Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Alaric tied the man’s hands with mithril handcuffs. “This is for my subordinates’ safety. I hope you understand. They wouldn’t feel at ease if I let you walk freely after all that ruckus you made.”

The middle-aged man nodded. “I understand.”

He still seemed out of it.

“Your identity is a bit special so you will be taken to an underground prison. Just stay there and be good. I will try to persuade the officials to minimize your sentence.” Alaric felt that this man deserved a second chance. He was only forced by his circumstances.

“Thank you…” The middle-aged man hung his head low.

Alaric summoned the imperial guards and instructed them to escort the target to the underground prison.

The operation concluded just like that.

“You could have released him,” Nivis remarked as she approached him.

Alaric shook his head. “It would be unfair to the innocent people who fell victim to the heretic cult. He may be a victim too, but he still joined the cult.”

Nivis shrugged at his response.

“Let’s go. We still have two more targets before the day ends.” Alaric nodded to her and stepped out of the building.

Nivis clicked her tongue.

Upon stepping out of the building, Alaric saw Caecus rushing towards him on a horse.

When he was only a few meters from Alaric, Caecus pulled the reins to make his horse stop. He then jumped off and bowed to Alaric.

“Lord Venerable, there is something that you must hear.”

Hearing this, Alaric furrowed his eyebrows and nodded. “Go on. I’m listening.”

There was no one around except Nivis, as the others were busy cleaning up the operation’s aftermath.

Caecus leaned forward and reported everything that happened at the church.

Alaric’s face became grim when he heard what had happened.

He looked at Caecus and muttered with a frown. “The old priest you encountered at the church must be a high-ranking member of the heretic cult. Perhaps he might even be the cult leader.”

“The man’s aura… it was beyond mine. He is definitely a Venerable, a powerful one.” Caecus spoke with great certainty.

Alaric agreed with this. Caecus usually never showed much of a reaction, but Alaric could sense the fear in his expression.

Just what kind of person did he encounter to make him look like this?

Alaric took a deep breath to calm his emotions.

“Should I continue tailing that woman?” Caecus asked.

Alaric shook his head. “No. They must have realized your identity. Following her alone would be dangerous.”

He couldn’t allow Caecus to take the risk. He might be powerful, but he wasn’t invincible.

“You will join us in the next operations,” Alaric added.

“I obey.” Caecus acknowledged the order without complaint.

…

In the next few days, many suspected members of the heretic cult have been captured. The normal members were taken to a government prison, while the high-ranking members were taken to a separate, more secure facility.

The actions done by the imperial guards and the inspection department brought a wave of relief to the citizens of Veronica.

Some residents even actively supported the operation by giving information about suspicious individuals.

With the people’s support, the operation proceeded smoothly.

…

Everyone thought that the heretic cult would be eradicated, but something happened two weeks after the operation began.

Ulmunsan, the second-largest city of Veronica was taken over by the heretic cult.

The news shocked everyone in the capital. No one expected something like this to happen.

Ulmunsan wasn’t a weak city by any means. There were several big aristocratic houses in the city with powerful armies. It was also under the protection of the ‘Bloody Iris’, the Duchess of House Park.

However, even with so many powerful aristocratic houses, Ulmunsan didn’t even last for two days after being attacked by the heretic cult.

There were still no official reports on the number of casualties, but it was said that the Duchess, Park Sagwa, was captured and imprisoned by the members of the heretic cult.

The news of her capture sent the people into panic. Many neighboring cities closed their gates in fear of the cult’s attack.

The cult’s retaliation came so quickly.

At this moment, Alaric was heading to the imperial palace. He received an invitation from the empress.

Nothing was mentioned on the invitation letter, but he could already guess what the empress wanted to discuss with him.

Inside the carriage, Alaric was immersed in his thoughts.

“Your Highness, why do you look so gloomy?” A pleasant voice drifted into his ears.

Turning his head, he looked at Samantha.

He didn’t return to the mansion for a long time and he could sense that she was starting to get impatient.

“I still haven’t fulfilled my promise to you.” Her voice was filled with hidden meanings.

Alaric couldn’t be bothered to play along with her anymore. She was already of no use to him. By following her whereabouts, they found a few secret hideouts of the heretic cult and they even captured several high-ranking members.

With an indifferent look, he replied. “We have no time for that. Aren’t you aware of what is happening to Veronica right now?”

Samantha was stunned by his cold response.

He would usually smile at him and even say sweet words, but he was unusually harsh this time.

It was as if he had become a completely different person.

Samantha lowered her head and apologized.

“I’m sorry for speaking carelessly, Your Highness.”

She clenched her teeth, controlling her anger and annoyance.

How is he still fine? Normally, the poison would work after a week upon consumption, but two weeks had already passed by. However, Alaric showed no signs of change.

She still couldn’t detect a trace of poison energy from him.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her.

Could it be… he found out about the poison?!

Her pupils contracted.

“We are here, Lord Venerable. This is as far as I can take you.” The coachman’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Alaric pulled his eyes from her and muttered. “Follow me.”

Samantha felt that something was amiss. She didn’t want to follow him, but she felt that something bad would happen if she didn’t listen.

Gritting her teeth, she stepped out of the carriage and trailed behind Alaric, watching his back with an uneasy expression.

Did they discover my identity? Shit! I should have listened to the high priest!

She looked around, searching for a possible escape route in case something happened.

“Miss Samantha… Samantha!”

Alaric’s voice echoed, startling her.

“Yes! I’m here, Your Highness!” She nervously looked at him.

Alaric jumped onto the horse provided by the imperial guards and beckoned to her with a smile. “Come up here and sit with me.”

Seeing his charming smile, Samantha eased her fear. She forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Alaric pulled her up onto the horse and made her sit in front of him.

“Hold tight.” He whispered into her ear.

Alaric held onto her hips with his left and onto the reins on the other. He then lightly squeezed his legs, urging the horse to move.

“Did I make you nervous?” Alaric suddenly asked.

Samantha didn’t know how to respond.

“Forgive me. The recent news must have made me stressed out. I didn’t expect the cult to retaliate this strongly.” Alaric sighed.

His words made Samantha relax. She thought that her identity had been discovered, but it seemed like he was still in the dark.

That scared me. I thought they already knew everything about me.

She placed her hand on her chest and felt her wildly beating heart.

“You don’t have to apologize, Your Highness. It was inconsiderate of me to only think of having fun when the entire country is in chaos.” She feigned sadness and guilt.

Alaric chatted with her along the way to make her relax her guard.

Can you still keep that mask later? I wonder…

He smirked as he thought of this.

Soon, they arrived in front of the palace.

Alaric jumped off the horse and helped Samantha climb down.

An imperial guard brought them directly to the throne room where a group of ministers and officials were waiting for them.

Alaric looked at the throne, but the empress was still not there. The Grand Commander was also not around.

A few officials greeted Alaric, but the others just stayed in their positions without even bothering to look at him.

Alaric was already used to this so it didn’t bother him much.

“The Supreme Ruler of Veronica has arrived!” Announced the messenger in a booming voice.

Everyone subconsciously straightened their postures upon hearing this.

They turned their heads to the huge double doors and saw the empress in her dragon and phoenix robe, walking along the red carpet with great elegance and poise.

Her face was calm and cold, her aura intimidating.

Behind her was the Grand Commander, who eyed the gathered officials with a stern look.

The empress’s gaze momentarily stopped on Alaric, but no one seemed to have noticed this.

Before sitting on her throne, she scanned the crowd with her icy gaze.

“I called you all here to…”