Chapter 52

Reincarnated as a Sword Emperor in the Sword Duke's Family (52)

Francis Ler Oceano.

A girl, who inherits the bloodline of Oceano, a kingdom that once ruled the oceans several centuries ago, walks with the grace of a dancer.

After walking in silence for a few minutes from the cabin where Leonard was secretly hidden, Francis turned to Marian, who had been following her step by step, and said,

"Is this far enough?"

"It might be a bit too much."

Marian replied with a look of exasperation at her caution.

"Your cabin is soundproof, so even if someone has broken through the fifth level of External Force, it would be difficult to hear sounds from more than ten meters away. I don't know how highly you think of that man, but if he can hear our conversation from this distance, he's already at the Transcendent level."

"Is that so? It's impossible for someone his age to be a Sword Master."

"Breaking through the External Force before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is already considered a genius. He must be one of those types."

Francis understood her words and widened her eyes.

"You think Leonard is a genius?"

"Yes, a genius."

Marian concluded without a moment's hesitation.

"You know that when you rescued him from the sea, I changed his clothes, right?"

"Was it good?"

"He had a fantastic body... but! What I want to say is that his physical perfection was at an unbelievable level! I'm not trying to evaluate his rational charm!"

Unable to resist the joke, Marian exploded, then calmed herself and explained in more detail.

"From a young age, he must have been systematically trained, given a balanced diet, and focused on basic sword techniques to avoid bad habits. He must have repeated this training for years. And he also has innate talent."

Francis's eyes became calm like still water.

"You mean he's from a noble family? And not just any ordinary one. In the Arcadia Empire, there's only one family renowned for their swordsmanship, right?"

"...Yes, he is likely from the Cardenas family."

The Grand Duchy of Cardenas.

The family that possesses the supreme military power in the Great Empire of Arcadia, which rules over more than half of the world.

It's said that without the 7th Order of Knights of Cardenas, the Arcadia Empire wouldn't have been able to secure even half of its current territory.

A sword and shield that cuts down everything threatening the safety of the empire's people as it patrols the empire.

For the neighboring countries, there is no greater terror, and for the people of the empire, they are revered like guardian deities.

"Any evidence? It doesn't seem like you're just guessing."

"It's just my judgment... but..."

Marian cautiously revealed her inner certainty.

"It's because of his sword."

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Francis turned and asked,

"Sword? Was it not ordinary?"

"It was an ordinary good sword. The refinement of the metal and the balance of the center of gravity were flawless. It's hard to believe that steel could be made to such a level."

"But you can get a good sword even if it's not from Cardenas, right?"

"No, that sword is not a commercial product. There was no craftsman's mark or blacksmith's seal. It was a mass-produced item of uniform quality."

This was something Marian, as a swordsman, could discern.

"There is no place other than Cardenas that can mass-produce high-quality swords that don't circulate outside and consume them all within the family. The Grand Duchy of Jere might have the capability, but their people are easy to recognize."

Francis clapped her hands in admiration.

"Wow! Our Marian is so smart? The guys who only know how to swing swords behind me should know that."

"I don't know if it's praise or sarcasm."

"Anyway, the possibility that Leonard is from Cardenas is high. His skills are impressive, and he doesn't seem like the type to mistreat his savior, so he'll probably be on my side for a while."

For her, who was already short-handed, Leonard's presence was a pleasant surprise. The issue of his unknown identity was also half-resolved.

She thought he might answer if she asked directly, but that approach would undermine the goodwill she had been building step by step.

Francis's honest and cheerful personality was genuine, but she also had a cunning side.

However, Marian cautiously said,

"...Don't get too close to him. That man has too many secrets, even to me."

"Does Leonard seem that dangerous?"

"Yes, extremely."

At this immediate answer, Francis's eyes widened.

Marian had broken through the sixth level of External Force before she was thirty and had killed thousands on the ship.

Before joining 'Aquamarine' and becoming her bodyguard, it was rumored that just a glance from her could cost someone their head. For Marian to say he was extremely dangerous before even fighting him?

"My realm is higher, and I don't think I would lose in a fight... but that man exudes a terrifying smell of blood. It's as if he has killed several times, even dozens of times more than me."

"At his age, more than Marian? Is that possible?"

"It's an incomprehensible thing. However, the bloodline of Cardenas transcends common sense. It won't hurt to be careful."

Marian, who had come to regard Francis as a younger sister, sincerely advised her.

She had been active in this world for a long time, but death comes equally to all, whether they are External Force practitioners or geniuses. And those who survive at the center of it all have a similar aura to that man.

Monsters that cannot be judged by the realm of mana cultivation.

"—I should invite him to my adventure party!"

Francis's words shattered the heavy atmosphere. Marian, with a bewildered expression, looked at her.

"What? What did you hear from what I just said?"

"His skills are so impressive that even Marian is wary, and he's a Cardenas swordsman! If we make him our ally, we won't have to worry about enemies. Isn't that a good thing?"

"I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. Think about it yourself. I won't say anything more."

"Come on, don't be like that!"

As usual, the two bickered like sisters and climbed up to the ship's deck.

