Chapter 431 (2) – The Academys Weapon Replicator

The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

If there really were signs of war, even though it seemed like a stable situation to Frondier, the reality might be different. And if he could recognize the signs, he might be able to figure out the devils’ true intentions.

Carla tilted her head at that.

“…I don’t know if you can call it a dispute, but…”

“There’s something.”

Carla nodded at Frondier’s words. But her expression was strange, as if she had just eaten a tasteless cookie.

“As I said before, this country is divided into factions. There’s been a growing conflict of opinion between two of them lately…”

“I see, are they showing signs of starting a civil war?”

“Civil war… I don’t think it’s that bad…”

Carla seemed to be trying to gloss over it vaguely, as if it was difficult to talk about. Frondier tilted his head.

“What kind of conflict of opinion is it?”

“We-Well, it’s really not a big deal…”

“Anything is fine.”

At Frondier’s words, Carla rolled her eyes back and forth and finally spoke.

“Th-There are, like, support groups. There are two women who have received divine power, and there are factions that support each of them. The friction between the two sides has been worse than I thought lately, and the citizens are worried.”

“Indeed. Is it political support?”

“No. It’s supporting an individual.”

“… What are they supporting about the individuals?”

At Frondier’s natural question, Carla said with an embarrassed face.

“Th-They’re supporting their appearance.”

“…Yes?”

“It’s like a fight to determine who is the most beautiful woman in Palma.”

At her words, Frondier’s expression, which had been serious, became blank. The others were the same.

After a brief silence, Pielott was the first to speak.

“…Is this related to war?”

It was a very valid question.

“It’s just a bit of an intense fan club fight. It’s not related to war, is it?”

“That’s right. No matter what, such a reason can’t be the justification for a bloody war.”

Elodie and Selena expressed the same sentiment.

Frondier crossed his arms and tilted his head.

‘No matter what country’s war it is, a woman can be a factor that triggers a war, but not a decisive factor. Unless the two factions are already in serious conflict over something else.’

In other words, the woman wasn’t important. It was a kind of superficial excuse.

Then Frondier let out a sigh.

He thought he knew what was going on.

“…It’s a battle of the gods’ pride.”

“That’s right. You saw it exactly.”

Carla nodded.

“Hera and Aphrodite, the humans they each chose are among the most beautiful in this country. So, the citizens of Palma think of them as the standard of beauty chosen by the gods with their own eyes. So, to be precise, supporting one woman is supporting the god behind her.”

Frondier scratched his cheek as if troubled.

‘Which one is more beautiful? That’s a simple yet perfect excuse to fight.’

Frondier asked.

“Then what about in reality? Did Hera and Aphrodite really bestow divine power on them just based on their looks?”

“Hmm, from what I’ve seen so far, I think that’s the general consensus. Both of them were ordinary except for their looks until they received divine power.”

Then, it was only natural that it would be a sensitive issue for the support groups. If the gods chose them solely based on their looks, then one side winning would be tantamount to dismissing the other god.

Hera and Aphrodite, knowing full well that this would happen, chose ordinary humans—

‘…No.’

Frondier stopped there.

He suddenly felt a sense of incongruity.

‘Bestowing divine power on a human for being beautiful…?’

Gods did not give their power to just any human.

It lowered their dignity.

Would being beautiful be enough to maintain their dignity in the eyes of the gods?

Moreover, the two goddesses who were at the pinnacle of beauty were supporting humans who only had beauty?

As Frondier felt something strange about this and accelerated his thinking, Carla muttered as if complaining.

“So, now, the one who received Poseidon’s divine power is trying to mediate between the two, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be easy…”

“Excuse me?”

Frondier stopped all thought and asked back.

Carla’s words shattered all his assumptions so far.

“What did you just say?”

“Ye-Yes? Well…”

Carla was a little flustered by Frondier’s question and spoke again.

“There’s a man named Charon who received Poseidon’s divine power. He…”

“…Carla.”

Frondier finally realized.

He had been making one mistake.

That one mistake was a huge one that changed everything.

“Poseidon cannot grant divine power right now.”