Academy’s Weapon Replicator

Odyssey (22)

Lirber Village.

After Prondier sent the party back, they each took a room at the inn and waited. Prondier had given the order to wait, so there was nothing else to do.

In one of the rooms, a crow arrived.

“…So that’s what it was.”

Selena nodded after hearing the crow’s explanation.

“My father became a monster, and Prondier tried to kill him but couldn’t and asked for help…”

Selena’s lips curled up.

“I’m a bit angry.”

[But in the end, he didn’t kill him, so there’s some room for consideration, right?]

“That’s not why I’m angry.”

Selena glanced at the crow.

“You know why I’m angry.”

[…Well, yes. Because he tried to handle it all by himself.]

In truth, Gregory doesn’t really understand.

To Gregory, Prondier is not a benefactor or hero like he is to others, but rather a window to another world.

Gregory uses his abilities to help Prondier, and in return, Prondier keeps him from getting bored. From Gregory’s perspective, where there is no threat to his life, it is a fairly suitable deal.

Having seen more of Prondier than anyone else, Gregory feels nothing about Prondier handling things alone.

Frondier was always like that.

And he was the kind of man who could do it.

Now, he seemed to have truly become like a god, showing an omnipotence that made it seem like he could do anything he set his mind to. Did he really need anyone’s help? This was Gregory’s thought.

Of course, Frondier wasn’t like a ‘lamp that grants wishes’ capable of anything.

But at least he was like a ‘monkey’s paw that grants wishes.’

Gregory didn’t understand why Selena was angry out of empathy.

He just knew because everyone’s reactions around him were similar to Selena’s.

“But still, in the end, you asked for help.”

Selena nodded.

“It’s proof that Frondier has grown.”

And then.

Selena disappeared into the shadows.

[…What kind of mother are you.]

The crow muttered in the empty room.

* * *

After contacting Gregory, Frondier set up the workshop again in front of him.

“Oh, this is the appearance of the strange space I was trapped in.”

“Yes. We call it a workshop.”

“A workshop… This enormous size looks more like a castle.”

Everyone says that.

Indeed, thinking back to the past, it brings back memories. This ever-growing workshop is the very history of Frondier living in this world.

Inside, it contains all kinds of equipment, including weapons, and all the knowledge and records Frondier has studied and learned so far.

There are even statues of giants in the basement.

“But what are you going to do by summoning this again?”

“It takes time for the people I called to get here, so I’m going to ask the archmage for help.”

“Hmm…?”

Sergio tilted his head.

Frondier set up the workshop because of the door.

To connect the door on that side and the door on this side.

This high-level spatial magic is only possible with Osprey, and Osprey is not here right now.

So, he used his phone to give a rough location.

If he had become the Archmage, he would be able to connect the door remotely with this much information.

“Have you already contacted them?”

“Yes.”

Frondier answered as he opened the workshop door.

The workshop door was something Frondier made at will. Originally, the workshop had no door.

So, leaving it open made it function more like a door.

“With this, the preparations are complete.”

“How many are expected to come?”

At Sergio’s words, Frondier’s lips thinned.

“I contacted as many people as possible, but I don’t know how many will come. Everyone might be in difficult situations, or they might be busy…”

“You don’t seem confident.”

“…Well, that’s right.”

There are countless reasons why they might not come.

Moreover, he couldn’t even explain what the problem was after asking for help.

It seemed that it wouldn’t be properly conveyed without meeting in person and talking.

“It’s an amazing magic. It’s a magic that I couldn’t even imagine when I was human.”

“Because he’s the Archmage. Osprey.”

“Osprey?”

Sergio reacted to the name and asked again.

“Has he become the Archmage?”

“Do you know him?”

“Of course. Osprey was one of the few hopes that could prevent the extinction of humanity at that time.”

At those words, Frondier thought.

‘That’s right. Sergio is Selena’s father who experienced the Monster War. Even if I roughly think about it, he would be around the same age as Amper. It’s not strange that he knows Osprey.’

Frondier asked out of curiosity.

“Then, by any chance, do you know the name Amper?”

“As expected, you are that guy’s son.”

…That guy?

Feeling strange, Frondier nodded.

Sergio shook his head and said.

“Hmph. Even a guy who seems to be made of steel can have children. I guess love can bloom even inside armor.”

“Were you not on good terms with my father?”

“We were comrades.”

“……Is that so?”

Does that mean they were on good terms?

“When it became certain that monsters would invade our territory, the Empire ordered me to come to the capital. They said that even if I couldn’t save all the villagers, at least I could save myself. Most of the nobles and knights told me the same thing. They said losing me would be too painful a loss for the Empire. But in the midst of all that, your father sent me a letter. Do you know what it said?”

“…….”

Frondier did not answer.

But it wasn’t because he didn’t know.

He could easily guess what it would say, so he didn’t even feel the need to speak.

