Reincarnated Lord: I can upgrade everything! - Chapter 430

Chapter 430: Humbled Alicia El
Ripples spread like silver threads across the river that fed into Azure Bay, each wave stirred by the passage of a magnificent ship—a vessel not built merely for travel, but for declaration. Gilded in fine detail and flying the banner of the ruling line of House El, the ship glided through the water with grace.

Upon the main deck, near the elegantly carved railing, stood two striking women, the wind playing with their garments and hair as if eager to announce their presence to the world. Their grey hair—each strand kissed by moonlight—fluttered in the briny breeze, catching the sun like strands of silk. Both had the golden eyes common to the members of House El, luminous and sharp as hawk’s eyes.

The taller of the two wore a resplendent gown of silky azure, its flowing layers stitched with shimmering threads of sapphire and opal. Every movement sent it dancing like water. Her name was Alicia—elegant, poised, with a serene beauty that matured like fine wine. Her posture and composed gaze spoke of years in court, of diplomacy and veiled power.

Beside her stood a younger figure clad in form-fitting armor that shone with a silver-blue gleam. Designed not for brutal war but ceremonial display, it still promised strength. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing a proud brow and a youthful face both beautiful and fierce. Bangs framed her forehead, and her stance, upright and alert, suggested a trained warrior ready to leap into action at the slightest provocation.

She was Abigail, a storm in contrast to Alicia’s calm sea.

“Tsk,” Abigail clicked her tongue, arms folded, golden eyes narrowing at the horizon. “He already has a child.”

Alicia turned her head, one brow gently arched. “He did say he was married.”

“And so?” Abigail replied, lips curling into a mischievous smirk. “These days, men tend to favor more than one woman. Especially men with power.”

Alicia sighed and rolled her eyes. “You never change.”

Her voice was light, but a shadow of thought crossed her face. Truthfully, this was a journey made from duty more than desire—an effort to explore possible ties beyond the Ash Mountains, even if their hearts remained loyal to joining with the flourishing Cyrenia.

Abigail looked out over the shimmering water, her expression thoughtful beneath her teasing tone. “We’ve only heard of his realm—never seen it with our own eyes. I wonder what it’s truly like.”

Alicia followed her gaze, her fingers brushing the rail. “He always spoke like a warrior. Always said his sword would carve the path for his people… but he once admitted his domain was nothing special to boast of, struggling to find its footing. But he was suddenly able to hand over the blueprints of gold-ranked armour like they were nothing.”

That memory lingered. She respected strength—Clan El, after all, had built its influence not just on diplomacy, but military supremacy and naval mastery.

Her father had made sure she understood that. To Alicia, alliances had to be weighed in benefit, in growth, in legacy. And while Asher had captured the attention of many noble houses, she remained unconvinced.

Words were easy; kingdoms were hard.

“Maybe,” she added after a pause, “this visit will prove me wrong.”

Abigail stretched slightly, the sunlight flashing off her armor. “Either way, it’s thrilling, no? Beyond the Ash Mountains… I’ve never sailed this far.”

Alicia smiled faintly. “Nor have I.”

For all their pride in Cyrenia’s majesty, the unspoken truth lingered between them—whatever power Asher had amassed, whatever city he had raised, had been done in solitude. Without noble backing. Without an empire’s gold.

“I saw the look you gave him after he killed the dragon,” Abigail said with a grin, nudging her sister. “You were interested, weren’t you?”

Alicia chuckled softly, brushing a gray strand of hair from her cheek as the wind teased it into her eyes. “A man with such strength is a treasure, yes. But lords are the main prize. They command lands, armies, and men like him. His strength alone isn’t extraordinary—not if it can be wielded by another’s will.”

Just as her words faded into the wind, a horn sounded—deep, long, and urgent.

Then came the shout. “Ship ahead!”

Instantly, the mood shifted. Alicia’s eyes narrowed, her mind sharpening like a drawn blade. They were well within Ashbourne territory now, according to the map she’d studied. To encounter hostile forces here, so close to Azure Bay, was baffling.

*Could this truly be pirate waters?* she thought, disturbed. Was Ashbourne territory so poorly defended?

“Is it pirates?!” Abigail called out, her hand already resting on the hilt of her sword.

No answer came.

Turning, Abigail caught sight of the lookout in the crow’s nest, frozen—his spyglass still held to his eye, his mouth slightly agape.

“What’s wrong with—” The words died in her throat.

She had turned toward the river just in time to see it.

A ship. No—a fortress on water. Towering like a dark cliff that had broken free from land, it advanced toward them with the slow, confident power of inevitability. Their own vessel, proud and polished as it was, looked like a child’s toy in comparison.

Abigail’s eyes widened in disbelief. “W-What is that?”

“It’s moving… but slowly,” Alicia murmured, her heart hammering beneath her gown.

“Then we can outrun it, can’t we?”

Alicia shook her head, her keener eyes already making out the details her younger sister couldn’t see. The hulking vessel’s decks were lined with trebuchets, their great bolts aimed at them.

“No. We can’t escape them all. Not from this range.”

Tension spread like wildfire across the deck. The crew scrambled, uncertain whether to prepare for battle or surrender.

But Alicia remained still, her eyes locked on the black flag fluttering high above the massive ship’s masts.

A wolf’s head. Sharp. Regal. Familiar.

Recognition lit her gaze. The emblem matched the seal imprinted on the letter her father had received weeks ago—the letter that bore Asher’s personal mark.

Her posture loosened, the coil of worry inside her slowly unwinding. Yet what replaced it was no less startling.

Asher had a ship like this? All this time?

The sea fortress began to pass them, its massive shadow swallowing their smaller ship in its wake.

Near the railing, dozens of meters above their heads, a single figure appeared. He wore a black-and-steel uniform, his cloak dancing in the breeze.

He looked down at them, expression unreadable. Then he bowed in a crisp, respectful motion and disappeared back into the behemoth.

Neither Alicia nor Abigail spoke.

No words could match the weight of what they had just witnessed.

They didn’t know—couldn’t know—that this was merely one of the estate’s guardian ships, patrolling the northern Azure River. On board were over 1,500 knights, a blend of battle-tested veterans and fresh knights, many with their families. A small floating city of its own.

But the true shock came when they finally reached Azure Bay.

There, rising above the sea like a legend carved into the waves, loomed Titan City.

A city-ship.

It was vast—beyond what words like “grand” or “majestic” could capture. Towers crowned with banners rose from its decks. Ships smaller than theirs sailed between its docks as if visiting a nation. It was a floating kingdom, cradling 200,000 souls—nearly half the population of Clan El.

Alicia stood speechless, her eyes roaming the impossible structure.

This… is the realm of a struggling lord?

Her knuckles whitened on the railing. Not from fear—but indignation.

‘That lying bastard,’ she thought, cheeks flushing. He said he was struggling? There was nowhere he made this after returning from their homeland.

For a moment, she was sorely tempted to find him and slap the smug honesty from his face.

But then her eyes softened as she took it all in—Titan City, the black-flagged warships, the seal of the wolf.

He hadn’t lied to them.

He had simply let them underestimate him.