Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Alaric lifted his weary eyelids, and the first thing he saw was a dragon painted on the ceiling.

He wanted to move his limbs, but he suddenly felt a wave of pain all over his body. The lack of movement in the last two years made his bones and muscles feel stiff.

I’m finally out of that abyss…

The pain made him relieved.

Where am I?

After sorting his thoughts, he turned his head sideways.

“Your Highness!” A maidservant who had been dozing off exclaimed when she saw him move.

She quickly rose to her feet and rushed to his side. “Your Highness, you’re awake!”

“I will inform the Lord Duke. Please wait for a moment, Your Highness.” Without waiting for his response, the maidservant bolted out of the room.

Seeing this, Alaric let out a wry smile.

From her reaction, it seems like I have been unconscious for quite some time. I wonder how many days have passed…

A moment later, he heard a series of disorderly footsteps in the corridor.

Creak!

As soon as the door sprang open, he saw Lucas, Hershey, Yvanna, Elena, and a few more people entering with worried faces.

“Alaric!”

“My son!”

“Your Highness!”

They called out, their voices trembling with excitement and surprise.

Hershey rushed to his side and gently embraced him.

“Alaric… I’m glad that you’re awake!” She sobbed, her eyes glistening with tears.

Yvanna and Elena also held him, their faces choking with emotion.

“Your Highness…” Elena grabbed his hand, her voice trembling.

Yvanna didn’t say anything, but Alaric saw the relief on her beautiful face.

“Son…”

Hearing his father’s deep voice, Alaric tilted his head.

Smiling, he called out weakly. “Dad…”

Just then, he noticed a little girl tightly clutching Lucas’ leg, staring at him with curiosity.

Looking at the girl, Alaric felt a sense of familiarity. “This girl is…”

Lucas composed himself as he ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Don’t you recognize your own sister?”

His words were like a bolt of thunder, making Alaric stunned.

My sister?!

“Gwenaelle?” His eyes widened in disbelief.

His baby sister had suddenly grown into a cute little girl. The last time he saw her, she was just an infant. Just how much time had gone by while he was trapped in that eternal darkness?

“Brother…” Gwenaelle shyly responded, her eyes blinking.

Alaric looked at his father and asked. “How long was I unconscious?”

Lucas let out a long sigh and replied emotionally. “Two years… You were unconscious for two years, son.”

“What?!” Alaric was shaken. He thought that only a few days had passed, but reality was far from his expectations.

He closed his eyes to process this information.

Everyone quietly waited for him to accept this news.

Alaric let out a deep breath and asked in a stern voice. “What about the cult leader? Is he dead?”

Lucas nodded. “Her Majesty and the others managed to kill him because of your efforts. The heretic cult has also been eradicated. There are still a few followers in hiding, but they are no longer of any threat to the people.”

Hearing this, Alaric was comforted. “That’s good…”

Looking at the fragile image of his son, Lucas had the urge to embrace him, but he controlled himself.

He was already a duke so he had to maintain his image in front of his subordinates.

“The doctors and healers will come here soon to do a checkup. You shouldn’t move around for the time being and wait for their diagnosis.” Lucas reminded him while gesturing at the gathered crowd to leave.

Alaric understood his father’s intentions. “Alright…”

Hershey could tell that the duke had something to say to his son so she took Gwenaelle’s hand and whispered. “Gwenaelle, why don’t we play in the garden?”

The little girl was also smart enough to understand the situation. With a smile, she nodded. “Okay!”

As Hershey left with Gwenaelle, the others also stepped out of the room, leaving Alaric alone with his father.

Lucas sat on the bed and stared deeply at his son.

“You really made us worried, son. You shouldn’t do something so reckless again.” The duke displayed a rare expression of concern, a face that he wouldn’t show in public.

Hearing his usually stern father say such words, Alaric responded with a faint smile. “I am the son of Lucas Silversword. I don’t regret what I did…”

Lucas helplessly shook his head.

He stood up and mentioned another matter. “I sent word to the palace about your recovery. They should be here soon.”

The duke paused and hesitated for a moment.

“Her Majesty… she frequently visited you when you were unconscious. I think she-”

His words were cut short as the door sprang open.

Creak!

Turning their heads, they saw Jade Kristine, rushing inside the bedchamber with an anxious look.

“Alaric, my son!”

Seeing his mother, Alaric smiled. “Mom…”

Hm?

Behind her, he noticed a pair of twins being carried by two servants.

Jade Kristine embraced her son, her eyes filled with tears of joy. “Thank god you’re awake now! I thought… I thought…”

Her words stopped as she quietly sobbed.

Alaric held his mother’s hand. “Mom, I’m happy to see you in good health.”

“Those two…” he pointed at the twins, while looking at his father.

Lucas chuckled and took the twins from the maidservants. He then brought them closer to Alaric while introducing their names. “They are your little siblings. This little one is Kristelle and this is your younger brother, Bryle.”

Alaric recalled that his mother was pregnant when he left the territory.

“Now I have three little siblings…” He chuckled.

Jade Kristine wiped her tears and spoke with a smile. “You have four siblings. Have you forgotten about Dudu?”

When she mentioned this name, the face of a mischievous little girl flashed in his mind.

“Right… I have four little siblings.” He laughed, feeling a wave of joy and comfort.

“Can I hug the twins?” He told his father.

Lucas nodded and carefully placed the twins in Alaric’s arms.

Feeling the tiny bodies next to him, Alaric felt a sense of tranquility.