Chapter 69

The Sword Emperor Reincarnated in the Sword Clan (69)

The Santa Maria Adventure Guild.

A group that has become even more formidable by barely making it to the A-rank, the Atlantis Maritime Union's Santa Maria Guild is a collection of the most notorious and troublesome individuals.

Without a doubt, the guild leader, Christopher Conrad, and from the vice-leader to the lowest rank, it's hard to find a single person with a clear head.

Once they fulfill the quota set by >Bermuda<, their daily routine is to indulge in the lavish pleasures of Atlantis Island.

Today, Conrad was deeply immersed in that enjoyment.

"Ugh! This is the taste! It's worth 50 gold per bottle!"

While massaging the beauties sitting next to him with both hands, he opens his mouth wide to receive the premium distilled liquor.

On his table, a scantily dressed dancer continuously twirls, her skirt fluttering, and the guild members surrounding him flatter him endlessly, raising the atmosphere.

It was a literal wine pool and meat forest.

"Hey! I'm going to play a round, so you guys drink and have fun on your own!"

"““Yes, sir!””"

"Brats! It's not 'sir,' it's 'guild leader!' Do you think we're still a bunch of thugs running around doing jobs? We're an A-rank adventure guild!"

He smashes the head of a nearby person with the bottle he was holding.

The glass shatters with a *crack* and flies in all directions.

"Hehe, sorry! Guild... Leader!"

"Brat, if you can do it right the first time, I won't have to tell you twice."

No matter who it is, they are all at least 6th Rank in External Force, so even with a bottle smashed on their head, they laugh and bow. Conrad also grins and passes by him.

This rough exchange was their own way of showing intimacy.

They eat, drink, and chat.

When the mood strikes, they grab any woman within reach and indulge until they are tired, then drink again.

This was the daily routine in Santa Maria.

But.

"Sir! No, I mean, Guild Leader!"

At the sound of someone calling him, Conrad's drowsy face twisted savagely. He only shows a friendly attitude when it doesn't go against his temper; if it interferes with his enjoyment, he will turn anyone, guild member or not, into a bloody mess.

His grip tightened on its own, and the women in his arms screamed.

"...What? Didn't you hear me say I'm going to play a round?"

"It's a notification from >Bermuda<, sir. They said to bring any news from the >Union Council< or here immediately."

"Bring it over."

The guild member who brought the news seemed to sober him up instantly. Conrad's face turned expressionless as he took the letter.

At the 10th Rank in External Force, it only takes a moment to circulate mana to sober up. His flushed face returned to normal, and his cognitive abilities returned to their usual state.

The envelope tore with a *rip*, revealing its contents.

"......"

Conrad's face changed several times as he carefully read each word written inside.

It couldn't be helped.

His goal was to pull the Santa Maria Guild up to A-rank and live comfortably, but if there was a chance to go even higher, there was no reason to refuse.

If the letter from >Bermuda< was true, they could aim for a position several ranks higher than the bottom of the A-rank.

'Maybe I can eventually secure a seat in the >Union Council< and live without envying the nobles of the mainland.'

He already had money and honor to his satisfaction.

Then, the only thing left for him to aim for was power.

With the ladder to the >Union Council< dangling in front of him, Conrad had no more mood for drinking.

"Interesting. I need to see with my own eyes what the Princess of Aquamarine is up to."

He burned the letter with a 1st Rank fire magic, >Ignite<, and left the tavern, leaving his subordinates behind.

It was just past noon, as he had been drinking since morning.

"It's been a while since I've gone to work at this hour. If it's for something trivial, I'll have to make it a bit troublesome."

Christopher Conrad.

Even without being the leader of Santa Maria, he was a top-tier A-rank adventurer known as a 'Swordmaster.'

The fangs between his lips gleamed like a predator's.

* * *

Clara, the clerk in charge of the Zephyrus Hall in >Bermuda<, was at a loss at this sudden meeting.

'Aquamarine' and 'Santa Maria.'

Two adventure guilds on completely opposite paths holding a meeting?

