The Academy’s Weapon Replicator

"...Oh my."

But when Lily heard those words, her eyes sparkled, and

"Wow! That's right! You can think of it that way! Wow, as expected of Frondier!"

She was excited and amazed with the same expression she had shown in the workshop.

"...It wasn't a particularly well-founded question."

"Still! It's amazing that you came up with that idea!"

Somehow, it seemed like the threshold for Lily's admiration had lowered. Frondier thought so and had a subtle look in his eyes.

"So, what do you think?"

"Hmm, now that I hear it? It's more natural for me to think of going to the Demon Realm as 'going back' rather than 'going'. I guess the place I originally belonged to was the Demon Realm."

"How credible does that feel?"

"If I had to put it in numbers, about 60%."

60%, a number worth considering.

"If that's true, then there's a way to send a demon in a completely intact state to the human world from the Demon Realm, without using 'possession' or 'contracts'."

"...Ah! That's right! I'm doing that!"

Satan opened a gate through a contract with a human but couldn't cross over himself. Once they reached the position of the Seven Deadly Sins, they needed conditions for 'descent' like the Gods.

Belphegor crossed over to this world, but that was actually just possessing

a human body, not his true form coming over.

But what about Lily?

It was unlikely that Lily had used a contract to cross over to the human world, as she had no memory of making one with anyone.

Lily was a powerful being in this world, holding the position of 'Zodiac', even if she wasn't one of the Seven Deadly Sins. It would have required a considerable price for a human to summon her.

A medium comparable to a Dragon Heart would be needed, and even with a contract, there was no guarantee that a gate would be created.

Considering various factors, the probability of Lily using a contract to cross over to the human world was slim.

In other words, it was something else.

A way for a demon to cross over to the human world that I didn't know yet.

'...Whatever the method is, they would have used it right away if they could. Especially Belphegor, that guy seemed to be very interested in humans and the human world. So, the conditions must be demanding, or dangerous, or perhaps...'

Even the demons might not know exactly what this method is.

"But Frondier, I'm just asking in case."

"What is it?"

"When you said you wanted to be my knight, were you suspecting that I was a demon from the beginning and wanted to confirm it?"

"Of course."

In the game 'Etius', the theory that Lily was a 'demon' was very strong.

However, it was difficult to meet Lily as the protagonist Aster, and since it was revealed in the very late stages of the game at the time of the game over, there was no time to confirm it.

But at Frondier's immediate answer, Lily's jaw dropped.

"You're, you're so mean!"

"Yes?"

"So, you were trying to use me from the beginning, saying you wanted to be my knight, and suspecting me...!"

"Using sounds unpleasant. I needed cooperation and knowledge."

"But you had ulterior motives while saying you wanted to be my knight! The condition was to participate in the war!"

"I'm doing my job as a knight properly, aren't I?"

At Frondier's justified response, Lily's eyes darted around before her lips pouted.

"...I, I lost confidence in myself."

"Why? You're a Zodiac."

"Not that, I thought Frondier sincerely wanted to be my knight."

...Aha. Only then did Frondier understand why Lily was upset.

Lily had expected Frondier to have feelings for her.

Lily muttered dejectedly,

"Charm doesn't work either."

"That's still unknown."

At those words, Lily's face brightened as she quickly raised her head.

"R, really?"

"Don't be happy. What's so boastful about using the power of a demon?"

"But it might have worked! The talent that is wasted on the title of the current Empire's most promising prospect might become mine?"

"You're quite bold to say that in front of me."

Frondier sighed.

"Again, it's still unknown."

"...You're doing that on purpose, right? To make me wonder if you're under the charm or not? You're trying to stimulate my curiosity and induce desire?"

"That's right."

"You're so shameless!"

They were two people who did things that pricked their consciences without any qualms.

"But why are you suddenly asking that? Frondier, do you want to go to the Demon Realm?"

"...When I defeated Belphegor."

Lily tensed slightly as Frondier spoke. Frondier defeated Belphegor. That undeniable fact reminded her once again of what kind of being Frondier was.

"He said he would fall from the seat of Sloth and be imprisoned at the bottom of the Demon Realm."

"Ah, since he lost in the possessed body. Why?"

Lily tilted her head.

"...But I was curious about the corpse he possessed, so I asked for an investigation."

"Yes."

"We couldn't identify the body."

"...Yes?"

"In other words, we couldn't find out anything about his bloodline, family, or where he was born, and his racial characteristics were minimal. He was someone who had never existed in the Empire's long history. Well, the police are still investigating."

At those words, Lily blinked for a moment.

But it was literally just a moment, and soon her eyes widened.

"...Wait, Frondier."

"He resembled someone. Someone who wasn't connected to anyone."

That's right.

The corpse resembled Lily.

In other words, Frondier was speculating that the corpse Belphegor possessed was a 'demon'.

If that were the case,

"Lily-nim, demons bleed red blood."

"..."

"Without spreading their wings, demons are indistinguishable from humans. I learned this for sure when I met a demon at the Imperial Palace. My brother Azier only realized that Mizonas wasn't human after fighting him."

The characteristics of demons were their wings and innate aura. Both could be easily hidden by demons.

"That's why I'm asking, Ria Lis-nim."

"..."

"If there are demons on this land who have been hiding among humans for a long time, like Belphegor and the demon he possessed."

Lily knew what words would come out of Frondier's mouth next.

And after hearing those words, Lily's answer was set.

"Can you distinguish them, Lily-nim?"

Lily's answer was silence.