Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 109: Ruse

This wasnʼt a minor matter anymore and Alaric had a feeling that there was more to this than just a business dispute.

There was something fishy about it since the act was done so deliberately as if their goal wasnʼt the soap business but something else.

Alaric pondered deeply, but he failed to understand the reasoning behind their actions.

”Inform Sir William about this. I will go back to the estate and send more people here.” Alaric muttered in a serious voice.

”I understand, my lord.” Vince nodded.

”For now, just continue the production as usual, but you must be careful about strange individuals. If you discover something unusual, inform the warriors immediately.” Alaric reminded him.

”Yes, my lord!” Vince revealed an uncharacteristic display of seriousness.

Alaric left the production room with a grave look, while Hershey followed him in silence.

”My lord, are you going back to the estate?” Josephus approached him upon seeing them coming out of the production room.

Alaric nodded. ”Yes. I need to make some preparations in case those people will come back to cause trouble here.”

He tapped Josephusʼs shoulder and took the wolf cub from him as he added. ”Report to me immediately if thereʼs something you guys canʼt handle.”

”Yes, my lord!” Josephus saluted.

After bidding everyone farewell, Alaric and Hershey left the store and entered their carriage.

Looking at Alaricʼs expression, Hershey spoke with a concerned tone. ”I think this is just a ruse.”

Hearing this, Alaric stared at her in surprise. ”You think so too?”

Hershey nodded. ”If they are truly interested in your business, they would have approached you instead of thoughtlessly provoking the storeʼs personnel.”

With a hesitant look, she asked.

”Have you offended someone lately?”

Alaric took a deep breath. He already had an answer in his mind, but he didnʼt want to scare her.

”Other than your missing brother, I canʼt think of anyone.” He replied while shaking his head.

Hershey became silent when he mentioned this.

Alaric realized his mistake and apologized immediately. ”Iʼm sorry. I didnʼt mean to bring him up…”

”Itʼs alright. Liam is a criminal and deserves to be punished. We are also doing our best to search for his whereabouts. If thereʼs any news, I will inform you right away.” Hershey wanted nothing more than to capture Liam. He didnʼt want him to continue ruining their familyʼs reputation.

”Thank you, Hershey. Please convey my thanks to Lord Nathan and Lord Theo. When I have time, I will visit them and properly convey my gratitude.” Alaric could feel House Paxleyʼs sincerity in repairing the relationship between their households.

”I will convey your message to them once I return home.” Hershey smiled faintly.

***

Meanwhile, within the Evergreen Forest, the warriors in training had already started their operation to eliminate the rampaging wild beasts and monsters.

At this moment, Rasmus was leading his team to fight against an Iron-headed Warthog that was close to becoming a Fatal-grade monster.

This monster looked like a typical warthog except for the thick iron pads on their faces which they used to repel predators. Additionally, they were also bigger and more agile.

Although this Iron-headed Warthog wasnʼt a full-fledged Fatal-grade monster, it already had traces of mana in its body making it sturdier and stronger compared to average wild beasts.

”Surround it and donʼt let it escape!” Rasmus instructed his teammates as he rushed forward.

The beast was furious because they had stepped into its territory.

It emitted a low grunt and charged at Rasmus who was leading his team.

Seeing the beast coming his way, Rasmus raised his shield and braced himself for the impact.

”Stab it as I hold it back!” He shouted as he tightened his muscles and held his breath in preparation for the collision.

”Yes, sir!” His teammates responded in unison.

In the next moment, the warthog smashed into Rasmusʼs shield.

Bang!

Rasmus grunted in pain, but he bore through the impact by gritting his teeth.

He planted his foot firmly into the ground, refusing to let the beast push him back.

”Now!” He shouted, his face contorting with pain.

Upon hearing his command, his teammates immediately stabbed the warthogʼs body, but most of them failed to even penetrate its tough skin. Only a few managed to wound the creature. However, it wasnʼt enough to take it down.

The beast was furious after having been attacked.

It snorted and wildly lunged at the warriors who surrounded it, sending them crashing into the ground.

Just as it was about to escape, Aliya suddenly threw a rope which caught its legs, making it fall awkwardly.

Aliya couldnʼt hold on to the rope and was pulled by its immense force and weight.

Seeing that the creature had fallen, Rasmus took the opportunity and thrust his sword into its underbelly.

Puchi!

His sword cleanly penetrated the thick skin of the warthog before cutting through its internal organs.

Squeal!

The beast squealed in pain and tried to run away, but Rasmus wrestled with it and repeatedly stabbed his sword into its body.

His teammates also jumped in to help him hold the creature.

Soon, the Iron-headed Warthog finally stopped moving.

Rasmus pulled out his sword from its body while breathing heavily.

His left shoulder was still feeling numb from that collision with the warthog, but he had to maintain his prestige as the leader of the team so he acted like it was nothing.

”Good job, everyone.” He said to the group. He was happy with his teammatesʼ performance. Although they werenʼt able to bring out their best, he was satisfied nonetheless.

”Are you alright, Sir? Why donʼt we get some rest before we continue heading deeper?” Someone suggested.

Rasmus shook his head. ”We canʼt. If we stay here, the other groups will be ahead of us.”

Everyone became silent at his words.

Seeing them in low spirits, he immediately said. ”I understand that you are nervous, but we have to persist. How can we fight alongside Lord Alaric if we canʼt even handle some wild beasts?”

His words ignited everyoneʼs morale.