STARTING WITH AN SSS-RANK SWORDSMANSHIP TALENT

Tyrone paced around his room, looking incredibly unsettled as he wore a deep frown.

How come they look so similar? Is it just a coincidence?

His forehead creased the more he thought about it.

If I remember correctly, I think there was something going on between Lucas and her almost two decades ago. Is it possible that Alaric is their…

As he thought of this, his eyes widened.

This cannot be…

He wanted to deny it, but he realized that it wasn’t impossible.

There had been rumors about the relationship between Lucas and that person, but news about this suddenly disappeared as if someone had deliberately concealed them.

Tyrone rubbed his chin as he took his seat. “I will try probing Lucas tomorrow. If my speculation is right, I might uncover something huge.”

***

The next day, Alaric completed his daily mission after several hours of doing intense exercises.

Alaric Silversword [Elite Knight] EXP: 163 —> 169/1000

Potential: A

Traits: Horseback Riding (C), Swordsmanship (SSS), Close Combat (C), Archery (E), Hunting (E), Tracking (E), Sixth Sense (E), Monster Affinity (F), Mana Gathering (C), Appraisal (B)

Strength: 170

Stamina: 180

Agility: 180

Vitality: 150

Endurance: 160

Mana: 228 —> 230

Battle Points: 1920 —> 1960

Stat Points: 61 —> 67

(Requirements for the next advancement: 1000 EXP, 250 in all attributes, and 10000 Battle Points)

“My lord, please drink some water!” The faithful little servant, Elena, handed him a leather water flask.

Alaric smiled at her, grabbed the water flask, and took a swig.

While he was drinking water, Elena expertly wiped off the sweat on his body with a cloth. She had always done this for him every time he would complete his training.

Meanwhile, Hershey who was standing behind them spoke to Elena in a gentle voice. “You are really good at this.”

Elena turned her head and squeezed out a smile. “I have been by my lord’s side since we were young so it’s almost second nature to me.”

“I see. It seems like your relationship with Alaric is not that simple.” Hershey stared deeply at her while keeping a smile on her face.

Elena was flustered by her words and she hurriedly explained herself. “It’s not what you think, my lady! We are just-“

“Hahaha!” Hershey suddenly giggled when she saw how anxious she was.

She grabbed Elena’s hand and said. “I know and I understand.”

Looking at her earnest expression, Elena gradually calmed down.

“Stop teasing her.” Alaric smiled at the two women.

While they were chatting, they suddenly noticed that someone was approaching them.

They simultaneously turned their heads and saw that it was the old marquis.

Just like how they had met him yesterday, the old man still had this jovial look and easygoing smile.

Alaric, Hershey, and the others quickly stopped what they were doing to greet him.

“Greetings, my lord!”

Tyrone nodded and swept his gaze over the small crowd before his eyes stopped on Alaric. “Lord Alaric, I apologize for abruptly leaving yesterday. Because of my age, I sometimes feel dizzy.”

He had an apologetic look.

“I hope you can forgive me.”

Hearing this, Alaric immediately waved his hand and replied. “It is fine, my lord. Your health is more important so you do not need to worry about these trivial things.”

He knew that the old man was just giving an excuse, but he didn’t expose him.

The old marquis grinned at his words. “Oh, I almost forgot. I was not able to come to your birthday celebration, but I have prepared a gift for you.”

As he said this, he nodded to the servant standing next to him.

The servant opened the wooden box he was carrying, revealing a set of intricately crafted armor.

“This is a relic-level battle armor made from mithril and other valuable materials like the Disaster-grade monster hide. It is also engraved with the fortification trait that makes its wearer take less damage from any form of attack.” The old marquis introduced the armor’s ability as he gestured at the servant to hand the gift to Alaric.

A relic-level battle armor!

Alaric was pleasantly surprised. This was what he needed the most.

The battle armor he was using was also well-made, but it wasn’t at the relic-level. If he had this armor, his combat ability would drastically improve.

