Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 29: Accident During the Investigation

The next day, Elena woke up early because she knew that Alaric would leave the town again to investigate something.

She didnʼt know the details of the mission, but she knew that it was dangerous since he always brought the Knights and the Knight Apprentices with him every time he went out.

While she was heading to Alaricʼs room, she jolted when she saw him walking by the hallway dressed in his leather armor and with two swords tied to his waist.

”My lord?!” She called out, feeling surprised.

Alaric was also taken aback. ”Nana…”

He didnʼt expect to see her on his way out of the mansion.

”Are you leaving again?” Elena approached him, her eyes filled with worry and concern.

Alaric smiled faintly and gently brushed her hair with his hand. ”I have to.”

Elena grabbed his hand and muttered. ”Please be careful, my lord.”

Feeling the warmth of her hands, Alaric squeezed them gently as he replied. ”I will.”

”Remember to stay close to my mother while Iʼm gone.” He reminded her.

Elena nodded obediently. ”Yes, my lord.”

”Good.” Alaric smiled and embraced her.

”I will be back soon.”

After spending some time with Elena, Alaric headed outside the mansion to meet with the others.

As soon as he stepped out of the mansion, he saw the Knights and the Knight Apprentices waiting for him with serious expressions on their faces.

Everyone was already informed that the goblin settlement had been found and that their mission was to make further investigations on the layout of the settlement as well as the specific numbers of the goblins.

”Everyone, I believe your team leaders had already informed you about the situation, but in case you still havenʼt been informed, I will go over it one more time…” Alaric told them the details of the mission and the tasks of every team.

For this operation, each team has a different task. This was to maximize the investigation in a short amount of time.

”…Lastly, please be careful out there. Our goal is only to investigate so we must avoid combat. If by chance you are discovered, send the signal and retreat immediately.” Alaric sternly reminded them.

”Yes, my lord!” Everyone responded in unison.

”Alright. Letʼs move out!”

The four teams left the estate as a group.

The sun hadnʼt risen yet so there were only a few people on the streets of the town.

By the time they arrived near the goblin settlement, weak rays of light started filtering through the dense forest.

It was the crack of dawn and also the time when goblins change their shifts.

This was the reason why Alaric specifically chose this time to investigate the settlement.

He wanted to make use of this tiny gap in the defense to have his subordinates observe the goblin camp in more detail.

At this moment, the four teams had already moved separately to do their investigations.

Just as I guessed, those bastards are still sloppy when it comes to guard duties.

Alaric remarked internally when he saw the goblinsʼ relaxed behavior.

Suddenly, he caught sight of a larger goblin dressed in leather armor with a metal breastplate.

A hobgoblin!

No wonder some Knight Apprentices were killed in my past life. It must be because of that guy.

Hobgoblins are significantly more powerful than goblins. They were as tall as the adult humans and their strength was nearing the Fatal-Grade. They also possessed higher intelligence and they could even speak the human tongue!

Hold on. Iʼm missing something…

Even if thereʼs a hobgoblin, it should be impossible for it to kill three Knight Apprentices alone.

His expression hardened when he realized something important.

In his past life, Warrick Mason and even his father, Lucas Silversword, joined the battle against the goblin tribe.

With their presence, it was impossible for a single hobgoblin to run amok.

This means… there was more than just one hobgoblin in this settlement!

Thinking about this, Alaricʼs face turned grim.

Suddenly, the sound of a firework exploding echoed in the sky, making Alaric and his team look up in unison.

A distress signal! Thereʼs an accident!

”Itʼs a signal from Sir Aldrinʼs team!” One of the Knight Apprentices in Alaricʼs team exclaimed.

”What should we do, my lord? Should we head to their location and provide support?” Another muttered with a hint of unease.

Everyone stared at Alaric and waited for his decision.

The other teams should be heading to Aldrinʼs group after they heard the signal. They should be fine as long as they donʼt encounter the hobgoblins.

Alaric thought deeply as he observed the goblin settlement.

At this moment, the hobgoblin he saw earlier was already gone. It had probably left to check the situation after it heard the noise.

Only a few goblin soldiers stayed to protect the camp.

After a moment of silence, Alaric stood up and pulled out his swords. With a sharp gaze, he muttered. ”We are heading to their camp! Take out your weapons and follow me!”

Upon hearing his commands, the four Knight Apprentices were startled. They were unable to comprehend the reason behind his decision.

However, they had been trained to follow instructions so they took out their weapons after a split second of hesitation.

”While they are distracted, we must kill as many goblins as we can!”

”Move out!”

Alaric issued a command before he charged straight to the goblin sentries.

This wasnʼt part of the plan. He made this decision promptly after considering the situation.

With most of the elite goblins out, Alaric wanted to make use of the chance to eliminate the ones left in the settlement.

There were some risks, but he believed that they could pull it off.

The goblin sentries noticed them late so they werenʼt able to react preemptively.

Alaric mercilessly cut off the head of a goblin soldier in one single slash.

After the first kill, his eyes displayed extreme disgust and rage for the green creatures.

”Die you fucking bastards! Die! Die!”

For the first time since his regression, Alaric revealed his racism towards goblins.