Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 653: The Empress Sides with House Silversword

Mathilda glanced at the two cowards with a mocking smile. ”I will make it quick so you wonʼt feel any pain.”

Hearing her ruthless words, the two shrieked like pigs in a slaughterhouse.

”Ahh!! Murderer! Help!”

”Donʼt kill me!! Ahh!”

Mathilda mercilessly stabbed their heart with the dagger. The two brothers soon collapsed in each otherʼs arms, their faces filled with fear and anger.

With their deaths, only one person remained from House Yun, the youngest child of Yun Bin, Yun Sera.

The girl was only in her late teens. She was terrified, but she managed to control her emotions. Unlike her brothers, she stared at Mathilda and put on a calm face.

”Yun Sera, I heard a lot about you. You are the most promising child of House Yun with remarkable talent in business. Unfortunately, you were born in the wrong family.” Mathilda stared at the young girl with a cold look.

Although Yun Sera played no part in the massacre of her family, Mathilda wasnʼt stupid enough to spare her. She knew that it would only bring needless trouble if she were to let Yun Sera live.

The quiet Yun Sera opened her mouth.

”Do it. Donʼt feel guilty about it. I know my familyʼs crimes.”

She sighed, her voice filled with helplessness.

Mathilda hesitated when she saw her resolute appearance.

”I am a daughter of House Yun and I will carry the crime committed by my family. Kill me!” Yun Sera spoke with strong conviction.

Mathilda took a deep breath and said. ”I hope you reincarnate in a good family in your next life.”

As soon as she said these words, she plunged the dagger into Yun Seraʼs chest.

With the dagger in her heart, Yun Sera smiled faintly, feeling liberated.

In the next moment, she collapsed onto the floor.

Mathilda breathed heavily, leaning against the wall.

I killed an innocent person…

She looked at her bloodied hands, her eyes shaking.

Suddenly, she felt a big hand on her shoulder.

”You donʼt need to be guilty about it. You did the right thing.” A calm voice drifted into her ears.

Mathilda raised her head and saw Alaric smiling encouragingly at her.

”She may be innocent, but who knows what kind of person she would become in the future…” He added.

Mathilda felt a bit comforted by his words. She nodded, grateful for his help. ”Thank you, Your Highness.”

Alaric only smiled at her words.

”If not for you, I wouldnʼt even have the chance to avenge my familyʼs death.” Mathilda knelt, lowering her head.

”This servant vows to devote her life, body, and soul to serve Your Highness. Whatever Your Highness wants me to do, I will obey without hesitation.”

Alaricʼs eyes flickered.

He held her hand and helped her get up. ”I accept your vow.”

Mathilda kept her head bowed.

…

A few days later, the annihilation of House Yun shocked the capital. It was a growing nobility with ties to powerful households, but even such a budding power was quietly wiped out.

The imperial palace was also alerted by the news and the empress immediately sent someone to investigate the situation.

Inside the empressʼs bedchamber, Bai Seol-hwa came to deliver her report.

”Your Majesty…” She seemed hesitant to speak about the matter.

Seeing this, Yskaela raised an eyebrow and beckoned to her. ”Have you identified the culprit?”

Bai Seol-hwa nodded, her face looking serious as she responded. ”Yes. It is related to House Silversword.”

Yskaela was taken aback.

House Silversword was a righteous household and they would never kill without a good reason.

”Tell me the details.”

Bai Seol-hwa nodded.

”When House Yun was still transitioning from a merchant family to a barony, they had many enemies…”

”… One of His Highnessʼs servants, a lady by the name of Mathilda, was the only survivor of a merchant family that House Yun annihilated…”

”According to the investigators, there is a high chance that this is an act of revenge.”

Yskaela frowned upon learning the truth.

”It was a mistake to confer that despicable man into a baron. I am partly to blame for this.” She sighed, her voice filled with self-reproach.

”I should have punished Yun Bin.”

With a worried look, Bai Seol-hwa asked. ”What should be done, Your Majesty?”

Yskaela leaned on her chair, revealing a thoughtful look.

If she were to publicly condemn House Silversword, she would incur their displeasure and her wedding with Alaric would definitely be canceled. However, she couldnʼt pretend that nothing happened since many households had already heard of the incident.

After a moment of silence, she relayed her instructions. ”Reward House Silversword for eliminating the remnants of the heretic cult!”

Hearing this, Bai Seol-hwa was stunned.

The empress had clearly chosen to side with House Silversword. She even branded House Yun as members of the heretic cult. This was a smart move that would stop people from gossiping.

”Your servant obeys!” Bai Seol-hwa acknowledged the command.

”Handle this matter well and donʼt let any information leak.” Yskaela waved her hand, indicating for her to leave.

”I understand.” Bai Seol-hwa bowed deeply and left the empressʼs bedchamber.

Yskaela let out a heavy sigh after she left.

”House Silversword is really heavy-handed against their enemies. They didnʼt even hesitate to wipe out an entire household for the sake of a servant.”

With a shake of her head, she destroyed the documented report of the incident.

”House Yun is tied to some big families. There might be some backlash, but will they dare complain?” She sneered in her mind.

Not all the big households in Veronica were clean. In fact, many of them were involved in illegal activities. As the empress, Bai Seol-hwa was aware of this for a long time. She just turned a blind eye to their actions since they hadnʼt crossed the line. However, it was different this time.

”After my wedding, I will cleanse this empire and remove all the filth so my descendant will have nothing to worry about!” She vowed in her heart, her eyes glinting with killing intent.