My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 99

“I can’t understand why you’re making such assumptions just to hear a certain answer.”

“It’s merely a hypothesis.”

If it were only a hypothesis, I would have given a casual answer and moved on. But I couldn’t dismiss what had actually happened as just speculation.

“At least for now, I have no intention of courting anyone. There are things I need to do.”

This vagueness would suffice to satisfy everyone for the time being. More accurately, it would minimize conflict.

Of course, to others, it might look like I was managing multiple relationships, but since I had never done that, I was innocent.

“What do you have to do?”

“The Demon War might break out soon. I’m preparing for that. Otherwise, the Empire could fall apart.”

“And then, once everything is over?”

You’re really persistent, aren’t you?

Are you hoping that I would accept Ella’s confession?

“I’ll think about that when the time comes.”

“You’re just giving ambiguous answers. Can you even call yourself a man? If it’s true, say so. If not, then say no. Be straightforward.”

So it’s okay for women to speak ambiguously? Isn’t that a sexist statement?

“I can’t say a hundred percent about something I’ve never experienced. However, if there’s something I can say here and now…”

I paused for a moment, surveying the people around me.

Urka was looking at me with a strange expectation while twisting her fingers, and Tori was watching me with a curious gaze wondering what my answer would be.

Glair was frowning, anxiously awaiting my response.

And Seri…

I couldn’t tell.

Her lips had been curled up since the talk of Ella began.

I felt a dissonance with her outward expression, but I had no clear way to explain what it was.

“I won’t deceive the feelings of someone who comes to me earnestly.”

“…I see.”

Her face still showed dissatisfaction with my answer, but there was no sign of further probing.

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“Yes.”

“That was dull.”

“No. It wasn’t a trivial question. If I had answered affirmatively, I would have done everything I could to make you a noble.”

I flinched.

I looked at him calmly. If it weren’t for my expression management, I might have been startled and shown confusion all over my body.

“…Why?”

“Would the Grand Duchess… of the Todiah Family allow her daughter to marry a commoner?”

In short, he was saying he wanted to elevate my status enough that if Ella were to marry, no one would bat an eye.

It was the usual pride of the nobility… no, a matter of ego.

“Don’t you dislike me associating with Ella?”

“I do. But there’s a significant advantage in accepting you, plus it means I can ensure my daughter’s happiness. Besides, it seems it could also help create a ‘connection’ with the Royal Family.”

I remembered his words well, which he had spat out to persuade me moderately.

“A connection, huh… yes, indeed. Hehe…”

Seri murmured, letting out a sly laugh that was at odds with her pretty appearance, sending shivers down my spine.

“If I were to become Emperor, I guess that’s the only way to create a connection.”

“…That might be true, but I don’t have the confidence to stand above anyone, nor do I intend to get involved in politics.”

“From the moment you encouraged Princess Seri, you’ve already entered politics.”

You need to speak plainly.

My way of thinking allowed me to understand what happens in this world well enough.

I wasn’t capable of rising to such heights.

“I agree with Lord Todiah. In reality, your reasoning, action, and problem-solving skills are far superior to those of any noble offspring. No, comparing is almost an insult.”

Tori reinforced Glair’s statement. Stop it. Are you two in cahoots?

“Nothing has been decided yet. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“No, it’s not getting ahead of myself.”

Seri spoke to me gently, almost comfortingly.

“If I become Emperor and we get through the Demon War safely… I’ll grant Praus a ‘title’.”

“I don’t need that.”

I said firmly.

I truly didn’t need it.

While a noble title could provide various conveniences at this point, afterward, it would only add unnecessary responsibilities.

I wanted to live a relaxed life with enough money to last a lifetime.

“It’s fine. I’ll ensure you can live comfortably. Whenever you feel lost or troubled, just ask me.”

“…What?”

Seri rambled on as if she had suddenly thought of something and then gave me a bright, playful smile.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, it seems certain that Praus will receive a title. What kind of title, however, is still up in the air.”

“Why do you keep muttering to yourself?”

