Chapter 64

Reincarnated as the Sword Emperor in the Sword Saint's Family (64)

The number of members in an adventure party, as defined by the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, or rather, Bermuda, was not fixed. If it was judged that the force required to explore a certain level was sufficient, whether it be one person or a hundred, it would be approved. Of course, for a one-person party to be approved for an A-level mission, they would have to be a 9th-rank mage or a transcendent being of demigod status.

Therefore, Francis was thinking that the minimum number of people needed for 'Aquamarine' to return to A-level status was around ten.

"A 6th-rank mage or an adventurer of 8th-level External Force must be recruited to ensure stability. It would be ideal to recruit a Master, but the possibility of that is extremely low."

Even in the central city of Atlantis, with a population of hundreds of thousands, and over a million if you include the surrounding islands, there are fewer than twenty people who have reached the Master level. Most of them, like Jack Russell, are part of the leadership or core management of large organizations, making recruitment impossible.

Something suddenly came to Leonard's mind.

"Fran, what about the sailors who accompanied us from the mainland to Atlantis? Are you planning to include non-members on the ship as well?"

"Ah, you mean them?"

Francis shook her head at his words.

"They were just temporary passengers due to a mission. The marine resources in the Fourth Sea aren't just about finding them; we also need to evaluate their profitability, dispatch surveyors, and assist in their return before the mission is complete."

She sighed, continuing, "They are essentially surveyors dispatched by the client. It's difficult to undertake missions involving combat with just Marian and me. If we don't at least build up our exploration mission records, it will be hard to maintain our B-level status."

"Do you mean a quota?"

"Yes. I don't want to bring outsiders on board 'Aquamarine,' but there are people who insist that we can't just rely on our reports."

There were also those who nitpicked to save on mission costs.

After listening to her complaints, Leonard returned to the main topic.

"If you plan to operate with a small, elite team, the selection of members will be even more important. Skill is important, but if we have to turn the likes of the Union Council or Councilor Pablo into enemies, we must also consider the possibility of betrayal."

"Yes, a regular adventurer wouldn't accept 'Aquamarine's recruitment offer, which is already marked by the higher-ups."

Despite Francis posting recruitment notices in Bermuda, there had been no inquiries, let alone applications. Mentioning 'Aquamarine' was an uncomfortable matter for Bermuda, and pressure from adventure parties like 'Moby Dick' only made it worse. Those who entered without knowing would soon run away, leaving only the oddballs who knew everything as the only viable candidates.

"Fran, do you have any specific candidates in mind?"

At Leonard's question, Francis nodded and pulled out a piece of parchment from her pocket.

It was a list densely filled with small writing.

"Would you like to read it? It's a simple summary of their skills and background, but I haven't figured out how to persuade them yet."

"I'll read it."

The language and script used by the Atlantis Maritime Alliance and the Arcadia Empire were not much different, so Leonard had no trouble reading it. The handwriting, presumably Francis's, was round and clear.

'People with families or responsibilities should be excluded. Considering the power of the Union Council and Pablo, there's a good chance their relatives could be taken hostage or threatened to betray us.'

The human heart is like a balance.

When forced to choose between two things, one ultimately chooses the closer, more intimate option or the safer one. For 'Aquamarine,' neither applied.

After disqualifying nearly half the candidates on the list, Leonard selected two names.

24. "One-Eyed" Niniann

- An archer who only takes solo missions at the B-level. Estimated to be 7th-level External Force, but detailed ability information is unknown.

- Reports of long ears, longer than humans but shorter than elves, suggest she is a half-elf or quarter-elf.

- No experience with adventure parties. Has been active in Atlantis for five years. Does not make friends or allies, and focuses solely on archery practice when not on missions. The reasons for her adventuring and money-making are unknown.

53. "Whaler" Galano

- A spearman who only takes combat missions from C-level to B-level. Estimated to be 8th-level External Force. Uses a harpoon-like spear, which is an artifact, and can throw and retrieve it quickly, making him effective in both close and mid-range combat.

- The only surviving relative of Dentsu, an A-level adventurer of 'Aquamarine.'

- No experience with adventure parties or founding one. Leads a gang of followers impressed by his strength but does not establish an organization.

- Has consistently refused missions that require entering the Fifth Sea.

"Niniann and Galano, both seem suitable."

"Really?!"

Francis and Marian's eyes widened.

Having considered the candidates themselves, they knew a lot about the people Leonard mentioned. Niniann had a history of causing bloody incidents in the city center due to her aggressive nature and lack of social skills. Galano, after his brother Dentsu's death, had become completely unrestrained, only taking profitable missions and frequenting bars and fights.

"Neither is very sociable, but neither has violated mission terms or broken contracts. If we can figure out why Niniann is an adventurer, and if we can bring Galano back to his senses, they could be useful."

"..."

"..."

Marian, at a loss for words, cautiously spoke.

"Leonard, there's something you seem to be forgetting."

Leonard looked puzzled and asked, "What is it?"

"Niniann and Galano are both top-tier B-level adventurers. I can't guarantee a win even if I face them."

"You don't need to face them."

His voice was firm.

When the two looked at him in surprise, Leonard smiled.

It was time to talk about something they had been tacitly ignoring.

"I'll recruit both Niniann and Galano. You two can rest for a while."

"Leonard, what are you talking about?"

"You should have guessed. I am Cardenas."

Francis and Marian froze.

