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Mary shares all information with Diphus, who is one of top flagbearers. So, it wasn't strange at all that Mary knew something Jin didn't.
In fact, Jin had no clue about the important thing other than the Gaifa Archipelago.
Other significant issues that had been on Jin's mind were continually being verified by his companions, but there were no unusual developments.
'Hoho. Diphus orabeoni's words were right after all. He is reacting right away!'
Mary suppressed her laughter inwardly. It was a pity that she could not enjoy the bewildered expression on the youngest's face from a closer distance.
"Elder sister!"
Jin opened his mouth, and Mary, who had turned around, had her lips almost reaching her ears.
"What!"
"I've been too hasty in my thinking! You've come a long way, so it wouldn't be courteous to just send you back!"
"What are you saying?"
"Please come up! I'll allow it!"
"I can't hear you well!"
"I'm sorry. Come up, and let's have a conversation!"
"Hahaha, I can't hear you! Say it one more time!"
Of course she heard it clearly. She is just pretending not to hear with exaggerated gestures, trying to tease her youngest brother.
Of course, Jin wasn't showing any signs of embarrassment or awkwardness as Mary had anticipated. It was only Mary who was incredibly amused.
As Jin looked at the back of his sister, who was smiling proudly with her hands on her hips, he felt a pity for some reason.
'Is this so amusing...? She seems to like it as if she has never had fun in her entire life.'
For Mary, it was quite surprising to see Jin's sloppy side. She found her small victory very sweet.
Jin continued to play along with Mary's prank for a while, and thanks to that, it didn't take long for all of Tikan's people to see her and her fleet.
Initially, Jin's companions and the residents shared Mary's sentiments. It looked amazing that Jin was playing along with this childish prank. This side of Jin was unfamiliar not only to Mary but to everyone else.
"Um, captain. Could you stop now...? The atmosphere is gradually getting a bit chilly."
Only after Cosmos reluctantly spoke did Mary stop her prank.
When she turned around, she saw Jin's expressionless face, and Murakan, who was looking at her sternly.
Other people, though they couldn't show it openly, probably shared the same sentiment as Jin and Murakan. The situation was becoming quite difficult.
'If things were going this way, you should have told me sooner, you bastard.'
Mary whispered, and Cosmos nodded.
'I thought I'll be beaten like last time...'
'But it's different from back then.'
'Still, don't worry. I'll find a way to lighten the mood when I get the chance.'
When Cosmos stepped aside, Mary once again met eyes with Jin.
"Ahem! Well, if you are so keen to welcome me, I shall oblige by coming up!"
With a leap, Mary landed on the outer wall and the construction site, making her way to the mansion's garden.
"Haha! What's with this fierce pirate act, Mary Runcandel! It suits you well."
"Hmph, what's with this act? My dignity, that's what it is."
"What? Dignity? Are you saying losing one eye is an honorable injury?"
"Or it could be a bluff. You're still quite entertaining, Lord Murakan."
Even though Mary had arrived at the mansion, the residents of Tikan were still watching, not returning to their homes and workplaces.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I am Cosmos, the pirate king and king of the privateer navy operating in the Huphester waters, with the permission of Captain Mary! The reason our pirate crew has come to Tikan today is..."
It was because Cosmos began to work hard to create an atmosphere outside.
Bam, boom!
Fireworks exploded, and pirates on the deck breathed fire and demonstrated various feats, capturing the attention of the crowd.
Moreover, the crowd was already full of anticipation. After all, Mary had shouted for a duel that shook the entire sea in a thunderous voice.
"Cosmos owes me a debt, and he was going to lead the privateer navy someday for me. But you have taken the lead. How did you find that out, elder sister?"
After the compass theft incident, the Cosmos Pirates were being chased by both Vermont and Zipfel. Jin had secretly worried about them from time to time, but the Cosmos Pirates, a small pirate crew, strangely had never been overtaken by any major factions.
"I came across them as I roamed around, knocking out anyone in my way. Besides, that guy was acquainted with me from before. I even thought he was quite useful when I was young. Good enough to run errands for me when I do my training."
"Training, you say?"
"Haha, yeah. Lately, your dear sister has set some goals of her own."
"What kind of goals?"
"You don't have to know that! There won't be any contract duels for a while after this. I'm going to leave far away after deciding which one of us is superior today. Some very harsh lands to seek out inner core demonic creatures and hermit masters."
I haven't given a firm response to the duel request.
Under normal circumstances, Jin would answer like that, buying time to observe the situation and gaining some initiative.
But he had no other choice seeing Mary's gaze.
