Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Alaric watched as the goblin corpses burst into flames. His face looked cold, but a ripple of emotion flashed in his eyes.

He then turned his head to Arthur and asked in a low voice. "Are there any casualties?"

Arthur moved his head closer to him and responded. "No, my lord, but almost all of our men are injured. Both Sir Henry and Sir Aldrin need immediate medical attention."

Hearing this, Alaric nodded. "Alright. We will depart at once. The scent of blood will attract monsters so we must leave before they come. Tell everyone to get ready."

Arthur acknowledged his command with a nod. He then left to relay his instructions.

The flames produced 'ka-ka' sounds which resonated in Alaric's ears.

We destroyed the goblin tribe and not one person was killed.

Alaric clenched his fists.

He managed to change the future.

This means that things won't go according to what I know depending on the actions I take.

In his past life, the goblin tribe had attacked North Pine Town and killed many people. That day, House Silversword lost some of their most capable soldiers. It was a tragedy.

However, with his knowledge of the future, Alaric was forcefully turning the cogwheels of fate!

***

Beyond the walls of North Pine Town, a large group of soldiers and a team of medical professionals were already waiting.

Lucas brought them here after he received a report about what happened in the depths forest.

At this moment, Lucas was eyeing the tall evergreens with narrowed eyes. He tried so hard to hide it, but a trace of worry was evident on his face.

Suddenly, he sensed the presence of a group emerging from within the forest.

It's them!

When he sensed Alaric's familiar aura, he felt like a boulder had been lifted off his chest.

"Our people are coming! Get those with injuries treated immediately!" Lucas commanded with a stern look.

"Yes, my lord!"

Soon, Alaric's group finally emerged from the forest.

"It's them! Many of them are injured!"

"Isn't that Sir Henry? Even he was injured?"

"Sir Aldrin seems to be injured too."

"Look! The monster corpses they are pulling look quite scary."

Everyone was stunned when they saw the state of Alaric's group.

Lucas walked towards them while looking at Alaric's condition. When he saw that his son wasn't injured, his eyebrows relaxed.

It was then that he noticed the large creature among the monster corpses.

A goblin chieftain!

Seeing this, his eyes widened momentarily.

It looks like it died from the stabs on its heart and neck, but how did they kill a monster at this level?

He was aware of how powerful the goblin chieftains were. Such monsters were dangerous and even an Elite Knight would have some trouble killing them.

Alaric didn't bring an Elite Knight with him. He only brought four Knights and sixteen Knight Apprentices. Even if they had joined forces to kill the goblin chieftain, some of them would have died, but it doesn't seem like one of them was killed. Besides, there are even hobgoblins… Just what on earth happened out there?

While he was trying to guess how they had killed the goblin chieftain, Alaric approached him and nodded. "My lord."

"Mn."

Lucas nodded in response.

"I know you have a lot of questions. I will give you the detailed report of what happened once we return to the estate." Alaric knew that his father was curious when he saw the look on his face.

"Alright. You should get yourself checked. You might have gotten injured without knowing." Lucas reminded him.

"Yes, my lord."

Right at that moment, an anxious voice suddenly drifted into their ears.

"My lord!"

Hearing this familiar voice, Alaric turned his head.

It was a young girl dressed in a servant's uniform. She was crying in distress as she ran towards Alaric.

"Elena…"

Alaric looked at his father with a questioning gaze.

"Don't look at me like that. She insisted on coming here when she heard about what happened." Lucas smiled wryly while shaking his head.

"You better give her an explanation." He chuckled before he walked away while waving his hand.

Alaric glanced at his father's back with a speechless look.

Step. Step. Step.

Elena grabbed his hand and checked if there was any injury in his body.

"M-My lord…are you alright? You're not injured, are you?" She asked, her voice quaking with anxiety.

Looking at the worried girl, Alaric gently smiled as he squeezed her hand. "I'm fine, Elena."

The little girl scrunched her eyebrows as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"I thought something happened to you. It's good that you're safe. I'm relieved." She muttered with a quivering voice.

Alaric felt warmth in his heart.

"I'm sorry for always making you worried." He grabbed her fragile body and embraced her tightly.

He could feel her small body shaking.

She must have been really scared and worried.

Alaric gently rubbed her back. "I'm sorry, Elena…"

He wanted to promise her that this wouldn't happen again, but the words were stuck in his mouth.

Elena shook her head. "You don't need to be sorry, my lord. You are only doing your duty as the heir of House Silversword. I'm not worthy to say this, but I'm proud of you."

Upon hearing this, Alaric felt something tugging at his chest. He understood his feelings right away.

Yeah. I like this girl.

It confirmed his feelings for her.

Just wait a few more years, Elena.

After exchanging a few more words with him, Elena realized that everyone was staring at them weirdly.

Oh my god! I'm so embarrassed!

Seeing her like this, Alaric chuckled in amusement.

A while later, the medical experts brought the injured back to the estate under the protection of House Silversword's Knights and warriors.

As soon as they arrived, Alaric was summoned to Lucas's study to give his report.

Alaric didn't have the time to change into a new set of clothes. His leather armor was covered in blood which filled the study room with a metallic scent.

Lucas pointed at the seat in front of him and said. "Tell me what happened out there. Don't leave any details."