Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Upon entering the room, the first thing that greeted him was the paintings on the wall that depicted the most beautiful scenery of Astania. One of them was a painting of Berming Island.

Alaric stopped for a moment to admire the beautiful artwork.

“Do you like it?” A familiar voice echoed.

He turned his head and saw Jade Kristine approaching him with a warm smile.

Behind her was Samiya who lowered her head upon meeting Alaric’s gaze.

“Mom…” Alaric smiled faintly.

“You can take it if you want.” Jade chuckled while looking at the Berming Island painting.

Alaric shook his head. “How can I take something from your collection?”

His mother loved collecting all sorts of paintings. She had even hired the best painters to make a portrait for each direct member of House Silversword.

“Is that so? I won’t force you then.” Smiling, Jade linked arms with him and brought him inside the room.

“So why did you come to visit me? You rarely visit your mother.” Jade spoke in a chiding tone.

Alaric didn’t respond right away and signaled to his mother, motioning that there were other people around.

Jade was smart and quickly understood what he meant.

Soon, they arrived at a mini living room which was adjacent to her bedchamber.

“Leave us.” Jade waved off the servants, including Samiya.

After everyone left, Jade grabbed a pot of freshly brewed tea and asked her son. “Would you like some tea?”

“No. I already had one earlier.” Alaric shook his head.

Jade didn’t insist and took her seat. “Now tell me. What is on your mind?”

Alaric was trying hard not to reveal it, but she could tell that something was weighing on his mind.

With a serious face, Alaric replied. “Mom, I will march to Harune in a few days.”

Jade Kristine didn’t give much of a reaction. It even seemed like she had already expected this.

“I see… I know that I will not be able to stop you so I will not try to dissuade you.” While saying this, she poured tea for herself.

Through his enhanced eyesight, Alaric noticed the slight quivering of her hand.

“Thank you, mom…” Alaric reached out his hand and grabbed the teapot from her.

Jade didn’t stop him and let him take it away.

“You will have another younger sibling, so you must return unharmed.”

Hearing this, Alaric was startled. “You mean you are…”

Jade smiled faintly and rubbed her stomach with a gentle gaze. “Mn… The doctors have already checked it, but it will take some time before they can confirm the gender.”

Alaric’s eyes went wide. “I can’t believe this… Congratulations, Mom!”

He was happy for his mother and he was also excited at the thought of having another sibling.

“Think of a name for the child before you leave the town.” Jade knew that he would be away for a long time so she wanted Alaric to give the child a name while he was still here.

Alaric rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said with confidence. “I’m good at giving names. I will definitely come up with four good names that you can choose from.”

Hearing his confident tone, Jade chuckled.

For the next two hours, the mother and son chatted about other matters.

***

Five days later, Alaric who was dressed in his battle armor, stepped out of the main mansion.

A fierce wind suddenly blew past him, making his red cape flutter violently.

Outside the mansion were thousands of warriors, standing neatly in rows and columns.

The families of the warriors were also present, looking at them with emotional faces.

Alaric looked at the gathered crowd, his eyes soon resting on his family’s faces.

Taking a deep breath, Alaric walked towards the front where his horse was standing.

He rubbed the horse’s belly before jumping onto its back. After locking his feet on the stirrup, Alaric pulled the reins to make the horse face the crowd.

“Everyone, I believe that you have already said your goodbyes to your families. Take a good look at them as this might be the last chance you will ever see them.”

Alaric wasn’t trying to scare them. Death was inevitable in war. Not everyone would have the luck to make it out alive.

The stern-faced soldiers became emotional as they looked at the faces of their families.

Meanwhile, the family members were crying and shouting their final goodbyes.

It was a heart-wrenching scene.

“Silence!” Alaric shouted after some time, his loud voice gathering everyone’s attention.

With a fierce look, Alaric opened his mouth and spoke. “A few months ago, Harune attacked our lands and killed hundreds of thousands of our people! We don’t know for sure when they will attack us again, but we cannot let that happen!”

“Today, we will march to prevent the same tragedy from happening! It will be a long and arduous journey!”

He paused and scanned the faces of the warriors before he continued.

“Not all of us might return alive, but this is a battle that we must fight to make sure that Harune will never set foot on our lands once more!”

“Warriors of House Silversword, move out!”

The loud sounds of the marching drums followed his speech.

The cries of the families left behind drifted into their ears, gripping at their hearts.

Alaric took one last look at his family before he turned his gaze forward.

I will be back. I promise.

Under his leadership, close to ten thousand warriors departed that day.

At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly echoed behind him.

“Don’t overthink it. You are the prince of Astania. You are only doing what is best for your country.”

He turned his head and saw Yvanna riding on her horse.

Alaric shook his head. “Are you sure about this? You will put yourself into danger if you follow me.”

Yvanna snorted at his words. “Of course! I already told you that I will follow you wherever you go! You can’t stop me.”