Chapter 75

The Sword Emperor Reincarnated in the Sword Clan (75)

Jack Russell.

The Chief Elder of the Atlantis Tower and a Great Mage of the 7th Tier.

Although his public activities are rare, he is known to bring storms wherever he goes once he steps out.

Claiming a neutral stance, he does not distinguish between enemies and allies.

This makes Jack Russell even more difficult to deal with.

If he is provoked and becomes an enemy, it could result in enormous losses, and there is no guarantee that he will become an ally even if one caters to his preferences. As the second-in-command of the Atlantis Tower, who can become the leader at any time, one must also consider the influence of the Tower's head.

The executives of Bermuda, gathered in this place, quickly calculated the gains and losses.

"There has been a misunderstanding, Chief Elder. We were so taken aback by Carmen's words that we forgot what to say."

"That's right. To declare a duel invalid in a meeting attended by Bermuda's staff is absurd. Carmen! Stop your nonsense and return to your seat immediately!"

"Since Chief Elder is the notary, who would dare to play tricks!"

At the sudden change in the executives' stance, the already pale Carmen turned even paler.

"Aa, aah... aaaa..."

From the bottom of Bermuda to the executive level, Carmen had overcome many competitors. Therefore, she could hear more clearly than anyone else the sound of her position crumbling.

Jack Russell had called her a 'wretch' right in front of her.

It was as if she had handed over her lifeline to the Chief Elder of the Tower, who possessed both righteousness and strength.

'If I reinstate Aquamarine to A-rank, it will incur the displeasure of some senators in the Union Council, but if I invalidate the duel here, I will have to confront the entire Atlantis Tower.'

'The Union Council cannot do without Bermuda, but the Tower is a different story. They can shake the very foundations of the city at any time. I cannot clash with them without a just cause.'

Pleased with the executives' active apologies, Jack Russell nodded at Carmen.

"Indeed, I believe you will make the right decision regarding this person. You will also promptly enforce the conditions of the duel, won't you?"

"Of course. As soon as this meeting ends, I will send the exploration permit for the 5th Sea and the elf spirit mage to Aquamarine. Oh, and the unpaid wages as well. Conrad, that scoundrel, didn't pay her for years and used her. She got what she deserved!"

"The grace period requested by the Chief Elder has already been granted. We set it for half a year, but if you apply again later, it can be extended by another half year."

In effect, the reinstatement of Aquamarine to A-rank was now certain. The conditions were entirely different from when they were at B-rank.

Being listed on the A-rank, the highest tier of Bermuda, could elevate an adventurer's rank by several levels.

The rumors of being disliked by the Union Council or Bermuda would likely dissipate once the news of their reinstatement to A-rank spread, and new members would flood in like a tide. They would likely meet the A-rank standards in less than half a year, let alone a year.

'Well, I guess I've done everything you asked of me.'

Jack Russell, feeling a bit disappointed that he couldn't spit on the executives' faces, who were grunting like pigs, thought about the members of the adventure group who were not present.

Francis, who is as bold and intelligent as Njord's daughter.

Marian, who follows her even at the risk of her own life.

Ninian, who worked for five years to earn money for her only sister.

Vivian, who cherished her half-elf sister.

And Leonard, a boy who was even more interesting than the sum of the four of them, all part of 'Aquamarine'.

'They mainly explore the >Rift< in the 5th Sea.'

The reason the Tower was established in Atlantis from the mainland was precisely because of the >Rift<.

Until now, they had been satisfied with commissioning A-rank adventure groups to bring back the byproducts and creatures from the >Rift< and then studying them. However, it might be interesting to experience it firsthand.

'I should consider it.'

The second-in-command of the Tower began to move in earnest.

* * *

Aquamarine Adventure Group.

After winning the duel and reclaiming Vivian's contract, they were naturally in a festive mood, having been reinstated to A-rank.

The prize money, though not a huge amount, was enough to solve their financial difficulties, having increased nearly a hundredfold. It was enough to fully repair Aquamarine, which had not received proper maintenance for a long time, and still have a surplus.

In the dining room, expanded by a spatial expansion spell, bright and cheerful voices echoed.

"To the victory—!"

"To the victory—!"

The sound of a few glasses clinking together was heard, and most of the members, who had filled their glasses, could not hide their excitement.

Among them, Ninian was the most honest in expressing her feelings.

"Vivian... I'm sorry for being so late! You must have suffered a lot, right?"

