Chapter 479: Duel on Deck (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 479: Duel on Deck (1)
Mary shared all her information with Dipus, a higher-ranking Flagbearer. So, it wasn’t strange for Mary to know something that Jin didn’t.
In truth, Jin hadn’t been able to figure out what that “major lead” could be ever since he was in the Gaifa Archipelago. He’d had his companions keep an eye on other potential issues, but there had been no unusual movements.
Hehe. Just as Brother Dipus said. You’re reacting immediately, you little brat!
Mary swallowed a laugh. She felt it was a shame she couldn't savor the flustered expression on her youngest brother’s face—that satisfying look of distress—from a closer distance.
"Sister!"
As soon as Jin called out, a grin spread from ear to ear on Mary’s face, though her back was still turned to him.
"What!"
"I was short-sighted! It would be impolite to send you away after you’ve traveled such a long distance!"
"What was that?"
"Please, come up! I’ll allow it!"
"I can't hear youuu!"
"I’m sorry! Please come up so we can talk!"
"Khahahat! I can't hear a thing! Say it one more time!"
Of course, she heard him perfectly. She was merely using exaggerated gestures to feign deafness, all to tease her youngest brother.
Naturally, Jin wasn't making the flustered or troubled face Mary had expected. Mary was the only one having the time of her life.
Watching his sister’s back as she stood triumphantly with her hands on her hips, laughing her head off, Jin felt a strange sense of pity.
Is this really that fun for her…? She’s acting like someone who’s never had fun a day in her life.
To Mary, it was simply fascinating that Jin had such a vulnerable side. The small sense of victory was incredibly sweet.
Jin played along with Mary’s antics for a while longer. As a result, it wasn't long before everyone in Tikan had a clear view of her and her fleet.
His companions and the residents of Tikan all had the same initial thought. They watched in wonder as Jin humored such a childish prank. This side of him was unfamiliar not just to Mary, but to everyone.
"Um, Great Captain. Perhaps you should stop now…? The atmosphere is starting to get a bit chilly."
Mary only stopped her teasing after Cosmos cautiously offered his advice.
Turning around, she saw Jin’s expressionless face as he nodded, and Murakan looking at her with pity. The others likely felt the same as Jin and Murakan; they were simply holding it in because she was Mary Runcandel.
You should have told me things were getting like this sooner, you bastard, Mary whispered.
Cosmos nodded. I thought I’d get beaten to death like last time…
This is different from then, you idiot.
Still, do not worry. This Cosmos will find an opening to liven up the mood again.
As Cosmos stepped back, Mary met Jin’s eyes again.
"Ahem! Youngest, if you’re that eager to welcome your sister, I suppose I’ll head up!"
Mary leaped over the outer walls and the construction site, landing gracefully in the mansion’s garden.
"Khahat! What’s with that pirate eyepatch, Mary Runcandel? It suits you well, though."
"Hmph, this eyepatch… let’s just say it’s my pride."
"What? Pride? Did you lose an eye or something? Is it an honorable wound?"
"Or perhaps it’s just for show. You’re as amusing as ever, Lord Murakan."
Even after Mary arrived at the mansion, the residents of Tikan who had been watching didn’t return to their homes or workplaces.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I am the pirate Cosmos, who acts as the Pirate King and Privateer King in the Huphester waters with the permission of Lady Mary! The reason our pirate crew has visited Tikan today is…"
This was because Cosmos had begun working hard to liven up the atmosphere.
Pop, bang!
More celebratory shots were fired, and the pirates on the decks began breathing fire and performing various feats of strength, capturing the crowd's attention.
Furthermore, the crowd was already filled with anticipation. After all, Mary had shouted for a match—a duel—in a voice that echoed across the entire sea of Tikan.
"I owed Cosmos a debt and intended to arrange for him to command a privateer ship someday, but you beat me to it, Sister. How did you find him?"
Since the Compass Theft Incident, the Cosmos Pirates had been hunted by both Viment and Zipple. Jin had worried about them from time to time, but surprisingly, the humble pirate crew had managed to stay one step ahead of the great powers until now.
"I happened upon them while I was busy crushing every piece of trash in sight. Besides, he and I are old acquaintances. I thought he was a pretty useful fellow even when we were young. He’s perfect for tagging along on training trips to handle chores."
"Training trips?"
"Hehe, yes. Recently, this sister of yours has found a goal of her own."
"What goal is that?"
"You don't need to know! There won't be any more contract duels for a while. After I settle things between us today, I plan to head far away. To harsh lands, in search of monsters with inner cores and reclusive masters."
I haven't officially agreed to the duel yet.
