Chapter 71

The Sword Emperor Reincarnated in the Sword Clan (71)

If one were to point out something lacking in the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, there was a statement that everyone would mention.

It was the lack of 'newness.'

From the Tower, where activity records were almost never disclosed, to the Alliance Council, which only discussed important agendas in public, and the Bermuda adventure teams, who merely repeated the same tasks they had been doing for a long time, the cheers and surprises inevitably diminished.

Thus, the citizens of Atlantis were always thirsty.

For something that could make their monotonous daily lives interesting, something that would allow them to take a day off and watch and talk about it.

Days passed with expectations being repeatedly disappointed, and yesterday's today began again.

However.

―'Santa Maria' and 'Aquamarine' are going to have a wager duel!

The shocking news hit the entire Atlantis.

Within less than a day, it spread rapidly across the entire Maritime Alliance, and with a bit of exaggeration, even to the Second Sea.

―Santa Maria... isn't that Conrad, that rascal? Is there an adventurer in Aquamarine who can beat him?

―Marian the Mad Dog is undoubtedly a skilled fighter, but not to that extent.

―If Aquamarine falls to Conrad, the current ranking of A-grade adventure teams might change! What is Bermuda doing? They should stop this ridiculous wager duel!

―How can they stop it when the team leaders have already agreed? They've even written the contract.

―Still, it would be interesting! Let's bet on whether Aquamarine will regain its past glory or lose even its trace!

The more people's attention gathered, the more power concentrated at the center.

Violence, wealth, and power.

These three fundamental forces are interconnected, and if one stands out, the other two are also pulled in.

[Violence]—famous strong individuals facing off in a life-or-death battle.

[Wealth]—the disposal of the legendary ship, Aquamarine, is at stake.

[Power]—even Bermuda and the Alliance Council couldn't ignore it, and the Tower sent its chief elder as a witness. Of course, Jack Russell was brought to this duel not because of the severity of the matter but because of a young boy's words, though this was an unknown story.

―When and where is the wager duel taking place?

―Tomorrow at noon, in the grand hall of Bermuda. It's a place that's only opened for major announcements, and it seems Bermuda has exceptionally accepted this situation!

As the sun set beyond the western horizon, the news that had overturned the First Sea of Atlantis in a day, the next day dawned.

The wager duel with the highest stakes in history was about to begin.

* * *

The grand hall of Bermuda.

With spatial expansion magic installed at its maximum scale, it could accommodate nearly 10,000 people.

This building, which had only been filled to capacity once before, when the emergency countermeasure meeting was held after the news of Aquamarine's total annihilation, was now filled again.

Coincidentally or inevitably.

Once again, due to an incident related to the Aquamarine adventure team, the grand hall's seats were sold out.

―Most B-grade adventure teams are here, and there are quite a few A-grade teams as well. It seems Moby Dick hasn't sent anyone.

―It looks like large merchant guilds have also sent people. Is it true they were eyeing Aquamarine? It's outrageous for non-adventurers to covet an adventure team's ship.

Not only adventurers but also the wealthy of Atlantis moved their heavy bottoms to watch this wager duel.

Among them were maritime merchants who traveled between the continent and the Maritime Alliance, and guild leaders who moved vast sums of money.

―Isn't it too good for those lowlifes who only know how to fight? If they use Aquamarine for trade, the profits would be unimaginable.

―What are you talking about?! You bastard!

―Ah! Bermuda! An adventurer hit someone!

Before the wager duel even started, arguments were already breaking out, and someone was expelled for swinging a fist in anger at someone else's words.

The agreed time for the duel, noon, was now just 10 minutes away.

The participants from the two adventure teams were waiting in the waiting room.

Christopher Conrad was no exception.

"——So, you're saying I have to eat this pearl now?"

He asked the attendant of Councilor Pablo, who had come to the Santa Maria waiting room without notice, with an unpleasant look.

At first, he was scared when they said they were from the Alliance Council, but then he realized that from their perspective, this was a chance to get rid of the thorn in their side, the Aquamarine adventure team, once and for all.

If he could impress Pablo, the real power in the Alliance Council, it would bring him one step closer to his ambition of becoming a councilor.

That's why he welcomed the guest with a happy heart.

However.

"I can beat Marian without this thing! Why do I have to take medicine?"

"It is Councilor Pablo's wish."

The attendant only gave the same answer with a stern face.

Unable to suppress the fist he was about to throw, Conrad's eyes flared with murderous intent.

"Ah, is that so? How do I use this damn pearl?"

Only then did the attendant's words change, as if Pablo had pre-determined what to say.

"After taking it, the potion will settle in your body. Stimulate it with mana, and you will experience an effect that amplifies your mana several times over. You might even reach the level of a Swordmaster for a short time."

"Hmm."

The word 'Swordmaster' momentarily calmed Conrad's murderous intent.

"Such a good potion, I doubt it has no side effects?"

"You'll see when you use it. Besides a brief feeling of weakness, there are no side effects. The materials and manufacturing process are too costly to mass-produce."

"Ah, are you worried I might refuse to take it and sell it?"

"If the existence of this potion leaks... both you and I will die."

For the first time, the attendant showed a hint of emotion, and Conrad was left speechless.

Pablo El Orlando Peterson.

It was only after reaching A-grade that he saw his true nature.

