The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

The power of 'Sloth' was formidable.

Belphegor saw through Frondier's facade at a glance. Naturally, the power of Sloth he inflicted also directly impacted Frondier.

Most mental attacks against him thus far had been deflected, but this time was different. A significant amount of Sloth was weighing down Frondier's body.

However.

"...Not yet."

Even as Sloth consumed him, Frondier waited for a specific moment.

If Belphegor's Sloth had been a sensation he had never felt before, he wouldn't have been able to endure it.

However, Frondier remembered the laziness that had seeped into his body when he was possessed. Belphegor's curse definitely had an effect on the current Frondier as well.

But knowing full well how the world would end if he lived a life of laziness like the original Frondier...

That's why he had searched for every means to become stronger, rolled around while being beaten, returned from the brink of death, and walked into danger with his own two feet.

‘After going through all those experiences, after struggling so pathetically to change the future of destruction…’

Frondier knew the price of Sloth all too well to crumble under it.

He calmly analyzed the situation.

Since Belphegor used the power of the Deadly Sin, he hadn't launched any other attacks. Even though he had ample opportunity to do so.

He couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but it was a good thing for Frondier. It was probably a limitation or condition unique to the demons of the Seven Deadly Sins. Belphegor was trying to defeat Frondier with the power of Sloth alone.

‘It seems he sees my creation of weapons as nothing more than a desperate struggle, and he has no intention of making the first move.’

This confirmed one thing.

Belphegor was simply waiting for time to pass. With the descent of the Gods and the destruction of the barrier, Manggot's victory would be assured.

So he wouldn't even dream...

...that Frondier was also dragging out the time.

The best way to shake off this Sloth would be to fight Belphegor with all his might.

The continuous erosion, whether large or small, wouldn't do him any good.

But Belphegor assumed that Frondier was putting up a difficult resistance, having been deprived of even the strength to do that.

He didn't understand how much willpower it took for Frondier to fight with the 'Imperial Armory' fully open.

‘So the Gods' contract prevented him from using 'Weaving,' but Belphegor himself doesn't seem to know what this skill is.’

Perhaps the Gods were the same?

Did they forbid Weaving simply because he could replicate their weapons?

Did Thanatos try to kill Frondier just because he was an eyesore?

Sss-

Huu...

Frondier didn't know how long this confrontation would continue. There were several variables. Belphegor himself might simply change his mind, or he might notice Frondier's act, or some external factor irrelevant to both of them might occur.

He didn't know when it would be, but until then, Frondier would continue this fight.

‘Belphegor, I said I'd play with you.’

Thank you, Sloth.

I thought it would be quite difficult to hear those words from you.

Just as you have something to wait for, I have something to wait for as well.

Let's play until then.

* * *

Meanwhile, as the battle at the barrier continued...

Mei had traveled clockwise around the barrier, using 'Restoration,' and finally reached the north.

This was the midpoint between Yeranhes and Tyburn. In a way, it was the safest place, and in another, it was where the most intense bloodbath took place.

It was safe because it was the intersection of two regions accustomed to the outside monsters, and conversely, it was where the most blood was shed because of the sheer number of monsters pouring in.

Only after reaching this barrier did Mei rummage through her pocket and unfold a map.

"...So, east, west, south, north. This is north. Yes, that's right."

She counted one by one using the directions she had recently learned and double-checked how far she had come.

She had come exactly as Frondier had instructed. She probably wasn't wrong.

The strategy he had told her came to Mei's mind.

─Clockwise?

─Yes, ah, first I need to teach you about clocks. And directions too. Anyway, you start from the east and go like this.

At the time, Frondier had shown her a map, pointed his finger at the eastern barrier, and traced a circle around it. Only later did she learn that it meant 'clockwise.'

─Then you reach the north.

─North? Not east?

Since she had started from the east, wouldn't she arrive back at the east after going around once?

At those words, Frondier had opened his mouth in surprise and then patted Mei's head.

As expected, Mei is smart, he said, and the way he patted her head felt somehow similar to Elodie.

─But this time it's the north. When you get to the north, don't use Restoration right away, just wait for a moment.

Frondier had said that.

Mei didn't know the situation of the Empire, so she had just accepted it at the time, but thinking about it now, it was strange.

Why did Frondier send Mei to the east first? Tyburn, where Frondier had already completed the restoration, was understandable, but Yeranhes was the place that needed to be taken care of before anywhere else.

Although Enfer's 'Iron Wall' was known to be sturdy, the barrier of Yeranhes wasn't an iron wall.

Because Yeranhes was where even more monsters poured in than Tyburn. The damage had already accumulated, and it had worsened with the addition of the 'Black Monsters' that had invaded last winter.

But if she started from the east and went clockwise, the northern barrier would be the last. It was a difficult-to-understand method of restoring the place that needed the most urgent attention last.

Moreover, he told her to wait for a moment when she got here, so naturally, Mei's head tilted in confusion.

─And one thing you must absolutely keep in mind.

Still not understanding Frondier's words, Mei just tilted her head.

─Move in my form.

Standing in the form of 'Frondier de Roach,' she racked her brain to figure out what he meant.

...And that scene.

"Found you."

Adela, the Shepherd of Manggot, confirmed it.