My Disciples Think I’m Strong

Not long after Praus left the scene, an enormous explosion led the Imperial Knights to gather at the site, including the Knight Commander himself.
The Knight Commander had already clocked out and was in plainclothes, but he still had his sword at his waist.

“What in the world is this?”

The knights let out dismayed gasps at the devastation caused by Inkuro’s attack.

“Damn.”

In one corner, Inkuro was still sputtering, unable to vent his rage.
Not only had he lost most of his earnings this year, but his pride had also been severely scratched, leaving him to taste bitter frustration.

The knights blinked their eyes as they looked at Inkuro’s state.

“Hey, isn’t that Mr. Inkuro?”
“Why is he here?”
“As expected, the knights have arrived.”

As the knights muttered while watching Inkuro, the goblin-masked auctioneer stepped forward.
The group of goblin masks and the group in golden armor stared at each other, appearing to be in a standoff, but they were only exchanging glances.

“Those goblin masks must be from the Rexton Company.”
“Indeed, we are grateful that you remember us.”

The Rexton Company.
It was the Empire’s foremost company, owned by Rexton.
Most goods passed through the Rexton Company, to the point where people said that if the Rexton Company changed its prices, the Empire’s prices would change.
They were a group with substantial influence.

“What happened here?”

The Knight Commander asked as he surveyed the crumbling buildings.

“There was a one-sided battle.”
“A one-sided battle?”

A battle is a battle, but what did they mean by a one-sided battle?
The Knight Commander furrowed his brow in confusion.

“It was a battle between Inkuro, who participated in the slave auction, and an unknown individual.”
“Inkuro? You mean the insane S-rank adventurer Inkuro?”
“Yes.”

‘If an S-rank adventurer was involved in the fight, it would make sense.’

Recalling the intense pillar of fire that had lit up the night sky, he looked around. It didn’t take long to spot the crumpled figure of Inkuro in the corner.

“But why is only Inkuro here? Where’s his opponent?”
“They left.”
“What?! They left after causing this disaster?”
“That person was not at fault. Even if they were, it would have been better not to stop them.”
“…What do you mean?”
“That person proved in a single bout that they were stronger than Inkuro, without even attacking.”
“What?”

He extended his arm to point at Inkuro, causing the Knight Commander and the other knights’ gazes to turn towards him. Inkuro was covering his face with his hands, muttering “Fuck, fuck.”

‘For Inkuro, a bastion of pride, to end up like this, just how strong was his opponent?’

“If the Knight Commander had witnessed that person directly, you wouldn’t have even considered stopping them.”

At his words, the Knight Commander’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“In any case, I judged that person to be innocent since they only defended against Inkuro’s attacks, so I held Inkuro, the one-sided aggressor, accountable.”
“They defeated Inkuro through mere defense? That sounds a bit unbelievable.”
“If the Knight Commander had been here, you would never have said such a thing. That overwhelming strength that didn’t budge an inch even when directly taking Inkuro’s Zweihänder, that overwhelming mana that emerged unscathed before the fierce explosion and pillar of flames. That person possessed both.”

Overwhelming strength and mana that surpassed S-rank.
It was proof that a talent capable of shaking the Empire had appeared.

“…Did you see that person’s face?”
“No, they wore a mask with a concealment spell.”
“That’s a pity. Let’s continue this discussion later, after the situation has been fully resolved. For now, our knight order will take command of this area.”
“I leave it in your hands.”

The masked figure politely bowed.

Shhk.
The leader of the Black Light Falcons, the Crown Prince’s exclusive assassination squad with the right of succession, entered the Crown Prince’s study through the window gap.

“First, I must apologize for intruding upon the Crown Prince’s domain without his summons. There was a matter that needed to be urgently reported, so I had to be presumptuous.”
“What is it?”

The fact that the leader of the Black Light Falcons, who were supposed to be monitoring the identities of S-rank adventurers, had come was enough to inform the Crown Prince that the situation was serious.

The golden-haired man placed his quill into the inkwell and brushed back his luscious locks with a languid expression.

“Did you hear the explosion just now?”
“I did. It sounded like thunder striking. A noise that loud must have reached most areas of Pretium. So what of it?”
“Yes. That sound was from an explosion caused by a battle between Inkuro and someone else.”

The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed, adding wrinkles to his face without diminishing his beauty.

“Inkuro? You mean the insane S-rank adventurer?”
“Correct.”
“And?”
“The battle ended with Inkuro’s one-sided attack.”
“Heh. If that madman Inkuro attacked one-sidedly, his opponent must have surely died with that kind of force.”

The Crown Prince chuckled lightly at his prediction. However, the leader maintained an awkward silence.
Noticing this, the Crown Prince opened his mouth to confirm.

“…Was my prediction wrong?”
“That’s… The opponent blocked Inkuro’s attack with just one hand.”
“What…?”

For the first time, the Crown Prince, who had been focused on his documents, turned his gaze towards the leader.

“Moreover, even before the molten pillar of flames, they calmly faced Inkuro’s blade without the slightest reaction.”

