Chapter 51

### The Sword Emperor Reincarnated in the Sword Clan (51)

The two people’s eyes widened at his self-introduction.

"Arcadia?!"

"An imperial citizen, I haven’t seen one in years."

Leonard felt awkward at the reactions of Francis and his bodyguard.

If this were a region close to the imperial territory, there would be no reason to be so surprised at meeting an Arcadian. The fact that they hadn’t seen an imperial citizen in years clearly indicated that the distance between Atlantis and the Arcadian Empire was enormous.

Sure enough, Francis asked with a look of great interest.

"It must have been quite a struggle for an Arcadian to come all the way here. Why Atlantis? What business do you have here?"

"It was an accident."

A bitter smile spread across Leonard’s face.

He couldn’t help but admit it was a mistake.

'I shouldn’t have let my guard down just because Fabian had arrived.'

He knew that exceptional situations often arose on the battlefield, and that they could be both advantageous and disadvantageous.

However, what Leonard realized from this incident was that his methods and reaction speed in dealing with magic were woefully inadequate. The idea that tearing a piece of paper and muttering a few words could cause such absurd phenomena would be considered bizarre even by the Mo Mountain Sect, the White Lotus Sect, or the Forward Sect, known for their expertise in esoteric techniques.

"I was caught in a spatial magic surge. It seems that a [Mass Teleport] spell was cast twice, and as a result, I have no idea where I am now."

"[Mass Teleport]...?! That’s an 8th-tier spell!"

Francis’s eyes widened, and he raised his voice.

"If what Leonard says is true, it’s amazing he’s still alive! A spell of that magnitude could tear even a Transcendent expert to pieces. He could have been buried underground or lost at sea."

Only then did Leonard realize how perilous his situation had been, thanks to her words.

The fifth shadow hadn’t attempted a mutual suicide for no reason.

His heightened awareness of magic was an added bonus.

"Even if it was my good fortune, it was you, Miss Francis, who saved my life. If I hadn’t been buried underground and had continued drifting at sea, I would have died long ago."

"Hem! Well, that’s true!"

Francis puffed up her chest in agreement. Her lack of modesty was so honest and ridiculous that Leonard couldn’t help but chuckle.

However, Francis was momentarily stunned when she saw his face.

"Again."

"Excuse me?"

"Laugh again! Just like you did just now!"

It was an impossible request for Leonard, who hadn’t even realized he was laughing.

"Ah, what a shame! I thought you looked good even when you were just standing there, but your smile is incredibly charming. Don’t you think so, Marian?"

"…I agree."

Even Marian, who had been glaring at him from behind Francis, had a slight blush on her face.

Leonard hadn’t realized it, but the Cardenas bloodline had given him more than just physical abilities and a mana core. His proportions and balance were perfect, and his features were uniformly sculpted, unlike those of ordinary people.

Unlike the mansion where everyone was of Cardenas blood or the Galápagos Islands, Atlantis was one of the regions farthest from the empire.

To the two people, Leonard appeared as a young, fair-haired, red-eyed boy with a hint of childishness.

"Hmm."

Unlike the Sword Emperor, who had never benefited from his appearance, Leonard felt uneasy at their reactions.

"Miss Francis?"

"Yes! Ask anything you like."

He asked cautiously.

"…Do you think my appearance is good?"

"Uh."

"Uh."

Francis and Marian’s faces tensed, and then Francis, with a playful smile, answered first.

"What, are you trying to flirt with us?"

"Flirt… What does that mean?"

"Are you trying to seduce us? If you ask such a question to unmarried girls, they might misunderstand."

Leonard, who had never experienced such a situation in his past or present life, stiffened.

"No, I’m not."

"Really? If it were seduction, I might consider it."

Unable to bear her probing, Leonard explained further.

"I’m asking seriously. In the places I’ve stayed, my appearance has never been a topic of conversation."

For the first time, a look of disbelief appeared on their faces.

They hadn’t doubted his origin or name, but his sincerity in this matter was almost comical.

"It seems you’re not lying… Well, then, we’ll answer without exaggeration. Marian first?"

"At least in this region, I doubt there’s anyone with a more talented face than you."

"…That doesn’t sound like a compliment."

"It is a compliment, though?"

Marian, who seemed to be retaliating for the earlier exchange, smiled slyly, leaving Leonard speechless.

Francis chuckled at the sight.

"Even Marian can’t resist a charming younger man?"

Marian blushed and squirmed.

"Miss! That’s not it!"

"It’s fine. I’m a very merciful employer. I won’t stand in the way of your marriage."

Francis, covering Marian’s mouth, turned to Leonard.

"I haven’t lived that long, but I’ve seen many people. I’ve never seen a man as handsome as you. I know that unwarranted kindness is rare."

"Yes."

