My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 81

“What did you just say?”

I asked reflexively.

In a split second, my brain froze, and words tumbled out of my mouth without passing through my mind.

“I asked if you could stay by my side for life once I become Emperor.”

She spoke with a sigh that was surprisingly clear.

Come to think of it, in the game, Seri had asked Tina if she would protect her for life. Could that be the meaning here?

“You… what did you just say? Why would the Teacher be by your side for life?”

Maria glared at Seri, questioning whether internal conflict was already brewing among those who would fight together.

“Maria.”

“But Teacher!”

When I shook my head, she opened her mouth then quickly closed it again. Maria glared at Seri and suddenly pointed an accusatory finger.

“Don’t expect the Teacher to be with you for life!”

“…I’m asking Praus, Maria. Don’t worry. It doesn’t mean what you think it does. At least not ‘right now.'”

There were many troubling remarks, but first, I needed to ask why she would bring up such a condition.

“For life… What’s the reason?”

“If I’m going to be Emperor, I will need a Guard Knight.”

“Ah… So that’s what it means.”

As expected.

That said, to become a Guard Knight by achieving the highest merit in her faction would be something.

“But I’m not a Knight.”

“Even if you’re not a Knight, you have much greater combat strength. No one would question if Praus became my Guard Knight.”

While I didn’t deny that those who must protect the Emperor should be strong, I had no intention of being tied to the Imperial Family.

I thought about motivating Seri to become Emperor, but I couldn’t agree to the condition she proposed.

“That condition would be hard to accept.”

“…Why not?”

“Isn’t a Guard Knight supposed to stick with the Emperor all day long, no matter where they go?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then it won’t work for me.”

“Why not?”

“Haven’t you heard from Emperor Lupin? I have to defeat the Demon Tribe when necessary. I don’t have the luxury to be a Guard Knight.”

“I’ll let you go when that happens. You’re an extraordinary person, Praus. I don’t plan to keep you all to myself as my Guard Knight. You could save many people, I’m sure.”

Her tone felt a bit strange.

Did she know I would refuse?

While I was flustered by the excuse that had vanished so naturally, she continued speaking.

“Is there another reason?”

She asked with a smile, as if suggesting she would give up if I came up with a reason that made sense.

“Isn’t it a bit early to decide on a Guard Knight?”

“I read somewhere that, when a person has fallen to the depths, the ones who extend their hands to them are the ‘real’ ones. I tend to agree with that saying.”

“…For life. I can’t just be watching you all day.”

“That sounds good.”

“…?”

Her smile widened, hinting at something deeper.

Is this for real? Am I misunderstanding something?

I felt an unsettling instinct. Something felt off.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m not asking for too much. Can’t you at least be a Guard Knight?”

“I’ll consider that until you ascend to the throne. But I certainly can’t commit to life. Is there even a reason for me to do that?”

“I might get assassinated at any moment, you know?”

“When that happens, just use the Transmission Magic Scroll I gave you. I’ll come right away, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Teleport is magic that allows the user to move to a remembered location, right? What if I’m somewhere you don’t know?”

Once she becomes Emperor, she could have as many strong allies as she wanted. So why should I be concerned?

“…That’s quite unpleasant. Shouldn’t you be grateful that I’m willing to be part of your faction?”

At my remark, her smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.

“Praus, this isn’t just a childish whim or stubbornness from me.”

“What?”

“I don’t know why, but it’s a problem for you if I die, right?”

“!”

I flinched without meaning to.

Thanks to my Expression Management Skill, I quickly suppressed my turmoil, but my mind was in chaos.

“What are you talking about?”

“At the New Year’s party two years ago, you told me, ‘That’s the way you survive.’ The advice you gave me that day wasn’t something you’d tell an acquaintance.”

She remembered my words from that day. I thought she’d let that slip by.

What I meant for her to take to heart ended up biting me back in this situation.

“That advice was something one could only give if they knew about my circumstances.”

“…And?”

“I initially thought you had connections in the Royal Family. So, I thought you knew about me. But that wasn’t the case. No one knew anything about you.”

Did she even investigate me to some extent?

“But I also didn’t have any memory of you existing either. I first met you at the New Year’s party two years ago. When exactly did we first meet?”

In the game, I might have met her.

…But I couldn’t say that.

“Just happened to have seen you once before.”

“Just happened…? Do you have the ability to know someone’s entire past just by meeting them once?”

“…”

Damn it. She wouldn’t let it go with just a vague answer.

“Is it really that important to know when we met?”

In the end, it was I who waved the white flag first.

“Well, it isn’t crucial. I’m just curious. If we had a long history… I’d feel particularly guilty for not remembering.”

“You don’t need to apologize. It was a one-sided connection.”

That wasn’t entirely incorrect.

I could recall seeing the Seri from the game, but she was merely a character flowing along with the story woven by the writer.

“…Was it long ago?”

“Not sure.”

“Alright. It doesn’t matter. Regardless, you need to ensure I survive and become Emperor, right?”

