Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Inside a mountain cave beyond Iron Sand Fort, a hundred injured warriors could be seen nursing their wounds. Some lay completely motionless on the ground, while some were leaning against the wall groaning with a dark expression.

Among them, the second prince was bandaging a warrior who had lost an arm, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

This warrior was weaker than him, an ordinary Elite Knight. However, when they were escaping from the besiegement of Harune’s troops, this man didn’t hesitate to jump in front of him and use his body to protect him.

It wasn’t just this man. To ensure his safety, many warriors had sacrificed their lives. Their selfless actions made him rethink whether he was worthy of their sacrifices.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The man forced out a smile on his pale face.

Giovanni didn’t know how to respond. He felt that he wasn’t deserving of the man’s gratitude.

Looking at the prince’s complicated expression, the warrior seemed to have understood his feelings. “You don’t need to blame yourself, Your Highness. We protected you not just because you possess the imperial blood. We believe that you are worthy of our sacrifice. I’m sure everyone here shares the same sentiments.”

Hearing this, Giovanni was stunned, disbelief written all over his face.

“Am I really worthy…” He mumbled.

The warrior let out a heroic smile and said. “Your Highness fought on the frontlines to buy time for the residents to retreat to safety. That alone is worthy of respect.”

“Don’t belittle yourself, Your Highness. You are a good man. You might have made mistakes in the past, but it isn’t too late to change.”

Giovanni’s heart trembled and for the first time since he was born, he felt genuinely moved.

To think that, I, Giovanni, would feel this much joy to hear someone’s words…

Thinking about this, he tapped the injured warrior’s shoulder. “Get some rest.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Giovanni went to help the other warriors which greatly surprised them. They never thought that the arrogant second prince would actually lower himself to help commoners like them. This slowly changed their perception of him.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of galloping horses outside the cave, alerting everyone. They grabbed their weapons and eyed the entrance of the cave with cold gazes.

“Wait! It’s one of ours!” Someone shouted, making them feel relieved.

In the next moment, five warriors on horseback entered the cave.

“What happened out there? Are you the only survivors?” Inquired Giovanni as he approached them.

The five riders got off their horses and bowed to him. “We are glad to see you safe, Your Highness.”

“To answer your question, the situation in the fortress has already been settled. Other than the five of us, more than one thousand warriors are still alive including the Lord Marquis and Sir Derrek.”

Hearing this, everyone inside the cave was pleasantly surprised, but they were also baffled.

Before they retreated, they were on the verge of collapsing so how did they turn the tide against such overwhelming odds?

As if noticing their confusion and doubt, one of the five warriors explained the situation that had happened.

He recounted the sudden appearance of a young Transcendent warrior who rode a majestic catastrophe-grade beast.

“…the beast opened its mouth and spat out flames that…”

Everyone was fascinated by the story and they could already imagine the scene of that battle in their mind.

Unable to hide his curiosity, Giovanni asked. “Were you able to ask the identity of the young warrior?”

He couldn’t think of anyone that impressive in the younger generation of the empire. The only one who came close was his cousin, Alaric, but the guy was only an Elite Knight.

“It’s His Highness Alaric Silversword…” the warrior responded.

Giovanni widened his eyes, unable to believe his ears. “Alaric?! How could it be him?”

It wasn’t just him, the ones in the cave couldn’t believe it either. From their knowledge, Alaric was only an Elite Knight so how did he suddenly advance to the Transcendent realm in a short amount of time? Not to mention that he could now command a fearsome catastrophe-grade monster. They found it hard to believe.

Giovanni grabbed the warrior and told him. “Is he still in the fortress? Bring me to see him!”

The warrior revealed a troubled look and replied helplessly. “His Highness left after dealing with the soldiers of Harune. He said that other cities are also being attacked so he hurried to leave.”

Giovanni was disappointed to hear this. He wanted to go to the fortress and confirm the situation, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the injured warriors in the cave.

“I see… Thank you for letting us know.”

***

Five days had passed since Alaric left Black Wind Fort. He had already been to three fortress cities and helped them resist the troops of Harune. However, he still didn’t receive a notification from the system.

He was on his way to the fourth location which was a newly built town on the western borders.

Berming Island… I have never been there in either lifetimes. I heard that their town is surrounded by a lake. I wonder if it’s true.

From what he knew, the town was governed by a Western Viscount, but he didn’t know which viscounty it was.

While he was immersed in his thoughts, a magnificent island surrounded by a vast lake entered his line of sight.

When viewed from above, one could see a developing town surrounded by tall earthen walls. There were also boats and ships around the island, possibly owned by the officials or residents of the town. However, this beautiful town was currently being attacked by over a hundred warships, destroying the picturesque atmosphere.

Surprisingly, the town was able to resist the enemy warships with its own maritime forces.

To think that there is actually a powerful maritime force on the western borders…

Alaric was taken by surprise.

Although Berming Island’s maritime forces were outnumbered, they possessed incredible weapons mounted on their ships which slowed down the enemy’s advances.