Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

“I called you all here to discuss the matter about Ulmunsan.”

“The heretic cult has retaliated and it’s not just Ulmunsan that is affected. Other cities also reported attacks from unidentified forces.” The empress added, her face looking grim.

“We cannot sit idly by while our people are suffering! We must take action now!” Anger was palpable in her voice as she spoke those words.

“I have summoned the armies of Veronica to attack the warriors of the heretic cult. Tomorrow, we will launch an attack on Ulmunsan and take it back from their hands!”

“Gather your troops and bring them to the rally location!” The empress commanded.

“We obey Your Majesty!” The generals and the officials answered in unison, their voices echoing in the throne room.

The empress flicked her sleeves and sat on her throne.

“Before that, we must do a massive cleanup on the palace.”

Upon hearing this, everyone raised their eyebrows with baffled gazes.

“Bring him in.” The empress made a hand gesture to the Grand Commander.

The Grand Commander, Ludwig, nodded and shouted to his subordinates. “Bring the traitor inside!”

The huge double doors sprang open and two imperial guards came in, holding a tied-up man with stern faces.

When the generals and officials saw this person, they gasped in shock.

It was the Governor of Ulmunsan, Lei Hansu!

He was a middle-aged man with a well-built physique. His skin was light-brown, and his thick unibrow made him look quite fierce.

Lei Hansu was a former commander of the Veronican Army, but he was given an official position for his meritorious service. He had been serving as the Governor of Ulmunsan for several decades and was known for his loyalty to the empress.

However, the same man was now brought to the throne room as a traitor so it filled everyone with disbelief.

“State his crimes!” The empress commanded in a cold voice.

The Grand Commander nodded and opened his mouth as he faced the gathered crowd. “Lei Hansu has been secretly colluding with the heretic cult. He covered up the recent cases of disappearances and kidnappings in Ulmunsan. He funded the construction of a few of the heretic cult’s hideouts in Ulmunsan. And just recently, he helped the heretic cult attack House Park which led to the capture of the Duchess, Park Sagwa!”

Every single one of his crimes could be charged with treason. The moment it was exposed, everyone was furious.

“So it was you! How dare you collude with those lunatics?!” One of the generals present couldn’t contain his anger and rushed towards Lei Hansu.

A group of imperial guards immediately stepped forward to stop him, but the general was a Transcendent Knight so it took them great effort to calm him down.

“General Rin Shu! I understand your anger, but you must control yourself in Her Majesty’s presence!” The Grand Commander reprimanded the general.

The general realized his mistake and quickly apologized to the empress. “I apologize for my unsightly behavior, Your Majesty. I accept any kind of punishment.”

Yskaela stared deeply at the general and waved her hand indifferently. “This must not happen again, Rin Shu.”

Her voice was calm, but the general could tell that the empress was displeased. With a face full of sweat, he lowered his head. “I understand. I will be more careful, Your Majesty.”

The general glared at Lei Hansu before he returned to his spot.

Meanwhile, Samantha who was standing behind Alaric, was shaking when she saw Lei Hansu.

She had a few dealings with this man so they knew each other.

Shit! She was afraid that the guy would expose her. If that happened, she knew that she would be done for.

At this moment, the empress’s voice echoed in the throne room.

“Lei Hansu, among those who are gathered here, tell me the names of those who are part of the heretic cult!”

“…!”

Everyone was stunned. Since the empress said this, it meant that there were members of the heretic cult in their midst.

The generals and the officials glanced at each other with wary gazes. They wondered which of the people gathered were the traitors.

Lei Hansu lifted his head, revealing his beaten-up face covered in blood.

There was fear in his eyes.

“I… I’ll talk!” He responded in a trembling voice.

He took a deep breath and scanned the faces of the crowd. He then pointed at an old minister and shouted. “That guy! He is a member of the cult! I have a few dealings with him so I wouldn’t forget his face!”

