Chapter 479
Episode 134: Duel on the Ship (Part 1)

Mary was sharing all the information with the senior officer, Diffus.
So it wasn’t surprising that Mary knew things Jin didn’t.

In fact, ever since the Gaipa Archipelago, Jin had no clue what this “big case” was about.
His comrades had been keeping an eye on other major issues they’d anticipated, but nothing unusual had come up.

“Heh heh. Just as Brother Diffus said. Looks like the rookie’s already reacting!”
Mary stifled a laugh inside. She regretted not being able to savor the flustered expression on the youngest’s face up close. That look was just too delicious.

“Sis!”
When Jin spoke, Mary turned around, a grin stretching almost to her ears.

“What?”
“I was being thoughtless! You’ve come all this way, and it wouldn’t be polite to just send you away!”
“What did you say?”
“Come on up! I’ll allow it!”
“I can’t hear you!”
“Sorry, come up and we’ll talk!”
“Ha ha ha! Still can’t hear you! Say it again!”

Of course, she heard perfectly well. Mary was just pretending not to hear, exaggerating her gestures to tease the rookie.

But Jin didn’t look flustered or awkward like Mary expected. Only Mary was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Watching her from behind, standing tall with her hands on her hips and laughing heartily, Jin felt a strange pang of sympathy.

“Is it really that much fun for her…? She’s acting like someone who’s never had a good time in her life.”

To Mary, seeing this vulnerable side of Jin was fascinating—and the small victory tasted incredibly sweet.

Jin played along with Mary’s teasing for a while longer, and before long, everyone in Tikan had caught sight of her back and her fleet.

At first, the comrades and townsfolk shared Mary’s amusement. They found it strange that Jin was humoring such childish antics. This side of Jin was unfamiliar not only to Mary but to everyone.

“Um, Captain. Maybe it’s time to stop…? The mood’s starting to turn a bit cold.”
Only after Cosmos’s hesitant advice did Mary finally cease her teasing.

Turning around, she saw Nene and Jin’s expressionless face, and Murakan looking at her pitifully.

The others, though unwilling to show it openly because she was Mary Runcandel, probably felt the same way as Jin and Murakan.

“If things have gotten this bad, you should’ve told me sooner, you idiot.”
Mary whispered, and Cosmos nodded.

“I was afraid you’d get beaten up like last time…”
“This time’s different, Kok.”
“Still, don’t worry. I’ll find a way to lighten the mood again.”

As Cosmos stepped back, Mary met Jin’s eyes once more.

“Ahem! Rookie, if you’re going to welcome this lady so warmly, then come on up!”

Mary stepped onto the outer wall and construction site, leaping up into the mansion’s garden.

“Ha ha! What’s with that pirate eye patch, Mary Runcandel? It suits you well.”
“Hmph, this eye patch… let’s just say it’s my pride.”
“What? Pride? Did you lose an eye? Some honorable injury?”
“Or maybe just a bit of bravado. You’re still as entertaining as ever, Murakan.”

Even though Mary had climbed into the mansion, the townsfolk of Tikan who had been watching didn’t return to their homes or workplaces.

“Ladies and gentlemen! By the grace of Lady Mary, I am Cosmos, pirate king and privateer of the Hupester Sea! The reason our pirate crew has come to Tikan today is…”

Outside, Cosmos was energetically rallying the crowd.

Boom! Bang!
Fireworks exploded again, pirates on deck breathed fire, and displayed various feats of strength, capturing everyone’s attention.

The crowd was already buzzing with anticipation. Mary had just shouted a challenge for a duel that echoed across the entire Tikan sea.

“I owed Cosmos a favor and was planning to let her command a privateer ship someday, but you beat me to it, sis. How did you find out?”

Since the compass theft incident, the Cosmos pirate crew had been hunted by both Biment and Ziphl. Jin often worried about their safety, but somehow, this small pirate crew had never even been caught by the major powers.

“I just happened to stumble upon them while taking out visible pests. And I know that one too. I thought he was pretty capable even as a kid. Perfect for running errands during training.”
“Training?”
“Heh heh. Yeah. Recently, I’ve got a goal of my own.”
“What goal?”
“That’s none of your business! After this, there won’t be any more contract duels for a while. Once I settle this with you, I’m heading far away—to harsh lands, to find inner demons and reclusive masters.”

She hadn’t yet given a firm answer about accepting the duel.

