Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Over the next five days, Min Taehyun led the imperial guards to do a swift cleanup operation in Ulmunsan. The members of the heretic cult who were hiding in the city were executed on the spot. Even those who tried to help were not spared.

With their efforts, Ulmunsan was finally free from the heretic cult’s control. The surviving citizens who had been hiding in their homes were relieved. However, many families were grieving over their loss.

The funeral for Kangjeon Geum-hwa and the thousands who were killed was held ten days later. The empress attended the event to express her condolences and sympathy for the victims.

At this moment, Alaric was attending the funeral ceremony with his subordinates. He could see the families of the victims crying and screaming.

The heretic cult… they must be eradicated!

His eyes flashed with a glint.

He didn’t want Astania to fall victim to their evil deeds so they must stop the heretic cult at all costs!

Suddenly, he noticed a group of imperial guards rushing over to the empress. Alaric was quite far from them so he couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Have they found the heretic cult’s main headquarters?

Right after Kangjeon Geum-hwa’s death, the empress sent Bai Seol-hwa to search for the heretic cult’s main headquarters. She had been gone for almost two weeks, but there had been no news from her.

Looking at the empress’s cold expression, Alaric guessed that she must have received word from Bai Seol-hwa.

…

“Your Majesty, Commander Bai has a lead on the heretic cult’s hideout. She is requesting reinforcements.” The imperial guard reported to the empress.

Yskaela furrowed her eyebrows and asked. “Is it their main headquarters?”

The imperial guard shook his head and responded. “Commander Bai didn’t mention anything from her letter so I think it is still uncertain.”

Hearing this, the empress thought for a moment before she asked another question. “How many soldiers does she need?”

“Commander Bai is asking for ten thousand warriors, Your Majesty.”

The empress gave a nod of approval. “Alright. I’ll send our troops to her location. Guide them so they won’t get lost along the way.”

“Your servant obeys!” The imperial guard saluted in acknowledgment.

The empress waved her hand. “You may go.”

The imperial guard took his subordinates and left in a hurry.

The empress watched them leave with a cold look.

Just where are those bastards hiding? In the past few days, she had received reports from various cities saying that the heretic cult had attacked them. The attacks weren’t on the same scale as the attack on Ulmunsan so the cities’ armies could handle the situation.

The empress believed that this was a deliberate ploy to confuse them. It was a scheme of the heretic cult to shift their attention elsewhere.

While she was immersed in her thoughts, she sensed someone staring at her. She turned her head and saw Alaric looking at her with a calm gaze.

She sent him a nod and gestured for him to follow her.

…

Looking at the empress’s signal, Alaric nodded in understanding.

“You guys wait for me here.” He told his subordinates before he walked towards the empress.

Yskaela went to a quiet location far from the mourning families.

“Your Majesty, is there any news from Commander Bai?” Alaric asked as he observed her expression.

Yskaela nodded. “Yes, I just got word from her. According to the imperial guards, Commander Bai has a lead on the heretic cult’s hideout, but they are still uncertain whether it is the main headquarters or not…”

“I see…” Alaric rubbed his chin.

“We should avoid confrontation with their main forces for the time being. We can retaliate once the Astanian Army is here.” He suggested.

The empress frowned.

The Astanian Army was taking too long and her people were dying every day because of the heretic cult. The thought of her citizens dying gnawed at her and caused her sleepless nights.

“Your Highness, please send word to the Astanian Army and tell them to make haste. I might not be able to hold back from attacking the heretic cult once we get information about their whereabouts.” Yskaela said in a flat tone.

Alaric took a deep breath upon hearing this. He could tell that she was serious. He couldn’t blame her. If he were in her situation, he also wouldn’t be able to sit still.

“I understand. I will send our fastest messenger bird to inform them. Please excuse me, Your Majesty.”

Yskaela nodded and gestured to him that he may leave.

Seeing this, Alaric turned around and left.

***

Meanwhile, several hundred miles from Veronica.

A large army could be seen crossing a shallow river that led to a vast plain.

“Are you sure we are heading in the right direction?” Leroy glanced at Dominic with an eyebrow raised upwards.

Dominic furrowed his eyebrows with a look of displeasure. “I crossed this shallow river a few decades ago so I know that this is the right place.”

Leroy raised his arms and chuckled. “Relax. I’m just trying to lighten the mood.”

“We have been marching for so many days that it’s starting to get boring.” He added.

Dominic rubbed his temples and shook his head, looking somewhat annoyed.

“My lords, we shouldn’t argue between ourselves. There might be friction between our troops if they see us like this.” A voice interrupted their conversation.

They turned their heads and looked at Lucas. The guy was wearing his new Duke robes which had been gifted to him by the Astanian Emperor during his promotion to a Duke.

“Look at you proudly wearing that uniform.” Leroy scoffed at him.

Lucas grinned and responded. “I didn’t want to be a Duke, but our household just did something really big during the last war.”

Dominic was speechless to hear their exchange.

The newly appointed Dukes were acting like children. He could only smile wryly as he watched the two.

I’ll just let them be for now. He shook his head and covered his ears with mana.