Since meeting her again in Bermuda, Ninian had not left Vivian's side for a moment.

She seemed to feel a sense of insecurity, fearing that if they were apart even a little, they would drift apart again. Vivian, on the other hand, smiled naturally and comforted the teary Ninian.

Just by looking at them, it was hard to tell who had been captured and who had been freed.

"It's okay! You did give me a lot of work, but with the spirits protecting me, I didn't suffer too much. Five years isn't that long, and I learned how to distinguish good people from bad, so I won't be tricked again!"

"Vivian..."

"Stop crying! It's a good day, so you should smile! You've become a crybaby while I was away, haven't you?"

In the end, Ninian, who had embraced her sister, started to cry.

Francis, who had been watching Vivian's behavior, whispered to Marian, who was sipping her drink nearby.

"Ninian's more positive than I heard. She's not just saying it; she really doesn't seem to have any trauma."

"It's not just insensitivity to evil; she has a positive outlook on the world. She's not pretending to be ignorant like a lady."

In response to the meaningful words, Francis asked.

"Is that a compliment?"

"Of course. In human society, not knowing evil can be a disadvantage, especially for a leader of a group."

"Hmm, I could have grown up like that too."

If 'Aquamarine' hadn't fallen so far and had remained strong until today, Francis wouldn't have needed to mature so early.

She wouldn't have needed to see through the calculations hidden in the kindness of those approaching her, nor would she have needed to experience how ruthless Atlantis can be to the weak.

However,

'Wishing for a past that can't be reclaimed doesn't suit me.'

Instead of looking back, Francis looked forward.

There's still a long way to go.

But the moment of being unable to even raise the anchor has passed. From now on, it's the role of the adventure group leader to guide them in the right direction without missing this favorable wind.

Through the slightly blurred vision from the alcohol, she saw Ninian and Vivian approaching Leonard.

"Hello!"

"...You look healthy."

"Yes! Thanks to my benefactor!"

In response to Vivian's lively greeting, Leonard swallowed the drink in his mouth and replied.

Elf (Elf).

Although he had interacted with the half-elf Ninian first, her human-like atmosphere didn't make much of an impression. However, Vivian was the first 'non-human human' he had seen.

'She is loved by nature. To have a lump of natural energy with spirituality following her, it must be the affinity of a high-level spirit mage.'

If the Taoist monks who pursued Wuwei (non-action) saw Vivian, they might envy her to the point of spitting blood or consider her a kind of natural spirit rather than a human.

From a higher-dimensional perspective, the wind spirit that noticed his gaze looked at Leonard.

A high-level wind spirit.

Even in its unmanifested state, it was guarding Vivian, carefully observing him and sensing a powerful and majestic wind force within him.

"Huh?"

Vivian's eyes widened when she heard the murmur.

"Could you be a friend of the spirits, too?"

"No."

The aura of the White Tiger Guardian had even confused the spirit.

"I have the power of the wind, but it's different from spirit magic. I don't freely release it like your friend."

"Aha! Then are you interested in spirit magic? If you're curious, I can teach you!"

Leonard took a step back from her unhesitant approach.

"...You trust people too easily. I don't know you, do I?"

"I've heard everything about you from my sister! When no one else would help, you were the only one who saved me. You even fought Conrad for me!"

"It was just a matter of mutual interests."

"My friends are also well-behaved in front of you! They usually tear out the hair of bad people and cause chaos."

It seemed that Vivian could detect evil or malicious intentions with her spirit magic, a skill developed from her experience with a fraudulent contract.

Leonard felt the spirits and the wavy auras around him shrink back from his gaze.

'Well-behaved... It's not a wrong description, but it's not because I'm a good person that they're quiet.'

They were like herbivores that didn't even breathe in front of a predator.

There might be something within Leonard that made the spirits fear him. Vivian, thinking it harmless, approached without hesitation.

Their conversation ended there.

Ninian's drunken rambling from a nearby table prevented Vivian from staying longer.

"Vivian... Where did you go...?"

"Phew, my sister."

With a resigned expression, Vivian turned to him.

"Thank you again, benefactor. From now on, my sister and I will repay the kindness we received from this adventure group."

Leonard nodded once in response.

As soon as she left, Marian approached.

"...How is your body?"

Despite her thorough self-care, her face was flushed, and her eyes were hazy as she spoke.

Leonard, as always, replied calmly.

"I'm fine. I didn't receive any proper attacks. If I include this bruise on my forehead, it's only one."

