Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

“Your Majesty, the orphanage still lacks manpower right now. How about I send my warriors to escort the director during the collection of donations?” Alaric suggested.

Hearing this, the empress pondered deeply before she responded with a smile. “I intend on assigning the imperial guards to escort the director, but if you insist, then it shouldn’t be a problem. The warriors of House Silversword are as dependable as my warriors.”

She turned her head to the bishop and asked for his opinion. “What do you think, Director Sam?”

“I don’t have any issues with Your Majesty’s decision. With the skills of House Silversword’s warriors, I don’t think those households would dare to be rude in front of me when I visit their estate.” Sam chuckled, seemingly amused.

The empress was pleased with his response. “Then we will proceed with this plan.”

…

Several days later, in the main mansion of House Namsan.

“What do you mean by this, Bishop Sam?” The family head of House Namsan could barely suppress his anger when he saw the outrageous amount of resources requested by the other party.

Sam Bartadamen leisurely sipped his tea before responding with a shake of his head. “I’m no longer a bishop of the church, my lord. I have been appointed as the director of the Holy Sun Orphanage. Please call me Director Sam.”

Namsan Jingang nearly flipped the table. Composing himself, he replied. “Pardon my ignorance. Then Director Sam, can you explain to me why our House Namsan is required to offer this amount of resources to your Holy Sun Orphanage?”

Sam smiled candidly. As if expecting this kind of response, he took out a piece of parchment and handed it to Namsan Jingang.

“Please take a look at this document. It will help my lord understand the situation.”

Namsan Jingang grabbed the document with a displeased expression. He was about to say something, but then he noticed the imperial seal on the parchment.

His throat went dry as he nervously removed the seal.

“Is this the will of Her Majesty?” He asked cautiously.

After the eradication of the heretic cult, he could feel that the imperial palace was starting to distance itself from his household. This alienation made him feel anxious.

“That’s right. I hope you will cooperate with us, my lord.” Sam nodded with a faint smile.

Namsan Jingang read the letter and let out a deep sigh, regret was written all over his face.

If I had known that this would happen, I would have supported Her Majesty in eliminating the heretic cult. I shouldn’t have listened to that bastard…

With a weary voice, he relented. “Fine. I will send the resources to your Holy Sun Orphanage within a month. Will that be alright with you, Director Sam?”

He needed to consult that person about this matter. Otherwise, his household would suffer some losses from this so-called donation to the orphanage.

Director Sam squinted his eyes, seemingly in deep thought.

“Alright. Waiting for a month wouldn’t be a problem, but I hope that Lord Namsan wouldn’t renege on his promise when the time comes. Her Majesty might be displeased if that happens.” He sent him a harmless smile.

Namsan Jingang’s face twitched at his blatant threat. With a forced smile, he responded. “Of course! I would never dare go against Her Majesty’s will!”

“In that case, I shall not stay here for long. See you next month, Lord Namsan. There is no need to send us off.” Sam stood up from his seat and leisurely left the mansion.

After he left, Namsan Jingang grabbed the teacup that Sam used and angrily smashed it on the floor.

“That lowly priest! How dare he threaten me using Her Majesty’s name?!”

He was a count with several cities under his control. He had never faced such humiliation before. Sam’s actions and blatant mockery displeased him.

I must speak with Lord Namgung. His eyes gleamed with ferocity.

…

Director Sam entered his carriage and told the coachman to depart.

Earlier, he sensed the killing intent from Namsan Jingang.

It seems someone is backing the old man. Which bastard is brave enough to oppose Her Majesty?

“Director, there are people following us. Do you want me to capture them?” A calm voice from outside the carriage drifted into his ears.

Hearing this, Sam was taken aback. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he failed to notice this.

He sent a stream of his mana to check the surroundings, but he found nothing unusual.

“Sir Warrick, how many people do they have?” He asked.

For this trip, Alaric sent him twelve warriors. Two of them were Transcendent Knights, while the rest were Elite Knights. Warrick was one of the Transcendent Knights. The other one was a guy named Einar.

“Six people. One Transcendent Knight and the rest are Elite Knights. They are adept at concealing their breath so it’s quite difficult to pinpoint their location.” Warrick replied.

“That many?” Sam was stunned to hear this.

Does the old man intend to kill me here? He sneered in his mind.

“Just keep an eye on them. If they do something suspicious, capture them immediately.” He instructed.

“I understand.” Warrick nodded. He then urged his horse to slow down and move toward the rear.

Looking from the carriage window, Sam was amazed by Warrick’s sharp senses. He was a 3-Ringed Beast Soul Master, but he couldn’t even detect the scouts hidden in the shadows.

The people that His Highness sent are really reliable. With them around, I don’t have to worry about my safety even if skilled assassins are targeting me.

He thought to himself.

Knowing that someone capable was escorting him, he relaxed his guard.

He hadn’t rested well in the last few days so he shut his eyes for a moment.

Their next stop was the neighboring city of Gilmatan, renowned for producing the most freshwater fish in the nation. It was also the territory of the Carefree Duke, Namgung Ilsun.

Unbeknownst to him, a messenger bird flew overhead, heading toward Gilmatan.