Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Inside the tent, Alaric opened the system and a notification popped up in front of him.

[Do you want to use your Random Trait Card?]

[Yes] [No]

Alaric pressed [Yes].

[You have awakened the SS-rank Ruthless Slaughterer trait!]

An SS-rank trait?!

Alaric was pleasantly surprised.

It sounds strong, but also ominous at the same time.

Suddenly, a rush of information flooded his mind.

Argh!

Unlike the previous traits he received, this one brought him an immense headache and an overwhelming sense of nausea.

Foreign memories were forcefully integrated into his mind and became his own.

“Your Highness! Are you alright?!”

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Hey, doctor! What’s going on?!”

Everyone inside the tent panicked when they saw Alaric trembling while clutching his head. Even Galanar couldn’t stop himself from worrying.

“Your Highness…”

Alaric could hear their words, but the pain he was feeling was so strong that he could barely maintain his sanity.

To smooth his rampaging mana, he stimulated his energy core. The stabbing sensation slowly subsided and his breathing soon returned to normal.

He opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by a group of people looking at him with great concern.

“Alaric, what happened?” Giovanni asked while inspecting his wounds. He rushed here when he heard that something had happened to Alaric.

With a face full of sweat, Alaric forced out a smile. “It’s nothing…”

He didn’t know how to explain things with so many people around. Giovanni and the medical practitioners asked him more questions. He answered them in a roundabout manner which left Giovanni annoyed.

Since he refused to talk, the medical practitioners no longer asked him. Giovanni also left the tent with a dissatisfied expression.

“Your Highness, if you need anything, just call the servants outside. They will satisfy your every need.”

“Alright.” Alaric nodded.

After another thorough checkup, the medical practitioners left the tent, leaving him and Galanar by themselves.

Alaric quickly inspected his stats as soon as they left.

Alaric Silversword [Transcendent Knight] EXP: 65 —> 95/5000

Potential: S

Traits: Horseback Riding (B), Swordsmanship (SSS), Ruthless Slaughterer (SS), Close Combat (B), Archery (D), Hunting (C), Tracking (C), Sixth Sense (C), Monster Affinity (C), Mana Gathering (C), Appraisal (B)

Strength: 300

Stamina: 300

Agility: 300

Vitality: 300

Endurance: 300

Mana: 305

Battle Points: 1100 —> 2600

Stat Points: 65 —> 95

(Requirements for the next advancement: 5000 EXP, 500 in all attributes, and 25000 Battle Points)

The progress is small. It could have been faster if I hadn’t participated in this battle and just focused on doing my daily missions.

He thought, but he knew that he couldn’t just ignore the situation on the western borders, especially when Harune’s attack was most likely related to his birth mother openly ignoring her arranged marriage with their crown prince.

If Alaric had chosen to ignore the invasion, his guilt would have gnawed at his heart.

Thinking about this, he closed the system with a heavy sigh.

The Ruthless Slaughterer trait is indeed formidable. The more people I kill, the stronger I become.

The only downside is that it also brings strong negative emotions that will slowly eat away at my mind…

In short, I will become crazier the more I kill…

Can I even control this power?

The happiness brought upon by awakening an SS-rank trait vanished.

***

Meanwhile, in the capital city, Codera. Inside the crown prince’s private residence.

The crown prince, Leighnard Exlor Astania received Alaric’s letter.

Exlor thought that it was just an update on the situation in the western borders, but when he read the contents of the letter, his expression suddenly changed.

Harune… I never thought that they would be this crazy!

To think that they would invade our land just because of a woman!

I underestimated their crown prince’s obsession…

Exlor stood up and kept the letter in his inner pocket. He then grabbed his coat and left his mansion with great haste.

He entered his carriage and said. “Bring me to the imperial palace!”

The coachman sensed the urgency in his tone so he didn’t dare delay him. “Yes, Your Highness!”

Inside the carriage, Exlor rubbed his temples.

There was another thing in the letter that made him surprised. It was information about Giovanni, detailing the changes in his personality.

He had also received reports about this from his spies, but he didn’t treat it too seriously. At that time, he thought that Giovanni was merely putting up an act to clear his image.

However, Alaric’s letter confirmed this to be true.

To think that my brother is actually capable of such change. Just what did he experience in the western region?

It makes me want to go there myself…

Soon, they arrived in front of the imperial castle. Carriages weren’t allowed to enter beyond the gates. Even members of the imperial family were subjected to this rule.

Exlor was escorted by two imperial guards towards the imperial castle.

Upon entering the castle, Exlor headed straight to the imperial library.

According to Alaric’s letter, he just needed to head to the topmost floor of library and someone would receive the letter for the emperor.

Is he talking about Lord Randolph? Or is Lord Dominic on the top floor?

Exlor could guess what Alaric’s plan was and it made him question whether he had already met with ’that person’.

On the second level, he saw an old man leaning on the recliner with sleepy eyes.

“Greetings, Lord Randolph.” Exlor respectfully greeted the old man.

He might not look like it, but this old man was a 3-Ringed Beast Soul Master!

“Oh! Your Highness! To what do I owe this pleasure?” The old man slowly got up and beamed at him.

“I need to go to the top floor to deliver a message.” Exlor knew that he couldn’t force his way up so he could only hope that this old man wouldn’t make things hard for him.

Randolph frowned upon hearing this. The smile on his face vanished and was replaced with a grim look. “I apologize, Your Highness, but I cannot allow you to go there.”

“Lord Randolph, this is an important message. It came from the western borders!” Exlor didn’t give up.

Randolph was about to respond when he heard a voice that only he could hear.

“Bring him here.”