems you’re just confused because all your hair fell out, huh?”

That was Maria’s response… no, isn’t that a bit too excessive?!

I swallowed a sigh at the utterly useless statements the heroes could have made.

“…I will quell the chaos.”

“Oh? You won’t shy away? Unexpected.”

The emperor smiled widely as he confirmed my intent.

He likely noticed that I would participate in the Succession War.

To be precise, he’d known it before but was reaffirming my thoughts once again.

“But how do you plan to quell it? By your own strength?”

It’s not just brute strength.

The Succession War is ultimately a fight where only the survivors win.

However, the Succession War isn’t just about fighting and ending.

If I managed to save the princess and take out the other princes, I’d still have to prepare for what comes next.

Even if I win the war, if I cannot correctly lead the empire afterward, I could face rebellion, and all my efforts would falter.

At worst, the nobles might even fight amongst themselves to become emperor.

To prevent that, I made Duke Rexton neutral.

With him around, he could support Princess Seri when she becomes emperor.

Of course, the institution that Rexton supports, slavery, would be abolished.

“Not just brute force. I have a method I’ve thought out.”

“That’s intriguing. I’m curious about what you would utilize to quell the chaos.”

“I’m someone who treats anyone fairly as long as they’re helpful.”

I said while scanning the faces of the candidates for the next emperor.

The last person I saw was Princess Seri, who was looking directly at me. It was as if she had made a silent vow.