Chapter 531 (2) - The Academys Weapon Replicator |
An hour ago, Elodie's side, that is, everyone except Frondier himself, had heard the news.
The report was delivered by Zodiac Monty, who had flown in urgently from the Empire. He had met Poseidon on the way, and Poseidon had let him pass.
The reason Poseidon let him pass so easily was very simple and clear.
Poseidon thought Frondier needed to hear Monty's report, and naturally, Frondier's party received this report from Monty before he did.
And now.
Whoosh—!!!
Frondier arrived in the Falind continent spreading his huge black wings and soaring across the sky.
He had thought he would return someday, but not now.
Frondier flew to his mansion at full speed. He didn't care about his remaining mana, and he didn't care if anyone on the ground saw him now.
Just like that, Frondier arrived at the Roach mansion without any preparation or emotional readiness.
It was already deep night, with the stars already out in the sky. But the lights were on in the mansion, and...
“...You have returned.”
The butler, Vikar, was waiting for him at the front door, as if he had been expecting him.
Frondier, looking at him, said,
“Report.”
Vikar's eyes trembled at the sound of his voice.
He quickly composed himself and bowed his head.
“I will tell you the location. The road that leads from the Roach mansion to the Imperial Palace. It's in the middle.”
“Good.”
Frondier turned back after hearing only those words. He was going to fly straight to the place Vikar had told him about.
But just before that, Frondier suddenly asked Vikar,
“Father?”
That question.
At that one word, Vikar bowed his head even lower,
“He is... in his room, but...”
And then, very unlike him, he covered his face with both hands.
“...It would be better... if you didn't see him...”
At Vikar's appearance and his words, Frondier felt all the warmth drain from his body. His face stiffened as if sandpaper had been rubbed against his skin.
Leaving all his warmth behind, Frondier flew.
The middle of the road from the Roach mansion to the Imperial Palace. Even with that vague explanation, Frondier knew the location right away.
People were already gathered there.
Thud.
As Frondier landed, everyone saw him.
The devil who had deceived the Empire, the exile who had been driven out of the continent.
But there was no one who dared to say such things. If they did, their necks would have flown off.
The people parted to make way for Frondier as he slowly approached. Most of them were police or Imperial officials.
He stopped.
In front of Frondier was his mother, Malia.
Malia was kneeling and crying, and in front of her lay a collapsed man with black hair.
Malia reached out to touch the man. But her hand wouldn't reach. As if blocked by a wall, her hand stopped midway.
No one could bring themselves to touch the man, as if he were in some kind of state.
“...Fron... dier...”
Malia called his name with difficulty, her voice trembling with tears.
The moment she saw Frondier, she couldn't hold back any longer.
“What should I do...?”
When he heard her voice, Frondier was already looking at Azier.
Azier was lying face down on the road.
Dust and grit covered his clothes, hair, face, and even his eyelids.
Azier was still.
With his eyes half-open, he just remained still.