My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 84

“That’s really unexpected. I never thought there would be someone in the royal family willing to accept Other Races.”

“It’s not that they don’t know, they just choose to ignore it.”

“…That does make sense.”

Duke Tori admitted it readily, bringing his hand to his mouth.

“Praus, why are you supporting Princess Seri? It’s one thing that she has a good opinion of Other Races, but… isn’t the chance of her ascending as the next Emperor quite low? I feel like you’ll end up putting yourself in a tricky situation by supporting her.”

“I understand your concerns. However, I told Urka standing next to you to witness the sight of Other Races living equally with humans. This is the starting point.”

If I throw Urka under the bus here, he’ll suffer even more.

“Duke Tori, do you truly believe that Crown Prince Chris has a future as Emperor?”

“Well…”

“I told you. The Crown Prince is trying to make the Slave Brand illegal. Sure, if the Emperor denies it now, that law may not come into existence, but the moment Chris ascends to the throne, Other Races will fall into a nightmare. Do you think you can still protect the Other Races in your territory then?”

“…”

“Think carefully, Tori Aus.”

At this point, he would have no choice but to reconsider.
If the problem of slavery were completely resolved, he could also breathe easy.

“…But the risks are too great. Do you realistically see a possibility for Princess Seri to ascend as Emperor? In a few years, Emperor Lupin will step down; do you really think she can solidify her power in the meantime?”

He still thinks it’s reckless, shaking his head side to side.

“I’m here. What is there to fear?”

Crossing my arms and speaking confidently, he couldn’t refute me.
Tori acknowledges my power to some extent.

I was already an entity that couldn’t be rated within the Empire. I had comfortably dealt with a Black Dragon that even S-Class individuals wouldn’t dare challenge.

At least from the standpoint of military might, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say I was ahead of everyone else.

“If we lead it to war, we can win as much as we want.”

“If it comes to direct combat, we might win. But what then? The position of Princess Seri is not favorable among the nobility. No one trusts her. Surely the nobility will try to exploit Princess Seri in some way.”

“That’s why I’m here looking for you now.”

“Hah…”

Duke Tori sighed as he leaned back against the sofa. He exhaled heavily, as if carrying the burdens of the years.

Ignoring his reaction, I continued speaking.

“I’m not well-versed in economics or politics. I can’t be of much help. But if you could lend your strength, we would have no deficiencies.”

“That’s reckless.”

Tori shook his head in denial. He was incredibly stubborn.

“But if Crown Prince Chris ascends, your position of accepting Other Races will shrink in an instant. If you’re going to lose standing anyway, wouldn’t it be worth trying?”

“This isn’t just about losing standing. It’s all or nothing. An issue that could end with small losses could, if things go wrong, lead to you losing your title as Duke.”

“Duke Tori Aus.”

I stood up and looked down at him, speaking with a lowered voice.

“Do you not understand what it means when I say I will raise Princess Seri to the role of Emperor?”

“I know that. That’s why I say it’s reckless…”

“I’m saying I will kill all the other princes.”

“!”

“If the other princes die and the only child left to ascend the throne is the princess, what will happen?”

“Praus! Do you understand what you’re saying right now?!”

Tori stood up in shock, towering over me. His height created a significant pressure.

Nonetheless, I didn’t stop speaking.

“To behead another’s neck, I should at least risk my own. Don’t you agree?”

“…That’s chilling. I can’t even begin to guess what you see and what you think.”

His momentum completely faltered.
Tori, who thudded back onto his seat, let out a heavy sigh filled with years of regret.
After a moment of contemplation, he finally surrendered.

“Fine… I’ll support Princess Seri in becoming Emperor. However, if the war harms the Duke’s residence, you must protect it with all your strength.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let them even think about attacking.”

“What…?”

“With me, I mean… us, it’s possible.”

I looked back at those behind me.
Tina might be a given, but Iris and Maria had been itching for this since before.

They wouldn’t hesitate to destroy anything like the royal family without a second thought.

“Then I hope you can tell me what I need to do from now on.”

Duke Tori’s voice carried a tone of resignation.
Even after speaking, he seemed to still feel doubt.

“What you need to do is…”

*

“Didn’t I say I was visiting Duke Aus’s residence?”

I spoke to the golden-haired man in front of me as if questioning him.

“You did.”

“So what is this?”

I thrust the Transmission Magic Scroll toward Princess Seri’s face.

“Help me!”

“‘Please save me!'” Ah, could it be that Praus can’t read this either?”

“…Do you really want to die?”

If I couldn’t read it, would I even be here right now?

