Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Almost two weeks after the announcement, the Grand Commander went to the imperial palace to report the completion of his task to Alaric.

”Your Majesty, I have completed the task.”

”The young warriors are already gathered in the Liming Fort, but there is just a little bit of a problem.” Ludwig awkwardly smiled, hesitating to continue.

Alaric raised an eyebrow and asked. ”What is it?”

Ludwig shook his head helplessly and replied. ”I didn’t expect the announcement to attract the attention of many people. Even after numerous screenings and interviews, the number of young warriors who came to participate in the trial has surpassed the number you requested.”

Alaric was pleasantly surprised to hear this. He thought that asking for ten thousand young warriors within two weeks would be difficult. He didn’t expect the grand commander to gather more than that.

”How many passed the screening process?” He asked, feeling curious about the situation.

Ludwig took out a few documents he had hidden in his inner pocket and handed them to Alaric. ”More than sixteen thousand young warriors passed the screening process, and the number is still increasing.”

The documents contained the names and information of the young warriors who passed the initial screening. It was very detailed.

After briefly scanning the documents, he put them down and sent Ludwig a look of approval. ”You have done well, Grand Commander.”

”You can stop sending invitations. Sixteen thousand is more than enough. I will head to the Liming Fort to personally oversee their training, but you must keep this strictly confidential. I don’t want my location to be known to the public. Do you understand?”

Sensing the gravity in his tone, Ludwig nodded solemnly. ”I will keep this to myself. Your Majesty can rest assured.”

”Good! I will handle the rest. Just make sure the young warriors are given the proper care.” Alaric instructed.

”Your servant understands.” Ludwig acknowledged the command.

”Alright. You may leave.”

...

A few kilometers north of the capital was a magnificent fort surrounded by tall earthen walls. This was the Liming Fort, a fortress built with the sole purpose of protecting the capital from possible enemy invasion.

The fort could accommodate over a hundred thousand soldiers. It had spacious bunkers underground as well as military barracks on the surface. The bunkers were meant for war purposes, while the barracks were for the soldiers’ accommodation.

At this moment, the Liming Fort received new visitors. They were the young warriors who passed the initial screening for the new knight order. Most of them were already Knight Apprentices, but some still hadn’t been promoted to this realm. Shockingly, there were several remarkable individuals who had already become Knights.

”What do you guys think about this new knight order? Does anyone have any information about this?” Asked a young warrior wearing a gaudy silver and blue armor.

To his inquiry, the others shook their heads. They were also clueless. They only knew that it was the grand commander who released the invitation.

The young warrior in gaudy armor clicked his tongue with a disappointed expression.

This man was Sima Fenglin from the famous House Sima, a martial household in Shinsuk, a city east of Sorl.

The household was known for having produced several generations of Mythical Knights, but recently, they didn’t have any promising descendants, making others believe that they were in decline.

”Aren’t you the brat from the declining House Sima?” A taunting voice suddenly drifted into Sima Fenglin’s ears, making him frown.

The people who heard his words revealed a look of interest. They wondered how Sima Fenglin would react to his provocation.

Sima Fenglin turned his head to look at the one who had spoken. It was an arrogant-looking man who stood over two meters tall. He wore a full steel body armor with a brown fur cape that bore a roaring lion head insignia.

”Beom Baek-ho!” Sima Fenglin glared at him, his eyes seeming like they could spurt fire.

Beom Baek-ho was from the Southern Beom Household, a martial household that existed even before Yskaela Veronica had taken control of the empire.

The current patriarch was a retired general and a Mythical Knight. Although he was no longer involved in the military, he was still highly respected.

The surname ’Beom’ was bestowed upon them by the emperor a few generations before the current empress to honor the household’s ancestor, who was like a mighty lion on the battlefield.

Beom Baek-ho was already a Knight. He had even participated in the recent battle against the heretic cult. Unlike most of the young warriors present, he was a formidable figure who had proven his mettle in battle.

”Beom Baek-ho, stop picking a fight. We are all comrades here.” A calm voice echoed.

Everyone turned their heads and noticed that it was a man with short black hair. He wore a light leather armor with a refined steel breastplate. The most conspicuous thing about him was the long sword strapped on his back.

It was a high-quality weapon, one that could hold the mana of a Mythical Knight. Everyone recognized it as the family heirloom of House Pyeongeom, a martial household known for their expertise in the sword.

This man was the heir of House Pyeongeom, Pyeongeom Min-ho. He was one of the most promising youths in the country. At the age of eighteen, he was already a Knight!

Beom Baek-ho snorted. He was about to respond when a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of the fort.

The young warriors who were eager to watch the confrontation were disappointed.

”What’s going on? Why are the veteran warriors panicking?”

They all looked at the entrance and noticed that even the fort commander, a Transcendent Knight, was alerted.

”His Majesty has arrived! His Majesty is here!”

”Quick! Summon all the officers here at once!” Roared the fort commander.

Hearing this, the young warriors were stunned.

”What?! His Majesty is here?!” Everyone’s eyes flashed with excitement.

They all knew who Alaric was. He was the role model that their parents would always compare them to. How could they not know him?