Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Alaric was riding on a brown war horse with a black mane.

He got this horse from the duchess as a gift. It was a Disaster-grade beast, but she didn't hesitate to give it to him.

His subordinates, including Shin Dol-seok, also got Fatal-grade warhorses from her.

This just showed how wealthy House Park was.

The duchess is really generous.

Alaric let out a smile.

House Silversword might have gotten stronger over the past few months, but they still didn't have the level of wealth that House Park had.

We should push for an alliance with them to smooth our relationship with Veronica.

Alaric thought to himself.

"Your Highness, if we follow the main road, it will take us about four days to reach the capital. I know a shortcut that will cut the journey to three days, but we will have to pay some fees to cross this road." Shin Dol-seok's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"A shortcut? Is it safe?" Alaric no longer trusted these so-called shortcuts. Based on his experience, they were usually more dangerous.

Shin Dol-seok smiled and replied with a nod. "Yes, Your Highness. This shortcut is a private road built by a powerful merchant family. There are warriors stationed on this road so it's safe."

He had used this shortcut quite a few times in the past so he was familiar with it.

Alaric thought for a moment before he agreed. "Alright. Let's use this shortcut. I don't mind paying the fees, but I don't intend to be fleeced."

Shin Dol-seok patted his chest confidently. "I will handle the negotiations, Your Highness. Just leave it to me. I promise that they will give us a fair price."

With his assurance, Alaric chuckled. "Then I will leave this in your hands."

"Thank you for the trust, Your Highness!" Shin Dol-seok was excited.

The group later detoured and headed to another route.

The road was surprisingly well-maintained and there were warriors stationed in small outposts. The only issue was that they had to pay a small fee on each outpost before they were allowed to cross the road.

With Shin Dol-seok there, they only had to pay a fee of a few copper coins. It was just a small amount so no one bothered to complain.

Along the way, they encountered other groups who were also using the shortcut. Most of them were merchants and aristocrats.

At this moment, Warrick approached him and whispered. "Your Highness, I think those people don't like us."

He could see them scowling at them. There were even some young people who openly jeered at them.

The discrimination was evident.

"Don't mind them." Alaric shook his head.

Veronica and Astania didn't have a good relationship. Although both countries weren't at war, the citizens of both empires despise each other.

"We are enemies so it is only natural for them to feel that way." He added with a chuckle.

Warrick clenched his fists and lowered his head.

If Alaric weren't here, he would already have pounced on the locals and attacked them with his sword.

"Look at those Astanian cowards! They don't even dare let out a fart! Hahaha!" A loud voice drifted into their ears.

Everyone's faces darkened upon hearing this.

They were suppressing their anger, but this guy was getting out of line.

"Hey!" Shin Dol-seok pointed at the instigator with a mixture of anger and nervousness.

"You'd better watch your mouth! If you speak another word, you might have to chat with my sword!" He warned with a stern look.

Hearing this, the man just sneered, clearly unafraid of his threats. "Do you even know who I am? You are just a lowly warrior so just shut your mouth!"

Shin Dol-seok narrowed his eyes. He was furious, but he controlled his emotions.

He was about to say something in rebuttal when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"It's fine, Commander Shin. There is no need to waste your breath. Just ignore them." Alaric smiled at him.

"Your Highness…" Shin Dol-seok hesitated, but he still complied.

Seeing that he offered no response, the man became even more arrogant. "The next time you encounter me, you'd better lower your head."

Shin Dol-seok gritted his teeth, his eyes turning cold. He glared at the other party as they passed by their carriage.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. You didn't deserve to be treated like that." The Veronican Commander felt that it was his fault that everyone was insulted.

"You have nothing to apologize for. We are just unlucky to encounter a few rotten people." Alaric waved his hand indifferently.

Shin Dol-seok admired his magnanimity. "Thank you for being understanding, Your Highness. Not all Veronicans are like those people. Most of us are friendly and kind to others."

He didn't want Alaric to think that Veronicans hated them.

Alaric merely smiled.

When Shin Dol-seok looked away, Alaric sent a secret signal to Caecus.

The quiet man understood his intentions. He waited for some time before he silently separated from the group.

The others noticed this, but they didn't say anything. Only Shin Dol-seok remained oblivious.

…

Caecus tied his horse to a secluded spot and waited behind a tree. He 'eyed' the road with a calm expression as if he were waiting for something.

Several minutes later, he 'saw' a carriage passing by the road.

It was the carriage of the man who had insulted them earlier.

Seeing this, Caecus took out a bunch of hidden weapons as he blended into the greenery.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage.

Cody Lineker, a man in his early twenties, grabbed the hair of a beautiful woman and pushed her head down his crotch.

"Do you like it? Does it taste good?" He asked as he looked at the naked woman before him with intense desire.

Gawk! Gawk!

Ah~ Mn~

"Yes! I like it… I like your cock, my lord…" The woman replied, her face red.

Cody was aroused by the woman's words. He pushed her down, making her gag.

Ohk! Gawk!

Ohm!

Cody Lineker was enjoying every moment of it. The warmth of her tongue, her erotic moaning sounds, and her lustful gaze. It brought him immense pleasure.

However, something suddenly happened…