Chapter 480: Duel on Deck (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 480: Duel on Deck (2)
“Mary! Mary! Mary!”
The atmosphere, already electric with anticipation, had now reached a fever pitch.
The residents of Tikan had transformed into a stadium crowd. Witnessing a fight of this caliber from such a close distance was a stroke of luck that would likely never happen again in their lifetimes.
This is it. This was exactly the feeling…!
Cosmos—the Pirate King, the Privateer King—felt a thrill and ecstasy course through his entire body for the first time in a long while.
Ever since he had assisted Jin in the operation to seize the compass three years ago, Cosmos hadn’t been able to host a single Arena. He had spent his days as a wanted man, wandering the dark corners of the sea.
Thinking back, the match between Jin Gray and Paul Mick was the greatest masterpiece of my Arena career. Starting today, I hope I can run a proper martial arts tournament with the support of the Runcandels!
More than Mary’s provocation—drawing her thumb across her throat—Jin was focused on Cosmos, who was looking up at him with eyes so bright and glistening they seemed ready to spill tears.
What’s with him? He looks so overwhelmed with emotion it’s actually a bit much.
Cosmos wiped his eyes and raised his voice again.
“Woooooah! That was Mary, Mary of the Gale! And now, her! Opponent is—!”
As if on cue, the moment Cosmos prepared to introduce Jin, the commotion died down instantly.
Then, miraculously, the connected decks began to sparkle and glow. Subordinates who appeared to be officers slid down the ropes between the masts, firing small cannon-like devices toward Jin’s side.
Bang! Bang!
What the cannons fired were thick ropes. Dozens of them, tipped with grappling hooks and adorned with fine cloth and silk, intertwined to form a bridge connecting Tikan to the flagship.
This time, it wasn't just the audience; even Jin, his companions, and Mary couldn't help but marvel at Cosmos’s spectacular showmanship.
I’ve thought this before, but I really don’t know why a man with this kind of talent was wasting his life as a pirate.
Jin looked down at the rope path stretching out from his feet.
“The sensational former Reserve Flagbearer! The slayer of the Great Mage Kidad Hall and the peerless lightning swordsman, Barmul! The contractor of Solderet and the Black Dragon Murakan! The savior of the Holy Kingdom of Vankella and a Magic Swordsman of Runcandel! The youngest who might one day become the next Patriarch, the 12th Flagbearer, and… the winner of the 1796 Cosmos Arena!”
Jin wanted to argue that one of those titles felt out of place, but the atmosphere wasn't right for it.
“Jin Runcandel! Jin Runcandel!”
As a few people by the railings began to chant Jin’s name, Cosmos placed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence.
He paused for dramatic effect before continuing.
“…According to recent rumors circulating the streets, and according to the gossip of tavern connoisseurs, the latest meetings of various critique associations, knightly leagues, and martial alliances… have begun to call him by a new name.”
Jin didn't have a definitive epithet yet.
Contractor of Shadows, Magic Swordsman, Hero—he had many descriptors, but no single title that immediately sprang to mind.
“…I present to you! The dark and sharp Black Star, the Monster of Runcandel! Huphester’s… Black! Prince!”
Jin reflexively cleared his throat. Murakan pointed back and forth between Jin and the others, laughing hysterically. “Black Prince! He said Black Prince! Kahahaha, the Black Prince!” Fortunately, his laughter was drowned out by the ensuing roll of drums.
In truth, no one had actually called Jin the ‘Black Prince’ until now.
Part of it was because Jin wasn't actual royalty, but the biggest reason was the existence of Joshua.
A ‘Prince’—specifically a Crown Prince—is a term for the one who will become the next monarch. With Joshua already established as the next Patriarch, there weren't many people in Huphester brave enough to give Jin such a title.
In that sense, Cosmos was an exceptionally brave individual. He had a gut feeling: the nickname ‘Black Prince’ that he had just coined would become the name that defined Jin across the entire world.
“Jiiiiiiin— Runcandeeeeeel!”
The moment the introduction ended, a roar two—no, three times louder than the one for Mary shook the waters off the coast of Tikan.
Tikan was Jin’s base of operations, and since Cosmos’s introduction had been so flamboyant, the difference in reaction was only natural.
Thus, while everyone else was mesmerized by the sight of the youngest brother slowly descending the dazzling silk rope path, Mary was busy yanking on Cosmos’s ear.
“You bastard, who exactly do you serve? Why was the youngest’s introduction several times more extravagant than mine?”
“Agh! Ow, my ear! My ear, ear, ear! No, Great Captain! How can you blame me for that!?”
“What? Are you crazy—”
“That silk path was originally prepared for you, Great Captain! But you just hopped down before I could even fire it, so I had no choice but to use it for your brother.”
“Hmm.”
“And do you really hate seeing your brother do well that much? You spent the entire trip here bragging about him until my ears were practically bleeding!”
“Of course I like seeing our youngest succeed, but this is still strangely annoying.”
