My Disciples Know That I Am Strong

Episode 3. Misunderstanding that gets worse (9)

Duke Tori and Urca left the annex building and were walking towards the main building where they live.

“Urca, what are you thinking?”

Duke Tori spoke seriously. At the unusual tone, Urca tilted her head.

“Huh? I have no idea. I just want to defeat Incuro and fight Praus, who has risen to the level of a sword master, right?”

“Does that sound come out when I have no idea? You have the right to do whatever you want. Are you crazy?”

“It doesn’t really matter.”

He laughed as he saw Urca sticking to a non-trivial attitude.

“Are you saying that right now?”

“Speaking like that makes me feel like I’m pretending to be a slave. You said It’s not going into slavery, it’s just following.”

“That’s it!”

His voice was raised, full of anger. The knights who were patrolling around noticed something strange and approached.

“Duke, what are you doing?”

“No, nothing. Go and see.”

“But… ….”

“Didn’t I tell you to go see it!”

The knights were taken aback by the excited words and actions that were uncharacteristic of a normal duke. I quickly noticed and bowed my back.

“Yes! Sorry! Have a good night!”

After saying hello, he hurriedly leaves.

“Why does the duke keep a beastman by his side?”

“Shh, be quiet. I will hear you.”

The knights leave as if they were running away. Urka, who had been watching him closely, opened his mouth.

‘Yes, that is the reaction of ordinary humans. But Prause was a bit different…….’

“Tori.”

“Why?”

“You know what? Prause, that guy, took the elf’s child before the expensive weapon I was holding? Seeing him holding him as if he was more precious than anything else made me think a lot.”

“Why did that happen… ….”

“I never imagined such a person existed.”

“There are many people in Ausu who care about other races.”

Duke Tori said as if retorting. She didn’t deny it and nodded her head.

“I know. In the Aus Spirit, thanks to Tori and you, the feelings between the races have eased a lot, so there are a lot of people who get along well. I mean, though.”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

“However, most humans still view other races as simply slaves.”

“At least in Aus Territory, there are few people like that. Everyone is friendly, just like I think of Urca.”

Urca’s ears fluttered. Her tail wags gently, following her emotions.

She was happy at his words, but on the other hand, she was also bitter.

She remembered clearly what the Duke of Tory had done to protect her.

When his father told him to abandon him, she persevered and let her stay with her dukedom. Her memory was her best memory.

She fell in love with him, she once loved him fiercely.

But Duke Tori didn’t choose her even though he knew her heart, and he married a human woman.

I was by your side because I loved you all my life, but it was so sad to have to kill my feelings just by facing reality.

“…… I’m Aus Young, but I’m not talking about it.”

She paused her words for a moment. The words that followed were loosely evasive.

“Anyway, Tori, how many people do you think would risk their lives for another race of elves?”

“What?”

“Of course, I’m not saying that you can figure out all of a person’s tendencies just by saving a child once. It’s just that you look so upright without hesitation that I felt like I was watching you when I was young.”

She smiled faintly as she recalled the Duke of Tory at the time, who looked at her without any worries.

“So I just said it out of anger. No other reason. In the first place, all I can bet on is my body. Of course, after being recognized as an S-rank, I made a lot of money.”

“…… So, what have you been doing up until now? Are you planning to leave the duchy?”

“Ahahahaha! What are you talking about. You’re stupid? As long as I’m on the ground Do you think I will lose?”

A sense of composure leaked out from Urca’s look at Duke Tori. He didn’t even think she would lose. No, I didn’t want to.

But he had a ‘reason’ for her to lose.

“Ah, but from your point of view, would it be better for me to lose?”

“…… Are you still dreaming of treason?”

Treason.

It was a word no one else should ever hear.

She became dumbfounded for a moment at his words, and belatedly said “Puha” And burst into laughter.

“Treason. It’s not that grand. I want to kill the emperor who exterminated and enslaved my tribe. If it wasn’t for him, I would have been living happily with my family by now.”

“I didn’t put you in the duchy to commit treason. Why don’t you think that the duchy will suffer damage because of you?”

Urca hesitated for a moment at his words.

It was because Urca didn’t want the duke who had protected her to be in danger.

“…… I won’t let you run away Even if the duke’s family is questioned, it’s enough to say that it’s my opinion.”

“It’s not that simple. And you know you can’t do it alone. Why do you keep doing that?”

“If you do this at least, the Beast Race will be able to live happily ever after.”

“I was trying hard not to be like that. So that various races can live peacefully in the Aus Territory…….”

Urca shook her head resolutely.

“No, Tori. As long as the emperor remains emperor, slavery will never end. Now the Emperor must die. Until then, there will be no happiness among the Beasts.”

“I am working hard for the happiness of other races. Continue to treat people like slaves so that they are not subjected to labor or s*xual exploitation—”

“As soon as you took over the duchy, you promised to end slavery. But that time has already passed 20 years.”

“It’s because the politics between nobles are intertwined. It will definitely get better someday.”

“When is that time?”

He didn’t say anything.

Even though Urca felt lonely, she smiled as if she understood him.

“Let’s stop talking like this. I don’t want to blush with you.”

“Because of you, all other races in the empire could be slaughtered.”