The Black Light Falcons leader shuddered as he recalled the scene of the battle.

“In the end, the Rexton Company intervened, and the fight ended in a stalemate. But if the battle had continued, Inkuro would have likely died on the spot.”
“It’s unimaginable for Inkuro to die like that.”
“The gap was that overwhelming. It was the first time I’ve seen Inkuro unable to overpower his opponent with either strength or magic.”
“Then you’re saying… the elusive eighth S-rank adventurer has finally appeared, based on the rumors going around?”
“You could say that, but my thoughts differ slightly. From witnessing the battle directly, that person could not be evaluated as a mere S-rank adventurer. A ‘hero’ surpassing the level of an S-rank adventurer may have appeared.”
“A hero?”

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened as he rose from his seat.

“Are you saying the hero destined to defeat the Demon Lord has appeared?!”
“I can’t say for certain. However, based on the experience I’ve accumulated in my life, legends have passed down that a hero possesses overwhelming power exceeding anyone currently praised as strong.”
“And someone with the power to overwhelm even an S-rank adventurer, considered the strongest in this world, has appeared. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Correct.”
“But you’re not certain?”
“Correct.”
“Then I suppose you know what you must do to gain that certainty.”
“I will risk my life to gather information.”
“Good. Go.”

The moment the leader stood up, he vanished, merging with the shadows. Watching the leader disappear, the Crown Prince smirked.

“A hero, huh? Interesting.”

The Crown Prince muttered as he looked down at his documents.

“…I don’t take disciples.”

For this incapable person to accept her, a hero, as a disciple?
It was a preposterous idea.

Having already cleared the game once, I could advise her on the future events to come and how she could grow.
But that was the extent of what I could do.

As a teacher, there was nothing I could truly teach a disciple.
The three heroes, including Maria, would naturally grow simply by awakening.

“Wh, why not? I’m an elf. I’ve been familiar with mana since birth, and I can do anything. Even if it’s, um, sleeping—”
“Shut up.”
“!”

I spoke. She flinched and took a step back from me.
Geez, she’s just a kid. No need to turn her into a criminal.
“Anything? Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve only just been liberated from slavery. How could you possibly be of any help to me?”
“B, but didn’t you buy me because I could be of some help to you?”

Hmm, she’s a bit sharp, isn’t she?

The reason I, the player, bought her.
The reason I had no choice but to gather the heroes.
It was to prevent this country from crumbling at the hands of the demons.

“…But at least for now, you won’t be of any help.”
“Then will you accept me as your disciple if you think I’ll be helpful?”

Was Maria always this proactive a character?

I know she harbors resentment towards humans, just like Iris.
She witnessed her family, relatives, and acquaintances in the elf forest being killed and enslaved with her own eyes. And at an even younger age than she is now.
That’s why she clings to me so desperately.

I know. I know it well.
But that didn’t mean I could become strong enough to accept her as my disciple.
I had been reincarnated into a character with an inherently weak constitution.

“Know your place and limitations. Now that you’ve been liberated from slavery, do you think you’ve gained true freedom?”

I stood up from the bench and looked down at her, emitting a faint Intimidation.
Maria’s gaze, which had been directed at me, gradually dropped to the ground. Eventually, she lowered her head.

“…I’m sorry.”

Her waist bent in a bow.
It was unfortunate, but this was reality.

“Let’s go. Follow me.”

After looking at her for a moment, I began walking towards the inn.

“Excuse me, as someone I’ll be living with from now on, may I ask your name?”

At her words, I stopped and turned back. Maria had straightened her back, her face showing a newfound resolve.
I didn’t know what that resolve was, but I hoped it wasn’t to kill me.

I untied the strap securing my mask and removed it, dispelling the concealment spell and revealing my bare face to her.

“…Praus.”
“Praus. I’ll remember it.”
“Let’s go.”

After curtly answering, I resumed walking without further pause.

“Oho? Not bad looking, is he?”

On the roof of a three-story building, Dex, the leader of the Secret Garden information guild, muttered as he watched Praus remove his mask.

‘A handsome young man who doesn’t seem to have seen real combat properly, yet he directly blocked Inkuro’s attack, not to mention surviving that heat storm unscathed. His ability should be evaluated as at least S-rank or higher.’

Dex committed the information about Praus’s appearance to memory.
He was about to move to ascertain where he was staying when…

“!”

Goosebumps rose all over Dex’s body.

‘I sense Intimidation? Could it be…?!’

He hurriedly hid his body on the rooftop.

‘He, he can sense presences at this distance?! Without even using mana to set up a barrier… That’s ridiculous!’

He inwardly panicked. Slowly raising his head, he held his breath when he saw Praus still looking in his direction.

‘That guy is a monster! Damn! At this rate, I might die!’

Dex stroked the will he had tucked inside his clothes, thinking he might have to leave his guild to his deputy.
While Dex was caught up in such delusions, Praus was simply licking his lips, lamenting that he wouldn’t be able to sleep much tonight as the moon had already sunk quite low.