Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

With the archers atop the wall in an utter state of confusion, Rendon took the opportunity to lead the troops into advancing inside the territory.

The enemies were already late to react and by the time they launched their countermeasures, the army had already entered Grateja.

“Don’t waste this chance! Kill everyone who resists!” Rendon shouted as he brandished his axe.

Whoosh!

With one swing, he took the lives of five enemy soldiers!

His deputies didn’t want to be outdone, they launched themselves in the enemy formation, breaching past their defenses to create a path for their troops!

On the other hand, Princess Jade’s private troops weren’t as aggressive as them. They attacked using battle formations and they also made use of the momentum to thoroughly destroy the enemies’ defenses.

Meanwhile, the warriors of House Silversword and their subordinate houses didn’t expend much of their strength. They chose to conserve their mana for the next battles.

In the midst of this chaos, Alaric led his group to clean up the enemies who had slipped through the net.

“Do not use your mana! Conserve your energy!” Alaric shouted, reminding his subordinates not to be careless.

Entering Grateja was just the first step of their plan. They still had to go through numerous obstacles before they could reach the Grand Duke’s estate so it was necessary to be frugal with their mana consumption.

In less than half an hour, the main gates of Grateja fell apart with more than half of their soldiers dead and critically injured. The remaining warriors surrendered and had their mana sealed. They were then sent to a temporary prison to prevent them from regrouping with the Grand Duke’s forces.

“Lord Venerable, we have secured the main gate! What are your orders?” Rendon saluted Lucas with a respectful gaze.

He might be an expert in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard, but in front of a Mythical Knight, he was no different than a bug! Facing an expert at this level, he could only choose to lower his pride.

Lucas nodded indifferently. He could sense the sudden change in everyone’s attitude. Just recently, some of them still showed a hint of defiance, but now, everyone readily complied without even uttering a word of complaint.

Only the strong will be respected. That is the ultimate truth.

Lucas sighed inwardly.

He then made a hand gesture and shouted. “Gather the troops! We will advance immediately!”

Hearing his words, everyone responded in unison.

“Yes, Lord Venerable!”

Venerable, huh? That doesn’t sound so bad to hear.

He grinned.

***

Inside the Grand Duke’s mansion, a heavy atmosphere filled the air.

Everyone had received word that Lucas was a Mythical Knight. At first, some were still skeptical and they believed that it was only a ploy to confuse them. However, the news about the collapse of the main gate made them realize that this seemingly far-fetched information might be true.

“My lord, the atmosphere is not good. The others might betray us if we do not give them a satisfactory explanation.” Whispered an old servant to the Grand Duke, Lloyd Astania.

Lloyd’s expression was unsightly to behold.

Fuck! Since when did he become a Mythical Knight?! Dammit!

The Grand Duke was panicking deep inside, but he had to remain calm in front of his subordinates. Showing even a hint of fear would only cause unrest among his followers.

He took a deep breath to calm his anxious heart. He then scanned the faces of the gathered crowd. All these people were his trusted confidants. They had helped him build Grateja to what it was now.

However, these once confident and arrogant people were now shaking in fear.

He rubbed his temples as he opened his mouth. “Immediately send word to His Highness and inform him of the situation!”

Fighting an army led by a Mythical Knight would only result in the destruction of the warriors he had painstakingly nurtured. His best course of action was to get the second prince to intervene and use his authority as an heir to the crown to stop the advancing enemies.

“Yes, my lord!”

This is not enough. It will take some time before His Highness will arrive. I must buy some time, but how?

Fuck!

Lloyd cursed in his mind, feeling more agitated the more he thought about the situation.

“My lord, how about we surrender? I don’t think Lucas will kill us if we…”

Lloyd glared at the man, making him swallow back the words he was about to say.

“Surrender? Are you fucking insane?! How dare you tell me to surrender?!” He slammed his hand into the armrest of his seat, breaking it into smithereens!

He couldn’t stomach the thought of surrendering to a countryside baron. His pride couldn’t allow such a slight to his reputation.

“M-My lord, please reconsider it. We are facing a powerful entity here, one whose strength could easily decimate an army of thousands! Stubbornly resisting against a powerhouse of that level would be a foolish choice. For the sake of our people’s safety, I hope you make the right decision.” Suggested an old man who was a senior official of Grateja.

Lloyd almost flew into rage, but he held back his fury. Releasing it on his subordinates would only make him look weak so he repressed his anger and replied in a cold voice. “If you want to surrender, then please step out of my mansion! I have no need for cowards!”

The old official furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing his words. He then stood up and sighed while shaking his head. “I’m sorry, my lord.”

He was about to leave when Lloyd suddenly appeared next to him and stabbed him with a sword.

Khhshk!!

“You!” The old official was an Elite Knight so didn’t die immediately.

He stared deeply at Lloyd and muttered. “My lord, I followed you because I thought that you would help us turn Grateja into a paradise. You have done well in the past few decades so why did you have to involve yourself with the battle for succession?”