Chapter 6 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 2: The Branch in the Coffin, Mistletoe (2)

The meeting place was the Millar family's mansion.

The Millar family is located in the Harold region in the center of the continent.

There are three main reasons why the Millar family was chosen: one, their status is low, so they have no intention of buying Mistletoe; two, they have no special ties with any of the attending families; and three, they are centrally located among the attending families.

"Brother."

I saw Azje as I headed towards the carriage.

"Do you also want Mistletoe, Brother?"

Azje basically never lies.

Since Azje is the most likely to possess Mistletoe, I am curious about his thoughts.

"Hmm..."

Azje finally tilted his head as if he was considering it.

"It would be nice to have it."

—That answer is so Azje.

I nodded in satisfaction.

After a moment, the carriage stopped, and we arrived at the Millar family's mansion.

Seeing a certain figure in front of the mansion, I held my breath.

The Iron-Walled Family Head, Ampere de Roach.

If Azje is a sword, Ampere is a fully formed weapon in his own right.

His stern eyes and the neatly trimmed mustache covering his mouth.

His hair and beard are white, a testament to his age, but he doesn't look weak at all.

Looking at it this way, it seems very inappropriate that Frontier, Ampere's son and Azje's younger brother, is here.

"Let's go."

Just two words.

I thought Azje's words were already decisive, but Ampere's are even shorter.

And he never once looked at me while speaking.

"Everyone is waiting. This way, please."

The butler of the mansion guided us.

Since Constel is the farthest from here, it's only natural that our family arrived last.

...Actually, it's not that natural. We could have arrived earlier if we had left a few days ago.

This is just Ampere's way of showing off and his pride.

The only one who can make these noble families wait is Ampere, a kind of proof of that.

Creak, the butler opened the door to the meeting room.

'Ah.'

I almost let out a sound.

I can already feel it. The gathering of the prominent families of the Terscht Empire and what it means.

The divine favor they receive seems to overflow and spill out of the meeting room.

"You're here."

A short greeting from an old, white-haired man.

'Zodiac' Heldre.

"You're late, but no one has anything to say right now?"

The family head who guards the opposite frontier from the Roach family.

Ridew von Urpa.

"Good to see you."

Among those here, the one with the most friendly gaze is Ampere's rival.

Ortel de Richae.

Elodie stands behind him.

There are also other famous family heads and named heirs all gathered in one place...

'Hmm.'

Then my gaze fell on a woman.

...Among the named characters, there is no one as recognizable as her.

Black hair, black eyes, and a black dress, even the fan she holds is black.

Quinie.

Quinie de Vyet.

The only daughter of the Vyet family and a third-year student at Constel. The 'Little Demon' who revived a family on the brink of decline.

Surprisingly, she achieved this with just two years more than me.

For some reason, the subtle smile behind her fan seems to be looking at me, which is quite unsettling.

Does she know me?

I don't think so, but it seems I need to be cautious...

"Let's get started quickly. Mr. Millar, where is 'it'?"

"Here."

Ridew looked at Millar with his usual self-centered dialect and light tone.

It might seem rude, but Ridew speaks this way to everyone, regardless of their status.

It is rude.

The family head gestured to the butler, and soon the servants carefully moved the 'coffin.'

The coffin was placed on the central table in the meeting room.

"Hmm, this is it."

Heldre's eyes lit up. The gleam in his eyes is as sharp as it was in his prime.

Sharp and intense, yet dark and ominous.

However, everyone's eyes are similarly lit up.

"It looks quite impressive, doesn't it?"

As someone said, the branch in the coffin has a dignified appearance.

Most importantly, it perfectly matches the description of the legendary 'Mistletoe' passed down through generations.

"So, the question is, who will get this? Let me start. I'll put up the mining rights to the Ithus mine. For five years."

Someone unexpectedly made a deal.

"You're impatient, in that case, I—"

From there, the competition for family treasures and rights began.

Some had already gathered all kinds of valuables and assessed their post-exchange value, while others offered land and buildings if they were given the property.

Naturally, the heirs just observed, keeping their mouths shut and looking around. They have no right to speak. It's just an observation.

Three families remained inactive: Roach, Richae, and Quinie.

Ortel, the head of the Richae family, had no intention of buying it from the start, and Quinie was observing the situation for some reason.

Ampere, however, was just waiting for the right moment.

—And that moment seemed to be approaching.

"The Roach family will put up a sword."

"Sir, swords are not just one or two—"

Ridew, who usually picks at things, stopped mid-sentence.

"Are you putting up your sword now?"

"Is it necessary to repeat it?"

Click, Ampere separated the scabbard from his waist. The worn leather and the weight of the steel were placed on the table.

"...Are you exchanging a divine relic for a divine relic?"

Ortel smiled with interest.

The most impressive expression was on Azje's face.

"...Father."

"I decided this when we came here."

Azje had nothing to say and closed his mouth.

The expectations his father placed on him are heavy but not burdensome.

He is not obsessed with Mistletoe, but he would be happy if it became his.

