Academy’s Weapon Replicator

Odyssey (21)

“Then I will ask again.”

Frondeer spoke, hiding his trembling heart.

“Who taught you that method?”

The method to turn a human into a monster. Even thinking about it simply, it is not sound.

Even Frondier did not possess such knowledge. It is not something that can be known through ordinary means.

“What would you do knowing that?”

“…If you know the method to turn a human into a monster, then the reverse case too,”

“No, Frondier.”

Sergio shook his head deeply.

“Don’t lie to yourself.”

“…!”

“You know it too.”

Sergio’s face was rather calm.

“Do you know magic that can bring the dead back to life? Can you make a flower bloom from a rotten seed? Turning a human into a monster is not a simple change. It is a process. I have boarded the flow of a different time, not as a human. You cannot change the past future.”

“….”

“You know that too. That’s why you have that look on your face.”

Frondier closed his eyes.

As Sergio said, Frondier knew. Even if not completely, he had anticipated it. Magic is not a substance but a phenomenon. In other words, it is close to an event that has occurred. It cannot be undone.

“Now, Frondier.”

Sergio spread his arms.

“Do what you have to do.”

“….”

Frondier paused at those words.

Sergio was right. Frondier knew well what he had to do. And doing it was very simple.

Frondier raised his right hand.

Accordingly, one of the weapons in the workshop, Azier’s spear, was held in Frondier’s right hand.

There was no significant reason for choosing this spear.

He simply chose the sharpest weapon he had used. Because it would cause the least pain.

Squeeze.

Frondier’s grip on the spear tightened.

Sergio just stood there with his arms spread. Full of openings, without a single piece of aura. In his current state, anyone who had held a weapon, not just Frondier, could kill him.

“Now, finish it. Frondier.”

End it.

That is the ending everyone wants.

A perfect ending where the monster disappears, the anomalies vanish, and Selena never falls ill again. A wound that doesn’t need to be overcome.

Frondier, as long as you don’t say a word.

If you keep your mouth shut, surely,

─It’s not okay! Not at all!

Thud!

Frondier thrust the spear he was holding straight into the ground.

“…Haha. Damn it.”

Elody’s voice was heard.

Too vivid to be a manifestation of thought.

He would probably hear this voice for the rest of his life.

Every time Frondier pretended not to know his own pain, surely.

─Are you hurt anywhere?

Selena’s voice was heard.

Selena must have already known when she first uttered those words.

That Frondier’s insides were a mess.

Selena would probably notice this time too. Even if she didn’t know the specifics, she would know that Frondier had done something cruel.

But Selena wouldn’t say anything. She wouldn’t show it. Frondier couldn’t read her act.

That’s right. Frondier wasn’t confident he could hide this perfectly.

That scares him.

─Please come back to me.

And then, Aten.

The one who always told him to come back if he got hurt.

“…Aten.”

Frondier lifted his head.

He had made up his mind.

But it was definitely a different resolve than before.

“Sergio.”

“What is it?”

“I will now lift the barrier. Please have the soldiers step back.”

“By barrier, do you mean this space?”

Frondier nodded. At that, Sergio’s brow furrowed.

“What are you thinking?”

“I cannot return you, who has become a monster, to your original state.”

“That’s right. So killing is the only—”

“I cannot kill you either.”

At Frondier’s words, Sergio let out a breath.

“I must have misjudged you. Do you lack that much resolve and spirit?”

“If I kill you now, Selena will surely find out.”

“How would my daughter, who is not here, know that?”

“If it’s Selena, she can.”

After saying that, Frondier lifted the barrier.

The blue sky opened up again, and the soldiers surrounding the barrier spotted Frondier.

“Stop.”

With Sergio’s single word, all the soldiers who were about to rush forward froze in their tracks.

“Everyone, step back. I have something to discuss with this man.”

The soldiers retreated, leaving enough space. Though their vigilance towards Frondier was as sharp as thorns, none dared to approach.

“So, if you cannot kill me, what do you intend to do?”

“I do not know what to do.”

“And then?”

“But I am not alone.”

Frondier looked up at the sky and raised his hand.

Caw—

A crow cried from afar.

Frondier waited for the crow to arrive, keeping his mouth tightly shut.

Now, Frondier had cast the die.

A different die from any he had cast before.

For the first time, he had chosen not to bear the pain alone.

The Imperial Palace, Phillie’s Office.

After the report of finding a survivor outside the barrier, Bartello also moved with Phillie in this office. In other words, the Emperor and Empress are together.

Originally, Bartello entrusted Phillie with the internal affairs of the palace, including Odyssey, and the restoration after the war. Instead, he proceeded with diplomacy with the newly discovered continent and the nation of Palma.

However, now that the relationship with Palma has been quite settled, and most of the opinions on both sides are in agreement, there was no major noise. Moreover, with the news of the survivor, Bartello could not remain still.

Although Frondier said he would handle it alone, Bartello could not remain still from his standpoint. It is not that he does not trust Frondier. On the contrary, he trusts him, so he is preparing to move immediately in response to Frondier’s contact.

