Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

The warriors who had nothing to do were tasked to take the usable parts of the orcs’ corpses. Some were also instructed to collect the beast soul crystals.

At this moment, Alaric was looking at the progress of his attributes.

Alaric Silversword [Elite Knight] EXP: 102 —>142/1000

Potential: A

Traits: Horseback Riding (C), Swordsmanship (SSS), Close Combat (C), Archery (E), Hunting (E), Tracking (E), Sixth Sense (E), Monster Affinity (F), Mana Gathering (C), Appraisal (B)

Strength: 170

Stamina: 180

Agility: 180

Vitality: 150

Endurance: 160

Mana: 228

Battle Points: 980 —> 1780

Stat Points: 40

(Requirements for the next advancement: 1000 EXP, 250 in all attributes, and 10000 Battle Points)

Just then, he heard someone approaching. He raised his head and saw Fredrinn walking toward him with a solemn look on his face.

Fredrinn saluted and said. “My lord, I’m here to give you the battle report!”

Alaric nodded at his words. “Go on. I’m listening.”

“We have already retrieved the corpses of our fallen comrades and three hundred and eighty-nine were killed in the battle. Two hundred and twenty are seriously wounded…”

Fredrinn reported the casualties with a grim expression.

After hearing his report, Alaric let out a deep sigh. He then tapped Fredrinn’s shoulder and told him. “You should get some rest. Have someone treat your wounds too.”

Fredrinn nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

Alaric went to visit the warriors who were receiving treatment and gave them a respectful salute. “Thank you for coming here with me, my brave comrades! The victory would have been impossible without your presence.”

He paused and scanned everyone’s faces one by one before he continued.

“I don’t know what your lords have promised you, but I guarantee that all warriors who have participated in this battle will be rewarded accordingly.”

The warriors were ecstatic upon hearing this.

“All hail Lord Alaric!”

“All hail Lord Alaric!”

Alaric waved his hand and left.

This time he headed to where the corpses of the dead warriors were gathered.

He saw a few warriors standing in front of the dead bodies with distraught faces. He also heard some people crying and bawling in front of their friends’ corpses.

Looking at the rows of corpses, Alaric felt a heavy pressure descending upon his shoulders.

Some warriors sensed his presence and were surprised.

In the next moment, they saw him giving the fallen warriors a respectful salute.

While he was silently honoring the sacrifices of the fallen men, a voice drifted into his ears.

“My lord, we have gathered all the beast soul crystals from the orcs’ bodies.”

Alaric turned around and saw that it was Baron Nathan.

“You don’t need to tell me this. All the spoils from this battle will be divided between the houses who have participated in the subjugation.” Alaric uttered in a calm voice.

Baron Nathan revealed a troubled look. “I know, my lord, but everyone has decided to give you the beast soul crystals of the orc king and the six orc lords.”

He beckoned to the warrior standing behind him.

The warrior understood his intentions and presented the seven beast soul crystals to Alaric.

Alaric was taken aback. He thought that these greedy lords would take everything. He didn’t expect that they would actually take the initiative to offer the best drops to him.

Seeing that he was silent, Baron Nathan added. “Please my lord, take these crystals. Otherwise, there will be an infighting between the houses.”

Alaric knew that he was only giving a random excuse, but he didn’t reject the crystals. He took them and placed them inside a leather pouch. “Tell the lords that I’m grateful for their thoughtfulness.”

Baron Nathan grinned. “I will relay your message to everyone, my lord. Please excuse me.”

Alaric nodded and waved his hand, indicating for him to leave.

The baron didn’t linger any further and left.

He then relayed Alaric’s exact words to the lords.

“That’s good. I’m glad that Lord Alaric took the crystals.” A lord sighed with relief.

“Indeed. I’m sure everyone here agrees that House Silversword deserves most of the credit.” Lord Argus squinted his eyes while observing the lords’ faces.

He was the one who suggested offering the seven beast soul crystals to Alaric. He felt that only Alaric and House Silversword should take them.

“Of course! If someone thinks otherwise, I will be the first one to punch their face!” Lord Ermac snorted as he glared at the lords present.

“That’s enough. Everyone here is an ally. There’s no need to create unnecessary tension.” Baron Argus sternly remarked.

The lords nodded upon hearing his words.

The battle brought them closer to each other and they even thought of creating an alliance with House Silversword as the core.

At this moment, an urgent voice suddenly echoed. “My lords!”

Everyone turned their heads and saw a group of warriors rushing toward them, their faces filled with excitement and joy.

“What is it?” Lord Argus asked while raising an eyebrow.

“We discovered a huge deposit of cold iron!” The warrior reported.

“What?!” The lords were stunned upon hearing this.

“Cold iron?! There’s such a thing here?!”

“What should we do, my lords?” The warrior hesitantly asked.

Argus frowned. This could fracture the alliance that they were about to establish.

When melted and refined, cold iron was even more durable than steel. The equipment made from it was also more valuable so it was sought after by many lords and rich merchants. Unfortunately, this metal was rare and difficult to find.

Argus grabbed the warrior’s shoulder and asked with a serious look.

“How huge is this cold iron deposit?”

The lords became silent and they all stared at the warrior, waiting for him to speak.

Sensing everyone’s eyes on him, the warrior almost collapsed from the pressure. “W-We just di-discovered it so we are not sure about the size, but based on what I saw, I think it’s more than enough to arm the entire North with equipment made from cold iron.”

“That much?!”