Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

With the mighty Galanar and the experienced Henry leading the entourage, everyone felt safe.

“You must be careful when you make promises to those lords. They are crafty individuals so they might try to make use of your new status for their own benefit.” Hershey reminded him with a stern voice.

Alaric nodded in agreement.

After being named as the third heir to the crown, Alaric had been invited to numerous occasions. Initially, he found these noble gatherings unnecessary, but he knew that he had to establish a strong connection with their subordinate houses. If it weren’t for these troublesome social events, he would have already become a Transcendent Knight.

Hershey gave him a few more reminders to which he took note of.

He wasn’t the kind of man used to these things so having Herhey with him was reassuring.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Vale where a group of officials were already waiting for them.

“We greet Your Highness!” Everyone greeted him enthusiastically.

They had made strict preparations before his arrival to ensure that he would get the best treatment possible.

Facing their passionate welcome, Alaric didn’t give much of a reaction. He stayed inside his carriage and waved at the people outside.

If it were before, he would have stepped out of his carriage to greet those people, but he could no longer do that since he would have a hard time extricating himself from the crowd.

Vale’s officials brought them to the meeting location, an obscure restaurant created solely for important gatherings.

Alaric and Hershey stepped out of the carriage.

Under the heated gazes of the city officials and northern lords, the couple walked along the red carpet prepared for them.

Alaric felt stuffy in his imperial garments, but he didn’t show any signs of discomfort outwardly.

“Tell the seamstress to adjust my clothes once we return to the estate.” He whispered to his wife.

Hearing this, Hershey nodded. “Alright.”

Her husband has been diligent in his training despite his busy schedule. Because of his efforts, his frame had grown noticeably bigger than it was a few months ago.

A moment later, they entered the largest private room in the restaurant. It was like a huge hall which was spacious enough to accommodate a hundred guests.

Upon entering the private room, Alaric saw about twenty old men and women standing with serious faces while looking at him.

“Greetings, Your Highness!” Everyone bowed to him without exception.

Alaric returned their greeting with a simple nod of his head.

He noticed that they were waiting for him to sit so he didn’t dawdle. He took his seat and gestured for everyone to sit down.

“Let us begin the meeting.” He announced with a dignified voice.

The meeting was mostly about some important issues in the northern region. Things like territorial disputes, resource gathering, or beast horse attacks were mentioned.

As he listened, Alaric realized that he wasn’t cut out for this thing. Not even ten minutes had passed, but he was already feeling sleepy and bored.

I would rather attack a goblin colony than sit in front of these northern lords.

He sighed in his heart.

Although he had much to complain about, Alaric still completed his duties.

“Your Highness, there is one last thing. This is also the most important.” Spoke Argus, one of the northern lords who had first submitted to House Silversword.

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Hearing this, Alaric furrowed his eyebrows and gestured for the old man to continue.

Argus cleared his throat and said with a grave look. “Lately, there has been growing concern about the increase in the number of foreign spies.”

The northern lords quieted down when they heard this.

They knew that Alaric’s birth mother, Princess Jade, had an arranged marriage with a prince from Harune.

Everyone was worried that the spies they captured were connected to Harune.

“We tried interrogating those spies, but they refused to talk even when they were being tortured,” Argus added, his face looking grim.

“What are you trying to say?” Alaric stared deeply at him.

Argus took a deep breath and replied. “Your Highness, there is a high chance that those people are sent by Harune to observe the northern region.”

Alaric frowned. He was also aware of this matter. In fact, he had already confirmed their identity after they captured some of those said people.

He adjusted his sitting posture and thought for a moment when a notification suddenly popped up in front of him.

Seeing this, he immediately instructed.

“Increase the number of warriors stationed on our borders! Also, communicate with the city officials to do inspections on the residents!”

A few northern lords knitted their eyebrows.

“Your Highness, doing this would make the residents feel anxious…”

Alaric raised his hand, stopping the man from speaking mid-sentence. With a serious expression, he muttered. “Harune has already made a move!”

“What?!”

Everyone’s faces became unsightly when they heard his words.

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Mission: Send Reinforcements to the Western Borders!

Mission Difficulty: Hard

Harune has set out to invade the western borders of Astania! If nothing is done, five cities will be destroyed and hundreds of thousands of lives will be lost!

Rewards: 1000 Battle Points, 50 EXP, 50 Stat Points, Random Trait Card x1

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“Harune will attack our western borders so we must send them reinforcements immediately!” Alaric commanded with a flourish of his sleeves.

The northern lords gasped in shock.

Looking at his serious face, they realized that he wasn’t joking.

“Communicate with the other northern lords to form a reinforcement army that will be sent to the western borders! Once they are ready, they must make haste to help the South defend our nation!”

“We will follow your commands, Your Highness!”

Everything was too sudden, but the northern lords readily agreed to his orders. They had witnessed Alaric’s strength and unbelievable breakthrough speed so they developed a strong sense of respect for him.

With just one word from him, they were willing to go through fire and water!

The meeting ended abruptly and everyone quickly made their way back to their territories to relay the news.

Harune, how dare you attack my country!?

Alaric’s eyes flashed with ferocity as he stepped out of the restaurant.