The face of the accused minister darkened. He could sense everyone’s judging looks and it made him feel uncomfortable. However, he forced himself to calm down and denied the accusations.

“Lies! He is lying! He is trying to sow discord between us all!” The old minister reasoned.

Lei Hansu sneered at him. “Stop acting innocent, old fart! I know you are a part of the cult!”

He looked at the empress and said. “Your Majesty, I’m telling the truth! You can inspect his house! You will definitely find some clues there!”

Hearing this, the old minister was agitated. “You scoundrel! How dare you lie to Her Majesty!”

With a face full of tears, the old minister knelt before the empress and cried. “Y-Your Majesty, I have been falsely accused! I’m innocent! I have been following Your Majesty for five decades! I will never betray you!”

Some people were moved by his words. He was indeed among the most loyal people to the empress. However, there were also others who remained skeptical.

Even the Governor who was known for his loyalty to the empress was part of the cult so it wouldn’t be surprising if the old man was the same.

Yskaela was unmoved by his words. She turned her gaze to the Grand Commander. “Send your troops to search his house at once!”

“I obey Your Majesty’s commands!” The Grand Commander acknowledged her instructions with a bow.

He then called his subordinates and passed the empress’s orders.

Seeing this, the old minister became even more anxious. “Your Majesty, don’t you have any trust in your loyal servant?! I have been toiling for you all my life! I never thought of betraying you! Please believe me!”

The empress stared at him and said. “If your loyalty is true, then I will apologize if nothing is found in your home. However, if it is proven that you are a member of the cult, you will be hanged tomorrow in front of the citizens of Veronica!”

The old minister trembled. “Y-Your Majesty…”

“That’s enough! Bring him away and lock him up temporarily!” The empress waved her hand with a snort.

She then moved her eyes back to Lei Hansu and commanded him to continue. “Go on.”

“Y-Yes!” Lei Hansu pointed out a few more people.

There was one of them who tried to escape after being named by Lei Hansu, but he was quickly subdued by the imperial guards.

There was even someone who tried to attack the empress, but was quickly killed by the Grand Commander.

Thirteen names have been called and all of them were famous officials and generals.

“Is that all?” The empress stared deeply at Lei Hansu.

Lei Hansu was about to nod when he saw a familiar face in the crowd.

When Samantha locked eyes with him, she knew that she was screwed.

Shit! That fucking bastard! I’m fucking screwed!

She cursed in her mind.

Samantha tried to hide behind Alaric, but Lei Hansu had already noticed her.

“Her! That woman! She is also part of the cult!”

Alaric turned around and looked at Samantha with feigned surprise. “Samantha… you are… from the heretic cult?”

Samantha shook her head and denied it immediately. “No! He is lying! I’m innocent, Your Highness!”

Her eyes darted around as she subconsciously stepped backwards.

An imperial guard grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from moving.

“Please don’t move if you don’t want to get hurt.” The imperial guard muttered with a fierce glint in his eyes.

Samantha looked at Alaric and quickly rushed to his side. She grabbed his hands and vehemently denied the accusations. “Your Highness! I’m telling the truth!”

Alaric sighed.

“You really are a good actress, Samantha.” His lips suddenly curved upwards, forming a smile.

He looked at her with an amused expression.

“Did you really think I didn’t know about it?” He chuckled with a teasing look.

“The moment you approached me, I already knew that something was off about you.”

Samantha widened her eyes, feeling a mixture of shock and anger.

“You! Then why did you do those things…”

“Oh, you mean that?”

He shrugged.

“I just wanted to know how far you will go to fulfill your objectives. Thank you for those wonderful memories.” He smirked disdainfully.

Hearing this, Samantha’s eyes turned red and her face contorted with fury. “You fucking bastard! I will kill you!”

She unleashed her mana and activated her hypnotize trait while charging towards Alaric.

Alaric let out a sigh while shaking his head. “How unsightly.”

He raised his hand and did a snapping gesture.

With a snap of his fingers, he summoned the power of destruction.

Bang!