Chapter 82

### Reincarnated as the Sword Emperor in the Sword Master's Family (82)

It was the very next morning.

{As of this time, the promotion of the Aquamarine Adventurer's Guild has been confirmed. Exploration of the 5th Sea, Aiolos, is now possible at any time.}

"Okay! Good luck!"

As soon as he got up, Francis contacted Bermuda to confirm that all the procedures for the A-rank promotion were completed.

He then quickly gathered all the guild members in the conference room.

Leonard and Marian, who had been practicing with their swords in the training room since dawn, Galano, who had been reconditioning his body after a life of drinking and laziness, Nian, who carried the half-asleep Vivian, and Esther and Lorelei, who had become good friends in just one day.

Jack Russell could only be called in emergencies, so the gathered members were these seven.

"Good morning, everyone!"

Francis walked up to the podium and greeted them cheerfully.

"Starting today, our Aquamarine has returned to A-rank and gained the qualification to explore the 5th Sea. So, we plan to test a few small-scale 'Cracks'!"

"Huh, this quickly?"

"It's not too fast! We've been completely idle for so long, so we need to regain our sense as quickly as possible, even by a minute or a second!"

For Esther, Jack Russell, and Lorelei, who had just joined Aquamarine yesterday, the speed was bewildering.

Even though the wizards were known for their adaptability, going on an expedition without even once coordinating their movements was quite a challenge.

However, Francis was secretly confident.

There had been an 8-year gap.

If they tried to fill that gap through normal and ordinary means, it would take several years. There wasn't that much time left to punish the traitors of the 'United Council' or to prevent the magical corruption in the 5th Sea.

The incident would likely occur within 10 years at most, and possibly within 5 years. They needed to complete the guild within that time.

"It won't be a full-scale exploration, so it should take about a week."

Leonard, who had a question, asked.

"What's the difference between a full-scale exploration and a non-full-scale one? I heard that the 5th Sea is completely different from the previous seas."

"Oh, I didn't explain that well. Let me explain everything from the beginning!"

The exploration methods in the 5th Sea, Aiolos, are divided into three main types.

The first is to hunt natural resources or monsters inside the 'Crack' and escape with valuable byproducts. This is the most common exploration method, with the advantage of slowing down the expansion of the 'Crack' while continuously earning money. Most guilds fall into this category and are also called 'Miners.'

The second is to secure information or samples about the terrain, ecosystem, and otherworldly creatures inside the 'Crack' and escape. This exploration method is conducted before the first one, and guilds that use this method are called 'Scouts.'

"The adventure we're about to attempt is the second method! We'll gather as much information as possible within the set time and escape from the 'Crack' without any casualties!"

It was more of a taste test than a proper reconnaissance.

Francis spoke with an excited tone.

"Thanks to the prize money from the duels, our financial situation is abundant, so we don't need to worry about money for a while. So, let's explore the 'Crack' using the second method, and if possible, the third method!"

"…I can guess what the third method is."

"Right?"

Francis, who deliberately didn't explain that method, responded to Leonard's expectations with a mischievous smile.

It was also the ultimate goal of the Aquamarine guild.

"The third exploration method is the complete disassembly of the 'Crack,' known as 'Sealing.' We need to find and destroy the medium inside the 'Crack.' It's the most difficult method. Finding the medium is already quite challenging, and there are many powerful otherworldly creatures or obstacles around it."

She continued.

"The 'Crack Guardian,' a monster that exists in each 'Crack,' is strong enough to challenge Master-level experts. Since it doesn't leave the area around the medium, the chances of encountering it in the first and second methods are almost zero."

"Indeed."

Leonard understood.

If sealing the 'Crack' was just a matter of profit, someone might have ignored the person trying to stop them and destroyed the medium. The fact that only Aquamarine could do it was evidence that sealing required an enormous amount of power.

"Master-level monsters… How do you deal with such things…?"

The timid Lorelei shivered at the explanation.

Francis added, "Don't worry. The 'Crack' we're going to is relatively low-level, so we won't encounter that level of 'Crack Guardian.'"

"Really…?"

"Trust me! I can explain everything!"

Taking advantage of Lorelei's flinch, Francis pulled out a few sheets of paper.

The content was the same, so she distributed one to each person.

Leonard took the paper and focused on the content.

It was a description of three types of 'Cracks.'

* * *

1. Sea Orc Lair

—An island where sea orcs, a variant of orcs that have mutated into marine creatures, mainly reside. If you enter the 'Crack,' you must break through the defense lines where the sea orcs are stationed. The average strength of sea orcs is one level higher than their original orc species, corresponding to the upper C-rank. Demonic-level individuals are often sighted in the demonic landscape, and there has been one report of a leader reaching the semi-demonic level.

Space Size: C

Difficulty: B

Risk: B+

Expected Profit: D-

Comprehensive Evaluation: Due to the lack of profitability compared to the difficulty and risk, the exploration frequency has dropped to a dangerous level. While it's not at the level of requiring immediate attention for magical corruption, it needs urgent handling.

2. Demon Squid Abyss

—An unknown tower in the deep sea, the base of an otherworldly race that can only operate inside it. They use incomprehensible magic from the other world and have squid-like heads. They can continuously fire powerful shockwaves and are resistant to both sharp and blunt weapons. If caught by the tentacles on their squid heads, even a semi-demonic being's bones can be broken. The race is rated in the lower B-rank.

