Chapter 480
Episode 134: Duel on the Ship (2)
Mary, Mary, Mary!
The already electric atmosphere erupted into an outright frenzy.
The residents had transformed into an audience in the gladiator arena, and witnessing such a fight up close was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck.
“Ah, this is it. This is exactly how it feels…!”
Cosmos, the Pirate King and King of Privateers, was experiencing a full-body thrill and joy he hadn’t felt in ages.
Since assisting Jin three years ago during the compass heist, Cosmos hadn’t been able to hold a single tournament. Always a wanted man, he had been wandering the shadowy corners of the seas.
“Come to think of it, the match between Jin Grey and Paul Mick was the best fight of my entire arena career. From today on, with Runcandel’s support, I hope to run proper martial contests!”
Jin was aware of Cosmos’s gaze—eyes moist and shining as if on the verge of tears—far more than Mary’s taunting throat-cutting gesture.
“What’s this? That face looks almost overwhelmed with emotion.”
Cosmos wiped his eyes naturally and spoke again.
“Zuaaah! Mary, the Storm of Mary! Now then, the opponent is—!”
As if on cue, the commotion in the stands suddenly quieted.
Then, miraculously, the adjoining decks began to shimmer, and what looked like officers slid along the rigging between the masts, firing cannon-like devices toward Jin’s side.
Bang! Bang!
What the cannons shot were thick ropes, each tipped with hooks. Tens of ropes, tied with heavy cloth and silk, converged to form a bridge connecting the ship to Tikan.
This time, not only the audience but also Jin, his comrades, and even Mary couldn’t help but marvel at Cosmos’s spectacular staging.
“I’ve always wondered why someone with this kind of talent was just pirating around.”
Jin looked down at the rope bridge stretching from the deck.
“The prodigious former candidate, the great mage-killer Kidard Hall’s assassin, the legendary brain swordsman Bamel! The contractor of Solderet and the Black Dragon Murakan! Savior of the Holy Kingdom Vankela, the demon swordsman Runcandel, and possibly the next head of the Runcandel family—the youngest of the 12 candidates, and the 1796 champion of Cosmos’s arena!”
Jin wanted to point out something odd in that list, but the mood wasn’t right.
“Jin Runcandel! Jin Runcandel!”
As a few voices shouted his name from the railing, Cosmos hushed them with a finger to his lips.
Then, pausing for effect, he continued.
“…According to recent rumors, tavern gossip, various critics’ associations, the knights’ guild, and the latest meetings of the warrior alliance, he is now known by this name.”
Jin didn’t yet have a definitive title.
Shadow Contractor, Demon Swordsman, Hero—he had many epithets, but no single, iconic nickname.
“…Introducing! The dark and sharp black star, the monster of Runcandel! The Black Prince of Huepester!”
At that moment, Jin coughed awkwardly, and Murakan pointed alternately at Jin and his comrades, laughing wildly, “The Black Prince, the Black Prince! Hahaha, the Black Prince!”
Fortunately, his laughter was drowned out by the beating drums.
In truth, no one had ever called Jin the Black Prince before.
Not only because he wasn’t actual royalty, but mainly because Joshua existed.
“Prince” refers to the heir apparent.
With Joshua as the next family head, few in Huepester were brave enough to bestow such a title on Jin.
In that sense, Cosmos was quite bold—and he instinctively knew that the nickname he had just coined, “Black Prince,” would become the defining name representing Jin worldwide.
“Jiiiiin—, Runcandeeeel!”
As the introduction ended, a roar twice, no, three times louder than Mary’s echoed across the waters before Tikan.
Tikan was Jin’s stronghold, and Cosmos’s flamboyant introduction naturally drew a different reaction.
So, while everyone was dazed watching the youngest slowly descend the silk rope bridge, Mary grabbed Cosmos’s ear hard.
“You bastard, who exactly are you serving? Why is the introduction for the youngest so much flashier than mine?”
“Ugh, ouch, my ear, my ear! Hooah! Captain! Don’t blame me for that!”
“What? This is crazy…”
“That silk bridge was originally prepared for you, Captain. But you jumped down before it was even shot out, so we had no choice but to use it for your little brother.”
“Hmm.”
“And do you really hate seeing your little brother do well? You spent the whole trip bragging about him until my ears were about to fall off!”
“Of course I want my little brother to succeed, but it’s a weird feeling.”
“Heh heh, don’t worry. If you win, this Cosmos will set off an even grander celebration. Good luck, Captain!”
Soon, Jin stepped onto the deck, walking down the silk bridge.