A strong individual who, if something didn't go his way, would thoroughly destroy people and things without discrimination. Moby Dick was merely his pawn, ready to stab someone in the back at any time.

'If I refuse to take it, I'll have to face Pablo.'

The opportunist in him spoke up.

If he refused to take it, he would be killed regardless of the outcome of the wager duel. Now was the time to lie low and wait for an opportunity.

So, Conrad swallowed the potion in his palm.

An unpleasant and heavy sensation traveled down his esophagus and settled deep in his gut. He wanted to cut open his abdomen and pull it out.

"I've taken it. Are you satisfied now?"

"Thank you."

"Get out. Tell Pablo I've shown my sincerity."

The unnamed attendant left the room, and Conrad, left alone, glared into the distance.

One day, he would secure a seat in the Alliance Council and kill Pablo in a miserable way. As this malice rose, the waiting room was filled with a sinister atmosphere.

Christopher Conrad's nature flicked its long tongue.

'I need to start by cutting Marian to pieces to vent my anger.'

He wanted to see the noble and beautiful girl, Francis, beg for mercy in despair and fear.

He would pretend to save her and then cut her throat in front of her, drenching her in blood.

As Conrad cackled in his spot, his name was finally called.

{The participant from the Santa Maria adventure team is, of course, this man! A 10th-rank External Force Expert! A 5th-rank Mage! The rising star, the Sword Knight! Christopher—Conrad!}

He dislikes unnecessary attention but loves being adored by everyone.

The man with a snake's heart revealed himself in the grand hall.

Waaaaaah———!!!

The cheers of 10,000 people pounded his body, and Conrad, satisfied, raised his arms high.

Cheer more, scum!

Christopher Conrad is here!

Desire flared up again in his heart, which he thought was already satisfied with money and fame, and his desire for self-display boiled over. He wanted to be someone everyone cheered for, feared, and bowed to.

Today's wager duel would be the stepping stone.

{Next is the entrance of the Aquamarine adventure team! A veteran adventurer who has been on Aquamarine since the Njord era! A mad dog who doesn't let go until the opponent is dead! Few have fought her and lived! The Mad—wait?}

Suddenly, the announcer's voice cut off, and the grand hall fell silent.

Conrad, wondering what was happening, looked at the opposite entrance.

Could Marian and Francis have fled?

Her pride seemed intact.

"Huh?"

When he saw the boy appearing on the opposite side, even Conrad's eyes widened.

He looked like he wasn't even twenty.

Someone in the audience recognized him and shouted.

―He's the new recruit in Aquamarine? Why is he here?

―Is Marian dead, so they sent the new recruit? The princess is truly ruthless.

―The legendary name has finally fallen...!

Most people viewed his appearance negatively, but there were those who disagreed.

Francis.

Esther.

Jack Russell.

Of course, these three, and one more person.

"Damn...! Who is that kid!"

Conrad's spine dampened with a sense of impending danger.

He's weaker than me.

I can kill him.

Despite this certainty, a gut feeling told him not to fight the boy. Why? A life of following this intuition and avoiding major losses made him hesitate to attack.

"Hmm?"

Seeing the hesitant man, the boy, Leonard, nodded.

'Surely, that talent is excellent. He's suppressing his strength, and instinctively gauged our relative strengths.'

One of the most outstanding qualities in a warrior.

Those who can't assess the situation, whether strong or weak, are doomed to die. The saying to be careful of women, the elderly, and children isn't about taking them literally but recognizing hidden threats.

Marian didn't realize his strength until he revealed it, but Conrad recognized it at first sight. It was a matter of talent.

As Francis predicted.

'He said I shouldn't show myself until the wager duel starts, and it was a very accurate assessment.'

Leonard thought as he drew his sword.

The blade slid out with a hiss, flashing.

Conrad, instinctively taking a few steps back, gritted his teeth.

No matter the intuition, showing fear in front of so many people would ruin his reputation.

And.

{I don't know what's going on, but Aquamarine has sent Leonard, who hasn't been a member for a month!}

The announcer performed his role without forgetting.

{Christopher Conrad of the Santa Maria adventure team and Leonard of the Aquamarine adventure team! The wager duel begins! The format is a one-on-one life-or-death battle with no time limit or surrender!}

The second hand, racing towards noon, finally struck 12:00.

At that moment.

{Duel start!}

As the announcer declared, a hemispherical protective barrier formed around the two.

To prevent any attacks from reaching the audience, a magic array isolated them. The sound inside the barrier was cut off, and Conrad and Leonard could hear each other's breathing.

The one who moved first was Conrad, who found it easier and simpler to attack from a distance with magic.

"[Fire Wave]!"

A wave of flames emerged from the completed magic formula in front of him and moved towards Leonard. Though not fast, the range was absurdly wide.

The flames slowly covered the entire arena, leaving no place to hide unless one jumped up.

But jumping up would expose one to indiscriminate magic attacks.

However.

'A single-use fire magic is ultimately just a manifestation of combustion without will. Cutting it with a sword would only sever that part. Then...'

Leonard's stance lowered even further.

It was a posture to inefficiently increase resistance.

Five Symbols Style (五象流)

White Tiger Twenty-Eight Forms (白虎二十八式)

Wind and Hail Scatter (風飛雹散)

A storm began from a single sword.