Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

The old warrior wearing an eyepatch rose to his feet, his face looking grim.

“I will bring my troops to them and surrender. I don’t think they will kill war prisoners.” He spoke in a heavy tone.

Hearing this, the four Transcendent Knights didn’t know how to react.

“Sir, you’ve seen what they did to Atarkan. Are you really going to surrender to those people?!”

“I understand your frustrations, I really do. I have friends and relatives among the warriors killed in Atarkan, so I’m also furious. However…”

The old warrior scanned their faces one by one before he continued. “Behind us are three hundred thousand men! I don’t want to see any more of them getting killed.”

The four commanders fell silent upon hearing this.

“We have no time to discuss this.” The old warrior didn’t wait for their response and left with haste.

…

“The enemies are before us! Unsheathe your weapons!” Lucas roared as he urged his horse to move faster.

Hearing his words, the Astanian troops issued their battle cries.

“For Astania!”

“For Astania!”

At this moment, Lucas noticed movement in the enemy camp, but something was unusual.

Why are they waving a white flag? Is this a trap?

It was a signal of surrender, but Lucas found it suspicious since only a portion of the enemy troops had stepped out, while a huge bulk remained at the camp to fortify their defenses.

“My lord, it appears that the enemy troops are divided, but this could be a trap to lure us in intentionally.” An aged voice drifted into his ears.

Lucas turned his head.

The one who spoke was Sherwin, one of the Transcendent Knights nurtured by his wife, Jade Kristine Astania.

Sherwin was a highly skilled warrior with rich experience and knowledge.

“What do you think we should do, Sir Sherwin?” Lucas asked while gesturing to his troops to slow down.

(Author’s Note: Sherwin is a character who works under Jade Kristine. See Chapter 311 for reference.)

Sherwin narrowed his eyes. “If you permit it, I would like to speak with those people.”

Lucas frowned and shook his head. “No. It’s too dangerous! It might be a trap they had deliberately set up to make us lower our guard!”

“My lord, we don’t have as many men as they. Even if we have you on our side, it will still be a tough battle. Thousands of our men will definitely perish.”

Sherwin shared his insights.

“But we can minimize our losses if we try to negotiate with them. Please leave it to me.”

Lucas pondered deeply before giving his approval. “Alright, but I will come with you.”

Sherwin hesitated, but he eventually agreed with the Venerable’s decision. If Lucas were there, they would be able to escape if something went wrong.

“I will follow your commands, my lord.”

“Good.” Lucas nodded. He then raised his fist in midair, signaling his troops to stop charging.

Although surprised, the trained Astanian warriors followed the instructions.

Lucas beckoned to another commander, a man named Rendon who was also the current 10th-ranked in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard.

(Author’s Note: In case you don’t remember Rendon, see Chapter 312.)

“Rendon, we will try to negotiate with those people. While I’m gone, you will take command of the troops.” Lucas instructed.

Rendon furrowed his eyebrows. “My lord, isn’t it too risky to negotiate with them in this situation?”

“It is, but if we can minimize our losses, I’m willing to take the risk,” Lucas responded with a stern look.

Rendon let out a deep breath before he nodded. “I understand. You can leave everything to me, my lord. However…”

“…if we see any sign of hostility from them, I will lead our troops to destroy them all!”

Lucas nodded solemnly.

“My lord, two cavalrymen are heading this way. It must be their negotiators.” Sherwin’s voice drifted into his ears.

Hearing this, Lucas sent him a look and said. “Let’s go.”

The atmosphere was heavy and tense. It looked as if a fight could break out at any moment.

Sherwin took the lead, while Lucas followed half a meter behind him. The two controlled their horses to walk slowly, as if hinting to the enemies that they were willing to negotiate.

Soon, both parties stood before each other, just separated by several meters.

“I am Sherwin, a warrior of House Silversword and commander of the army behind us.” Sherwin noticed the opposing side’s silence so he introduced himself.

He then pointed to Lucas and said.

“This is Venerable Lucas Silversword, the Shield of the North, and the strongest man of the northern region of Astania.”

When they heard this introduction, the two men on the opposing side visibly shivered.

Venerable…

This was an expert on the same level as their lord, Remondin Hildebrand.

“Please pardon our ignorance, Lord Venerable!” An old warrior wearing an eyepatch stepped forward and lowered his head.

He tried to mask it, but fear was evident in his face.

Lucas indifferently waved his hand and spoke in a cold voice. “You can speak with Sherwin here, but if I sense any falsehoods in your words, then you’d better be ready for the consequences.”

“Yes, Lord Venerable!”

The old warrior with an eyepatch nervously wiped off his sweat. He then turned his head to Sherwin and cupped his fist.

“I am Brenwynn, a commander under Venerable Remondin Hildebrand. Under me are close to one hundred thousand soldiers which makes a third of our troops. We are willing to surrender if you can guarantee the safety of my men.”

He spoke with sincerity.

He was still harboring other thoughts earlier, but he quickly changed his mind when he discovered that the other side had a Venerable leading them.

“Sir Brenwynn, we can guarantee your men’s safety, but they must surrender their weapons and horses to us. Otherwise, our soldiers wouldn’t feel safe and it might lead to conflict between our soldiers.” Sherwin offered them a way out.

Brenwynn already expected them to demand this so he nodded with a grave look. “I hope you will keep your word, Sir Sherwin…”

“You can rest assured.”