My Disciples Know That I Am Strong

Episode 11. Candidate for the next emperor (2)

The house of the Duke of Tori, guided by the butler.

I’m afraid someone isn’t a duke. It’s big and wide behind.

I don’t know how to clean a house like this. Is that why there are many users?

As I walked, it was not uncommon to see beastmen or elves wearing maid clothes.

“Are you surprised that there are many other races unlike other dukes?”

“I am a bit surprised.”

At that time, we met at a tea house, and since we lived in an annex, we had never entered the building where the duke lived.

Besides, all the servants I met when I was living in the annex were human, so I knew that this place would be managed by humans as well.

“I remember that among the servants I saw in the annex, there were only people.”

“When I greet outside guests, I tend to use human servants. There are many people who react sensitively to other races.”

I see.

Most of the visits to the duke’s residence would be aristocrats, and those who followed the will of the imperial family, so in a way, it might be natural.

“All of them were sold as slaves and lost the will to live. Even if we run into each other, I want you to be gentle and move on.”

Other tribes bowed their heads when they saw us walking. I looked at them and said as if talking to myself.

“Don’t worry. I like people, beasts, and elves.”

“…… Do you? Then, the people who visited us this time must be living with affection. Fortunately, the.”

I looked at him smiling benevolently and looked behind me.

Perhaps it’s because they haven’t expressed it directly until now, they all look surprised.

“Prause, do you like me?”

Urca approached and asked.

The warriors also tried to ask me, but I frowned as if it was difficult to intervene because of Urca’s prowess.

“… No.”

“Liar.”

“… ….”

Urca glanced back and whispered a whisper to me.

“If you tell me you like me, I will date you. Because Prause has rights.”

I stopped involuntarily at her words.

Urca looked at my reaction and looked at me with bright eyes full of her expectations.

Damn it. I hate my pounding heart

Well, Urca, one of the most beautiful women in the game, is going out with her, so who wouldn’t like it?

“It’s done.”

“Sheesh. If she had accepted her confession, she would have formally told Tori that she would live with Prause.”

Urca clicks her tongue in regret.

“…… Didn’t you like Duke Tori?”

“Huh? Ah… Does it look like that?”

Was it an unexpected question? Looks bewildered

The eyes that were looking straight at me wander. She scratches her cheeks in embarrassment.

“I’m just asking.”

“Once upon a time… hmm. I liked it when I was immature.”

“Aren’t you still immature?”

“Isn’t that?!”

Puck. Puck.

She denies and hits my arm.

It hurts. I’m going to bruise my forearm the next day.

“Anyway, not anymore. Tori is a friend. Apart from saving me, we couldn’t be more.”

“I see.”

I replied indifferently. After sneaking a look at her reaction, she whispered in my ear again.

“Ah, even if I look like this, I… Because she’s a virgin……. You don’t have to worry about that part. I liked it when I didn’t know much about my body yet.”

So you’re saying that she’s an old virgin who’s never done anything until she’s over thirty?

Ah, not even an old maid. I don’t know what age it’s normal for beastmen to get married.

“…… I didn’t ask.”

“But you might have something to ask someday, right?”

“Yes. Maybe.”

“Really?!”

“No.”

She put honey chestnuts on her head and moved her steps.

“Huh… ….”

It’s like Ella and Urca, it’s confusing because people in this world seem to have slightly different standards for liking others.

Even if the base of this world is the weak meat, it’s not enough if it’s strong…….

Even though I was considerate of them, I don’t know if that’s something that will lead to romantic feelings all at once.

Once I… No, isn’t it enough to get rid of emotions just by looking at Prause’s horse?

I don’t know, but at this time, dating feelings weren’t very good.

No matter how much I twist the odds, I can’t tell who will live and who will die.

My regrets were enough with Phasma and Ariel.

* * *

As soon as we entered the drawing room, Duke Tory got up from the sofa. He came up to me and held out his hand.

“I was a little surprised to hear you were visiting.”

“I apologize for that.”

I held his hand lightly. He seems to be surprised to see if he knew how to pretend he didn’t know, then laughs lightly.

“…… You’re much more harmful than when we first met. Sit down.”

Urca naturally stands next to Duke Tori.

Are you saying that there is a clear distinction between public and private life? Doesn’t it seem immature?

Me, Ariel, and the warriors sat side by side on the sofa across from Tori.

“I heard that you recently dealt with the black dragon. You did a great job.”

“Someone had to do it. That just became me.”

“You are cool from start to finish.”

“I see.”

“What reward did His Majesty give?”

“A thousand gold coins.”

Looking at my cheeky attitude and bad manners, you must have thought that a noble title would be meaningless.

I would have thought that it would harm the hierarchy.

“Unexpectedly. Certainly, it was a contribution that would not be strange even if he obtained a title of nobility. I heard that by dealing with the black dragon, the problem of territorial expansion was alleviated. Only a thousand pieces…….”

