The Sword Emperor Transmigrates-Chapter 236

The flooding of the Sixth Sea District was not widely known yet. Only the upper ranks of the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, such as Gordon Haywood and other high-ranking council members, were aware of this phenomenon, as were some Rank A adventurer teams active in the Fifth Sea District, and a select few senior figures from the Mage Tower, who monitored mana flows in these waters.

The Fourth and Fifth Sea Districts, which represented the largest sources of income for the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, were visibly shrinking in real-time. If word of this leaked, mass panic would be inevitable. Unlike a nation or an ethnic group, the Atlantis Maritime Alliance was fragile in its unity and loyalty. Faced with a major crisis, many would likely prioritize their own safety over mutual support.

Large organizations, including Bermuda, were already aware of the situation and had begun investigating it discreetly. However, they were stunned to learn that the Arcadian Empire had dispatched an elite expeditionary force and classified the threat as extremely high-risk.

“Three Demigod Tier knights and two Class 9 Grand Magi?”

“Is the Sixth Sea District that dangerous?!”

The realization hit everyone hard. The Council of Atlantis, Bermuda, and even the Atlantis Mage Tower understood this was no distant blaze—it was an imminent threat knocking on their doorstep. The situation was so serious that even the Empire had sent their finest forces from thousands of kilometers away.

For those organizations, this felt like standing waist-deep in a lava flow, with nowhere to run. They debated anxiously whether to evacuate or to join forces with the empire’s force that had arrived.

The Mage Tower, however, was quick in its decision, thanks to its leader, Jack Russell, a Class 8 Archmage and the tower’s highest authority.

“Running from a visible threat won’t solve anything. If the Sixth Sea District’s expansion can’t be stopped even with five Demigod Tier beings involved, nowhere in the world will be safe. And we can’t risk offending the Empire either.”

“Hmmm, that may be true.”

“Yes, the Tower Master’s point is valid. If we lose the Arcadian Empire’s favor, there may be nowhere left for us to turn.”

Benjamin, the most influential figure within Bermuda, also stated his stance firmly.

“I agree with the Tower Master. Many of us here have already left the continent once and settled in Atlantis. If we abandon this refuge, we’re likely doomed to wander as nomads for the rest of our lives, without finding a safe haven like this again.”

In the southern part of the continent, the position of the Atlantis Maritime Alliance was unsteady. Its isolation and military power prevented anyone from openly challenging it, but its ideological rejection of class hierarchy had already stirred hostility among nearby kingdoms. Coastal territories saw valuable talent defecting to the Alliance, drawn by the promise of a freer life.

If the Alliance were to collapse under the flooding of the Sixth Sea District, these kingdoms would not hesitate to close in like sharks sensing blood. The council members, confident as they were in their abilities, knew that the wealth and security they had enjoyed here would vanish.

“I’d rather die than live licking the boots of the nobility.”

“Agreed. I’d sooner seek asylum in the Empire than serve those greedy, worthless pigs.”

“If we support the Sixth Sea District expedition, they may even accept us as exiles. And, if we succeed, it’ll leave a favorable impression.”

Some acted out of patriotism to this second homeland, others from a desire to preserve their wealth and status, and others simply sought to gain favor with Arcadia. Though their motives varied, they all came to the same conclusion.

“Support the Arcadian Empire’s expedition to eliminate the hidden threat in the Sixth Sea District. We’ve come to a unanimous agreement.”

“Councilman Benjamin, what about their request?”

Hearing Gordon’s voice through the communication crystal, Benjamin recalled the adventurers gathered just outside the communications room.

“The three adventurer teams with Masterpiece ships have been notified. Aquamarine responded immediately and is meeting the expedition now, while Zaratan should arrive at the harbor in a few hours.”

“And Wild Hunt? Those unpredictable ones?”

“They were sighted three days ago, so they’re likely still in Atlantis. They haven’t responded yet, but if they’re interested, I expect they’ll arrive on time.”

Wild Hunt, the only Rank S adventurer team in the Maritime Alliance, was, as the name implies, elusive and unpredictable. Most of its members were shrouded in mystery, and their capabilities were largely unknown. Had they not been seen in action several times in the Fifth Sea District, they might have been disregarded as some urban legends.

Even when visiting the Central City Atlantis, they rarely docked at the main harbor, and Bermuda seldom assigned them missions.

The Wild Hunt’s ship was the Golden Hind, and its crew were adventurers who sailed the high seas beyond the reach of even Atlantis’ major organizations.

“Alright, now that we’ve settled the matter, let’s get moving before the Empire’s guests set sail without us,” Benjamin announced, clapping his hands and rising from his seat. He had mountains of work awaiting him.

* * *

“Leonard!”

The woman who burst into the reception room where Leonard waited was a beauty with dark hair that cascaded like waves. Her blue eyes sparkled like gemstones as she pushed open the door, spotting Leonard rising from the sofa. Without a moment's hesitation, she ran forward and hugged him tightly.

She was none other than Frances, the captain of Aquamarine.

Leonard, patting her on the back a few times, greeted her with a playful remark, “It’s been a while, Fran. I guess you still haven’t managed to make yourself queen?”

“Excuse me? What was that? Ahahaha...!!” Frances burst into laughter, her eyes wide in surprise as she recalled an old conversation between them.

“It would take a lifetime to achieve something like that! Besides, it hasn’t even been a few years since we last met, you know?”

“Well, with someone like you, Fran, I figured there was a chance.”

“Unless I resurrected one of those sea gods from the urban legends of Okeanos, I’m nowhere close with just one cool-looking ship! Although, I won’t say it’s impossible—thanks to everyone’s hard work.”

