The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

And in the meantime,

'...Ludovic isn't the only one whose name is missing from the map.'

Philly's sunken eyes scanned the map once and then looked around the room.

Except for Ludovic, no one had any complaints about the deployment Frondier had designated.

In fact, they couldn't, as everyone knew they were short on manpower. It wasn't enough to say that everyone would do their best wherever they were placed.

However, there was one fact that everyone knew but no one spoke of.

'Frondier's name is also missing.'

Frondier's name was nowhere to be found on the map.

Frondier had excluded himself from the personnel deployment.

But no one voiced any complaints about this. This was the difference between Philly's perception of Frondier and the perception of others.

Most people here didn't know who Frondier was. However, based on his explanations so far, the Emperor's trust in him, and the appropriate personnel deployment, most had come to a similar conclusion.

─Frondier is not a combatant.

Frondier wasn't someone who could fight. He was here as an advisor or strategist. Naturally, he would stay in the Imperial Palace and continue to command operations while observing the war situation from within.

This was everyone's common thought, and that's why it was natural for Frondier's name to be missing from the map.

...However, for the few who knew what kind of person Frondier was,

Their eyes, which had been looking at the map, slowly turned towards Frondier.

Empress Philly and Princess Aten.

Enfer and Azier of the Roach family.

The Zodiac members who had witnessed Frondier's power with their own eyes: Lily, Monty, Osprey, and Ludwig.

Shroud's leader, Sanders.

To them, the absence of Frondier's name was extremely suspicious.

"......."

Of course, Frondier simply remained silent.

In times like these, Frondier's shamelessness and nonchalance shone even brighter.

* * *

After the meeting ended, Frondier cautiously left the meeting room and walked away.

Thinking he had escaped quite naturally, he opened the exit leading outside the Imperial Palace, and

'...Again.'

A completely unrelated room appeared before his eyes.

It was the spatial transfer that Osprey had used before.

It was probably an empty room somewhere in the Imperial Palace, but there were already several people inside.

They were the ones who had sensed Frondier's suspicious behavior.

"Mr. Frondier."

Aten was the first to approach Frondier.

She took his hand and said,

"Tell me you're running away."

"......."

Frondier's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected words.

Aten looked at him with a face that seemed to be swallowing pain as if she had been cut by a blade.

"The reason why your name isn't on the map."

"......."

"Tell me you're running away because you're scared of the war."

While Aten was speaking, everyone in the room was looking at Frondier with darkened faces.

"If that's the case, I'll help you in any way I can."

Aten's hand, which was speaking to Frondier, trembled.

"Please..."

"Aten."

"I'll help you get to the safest place..."

"You know it too."

Frondier's cold voice cut off Aten's words.

"Why my name isn't on the map."

"......."

Philly, who had been watching silently, opened her mouth.

"From the meeting until now, Frondier's direction has been consistent. Minimizing the Empire's damage from Manggot's attack."

Frondier's personnel deployment was, in a way, full of ambition.

He was thinking of blocking everything without abandoning any area. From a strategist's perspective, it wasn't a good approach.

If the enemy's attack exceeded what the allies could handle, they had to consider abandoning some areas.

However, Frondier didn't do that. He deployed personnel to important locations on the barrier, and while it seemed like he was abandoning some areas, he ultimately abandoned none.

As a result, every area was slightly short on personnel. It was a situation where the entire Empire's barrier could collapse.

"To minimize damage, defense alone isn't enough. When war breaks out, no one wants to be the fool who only fights on their own land."

At Philly's words, Osprey let out a deep sigh. Slowly opening his eyes, heavy and low, Osprey said,

"...Are you going, Frondier? To the enemy's territory."

"Yes."

An immediate answer without a single second of hesitation. Aten's body flinched at that.

Ludwig spoke up.

"That bastard did the same thing in Tyburn. The knights all called him crazy, so I wondered if he really was."

"I heard from Sylvain that he did the same in Yeranhes."

Sanders followed Ludwig's words, and Enfer nodded.

Philly spoke as if thinking, her eyes momentarily glancing to the side.

"While everyone else holds out on the barrier, a single spear piercing the enemy's base... Ideally, it's perfect, normally it's reckless, and at worst..."

"It's irrelevant. Frondier."

Enfer spoke.

"Frondier, after seeing the battle of Yeranhes, I decided to acknowledge you. But that doesn't mean you can walk into a death trap."

To that, Frondier said,

"Right now, I am the least guarded person in Manggot's eyes. I can strike them from outside their field of vision."

"...Frondier, it's too much of a gamble with low odds."

This time, it was Azier who spoke.

Frondier looked at Enfer and Azier for a moment.

Seeing these two worrying about him and trying to stop him felt unfamiliar and heartbreaking every time.

However, Frondier took a deep breath. He forced himself to be heartless and said,

"...Even if I fail."

It felt like biting his tongue.

"Is there any reason not to carry out this operation?"

"Frondier...!"

Azier's voice became more agitated than ever before.

Ignoring him, Frondier continued,

"This operation is a complete no-risk, high-return for the Empire. Even if it fails, there's no loss, and if it succeeds, it will bring the Empire's complete victory."

Frondier said this while looking at Philly. Her face turned pale at his gaze. Understanding what his gaze meant, her lips parted slightly.

'...Asking for my agreement? To say that?'

If he failed, Frondier would die. It was obvious.

But that wouldn't be a loss for the Empire?

From the grand perspective of the Empire, the death of one person was insignificant?

Asking her to say that?

'Frondier, Frondier!'

That look in Frondier's eyes was too cruel.

The belief that she would always judge things calmly and rationally was heavy.

Because she was Philly Terst.

Frondier believed that she would say it.

"......"

However.

Philly couldn't speak.

Her mouth wouldn't open. Philly was shocked at her own hesitation. Frondier seemed slightly surprised to see that, but quickly changed his expression.

"Don't worry."

Frondier said, looking at Enfer.

"I am my father's son."