“…That’s correct.”

“Then I’ll become Emperor. But if I die, it would be a problem, so be my Guard Knight. It seems like a mutually beneficial condition to me. What do you think, Praus?”

I couldn’t refute her.

Her request wasn’t just a childish whim or stubbornness.

In a way, Seri’s demand was perfectly reasonable. It was a proposal for both of us to win.

Anyone would think it was persuasive, logical, and rational.

“…I can’t do it all day. I have things to do as well. And obviously, I can’t commit to life.”

“But you don’t know when I might die.”

She really had a point, making it tough to argue. Damn it.

I remained silent for a while, searching for a compromise.

“…Then let’s do it this way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… Whenever you need to meet someone or go somewhere, tear the Magic Scroll. Then I’ll come along. However, except for emergencies, I might refuse requests if I’m busy. How does that sound?”

“That sounds good. I thought that compromise was the best option too.”

It was an immediate reply.

In the end, it seemed I was going along with Princess Seri’s wishes…

This woman…

Just like in the game, she truly isn’t easy to handle.

“Maria, is that alright?”

“As long as it’s Teacher’s request, it’s completely fine. But aren’t you being too accommodating to her words?”

Maria seemed displeased with me for passively accepting her demands and glared at Seri, pointing an accusing finger with her small hands.

“Princess Seri’s words aren’t wrong.”

She neither threw a tantrum nor insisted.

She only spoke the truth, and I merely accepted it.

“That’s all there is to it.”

Seri’s previously tense expression returned to a smile. She looked relieved.

“It feels refreshing to finally be outside again.”

Seri felt the spring breeze and looked toward the setting sun moving higher over the mountains. I turned my gaze from her to the horizon.

The blue sky was turning a violet hue centered around the sunset.

“This sunset… It’s beautiful. Even prettier than when I saw it from the highest terrace in the palace…”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Moments like this are enjoyable when shared together.”

Though it was troublesome in many ways, I figured that after saying that, she would resolve to become Emperor.

Yeah, this settles it.

—

Before dinner time, Princess Seri returned to her room.

This time, Maria crossed over using Teleport without Praus.

“I almost want to kill you right here, but I’m holding back because Teacher needs you. So just keep your head down. Don’t throw advances at Teacher unnecessarily.”

“I knew it, but you’re an Elf, Maria.”

“What of it? Just because the Elf of another race wanders freely, makes you irritated?”

“Not at all. I just listen quietly since I understand why you’re upset.”

“…Huh?”

At Maria’s response to Seri’s nonchalant attitude, veins bulged on her forehead.

Bam!

Maria grabbed the collar of the Princess, radiating hostility.

“What do you mean, calmly? Don’t say anything before you really get killed. You, being human, dislike royals as well as nobility. You absolutely despise humans.”

“Then why are you next to Praus? He’s human too.”

“Teacher is an exception.”

“Then can I be included in that exception too?”

“Get lost.”

She threw her off like a piece of trash.

If she were an ordinary person, it would’ve been enough force to topple her. However, Seri only staggered but managed to regain her balance.

“Know that if you say anything strange to Teacher again, I’ll kill you.”

“…If.”

Maria gave one last warning right before using Teleport. Princess Seri opened her mouth.

“What?”

“If you were to liberate the Elf Tribe and Beastman Tribe from slavery in the Empire and treat them equally as you would humans, what would you do?”

“What…?”

“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. If I become Emperor, I plan to create an Empire where other races no longer suffer. Naturally, I will abolish slavery as well.”

“You…”

Suddently revealed Princess Seri’s ambitions left Maria feeling an undeniable glimmer of hope. Even though she knew it was unlikely, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of expectation.

“So, I hope you won’t hate me too much.”

‘Could it be that Praus said he would join this woman’s faction…’

Maria turned her body away after staring at the smiling face of Princess Seri for quite some time.

“Well, I guess we’ll see. I don’t trust mouthy humans like you.”

“So you mean you’d believe it if I proved it?”

“…Teleport.”

Without another word, Maria vanished. Princess Seri looked at where she had disappeared before collapsing onto her bed.

“What a great day it is today…”

Not only had she found a way to survive but also brought the strongest, Praus, into her faction, leaving her with nothing to fear anymore.

Above all.

—

-For life. All day. I can’t just look at you.

For life. All day. Just you.

Since Praus had uttered those words, they had been echoing in her mind constantly.

“How could such a nice feeling exist?”

‘If only I could be a little greedy, would it be alright to go beyond being a Guard Knight…’

She flopped down onto her bed.

Having a talent for gauging emotions since ancient times, no one could perceive her feelings, not even Praus.

‘For the first time, I’m developing feelings for a man. You’re my first love, Praus.’

‘Praus, I wish you would give me the attention you reserve for others, and make me the man you look at solely…’

She wished for that day to come soon.

Not having grown up surrounded by love, the princess buried her deep-seated yearning and longing.

This way, Praus wouldn’t feel burdened.