Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Leroy’s face darkened and his aura leaked out controllably.

“Are you mocking me?!” He roared.

Dominic shook his head. “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m just giving you an option. You are a smart man. I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

Leroy took a deep breath to contain his rage.

He is forcing me to take their side! Damn cunning old bastard!

He thought that he could negotiate with them, but Dominic was a lot smarter than he looked.

“Leroy, you built House Durova from scratch. Do you want to see it get destroyed just for the stupid mistake of Harune’s crown prince? Think about it carefully before you open your mouth.” Dominic reminded with a cold look.

Leroy fell into silence.

After an entire minute, he stared deeply at Dominic and asked in a low voice. “Can you guarantee the safety of my entire family?”

He had seen it for himself. Astania was no longer the weak nation that it was decades ago.

They had a new Mythical Knight on their side and he even heard that House Silversword also had a Catastrophe-grade beast.

Astania might be stronger than Harune now. There is no use in being stubborn here. That would only get me killed…

Loyalty? Who gives a fuck about that?

Only those old shitheads are stupid enough to give their loyalty to this corrupted nation!

Dominic lowered his halberd and replied with a chuckle. “How about we discuss this amicably?”

With a defeated sigh, Leroy nodded his head. “Fine. I hope you are not lying to me. If I go crazy, I don’t know what kind of shit I might do.”

“I’m not sure if you know, but a Mountain Golem’s weakness isn’t its head.”

Hearing this, Dominic furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

With a mysterious smile, Leroy shook his head. “Did you really think that the Mountain Golem would die so easily?”

Suddenly, the headless Mountain Golem lifted itself.

One could see that it was slowly regenerating its broken limb and its head.

“What?! Is this monster unkillable?!” Lucas who was the nearest to the golem was stunned when he saw the monster rising from death.

Even Dominic was surprised.

They had information on the Mountain Golem, but there was no report that it could regenerate a lost head.

“So you still had this ace up your sleeve.” Dominic narrowed his eyes into slits.

Leroy felt much better when he saw Dominic’s expression. “You see, my path to the top wasn’t an easy one. You don’t know what kind of tribulations I faced just to get to where I am now.”

He sheathed his broadsword and turned around as he spoke. “Dominic, we have much to talk about…”

Looking at Leroy’s back, Dominic felt that he had made a mistake negotiating with him.

He felt regretful, but the arrow had already been shot so he could only see it through the end.

I hope I made the right choice.

With a soft sigh, he sent Lucas a knowing look.

Sensing his gaze, Lucas nodded.

Let’s take it slow. This might end well for us.

***

Meanwhile, on the crown prince’s side.

A messenger came to give his report.

“Your Highness, I bring a message from the two Venerables.”

Leighnard beckoned to the messenger.

The messenger walked towards him, but someone appeared in front of him, preventing him from getting closer to the crown prince.

The messenger nervously lifted his head and realized that it was Tyrone, the old marquis.

“Give it to me,” Tyrone spoke.

The messenger hesitated and sent the crown prince a look.

Leighnard nodded in assent.

Seeing this, the messenger immediately handed the letter to the old marquis.

Tyrone took the letter and inspected it carefully before giving it to Leighnard.

“You didn’t need to scare him like that, Lord Tyrone.” Leighnard smiled helplessly.

The old marquis bowed his head and explained himself. “I apologize, Your Highness. We can’t be certain if there are still spies hidden among our ranks so we need to be careful.”

After Steven’s betrayal, Tyrone had become more cautious.

Leighnard couldn’t blame him so he just responded with a smile.

“You may leave.” He dismissed the messenger before he opened the letter.

Upon reading the contents, he revealed an unusual expression.

“Interesting… No wonder he managed to reach his position without anyone’s support.”

Tyrone was confused by his words so he asked. “What happened on their side?”

Leighnard burned the letter and replied with a thoughtful smile. “Well… I wonder…”

“Lord Tyrone, taking over Halona might be easy after all…”

“Huh?” Black lines appeared on Tyrone’s forehead. He asked the crown prince to explain, but Leighnard only laughed and told him to wait and see.

Although frustrated by his response, Tyrone could only hold back his curiosity.

***

The troops led by Ignatius headed straight to Midgard after decimating Rudner’s army.

When they reached the city, they faced resistance from the remaining enemy soldiers.

Most of Midgard’s troops might have perished, but there were still tens of thousands left to defend the city. Moreover, most of these troops were from the city’s noble and martial houses.

Looking at the shut gates, Giovanni clicked his tongue in annoyance. “They just won’t give up. Why struggle when the outcome is still the same?”

He felt that they were struggling meaninglessly, but Alaric had a different opinion.

They are only trying to defend their land from invaders. To them, we are the enemies. They are risking their lives for the sake of the people inside the city.

“Let me go and talk to them.”

Alaric stepped forward.

“Our soldiers are still exhausted from the last battle. If we send them to fight, it would only add to our casualties.”

Giovanni furrowed his eyebrows. “Will they even listen?”

“Just look at them. I don’t think they will let you walk inside their city unharmed.” He pointed at the soldiers atop the walls who were eyeing them with furious faces.

“Giovanni is right, Alaric. You don’t need to place yourself in danger.” Ignatius was also against his decision.