Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

“Caecus…” Alaric muttered.

Whoosh!

As soon as he uttered the name, a figure appeared behind him like a shadow.

Alaric turned around, faced him, and commanded in a cold voice. “I want you to gather more information about the Parahan Imperial Family. The size of their troops, the number of Venerables under their command, everything…”

Caecus lowered his head. “Your servant obeys.”

Alaric waved his hand and dismissed him. “You may leave…”

Whoosh!

After Caecus left, Alaric’s face turned dark.

I hope I’m just overthinking things.

…

A few days later, Bellator returned to the city with the troops. He headed straight to the mansion of House Silversword to look for Alaric.

“Please forgive me, Lord Bellator. His Highness said that he must not be disturbed.”

Bellator furrowed his eyebrows, staring deeply at Galanar who was guarding outside Alaric’s door.

Did something happen while I was away?

“What happened?” He asked.

Galanar hesitated for a moment before he responded. “His Highness is making preparations for his visit to Parahan.”

Parahan?

He remembered that it was one of the largest empires in this desolate region.

“Then what about his wedding with the empress?”

There had already been discussions about Alaric’s wedding with Yskaela, so he wondered why Alaric would suddenly change his plans.

Galanar shook his head with a sigh. “His Majesty is thinking of delaying it.”

Hearing this, Bellator was stunned.

He was about to ask another question when Alaric’s voice suddenly echoed from inside the room.

“Lord Bellator, please come in.”

Galanar opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing at the other to enter.

Bellator nodded at him and stepped inside the room.

Upon entering, he saw Alaric dressed in his battle armor, looking ready for war.

“It seems like a lot of things happened while I was gone.” He spoke, not bothering to hide his curiosity.

Alaric took his seat and gestured to him to sit on the adjacent chair.

“It is still uncertain, but I think Parahan is preparing for war.”

Bellator crossed his arms, saying. “Why would Parahan even prepare for war? Do you have a grudge with them?”

Alaric shook his head with a wry smile. “Not before, but I believe I do now.”

Bellator frowned, not understanding his words.

Seeing this, Alaric quickly explained.

“The crown prince of Parahan is deeply in love with Her Majesty, but he was rejected after being defeated by her…”

“… He thought that no man could ever get to marry Her Majesty considering her high standards for her husband…”

Bellator thought that there would be some compelling reason, but it was just a shitty love triangle.

“There is actually someone so stupidly in love that he would mobilize an entire nation’s army for that reason…” He shook his head disdainfully.

Alaric waved his hand. “Nothing is certain yet. This is only a guess on my part so I’m heading to Parahan to investigate it myself.”

Bellator stared him and said. “Leave this to me and proceed with the wedding. You cannot let your woman wait.”

Alaric was taken aback. He didn’t expect to hear this from him.

“Will you really do this for me?” Alaric confirmed if he had heard it right.

Bellator nodded, his face calm. “I owe you a favor. This is the least I can do for you.”

Alaric smiled faintly. This guy was surprisingly agreeable. “You have my gratitude, Lord Bellator.”

“Do you need anything for your trip?” He asked.

Bellator stood up and shook his head. “Just give me a map. I will take care of the rest.”

Alaric chuckled at his response. “Well, if you say so.”

He went to his desk and opened the drawer to grab a map of the desolate region. The map depicted a detailed view of the surrounding nations including Parahan.

Alaric handed the map to Bellator. “I already sent Caecus there to investigate them. I will send word to him and tell him to cooperate with you.”

“His power might be lacking compared to yours, but he is a capable man. I’m sure Caecus will be of help to you, Lord Bellator.” He added.

Bellator took the map and kept it in his inner pocket.

“Alright. You can expect good results.” He said with certainty.

Alaric smiled at his words. “That’s reassuring to hear.”

Bellator didn’t linger for long and left right away.

After he left, Alaric removed his battle armor and changed into a set of comfortable clothes.

I should visit Her Majesty and finalize the wedding date.

…

A week later, inside the palace of Parahan.

Ferdinand Parahan was pacing around his bedchamber with a gloomy face.

“More than a week has passed, but there is still no word from them…”

In a moment of rage, he smashed the expensive porcelain on the table with his fist.

The spies in Sorl were the most skilled people under his command, but there was still no update from them.

“Have they been killed?” He muttered, his face contorting with fury.

This was the only conclusion he could think of.

He put on some clothes and stepped out of his bedchamber.

“Your Highness.” He saw his right-hand man Demetrio standing outside the door, looking calm and composed.

“Demetrio, I need you to gather the Beast Fang Corps,” Ferdinand instructed in a grave voice.

Demetrio was stunned to hear this.

The Beast Fang Corps was the strongest force under Ferdinand’s command. There were only fifty of them, but they were all Transcendent Knights!

Is he thinking of using the Beast Fang Corps to assassinate Alaric Silversword?

He wanted to dissuade the crown prince, but it didn’t look like the other would listen to him.

After some hesitation, he could only reluctantly follow the command. “Your subordinate obeys.”

Soon, fifty Transcendent Knights gathered at the open field behind the palace. They were all dressed in gaudy purple and black armor, looking intimidating and powerful.

These men were members of the Beast Fang Corps.

Looking at the gathered warriors, Ferdinand looked pleased. “I gathered you all here because I have an important task for you.”