Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Meanwhile, inside the kitchen, a group of cooks and servants were busying themselves to prepare the next meal.

Samantha was also there to help them, but she had other plans in mind.

I have been trying to get closer to these lowly bugs just so I could move on to the next part of my plan. “Miss Samantha, you shouldn’t do these chores. Just leave it to us. Your beautiful hands might get calluses.” Said a young maidservant as she snatched the knife from her.

“That won’t do. I cannot let you guys do all the work.” She shook her head with a smile.

They were bickering back and forth when a servant came to the kitchen with urgent news.

“Big news! Her Majesty is here! She came with the Lord Grand Commander!”

Hearing this, Samantha’s eyes flashed with surprise.

Why is she here? “Please excuse me, everyone. I need to go get something upstairs. I’ll leave the work here in your hands.” She excused herself and left the kitchen in a hurry.

As soon as she left the kitchen, her face became unsightly.

What is going on here? Why do I have a bad feeling about this? I need to know the situation.

She went up the stairs and was about to head straight to Alaric’s study, but she was stopped by a blue-haired woman.

“You are not allowed to go beyond this point. Leave at once.” Nivis stared at her with undisguised contempt.

Samantha felt like punching her face, but she held back her fury and let out a smile. “Is there something going on, Miss Nivis? The security wasn’t this tight before.”

Nivis scoffed after seeing her acting. She waved her hand as if she were shooing away an insect. “Nothing is going on. I just don’t want you here. Now piss off.”

Veins protruded on Samantha’s face. She was so furious that she almost tore her mask off.

“I don’t know how I may have offended you. I apologize for whatever I did.” She forced a smile.

Nivis sent her a disdainful smile before she turned around and walked away.

Samantha narrowed her eyes, her heart seething with fury.

What’s with that attitude? Did they discover my identity?

“Miss Samantha. Please forgive her. Miss Nivis just doesn’t want any woman getting close to the Lord Venerable.” An apologetic voice drifted into her ears.

Taken aback, Samantha turned around and saw Scilla giving her an awkward smile.

This woman… what’s her name again? Oh, right… It’s Scilla…

“Hello, Miss Scilla. I’m fine. I was just shocked. I thought I did something to upset her. Hearing you say this is such a relief.” Samantha put her hand on her chest and faked a relieved look.

Scilla smiled faintly. “You have nothing to worry about. Miss Nivis is just that blunt. I hope you won’t be offended by her comments.”

“Not at all.” Samantha shook her head.

“Now then, please excuse me. I still have other matters to attend to.” Scilla nodded to her and left without looking back.

Samantha watched her leave with a thoughtful look.

So that bitch Nivis is just jealous that I’m becoming closer to Alaric. She sneered.

I will deal with you once I complete my task. …

Inside the study, only Alaric, the Grand Commander, and the empress were present. This was because the empress told him to send the others out.

“I came here to ask you more about the situation.”

The empress observed the young Astanian Prince. She was having hallucinations when she first met him so she hadn’t gotten a clearer look at him.

He was handsome and he had this princely temperament unique to the imperials, but the one thing about him that caught her attention was his aura. He hid it deeply, but she could sense his overwhelming power that was way beyond his age.

He was the most talented person she had ever met. His talent had even surpassed her own.

When I was his age, I was only a Knight. While the empress was observing him, Alaric was doing the same.

She seemed like a different person now. It was a complete change of personality so Alaric didn’t know how to act in her presence.

She didn’t specifically mention the heretic cult, but he knew that she came to verify this matter.

This was directly involved in the safety of her empire so he could understand her urgency.

“I believe the Lord Grand Commander has already informed you about my plan.”

“That’s right. I’d like to hear more about it. Can you really promise that Astania will send troops to support us in this battle?” It almost sounded like a plea, but this was how desperate she was to eliminate the heretic cult.

Alaric nodded with a smile. “I don’t want to boast, but I had a remarkable achievement during our battle against Harune. His Majesty, the Astanian Emperor, owes our household a huge favor.”

“I have already sent word back home and it should reach His Majesty’s ears soon. In a few days, we should get a response from him. If you don’t believe me, we can wait for his response.”

The empress was a bit surprised by his confidence. It didn’t seem like she was speaking to a young man, but someone who was more mature.

“Since you are that confident, I will trust you.” She adjusted her posture.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again.

“Once we receive the confirmation from Astania, I will mobilize the troops on our side. Tell me your plans so we can work on it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Alaric nodded with a serious expression.

He told her about the various stages of his plans. The empress listened and she voiced her own ideas to make his plan even more solid.

Her suggestions were excellent so Alaric didn’t complain and accepted them.

After a long talk, Yskaela stood up and said with a stern look. “I will send you the troops tomorrow. You can command them however you want, but you must promise me that this won’t affect the citizens.”

Alaric nodded. “I will make sure that everyone will be safe.”