Of course, meeting the survivor and welcoming them to the empire is not a simple task, so even if it is not Frondier, Bartello and Phillie were quite busy.

Knock, knock.

Then someone knocked on the office door.

Phillie and Bartello raised their heads simultaneously.

“It’s Gregory. Frondie,”

“Come in.”

Phillie said without waiting any longer. Gregory opened the door and entered.

Gregory’s expression was very ambiguous. A somewhat flushed face, excited breathing, yet slightly serious eyes. Excitement and worry were simultaneously evident.

“……What’s the matter? Gregory.”

“Frondier has called the crow.”

“Oh!”

At that moment, Bartello’s face brightened, and he exclaimed.

“As expected of Frondier. Has he already sorted things out?”

As he listened to Bartello’s question, Phillie felt a bit puzzled.

No matter how capable Frondier is, this quickly? Did he overturn all the land outside the barrier while eliminating the monsters? Such worries even crossed his mind.

“No. It’s rather the opposite.”

Gregory shook his head.

The opposite? Could it be that he failed? That was even harder to understand.

As Phillie tilted his head further at those words.

“Frondier has requested help.”

Jump!

Phillie stood up from her chair.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth slightly opened as if she had heard an unbelievable story.

“Frondier requested help? Did he encounter such a powerful monster?”

“No. He said it’s not a matter of strength. He tried to solve it alone but didn’t know how, so he is asking for help from several people.”

“…….”

At those words, Philly’s face became similar to Gregory’s. She too was tinged with worry, but at the same time, an excited heart blossomed, causing her face to flush.

Philly looked at Bartello.

“Frondier has requested help. The same Frondier who saved the empire in two wars and brought down a god. The one who even refused to accept any reward.”

Bartello nodded.

“Finally.”

“Yes, finally.”

Bartello also stood up.

“Then it is only right to show the utmost courtesy.”

Philly nodded and looked at Gregory.

“Gregory, what are Frondier’s requests?”

“First, he wishes for Her Majesty the Empress to come to where he is.”

A request to summon the Empress of the Empire beyond the barrier. Without any hesitation, Philly nodded.

Gregory blinked once and then spoke.

“……And he also wishes for Princess Aten to accompany her.”

* * *

At the same time, in the Mage Tower.

A crow flew to the topmost floor, and after about a minute had passed.

“Really?!”

Elodie asked in a voice close to joy.

Her eyes sparkled, and her excited hands grabbed the crow.

The crow, slightly flattened, spoke.

[……It’s hard to talk, Elodie.]

“Did Frondier ask me for help? I didn’t hear wrong, did I? Really?”

[Not just you, but he also requested help from the palace and other places. The same goes for Lord Osprey here.]

“Then that’s even better!”

Elodie released the crow and lifted her head.

“It means Frondier doesn’t want to solve it alone!”

[That’s right.]

“He doesn’t want to bear the burden alone!”

[……Well, that’s right.]

“Yes, yes!”

Elodie nodded with her still shining eyes.

Osprey, who was beside her, was also quite surprised, though not as much as Elodie.

‘……That child, finally.’

Perhaps Frondier wouldn’t even dream of it.

How everyone would feel about his request for help, which he uttered after much deliberation.

[Elodie. Let’s save the joy for later. If Frondier can’t handle it on his own, it’s not an ordinary matter. It’s a truly difficult situation.]

“Who do you think I am?”

Elodie’s eyes not only shone but also blazed.

“I am Inies. Elodie de Inies Risha.”

[……That doesn’t answer everything. Even for Osprey here, it’s not an easy task,]

“Who do you think I am.”

This time it was Osprey.

“I am Zodiac and Grand Mage, Osprey.”

[……Both of you are on fire.]

While the crow looked at the two with slightly cooled eyes, Elodie walked over and flung open the window of the room.

“It’s not just us.”

The wind blew in. Beyond the window, the vast continent could be seen.

Elodie spoke as if she could see the entire continent from that spot.

“Frondier saved the empire. Many people were involved, but it’s clear who the main player was. Everyone who participated in the war received their due treatment and rewards, but Frondier hasn’t received anything yet.”

[That’s right. The empire owes Frondier a debt, right?]

Elodie shook her head at that.

“This is no longer a debt.”

[Then what is it?]

“Frondier’s influence extends not only to the empire but beyond the continent. Has Frondier ever demanded compensation from anyone? No, nothing at all. Frondier wouldn’t even think he has a debt to be repaid.”

So I know.

How carefully and cautiously Frondier must have asked for help.

The crow, looking at Elodie who was gazing out the window, spoke quietly.

[We still don’t even know what needs to be resolved.]

“It doesn’t matter what happens.”

Prondier asked many people for help.

Elodie and Osprey, the Imperial Palace, and probably countless others were reached by the crow.

They would all gather to solve Prondier’s troubles.

“We will definitely solve it.”

This is not about repaying a debt.

They simply cannot stand to see Prondier in distress.

Prondier should no longer suffer.

He should not endure sorrow or pain alone.

It is unforgivable.

“Prondier is our pride.”