“Oh, don’t be like that. I was just curious if Praus would rush over if I were ever in danger.”

The teasing tone of Princess Seri irked me. I wondered if I should just give her a light smack on the head.
Since she wasn’t an Emperor yet, a hit or two should be fine. I’d definitely get my chance later.

“You’ll pay for the Transmission Magic Scroll.”

“I don’t have that kind of money! I can request it, but once I use it, they’ll surely track what I bought.”

“Who do you think I am?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll think of all these as ‘debt’ and pay them back in full.”

That smile had a hint of something ominous. It wasn’t a delusion that her expression felt unsettling.

“What are you planning?”

The Seri I remembered had her cunning side, but she built endless affection toward those she recognized as her allies.
Also, she had a persistence and determination about her that wouldn’t let go of doubts until they were resolved.

“What do you mean, what am I planning? There’s nothing.”

As Princess Seri looked at me, she sneaked a glance at Maria, who was standing a bit further away.
Maria, listening from the side, frowned but didn’t say much more than that.

Upon hearing that the princess was someone who accepted Other Races, it seemed she had thought that Seri would be necessary for her goals to be achieved.

“Stop messing around with the Teacher. The Teacher is a busy person.”

“…I know. I know you’re doing this for me.”

“If you know—”

“Then what can I do? I’m anxious. Maria, please understand a little. I’ve been holding on alone until now, and now I’ve caught hold of the lifeline named Praus.”

Though Maria seemed dissatisfied with Seri, she lowered her voice slightly, as if trying to understand.

“Just don’t do it again from now on. Unless there’s a reason.”

“I’ll try.”

Princess Seri, who casually returned Maria’s remarks, turned back to me.

“Praus.”

“What is it?”

“Can you take me to Secul like the last time?”

Is she fond of the scenery there?
Surely the sunset there is a breathtaking sight.

But I couldn’t take her there today.

“No.”

“May I ask why?”

“From today onward, you need to study.”

“Study…?”

As I said that, I took out the thick book that Duke Tori had given me before coming here and handed it to her.

“Basics of politics?”

She opened the book in puzzlement. Looking at the incomprehensible scribbles, she immediately closed it.
When she lifted her head, her expression seemed quite confused.

“Um… Praus, what is this?”

“It’s a book on the basics of politics. Memorize it within two days.”

“What?”

That was a dazed response.
If she showed a clumsy side in front of the other nobles, she’d just be ridiculed.

“You are no longer just a princess. You are the future Empress. You must not be looked down upon for your appearance or your intellect.”

“But…”

“I told you to hold your head high last time, didn’t I?”

“Yes. I remember. Ah~ I can’t tell you how moved I was when you said that. It was the most heartwarming thing I’ve heard so far.”

She cupped her cheeks bashfully, and her cheeks colored slightly red.

“That? Let’s postpone that.”

“What?”

Once again, she uttered something silly.
What was I to do with her?

“When you truly hold your head high will be during the ‘Nobles’ Meeting.’”

There are still two months left.
In that time, I planned to entrust her comprehensive education to Duke Tori.

“There’s no need to mention behavior or decorum, but your head is a problem.”

“My… head?”

As I tapped around my temple, Princess Seri followed suit, tapping her own head and pouting.

“My head isn’t a tin can!”

“But right now, it’s empty.”

“That’s… well… but…”

She doesn’t deny it.

“By the next Noble Meeting, you must have a comprehensive understanding of political and economic knowledge and their flow. Furthermore, you’ll also need to know about major events happening in the Empire.”

She will learn what very few can learn over several years in just two months.
It would be difficult to gather deep knowledge rapidly, but I’d ensure she presents a plausible appearance.

What she needs to show to the nobles right now is ‘capability.’

“Doesn’t Crown Prince Chris have years of learning behind him…? Do you think I can do this?”

“Seri, you can. I will never ask you to do the impossible.”

After I spoke confidently, I could see the negative emotions fading from her face. Trust in me filled her expression.

“Since you say so, I will try. I’ll memorize everything within two days.”

“Good. I look forward to it.”

“Oh, since I’m at it… If I memorize all this, can you give me… a wish or something?”

Princess Seri’s sudden proposal surprised me. I couldn’t grasp her intentions.

“If it’s something you like, what can I do for you?”

“I’d like to eat the food you cook, Praus!”

That was a rather dull wish.

“I can provide that as much as you want.”

“Great! Get ready! I’ll memorize everything in a day.”

She declared while pointing at me.

“Alright.”

The fact that she declared it meant she was truly determined to keep her promise.
Without any doubt, she would read through this book and memorize it in a day.
She is someone who always keeps her word.