Chapter 60 of the Academy's Weapon Replicator

Chapter 16: Ambush (5)

Elodie wasn't the only one to respond quickly to the initial attack.

Aster, from the east, including the dormitories and surrounding shops, was eliminating the monsters.

Ellin, in the opposite direction, was moving between the annex buildings of Constel, with Sybel assisting her in dealing with the monsters.

Aten, a bit away from Elodie, was using ice shots to pick off the monsters one by one.

And to the west, Quinie, who had used her skills and connections to create a thorough barrier.

──The human sloth, Frontier.

Thanks to that nickname, Frontier's voice doesn't reach many people. However, it's not entirely unheard.

Some people noticed the changes in Frontier, and someone had received help from him.

'There's a large-scale monster attack on Constel.'

A statement that seemed even less credible coming from Frontier.

However, a few people did believe it, and they were clearly saving many lives right now.

"Your efforts weren't meaningless, Frontier."

Quinie, who was in charge of the west, smiled slightly. She too was involved in the monster hunt. But she was using the connections she had brought to respond, giving her a broader view than others.

Quinie could see it. Not only her, but the efforts of those who trusted Frontier's words and participated in this response.

'Honestly, I only half-believed it, but it's really happening.'

Quinie thought.

Actually, what was more surprising was that there were people other than herself who believed the information about the attack.

So she realized. There were others who recognized Frontier's value, not just her.

'But it was a good call to drag out the acquaintances I know.'

Quinie, who had risen her family through her skills, had a wide network.

Even those who had doubted her words were now working hard by her side to deal with the monsters.

After stopping these monsters, Constel would certainly give her a significant reward.

With such a large number of people, she might even secure the top share.

Boom!!

The absurd explosion sound from far away erased all her thoughts.

On the rooftop, a woman with orange hair was sparkling her eyes like a fish in water.

Whatever that was, a new siege weapon from the company 'Hitchcock'?

Quinie felt the power of the wizard, who was said to be blessed by the five gods, through her cold eyes.

* * *

The fear effect of Gram on the dragonspawn.

It was stronger than I thought. The Chimera was fleeing from me without even looking back.

Even after I released Gram, the Chimera had no intention of stopping its escape.

I don't feel bad about getting stronger, but if I let it go, I'll lose it.

I don't know where the fleeing Chimera will go, but it's not good to let it run. If I catch it, 'Laphelia' will disappear too.

So I have only one thing to do.

"Menosorpo."

I spoke, and a huge magic circle unfolded in the area.

Menosorpo

Spatial weaving, simultaneous replication

Defense 3rd

Level - Common

Iron shield, double-layered

I jumped out the window and landed on the shield I had created in the air. Then I jumped to the shield below it again, and finally landed on the ground.

I confirmed the Chimera's presence using Menosorpo while running.

Although it wasn't in my sight, I knew where it was thanks to the effect of the magic circle. The Chimera was trying hard to escape, but it was still within the range of my magic circle.

Menosorpo

Spatial weaving, simultaneous replication

Imperial Armory 1st, 7th

Level - Rare

Emperor's sword, Glacier's spear

I wove the appropriate weapons from those I had seen in the Imperial Armory, guided by Phili.

The sword and spear dropped in front of the Chimera. They fell to the ground with a thud, blocking its path.

Grrrr!

The Chimera stopped fleeing and its eyes darted around. It was looking for me.

I could have attacked the Chimera with these two weapons, but it might have fled even further.

This is a warning. If it ignores the weapons stuck in front of it and tries to run again, I'll really stab it in the back.

When I reached the front of the Chimera, it turned its body to face me directly. It had given up on fleeing.

Without Gram, the fear must have disappeared. The Chimera approached me confidently. Or rather, it crawled towards me.

Was it already forgetting its ugly behavior of fleeing just a moment ago?

I examined the Chimera closely. At a glance, it was a wingless dragon, but it had features of other monsters in parts.

The white fur on its neck, the unusually long and thin tail compared to a real dragon, and the horns on its forehead that looked like those of a goat.

Still, it was clearly based on a dragon. I'm not sure what specific species it is.

"A wingless dragon."

A clear degeneration. Before coming to this world, a creature that couldn't fly wouldn't even be called a dragon. This one has even more mixed elements.

"Blame your master, lizard."

The Chimera seemed to understand my words and made that eerie sound in its mouth.

It seemed angry. But I was just calling it by its accurate name.

I held the weapons I had woven. They wouldn't be visible to it since they weren't Black River.

The skill 'Throw' is still at an intermediate level, but with a body of that size, it's harder to miss.

Alright, let's give it a try.

I'll throw the weapons from the armory in order.

* * *

When the Chimera burst out of the ground, Elysia had escaped from the tower. Phili chased after her.

The Chimera had already fled and was nowhere to be seen.

Elysia stood there, her eyes vacant.

"...Elysia, from now on, I will treat you as a criminal. The Chimera is a serious offense, and using it to attack Constel is even more serious. Attempting to kidnap a princess is even more severe."

