Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Upon returning to the Greenwood Kingdom, Garandel invited all the military officers to his treehouse except those who were injured.

Everyone was baffled by the elven king’s invitation.

Seeing the confusion in everyone’s faces, Garandel raised his hand and said. “Everyone.”

After gathering their attention, he continued.

“I have received reports from our scouts that the goblin colony had already disbanded. The goblin monarchs that survived the war took their tribes and left, causing the fragmentation of the colony.”

They all thought that there would be another battle so the king’s words made everyone relieved.

“But we cannot be happy just yet.” Garandel’s voice suddenly turned cold.

He paused and scanned everyone’s faces as he announced. “We do not know when another enemy would come to invade us so we must expand our military forces and bolster our defenses!”

The war with the goblins made him realize that their military power was a bit lacking. If it weren’t for Lucas and the human warriors, they would have been defeated by the goblin army.

While the king told them about his plans for the expansion, Alaric just sat there in silence.

The elven king invited us here to let us know that he trusts us, but he is too naive. If it were someone else who had ulterior motives, it would have been dangerous for his kingdom. Exposing their military expansion plans like this is like telling everyone your weakness.

Alaric inwardly shook his head. Garandel was a kind leader, but he was too trusting.

Garandel talked for almost an hour before he switched to another agenda.

“The war this time would have been impossible to win without our human friends.”

He turned his gaze to Alaric and lowered his head.

“As the king of the Greenwood Kingdom, please allow me to formally express our gratitude.”

No elves laughed or criticized the king for lowering his head to the humans. They also thought that they deserved their gratitude so they followed the king’s example and bowed their heads.

“Alaric, I would like to form an alliance with your household!” Garandel proposed.

What?!

An alliance with the elven kingdom would bring many benefits to their household. Aside from the opportunity to make trades, they could also offer mutual military support.

However, this alliance also carried some risks so Alaric didn’t rush to accept the elven king’s proposal.

Seeing his silence, everyone quietly waited for him to make the decision.

He was the heir of House Silversword so he had the authority to make this decision.

After a moment of silence, Alaric cleared his throat and replied. “Thank you for the proposal, Your Majesty. As the heir of House Silversword, I accept your offer to form an alliance!”

He had thought it through.

Other than gaining military support and potential business partnerships, being allied with the elves will help us expand our reach to the Enchanted Woodlands!

The Enchanted Woodlands was the home of numerous powerful creatures and dangerous monsters so no one dared to venture deeply into this land, but with the elves’ support, things might be different.

Alaric didn’t reveal his thoughts. He only expressed his agreement to form an alliance which made the elves happy.

He felt a bit guilty when he saw their reaction.

“Great! Once your father has recovered, we will formalize this agreement!” Garandel couldn’t conceal his joy.

Once we are allied with House Silversword, we do not need to be afraid of being attacked again.

He also had some ulterior motives in making this proposal, but what he didn’t know was that this decision would one day cause massive changes to the power structure of the Enchanted Woodlands.

“Alaric is there anything that you want? Tell me and I will do my best to make it happen.” Garandel felt that the rewards they had promised were too low so he decided to grant Alaric’s wish on a whim.

Hearing this, Alaric was taken aback, but he didn’t show it to his face.

I was thinking about how I should ask them to engrave an ability on my short sword. It seems like I do not need to go through so much trouble.

He thought to himself as he replied to the king.

“Your Majesty, I do have something that I want.”

“I am listening. Go on.”

“It is like this. I have a weapon here that I want to be engraved with an ability so I would like to ask one of your beast soul warriors to help me with this.” Alaric grabbed the custom-made short sword strapped to his waist and showed it to the elven king.

Garandel could already tell at a glance that the sword was made of special materials.

“Bring your sword over.” He beckoned to Alaric.

Alaric nodded and approached the king. He then handed him the short sword without hesitation.

The elves might be arrogant, but they were trustworthy.

Good sword! Wait, this texture and this coldness…

He discovered that it was made of mithril and another material with inherent cold attributes.

“You have a good sword. It must have been made by a great artisan.” Garandel praised as he handed back the sword.

Alaric couldn’t help but think about the drunkard, Goran, when he heard the elven king’s words.

With a light chuckle, he nodded. “The sword was indeed crafted by our household’s best blacksmith.”

“No wonder.” Garandel rubbed his chin.

“Alright. Tell me which ability you want to be engraved on this sword.” He stared deeply at Alaric, curious to know his decision.

Alaric already knew which ability he wanted for the sword so he quickly gave his response. “I would like Sir Neo’s Ice Manipulation ability, Your Majesty.”

He had seen stronger integrated monster traits, but he felt that Neo’s ice manipulation was perfect for the sword.

Garandel was surprised by this, but he immediately understood the reason for his choice. “I see. You made a great choice. Neo’s ice manipulation is indeed the most fitting ability for your sword.”

After saying those words, Garandel turned his head to Neo. “What do you think, Neo?”