Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

In the estate of House Silversword, in the capital of Veronica, Sorl.

Inside his study, Alaric was going over some important documents when he heard a series of knocks on the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

”Come in.” He said, resuming his task.

Creak.

Mathilda stepped inside the room and placed a stack of books on his desk. ”Your Highness, the ladies have completed the task.”

Hearing this, Alaric stopped what he was doing and looked at the completed copies. He casually grabbed the topmost copy and scanned the pages.

”Have you checked all the transcribed copies?” He asked as he put the copy back in the pile.

Mathilda nodded and replied. ”Yes, Your Highness. I double-checked everything before coming here. There are no discrepancies in the information. All transcribed copies have the same content as the original.”

Alaric smiled upon hearing this. ”Great. You did well.”

Mathilda shook her head. ”I did help in transcribing, but the misses mostly did everything. I wouldn’t dare claim credit alone.”

Alaric was pleased with her response.

”Distribute the copies to all our Transcendent Knights and Venerables. Also, remind them not to leak any information about the book.” He instructed.

These books contained the information needed to form the mana heart correctly. With enough time and resources, House Silversword would welcome another warrior in the Beyonder realm.

”I will carry out your orders, Your Highness.” Mathilda acknowledged the command.

”You may leave.” Alaric waved his hand, signaling for him to leave.

Mathilda didn’t linger any further. She took the transcribed copies and left the study.

After she left, Alaric leaned on his seat and let out a sigh. ”If only I had the related knowledge of the beast soul warriors.”

Now that he was a double practitioner, he wanted to learn more about the beast soul warriors. Unfortunately, the knowledge he had was limited to the 4-Ringed Beast Soul Grandmaster. There were a few materials beyond that. Even the imperial palace only possessed a few scrolls and documents.

”Speaking of which, I wonder if Nivis has already completed her task.” He mumbled to himself.

Two days ago, he instructed Nivis to gather all the highest-grade beast soul crystals in the household’s possession. This was because he was planning to choose his first integrated monster trait. There was just one problem...

He found nothing suitable for him.

Over the years, House Silversword had collected a large number of beast soul crystals, ranging from Fatal-grade to Catastrophe-grade. However, most of these crystals were now inside the treasury in the main estate in North Pine Town.

He wanted a support-type ability to supplement his combat power. He already had his swordsmanship and his domains so he was not interested in integrating with attack-type abilities.

Thinking about this, Alaric shook his head with a chuckle. ”There is no use in overthinking this matter. I should complete these documents first so I can get some rest.”

He temporarily set aside the beast soul crystal issue and resumed his administrative work.

...

Later that afternoon, Alaric had just completed his duties when another person came to his study.

Who is it this time?

While rubbing his temples, Alaric let out a weary sigh.

”Come in.”

Creak.

Caecus entered and gave him a salute. ”Your Highness, I have a message from Lord Bellator.”

Hearing this, Alaric squinted his eyes. He beckoned to Caecus and said. ”Bring it here.”

Caecus walked toward him and handed him the letter.

Alaric removed the seal and unrolled the letter.

There were no useless greetings in the letter. Bellator directly wrote the events that had transpired in Gilmatan.

His writing style fit his character, straightforward.

When Alaric read the part where Warrick and the others were captured, his eyebrows shot upward. However, the most important detail was when Bellator confirmed Namgung Ilsun’s strength.

”Who would have thought? It turns out Mathilda was right.” He mumbled as he burned the letter using his mana.

If I didn’t have Lord Bellator with me, there would have been another war.

He was relieved that the matter had already been mostly settled. All that was left to do was to deal with the remaining followers of the Carefree Duke.

Alaric took a piece of parchment and wrote a letter addressed to the empress. He mentioned everything that happened in Gilmatan and told her to prepare for the cleanup of the duke’s followers.

Although this would expose Bellator’s power, there is no need to continue hiding it from Yskaela.

The empress would soon become his wife so she would eventually learn the truth.

After writing the letter, he rolled it and sealed it with wax. He then stamped it with his unique symbol.

”Send this to the empress. Tell her that no one else must read the letter.” He handed the sealed letter to Caecus.

”Your servant obeys.”

”You may leave.”

...

Evening came, but the imperial palace was still bustling with activity. The maidservants were busy making preparations for the coming wedding ceremony. There were also more guards on patrol duty to keep everyone safe.

At this moment, the empress was about to head to the dining hall for her dinner when a messenger suddenly arrived with a letter.

”Your Majesty, a letter from His Highness.” The messenger respectfully bowed as he presented the letter bearing Alaric’s unique symbol.

Hearing this, Yskaela raised her eyebrows.

”Seol-hwa.” She sent Bai Seol-hwa a look.

Understanding her intentions, Bai Seol-hwa who was standing behind her, stepped forward and took the letter.

She double-checked the letter to see if there were any issues. Upon ascertaining that there was no problem, she handed it to the empress.

Yskaela dismissed the messenger with a wave of her hand. After the guy left, she removed the seal and unrolled the letter.

”This...”

Her expression changed drastically.

After reading the letter, she burned it with an absentminded look. ”Bai Seol-hwa...”

”Yes, Your Majesty?”

”Let’s cancel the dinner and head to the estate of House Silversword. I need to speak with Alaric.”