“Even so, I think the empire must change. And what…… It’s just a story when there’s no one stronger than me.”

She smiled and stretched her body. She leaves him and walks ahead.

Duke Tori looked at Urca from behind and clenched his fists so tightly that blood leaked from his hands.

“Damn… ….”

* * *

“Did you accept the duel?”

Dex asked during breakfast in the annex.

“You… Were you sleeping?”

“How can you sleep in a place where information overflows? It’s all money.”

…… Donmi’s child.

It seemed as if he would sell his family for money at this level.

Well, if you think about it, it’s clear what happens when you don’t have money in this era.

I didn’t even blame him.

“So what did you decide to do in the end?”

“For now, I decided to have a formal duel. Subject to conditions.”

“What do you mean by condition?”

“Originally, a formal duel is a kind of event concept, so many spectators gather. However, for this duel, the number of spectators was minimized. And I told you not to publish the results.”

I couldn’t avoid drawing attention at the point of already having an official duel with an S-class, but I expected that the situation wouldn’t go too bad if the results were not announced.

“Why did you attach that condition? Isn’t it good that Prause-nim is getting attention?”

“I don’t want attention. I am just doing what I have to do.”

“Because it has to be done… …. Did you covet the S-class adventurer Urca-sama?”

That can’t be.

Urca must be in Aus.

When the demons invaded, if the duke died by my side, all my plans could go wrong.

Whatever she did, she had to stay in Aus and watch over the duke.

At the very least, I had to buy time for the warriors to defeat the legionnaires.

I feel like putting the characters in the right places just like in the game, but I don’t know how else to do it.

I didn’t want to take the risk even if I had to find another way.

“Dex, if you’re going to talk nonsense, go away.”

“A. Aren’t Prause-nim’s side the best?”

“Dex, are you bullying Prause?”

Tina approached before I knew it and asked. Her mouth was full of food.

If you just go there, you should really try eating this one. I don’t know if my living expenses will be okay when I go back to town later.

Dex shuddered at the spirit she felt from Tina and shook her hand mercilessly.

“How could that be? Just listening to the story. I couldn’t hear very well because I was in the room. Who would have thought that soundproofing magic would be installed in each room.”

“Definitely. That’s why I found out too late. I should be of help to Prause more than anyone else…….”

Iris mumbled and clenched her fists.

She said, “You don’t have to be tied down.”

“But shouldn’t I be the substitute for that duel? Don’t you think Prause-nim doesn’t have to deal with that person?”

At the sudden suggestion of Iris, the eyes of those who were eating gathered.

Obviously there is no problem according to the rules. I could set up a proxy at any time.

However, Urca expressed her desire to fight with me, and Urca was far ahead of the inexperienced warriors in terms of experience and proficiency.

“You can’t win yet.”

“…… All right.”

Iris blatantly sulks.

“But I know Prause-nim is a sword master. Can you beat Urca? After all, he’s an S-class adventurer.”

‘I can’t lose. As long as I received the request.’

“Who do I look like I would lose to?”

“That’s not true. Hmm!”

“Then, eat something.”

“Yes.”

To be honest, I am worried.

But there was a method in mind.

I already have a weapon that I can’t get in the current episode. I was thinking of using it.

“Thelma, I have somewhere to go with me for lunch.”

“…… Where are you?”

“It is a quiet place.”

“What do you think?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to harm you.”

“Can I follow you too?”

“No. Instead.”

I put the money bag that Duke Tori gave me on the table. There were 10 gold coins lying there.

“Do what you want to do in Aus City. You can sleep, you can go shopping. Do what you want to do.”

As long as the children are strong, there will be no problem going alone.

Even if someone causes a problem, it won’t be difficult to solve it because I have a direct connection with the duke.

“Uh… Where are you going?”

Maria asked. The guy who doesn’t normally talk to me talks to me for some reason.

Is it because of yesterday’s work?

“It’s training to prepare for a duel. I’ll be back by evening.”

“Ohh, training! May I go too?”

“Do you think I would go with a guy selling information if I gave him money like you?”

“Can I go?”

Ariel asked. Even if you tell me not to come, the gentleman will come…….

“…… Does not matter.”

“Prause, I want to be with Prause.”

“All right. Eat something delicious and do what you want to do. The freedom you got at best.”

“…… All right.”

Like that, Iris was sullen the whole time she was eating, and then a tragedy occurred in which Tina took away even her food, and a food argument broke out between the two.

They were really noisy.

* * *

The day of the official duel has arrived.

Two swords hung from my waist.

“Cheer up, Master!”

“I can’t imagine Prause-nim going anywhere and losing. Play with it.”

“Prause, that… Come on, be sure to win.”

I patted the heads of the three children once and then turned around.

Apart from the three children, nothing in particular was said. Perhaps it was because he watched the process of preparing for the duel, he didn’t even think that I was going to lose.

[Prause, how are you preparing?]

“Don’t worry. Because it’s perfect.”

[As expected, my close friend. Then, where should I feed the cheeky cat?]

He had a lot of momentum.

It seemed that he could not control his emotions as a new form was created for the illusion sword method.

I moved towards the arena.

Hopefully this will be the last time I fight an S-class.