“Hehe, don't worry. As long as you win, I, Cosmos, will set off an even grander celebratory barrage. I wish you luck in battle, Great Captain!”
Soon, Jin stepped onto the deck from the silk path.
The heated cheering continued, but as Jin and Mary stood silently facing each other, the atmosphere gradually grew heavy.
The audience swallowed hard, savoring the tension. The siblings remained silent for a while.
“By the way, did that tiny shrimp Yona leave? Hey, you! Lowly creature!”
“Yes, Lord Murakan.”
“Who do you think is going to win? Place a bet. Let's make it interesting. A thousand gold coins.”
“Isn't a thousand gold coins a bit steep for a bet?”
“Two thousand, then. Now that I think about it, there’s something I need to buy.”
“If there were no rules, I would have chosen Young Master Jin. But in this situation… I’m not sure. One thing is certain: no matter who wins, the ripples will be enormous. There are too many eyes watching.”
“Fights between pure-blooded Runcandels of the current generation are almost never revealed to the outside world,” Alisa added her explanation. “This will be a fight that clearly establishes a hierarchy in the public eye. The loser stands to lose more than you’d think.”
Valkas nodded. “Mary Runcandel especially has a lot to lose. She’s the 7th Flagbearer, but she’s treated as if she’s among the highest-ranking flagbearers. Many say she’s the one Lord Cyron has shown the most interest in since the White Whale incident.”
That was something every serious martial artist knew.
In fact, Cyron had shown considerable interest in Mary—to the point of personally passing down several of Runcandel’s secret techniques to her.
“And you, Ghost Sword. Did you say you weren't sure what the outcome would be?”
“That is correct, Lord Valkas.”
“You must have never seen Mary Runcandel’s sword in person. That’s why you can say such a thing.”
“Lord Valkas, have you not seen the Young Master’s sword either?”
“If it were me, I’d bet on Mary Runcandel without hesitation. If my lord fights as a pure swordsman and not a magic swordsman, it’s not even a contest. Absolutely not.”
“Fine, then you two bet on Mary,” Murakan declared. “I’m betting on the kid.”
Shhh, clink!
While the bets were being placed, Mary spoke first, twirling her chain sword in the air.
“Your nest is still under construction, youngest. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the entire Black King Mountain Fortress is being moved to Tikan. But did you know? Dipus and I were the ones who kept the flies from swarming your spoils.”
“I didn't know that, sister.”
“I really wanted to have a proper, intense fight with the Black King Corps myself. You brat, when did you grow up so much? To the point of crushing the Black King Corps all by yourself.”
All by myself?
Just as Jin was about to retort, Mary continued with a proud expression.
“Even just last year, Dipus and I had to save you when you were struggling against Zipple mages. You used the Pluto Sword and magic at the Black King Mountain Fortress just like you did at the Garden of Swords, right? To be honest, the goal I mentioned earlier… it’s to surpass you by a landslide.”
There seemed to be a misunderstanding, but Mary gave Jin no chance to speak. Like a child sharing a grand ambition for the first time, she prattled on, swept up in her own emotion.
I was wondering why she’s been looking at me with such intense resolve from the start. So that’s the misunderstanding she’s under.
Mary clenched her fists.
“Youngest.”
“Yes, sister.”
“Even though we agreed to seal most of our major techniques for this duel, I will be giving it my all. So don't you dare hold back. If you don't take this seriously, I’ll tear all of Tikan down right now.”
How could I possibly fight half-heartedly against you? That was never an option.
Instead of answering that way, Jin chose different words.
Since the fight was unavoidable, he intended to use the method he was best at. Provoking and unsettling an opponent to create an opening—that was one of the elements Jin considered most important in a fight.
“I understand, sister. But if that’s how you evaluate me, before we start… isn't there one thing you should fix first?”
Mary’s eyebrow twitched.
“And what would that be?”
Until now, their conversation had been held in low voices, unheard by the crowd.
But in the next moment, Jin shouted so loudly that everyone in the vicinity could hear him clearly.
“Take off the eyepatch!”
The thunderous shout echoed off the walls of Tikan.
“…Sister.”
Murakan burst into laughter again, grating on Mary’s nerves, while the crowd stood frozen, unsure if they were allowed to laugh or not.
“I’m starting to understand a little why Great-Uncle Jorden cut off both your arms back then…”
Vroooooom!
In an instant, a glowing Aura gathered around Mary’s chain sword, Viper. It was an Aura of such high density that it was hard to believe it had been formed so quickly.
This is…!
The moment Jin saw her stance, he immediately recognized what she was about to unleash as her opening strike.
Mary, on the other hand, smirked as she displayed a secret technique she had refined even further since their last encounter.
Runcandel 5th Secret Technique
Light Speed Thrust
What Mary unleashed was the very same sword technique she had used during the subjugation of Ozdok.
Are you kidding me?! You said we’d seal the techniques strong enough to destroy fleets before we fought…!
He didn't even have time to argue whether a Runcandel Flagbearer was going back on her word so quickly or if she had been lying from the start.
Mary’s Viper was already surging toward Jin.