The Academy’s Weapon Replicator - Chapter 99

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Weapon Duplicator of the Academy — Episode 99
Chapter 28: Return (4)
Thrum-thrum-thrum—the Barrier emitted a heavy, resonant sound.
It was the same beginning as before. The Restoration that started from my hand gradually expanded its reach.
Dust gathered, and massive fragments were lifted aloft again—it unmistakably resembled rewinding time itself.
Though it was my own doing, I found myself overwhelmed and dazed by the sight.
“…… Look at that.”
Someone spoke. The right Barrier—that very spot they’d fought so desperately to defend during the Monster onslaught just before.
Cracks knitted together as if healing. Fissures mended themselves. The broken equilibrium trembled, righted itself, and stood restored.
A soft exclamation swelled, growing louder. Wonder filled the air, and small laughter broke out.
‘…… It’s consuming more Mana than I expected.’
I checked the Necktie bound in Penelope’s cloth. It was shrinking at a rapid pace. Even after consuming a Dragon Heart.
Yet seeing this sight, I could offer no complaint. It truly seemed as though time itself was being reversed—the Barrier reclaiming its former glory.
When the Restoration finally ended, the Necktie had become smaller than my palm. The Barrier had been that vast, and the damage and weathering severe.
I was relieved we’d finished before I exhausted all my Mana.
“Phew—that’s all of it. There are still fine cracks and worn sections, but they’re unavoidable,”
As I turned around.
…… Every Knight was bowing to me. Even the Commander Sanders. Even the Lord Ridwi.
Below, soldiers and prisoners alike dropped to one knee.
Every person arrayed on this Barrier simply and quietly lowered their heads toward me.
“…….”
I lost my voice, watching the scene unfold. From atop this Barrier, I could see each of their postures, every detail of their forms.
I glanced at Aten beside me. She smiled softly and bowed with grace.
“As Aten Terst, Third Princess of the Terst Empire, I extend gratitude on behalf of all the citizens of Teyvon.”
No words came to me. I should have offered some response—thanks beyond measure, or something—but I could not. I should have knelt, but I did not.
I simply felt bewildered.
As if understanding my heart, Aten spoke again.
“Thank you. You protected Teyvon.”
* * *
After that, Aten returned to the Empire before me—naturally, with her escorting Knights.
The Barrier was restored, and immediate threats like frequent Monster incursions had been solved; there was no reason for her to remain.
She’d said something like, ‘If you delay even a day, I’ll drag you back by your hair,’ though I’m unsure how much weight that actually carried.
Sybel departed as well. Cassian, who bore Sybel, glanced back at me briefly—and that was all. I suppose it was the maximum courtesy Cassian could afford.
And I remained in Teyvon throughout the remainder of the Holiday Break.
Though the Barrier was repaired and Monsters rarely came anymore, making my presence unnecessary, I stayed to fulfill my responsibility.
More than anything,
“Leave? Where am I going? The wager still isn’t settled.”
During an inspection atop the Barrier, my fellow Knight Hector Dutoit sidled up and spoke. I laughed along with him.
“You could just count me as the loser.”
“You mad? Nobody’s died yet, so why would you lose?”
The fierce Monster onslaught that occurred in my absence.
Even under that ferocious assault, the Knights had suffered no deaths.
Of course, I returned before the damage became catastrophic, but the fact that no one died during that time was a mercy.
“When you first came here, I thought you were just insane. But now I know—there’s no one as perfectly mad as you are.”
“Hah, ha.”
“This bastard knows he’s being complimented.”
Ironically, my nickname had become fixed as ‘madman’—not just from Hector, but all the Knights laughed and passed by calling me that.
When I first arrived, the word carried mockery; now, when they mutter it while shaking their heads, it stirs something odd in me.
I looked beyond the Barrier. The rampart, having reclaimed its past glory and grandeur, was deeply reassuring.
Even after I departed, Teyvon would not be breached easily for some time. Monsters remained a constant threat, but that was the way of things here.
Yet a Barrier only guards territory—it cannot help humanity advance.
We struggle so fiercely just at this frontier; what horrors lurk deeper in the wilds beyond?
“Hector.”
“What?”
“This Barrier needs you.”
“Huh? Of course. A name that’ll echo across the continent—you leaving means this place will be fine.”
“Right. So,”
I looked at Hector.
“Finish what’s unfinished before I go.”
“…… Huh?”
“Just in case there’s something to it.”
Hector Dutoit is Ridwi’s son. Yet the fact that he chose the Dutoit name over Urpa is nothing more than a petty quarrel between father and son—something I have no business interfering with.
But if that foolish dispute drags on into a critical moment, it’ll be a problem.
When humanity sets out to reclaim the land someday, the White Lion Hector will be a tremendous asset.
“Hmm. Right. Though I’m not sure what you mean.”
Hector scratched his head. No—he understood well enough. He knew what his problem was.
And if he truly is the White Lion Hector, a mere mention like this would be enough for him to set aside his childish quarrel with his father.
I’ll believe that much.
* * *
And so a few more days slipped away.