Normally, he would have replied that way to buy time, observe the situation, and gain some initiative. But seeing the look in Mary’s eyes, he couldn't.
It was the firm, solid gaze of someone who had made a steadfast resolution. The Mary who had been full of mischief just a moment ago now looked utterly determined.
Did something happen to her?
Jin was completely unaware that the reason Mary had embarked on her training with such resolve was the very path he himself had recently shown her.
In any case, seeing Mary like this… it seems the matter regarding that major lead isn't too urgent.
If it were a dire situation, the family would have certainly deployed Mary as well. It was a lead that the first-string forces of the Four Great Powers were pursuing at the cost of giving up on Amela; she wouldn't have come here just for a leisurely duel.
"It is an honor that a duel with me is part of your training, Sister. I will gratefully accept this match."
"Heh, yes! That’s the spirit."
"In that case, could you give me a hint about that lead beforehand?"
"I’ll tell you if you defeat me."
"I’m just worried I might lose focus while fighting you because I’m so curious. That would be disrespectful to you, wouldn't it?"
He was half-serious. He felt like he could figure it out with just one small clue, but he had been wandering in the dark since the Gaifa Archipelago, and his heart felt heavy.
"Trying to use tricks again, are we!"
"Sister, there are already countless eyes and ears watching. I won't run away after just getting a clue, so please tell me."
Mary stared intently into Jin’s eyes. Soon, she shrugged as if she had no other choice.
"It’s Zipple, Jin."
Jin’s pupils dilated.
So that was it. The members of the Four Great Powers who hadn't come to the Gaifa Archipelago were preparing to keep Zipple in check.
Zipple? Is it about the bio-golems or the new flying ships? Or… that cube?
From the perspective of the Four Great Powers, those were naturally far more important and dangerous threats than Amela.
Is it a research wing or a production site!
Zipple. With that one word, a powerful intuition pierced his mind like an awl. The great powers had discovered the research and production sites for the bio-golems, Kozec 2 Myuron, and the cubes, and they were preparing to strike.
"Hmm, it looks like you’ve already caught on."
"I feel like a weight has been lifted."
"I’ll tell you the details if you defeat me. If you don't, this conversation never happened. The format is a one-on-one match, fighting until one side is incapacitated. Let’s settle this without killing or maiming each other."
"Fine. Do you have a place in mind?"
"No, I plan to fight right here."
"Um, Sister. Forgive me for saying so, but if you and I fight for real, there won't be anything left of Tikan."
Jin and Mary. The two had reached the realm of superhumans and possessed the power to easily devastate their surroundings no matter where they fought. Since the city’s defense system was still under construction, the entirety of Tikan could collapse if they weren't careful.
"My, my, aren't you being a bit slow today, little brother? You dummy, do you think I’d suggest fighting here without knowing that? Hey, Cosmos!" Mary turned her head and shouted.
"At your service, Great Captain!"
"Prepare the stage!"
"Understood! Did you hear that, you stinking lot! Prepaaaare… the staaage!"
Bwaaaaa—!
As Cosmos blew a horn, the ships of the fleet began to move in perfect order. The scattered vessels gathered in an instant, their decks connecting seamlessly to form a space as vast as a plain.
It was shaped exactly like a martial arts tournament arena.
"As I said, this event is a one-on-one duel. And it’s a pure swordsmanship sparring match! The rules are simple. You and I will fight atop the fleet. However, all highly destructive techniques that would excessively damage the fleet are forbidden."
"Oh… I like the sound of that, Sister. Then Tikan won't be destroyed."
"But you might be. Let’s start immediately!"
Cosmos, who had been hyping up the crowd, cleared his throat.
"You’ve waaaaited a long time, ladies, gentlemen, children, and elders! Now, we present a duel between two people that will set your very hearts on fire! Is everyone… reaaaady!"
"Yesssss!"
Cosmos had completely captivated the crowd before anyone even knew it. He truly had a wealth of experience from running a martial arts tournament under his own name.
"I, too, find it difficult to suppress my excitement! Let’s call them out together! The greatest fighter of this era, known to all, far and wide! A person truly mad for battle! The Madwoman of the Southern Continent—ah, but you hate that nickname. And Mary of the Gale! Her titles always include the word 'mad'! Who is that person! Who is it!"
"Mary!"
"Mary Runcandel!"
"That’s right! It’s Maaaaary—Ruuun—Kaaan—Del! Let’s welcome her to the stage!"
Hop!
As Mary leaped onto the deck, a thunderous cheer erupted from all directions. She waved her hand leisurely, as if she were very accustomed to such situations, and gave a smirk.
She even provoked him by pointing her index finger at Jin and drawing her thumb across her throat.