Chapter 98 of the Weapon Replicator of the Academy

Chapter 28: Return (3)

Selena furrowed her brow, seemingly unable to understand my words. She slowly opened her mouth, as if choosing her words carefully.

"What do you mean by 'moderate'...?"

"Exactly that. If it's something you can report, do so; if not, don't."

At my words, Selena's eyes widened. Anger began to rise in her gaze.

"Are you telling me to betray Manjok now?"

"That's for you to decide."

It was a brazen statement. Selena shot me a furious look.

I silently met her gaze.

Selena retorted sharply.

"Do you think I would follow such an order? Rather, kill me."

"Why would I kill you? It would only dirty my hands. If you refuse my offer, go to Manjok and tell them this: 'Bring me a better one.'"

"..."

This is a 'punishment' I'm giving to Selena. It's not a matter of whether she follows or not. If she doesn't, Selena will simply be 'replaced.'

However, Selena still hasn't spoken. The signs of her struggle are visible to me.

"Will you hide your report or report everything, Lady Frontier? How will you know?"

Selena didn't refuse. Instead, she asked.

Doubt had already taken root in Selena's mind.

"I don't know."

"Excuse me?"

"Perhaps you'll find out over time. But I won't care even then."

Selena tilted her head. She seemed to be questioning how this could be a punishment if I didn't know.

"Selena, do you remember what I said?"

"What?"

"Your name."

Selena's mouth closed.

I asked again.

"Have you checked with Manjok?"

Selena didn't answer this time either, looking at me with a hint of resentment.

Perhaps she finds it unpleasant to realize she's moving according to my thoughts. However, there's a fact she can't deny.

"You probably haven't. You can't trust Manjok."

Selena, with the surname 'Vanie,' is a noble. The exiles' group, Manjok, won't send her back to her family.

Especially since Manjok killed Selena's father.

Of course, I haven't told her that Manjok killed her father, so she doesn't know. But she should realize that Manjok won't let her go.

In other words, Selena has no way to verify whether what I said is true or false.

Thud, I returned to the bed and sat at the end.

"Selena, you have to make a choice."

I clasped my hands together, pressing the tips of my fingers against each other.

I've heard that doing this can instill trust in the other person, but I don't know if it actually works.

"I won't interfere with whether you actually report or not. Eventually, you'll find out anyway. But you'll be missing out on a unique and final opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"An opportunity to know who you are."

Selena flinched. It wasn't out of surprise but because she heard something she couldn't ignore.

"If you remain loyal to Manjok, you'll be safe for now. You'll likely live out your days within Manjok without any issues. However—"

I looked at Selena. Her eyes were already wavering.

"If you help me, I swear by my name to bring you back to your family. To return your life to its original path."

"By your name, what—"

"Don't you know? My name is 'Frontier de Roach.'"

While the words sound grand, bringing a child back to their family isn't that difficult.

It's only because Selena is with Manjok that this simple task has become so complicated.

...Most importantly.

Manjok's method of using the daughter of the man they killed as their 'pawn' doesn't sit well with me.

"..."

Even after all this, Selena hasn't spoken. It's natural. Choosing to side with me or abandon me is too burdensome to decide right now.

"Either way, nothing changes. You'll continue to report as you have, and I won't know what you report. I'll take your silence as a positive response."

"Positive? I haven't given any answer."

"I'll take it as a positive response. I won't hold you responsible."

I've given Selena a way to escape if she wants to.

"So, as a token of your joining me, I have one question."

I'm proud of my brazenness. This level of audacity might be considered an art form.

Selena, unable to respond to my words, rolled her eyes.

"How much have you reported to Manjok? Try to lie a bit."

* * *

I headed to the inn where Atten and Cybel were staying.

To thank them for combining their efforts to block the barrier and, especially, for lending me Cassian.

I found them quickly. They were in front of the mansion's entrance.

However, their expressions were not normal. As soon as they saw me, their faces hardened.

And they walked toward me.

"Um, hello. I came to express my gratitude..."

Did they hear me? They didn't react, just stared at my face. Or rather, scrutinized it.

Cybel glanced at Atten, who nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder.

Flash!

Atten's hand on my shoulder glowed.

This light, this feeling, it's familiar.

'Ah, it's the healer's 'Mana Care.''

A technique to assess the condition of the body by permeating one's mana. I heard Atten used this when I collapsed after fighting Renzo.

Has Atten already mastered Mana Care?

"..."

Atten made a short sound, as if confirming, and nodded at Cybel.

"There don't seem to be any injuries."

"──Haa."

Hearing Atten's response, Cybel let out a deep sigh. It was a sigh of relief.

...I see. They were worried. I didn't tell them when I left the barrier. I was too careless.

"Um, sorry. I wasn't trying to hide it—"

"Hey, you bastard───!!!"

My words were drowned out by Cybel's overwhelming momentum. Aura flared from her entire body.

Has Cybel become so skilled that she can control her aura through emotional agitation? Impressive.

"Did you really think you could ride Cassian and cross the barrier? You've been planning this since you brought Cassian here, haven't you? I've never seen anyone so desperate to die!"

This wasn't the time for idle thoughts.

I feel a similar killing intent from Cybel as I did from Elodie.

But this time, it's my fault, so I can't argue.

"Rather, you should have run! If you had fled to the center on Cassian, I would have been relieved, you idiot!"

"But, even if I did, I wouldn't have run—"

"That would have been better, idiot! Fool! A hundred, a thousand times better, fool! Idiot! Fool idiot!"

Does Cybel only know two curses? I almost asked but held back.

Cybel grabbed my shoulder. The power was immense due to the aura flowing through her. She didn't intend to hurt me, so there was no pain, but I felt an indescribable weight.

"Still..."

Cybel spoke. The moment she said it, the aura surrounding her instantly dissipated.

"Still, it's a relief."

"..."

"It's a relief..."

I felt more guilt at this moment than when Cybel was angry.

Cybel lifted her head with a huff. Her captivating face came into view up close.

Her lips were tightly pressed, as if she had something to say. Her brows furrowed, and then Cybel gently pushed me away.

As she turned to leave, Cybel muttered.

"Ah, I feel better after shouting. I'm tired. I'm going in."

And she walked into the mansion without looking back.

"..."

"..."

Cybel left, leaving only Atten and me.

"Um, well. Atten, I'm sorry to you too. I should have told you beforehand."

"..."

"It's okay."

Atten said it was okay, and her expression was calm.

...But Atten always has a calm expression, so I can't tell if she's really okay. After Cybel's outburst, can Atten really be okay?

"..."

"But from now on, please. As you said, tell me beforehand."

"Sorry. I thought you'd try to stop me."

"I will stop you."

Atten answered immediately, as if it were obvious.

"But if you still want to go even after I stop you, I'll go with you. I said you could follow, didn't I?"

"..."

"Yeah. I did."

We talked about this when we were in Constel. I allowed Atten to follow me.

Even though I agreed, I can't help but feel anxious.

Atten is a princess. I don't know where I'll be heading in the future, but it might be even more dangerous than now.

Can I really take Atten to such places in the future?

-Do you not want to be by Atten's side?

Queen Phil once said that to me. She said she didn't feel any ominous premonitions about our future together.

But since Atten is a princess, how long can this last?

"I am a princess."

Atten said, as if reading my thoughts. Surprised, I looked at her, and she chuckled.

"Being a princess has its advantages. Like how I got here