Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

“Uhm…” Baron Smith was at loss for words, but when he saw Alaric’s annoyed face, he could only bite the bullet.

“Everyone wants to celebrate our victory so I came here to invite you…”

“Fine. I will be there later.” Alaric snorted and went back to his treehouse with a slam of the door.

Smith Heinrich could only smile bitterly as he thought to himself.

It seems like I have inadvertently offended, Lord Alaric.

Meanwhile, the elf who had come with him was still reeling in shock. He couldn’t believe that the cold and indifferent princess had actually entered someone’s treehouse.

“Let us go, buddy.” Smith tapped the elven warrior’s shoulder with a forced smile on his face.

“Uh, alright.”

An hour later, Alaric’s annoyance finally subsided. He searched for the others and found them drinking the elves. It was a harmonious scene, something that had never happened in his past life.

“What are you guys drinking?” He asked as he approached them.

“My lord!” Jared Paxley eagerly walked to his side with a gourd of what seemed to be elves’ version of beer.

Sensing Alaric’s gaze, Jared handed him the gourd and said with a smile. “My lord, this is the specialty drink of the Greenwood Kingdom, the Bejeweled Nectar! It has a strong flavor and I heard that it also improves health! Amazing, right? Why don’t you give it a try?”

“Is it really that good?” Alaric hesitated, but when the unique aroma of the drink assailed his nostrils, he couldn’t resist the temptation anymore.

He brought the gourd to his mouth and took a swig of the so-called specialty drink of the elves.

Wow! It definitely has alcohol in it, but the taste is vastly different compared to what we drink in the empire. This one has a fruity taste to it, almost like juice. It also packs quite the punch once it travels down your throat…

Alaric could already smell a big business opportunity from this drink.

I am sure the others had also thought of this, but they would not dare do this business without my House Silverdword’s permission…

“I love it!” Alaric exclaimed with a look of enjoyment.

“I knew you would love it!” Jared laughed heartily upon hearing his words.

“My lord, the elves have more drinks like this. Although not as good as the Bejeweled Nectar, they are still much better than most drinks in our empire. Why don’t we…” His voice trailed off, but his message was clear.

He wanted House Paxley to do this business!

Alaric stared deeply at him and responded in a calm voice. “Let us talk about this later with Lord Smith. I do not want him to think that I am favoring you.”

Jared nodded in understanding. “Yes, my lord!”

It was a good sign. Although they might have to share the business with House Heinrich, Jared didn’t mind. He knew that they would still earn a lot once these drinks hit the shelves.

Alaric joined the celebration with the warriors.

Everyone shared their happiness and they also expressed their sorrows for those who had died in the battle.

The celebration lasted until the next morning, but Alaric returned to his treehouse before midnight to get some rest.

The next day, Alaric was awoken by the sunlight that seeped through the gaps of the window.

Surprisingly, his head didn’t hurt even though he had drunk a lot last night.

“Another day, but I still cannot complete my daily mission.” He sighed and shook his head with a regretful smile.

He jumped out of the bed and stepped out of the treehouse to get some clean water to wash his body with.

The elves didn’t build bathrooms in their treehouses since they only took a bath in the river or the lake.

Alaric felt uncomfortable with all the filth on his skin so he wanted to freshen up a bit.

Within the Greenwood Kingdom, there was a river that was connected to one of the biggest lakes in the Enchanted Woodlands, the Astral River.

Alaric was headed to this river while carrying a small basin.

He encountered some elves along the way. Some of them enthusiastically greeted him, but others ignored him and just went their way without saying a word.

Some elves are still guarded toward us, but this will soon change the more we interact with them.

Alaric didn’t think negatively about this encounter. He understood the inherent dislike of the elves toward the humans and it wasn’t something that could be changed overnight.

When he arrived at the river, he saw some elven women who were bathing with nothing but a thin fabric that only covered their chests and intimate parts.

He almost had a nosebleed when he saw this visually striking scene.

The elven women noticed his gaze, but they didn’t seem to care. A few of the beauties even waved their hands, inviting him to join them.

Alaric reluctantly refused them. He really wanted to join them, but he felt that something bad would happen if he did.

After filling the basin with water, he quickly fled and returned to his treehouse.

Damn! I almost fell into their temptations!

Alaric wiped off his sweat the moment he returned to the treehouse. He hadn’t touched a woman since his regression so he felt a wave of discomfort in a certain area.

He chanted a religious mantra to calm his mind.

Aru, please forgive your sinful believer…

Alaric removed his clothes and rinsed his body clean with the water from the river. He then used the scented soap he had brought with him.

That feels better…

Alaric wiped his body dry with a towel before he changed into a new set of clothes.

Just then, he heard a series of knocks on his door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Hold on. I am coming.” Said Alaric as he walked toward the door.

Upon pushing the door open, he saw an elven warrior standing outside. “Good morning, my lord! Elder Neo sent me here to deliver this.”

The elven warrior handed him his short sword.