Space Size: B

Difficulty: B

Risk: A-

Expected Profit: B

Comprehensive Evaluation: The environment severely limits visibility, so the completion of the 'Crack' map is poor. The corpses of demon squids are highly valued by the magic tower, but the exploration difficulty is high, making the profitability average.

3. Legion of Corruption Spirits

—A place where otherworldly spirits, which have the power to corrupt everything they touch, are stationed. Although they should be formless, they maintain the shape of soldiers or knights and indiscriminately attack anyone who enters the 'Crack.' Details are unknown.

Space Size: ?

Difficulty: B+ (Provisional)

Risk: A (Provisional)

Expected Profit: ?

Comprehensive Evaluation: The 'Crack' is filled with the power of corruption, so 'Anti-Magic' artifacts are essential. The legion is vast, and other details are unknown.

* * *

'Interesting.'

Leonard couldn't hide his interest after reading it.

While the sea orcs were understandable, the demon squids and corruption spirits were something he had never encountered. They were like mythical creatures from the Shan Hai Jing, lacking any sense of reality.

He wanted to cut them with his sword.

"Everyone finished reading?"

Francis asked.

"There are three types of 'Cracks' on our route, but we won't be able to explore all of them. There are time constraints, and we still lack team cohesion."

Esther, who had been listening quietly, raised her hand and said.

"2 and 3 have too little prior information and seem prone to sudden situations. They seem dangerous."

"Esther is right! That's why we'll prioritize exploring the 'Sea Orc Lair' first and only move around the entrances of the other two if we have spare time."

"The main risk for 1 is the accumulation of monsters. If our combat abilities are sufficient, we should be able to handle it."

A low exploration frequency meant that the 'Crack' monsters were not regularly exterminated.

As they accumulated in numbers and strength, they made the 'Crack' more powerful and polluted the outside, eventually escaping. When this reached its peak, it became magical corruption.

Francis agreed.

"From the central city of Atlantis to the 'Sea Orc Lair,' it will take about 6 hours. We won't enter immediately upon arrival, so you can do your own things until then."

With that, she clapped her hands, and the gathered members dispersed.

Nian and Vivian headed to the dining room for breakfast, the two wizards started talking in a corner, Galano returned to the training room, and Marian moved to Francis's side.

Finally, Leonard.

"Francis."

"Leonard? What is it?"

"Is it okay if I watch the navigation from the bridge?"

He moved to satisfy his curiosity as usual.

After the rescue, he hadn't left his room for a step, and the only time he entered the bridge, the central city of Atlantis's dock was already in sight.

He had never seen Aquamarine properly navigate.

"…Sure. Do you want to come with me?"

"Sure."

Francis, Leonard, and Marian, who followed behind, moved from the conference room to the bridge.

It felt like a completely different combination from last time. From a relationship of host and guest, they had become founding members of the new Aquamarine guild.

Sitting in her seat with a slightly stiff gait, Francis placed her hand on the crystal ball and spoke.

"Guild leader Francis to all members. Aquamarine is now setting sail for the 'Sea Orc Lair' in the 5th Sea. After departure, the ship may shake or jolt, so be cautious of any potential safety incidents."

While it wasn't visible from the bridge, her voice was transmitted throughout the ship, and everyone heard it without exception.

Russell, who was focused on research in his cabin, tilted his head in surprise.

Then,

"Connect the communication to the dock inspection team."

"Yes, ma'am."

Marian followed the instructions and completed the final procedure.

{This is the dock inspection team of the 1st Sea, Oureichalcos, at dock 37. State your business.}

"Adventurer's Guild registration number A-007, Aquamarine. We are setting sail to explore Aiolos."

{A-007…?}

After a brief silence, a flustered voice returned.

{…Confirmed. A-007 Aquamarine, may you have a good voyage.}

"Thank you."

Francis, amused by his reaction, infused her consciousness into the crystal ball connected to the ship.

The pinnacle of magical engineering responded to its master's will.

"[Launch]!"

As soon as the shielding structure opened, Aquamarine's hull shot out at lightning speed.

The air waves from the rear of the hull pushed the ship forward, achieving in seconds what would have taken tens of minutes with sails or oars.

Moreover, the resistance from the water was reduced by the magic array engraved on the hull, and a portion of it was converted into propulsion.

'…This is absurd.'

Leonard, witnessing the acceleration through the glass walls of the bridge, felt his mouth drop open.

Even a warship rowed by martial arts experts, which was several times faster, would be like a turtle in front of Aquamarine. To overtake this, he might have to jump off the ship and run using the techniques of equal-level cultivation.

Even then, he couldn't maintain it for hours, making Aquamarine even more impressive.

"Hmm."

Francis smirked at his expression.

"Can you feel it? The greatness of Aquamarine? We haven't even used half of its capabilities yet!"

"…Impressive."

"During the journey to the 'Sea Orc Lair,' I'll show you various things, so watch closely! I won't let you look at this ship with the same eyes as those big, useless ones from last time!"

Leonard, bewildered by her words, asked.

"Are you still holding a grudge about that?"

"Of course! Aquamarine is the best ship in the world! I can't forgive anyone who denies it!"

Despite her angry tone, Francis was as excited as if she were on her first field trip.

Her guild, her guild members.

This was the moment when Francis Ler von Okeanos's adventure truly began.