Chapter 53

Reincarnated as the Sword Emperor in the Sword Family (53)

The next day, when Francis visited, he explained in more detail about the unknown seas that he did not know.

The method of dividing the seas, which the Atlantis Maritime Union updates every six months, was simple yet complex. It was not determined by danger alone.

"The Second Sea and the Third Sea are not much different. The only distinction is whether high-risk monsters can appear or not."

The Second Sea, 'Notos,' was basically a fishing area.

Hunting marine monsters that burst out of the sea and harvesting high-value seafood. There are even fish that, if caught just one, could fill a ship, and selling them on land could earn several gold coins, making it a decent source of income.

The racial rank of the monsters that appear ranges from E to D, and at most C. The amount of money earned from catching fish was greater than the spirit stones obtained from killing monsters.

This is the activity area for new adventurers who have just formed their teams in Atlantis.

"From the Third Sea, 'Euros,' only monsters exist, and from medium-grade spirit stones to the meat and bones of the fish, everything is sold at a high price. If you have enough skill, you can earn several times more than in the Second Sea."

"The danger will also increase several times, right?"

"Of course! Although it's a once-in-several-decades occurrence, there are often adventuring teams that meet a tragic end when they encounter a sea serpent."

Sea Serpent.

A giant marine monster, one of the top three in the S-rank, with a recorded innate rank. Even a mere larva, which is only at the first stage, cannot be handled by a force at the outer realm level, and from the second stage onwards, it becomes a monster that even a transcendent realm must risk their life to defeat. If it breaks through to the third stage, it requires a national-level extermination order.

Despite this, human desire knows no bounds, and there are many adventuring teams that have been roaming the Third Sea for several decades.

"The Fourth Sea, 'Zephyrus,' is where proper adventuring teams operate. From here, they look for marine resources, sell their locations, or harvest and distribute them directly!"

Francis cleared her throat and puffed out her chest.

This was because her 'Aquamarine' also had the right to explore up to Zephyrus, a right granted only to well-established and experienced adventuring teams.

Leonard nodded and asked,

"How does the danger compare to the Third Sea?"

"There's not much difference. However, there are many large-scale battles because you have to fight the monsters that occupy those marine resources."

While the monsters in the Third Sea can appear anywhere, the monsters in the Fourth Sea are numerous and stationed in fixed locations.

While the Third Sea has more frequent sudden incidents, the Fourth Sea is several levels higher in terms of difficulty. While a failure in the Third Sea might result in a few casualties and property damage, a failure in the Fourth Sea often leads to total annihilation.

Thus, operating in the Fourth Sea is proof that you have never failed.

"And the Fifth Sea, 'Aeolus,' is... "

Francis's bright and cheerful voice suddenly softened,

"It's the sea our adventuring team aims to enter! Only the top-tier, or even the top-top-tier, adventuring teams are granted permission to operate in Aeolus. Since new permits are rarely issued, we have to seize them from other teams!"

She finished her explanation with a carefully crafted voice.

Leonard sensed that there was something hidden in what she said, but he did not press further.

Their relationship was not that intimate, and getting involved would mean getting entangled in Francis's personal affairs.

The atmosphere in the cabin became awkward for a moment.

"...What about the Sixth Sea?"

In a considerate manner, he spoke first, and Francis quickly responded as if she had been waiting for it.

"The Sixth Sea has no specific name! No adventuring team that has entered it has ever returned. It is an unconfirmed area and a no-return zone, simply called the Sixth Sea."

Naturally, no one attempts to explore it, and it is the area that adventuring teams exploring the Fifth Sea must be most cautious about.

A few steps in by mistake, and there is no way to escape the sea.

Leonard felt a sense of déjà vu from this description.

"It sounds similar to the 'Demon Realm.'"

Francis's eyes sparkled with approval.

"Exactly. The 'crack' in the Fifth Sea has continued to expand, swallowing up the area, which is the true nature of the Sixth Sea. The Atlantis side only maintains a stance of trying to keep it as hidden as possible."

"Is that so."

The main tasks of the Seventh Knight Order, representing the Cardenas family, were also dealing with these 'cracks.'

The unstable boundaries of this world collapsing, allowing the natural laws and creatures of another realm to invade. If left unchecked for too long, it leads to what is called 'demon realmification,' the erosion of the world.

In short, the 'crack' has grown larger and wider, leading to a worse situation, which is the 'Demon Realm.'

"The Atlantis Maritime Union doesn't seem to understand the danger of the 'crack,' does it? The Cardenas family, at the very least, seals it before demon realmification occurs."

The Arcadia Empire, despite its vast size, had no 'Demon Realm' or even a 'crack,' thanks to the Seventh Knight Order patrolling the entire empire without a single day off.

As soon as a 'crack' opens, several transcendent realm experts and even a half-god jump in to destroy the vanguard of the other realm.

Unfortunately, as a newly graduated squire, he never had the chance to witness it.

'The strength of the Seventh Knight Order, even from the bits and pieces I've heard, far surpasses my previous life. Even if the Central Plains, the New World, and the Heavenly Horse Sect were to unite, they would be wiped out in a few days.'

Even if the Heavenly Horse Sect's leader were a top-tier expert, a 7-to-1 fight would result in his death in less than 10 seconds.

This kind of powerful group patrols daily, destroying the 'crack' before it spreads, proving that the potential danger is beyond the imagination of the people in this world.

"That's... "

As Francis was about to answer with a troubled expression,

"——Miss, we have entered the communication area of the dock."