One is a B-rank guild struggling to survive, having abandoned its once glorious past.

The other is an A-rank guild that leaped to the top of >Bermuda< despite its poor conduct, solely due to its strength.

"Meeting face-to-face like this is a first, isn't it, Guild Leader Conrad?"

The leader of the Aquamarine Guild, Francis, spoke first.

Conrad chuckled and replied.

"Until eight years ago, I never thought it would come to this! Aquamarine being below my guild, no one would have believed it."

"That's true. At your position, you probably couldn't even speak to me, right? You should be grateful for time and luck."

"…Haha."

"Ahaha."

Both only made laughing sounds with their mouths, but there was not a trace of a smile in their eyes.

Clara already felt her stomach churning.

Fortunately, the mental battle between the two guild leaders didn't last long, and Conrad leaned forward, opening the main discussion.

"Let's start with your offer to give Aquamarine a chance to survive. It's a high price to drag me out in the middle of the day."

Clara was surprised by the content.

She had only called him at Francis's request and didn't know the details.

Aquamarine.

The legendary ship of the once-mythical adventure guild, now passing to Santa Maria? This news would shake the entire Atlantis Maritime Union.

However, Francis answered in a cold voice.

"I heard about the elf, Vivian, who is being held by your guild. How shameless can you be? Aren't you ashamed of the A-rank badge? You trap members with fraudulent contracts and then demand money from her sister?"

"Ha! So that one-eyed woman is on your side now? To break ties with me over one member, I'm almost in tears."

Conrad sneered and mocked her.

"Sorry, but that employment contract is notarized by >Bermuda<. If I really committed fraud, >Bermuda< would be responsible too. Want to go up to the Aeolus Hall and talk about it?"

The favoritism towards A-rank adventurers in the Aeolus Hall was well-known even among >Bermuda< employees.

Clara, having nothing to say about this, remained silent, and Francis realized that further questioning was pointless.

If he were someone who would reflect on being pointed out, this approach wouldn't be necessary. Neither 'Santa Maria' nor Christopher Conrad would feel guilty even if they destroyed each other.

"Fine. I never intended to talk it out from the beginning."

Francis said with an even colder gaze.

The plan she and Leonard had established was about to begin.

"Let's settle this with a Prize Fight."

"Hmm?"

"I'll put up Vivian's employment contract, the unpaid wages, and the exploration permit for the 5th Sea. In return, you'll give Aquamarine a chance to survive."

Conrad waved his hand dismissively at the proposal.

"Nonsense. You're not just giving Aquamarine away, but offering a chance to buy it? Do I look like a fool? Huh?"

"Don't talk nonsense. Santa Maria, even if you load all your subordinates onto that old ship, Aquamarine would sell for several times more. I'll sell it at the fair price set by >Bermuda<, so there's no worry of me overcharging."

Francis was right.

The legendary ship Aquamarine, from its hull to its internal structure, was coated with rare metals. Mithril was the standard material, adamantium was used for the bow, and orichalcum for the magic circuits.

It had immense value both as a ship and as parts. Even if it were dismantled and sold piece by piece, it would make one of the richest people in Atlantis.

Conrad, not a fool, knew this, so his previous words were just a negotiating tactic.

"…True, you're not wrong. You're not wrong."

However, Conrad stood up from his seat.

"Too sweet an offer, it's suspicious. I wonder what trick the princess is up to. Maybe I should poke around inside the ship to see?"

A chilling aura and overt killing intent spread.

As a top-tier A-rank adventurer, if Conrad decided to kill, everyone in the room would be slaughtered within ten seconds, even unarmed.

Marian, who accompanied Francis as a bodyguard, was present, but the skill gap was clear. Clara's face turned pale, and Francis's eyes trembled.

At that moment.

Gooooo—!

It was the aura emanating from Marian.

Conrad's killing intent was instantly pushed back, and his eyes widened. This level of aura indicated at least 9th Rank in External Force, possibly even 10th.

And it was a crucial moment of realization.

