Academy’s Weapon Replicator

Odyssey (8)

Aster looked around.

It was to check the companions who would join him on the Odyssey.

“…Enemies.”

His expression darkened.

From now on, they had to face the monsters outside, and furthermore, the monsters of the abyss.

And Aster is experienced with the monsters of the abyss.

From his perspective, no matter how he thought about it, the number of people and their individual strengths were insufficient.

“What about Elodie?”

“I heard she’s at the Magic Tower.”

Ludovic answered. Aster’s lips thinned.

‘Come to think of it, you said you were continuing some research with the president. But you never tell me what it is.’

So, Osprey has also been going to the Magic Tower frequently these days.

In other words, neither of them will be coming to Odyssey.

“……Phew.”

Aster sighed.

In fact, he had somewhat expected this.

Odyssey is the cry of the hearts of the current citizens.

When the gods fell and humans were able to reclaim their domain.

The desire to bear fruit as soon as possible.

In other words, the preparation period was insufficient.

The weakening of the Zodiac and the people of the next generation who have not yet fully grown.

This Odyssey is a reconnaissance. He knew that for sure.

But even considering that, it is lacking.

So Aster picked up the phone.

“Huh……? Who are you calling?”

Lidwi asked.

“My teacher.”

After Aster’s short answer, a voice was heard from the other side.

-Aster, what’s the matter?

It was Jane’s voice.

Aster had given Lidwi a very honest answer.

“Teacher, the number of people in Odyssey is less than expected.”

-Oh……. Really?

Jane answered in a tone that was both apologetic and shameless.

“You dragged me all the way here. Let me ask you one favor.”

-Dragged you? I clearly heard your positive response.

“Is Basileo there?”

-Oh, Basileo?

Basileo has recently crossed the continent to learn from Jane.

He was greatly impressed by Jane’s magical achievements and teaching abilities during the war.

Especially in terms of ‘reservations’, he was unparalleled, which suited Basileo very well.

– Ah, teacher. Did you call for me?

The voice changed. It was Basileo.

When Basileo was in Atlas, he met Aster as his teacher. Naturally, he still calls him teacher now. Of course, Jane, who was listening, must have felt strange.

“From now on, Odyssey will start the reconnaissance mission. I plan to advance as cautiously and slowly as possible.”

– I see.

“Come during that time.”

– During that time, what?

The voice changed again. It was Jane.

– Hey! What are you suddenly talking about! Basileo is my assistant! Do you think you can just take him away?

“Take him away? This is called give and take. I participated in Odyssey without any compensation.”

And Aster raised his voice a little.

“Basileo, can you hear me? If you help me, I’ll introduce you to Elodie.”

– I’ll go!

It was an immediate response.

– Ah, is it okay if I bring my friends?

“──Perfect.”

Aster’s lips curled up.

The call ended, and Aster let out a sigh of relief.

He looked at Ridwi and said.

“The distance from Constell to here is quite far. Since it seems other colleagues are also planning to come, how about we advance slowly?”

“……Well, safety first.”

Ridwi and Ludovic nodded. Neither of them intended to overdo it.

Even if not as much as Aster, they felt the lack of strength in this Odyssey.

Afterwards, Odyssey gathered and started light self-introductions.

Of course, everyone’s attention was naturally focused on the two Zodiacs and Aster. Naturally, the leader group narrowed down to them, and most seemed to follow the opinions of the three.

And not long after.

“Everyone’s here.”

Aten opened the cabin door and appeared.

She had come straight from Amper’s mansion, so despite being outside for a very short time, a bit of snow had piled up on her hair and shoulders. It was clear how severe the blizzard outside was.

“Nice to meet you. I am Aten Terst, the chief director of this Odyssey.”

Aten bowed gracefully. The movement was not flashy, but it captured everyone’s attention at once.

“We will do our best to secure supplies and support.”

“Just providing such a nice accommodation and a relaxed schedule is already a great help.”

Ludovic stepped forward to express his gratitude. He is more familiar with such occasions than anyone else here.

“I’m glad it was helpful. How is the operation situation?”

“Oh, if you look here…”

Ludovic explained the matters they had discussed earlier, along with the map he placed on the table. Aten’s small head nodded leisurely.

Reedwi, who had been quietly watching, whispered to Aster beside him.

“Your Highness, she’s listening more seriously than I thought. She asks immediately about any ambiguous parts.”

“Of course. It’s the same for everyone when the information is insufficient.”

“Hmm…”

Reedwi nodded quietly at Aster’s answer.

But something felt off, so he mulled over Aster’s answer a few times.

“Wait, what do you mean by that?”

“Yes?”

“Why is it dangerous? Why would it be dangerous for Your Highness?”

“…?”

Aster looked at Reedwi, not understanding.

Reedwi’s face turned pale.

“…Don’t tell me Your Highness is going out too? Participating in the Odyssey?”

“Yes, that was the original plan.”

“That’s ridiculous,”

At that moment, Aten’s voice interrupted.

“Aster Evans.”

Aten looked at Aster and spoke.

“Let’s move to another place for a moment. I have something to discuss.”