As Frances spoke with pride, the crew members following her poured into the room one by one.

“You’re back, Leonard.”

It was Marianne, who had risen from bodyguard to deck chief.

“Captain, thanks to those spear techniques you taught me, I broke through! You’ll have to spar with me again sometime.”

Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.

The harpoon master, Galano.

“Sorry, I’m not quite there yet, but I think I picked up on the flow, so I’m close.”

“Good to see you again, hero! Have you been well?”

Ninian, the one-eyed half-elf, and finally, the water and wind spiritualist, Vivian.

Seeing his old comrades from Aquamarine, Leonard’s eyes gleamed with a hint of surprise.

They’ve all made significant progress. Ninian is close to reaching the level of responding to ten thousand attacks with one arrow, and Marianne and Galano seem to have entered the Transcendence Tier. Even the presence of the spirits surrounding Vivian feels twice as intense.

This was proof of the hard training and experience they had gained in his absence. Although Leonard’s guidance had prevented them from losing their way, it was still up to each individual to keep forging their own path.

Thanks to their tireless efforts, Aquamarine had risen to the top ranks among the Rank A teams, even without Leonard.

Almost sensing his curiosity about the absent members, Frances added a few words, “Esther and Lorelei were summoned by the Mage Tower. I believe it has something to do with your return, Leonard.”

Though both were simply members of Aquamarine, their influence within the Mage Tower was undeniable. Esther had recently reached Class 6, but Lorelei, who had surpassed Class 7, could become an Elder at any time. Despite her lack of interest, the Tower couldn’t afford to disregard her.

Understanding the situation, Leonard nodded. “I see. It sounds like Bermuda also sent you a mission notification. How much do you know so far?”

“Just that we’re supposed to explore the Sixth Sea District. The details, they said, should be discussed with the client.”

“Of course.”

Given the gravity of the situation, it was only natural to handle information with care. When the time came to reveal the full scope of the operation, the shock would be inevitable, but delaying it by even a short while would help. Telling them everything from the start would only trigger panic. That was why the information was limited at first.

Leonard’s thoughts turned back to the mission, realizing that details about the Sixth Sea District were withheld from anyone outside of top-priority adventurer teams like Aquamarine.

“Allow me to explain the specifics,” he said.

What he revealed next was a catastrophic situation far beyond Aquamarine’s wildest imaginations. The Outer God cults hiding within the Sixth Sea District were one thing, but learning of the expedition team sent by the Arcadian Empire left them dumbfounded.

“Three knight commanders, two Grand Magi... and Leonard, you’re the commander of the Order of the Golden Dragon?!”

“I assumed you’d reached a higher level, since I couldn’t sense your aura, but the Demigod Tier?!”

“Hah, we’ve grown quite strong ourselves, but it seems you’ve gone far beyond us.”

Even Frances struggled to process the scale of what they were up against, while Galano and Marianne exchanged looks, disheartened by the gap between them and Leonard.

Ascending to the Transcendence Tier at their age was already remarkable proof of their talent, but Leonard’s reaching the Demigod Tier before he was even twenty completely eclipsed their accomplishments.

Ninian and Vivian, however, responded with more acceptance and admiration.

“Whew, my head’s spinning, but I think I get it now.”

Frances took a few minutes to gather herself before speaking. Learning about the looming threat of the cult and the need for Masterpiece ships in order to track and subjugate them reminded her of a fortunate coincidence.

“I may not know much about the Sixth Sea District, but the timing is impeccable. Both Zaratan and Wild Hunt are near Atlantis. Usually, we would often lose contact with them for months.”

The massive vessel Zaratan typically roamed the sea for at least three months, its vast storage enabled it to gather resources and explore Rifts to maximize profits. The elusive Wild Hunt, on the other hand, was rarely seen.

“Since the turnover from the Moby Dick incident, Bermuda and the Council of Atlantis have been easier to communicate with, but it’s hard to say how willing Wild Hunt will be. Zaratan at least tends to dive into high-stakes missions head-first.”

“Zaratan, huh? How are your relations with them, Fran?”

“Well, neither good nor bad. Zaratan rarely clashed or allied with other teams, so we don’t interact much. You could say we don’t care much for each other. Think of them like a mercenary crew with no close ties,” she went on to explain. “They have a nearly perfect mission success rate and have never been known to betray or break contracts, making them reliable to clients, though adventurers find them a bit off-putting.”

“Any dark rumors about them, like those around Moby Dick?”

“Not really, just the usual gossip you find anywhere.”

At that moment, Leonard’s sharp senses detected an approaching presence outside the reception room. The individual had reached the extreme of the Transcendent Tier—an incredibly rare level that entire nations might only boast a few individuals of such level, though the Three Noble Houses were full of them.

In Atlantis, there were only two individuals who might perhaps be at that level: someone from either Zaratan or Wild Hunt.

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged man who looked every bit like a pirate—his captain’s hat rested on his head, tilted to one side, and his left eye was covered by an eyepatch. If he had a hook for a hand, he would be the classic legendary pirate captain found in stories.

Scanning the Aquamarine members with a quick glance, the man finally fixed his gaze on Leonard.

“Wahahaha! A job offer for all the Rank A expedition teams, eh? So you’re the one hiring us? You’re the biggest employer I’ve dealt with in recent memory, let me tell you! Name’s Samuel, captain of Zaratan,” he introduced himself with a wide grin.

The leader of Zaratan, one of the expedition teams with a Masterpiece vessel, had arrived.