I clearly heard her say that gaining a title was certain, but I didn’t catch what followed.

“If you’re going to be Emperor, say it with confidence. Didn’t Duke Tori teach you well?”

“…How can I confidently talk about that? It’s too burdensome.”

“Burdened…?”

A noble title is certainly burdensome… but what troubled me more was Seri’s tone and nuance.

There was a feeling that something in our conversation was misaligned; it couldn’t just be a mere illusion.

“Hey, Seri—”

“Let’s stop the conversation here for today. At the next noble meeting, I’d like to discuss only the agenda, not declarations of war. Princess Seri.”

Just as I was about to call Seri, Todiah’s words interrupted.

“Don’t worry. If this were a declaration of war, the next noble meeting will be the stage for me to prove that I am not incompetent.”

“Ha. Haven’t you already sufficiently proven your competence?”

“It’s still insufficient. If I’m to become Emperor, I need to be acknowledged by the nobility as well as the citizens of the Empire.”

“You’re audacious. But the heir recognized by His Majesty the Emperor is Prince Chris. Whether you can surpass him remains to be seen.”

To surpass…

It’s not that simple.

Glair seemed to think that there would just be an argument over the imperial throne, but it wasn’t about that scale.

From the moment Chris became Emperor, he would likely eliminate anyone who stood in his way without hesitation.

And it’s obvious that the number one target would be the princes and Seri.

That said, we couldn’t just kill Chris first.

We needed to frame our actions in a way that justified why we had to kill him for our survival. That way, there wouldn’t be a controversy when Seri ascended the throne.

Of course, there would be no way to avoid controversy after killing a blood relative.

“Make sure to do well. If you can propose a solution to even one of the cases presented at the noble meeting, your image will change significantly.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Todiah advising Seri, I felt that the preconceived notions I had about him had completely vanished.

He finished what he had to say and turned away. I gazed at Glair’s back as he walked towards the door.

“Glair Todiah, in the end, are you going to support Chris?”

“Prince. Praus.”

“Answer me.”

At my stern attitude, he frowned and let out a sigh.

“…Not yet.”

“Not yet?”

“Our Todiah family has always been loyal to the Royal Family. If His Majesty the Emperor supports Prince Chris, our family will follow that. But if Princess Seri gains the right of succession, then the story changes.”

It seems I couldn’t persuade the Todiah family merely with words. Unless Chris had done something significantly wrong to them, it would be hard to find a crack to exploit.

Moreover, the right of succession wouldn’t just revert based on what a princess might do. It was better to completely give up on bringing Todiah to our side in the Succession War.

However, Ella was a different story.

If I played my cards right, I might be able to gain her support. Gaining an S-Class power would make our situation much better.

Todiah left, and only Seri’s faction remained in the conference room.

“Shall we head out too?”

“Let’s.”

With Seri’s words, Tori also stood up. Urka, who was closest, opened the door.

With that, my debut was a success.

From now on, it would be up to her.

Unlike two months ago, her self-esteem had risen considerably; she would surely have no issues.

Thinking that, as I followed behind Seri…

Thud.

Suddenly, Seri closed the door.

“…Huh?”

“Praus, may I ask you something?”

Is she really going to ask about the source of information?

Given what she said, it wouldn’t be strange for her to be curious as to why she was asking.

“What’s up?”

“Do you perhaps have a woman you care about?”

“…Why are you asking that?”

“Just… you know. If the person who becomes your bodyguard has a lover, that might be troublesome.”

I couldn’t see the connection between becoming a bodyguard and having a lover.

Her tone seemed like she had just recalled the reason behind her question.

Now that I think about it, she had been acting strange since Ella’s name had come up.

“I don’t.”

Her expression brightened at my answer. Her anxiety completely dissipated.

“Is that so? Since you mentioned you wouldn’t date any woman until the Demon War is over… you certainly have enough ‘opportunities.’”

Opportunities? No way…

“I hope you keep that promise.”

She opened the door again.

“Let’s go, Praus.”

It seemed I had one more headache waiting for me.