It’s not at all, but it’s a salty reward for killing a black dragon.

Anyway, it was enough for me as long as I could cover my living expenses. He had no intention of building a mansion like an aristocrat, and he was satisfied with just enough money to live on for the rest of his life.

“It doesn’t matter since I didn’t deal with it specifically to become a noble. Anyway, I’m not here to talk about that.”

“I guess so. What did you come for?”

“From now on, I would like you to keep the story a secret. There is nothing good for you or me or anyone else to know.”

“…… What is it?”

It is true that Duke Tori became friends with Urca by breaking her will, but he is a nobleman to the last.

Although he is a person who denies slavery and is considerate of other races, it is an undeniable fact that he is loyal to the emperor.

In other words, although it is easier to talk about it than others, there is no guarantee that he will be on my side.

So, if I was to convince him, I had no choice but to stimulate the weakness he still had.

“Duke Tori, who is the candidate for the next emperor you are pushing for?”

“…… Why are you asking that?”

His eyes changed.

Until now, it was like looking at an acquaintance, but now it seems like looking at someone else. I felt the sincerity that put reason first.

“I have joined the forces of a candidate for the next emperor this time.”

“You…… In power? Wait, that means… Are you planning to participate in the succession war?”

“Yes. So answer me.”

Actually, I know.

Who the dukes are pushing at this time. Can’t know

“…… It’s the look you already know.”

He said while looking at me.

From noble mtl dot com

“Does it look like that?”

“…… Right. Are you concerned that you might be enemies with me?”

“No, enemies don’t matter. Because in this place, you will be pushing the same person as me.”

“What?”

“And I want you to be the backbone of the forces I am pushing against.”

“…… Are you going to use force?”

His eyes narrow.

I’m not that violent.

Anyway, the image in Duke Tori’s head seemed to be cold-blooded.

“If it was such a simple matter, I would have overthrown the entire imperial family long ago without coming to you.”

“That is impossible. No matter how you-“

“Does it seem impossible?”

Cut your words and give your eyes a little strength.

“… ….”

Gulp.

His tantrum was wobbly.

It was then. Urca held out her palm to me.

“Prause, stop living. Tori is a communicative person.”

“…… I will.”

I nodded slightly at Urca’s words. I also relaxed my eyes.

“I want to ask you before that. Prause, who are you pushing? Are you Prince Chris? Or are they other princes?”

In his mind, there seems to be no number of cases where he is the princess tax collector.

Well, I didn’t know what kind of person Princess Se-ri was until the Resistance happened, so it’s understandable.

There will be no fool who elects a person whose approval rating converges to zero even when electing a president.

“I know the man you are pushing is Prince Chris.”

“How can you be sure of that?”

“Do you think you don’t know? The succession war does not directly harm the ducal family, but if you support another candidate, your position will be narrowed, so you have no choice but to push the most powerful candidate.”

“As expected, your eyes to see the world are open.”

It’s not that your eyes to see the world are open, it’s strange that you don’t know. Even if you don’t notice it, you should know this.

“Besides, isn’t it the ducal family that should be more loyal to the empire than anyone else? There are no options.”

“…… So who are you pushing? Are you the second prince?”

“Princess tax collector.”

“What?”

“The person I am pushing is the princess tax collector.”

His expression rotted in an instant.

When she was mentioned in my mouth, who had no possibility at all, he lowered her head, unable to manage her facial muscles.

“How… Princess Seri…….”

He presses his temples and sighs.

“You underestimate her.”

“Do you know what she looks like? Recently engaged to the son of Duke Todia—”

“Don’t worry. Because I know everything.”

Cut off the momentum that seemed to list all of Seri’s shortcomings.

“Then how…… !”

“The prince told me. I’m going to make it illegal to brand other races as slaves. Do you really think that when you support him, he will be able to fulfill Urca’s wish?”

“Is that true?”

He asked in disbelief. I nodded without hesitation.

“I want the next emperor to be someone who can show mercy to other races. Duke Tori, what do you think?”

At my words, Tori’s head turned to Urca who was behind.

Okay, bit the bait.

When he sees Urca, I will take the initiative.

This was my goal.

A keyword that can not help but be swallowed up by emotion, who was hardened in front of a transaction.

It was Urca.

To the Duke of Tori, Urca is ‘remorse’ and ‘regret’.

She loves her, but her lingering feelings for not being able to say that she loves her, and her regret for not choosing her in the end.

If he hadn’t had Urka, he would have had the same way of thinking as any other noble.

“Yeah, it would be nice if I could… ….”

Muttering passively, he startled and looked at me.

“Could it be that Princess Se-ri intends to accept other races?”

From the moment emotions consume reason, even if you know that your choice is wrong, you cannot change it.

Emotion narrows the field of view, and the narrowed field of view forces a choice and suggests that it was right.

Even if you regret it later, it will be too late to undo it.

“Of course. I saw her and chose her.”