"If you had a scruffy beard, a bald head, and a rough face, I might have just thrown you into the warehouse. Not laid you on my bed."

Leonard’s expression changed at her words.

Still more influenced by the martial world’s norms than the world he was in, he felt that owing a life debt to a woman who wasn’t even married was a serious matter.

Francis’s family could have killed him without a second thought.

"Ahaha! You’re still worried about that? How cute. You’re finally starting to look your age."

With a few words, Francis brushed off his embarrassment and continued the conversation in a light-hearted manner.

Though Leonard wasn’t known for his eloquence, he could tell that Francis was skilled in conversation. She explained the things he was curious about without being boring, while subtly probing into his background in a way that wasn’t unpleasant.

It was a talent in social skills that he had seen in the leaders of famous martial arts sects and trading companies in the Central Plains.

"…So, to return to the Arcadian Empire, you need to leave the maritime league’s territory and land on the continent. Then, you’ll have to travel over a thousand kilometers to find a major city with a long-distance spatial gate. As for the permit to use the spatial gate, well, Leonard, you’ll have to find a way."

The information Francis provided was as ruthless as it was accurate.

‘It will take at least a few years.’

Leonard sighed deeply as he looked at the map of the continent in front of him. The silver lining was that he had no urgent reason to return, so he planned to stay in the area for a while.

The Atlantis Maritime League, a supranational organization located in one of the regions farthest from the empire, was a place he might never return to once he rejoined his family.

‘It’s better to gain experience firsthand than to read about it or hear stories. I should broaden my horizons as much as possible and break through my mana cultivation a few times to prepare for any unforeseen events.’

If he had been at the 10th or even 7th level of the External Force Realm, he wouldn’t have been at a disadvantage against the fifth shadow.

Against an opponent who could use defensive techniques like water, his 90 years of cultivation weren’t enough, and he was overwhelmed despite his best efforts.

"Ah! By the way, Leonard?"

Francis’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes."

When he turned his gaze to her, she fidgeted and twiddled her fingers.

"Um, when I first rescued you, your hair was a mess, so I trimmed it a bit. I think I did a decent job, but I hope you’re not upset."

"My hair…?"

Only then did Leonard notice the unfamiliar feeling on his head. Marian brought a round mirror from the table and showed it to him.

In the mirror, his ruby-like eyes met his own gaze. His hair, which had been roughly cut, was now neatly trimmed, giving him a noble yet wild look. Even Leonard, who had never cared about or been interested in grooming, was surprised.

"Thank you. I’m sure it took a lot of effort."

"Hehe, it was fun to do. Take good care of it, okay? Your face is too precious."

Francis, after saying this, took a pouch from her pocket and handed it to Leonard.

"I had to check your belongings, even though it might seem intrusive. Nothing is missing, so please check it here."

"Thank you."

Leonard bowed slightly and reached into the pouch.

‘It’s true.’

As she said, all the items in the dimensional pouch were intact, including the black sword and the golden fruit, which was likely a medicinal herb.

Even if she hadn’t returned the pouch, he would have considered his life debt repaid. Her attitude exceeded his expectations, more than just a reward for his good looks.

"…I won’t forget this kindness."

Francis responded to his serious tone with a playful one.

"Then call me Francis. Is that okay?"

"Understood, Francis."

At Leonard’s casual use of her nickname, Francis blushed.

"Wow, I like this."

"Miss, that’s inappropriate."

"Would Marian like to be called Mari?"

"Miss!"

The two bickered for a moment before Francis stood up.

Marian, who had stepped back, opened the cabin door.

"We’re leaving now, Leonard. Don’t be too lonely when we come back next time?"

Marian added a few more words.

"I’ll bring your meals every day. Try not to leave this room, and if you need anything, pull that rope over there."

It seemed that Francis had not only saved his life but also lent him her bedroom to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from others.

Leonard nodded without complaint.

With a smile, Francis was about to leave the room when she poked her head back in.

"Leonard!"

"Yes."

"About the fruit in your dimensional pouch. Would you consider selling it if I offered a fair price?"

"I’ll think about it."

Leonard looked at her as if testing her.

"If it’s in exchange for saving my life, I can give it to you for free anytime."

"Hmm? That wouldn’t be profitable."

Francis answered without hesitation, her voice firm enough to surprise Marian.

"Even though the fruit is valuable, it’s nothing compared to the value of your life! Get some rest!"

"…Understood."

The door closed, and the sound of their footsteps faded away as they had come.

Leonard sat on the bed, smiling wryly.

He couldn’t help it.

"Profitable… huh."

He had thought she was a naive young lady, but her discernment was already that of an adult.

Knowing he wouldn’t be able to leave the ship or Francis for a while, Leonard closed his eyes and began his qi cultivation.

The world outside the Cardenas family was interesting from the very first step.