Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 173: Shift of Power in Riverwake

After the meeting, Garandel told his daughter to stay.

”Is there something you want to tell me, Your Majesty?” Yvanna expressionlessly glanced at her father.

Seeing her indifferent face, Garandel sighed with a complicated look.

”The human you were talking about earlier, tell me more about him.” He knew Yvanna was one of the elves who didnʼt like humans. She had a strong aversion toward them so he was curious about what kind of person could change her perspective.

Hearing this, Yvannaʼs expression eased up.

She looked at her father and spoke in a mild tone. ”His name is Alaric Silversword. He is the heir of House…”

As he listened to his daughterʼs words, he sensed a different kind of emotion in her voice. She also had a faint smile on her face as she narrated her experience.

As someone who had lived for more than two hundred years, Garandel could tell that his daughter was in love, with a human at that.

Knowing that someone had already captured his daughterʼs heart, he felt a bit sour. Not to mention that this man was a human.

”Is his family really as strong as you say?” He couldnʼt believe it when she told him that they had a few Transcendents. Even their Greenwood Kingdom didnʼt have many experts at this level.

Yvanna raised an eyebrow. ”I have seen them in person. If you donʼt believe me, you can ask Sir Neo.”

As she said those words, she pointed at the elf who was standing quietly behind her.

Garandel looked at Neo and saw him nodding his head, confirming her words.

I know about Astania, but I havenʼt heard of this House Silversword. I should send someone to look into it.

He thought.

”If there is nothing else, then please excuse me.” Yvanna stood up and turned around.

However, before she could leave, Garandelʼs voice drifted into her ears.

”Do you still blame me for your motherʼs death?”

The elven kingʼs voice choked with sadness and regret.

Yvanna stopped in her tracks, but she didnʼt look back. With a cold voice, she replied. ”I will take my leave now, Your Majesty.”

After saying those words, she left without hesitation.

Neo bowed to the elven king before he chased after Yvanna.

Garandel scanned the empty room and slumped into his seat with a weary look.

He then looked at the portrait of an elf couple pasted on the wall. It was a portrait of him and his wife, the late queen of the Greenwood Kingdom.

My wife, your incapable husband is tired. I canʼt protect our kingdom and even our daughter hates me.

I wish you were here.

If it was you, Iʼm sure you could come up with a better solution…

***

In Riverwake, there was a major shift of power in the underground factions. This was because the leader of the largest underground organization was killed.

In the past few weeks, numerous skirmishes have occurred between these underground forces.

However, the biggest winner of them all was a recently established mercenary group helmed by a mysterious young man.

No one knew his name. It was like he had appeared out of nowhere.

At this moment, in the slums of the city, there was a bloody battle inside the underground fighting ring that was once owned by a man named Dexter.

On one side was a group of men wielding axes. They were like a pack of hyenas, recklessly swinging their axes without any technique.

On the other side was a group with fewer numbers, but despite the disadvantage, they were able to overwhelm their opponents using clever tactics and battle formations.

”Maintain the formation! They will soon exhaust themselves!” Shouted Liam, who was safely positioned at the rear.

”Yes, boss!” His subordinates responded upon hearing his words.

Liam had brought them successive victories so they had full trust in him.

He had trained them in employing battle formations which helped them win even with overwhelming odds.

Liam watched the scene with a cold smile.

Once we defeat these motherfuckers, the underground world of Riverwake will be ours!

Just as he thought of this, a change suddenly occurred.

An old man holding a two-handed battle axe forced his way through their battle formation. He was like a beast, rampaging with unstoppable momentum.

Itʼs him! Old Man Woodcutter!

Liam narrowed his eyes when he saw this old man.

Even though he was quite a distance away, he could still feel the oppressive aura of the old man.

A peak Elite Knight is indeed different.

Liam turned his head to the person standing next to him. It was a bald middle-aged man with a long scar on his neck. This person was the strongest warrior sent by his mother during his escape, a peak Elite Knight!

”Sir Elton, I need you to stop that old man,” Liam instructed with a respectful tone.

Although they shared a master-servant relationship, Liam was a bit afraid of this warrior.

He was a cruel, vicious, and ruthless man!

Elton nodded indifferently. Without saying a word, he drew his sword and charged toward the old man without an ounce of hesitation.

Old Man Woodcutter was quick to notice his presence.

”A peak Elite Knight?!” The old man was flabbergasted. He thought that only the Night Owl Mercenary Group had an expert at this level. It never crossed his mind that a newly established mercenary group would have someone like this in their midst.

In the next moment, Elton lunged at the old man and swung his sword.

Whoosh!

Old Man Woodcutter snorted and lifted his axe, causing the veins in his arms to protrude.

Clang!

A loud ʼclangʼ echoed when their weapons collided.

No one dared to get closer to them, afraid that they would be caught in the clash between the two powerful warriors.

A huge space was created for the two, giving them enough room to move around.

This man is faster than me…

Old Man Woodcutter frowned when he realized the huge difference in their agility. If he wasnʼt careful, his opponent could end his life with a single strike!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The two Elite Knights exchanged blow after blow, but after several minutes, there was still no clear sign of who would win the fight.

It was a close fight.

Elton was fast and skilled, while Old Man Woodcutter was strong and fearless.

As the battle dragged on, Elton revealed an annoyed expression.

Old Man Woodcutter seemed to have noticed this. With a disdainful smile, he shouted. ”You are quite capable. It will be a pity if you continue working under that snot-nosed brat! Why donʼt you work with me instead? We can conquer this city together!”

Eltonʼs face twitched and there was a slight opening in his defense.

The old man took the opportunity to attack. He feinted a swing and when Elton took the bait, he released a sweep kick.

”Got you!”

The old man laughed brazenly as he smashed his axe toward Elton who had awkwardly fallen to the ground.

Bang!

What?!

Old Man Woodcutter widened his eyes.

Elton actually managed to evade his axeʼs blade in the nick of time!

Khshhkk!

After somehow evading that fatal blow, Elton stabbed his sword into the old manʼs shoulder. It was aimed at the latterʼs heart, but Old Man Woodcutter managed to twist his body.

”Fuck!” The old man cursed under his breath after having his shoulder pierced with a sword.

He ignored the pain and lifted his axe.

However, when he was about to end Eltonʼs life, he saw someone pointing a crossbow at him.

”Itʼs nice to meet you, Old Man Woodcutter.” Liam grinned while aiming his crossbow at the old manʼs head.

The old man frowned and stared deeply at him. ”You must be the rumored leader of this mercenary group. You are a lot younger than I thought.”

”Oh, my! Iʼm flattered. To think that the famous Old Man Woodcutter actually knows of my existence! It feels wonderful!” Liam chuckled with a teasing voice.

After saying this, his smile disappeared. ”Throw your axe and I will give you a chance to live.”

Old Man Woodcutter gnashed his teeth in anger. ”Just kill me, but even if I die, I will take this man with me to hell!”

”Relax! We can talk this out! How about telling your men to stop so we can discuss things?” Liam squinted his eyes. He was ready to shoot his crossbow if the old man would show any sign of attacking Elton.

I canʼt let Elton be killed here. He is still useful.

Old Man Woodcutter hesitated for a moment.

Letʼs see what this brat is up to.

He thought to himself as he lowered his axe.

He then took a deep breath and shouted. ”Members of my Axe Gang, stop at once!”

His booming voice echoed across the underground fighting ring, momentarily stunning everyone.

The members of the Axe Gang were confused, but they followed his command.

Seeing this, Liam smirked.