Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

The Spiked Grizzly Bear showed its ferocious nature. Despite the wound on its back, it didn’t appear to hinder the beast’s movements.

“Continue attacking it! Once the damage accumulates, its movements will slow down!” Aliya shouted at her squad members.

Under her leadership, they fought with the beast and showed a surprising level of teamwork.

Aliya’s squad members strictly followed her instructions and this revealed her strong ability to command.

They were weak overall, but with Aliya’s commands, they were able to move like one body.

While watching this unfold, Alaric nodded repeatedly while rubbing his chin.

Not bad. She is even better than Rasmus at giving commands. She is more precise in her instructions and her approach is also more effective.

Alaric commented internally.

Five minutes later, the bear fell on its knees while breathing raggedly.

Its body was covered in blood and it looked like it was about to collapse at any moment.

“Now!” Aliya shouted as she lunged her body forward while swinging down her sword.

Whoosh!

Her sword slashed deeply into the bear’s chest.

Puchi!

Her squad members also struck the bear with their weapons, leaving it screaming in pain as it fell to the ground with a ‘thud’.

Aliya didn’t make it suffer for long and with a stab, her sword pierced into its head.

Khhshhk!

The light in the bear’s eyes slowly faded.

“Good job, everyone.” Aliya smiled proudly as she praised her squad members. She then looked over at Alaric who was watching them not far away.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“Not bad, everyone. You guys did great. Although I interved a few times, it was mostly because of your efforts that this beast was taken down. I’m satisfied with your performance.” Alaric approached them with a smile.

During the battle, he secretly threw stones at the Spiked Grizzly Bear when Aliya and her squad members were in danger. It was also because of his silent intervention that they were unharmed.

Hearing this, Aliya furrowed her eyebrows.

No wonder the bear appeared weaker than I expected, so it was actually because of Lord Alaric.

She sighed while shaking her head.

We still have so much to learn.

Suddenly, a warrior riding a horse rushed toward Alaric. He then pulled the reins of his horse and jumped down, giving Alaric a snappy salute.

“My lord, someone is looking for you.”

The warrior reported.

Hearing this, Alaric frowned. He didn’t recall having a schedule with someone.

“Alright. Just give me a second.”

He turned his head to Aliya and said. “I’ll leave the rest to you guys. Once you’re done with skinning the beast, bring the meat over to be cooked for the residents.”

“Yes, my lord.” Aliya nodded.

After giving his instructions, Alaric followed the warrior to see which person was looking for him.

***

“Your Highness, I think there’s something suspicious about this House Silversword.”

Neo whispered into Yvanna’s ears, making the latter raise an eyebrow with a perplexed look.

They had just arrived at the location of the relocating residents and he had discovered another Transcendent human among the warriors escorting the group.

In their kingdom, there were only less than ten elves at the level of Transcendence so he found it shocking to see two humans at this level in just one household. Furthermore, it was from a rural household in the North.

“Why so?” Yvanna stared at him with a questioning gaze.

“Including the baron that you had spoken with earlier, that old man over there is also at the level of Transcendence,” Neo responded with a serious face.

Following his gaze, she saw an old man wearing a fur coat over his leather armor. He looked like the typical next-door neighborhood old man who was always jolly.

“Are you saying that friendly old human is at the level of Transcendence?” Yvanna muttered in shock.

“That’s right, Your Highness.” Neo nodded while keeping his gaze on the old man.

As if sensing their gazes, William turned his head in their direction and gave them a friendly smile.

Seeing this, Yvanna became even more skeptical.

Is that old man really a Transcendent human?

She couldn’t sense any semblance of authority or dignity that was inherent to Transcendents in the old man.

“Eh?” Suddenly, Yvanna caught sight of two familiar figures.

Without any warning, she walked towards them while calling their names. “Sir Arthur! Sir Henry!”

“Your Highness!” Neo quickly followed her.

Just close by, Henry and Arthur were making rounds when they heard a familiar voice calling them.

They turned their heads and saw an individual dressed in an oversized robe.

“I’m sorry, you are…” Henry squinted his eyes while trying to see the face hidden beneath the hood.

“It’s me…” Yvanna smiled at the old man.

When Henry heard this voice, a beautiful face appeared in his mind. “D-Don’t tell me you are…” He stuttered when he realized the other party’s identity.

Arthur also seemed to have guessed her identity by the shocked look on his face.

Yvanna made a shushing gesture as she chuckled.

“I’m glad to see you again! How are you guys doing?” She was excited to see them.

“We are both doing well, Your Highness. And we’re also happy to see you.” Henry replied in a whispering voice, afraid to reveal her identity to the others.

“That’s good.”

“By the way, what are you doing here?” Henry awkwardly changed the topic when he sensed the sharp gaze of the person behind Yvanna.

“We just happened to pass by during a trip so I decided to see you,” Yvanna replied with a random excuse.

While they were chatting, Alaric caught sight of them.

“That’s them, my lord. They said that they know you.” Uttered the warrior as he pointed at the robed figures.

Alaric narrowed his eyes as he walked towards Henry and Arthur who were chatting with two robed individuals.

“My lord!” Henry and Arthur immediately greeted him upon seeing him.

Meanwhile, Yvanna smiled beneath her hood as she said. “It’s been a while, my friend.”

Hearing this voice, Alaric widened his eyes. “You are…”