Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 285: Cunning Move

Inside a bigger house within Jusren District.

”Is this place still safe?” Fredrinn asked as he looked at the situation outside through a small gap in the window.

”It should be safe. The people who know we bought this place are already dead,” Von calmly responded.

When they heard his words, everyone stared at him with stern faces. The chivalrous warriors of House Silversword were very sensitive about matters like this.

Sensing their unusual gazes, the former mercenary sneered. ”If I had left them alive, our location would be compromised. Killing them was necessary!”

The atmosphere turned cold all of a sudden so Henry quickly stepped in.

”Please donʼt misunderstand Sir Vonʼs actions.” The old warrior quickly spoke before an argument would break out.

”Those people are part of a criminal organization that steals from the common people. Letting them live will only bring more harm than good.” He explained.

Von raised an eyebrow at the old warriorʼs explanation. It was a lie, but he didnʼt bother to correct it.

With Henryʼs words, everyone finally relaxed.

”So itʼs actually like that. I misunderstood you, Sir Von.” Someone chuckled nervously.

More people expressed their relief that it was only a misunderstanding. Only Fredrinn and a few smart ones felt that something wasnʼt quite right.

”Enough about that, how should we rescue the remaining barbarians?” Henry immediately changed the topic, stirring it to another matter.

”With all the warriors from various houses searching for us, it will be difficult to move around.” He added.

This was indeed a big problem and it made everyone fall into a long silence.

They might be composed of veteran warriors, but against hundreds of enemies, they werenʼt confident about making it out of the city alive.

Their only hope now was for Williamʼs army to intervene, but this would also make House Silversword become a common enemy to everyone involved with the Crimson Tower.

”Is there any way for us to escape without alerting anyone?” Someone muttered.

No one responded for a long time, until…

”There is a way…” Fredrinn opened his mouth, his expression looking incredibly serious.

Everyone glanced at him and waited for him to explain his thoughts.

Fredrinn took a deep breath and looked at the rescued barbarians before he continued his explanation. ”With many eyes watching the entire district, it is impossible for us to escape as a group so we must send a separate unit to act as bait to lure those people away. While everyone is focused on pursuing the bait, the main group will leave the district together with the barbarians.”

Everyone frowned upon hearing this.

”This plan is very dangerous, Sir Fredrinn, especially for those who will act as bait.” One of them expressed his worry about the plan.

Some people nodded in agreement, clearly opposed to the idea.

”If we follow according to your plan, what about the other two barbarians that we havenʼt rescued?” Henry asked while looking at Fredrinn. He believed that Fredrinnʼs plan was plausible despite the risks involved.

Fredrinn glanced at the old warrior and replied. ”We can just wait outside the city. We already know the targets anyway so we just need to wait in certain roads. There are only six possible routes that…”

”…We have Sir Williamʼs army so we can just divide everyone into six groups and place them into these key locations…”

He explained his plans to the group. This time, everyone became silent. Although his plan was dangerous, they couldnʼt think of a much better alternative.

”What do you guys think of Sir Fredrinnʼs plan?” Henry looked at everyone, waiting to hear their opinion.

”I am not against it, but who will act as the bait?” Someone asked.

Everyone glanced at each other with hesitation. Most of them had families waiting for them at home so they were a bit reluctant to volunteer.

”Since I made the suggestion, it wouldnʼt be right if I donʼt volunteer for the task.” Fredrinn with a faint smile beneath his mask.

Everyone stared at him in surprise. They all knew that he had a pregnant wife waiting for him at home so they couldnʼt believe that he would actually volunteer for such a dangerous task.

”Absolutely not! I wonʼt allow it.” Henry snorted while shaking his head.

”Your wife is still pregnant. What would she feel if something were to happen to you? Think about your wife and your unborn child, Sir Fredrinn.” The old warrior reminded him with a serious look.

Fredrinn fell silent upon hearing this.

Von wanted to say something, but Henry raised his hand before he could speak. ”Donʼt even think about volunteering! You also have a family waiting for you.”

Von was speechless.

”I will act as the bait, but I will need three people to help me out. Otherwise, the people outside might feel that something is amiss.” Henry spoke in a decisive tone.

”Sir Henry, this task is very dangerous. You should sit out on this one. How about I…” Someone was about to give his opinion when they suddenly felt the presence of a warrior outside the house.

Everyone quickly grabbed their weapons and prepared to take action.

”Wait! There is no need to be alarmed. The guy is one of us.” Fredrinn quickly informed the group when he discovered the identity of the person outside.

It turned out that it was the warrior they sent to inform William about the situation. Furthermore, he didnʼt come alone.

”Itʼs Sir Butch and Sir Arthur!”

They were two of the most formidable Elite Knights in the household. Seeing them made everyone feel relieved.

After a round of enthusiastic greetings, Arthur immediately told everyone about Williamʼs plan.

”Sir William knew that you guys would plan something dangerous so he sent us here to inform you about his decision…”

”Sir William wants to block off the entire district and perform an inspection in the name of Princess Irish.”

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

William was actually bold enough to use the princessʼ name to do an inspection, but from a logical perspective, there was nothing wrong with it. After all, the princess was currently in the North so it was necessary to perform inspections when there was risk to her safety.

If something happened to the princess, the blame would fall on House Silversword.

Henry rubbed chin and chuckled. ”It seems like Sir William is smarter than all of us combined. He actually came up with such an ingenious idea.”

If they followed Williamʼs plan, no one would find it suspicious since everyone in the North was already aware that the princess was currently in North Pine Town. Furthermore, they could also make use of the imperial familyʼs name to put pressure on those involved with the Crimson Tower!

”What a cunning move!” Someone exclaimed in admiration.

William was usually a low-key person, but this plan made them realize that this old Transcendent was a scary individual!

”Letʼs do it!” Fredrinn was the first one to agree. His plan was too reckless compared to what William had suggested.

”Is there anyone opposed to Sir Williamʼs plan?” Henry asked while looking at everyone.

Everyone shook their heads.

Seeing this, Henry smiled. ”Since we all agree to the plan, please tell us what to do, Sir Arthur.”

”Alright. Listen carefully…” Arthur didnʼt waste any time and told everyone what they should do.

***

The next day, a lockdown was declared by the officials of Copperglade on Jusren. The residents of the district were stunned by the unexpected announcement. However, the ones who felt nervous were the people involved with the Crimson Tower. What made them even more anxious was that House Silversword had sent an army to do the inspection on the district.

At this moment, William was leading his army to search every house. The officials in Copperglade even sent their people to follow them to cooperate with the inspection.

With the joint investigation of the two entities, the parties involved with the Crimson Tower had no reason to oppose them.

”Sir William, how about we continue the inspection at another time? I will lead the investigations myself. There is no need to trouble you with such trifling matters.” An official of the city nervously suggested, his face full of sweat.

William gave him a cold look. ”What is trifling about ensuring the safety of Her Highness? Are you saying that Her Highnessʼs safety is just a small matter?!”

The official almost buckled under the intense pressure he exuded. ”I…I didnʼt mean it t-that way. How could tha-”

William snorted as he pushed the man away. He then commanded in a stern voice. ”Capture this guy for questioning! I suspect that he is hiding something!”

The official was scared. ”Itʼs a m-misunderstanding! P-Please let me explain!”

No one listened to his pleas, not even his fellow officials. This matter involved the imperial family so they were afraid to interfere.

Williamʼs subordinates quickly grabbed the official and brought him away.

No one said anything when they saw this.