"You're really amazing. To defeat Conrad without a scratch..."

Marian, sitting across from Leonard, hesitated, unable to bring herself to speak.

Reading her thoughts, Leonard spoke first.

"Do you want to learn swordsmanship?"

"Wh-What?!"

"It's all over your face. You want to ask me to teach you, but you feel it's too presumptuous to ask."

It's not a proper master-disciple relationship, and teaching swordsmanship isn't that difficult.

"I was going to teach Ninian anyway, and if Galano comes, I'll need to look after him too. Adding Marian won't make much of a difference."

"...I see."

"I'll use formal language when teaching you, but I hope you understand that part."

"Of course!"

Marian's eyes sparkled, the alcohol suddenly leaving her system.

Until that day, she had only focused on Francis in the Aquamarine adventure group. While she had no regrets, her ambition to improve herself as an adventurer and swordsman remained.

How great would it be to learn from a boy who was called a genius in the strongest family on the continent, the Cardenas?

She wanted to swing a sword right away.

"Leonard!"

At that moment, Francis approached with her drink, a faint blush on her fair skin.

After a brief nod to Marian, she spoke.

"Want to get some fresh air? Let's talk on the deck."

"Sure."

Accepting her offer, Leonard followed her out of the dining room and up a few stairs.

There were no other ships docked around where Aquamarine was moored, making the night air even more tranquil as it blew through Leonard's hair.

Francis, who had climbed onto the deck first, spoke.

"Thank you."

She looked up at the star-filled night sky, speaking with genuine gratitude.

"Thank you for getting angry at the insults to my father, and for defeating Conrad and bringing back two members and the exploration permit for the 5th Sea. It was all possible because of Leonard."

"That's because you saved my life, Fran."

"Indeed. Looking back, it was the biggest catch of my life."

Francis, who had started to grin, looked up at the night sky with her.

Leonard's expressionless face showed only his eyes, which sparkled as he recalled the day's events. The words Conrad left behind, which he had not mentioned during the celebration, came to mind.

The Dragon King's appearance had a direct hit, but his life force was astonishing, leaving him in a state closer to charcoal.

A literal death's door, he would die within seconds.

'Conrad.'

As if responding to his call, the charcoal lump groaned.

"...Kill... me..."

'Who gave you that drug?'

"...Drug...? Ah... Ah, that... I... took the... drug...!"

Conrad's breath, which was about to end, became rough, and anger and hatred replaced fear and pain.

Even as his limbs turned to ash, he did not stop speaking.

"...Pablo! Pablo...! I'll... kill... him...! With... my... own... hands...!"

'It's impossible. You will die now.'

Leonard denied his curse and delivered the final words to the charcoal lump.

'And Pablo will die by my hand. After that, you can sort it out in the afterlife.'

"...Ku, ha... That... sounds... good..."

With those words, Conrad's life ended.

It was the moment the A-rank adventure group, Santa Maria, fell. Watching the man turn to ashes without leaving a corpse, Leonard thought about Pablo, who had been revealed as the mastermind behind this.

He also understood why his instincts had told him not to kill Conrad before he regenerated.

'If I had destroyed his brain while the drug's effects were taking hold, he would have transformed into a monstrous being, like the Blood Sect members, with a twisted form and inhuman strength.'

Of course, Leonard could have easily dealt with him even in that state, but the duel could have been declared invalid if Conrad had transformed during the match. They could have stalled for time or canceled the bet.

If the exploration permit for the 5th Sea, issued to the Santa Maria adventure group, had been revoked, Aquamarine would have lost the fruits of their victory.

If this was a calculated move from the beginning, Pablo's mind was even deeper than Leonard had imagined.

'The real power behind the Union Council is not just a hollow title.'

The excellence of the enemy is worth praising.

However, what made Leonard's eyes cold was the similarity between the drug's effects and the Blood Sect's drugs.

The drugs made by the Blood Sect are not made from the materials of this world but from the flesh of beings that cannot even be called monsters or the flesh of gods, implying the use of power from another realm.

If Pablo had allied with such beings from another realm, it would give him a reason to sink Aquamarine, who aimed to seal the >Rift<.

'Interesting.'

Conrad was just the opening act. The shadow of the enemies he would face next grew larger.

If his next opponent was Pablo, who would be the one after that?

The presence of formidable enemies, whose outlines were still unclear, made Leonard smile deeply.

Atlantis.

This unfamiliar sea was gradually becoming more appealing.