Chapter 432 (2) – The Academys Weapon Replicator

The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

“Just as humans need the Gods, the Gods also desire the faith of humans. The more humans yearn for Gods, the stronger they become.”

“……You’re saying they’re deliberately allowing monsters to exist to make humans want them.”

“Yes. And the same goes for devils.”

Just as Gods don’t eliminate monsters, they don’t eliminate devils either.

Devils covet human souls, so humans desire Gods, and therefore Gods don’t eliminate devils.

It’s a tragic balance for humans, but a balance nonetheless.

“However, if a devil imitates a God, it crosses that line of balance. It’s something the Gods would never tolerate.”

“Because the faith of humans would flow to the devils instead.”

In other words, while a devil imitating a God might be possible, devils don’t do it because it would guarantee a war the moment it was discovered.

And yet, it’s happening blatantly in Palma. At least, from Frondier’s perspective.

“Then what is the devil impersonating Poseidon in Palma thinking?”

“I don’t know. Either they’re confident they won’t be found out, or they have some naive notion that it won’t escalate to a war.”

Confident they won’t be found out? They’ve already been found out.

It’s too naive to think they won’t be found out just because Poseidon is bound to the sea.

And naivety is a concept foreign to devils.

‘It won’t escalate to a war… Do they really think that?’

Is mocking one God, Poseidon, not the same as mocking all Gods?

Poseidon would be outraged, but if he’s already bound and can’t do anything about it, would the devil use that to their advantage as much as possible?

Are they making that kind of calculation?

“……If the one who gave Charon divine power really is a devil,”

Elodie spoke up.

“Then how can we be sure that Hera and Aphrodite are really who they say they are?”

“……!”

Everyone gasped in surprise at her words.

“……You think those two might be devils too?”

“If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be strange if they weren’t trying to hide. And neither would a war.”

Furthermore, it’s possible that a significant number of the people in Palma who believe they’ve received divine power have actually made contracts with devils.

“It’s difficult to say for sure. We’ll have to see for ourselves.”

Frondier said, and everyone nodded.

Whether it’s Poseidon, Hera, or Aphrodite, they need to see them with their own eyes to be certain.

‘If it really was a devil impersonating Poseidon, it wouldn’t be just any run-of-the-mill devil.’

At the very least, they would need to possess enough power to convince humans that they are Poseidon, so their own power must be quite formidable.

There’s a high probability that it’s one of the 72 devils. And among them, a devil capable of doing something ‘Poseidon-like.’

Furthermore, they need to check on Hera and Aphrodite as well.

“Then I’ll check on the fake Poseidon. I’ll leave Aphrodite and Hera to Elodie and Lily.”

At his words, Elodie’s cool gaze turned towards Frondier.

“Why? They’re supposed to be the two most beautiful women in Palma, why don’t you go?”

“……I’m getting this image of being obsessed with women, but that’s not it.”

He had actually intended to check on Poseidon himself, anticipating that she might say something like that.

Frondier looked at Carla.

“Therefore, I’d like to request a leave of absence.”

Carla sighed.

“What do you mean, ‘therefore’? Just because you tell me doesn’t mean everything will be resolved.”

“You’re the headmaster, can’t you make it happen?”

“Frondier, you’re the type who would cause trouble if given power.”

Carla scratched her head, as if deep in thought.

“I’ll allow either Elodie or Frondier, but not both.”

These two were newly appointed teachers who had only recently joined.

It would be suspicious for two teachers who joined at the same time to take leave together, and it would also put a strain on the remaining teachers.

However, Carla added,

“If it’s not urgent to confirm this, it’s better to wait until the break. It would be better to check on them all at once.”

“……You’re right.”

A war wouldn’t break out immediately.

Even if there was a madman who really wanted to start one, there would be steps leading up to it, and Frondier would be able to see those steps.

‘In that case, there’s no need to take a leave of absence… Wait a minute.’

Thinking about it, something came to mind.

Frondier asked,

“Then would it be alright if I took a leave of absence?”

“As long as you let me know in advance.”

Carla nodded, and Elodie asked,

“Where are you going?”

“Before I check on whether Poseidon is real or not, there’s something I need to find out first.”

“Something you need to find out?”

“Poseidon gave me a task, didn’t he?”

“……Ah.”

The order Poseidon gave Frondier, like a divine oracle.

Find Heracles.

“I heard about a recent sighting of him from one of my students.”

While he was in the library absorbing knowledge from books, Zenita had made a slip of the tongue to Frondier.

Information about a recent sighting of Heracles.

Now that he knew the location, he had to go check it out, even if the reliability wasn’t high.

“It would be troublesome if a guy like that showed up amidst all this chaos.”

“……Let’s hope ‘troublesome’ is all it will be.”

Of course, if Heracles really did appear in an unexpected place, Frondier’s entire focus would shift to that. Nothing else would go according to plan.

“The scale of this story is so absurd, it’s hard to keep up.”

Carla shook her head, her face even more exhausted than before.