Someone knocked and entered my room.
“You’re heading back now, then?”
It was Robert, Philly’s escort knight.
He asked upon seeing Selena and me packing our belongings.
“Yes. The holiday break is nearly over.”
“What a shame. I had hoped you might stay longer.”
“Don’t say such terrible things.”
We both chuckled at that.
I turned to Robert with a question.
“Robert—your mission here still isn’t finished? Even for someone of your caliber, life in this place must be trying.”
“No. I haven’t yet received orders to return.”
Curious.
Why would Philly send Robert to such a dangerous place? And with no further instructions arriving despite the passage of time, my suspicions only deepened.
“Perhaps…”
That’s when Robert spoke up.
“The fact that I was sent to Teyvon may not have been the important part.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It may have been that a suitable pretext was needed to create distance between myself and Her Highness.”
Philly deliberately distanced herself from Robert?
“But sending away the knight who protects you—that’s far too dangerous.”
“I am not the only one guarding Her Highness. I suspect she sent me to Teyvon out of concern for my own safety.”
“So you’re saying Robert would have been safer here in Teyvon than within the Imperial Palace?”
“It’s merely conjecture.”
I fell silent, turning the matter over in my mind.
Robert is a named character famous enough that even I know his name.
True, there are others who protect Philly, but Robert is the knight she trusts most.
So if Robert sensed danger and Philly moved to remove him to safety, that wouldn’t be unusual at all.
But the reason Robert would be in danger stems largely from his role as Philly’s protector.
Since so many at the Imperial Palace target Philly, Robert facing danger would come almost entirely from guarding her.
So for Philly to distance Robert from her side simply because he’s in danger would be foolish—his death would mean nothing to her safety.
Yet Philly wouldn’t do something so foolish.
In other words—there’s an enemy who targets only Robert, and not Philly at all?
“When you return to Constellation, if you happen to see Her Highness, please convey my regards.”
“What should I tell her?”
“That it’s grown rather cold.”
Ha.
“You have your pride too, don’t you, Robert?”
“A modest show of pride reassures Her Highness, nothing more.”
A loyalty that reaches toward the heavens itself.
Then came quickening footsteps approaching my room.
“Hey there. Still not ready? Everyone’s waiting, so hurry on out.”
It was Ridwi. I hoisted my packed bag and rose to leave.
“Let’s go, Selena.”
“Yes.”
Selena had little in the way of belongings, but to avoid seeming odd to others, she’d prepared a suitable bag to carry. She slung it over her shoulder and followed behind me.
As I passed, I spoke to Robert.
“Then, Robert—until we meet again. Preferably in the capital.”
“In the capital.”
I left the room, descended the residence’s stairs, and opened the front door.
Knights stood waiting at the threshold—not lined up as they had been during the Barrier Restoration, but standing at ease in casual dress, awaiting my departure.
Are you leaving?
I think you’ll want to see how things develop. I hope the wager continues.
Come back and visit us again.
Each of the knights offered me a parting word.
I responded to them as I made my way toward the sedan already waiting at the curb.
The driver stood ready in front of it—the same one who’d brought me to Teyvon. He bowed respectfully at my side and asked.
Did you enjoy your holiday break?
If you were my employee, I’d fire you on the spot.
That would be unfortunate.
Since he was Ampere’s servant, I could hardly hold a grudge over such trivial teasing.
And who might this be?
The driver glanced at Selena and asked.
My bodyguard. Cost me a fortune to hire.
At my words, the driver studied Selena briefly before turning back to me.
Truly remarkable that you would go to such lengths, even here in Teyvon.
I said I hired her.
It was then.
A clamorous commotion erupted from somewhere in the distance—urgent shouts and frantic cries mixed together.
Hey! Don’t stand there!
Just—just wait a moment! This is really important business, I tell you!
What’s that?
Something about the voice and manner of speech felt familiar. I turned my gaze in that direction.
There was Grovel, still in prison garb, causing a disturbance.
His clothes and hair were disheveled from whatever effort it had taken him to reach this place.
There! There he is! Young master!!
Grovel spotted me and let out a wail.
Don’t forget! My brother! My brother Rockvel! Please don’t forget him! I did my best! So that means……, noooo!
With those words, Grovel was completely subdued by the knights and dragged away again.
……Heh.
Frontdier?
As a laugh escaped me, Selena tilted her head in confusion.
Yes, Grovel.
I would never forget him.
It’s nothing. Let’s go.
I got into the car, and Selena took the seat beside me.
The familiar rumble of the engine. Inside the car now, something beyond mere recognition stirred—a longing.
Through the window, the knights and Ridwi waved their hands. I waved back to them.
The car pulled away and they receded slowly. I looked ahead once more.
Where shall I take you?
Can I choose?
No. To the Roach Residence.
Then that’s where we’ll go.
The car accelerated, and I settled back into comfort.
At the northern edge of the Empire, the Barrier of Teyvon.
A word that seemed strangely at odds with the biting cold and the fierce battles with monsters.
Summer vacation had ended.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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