However, truly,

Is this item worth putting up 'Gram'?

The famous sword of the hero 'Siegfried,' Gram.

Siegfried is arguably the most famous hero in Norse mythology.

While he is not a god himself, 'divine relic' includes the weapons of heroes.

And 'Gram' surpasses even the weapons of most gods.

"Now, wait, wait, calm down."

Millar, flustered, tried to intervene.

"I was watching the deal progress, but there is a prior issue that needs to be addressed."

"You're right."

Quinie continued.

"Is this really Mistletoe to begin with?"

All eyes turned to Quinie. She, who had been observing the situation, stepped in to raise the issue.

"If this is not Mistletoe, this deal becomes a completely different matter."

That's right. It's too early to assume it's genuine and proceed with the deal. The value lies in the uncertainty of whether it is genuine or not.

"Then, who will verify it?"

Ridew pointed to the transparent coffin surrounding Mistletoe.

The simplest way to verify it is to break the coffin.

The current Mistletoe does not emit any divine aura.

However, if the aura has been 'erased' by the coffin, Mistletoe, including the transparent coffin, could be a 'divine relic.'

If so, breaking the coffin would be extremely dangerous. No one wants to receive divine punishment.

"We will not verify it."

"What?"

"It is impossible to verify whether this branch is Mistletoe. It could be, or it could not be. The value of this item lies in that uncertainty. We must keep this in mind and proceed with the deal."

In other words, the value generated by the item itself. If the expenditure matches that value, the deal is valid.

This is Quinie's thinking.

If the deal is based on the assumption that this is the real Mistletoe, Quinie cannot possibly offer such conditions.

She doesn't want to, either.

However, if we assume that this is just a symbolic Mistletoe and cannot be used, the price will drop, and the families interested in it will change.

Families that want to treat Mistletoe as a 'symbol' rather than a 'weapon.'

Exactly, Quinie and families like hers.

'Good. If this trend continues, I might be able to get it at a reasonable price...'

"It doesn't matter."

A single word cut off her thoughts.

Ampere spoke in a voice like a judgment.

"Whether it is genuine will be proven later."

"Even so, are you putting up your sword? What if it's not real?"

This time, even Ortel was surprised and asked.

"If it's not real, that's the end of it. That's all there is to it."

"Ridiculous. Do you understand what it means to put up 'Gram'?"

"Ortel."

His voice was mixed with a light breath, and the air around him grew heavy.

"My era is long gone."

This was not a statement to be taken lightly.

Everyone was taken aback and looked at Ampere.

"Azje will surpass me. So what does a sword mean to me?"

"...Are you really going to give up Gram?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Ampere's eyes were haughty. They have never been anything but.

"Mistletoe belongs to Azje."

A statement that silenced the room. It was clear and decisive, as if the conclusion had already been reached.

Quinie sighed.

I didn't expect the head of the Roach family to go this far.

There's no choice, I have to back down. What can I do if he's willing to put up Gram?

There are other valuable items.

Everyone seemed to follow Ampere's lead.

A voice like a leaf rustling emerged.

"You don't need to, Father."

Ampere and Azje, completely different, a relaxed tone like everyday conversation.

But the meaning of his words was not light at all.

The gap between the tone and the content was so large that everyone's reactions were delayed by a beat.

"Frontier, be careful with your words."

His brother Azje warned him. Ampere also narrowed his eyes.

A low, boiling voice came from Ampere's mouth.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course."

Frontier's voice was still calm, as if he didn't understand the atmosphere.

Ridew leaned in close to Frontier, annoyed.

"What's this? The second son Ampere kept hidden."

Ridew, who had never paid attention to Frontier, looked at him for the first time.

A lazy, calm face.

Depending on how you look at it, it's either that or just a lazy and slothful expression.

Is he saying he will go to battle with that incredibly peaceful face?

"Hey, you're overstepping your bounds. Got it?"

Frontier glanced at the growling Ridew.

Just for a moment.

Then he shifted his gaze to point at Mistletoe.

"Father, there's no need to give up Gram for something that might not be genuine."

Ridew was momentarily stunned by Frontier's words.

Is he ignoring me?

"What makes you say that so casually?"

"I can't prove how I know, but—"

Frontier took a step forward.

A natural, flowing step. As if he was going for a leisurely walk.

A step that made everyone feel certain that peace would follow his peaceful gait.

He stood in front of the coffin and placed his hand on it.

"Verifying it is simple."

By the time he said this, everyone understood.

I had my doubts from the moment he stepped forward.

Ampere, Azje, Ortel, and Elodie moved to stop him but were too late.

There was no way to stop Frontier.

Unless they cut off his hand or killed him.

"If it's a real divine relic, what will you do? Aren't you afraid of the gods?"

The flustered Ridew's dialect became even more bizarre.

"Hmm."

Frontier laughed. The laugh was genuine, making the atmosphere around him even more relaxed.

"I've never been afraid of such things."

Crash—!!

The coffin shattered.