“That b*stard Amper, he told me to ‘die there.’ He said I knew full well what would happen to the villagers if I retreated. The arrogant b*stard! He had that in mind from the beginning! Anyone would think I was preparing to run away!”

Hmph, Sergio snorted.

Frondier never said it out loud, but he knew.

Amper’s annoyingly cold words probably steeled Sergio’s resolve like armor.

“That guy was already fighting desperately in the north at that time. So I had nothing to say.”

“Did you send a reply?”

“I did.”

“What did you say?”

“‘You live.'”

“…….”

“Annoying as he was, he was someone who could build a barrier.”

At that, Frondier fell silent for a moment.

He briefly pictured Amper receiving Sergio’s letter in his mind.

“……That was probably.”

“Hmm?”

After blinking a few times, Frondier spoke.

“The greatest revenge you could have taken on my father.”

At those words, Sergio’s pupils widened slightly as he looked at Frondier.

“……Haha! Is that so! That’s quite satisfying! Hahahaha!!”

Sergio laughed heartily.

His face looked relieved.

And after a brief moment.

“……They’re not coming.”

“Seems so.”

The open door of the workshop remained just that—open.

He didn’t expect many people to come, but to think not even one would show up.

‘…Was it just my imagination?’

Frontier had a hunch that someone was on the other side.

Of course, since it was connected by spatial magic, it could be a mere illusion due to the great distance.

It felt like someone would come any moment now, but still, no one was crossing over,

Thud!

‘Thud?’

A foreboding sound was heard.

And then, a foot, unusually large for a human, appeared first.

“Frontier!! Are you alright?”

“…Monty?”

The first to appear at the door was Monty.

Frontier’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t called for Monty.

“I heard you were in danger, so I came running. What’s the matter, are you hurt?”

“Ah, no. It’s not that…”

Another person appeared then.

“I told you, Monty, you didn’t need to come! How did you even think of fitting through this door with your huge frame?”

The next to appear was Zodiac Daisy.

…So it wasn’t that no one came, Monty was just struggling at the front to get through the door.

“You say I didn’t need to come! My disciple is in a crisis!”

“That’s what I’m saying! It’s not a crisis! I asked for help!”

“How is that any different!!”

Monty growled. Daisy shook her head.

And then, another woman appeared at the door.

“Ah, Frondier! Hello~”

This time it was Cybel. Approaching with light steps as if dancing, Cybel waved at Frondier.

“……Hello, Cybel.”

Frondier, feeling a bit weary, accepted Cybel’s greeting.

Starting with Monty, people continued to cross the door.

Frondier felt a bit relieved as he saw the faces of the people emerging from the door. He had worried that no one would come, but almost everyone responded to his request.

The surprising ones were the Zodiacs.

“……Sergio!”

Monty, who appeared first, quickly approached Sergio as soon as he spotted him. His face was full of joy, and his eyes quickly welled up with tears.

The Zodiacs who appeared afterward were the same. They surrounded Sergio and each said a word to him. Sergio’s presence seemed to be immense for those who had experienced the monster war back then, more than Frondier had thought.

Seeing this, Frondier thought,

I must never tell them.

That I originally intended to kill him.

Next to appear were the Empress, the Emperor, and the three sisters. Frondier had only called Aten, but Elysia and Sale came as if it were natural.

And Fili and Bartello’s reactions were similar to the Zodiacs.

No, even more so.

Especially Bartello, who approached Sergio slowly as if he had seen a ghost – which wouldn’t be much different mentally.

“Ho.”

Sergio grinned at the sight.

“You’ve become the Emperor! Congratulations, Bartello!”

As most of the people were passing through the door, Frondier’s intuition caught something in the distance.

A woman flying through the air, arriving and looking down at the situation from above.

She covered almost the same distance by flight as those who crossed the door.

“Hello, Frondier.”

She smiled at Frondier.

Landing quickly and walking confidently, she said,

“I’ve come to save you.”

“……I didn’t feel like my life was in danger.”

“I know.”

Elodie answered with a playful face.

“But I came to save you.”

“……”

While Frondier couldn’t respond for a moment to those words.

Srrk.

His shadow floated up.

“……Ah.”

Frondier had never felt such a chilling killing intent before.

“Frondier.”

“Uh, uh. Selena.”

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

“……I’m sorry.”

Frondier apologized honestly. At that sight, Selena exhaled once through her nose.

In fact, with that one breath, all the killing intent disappeared.

“Selena?”

And then a voice flew in.

Selena leisurely turned her gaze in the direction her name was called from.

There stood Sergio.

“Uh……”

Selena widened her eyes at the sight of Sergio.

She turned to Frondier for confirmation, and Frondier nodded.

Feeling Sergio’s gaze, Zodiac and the Emperor both stepped back a little.

Thus, a path connecting Sergio and Selena opened up.