The cheers continued, but as Jin and Mary silently stared at each other, the atmosphere grew tense.
The crowd swallowed hard, savoring the tension, while the siblings remained silent for a moment.
“By the way, Yona, did that tiny brat leave? Hey, you little pest!”
“Yes, Murakan.”
“Who do you think will win? Let’s bet—one thousand gold coins.”
“One thousand gold coins is a bit much for a bet, isn’t it?”
“Two thousand then. I just remembered I need to buy some things.”
“If there were no rules, I’d pick Lord Jin. But in this situation… well, whoever wins, the fallout will be huge. There are plenty of eyes watching.”
“The fight between the current pureblood Runcandels has rarely been made public. This will clearly show who’s superior, and the loser might lose more than expected.”
Alisa added her explanation, and Valkas nodded.
“Especially Mary Runcandel. Though she’s the seventh candidate, she’s treated almost like a top-tier candidate, and after the White Whale, Sir Shiron showed the most interest in her.”
That was common knowledge among proper warriors.
In fact, Shiron had shown considerable interest in Mary, even personally teaching her some of Runcandel’s secret techniques.
“And you, Lord Sword, you said you weren’t sure what the outcome would be?”
“Yes, Sir Valkas.”
“Then you must not have seen Mary Runcandel’s swordsmanship. That’s why you say that.”
“Sir Valkas, haven’t you seen Lord Jin’s sword?”
“If it were me, I’d bet on Mary Runcandel without hesitation. If the lord fights as a pure swordsman, not a demon swordsman, there’s no question. Absolutely.”
“Alright, then you two bet on Mary. I’ll bet on the kid.”
As the bets were exchanged, Mary spun her chain sword in the air and spoke first.
“Your home is still under construction, little brother. It’s no exaggeration to say the entire Black King’s stronghold is moving to Tikan. But those spoils of yours—didn’t Diphus and I protect them from those pesky flies?”
“I didn’t know, sister.”
“I wanted to have a proper fight with the Black King’s group at least once. When did you grow so much? Enough to single-handedly crush the Black King’s group.”
Single-handedly?
Just as Jin was about to question that, Mary continued proudly.
“Until last year, Diphus and I saved you from the Gipple mages. Like in the Garden of Swords, you used the King’s Sword and the Demon Sword in the Black King’s stronghold, right? Actually, my goal, which I mentioned earlier, is to surpass you by far.”
There seemed to be some misunderstanding, but Mary wouldn’t let Jin get a word in.
Like a child unveiling a grand ambition for the first time, she was caught up in her own excitement.
‘No wonder she looked so determined when she first met me. So that was the misunderstanding.’
Mary clenched her fist.
“Little brother.”
“Yes, sister.”
“Though most of our big techniques will be sealed in this duel, I will do my best. So don’t hold back. If you don’t fight properly, I’ll bring down all of Tikan.”
How could Jin fight half-heartedly against his sister? It was impossible from the start.
Instead of answering directly, Jin chose his words carefully.
Since this fight was unavoidable, he planned to use his strongest tactic as always.
To provoke and unsettle the opponent, creating an opening—that was one of the most important elements in a fight, in Jin’s view.
“Understood, sister. But if you think of me that way, before we start… there’s one thing you should fix first.”
Mary’s eyebrows twitched once.
“What is it?”
Their conversation had been low and close, unheard by the crowd.
But the next moment, Jin shouted loud enough for everyone around to hear.
“Take off your blindfold!”
His booming voice echoed off the walls of Tikan.
“…Y-yes, sister.”
Murakan burst into loud laughter once again, clearly getting under Mary’s skin, while the crowd looked uncertain—unsure whether they should laugh or stay silent.
“Now I’m starting to understand why your Uncle Jorden cut off both your arms back then…”
Kooooosh!
In an instant, Mary’s chain sword, ‘Viper,’ began to glow with a brilliant aura, gathering around her in a flash.
The aura was incredibly dense—so much so that it was hard to believe it had formed so quickly.
‘This is…!’
The moment Jin saw her stance, he immediately knew what her first strike was going to be.
Meanwhile, Mary grinned, revealing a secret technique she had honed even further since their last encounter.
Runkandel’s Fifth Secret Technique:
Lightning Thrust
What Mary unleashed was the very same sword technique she had used when they fought Ozdok.
‘No way! We agreed to seal away the techniques strong enough to destroy entire fleets…!’
Jin couldn’t even argue whether the Runkandel rider was changing their mind so quickly or outright lying.
Because already, Mary’s Viper was surging forward straight at him.