Today, the 'Aquamarine' was sailing smoothly.

* * *

The Atlantis Maritime Union.

A federation of islands and archipelagos that cannot be called a country, based on numerous ships and regularly circulating ocean currents.

A masterpiece created by the environment far from the continent, and a reason why continentals, accustomed to national units, cannot easily adapt to this place. While the absence of a class system aligns with the once-proposed republic, the lack of borders and national identity is unfamiliar.

Nonetheless, the current state of Atlantis is thriving.

By claiming the vast sea area of the southern continent, the astronomical income from the massive natural resources buried throughout the territory and the continuous revenue from the >Rift< is significant.

"The sea area of Atlantis is divided into six layers."

Today, Francis seemed busy, and Marian, who brought his breakfast, was having a conversation with him.

"The first sea area, centered around the capital Atlantis, has the highest safety rating and is where the upper class and top-ranked adventure parties have their residences. The sea area is called 'Orichalcum,' and armed conflict is strictly prohibited in the first sea area."

"Does that mean land-based conflicts are allowed?"

"There is a security force stationed in the capital. Even if they can't handle everything, it's meaningless to prohibit it if someone has the skill to do so."

However, Marian added a few words.

"The wealth that flows into the capital Atlantis is tremendous. This flow is always accompanied by violence to protect that wealth."

"Indeed."

Leonard immediately understood what she meant.

Wherever there is significant profit, there is a conflict between those who covet it and those who try to protect it.

However, as in his previous life, once a merchant or security company grows to a certain size, they often have a level of military force that can rival a martial arts sect. Bandits or pirates who dared to challenge them would be sent to the afterlife on the same day.

"Adventure parties that explore the outer sea areas and those who have come from distant continents are confident in their own strength. Among them, the most dangerous forces are two."

The mages of the Magic Tower, who have built a massive tower in Atlantis and maintain a protective magic barrier for the entire city.

And.

"The Bermuda, a major component and source of income for the Atlantis Maritime Union, which all adventure parties are required to join. Similar to the adventurer guilds on the mainland, internal conflicts are frequent. Ultimately, taking someone's livelihood becomes a source of income for others."

"Is that why Miss Francis needs me?"

"...I don't have the authority to tell you that. I suggest you ask her directly when she visits."

Unlike Francis, Marian was honest, and she had almost no ability to hide or deceive Leonard.

From her expression, he could roughly gauge the situation of 'Aquamarine' and felt a bit more cheerful. Standing on the side of the strong and oppressing the weak is less fulfilling for a martial artist than standing on the side of the weak and facing the strong.

Leonard recalled his memories of the sea.

"Although I don't have much experience in naval battles... I learned a water technique when I was at the Southern Sea Sword School. I should review it after a long time."

He had been briefly employed as a guest at the Southern Sea Sword School, also known as the Hainan Sect.

Most of the enemies he faced there were pirates from across the sea, who wielded thin, long swords and used different sword techniques from those in the Central Plains, leaving a strong impression.

Although their level was low and didn't significantly help his martial arts, the techniques of the Southern Sea Sword School were quite good.

"The sword techniques of the Southern Sea Sword School were excellent. It was rare to delve so deeply into left-hand sword and reverse-hand sword techniques."

Techniques like the Thirty-Six Swords of the Southern Sea and the Four Seas Flying Heaven Wind gave Sword Emperor Lian Wuxie considerable insight, contributing to his ability to use sword techniques without restraint.

The Whirlwind Step of the White Tiger Form, which rides the wind, was also one of them.

"For the other five areas, it would be better to hear from Miss Francis. I am just a bodyguard and lack the ability and knowledge to speak from a broader perspective."

Marian finished her story about the first sea area and stood up from her chair.

"That's all I have to say. I'll take my leave now."

"Thank you for your time."

Marian paused at Leonard's polite bow, then turned to him and said,

"Let me add one more thing."

Their eyes, worn by blood and death, met on her tanned skin.

Marian, who had broken through the sixth level of External Force and was now aiming for the seventh, had achieved this not only because of her innate talent but also because of her extensive experience in spilling blood.

Despite knowing that this young man was a dangerous figure, she couldn't suppress her favorable feelings towards his statue-like appearance and dignified demeanor.

"The 'Aquamarine' will soon arrive at the center of the first sea area, Orichalcum, the capital Atlantis. After arriving, please avoid mentioning your background. There are many who harbor hostility towards those from the Arcadia Empire."

"I will keep that in mind. Have a good day, Marian."

Leonard recalled something he had forgotten.

"The strongest hegemonic country on the continent must have enemies. The Cruisians were one such case, and it's better to be cautious here as well."

While no martial artist can escape the cycle of grudges and enmity, he didn't want to take on the burden of issues not directly related to himself, like national or ethnic conflicts.

He cuts because he wants to cut.

He kills because he wants to kill.

Sword Emperor Lian Wuxie was a person who had never felt a sense of belonging or loyalty to any group or organization.

"If I were alone, using my background to create enemies might have been acceptable... but..."

Since Francis and Marian, and the 'Aquamarine,' would be involved, he decided to put that option on hold.

If they had known, they would have immediately raised an alarm.