Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 596: The Empress Searches for the Duchess

Rin Aspen tapped his foot and lunged at the two ladies, brandishing his demonic sword.

Whoosh!

Bai Seol-hwa was the first one to react. She charged and swung her halberd to block his sword.

Clang!

The powerful collision of their weapons sent sparks flying in all directions.

”Bai Seol-hwa, my former student. You have made me proud with your progress.” Rin Aspen smiled at her.

”Shut your mouth!” Bai Seol-hwa recalled the time when Rin Aspen was still not part of the heretic cult.

He was her teacher, her mentor, and he was also like a father to her. However, everything changed when he joined the heretic cult. He disappeared out of nowhere and never revealed himself again.

”…!”

Suddenly, Rin Aspen sensed a strong killing intent behind him. He kicked Bai Seol-hwa and turned around to block Kangjeon Geum-hwaʼs sneak attack.

Clang!

He noticed?

Kangjeon Geum-hwa was surprised. She had erased her presence before making her move, but Rin Aspen managed to block him just at the right moment.

It was simply inconceivable!

”Step back, you two!” Alaric shouted as he summoned the power of destruction towards Rin Aspen.

Hearing his words, Bai Seol-hwa and Kangjeon Geum-hwa immediately retreated.

”You have a strange power, Alaric of Astania, but can it break my sword?” Rin Aspen snorted as he slashed at the dark orb summoned by Alaric.

Whoosh!

When the demonic sword came into contact with the dark orb, it produced an eerie sound akin to a wailing scream.

Rin Aspen frowned at the unexpected reaction of the sword. As the wielder, he could feel that the sword was in pain.

How is this possible?

The demonic sword was known to be indestructible. No weapon or abilities could break its blade. That was how it was supposed to be, but this indestructible sword was now showing signs of cracks after it destroyed Alaricʼs dark orb!

Just what kind of power is that?!

He became wary of Alaricʼs unusual power and domain.

I need to deal with him first!

Thinking about this, he pounced upon Alaric and sent a series of slashes his way.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Alaric couldnʼt control the destruction domain for a long time because of its high mana consumption. Even so, he pushed himself to the limits and unleashed the full force of his energy core.

He was way weaker than Rin Aspen so he supplemented his weakness with his unparalleled swordsmanship and destruction domain.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

”Your Majesty, leave the rest to us! Please go and find Her Grace!” Bai Seol-hwa shouted to the empress who was about to make her move.

The empress hesitated. Rin Aspen was a dangerous foe and with the demonic sword in his hand, it was like adding wings to a tiger.

If she were to leave, the three would have a hard time against him.

”Your Majesty! We must save Her Grace!” Bai Seol-hwa urged when she saw the empress hesitating.

After some internal struggle, the empress relented. ”Alright. You must be careful. I will return immediately after I save the duchess. You must stay alive!”

The empress took the Crimson Phoenix Knights Order and left the alleyway.

Rin Aspen wanted to pursue them, but he was blocked by Alaric, Bai Seol-hwa, and Kangjeon Geum-hwa.

Clang! Clang!

The fierce battle between the Venerables caused massive destruction in the surrounding area. The houses and the various establishments were turned into ruins under their immense power.

Itʼs not enough! The demonic sword needs more blood!

Rin Aspen found himself struggling against the three Venerables. Without the demonic sword, he would already have been defeated.

It was a critical moment and his mana was slowly dwindling to dangerously low levels. He had to do something before his mana would be depleted.

He tried to target Alaric, but the guy was tricky to handle. He could defend himself with his godly swordsmanship and he also possessed that strange domain.

Rin Aspen gave up on Alaric and focused his attacks on Kangjeon Geum-hwa who was the weakest of the three.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

…

While they were fighting Rin Aspen, the empress brought the Crimson Phoenix Knights Order to find the duchess.

She used her powerful perception to search for her.

There is a strong energy blocking my perception at the estate of House Park.

She frowned. The only thing that could block a Venerableʼs perception was the ability of another Venerable

”Follow me! The duchess should be locked up somewhere in the estate!” She commanded her subordinates.

”Yes, Your Majesty!” The Crimson Phoenix Knights Order responded in unison.

Soon, they arrived at the estate and encountered the warriors of the heretic cult.

”Hold on!” The empress furrowed her eyebrows as she inspected the enemy warriors.

They had experienced the heretic cultʼs despicable methods so she wanted to make sure that none of the enemies were innocent civilians.

I detect a malicious aura from them. They should be legitimate followers of the heretic cult. Only those people possess this kind of filthy aura.

After ascertaining that they were followers of the heretic cult, the empress ordered her subordinates to attack.

”Kill them all!”

Yskaela Veronica rushed to the enemy formation and led her subordinates into battle.

The followers of the heretic cult tried to resist them, but there was an overwhelming disparity in power. In just less than ten minutes, thousands of heretic cult warriors were killed.

”Advance!” The empress shouted while wiping off the blood on her cheeks.

The group rushed through the pathway leading to the main mansion. They occasionally stopped to search the storage buildings and houses they encountered, but they didnʼt find any trace of the duchess.

A moment later, another wave of enemy troops came to stop them. This time, there were over ten thousand of them.

”We are close to finding the duchess! Leave none of them alive!” The empress roared as she valiantly led the charge.

Her subordinates shouted their battle cries as they followed the empress.

The sounds of weapons clashing and the screams of the warriors echoed in the estate.