Normally, Jin would have said something like that to buy time and keep the upper hand. But looking into Mary’s eyes, he couldn’t do that.

There was a resolute, unwavering determination in her gaze—a stark contrast to the playful Mary from moments ago.

“Did something happen to sis?”

Jin had no idea that Mary’s firm resolve to begin her training was because of the recent actions he’d witnessed.

“Anyway, seeing Mary come out like this… it doesn’t seem like the big case is moving at a desperate pace.”

If the situation were urgent, the family would have sent Mary immediately.

This was a case the top forces of the four great powers were clinging to, even at the cost of abandoning Amela. They wouldn’t leisurely come here just to duel.

“It’s an honor that your training includes a duel with me. I’ll gratefully accept this match.”
“Ha! That’s the spirit.”
“On that note, could you at least give me a hint about what this case is?”
“I’ll tell you if you beat me.”
“I’m just worried I might lose focus fighting you because I’m too curious. That wouldn’t be respectful, would it?”

Half of that was sincere. Even a small clue would help, but he’d been wandering since the Gaipa Archipelago, and his chest felt tight with frustration.

“Trying to trick me again, huh!”
“Sis, your eyes and ears have seen and heard too much already. Just give me a clue—I won’t run away.”

Mary stared intently into Jin’s eyes.

Finally, she shrugged as if she had no choice.

“It’s Ziphl, Jin.”

Jin’s eyes widened.

The members of the four great powers who hadn’t come to the Gaipa Archipelago were preparing to check Ziphl.

“Ziphl? Is it about the bio-golems or the new flying ships? Or… that cube?”

From the four great powers’ perspective, those were far more important and dangerous than Amela.

“The research or production facility!”

Ziphl. That single word stabbed sharply into Jin’s mind like a piercing spike.

The research and production facilities for the bio-golems, Kozek2 Myuron, and the cube. The great powers had discovered them and were preparing to strike.

“Hmm, looks like you’ve already got a sense of it.”
“I feel like a weight’s been lifted.”
“I’ll tell you more if you beat me. If you don’t, it’s like it never happened. The rules are a one-on-one duel until one side is incapacitated. We’ll end it without killing or crippling each other.”
“Understood. Do you have a place in mind?”
“No, I plan to fight right here.”
“Hmm, sis, I hate to say it, but if we really go all out, Tikan won’t survive.”

Jin and Mary—both having reached the level of superhumans—had the power to easily lay waste to the surrounding area wherever they fought.

The defense system was still under construction, so the entire Tikan could collapse with a single misstep.

“Today’s been a rare day, seeing my little brother act so clueless. You fool, do you think I’d suggest fighting here without knowing that? Hey, Cosmos!”

Mary called over to Cosmos.

“Yes, Captain!”
“Prepare the stage!”
“Understood! Did you hear that, you stinky lot? Prepare the stage!”

Pewww!

At Cosmos’s trumpet call, the fleet’s ships moved in perfect formation.

The scattered vessels quickly gathered, connecting decks to form a vast, flat space—just like an arena for a martial arts tournament.

“As I said, this event is a one-on-one duel. And a pure swordsmanship match! The rules are simple. You and I will fight on the fleet. But any overly destructive techniques that damage the fleet are forbidden.”
“Oh… I like that. So Tikan won’t get destroyed.”
“You might get destroyed, though. Let’s start immediately!”

Cosmos, who had been hyping up the crowd, cleared her throat once more.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and elders! At last, the duel that will set your hearts ablaze is about to begin! Are you ready?”

“Yessssss!”

Cosmos had completely captivated the crowd.
Her years of experience running martial arts tournaments under her own name truly showed.

“I’m finding it hard to contain my excitement as well! Let’s all shout it out together! Known by everyone who should know, and even those who shouldn’t—the greatest fighter of our time! Truly, someone obsessed with battle! The Madwoman of the Southern Continent—ah, I know you don’t like that nickname. And the Stormwind Mary! Her titles always include some version of ‘mad’! Who is this person? Who could it be?”

“Mary!”

“Mary Runcandel!”

“That’s right—Maaaarry! Ruun, kan, del! From now on, we’re at your service!”

With a leap, Mary sprang onto the deck, and thunderous cheers erupted from all around.

She seemed completely at ease in this familiar scene, waving her hand casually with a sly smile.

Pointing at Jin with her index finger and then drawing her thumb across her own throat, she taunted them with playful provocation.