Chapter 55

### Reincarnated as a Sword Emperor in the Sword Master's Family (55)

In the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, the organization that adventure teams operating in the alliance are required to join, Bermuda, A-rank was the highest level one could achieve.

There was only one adventure team classified as S-rank.

It was none other than 'Wild Hunt,' which had halted the demonification process in the Fifth Sea. If it weren't for the respect for their legendary feat, they would still be at A-rank.

Thus, A-rank could be considered the de facto highest rank.

"Pablo himself is a transcendent powerhouse, but even the members under him are veterans at the 7th level of External Force. The performance of 'Moby Dick' is also on par with my 'Aquamarine.'"

With the power Francis possessed, it was impossible to stand against them.

Even without considering the power Pablo held as one of the 13 councilors, commanding an A-rank adventure team and being a transcendent was something that would crush this side to pieces with sheer force.

To counter Pablo, Bermuda would have to act as an organization, or the Magic Tower would have to step in as a sponsor.

Leonard suddenly raised a question that had been on his mind.

"Then, was it okay to cut off Luciano's arm and kill his subordinates?"

"Yes, it's fine."

Francis explained with a look that suggested she had expected him to ask.

"To Pablo, Luciano is less important than a pet dog left in the front yard. As long as he's alive, he doesn't care. Perhaps that's why Luciano grew up to be a worse person than anyone could imagine."

"Indeed. It's fine if he comes back beaten up, but if someone kills him, it would damage his reputation."

"Exactly! Even if he's an illegitimate child he doesn't care about, everyone knows he's his son. And as a person of power, he can't help but be sensitive to his reputation."

Leonard, who had often witnessed similar situations in the martial world, quickly understood the cause and effect.

There were even cases where someone would deliberately kill an illegitimate child to use it as a pretext to attack another sect.

"Well, Leonard doesn't need to worry. Pablo wouldn't want to bother with me over something like this."

There seemed to be something Leonard didn't know, but Francis didn't explain further and turned to leave.

Marian, walking shoulder to shoulder with her, whispered.

"Miss, you are in a politically delicate position in the Atlantis Maritime Alliance. You're more like a fuse for gunpowder. If you're not touched, it's not a big problem, but if you're touched the wrong way, a large-scale conflict could break out."

"Pablo's side wouldn't want to take that risk, I suppose."

"Yes, even if Pablo is powerful, his competitors in the Alliance Council have the ability to exploit any weakness. But you shouldn't use your position too aggressively. You understand why, don't you?"

"…If I become a target of everyone's enmity, the current implicit non-aggression pact could be broken, right?"

Marian nodded in agreement.

She was also impressed by Leonard's exceptional insight.

'Are all the Cardenas bloodline like this? Even if they only train in swordsmanship from a young age, they still cultivate political acumen and insight? The noble families of the empire are truly different.'

Leonard, who inadvertently made Marian misunderstand again, followed the two.

He didn't know their destination, but it wasn't a situation where he could act on his own. People whose affiliation and identity are not guaranteed are treated as enemies wherever they go.

As if reading his mind, Francis said,

"We're going to Bermuda first. All adventure team-related business is handled there."

Leonard's identity verification, registration, and the return and income reporting of the 'Aquamarine' adventure team need to be processed.

Francis's expression worsened as the mountain of tasks suddenly came to mind. Even with Marian's help, it would take three to four days to focus solely on this work.

A well-organized administrative system isn't always a good thing.

"Haa…"

Francis, who let out a long sigh without realizing it, felt a bit more energized by the sound of footsteps following her.

One became two.

Then two could become three.

From now on, it depended on her efforts and what she had built.

'Right, my journey begins now.'

Her steps toward Bermuda became even more lively.

* * *

Bermuda, the comprehensive body of adventure teams and a major component and source of income for the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, had a presence that exuded immense power, wealth, and influence.

Like a whirlpool appearing in the middle of the sea, its walls rotated like waves, reflecting sunlight and shining brilliantly, not allowing anyone to peek inside from the outside.

While it was not as tall as the Alliance Council's tower or the Magic Tower, it was larger in area.

"…Impressive."

Even Leonard, who had been amazed and delighted on the way here, was speechless.

The military and financial power of the Cardenas family far exceeded that of the maritime alliance, but being a martial family, they were frugal in their spending and values. They didn't waste money on unnecessary expenses to make buildings taller or more ornate.

However, the Atlantis Maritime Alliance seemed to have a mission to show the world its wealth, making it so luxurious that visitors would never forget it.

"Well, it's just a show of wealth."

Francis's evaluation was harsh.

"Bermuda wasn't this luxurious when it was founded. Adventure teams are usually made up of talented and skilled outcasts who don't want to be under someone else's control or be interfered with. That was the original purpose of Bermuda."

In any part of this continent, except for the strictly meritocratic Arcadia, those who try to rise above their social status through ability alone are not treated kindly.

Before the Atlantis Maritime Alliance became well-known, the adventure teams that gathered at sea had experienced this many times, causing them to shudder.

That's why they decided to create a union free from the class system in the sea, a group that wouldn't bow to nobles or royalty, which was the founding purpose of Bermuda.

"But."

Francis laughed coldly and glanced at Bermuda's undulating walls.

"Few people truly dislike the class system. They just have their own complaints about their positions. What did the adventure teams, who gained military, financial, and political power, pursue?"

The answer came easily to Leonard.

'People are the same no matter where they live.'

It was a common occurrence in the martial world.