Thinking about this, he stared at the old marquis who was gesturing at him to take the armor.

It was a gift from his old superior so he didn’t hesitate any further and took the battle armor.

“Thank you for the gift, my lord. I will cherish it.” Alaric gratefully smiled at him.

“Haha! I am glad that you like it!” Tyrone laughed heartily.

For some reason, he felt that Alaric wasn’t a stranger, but someone that he knew for a long time.

“Who would not like a relic-level battle armor?” Alaric smiled bitterly while shaking his head.

Equipment like this was hard to come by in the North, but they were in abundance in the central areas of Astania.

“It is just a battle armor. There is no need to make a fuss over it.” The marquis chuckled.

Alaric smiled wryly. Only a high-level noble like the old marquis could say something like this.

“How about we talk somewhere more quiet, my lord? I do not think the warriors can train peacefully knowing that you are here.” Alaric suggested.

“Alright. I will follow you.” Tyrone nodded in agreement. There were some things that he wanted to discuss with him, but the details were too sensitive to be said in public.

Alaric brought the old man to his study inside the main mansion. For absolute secrecy, he didn’t let anyone in.

“Please take a seat, my lord.” Alaric pointed at a vacant seat.

The old man thanked him before he took his seat.

“So what do you want to discuss with me, Lord Alaric?” Tyrone didn’t beat around the bush.

Alaric cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts before he spoke. “I noticed that my lord was surprised when you saw me yesterday. It just made me curious.”

The old man’s face suddenly turned serious. He adjusted his sitting posture before he calmly replied. “I just thought that you look like someone I know.”

Alaric raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

The old man’s words had many implications.

“Can you elaborate on what you mean by this?”

The old man shook his head. “To be honest with you, I am also not sure, so it would be for the best if I do not say anything more than that.”

“I see. What a pity.” Alaric shook his head with a look of regret. He was curious, but he didn’t probe further. There was plenty of time to know the truth. He just needed to patiently wait.

Tyrone observed the young man’s expression.

It seems like he is still unaware of this. Lucas might have kept it a secret from him.

It is also possible that I am wrong about the whole thing…

The two talked about other matters to lighten the mood.

Alaric was already familiar with the old man’s personality so he knew which topics would entertain him.

After a few hours of conversation, the marquis stood up and said. “I still have an appointment with Lord Lucas. Please excuse me, my lord.”

“Oh, that is too bad. I really enjoyed talking with you, Lord Tyrone. I hope we can chat again sometime.” Alaric didn’t stop the old man from leaving.

He bid the Marquis farewell and sent him to Lucas’s study.

***

Meanwhile, a group of robed individuals entered through a secret passage that led them to Turtle Fort.

“Your Highness, why don’t we rest here for a while? You must be weary from the trip.” Neo suggested while staring at the figure leading them.

To safely reach this place, they had taken numerous detours. There were scattered goblin outposts in the Enchanted Woodlands so they wasted a lot of time trying to evade them.

“There is no need.” Yvanna shook her head.

A few days had passed since they left the elven kingdom. She was afraid that the war had already started so she couldn’t afford to rest.

“Our kingdom is in danger so we must hurry!” Yvanna muttered.

Neo no longer said anything. He was also worried about the kingdom.

“Split up to gather supplies and return to this spot within thirty minutes!” Yvanna instructed.

As soon as she gave the order, the elven warriors who had followed them went in separate directions. Only Neo stayed behind to protect Yvanna.

The elven princess was only a 1-ringed Beast Soul Master. A powerful Knight could already put her in danger so he didn’t want to leave her side.

“Elder Neo, tell me honestly since you have also witnessed the military power of House Silversword. Do you think we can repel those goblins if we have their support?” Yvanna asked all of a sudden.

Hearing this, Neo thought for a moment before shaking his head. “It’s hard to say, Your Highness. We have no accurate information on the goblin colony. There could be powerful goblins hiding there…”

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