Leonard chuckled at their stunned expressions and spoke frankly.

"Since Fran is being sincere, I will be too. I can handle both of them at once. Trust me."

"Even if you are Cardenas, isn't your confidence a bit excessive?"

Marian's eyebrows twitched at his evaluation of Niniann and Galano.

Even the strongest sword family in the continent couldn't be so arrogant at the 3rd-level External Force. Anticipating her reaction, Leonard answered without offense.

"Three 8th-level and four 9th-level External Force have died by my hand. They were knights sent by the Crusis Kingdom's secret organization to attack Cardenas's training facility."

"Really?!"

"They planned to kidnap children to uncover the secrets hidden in Cardenas's blood. By now, they've probably been thoroughly avenged by the Seven Great Knight Orders."

Marian and Francis were shocked, seeing no trace of lies in his expression. If all 3rd-level External Force were like Leonard, Cardenas's true strength would be unimaginable.

"Of course, not all 3rd-level External Force in Cardenas are as strong as me. I'm a very special...a genius among geniuses."

"Isn't that a bit too calm for self-praise?"

Leonard shrugged at Francis's comment.

While he was indeed boasting, there was no one in Cardenas who could achieve what he did at 15. It was easier to present himself as a genius than to reveal his past life.

"Alright! I get it. I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but I know Leonard isn't one to lie. I'll leave the recruitment of Niniann and Galano to you."

"I won't let you down."

Looking at their faces, burdened with new concerns after resolving old ones, Leonard simply smiled.

He was pleased with everything, from the employer to their current situation. The dire straits they faced, with a weak force against a powerful enemy, were his ideal scenario.

'Galano hasn't returned from his mission yet...I should go see Niniann first.'

The idea of uncovering the secret of an archery master who could shoot accurately despite being one-eyed made his body tingle with excitement.

Francis clapped her hands and said, "Alright, enough of the serious talk! Tell us about the treatment you received at the Mage Tower! It's hard to even get a 2nd-grade, let alone a 1st-grade, and they're giving you artifacts for free, right?"

"Not exactly free, but close."

After wrapping up the recruitment discussion, the three enjoyed the prepared meal, exchanging casual conversation they hadn't had in a while.

They knew the days ahead would be busier and harder.

Before new members joined, they wanted to enjoy this moment.

The 'Aquamarine' adventure party thus resolved to start anew, unnoticed by anyone.

* * *

One of the three major organizations of the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, Bermuda, possessed immense power and authority.

Every adventurer and adventure party operating in these waters had to join Bermuda, and any employment or mission not processed through Bermuda was considered a violation of regulations.

However, if Bermuda only strictly controlled adventurers, it wouldn't have grown or maintained its position.

Unlike the Union Council or the Mage Tower, Bermuda was composed of adventurers. While there were instances of bias based on rank, it was the only place where adventurers without connections or backing could rely.

—It's annoying, but without them, adventurers would be treated even worse.

—Once you reach a higher rank, you can use the training facilities and accommodations for free. It's great to be evaluated based on skill alone.

—Because Bermuda is so strict, we don't have to worry about employers not paying. The fees are a pain, though.

Niniann, a B-level adventurer with five years of experience, was one of those who used Bermuda's training and accommodation facilities to save money.

Bang!

Her arrow, shot from her bow, hit the target like a cannonball, creating a sonic boom.

Using the abilities of an 8th-level External Force and aura, her arrow surpassed a ballista in power. It could even knock back a full-force strike from a similarly ranked swordsman.

However, her crude shooting technique was far from the finesse of a true archery master.

"Wind."

A voice so soft it was almost inaudible whispered around her bow and arrow.

Then,

Whoosh!

The arrow, shot again, initially flew straight but then curved in a zigzag pattern to pierce the target.

It was an extraordinary sight.

"Terrible shooting. Is this what you call archery?"

"—Who are you!?"

At that moment, Niniann, hearing a voice behind her, instinctively turned around with an arrow nocked.

A man stood where her arrow was aimed.

A handsome youth with golden hair and red eyes.

Even with her elf-like aesthetic, Niniann had to admit he was good-looking, with a young face and a mature build.

"I expected more from the 'One-Eyed' archer...I'm disappointed."

Leonard, who had glanced at Niniann, took down a longbow from the wall and strung it.

In his past life, he was Lian Wuhuo, born into the Lian family.

His ancestor, Lian Gaisouwen, was the most powerful and highest-ranking minister in Goguryeo, a kingdom that had fallen over a hundred years ago. As a descendant of the strongest warrior in a nation known for its archery, Lian Wuhuo's archery skills were of the highest caliber.

Bang!

Leonard's arrow, as it flew, wrapped itself in wind, slicing through the air in a spiral.

The arrow, several times more powerful than Niniann's, shattered the target and disappeared without a trace. It was a pure display of archery, without any tricks.

Niniann, eyes wide, heard him say,

"I am Leonard from the 'Aquamarine' adventure party. I'm here to invite B-level adventurer Niniann to join us."

Leonard, who had shaken Niniann with a single shot, asked,

"Are you willing to talk?"

"Listening is one thing."

Niniann nodded, intrigued by his archery skills. If she could learn that, she could advance to A-level and earn more money.

'As expected. The flow is a bit different from what I anticipated, but...'

Leonard, on his first recruitment attempt, was confident.

Niniann had a reason to join 'Aquamarine.'