Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Marco might appear fine on the surface, but there could be hidden complications in his body that he didn’t mention.

Alaric didn’t want him to fight a warrior like Loras in that kind of condition. However, he also couldn’t bring himself to reject Marco.

This might be Marco’s chance to step to another level. What should I say?

Alaric pondered deeply.

He sent Giovanni a look hoping to hear some kind of advice from him, but the latter turned away, clearly with no intentions of intervening with the situation.

This guy…

Alaric was exasperated.

Looking at Marco’s hopeful face, he took a deep breath and said. “Lord Marco, I’m sure you know that Loras is no ordinary Transcendent Knight. Fighting him could be dangerous even for you. Are you sure about this?”

Marco nodded with determination. “I have thought it through, Your Highness. No matter the results, I will accept it even if I end up dying.”

Hearing this, Alaric sighed helplessly. “You shouldn’t say that, Lord Marco. We won’t let that happen.”

“Since you have already decided, I won’t stop you anymore. You have my approval and I’m sure Lord Ignatius is the same.”

Ignatius nodded in agreement. “If you think that is an opportunity to overcome your limitations, then you have my full support.”

Marco was overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you for your trust. I will not disappoint you.”

Alaric said a few more words of encouragement to Marco.

“Your Highnesses, my lord, I will take my leave first. I want to make some preparations before our departure.”

“Alright. You may go.”

After bidding them farewell, Marco left the city hall.

“Do you think he can advance to the next realm?” Giovanni suddenly asked.

Alaric raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “It’s hard to say. Even Lord Christon, the undisputed rank 1 in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard failed to become a Mythical Knight, but who knows?”

“Maybe Lord Marco will give us a surprise.” Alaric smiled faintly.

He could see everyone’s EXP through his Appraisal trait so he could tell if someone was about to advance.

In Marco’s case, he was still quite a distance from it so it was unlikely for him to become a Mythical Knight soon.

Among the people he had encountered, only a few were on the verge of stepping into this fabled realm. One of them was Christon Evander, the Commander of the Gryphon Knights Order.

Giovanni was dissatisfied with his response so he turned his head to Ignatius. “What do you think, Lord Ignatius?”

Ignatius smiled faintly and replied. “Marco definitely has the potential to become a Mythical Knight, but I think that he still needs more time. Stepping into this realm is far more difficult than one could imagine. Just having a large amount of mana isn’t enough. You need to have the right mental fortitude and sufficient talent to advance to this level.”

Giovanni furrowed his eyebrows and fell into deep thought.

Alaric placed his hand on Giovanni’s shoulder and chuckled in a teasing voice. “You are still far from it. I might even advance before you do.”

Hearing this, Giovanni pushed him back and snorted. “We’ll see about that…”

Alaric shrugged. He then cupped his fist to Ignatius and bid him farewell.

“I will be taking my leave first.” He waved at Giovanni and left with his subordinates.

Meanwhile, Giovanni stared at his back and mumbled with a chuckle. “That arrogant prick.”

“My lord, I must go now. Just call me if you need anything.” He nodded to Ignatius.

“Go ahead.” Ignatius waved his hand with an amused smile.

***

A few miles from Halona, Leighnard’s troops stopped to set up camp.

The crown prince was speaking with his subordinates when a messenger bird suddenly flew towards him.

“You may leave.” He dismissed his subordinates.

After they left, he took the letter and opened it.

This…

Leighnard revealed a knowing smile.

They thought that we fell into their elaborate trap. How funny.

The letter was from a scout unit he sent to Midgard and it mentioned a shocking piece of information.

An enemy Venerable was stationed in the mining city!

Leighnard had a hunch that the enemy Venerables were not in Nacalub and it was just a ruse to confuse them.

It seems like they have a strategist on their side.

A mocking look flashed in his eyes.

“Lord Dominic.” He called out.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared next to him. “I’m here, Your Highness.”

“My subordinates confirmed it. There is a Venerable stationed in Midgard. This means that there is a high chance that one is stationed in Halona too.”

Hearing this, Dominic didn’t give much of a reaction. He looked at the crown prince and asked. “I see. Aren’t you worried about them?”

Leighnard knew who he was talking about. He shook his head and let out a smile. “Lord Ignatius is with them. Why should I be worried? Besides, Lord Christon and his Gryphon Knights Order are also with them.”

“That’s true…” Dominic laughed.

Leighnard’s face suddenly turned serious as he spoke. “We will proceed according to plan. I will send Lord Lucas to cause a commotion. Once he draws out their Venerable, that’s when we will strike.”

Dominic cupped his fist respectfully. “I will follow your arrangement.”

He didn’t mind listening to the crown prince’s orders. Although he had stronger martial power, he didn’t have Leighnard’s military tactics.

Leighnard stared at the distant city with narrowed eyes.

Tomorrow, Halona will fall into our hands.

***

The next day in Atarkan, three hundred thousand warriors left the city under the lead of Ignatius.

On the surface, it was Alaric and Giovanni leading the troops. They had deliberately made this arrangement to confuse the enemies and also to check if there were still spies in their midst.

Midgard was quite a distance from Atarkan and with the size of their army, it would take them more than a week to get there.

For this trip, everyone prepared rations and supplies enough to last them for a month.