"Ah! Sorry. I'll be right there!"

The conversation was abruptly cut off by Marian's voice from outside the cabin.

Francis turned to Leonard and asked,

"Leonard, do you want to come? We should leave this room soon."

"Sure."

"Say my name too!"

"Understood, Fran."

With a giggle, Francis left the cabin, and Marian, who had been waiting outside, stepped aside.

However, when Leonard followed her, she looked at him with a puzzled expression. It seemed the conversation inside the cabin had not been heard by Marian.

"Why are you coming out?"

"It's at Fran's request."

"Miss?"

"What's the point of hiding it anymore? Everyone will see when we get to the dock, and Leonard must have been feeling stifled!"

Francis's words had a point, and Marian sighed deeply, standing next to Leonard.

It seemed Francis's guard had increased to two.

She turned and said in a domineering tone,

"I've been feeling a bit empty with just Marian, but now it feels more like a big shot! Guards should be two, after all!"

"Surely you didn't bring him out for that reason? Miss? Please answer clearly."

"Come on, let's go to the helm! If we keep them waiting, the dock's attitude will get worse!"

"Miss!"

Ignoring their usual bickering, Leonard looked around the ship's interior, which he had not seen in the past few days.

From the type of wood used in the pillars and planks to the shape and assembly method, there was almost nothing that matched the Central Plains.

Even the space where oarsmen should be stationed was absent, indicating that the ship was propelled by a method other than oars.

'Magic? Or some unknown power source?'

As he moved, admiring the ship, they soon reached the deck and climbed a few stairs to enter the helm.

A few people passing by were surprised to see Leonard, but seeing Francis and Marian with him, they merely nodded.

He seemed to be treated as a VIP or someone of similar status.

"Hmm."

Leonard couldn't help but look around the spacious, open space of the helm in amazement.

It was impossible not to be amazed.

Not only were there devices whose functions were hard to guess, but the panoramic view of the ocean in all directions was a breathtaking sight.

'To replace all four walls with glass to avoid obstructing the view, this is the first time I've seen such a luxurious ship.'

While he knew that glass was less valuable in this world than in the Central Plains, the encounter with new technology was always surprising.

At that moment,

{This is the headquarters of the Oureichalcos Dock Patrol in the First Sea. Unidentified vessel, respond immediately to this communication. If no response is received within 5 minutes or if you approach further, coastal artillery will be fired.}

A cold voice came from a crystal ball installed in the center of the helm, which looked like the seat of the highest-ranking person.

As expected, Francis sat down and said,

"Tsk, so impatient! Marian? Connect the communication."

"Understood."

Marian stretched out her hand and manipulated something, and the gray light of the crystal ball turned blue, changing the sound quality.

"Ah—ah—can you hear my voice?"

In response to Francis's question, a voice came from the crystal ball.

{Unidentified vessel, avoid unnecessary talk. Provide the ship registration number or the adventuring team registration number.}

"Adventuring team registration number B-007, Aquamarine."

{...What is the password set for that number?}

"The ship is safest in the harbor, but that is not the reason for its existence."

{Confirmed, B-007 Aquamarine. Docking at berth 37 is permitted. Is the stay period the same as before?}

"Yes."

{Welcome back to Atlantis.}

The cold welcome ended, and the light of the crystal ball dimmed, turning back to opaque gray.

It seemed to be an artifact for communication with the dock.

Francis stretched and said,

"Ugh, it's always the same annoying talk. They should let me through just by hearing my voice."

"That's called dereliction of duty, Miss."

"A-grade adventuring teams are just let through, so I'll get my grade raised and then expose them all."

It was a statement that would have made the dock patrol gasp if they had heard it.

However, as neither of them seemed to be serious, they soon changed the topic and chatted with Leonard.

While joining in their conversation, Leonard was amazed by the approaching scenery of Atlantis and the grandeur of the large ships passing by.

The 'Aquamarine' was a large ship by his standards, but there were quite a few galleons that made it look like a small child.

Perhaps his expression revealed his thoughts.

"Leonard! Do you think my ship is small? Is that it?!"

"…I think those are just too big."

At Francis's sharp words, Leonard took a step back.

However, she did not accept his words and shouted,

"Having sails means it's a third-rate adventuring team or a fishing boat that hasn't applied magic engineering! Look at the ships without sails or oars! There are almost none bigger than Aquamarine!"

Ah, Leonard nodded in understanding, his eyes sparkling.

Magic engineering.

He felt that this word was the key to the structure that moved this mysterious ship. After looking around and understanding that it was true, he immediately apologized.

"My knowledge is limited. I'm sorry, Fran."

"Ha, apologizing like that makes me sound like a child. I was just raising my voice. I get a bit excited when talking about ships."

As their minor argument was ending, the Aquamarine stopped at the dock marked 37.

As soon as the ship docked, the dock's shielding structures moved to fix the ship's interior and exterior, allowing disembarkation and loading without dropping the anchor.

It was clearly a magical phenomenon.

"Alright, Marian and Leonard, come with me first. The crew will take care of the rest!"

Francis got up from her chair and said.

The two followed her as they had when entering the helm, descending to the deck and stepping onto the pier via a temporary staircase.

The central city of Atlantis.

The heart and soul of the maritime union welcomed Leonard.

'Sorry, South Sea Sword Gate, but you can't compare.'

The sight of Atlantis, a world unlike any other, filled him with great anticipation.

And then,

"What! Who is it? It's the princess who ran away from home!"

A frivolous voice from somewhere shattered his contemplative mood.