Aten showed a troubled look only to Aster.

“Prondier is participating in the Odyssey?”

Upon hearing Aten’s words, Aster’s eye twitched.

“Yes. It seems like they formed a separate team instead of joining us here.”

“Why would they do that? If they want to do the Odyssey, it’s safer to come here… Ah, right. They said that wasn’t possible.”

Aster recalled Jane’s words and held his head.

It is better for Frondier to not belong to any group at the moment.

No, regardless of affiliation, he needs to rest for a while. Wasn’t that everyone’s opinion?

“…If he can’t join a group, he’ll do it without one… That’s really like him.”

“Moreover, the people who joined the team are, well, Obsidian criminals.”

At those words, Aster’s mouth dropped open.

Taking Obsidian criminals, known for being uncontrollable, on an Odyssey?

‘…No, it might be possible for Frondier?’

Upon reflection, it wasn’t all that surprising.

Of course, the act of actually doing such a thing was astonishing in itself.

“Aten, is this information reliable?”

“…I heard it from my mom, so probably.”

Aten’s worried expression. Aster, seeing it for a moment, chuckled.

“Alright. Then the Odyssey will be much easier.”

“…Aster.”

“It’s okay. There’s no need to worry about Frondier at times like this.”

Aster knew.

Frondier doesn’t like fighting.

He is not the type with a strong competitive spirit or desire for improvement. He is the complete opposite of Aster.

Nevertheless, the reason he is strong is simple. He had to be. To overcome the future situations and crises he foresaw, he had to become stronger than anyone else.

The fact that Frondier is moving now means there is a need for it, and at the same time, he has the means to handle it.

‘…Frondier.’

You will succeed.

Without a doubt.

“But he’s someone who doesn’t know how to rest when told to.”

Aten nodded deeply, as if deeply agreeing with Aster’s words.

* * *

Meanwhile, Frondier unfolded a three-dimensional map in the cabin.

Everyone except Selena was wide-eyed, but there was no time to appreciate it all, so Prondier began to explain.

“We’re going to move in the opposite direction of Odyssey.”

“Opposite?”

“Yes, starting from Mangot, we’ll expand our territory.”

The three-dimensional map zoomed in on Mangot and showed the path leading towards the Empire.

Odyssey would naturally advance from the Empire. Prondier planned to start from Mangot instead.

“It’s not something that will be finished in a day or two, but eventually, when the territory is sufficiently expanded, we’ll meet the Odyssey members somewhere in the middle. Let’s return before we encounter them.”

Everyone nodded at those words.

There were no Obsidian prisoners who wanted to meet the people of the Empire.

“…Wait a minute.”

Moretti, who had been quietly listening, raised his hand.

“Yes?”

“Starting from Mangot?”

“Yes.”

“Then we’re more likely to encounter the Abyssal Monsters!”

“Yes.”

“Not ‘yes’!”

Prondier looked at Moretti with a trustworthy smile and nodded.

“That’s what it takes to be called Obsidian.”

“What kind of strange pride is that! What do you think Obsidian is!”

“It’s okay. I trust you.”

Prondier patted Moretti’s shoulder, laughing.

Selena watched the scene quietly.

Prondier wasn’t as good at acting as Selena, but he was good at maintaining a poker face.

Prondier thought he couldn’t see through Selena’s acting, but Selena also found it difficult to read Prondier’s expressions.

However, after observing for a long time, she began to see a bit of his true feelings, at least as much as she could.

‘…Anyway, he wouldn’t put anyone here in danger.’

From Prondier’s perspective, there was almost nothing that could stand against the Abyssal Monsters.

Unless it was a mythical creature that even threatened the gods themselves.

So Selena also wondered a bit why Prondier was taking the Obsidian prisoners.

The plan was to bring Cora, but now that we’ve come this far, there’s no need to take the prisoners.

So I thought, maybe they were planning to dispose of the Obsidian prisoners outside the barrier under the pretext of the Odyssey.

A cruel thought, but one that Selena could have. Also, a thought that Frondier could execute.

But Selena just saw it.

The same worry in Frondier’s eyes as he joked.

I can’t understand why he would have such feelings for the prisoners.

‘Sigh. I guess I have to be strong.’

Selena knew she had no choice and changed her mind.

Because she is the escort of such a person.

Because he is such a person.

“Mr. Frondier. We have received information from the Odyssey side.”

“Huh? Information?”

When Frondier asked back, Selena showed him the phone.

A brief message.

– Odyssey, Aster Evans confirmed to join.

– Basilio, Pielot, and Dier to join later.

After confirming the contents, Frondier’s expression slightly darkened.

Selena asked him.

“I think the Odyssey’s power will be sufficient if those three join.”

“……Right. Yes.”

Frondier nodded.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust their strength.

It’s just that Frondier is secretly anxious that they have to fight beyond his sight.

The scene of Pielot disappearing beyond his sight with an enemy arrow stuck in his body is still vivid in his mind.

Of course, Pielot overcame and grew from that experience alone, and with Aster, it should be fine.

‘……Aster.’

It’s okay to fail.

Just don’t get hurt.