Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

When Lyanna informed the women about Alaric’s offer, they were overjoyed. They had already mentally prepared themselves to be abused, but it seemed like Aru had other plans for them.

Some girls even kneeled before Alaric to express their gratitude, but he quickly helped them up.

“My lord, this is my younger sister, Emma.” Lyanna eagerly introduced her younger sister to Alaric.

Emma lowered her head. It could be seen that she was still wary of him. It was probably her distrust toward strangers, but Alaric didn’t mind this.

“Just call me Emma, my lord.”

Alaric nodded with a faint smile. “Alright, Emma.”

[Do you want to use Appraisal on the selected target?]

[Yes] [No]

Alaric clicked [Yes].

Emma Jillings [1-Ringed Beast Soul Master] EXP: 7/500

Potential: A

Integrated Monster Trait: Photographic Memory (B)

Traits: Business Management (B), Horseback Riding (F), Quick Learner (A), Archery (C), Swordsmanship (F)

Strength: 15

Stamina: 11

Agility: 14

Vitality: 19

Endurance: 12

Mana: 190

Alaric was a bit disappointed when he saw her attributes. Her mana was definitely high, but the rest of her attributes were ridiculously low for a 1-Ringed Beast Soul Master.

She has business management and quick learner traits, so she can help me manage the new businesses we started.

He had been searching for someone with a good talent for business. He did find a few people with the business management trait, but all of them already had affiliations. Now, he had finally discovered the person he was looking for.

“What kind of work do you want to do?” Alaric probed while looking at the young girl.

Emma hesitated upon hearing this. She didn’t respond immediately and looked at her sister to seek her advice.

Seeing this, Lyanna gave her an encouraging look.

Emma turned her gaze back to Alaric and said. “My lord, I can handle administrative tasks. That’s what I did back home…”

She sounded hurt when she mentioned ‘home’.

“I see.” Alaric didn’t give much of a reaction. He already somewhat expected this answer from her when he saw her traits.

The red-haired siblings nervously observed his reaction. They were worried that Alaric would place Emma in the army because of her identity.

“That works too. It just happens that I need someone to help me manage my businesses. We will talk about this again later since I cannot bring you ladies with me to Vale.” Alaric’s words made the siblings feel relieved.

“Thank you, my lord!” Emma bowed her head gratefully.

Alaric simply smiled.

After taking care of the women, he instructed Franklin and a few warriors to escort them back to the estate.

The group separated soon afterward, one headed back to North Pine Town, while the other one went to Vale.

Inside the carriage, Alaric noticed Elena’s gloomy face. “Are you alright, Elena?” He asked.

Elena jolted upon hearing his voice. “It’s nothing, my lord.” She forced a smile.

“I just think that I was lucky to meet you when I was still young. Otherwise, I would have experienced the same thing as those women did.” She added.

Hearing this, Hershey grabbed her shoulder and hugged her. She didn’t say anything, but her warmth was enough to comfort Elena.

Alaric was happy to see them getting closer. He didn’t disturb them and just looked at the scenery outside the window.

***

“Lyanna, are we really going to work for Lord Alaric from now on?” Emma whispered to her older sister.

Lyanna shook her head and replied. “We have no choice. Besides, Lord Alaric isn’t an evil man. I think we can trust him.”

Emma nodded in agreement. “That’s true. He freed us and even offered us jobs. No other man would have done the same.”

“If only our father was half as good as him…” Her voice trailed off when she saw her elder sister giving her a cold gaze.

“Don’t mention that person again! Do you understand?”

Emma shrank her neck as she replied with a hum. “Mn.”

While the two were chatting, someone’s voice suddenly drifted into their ears.

“You all are lucky to encounter Lord Alaric.”

The women turned their heads toward the person who had spoken. It was the dark-skinned warrior who seemed to be the leader of their escort team.

Noticing their curious gazes, Franklin chuckled. “Just like you all, I was a slave. I was a gladiator to be exact. I worked for a man named Dexter. He was the leader of an underground organization in Riverwake….”

Franklin didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt like telling them about his story. Perhaps he saw his past from them and it evoked his sympathy.

The ladies were immersed in his story. No one expected that this respectable warrior was actually once a gladiator. This made them feel deep admiration for Alaric.

“Lord Alaric is a capable leader and a kind man. I hope that you won’t betray him. Otherwise, my blade will cut your neck.” Franklin jokingly said.

The women nervously laughed when they heard his words. They believed that he was capable of doing it.

Lyanna tugged her younger sister’s clothes and asked.

“Emma, do you remember that mountain we discovered near Hairo?”

“Of course.” Emma raised an eyebrow when she mentioned this. “That’s where we found those strange-looking flowers.”

Suddenly, she realized what her older sister was thinking. “Wait! Don’t tell me you are…”

Lyanna made a ‘shushing’ gesture. She looked around them to make sure that no one was listening. “I’m thinking of reporting that discovery to Lord Alaric.”

Emma frowned. “But Lyanna, we don’t even know if those flowers are valuable. If Lord Alaric goes there and finds out that it’s not worth anything, he might think that we are untrustworthy.”

Lyanna leaned against the wagon and looked at the bright sky above them.

The warriors had removed the metal bars from the slave wagons so she could now see the sky without any hindrance.

“Emma, this could be our chance to repay Lord Alaric. I will take full responsibility.” She muttered with determination.