A resolute, determined look of someone who had firmly prepared for something. The Mary who had been full of playfulness just a moment ago now had such a look in her eyes.
'What happened to my elder sister?'
Jin was totally unaware of the fact that the reason for such determination of Mary and her training was recent actions he had shown.
'Anyway, judging by how earnestly elder sister Mary approached this, it seems that the issue regarding that big thing is not very urgent.'
In a dire situation, the clan would have certainly mobilized Mary. It was a case for which the 1st division of the 4 major forces have gave up Amela and clung to it, and Mary couldn't come here to have a leisurely duel
"It's an honor to have my sister's training include a duel with me. I'll accept this challenge with gratitude."
"Yes, that's the spirit!"
"In that case, shouldn't you give me a hint about that big case?"
"I'll let you know once you defeat me."
"I'm worried that I might become too curious and lose my concentration when fighting you, elder sister. Wouldn't that be rude to you?"
Jin was half sincere. He felt like he could figure it out even with just a small clue. He had been wandering around aimlessly ever since leaving Gaifa Archipelago, and it had left him frustrated.
"You're trying to trick me again!"
"Elder sister, I cannot count the number of eyes and ears that have already seen and heard you. Please let me know, I won't take the lead and leave you out."
Mary stared at Jin, as if she could see through him. Eventually, she shrugged her shoulders as if she had no choice.
"It's Zipfel, Jin."
Jin's eyes widened.
Members of the four major factions who hadn't come to Gaifa Archipelago were preparing to restrain Zipfel.
'Zipfel, huh? Is it about living golems or a new type of battleship? Or... that cubical thing?'
From the perspective of the four major factions, these things were far more important and dangerous than Amella.
'Research facility or production plant!'
Zipfel. Just that one word sent a sharp intuition piercing through Jin's mind.
Living golem, Kozec-2 Myuron, research facilities for cube, and production plants. The major factions had found them and were preparing to seize them.
"Hmmm, it looks like you've already caught on."
"I feel like my unease is fading away."
"I'll tell you more details if you beat me. If you can't defeat me, then it will become a thing that did not exist. We'll fight one on one until one of us is unable to continue fighting. Let's settle it without killing each other or causing permanent injuries."
"Very well. Do you have a place in mind for this fight?"
"No, I am planning to fight you right here."
"Well, elder sister, I am speechless. If you and I seriously fight here, there might not be much Tikan left."
Jin and Mary, both ranking among the elite, possessed the power to easily reduce the entire city to rubble, wherever they fought. With the ongoing construction of defensive structures, a slight misstep could lead to the complete collapse of Tikan.
"It seems today has been a special day for me to see your reckless behavior. You fool, did you think I suggested we fight here without knowing what I was doing? Hey, Cosmos!"
Mary turned her head towards Cosmos and shouted.
"Speak, Captain!"
"Prepare the stage!"
"Understood! Did you hear that, you stinking lot? Prepare the stageeeeee! Go, go, go!"
Woo-woo-!
The Cosmos blew the horn.
When Cosmos blew his trumpet, the ships in his fleet began to move in perfect order.
The scattered ships gathered in an instant, forming a space like a plain, with no gaps between decks.
It was just like the arena of a martial arts competition.
"As I mentioned earlier, this competition is a one-on-one duel. It's also a pure swordsmanship match! The rules are simple. You and I will fight on the fleet. However, any highly destructive techniques that excessively damage the fleet are strictly prohibited."
"Oh... I really like that, elder sister. In that case, Tikan won't be destroyed."
"I am going to destroy you, though. Let's get started!"
Cosmos, who had been maintaining the atmosphere, cleared his throat before making the announcement.
"Ahem! Please, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and the elderly and children! Now, get ready for an incredibly, incredibly intense duel between two individuals! Is everyone readyyyyyy?"
Yeeeeees!
Cosmos had completely captured the crowd's attention and was a seasoned organizer of such contests, given his long experience in hosting events.
"It's hard for me to contain my excitement too. Let's all cheer together! Known to everyone and anyone, the greatest fighter of our time! Truly crazy about fighting! The Southern Continent madwoman, oh, I guess she doesn't like that nickname. And the windfury Mary! Her titles always include the phrase 'crazy'! Who is this person? Who, I ask!"
"Mary!"
"Mary Runcandel!"
"Yes, M.A.R.Y! R.U.N.C.A.N.D.E.L! Let's invite her!"
Hop!
Mary leaped onto the deck, and thunderous cheers erupted from all directions. She appeared as if she were quite familiar with such situations, waving casually with a mischievous smile on her face.
She turned Jin by pointing her index finger at him, making a gesture of slitting throat with her thumb.