My Disciples Think I’m Strong

As per the agreed conditions, the result was not announced.

However, because the knights of Aus who had witnessed the spectacle went around gossiping about the duel they had seen, the rumor couldn’t be contained.

Upon realizing this, I immediately packed my belongings.

Having found the relic hidden in the city of Aus, there was no longer any reason for me to remain here.

I planned to lie low in Secul Village where my house was until the rumors died down.
At least, that was the plan…

“I want to go with Praus.”

Out of nowhere, Urkha approached me and said that.
Upon hearing her words, my companions turned their gazes towards Urkha and me.

To discern her intention, I looked at her. She flinched and took a step back.

“D-Don’t glare at me like that… I’m not trying to pick a fight, you know?”

That wasn’t something I could control.
From her expression alone, it didn’t seem like a mere whimsical remark. However, my response had been predetermined since long ago.

“No.”

It wouldn’t be good for Urkha, who needed to protect Duke Tori in the city of Aus, to follow me.

Of course, the demon race wouldn’t invade immediately, but having each person in their designated position was the best way to minimize variables, just like in the game.

“Why? I’m an S-rank adventurer. I’ll definitely be helpful for your travels.”
“I no longer intend to travel.”

Instead, I planned to properly advise and nurture the heroes’ growth.

Although they had awakened as heroes and were already at the level of the Imperial Knights, they were still only ten years old. I intended to observe and help refine their immaturity bit by bit.

“I still want to go.”
“Urkha, if you promised to follow my words, then gracefully give up. Unless you want to be known as an S-rank adventurer who doesn’t keep her promises.”
“Why? Is it because beastkin aren’t welcome after all?”

Iris flinched at Urkha’s words. You’re just making unnecessary remarks that only end up hurting Iris’s self-esteem.

“Didn’t I say it didn’t matter to me? Do you really think I’d leave you here for such a childish reason?”
“Then what is it?”

That I need you to buy time against the Demon Lords’ invasion.
I wanted to be honest, but I hesitated because it would give the nuance of using her.

Contemplating how to respond to her question for a moment, I spoke:

“…Until now, you’ve been able to grow up safely thanks to Duke Tori. Don’t betray him.”
“It’s not a betrayal. If Tori is ever in danger, I won’t hesitate to return to Aus.”
“The place I’m going back to is Secul. It’s a five-day carriage ride away from the city of Aus. When there’s danger, can you immediately come to this city?”

It would be impossible.
There were only a handful of mages capable of teleportation, and even for Maria, spatial magic like teleportation would take considerable time to master.

“That’s…”
“Moreover, you’re an S-rank adventurer. You have a duty to protect the areas bordering the Demon Realm and the frontier. There’s no benefit in following me.”
“Well, that may be true, but…”

Listing the facts one by one seemed to leave her speechless, unable to offer a proper response.

“The only thing I have to tell you is this: Protect Duke Tori. As long as he’s alive, violence can be avoided in the process of abolishing the slave system.”

Having said this much, Urkha wouldn’t have anything else to say, would she?

More than anything, the abolition of the slave system and the liberation of all beastkin must be her top priority.

“…Alright. But can I at least come visit occasionally?”
“What?”
“I’ve been to Secul Village before. I happened to pass through on my way to the capital. I never expected someone as strong as you to live there, though.”
“…”
“Well, I’ve also heard that the Fifth Sword Master Pasma lived as a woodcutter in a small village, away from the secular world. If you’re his disciple, a village might suit you better than a city.”

Since when was Pasma my master?

I wanted to refute it immediately, but it had become something I could no longer deny.

By now, I had used the Mirage Waltz, a technique only Pasma could have used.

“Anyway, I’ll come visit Secul occasionally. Will you welcome me? At least that much should be fine, right?”
“…Very well. That much, then.”

I suppose that would have to be the compromise.
This wasn’t the game world, after all.

“Ah, Lord Praus.”

Dex, who had been silently listening to the conversation while packing, approached me.

“What is it, Dex?”
“I’ll only be accompanying you this far.”
“Do as you wish.”

I responded indifferently.

With this noisy fellow gone, the return journey would be a bit more restful.
No more information leaks either.

Considering the information he had already received, having him as a guard was a mistake in the first place.

So the only thing left for me to say to him was this:
I approached Dex and carefully whispered in his ear.

‘Don’t go spreading unnecessary rumors.’
“If any harm comes to me in the future because of Secret Garden, you’ll have to deal with me.”
“…!”

I saw him flinch.
No, I didn’t mean to say that.

As influential as the Secret Garden information guild was, they were no pushovers.
Burying a single person would be trivial for them, and since they could obtain information about me no matter where I was, it was unwise to make them my enemy.

‘So let’s stay on good terms.’
“If you don’t want me as an enemy, it would be wise to watch that loose mouth of yours.”

Damn, why does this only happen at crucial moments?
Inwardly sighing, I patted his shoulder in an attempt to reassure him.