Representing small and medium-sized sects, they would form alliances or associations, and those who held the lead would become the new leaders of major sects. Then, they would exploit the small and medium-sized sects as if they had forgotten their past.

What they truly wanted was not the justice and equality they preached.

"Differentiation, I suppose. Class or rank distinctions."

"Wow! How did you know? Did Marian teach you?"

"Francis has been grumbling since we entered the dock, about A-rank adventure teams being exempt from docking procedures and such. Whether it's true or not, the differential treatment exists, so it's a topic of conversation."

Francis's eyes widened in surprise.

"It could just be a joke, you know?"

"Satire has been a means to criticize the flaws of the privileged class since ancient times. It's not uncommon for a light joke to turn into a manifesto."

"Hmm, you're right."

Francis, unexpectedly pleased, said with a snort.

"But it's hard to describe how blatant and crude it is. You'll see for yourself."

"What…?"

"Let's go in. Marian, too."

"Maintain your dignity in Bermuda, Miss."

With a puzzled expression, Leonard and Marian, pressing her temples, approached the entrance of Bermuda with Francis.

Surprisingly, there was no handle on the door.

Without being surprised or flustered, Francis brought out something like a seal from her pocket and placed it against the door. The door responded with a mechanical voice.

{B-007 'Aquamarine', Leader Francis Ler von Oceano's seal confirmed. Guiding to Zephyros Hall.}

At the same time, a high-dimensional magic array appeared on the surface of the door, opening a spatial passage directly to somewhere inside the tower.

Unlike long-distance spatial gates, this was a stable path.

"Leonard, understand?"

Francis couldn't hide the sarcasm in her voice as she mocked.

"Adventure teams entering Bermuda have restricted access based on their rank. B-rank can enter Zephyros Hall, C-rank can enter Eurus Hall, and so on."

"Of course, only the higher-ranked adventurers are allowed to move between these levels."

"Yes, that's right."

Bermuda, which aimed to free itself from the oppression of the upper class, was now acting like a noble who kept the lower class at a distance.

It was hard to suppress a laugh at the absurdity.

Marian tried to calm her down.

"…Miss, it's time to work."

"Don't worry. I always do, don't I? I can wear an iron mask in front of others."

With that, Francis and the two entered Bermuda.

And.

'Hmm.'

The interior, which changed completely with just a few steps, made Leonard's eyebrows twitch in surprise.

If it weren't for the tangible reality he felt with his senses, he would have thought he had entered an illusionary array.

Oreichalcum Hall.

Notus Hall.

Eurus Hall.

In just three steps, they passed through three halls, each more luxurious than the last, and entered the fourth hall. The corridor beyond the fourth hall was cut off, as if they couldn't go to the fifth hall.

As soon as they entered the fourth hall, a voice sounded again.

{Welcome, Francis. Congratulations on the return of the 'Aquamarine' adventure team.}

Their destination, the 'Zephyros Hall.'

"Aquamarine…? A princess, perhaps."

The people gathered in the hall started talking when they recognized Francis and her group.

"Long time no see. You must have sailed quite far this time."

"Quite impressive that you always return alive with only Marian as a proper member."

"Didn't know much about Aquamarine? With just one captain, they can roam the Fourth Sea like it's their backyard!"

"Huh? Luciano's scum must have had a good reason to covet them."

Some mocked, some pitied, and some were wary.

Leonard, who had scanned these emotions, reassessed Francis's position.

It wasn't just hostile scoundrels like Luciano.

However, he had to try to ignore any talk about himself as much as possible.

"Never seen that face before. Is he the princess's bodyguard?"

"Looks like he could be eaten and lived off. He's quite well-trained and looks like a knight from a noble lady's favorite novel."

Thanks to Luciano's earlier insults, Leonard wasn't as angry as he might have been. If there had been another one calling him a "male courtesan," he might have drawn his sword.

Ultimately, Francis and her group reached the counter without any interference.

A beautiful woman with a refined aura stood there.

Clara, the receptionist of Zephyros Hall, greeted them politely.

"Welcome back to Atlantis, Leader Francis. How can I assist you?"

"I need the approval of the mission report assigned to the 'Aquamarine' adventure team and the provision of accommodation and meals for the duration of our stay! Oh, and were there any applicants for the adventure team?"

With Francis's hopeful expression and voice, Clara looked flustered.

"I've put a lot of effort into recruiting and promoting the 'Aquamarine' adventure team, but…."

"It's fine! I can wait a bit longer!"

Francis, who preemptively relieved her embarrassment, said.

"Actually, a new member has joined, and I wanted to ask for the transfer procedures!"

"Transfer procedures?!"

Clara, genuinely surprised, finally noticed Leonard standing behind Francis.

She stared at him blankly for a moment, but the receptionist position at Bermuda wasn't for just anyone. Clara regained her composure in a few seconds and cleared her throat to buy time.

"May I have the name of the new member?"

Her voice, though she didn't realize it, was several times more honeyed than usual.

A few adventurers who had been watching her closely rolled their eyes, but no one was paying attention to them.

With a small nod from Francis, Leonard stepped forward and spoke.

"Leonard."

"Mr. Leonard… Yes, noted. If you have any areas of expertise, could you share that information?"

Leonard's youthful appearance didn't inspire much expectation in the hall.

Only Francis and Marian were secretly smiling.

Following the conversation they had earlier, Leonard said,

"I'm at the 2nd level of External Force. If you need proof, I can demonstrate it right here."

A heavy silence descended on Zephyros Hall.