Phili's cold words. Upon hearing them, Elysia showed a deflated smile.

"That's right."

Her voice sounded like she had given up or resigned herself.

Reading her expression, Phili said,

"Stop the Chimera. Release Laphelia immediately."

At those words, Elysia turned her dazed eyes towards Phili and blinked a couple of times.

Phili felt an indescribable sense of foreboding from her appearance. It wasn't the activation of 'Foreseeing.' The source of this foreboding was within herself.

Elysia's current appearance was too similar to Phili's own when she was navigating the political knives in the palace.

"Mom, why? This is a good opportunity."

"...Phili."

"Mom, you know. I want the 'promised position.'"

The promised position.

In other words, power in the palace.

Phili knew. She had already realized when she noticed Elysia targeting Aten and Roderick.

"There was no need for this. If you had just waited a little longer, you could have inherited the throne."

"Are you joking, Mom?"

Elysia asked, as if questioning whether Phili was serious.

"Mom, you know. If things continue like this, I'll just be a spare in the palace. If we consider direct lineage, there's Aten, who has all the talent and beauty. And as the eldest princess, Roderick Terst has built an unparalleled strength. How could I inherit the throne?"

After Aten was born in the palace, everyone praised her as the emperor's true daughter.

Her snow-white, delicate beauty and considerable talent as a wizard. She was calm, humble, and had a steadfast integrity that wasn't swayed by her position or power.

But if that was all, Elysia's position wouldn't have been in danger. No matter how talented Aten was, others wouldn't have questioned Elysia, the first princess, becoming the crown princess. Most importantly, Aten herself didn't want to be the crown princess.

However, as Roderick Terst's influence in the palace grew, the political landscape became peculiar.

Roderick, who was skilled and had a good character, wasn't as talented as Aten but still possessed remarkable talent. Being male, he was a smooth and suitable successor to the emperor.

With Emperor Terst not designating a successor, the palace was divided into two factions.

One supporting Aten and the other supporting Roderick. Elysia's position was nowhere to be found.

"Mom, you said it yourself. I would inherit the throne. From when I was very young, you drilled it into my ears, even in my dreams. That I would be the empress who rules this empire!"

Elysia spoke as if recalling the past. A smile hung on her lips, and her eyes sparkled. Like a child holding a shining dream.

Phili, though not showing it on her face, felt a complex emotion welling up inside her.

"So, Mom. I want to be the empress. No matter what happens, no matter what I have to do."

Phili realized. This time, it was the activation of 'Foreseeing.' Elysia's words were a signal.

Phili's eyes moved quickly. Behind Elysia, the presence of the Chimera could be felt from a distance.

Elysia is Phili's daughter. Elysia may speak as if her talent is lacking, but Phili knows. Elysia is the one who most resembles her.

A calculating personality, the brain that makes it possible, the ability to read people's favor—all of these mirror Phili's past.

So she understood. What Elysia was about to do.

"Cookie."

Elysia called out to someone. It was a very cute name, but it was clear that she was addressing the Chimera.

"Attack Mom."

Like a gentle breeze, a voice that couldn't even escape.

Phili understood. The Chimera's massive presence suddenly turned towards her.

A faint sound, like metal being scratched, could be heard.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!!!

Heavy footsteps shook the ground as the Chimera appeared from a distance.

Even as it ran, its two eyes moved independently. Suddenly, its pupils trembled and focused. On Phili.

Ice Magic 1st

Rapid

One Corner

Phili quickly cast a spell.

A huge ice block blocked the Chimera's path.

However, the Chimera's charge didn't stop, and the ice was already cracking. There wasn't enough time to cast a proper spell.

Ice Magic 1st

Rapid

Frost Arrow

The next spell she cast quickly, ice arrows flew towards the ice block, sticking to the cracks.

Phili knew. There wasn't enough time to construct a spell. The ice would break in seconds. She knew she couldn't stop the Chimera.

Her gaze shifted slightly to the side from the Chimera. She couldn't stop it alone. So, she was buying time.

The moment the Chimera broke through the ice, Frontier was there.

'Stupid.'

Elysia, upon confirming this, smiled. She had been worried that the man would flee while the Chimera attacked Phili.

But now, it was clear that her 'Cookie' would dispose of both of them at once.

The only thing that bothered Elysia was the numerous scars on the Chimera's front.

The Chimera showed no signs of stopping. After breaking through the ice, it sped up towards Frontier.

"...You."

Frontier's mouth opened. He stood in front of the charging Chimera, his lazy demeanor unchanged even in this life-or-death moment.

"Looks like you really forgot."

Weaving, Black River

Level - Legendary

Gram

Frontier held a greatsword in both hands, seemingly pulled from nowhere.

The Chimera's eyes widened. Its feet stopped. It seemed to want to stop, but it couldn't handle the speed it had built up.

From the left side of the Chimera's charge path,

Frontier swung it like a baseball bat, striking the Chimera as it reached him.

That was all.