Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Hearing his words, Alaric and Giovanni stared at him with incredulous gazes.

“I already knew that there were spies among the military officers, so most of what I said during the meeting was not true, ” Leighnard said calmly.

“Which of them is fake?” Giovanni frowned.

“Let him talk.” Alaric stopped him from speaking further and stared deeply at the crown prince.

Leighnard beckoned to them and brought them somewhere far from the crowd. Three seats were prepared, as if he were already anticipating this.

Upon taking their seats, he continued. “I wasn’t certain which of our men could be trusted so I purposely fed them with half-true information to make them reveal themselves. And do you know how many took the bait?”

He deliberately paused for a moment.

“Six military officers. Five of them are Elite Knights and there is even one Transcendent Knight.”

“Who are they? Tell me so I can go and behead them!” Giovanni’s aura subconsciously leaked out.

“No!” Leighnard shook his head.

“What do you mean? They are traitors! We must kill them at once!”

Giovanni was about to stand up when Alaric suddenly raised his hand.

“He is right. Killing those spies would indeed eliminate the threat, but we can also make use of them to fool the people of Harune.”

“Has this been your plan from the very start?” Alaric glanced at the crown prince inquisitively.

Leighnard smiled faintly and replied meaningfully. “As expected. I knew you would guess it right. Unlike a certain someone…”

“You!”

Giovanni wanted to rebut, but he knew that it wasn’t the right time to argue with him so he just snorted and crossed his arms in displeasure.

“Then about Fibrio…” Alaric was more concerned about this.

Leighnard adjusted his sitting posture and smirked. “We indeed have an inside man in Atarkan, but it’s not Fibrio.”

“That guy is our biggest obstacle in taking over Atarkan so he must be eliminated. With the rumors I intentionally spread, he should be having a hard time right now.” He chuckled playfully.

“By the time we get there, the southern part of Atarkan will be in chaos and most of the city’s military personnel will be gathered there to quell the situation. This will leave three of the city’s main gates lacking in manpower and that is where we will strike.”

Giovanni didn’t want to admit it, but he was astounded by Leighnard’s schemes.

On the other hand, Alaric frowned, seemingly in deep thought.

“Wouldn’t it be better if we attack another city while they are focused on dealing with the issue in Atarkan? The spies must have already sent word that we are heading to Atarkan so the neighboring cities will definitely send them military support.”

“They will be too busy dealing with their own problems to send military support to Atarkan.” Leighnard chuckled in amusement.

Hearing this, Alaric raised an eyebrow. “Elaborate.”

Looking at his serious face, Leighnard responded with a smile. “I just sent a piece of information to the aristocrats of those cities… I told them that we will attack their cities with our full force.”

“So you basically lied to them. Will they even believe it?” Giovanni scoffed.

Leighnard sent his younger brother a look and said. “My dear brother, if I send you a letter saying I will attack you with full force. Will you do nothing?”

Giovanni was irritated by his tone, but he still tried to process his words.

If I were to receive that kind of letter, even if there is a high chance that it is a lie, I would still fortify my defenses…

Leighnard chuckled when he noticed the change in his expression.

“No one will send military support to Atarkan. Well, there might be a few, but they won’t be a threat to us.” He shook his head with a confident smile.

“What about the death of our advance party? Is it part of your plan?” Alaric asked with a cold look.

“They are warriors from House Vasiles.”

Leighnard’s smile suddenly vanished and was replaced with indifference.

“Several months ago, their lord sold off hundreds of our people as slaves to a merchant from Harune. If it wasn’t for his ancestors’ merits, I would have already destroyed his entire family.” He muttered coldly.

A noble selling slaves to another nation was considered an act of treason and it was punishable by execution.

“This is only a warning for them. If it happens again, I won’t be merciful anymore.” Leighnard said in a chilly voice.

Alaric narrowed his eyes.

He realized that this guy was a lot more dangerous than Giovanni.

“Are the Venerables aware of this?”

Leighnard nodded. “I told them my plans.”

“It seems like you have already taken care of everything. Do you want me to help you deal with those spies?” Alaric volunteered.

Leighnard rejected his offer. “That is unnecessary. I will take care of them myself.”

Alaric guessed that Leighnard had other plans for the spies so he didn’t insist on the topic.

“Fine. If there is nothing else, I will go back to calm my subordinates.” Alaric stood up.

“I’m leaving too.” Giovanni also didn’t want to stay with his brother.

Leighnard smiled and enthusiastically sent them off. “Take care you two. I will let you know if there are changes to the plan.”

After the two left, Leighnard’s smile disappeared. He raised his hand and made a hand gesture.

Whoosh!

Ten figures dressed in dark clothes suddenly appeared in front of him.

“What are your orders, Your Highness?”

With an emotionless voice, Leighnard said. “The people who killed our advance party, I want them dead! There must be no survivors!”

“We obey your commands!”

Leighnard waved his hand indifferently.

The men dressed in dark clothes immediately left.

Whoosh!

…

Alaric and Giovanni were walking side by side when the former suddenly opened his mouth.

“Now I understand why you hate your brother.”

Giovanni frowned at his words. “What are you saying?”

Alaric paused his steps and looked at him. “You are afraid of him.”

Giovanni’s eyes flashed with a glint.