“Ah, I understand…”

As he responded, I pondered how Dex must perceive me.

From Dex’s perspective, not only had I defeated two S-ranks and reached the level of a Sword Master, but he also knew I possessed the power to alter nature itself.
I had already proven to be beyond the level of an S-rank.

Even after hearing my reckless words, he wouldn’t move carelessly.
The best course would be not to make an enemy of me, but my big mouth wouldn’t allow for that. Damn it.

“Thank you. Here is the reward for the request.”

I shook hands with Duke Tori. The money pouch contained a hundred gold coins – a rather generous amount.

It seemed the main reason for the substantial reward was that I had made Urkha abandon her intent to kill the Emperor.

“Praus, I should welcome you when you come to visit, right? Don’t say you forgot, or I’ll burn your house down.”

Was that something to say with a smile, about burning someone else’s house?
Are you a psycho?

“…Then don’t come.”
“I’m just joking. Heheh.”
“I’m leaving.”
“Eat well!”
“Thank you!”

Tina and Iris waved goodbye, while Maria simply nodded her head.
As Aerial looked at them, her gaze briefly lingered on Urkha.

“Aerial? Is something wrong?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”

Her expression seemed unsettled, but I didn’t press further since she didn’t seem inclined to answer.

And so we departed from the city of Aus.

In the outskirts of the city of Aus.
Dex walked down a deserted alleyway. As his figure was engulfed by the shadows, a silhouette emerged from them.

“It’s been a while, Chief.”
“Indeed.”
“What did you make of this Praus person?”

It was a Secret Garden member previously stationed in Aus.
Befitting the massive information guild, Secret Garden had members positioned in various cities.

“A monster… No, it felt like witnessing one of the heroes who defeated the former Demon King.”
“A hero, you say?”

The member swallowed hard.

“No, perhaps he really is a hero.”
“…Then what do you intend to do about that person?”
“He’s not someone we can handle.”

Dex recalled, a beat too late, the moment a sword whirled through the air, followed by the sight of a mountain being scooped out.

Even if it was magic, the sheer power was something no human should ever be capable of. And despite using such a technique, his mana reserves didn’t seem to have been depleted at all.

“For now, we’ll continue observing Praus without provoking him. Naturally, any information related to Praus will be classified as top secret. We’ll only share it if we’re quoted a price worth risking our lives for.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s head back to the hideout.”
“Yes.”
The member responded and took the lead. Dex turned to glance back at the alleyway entrance they had just entered.

“I look forward to your future endeavors, Lord Praus.”

Murmuring those words, Dex followed the member deeper into the alleyway.

“Your Highness, we’ve just received a report from the Black Dawn Special Forces.”

Before the Crown Prince, as before, the chief kneeled with his head bowed. The Crown Prince gazed at the leisurely drifting clouds.

“…Information about the man who fought Incurou, the one who might be a hero?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Well then, let’s hear what information they have.”

He sat in his office chair, donning his gloves as he leaned in to listen.

“First, they said he is an existence we must never provoke.”
“One we must never provoke? There is no such existence that the noble Imperial family cannot provoke.”

It was an arrogant statement without equal, but as the de facto ruler of the Empire, the Black Dawn chief could not refute the Crown Prince’s words.
He could only lower his head further, to honor the one he served.

However, the chief’s next words were so startling that even the Crown Prince couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“They said that when this Praus person merely swung his sword through the air, an entire mountain vanished.”
“What?”
“It’s believed he used wind magic, and the power was comparable to that of a Spirit King exerting their full strength.”

Even as the chief relayed the information he had received, he doubted whether his subordinate had lied.

“Furthermore, he is said to have reached the level of a Sword Master, capable of forming an Aura Sword. In other words, the sixth Sword Master of the Empire has appeared after Pasma.”

The Crown Prince couldn’t close his mouth as the information kept piling on.

“Lastly, they said he defeated the S-rank adventurer Urkha in an official duel.”
“What? He defeated two S-ranks in such a short time? What is his objective? Why is he hunting S-rank adventurers?”
“We’re not sure about that, but it’s believed to be due to some conflict within the Aus ducal family.”
“The Aus ducal family?”

The Crown Prince’s brow twitched.

As someone who harbored resentment towards Duke Tori’s consideration for other races, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but show his displeasure.

Having been educated under the Emperor who had carried out the massacre of other races, he held the belief that dominating other races was only natural.

“Of all the many nobles, it had to be Tori Aus. What a pity.”

The Crown Prince sighed and gazed at the kneeling Black Dawn chief.

“Summon Tori Aus before me. I should hear his side of the story before meeting this Praus person.”
“Understood.”

The chief immediately moved to carry out the order.
Sensing his departure, the Crown Prince muttered quietly:

“The stronger they are, the less inclined they are to listen. But even S-rank adventurers knelt before the Emperor. Praus, you won’t be an exception.”

The First Crown Prince, Chris Eiter Pretium, smiled meaningfully.