"Ah! I see. Wild Dog Marian, it was strange that someone with your talent was still at 6th Rank. You've been hiding your strength to trap me, haven't you?"

"……"

"Like a hidden blade of Aquamarine. This is disappointing, I figured it out! If I spread this around, you'll be in trouble, right?"

For the first time, a sign of anxiety appeared on Francis's face, and Conrad smiled knowingly.

"Fine, I'm merciful. I'll accept the Prize Fight."

"What's your ulterior motive?"

"Ulterior motive? Nothing much. Just…."

Conrad's lips stretched into a wide grin as he sized up Marian.

"Because I think I can win with this level?"

"Even after drinking and eating all day?"

"I'm a genius. While you diligently built your strength, I surpassed it by playing and eating."

Swords and magic were too easy for him.

While the Master's wall was hard to overcome, he believed he could surpass it within ten years.

Christopher Conrad's confidence was in that realm.

He continued without hesitation.

"I'll add a few conditions. Only officially registered members of our guilds can participate in the Prize Fight. No bringing in some Swordmaster through old connections."

"…I accept."

"Of course, it will be a one-on-one, and the fight will be to the death. No deciding by incapacitation or surrender, that's boring."

Francis's face turned pale, but Marian chimed in from behind.

"I don't mind, Miss."

"Great, the princess should believe in my resolve!"

She reluctantly nodded, and Conrad pushed forward with a sinister smile.

"The date for the Prize Fight… why drag it out? Today is a bit tight, how about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?! Are you out of your mind?"

"I don't know what tricks you'll pull if I give you more time. If you refuse, I'll spread the word about Marian. What will you do?"

Francis bit her lip, reading the malice in his eyes.

Understanding her hesitation, Conrad smiled.

"Fine, let's start with the contract. Clara, right?"

"Yes, Guild Leader Christopher."

"Don't be so formal, call me Conrad. I missed seeing you after going to the Aeolus Hall. The other clerks are good, but they're too stiff. A woman should be a bit more submissive, don't you think?"

"…I'll help with the contract."

Ignoring his rudeness, Francis and Clara quietly wrote out the official contract for the Prize Fight.

Once signed, the contract cannot be nullified or changed.

"Guild Leader Conrad, send Vivian to >Bermuda< to wait. Neither of us should touch her until the Prize Fight is over."

"Of course. I'll get her back tomorrow anyway, no need to pick a fight over trivial matters."

Seeing Clara take the completed contract to the storage, Conrad's true nature was revealed.

His eyes, unable to hide greed, and his mouth, like a hyena about to pounce, were wide open. A man who disliked effort but rose to A-rank through talent, his desire was now fully awakened.

"Then, let's meet again at noon tomorrow. Miss Francis."

The man who declared that she was no longer a guild leader left the room without looking back.

Clara, sensing Francis's mood, also left to report the contract.

The room was left with the two from Aquamarine.

And.

"…Haha."

The laughter she had barely suppressed burst out from Francis's tightly closed lips.

"Ahahaha! Marian, I didn't know you were such a good actor!"

"It was quite challenging to control my expression."

Marian, who was now laughing similarly, swayed.

It wasn't just from holding back her laughter.

"Ah! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. The technique to amplify aura, unexpectedly, causes severe muscle relaxation. I don't think I can use it freely in real combat."

"Cardenas has some unique techniques. A method to mislead one's level, useful for psychological warfare."

By using the method Leonard taught her to control her mana, she could emit a level of intimidation far beyond her actual capabilities.

Pushing back Conrad's aura was an application of this.

—If you use this, that Conrad will recognize Marian as a formidable opponent. That's the goal.

Imperial Sword Form (帝王劍形).

Heavenly Demon Dominion Step (天魔君臨步).

A technique to maximize aura and overwhelm the enemy, useful only for show and not practical for combat.

Even so, if she maintained 6th Rank in External Force, there was a chance Conrad wouldn't be completely fooled.

"…I don't know how to repay Leonard."

Marian recalled the day he gave her the Golden Fruit, her face showing a sense of inadequacy.