Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent - Chapter 170

Chapter 170: A Special Moment
The spectators gasped.

On the stage, the high and mighty Andre Thompson who everyone thought would win the battle, was now covered in bruises. His fancy clothes had been torn apart, making him look like a mess.

On the other hand, Lucas wasn’t any better. His upper body was also covered in wounds and blood could be seen trickling down his lips.

He is not using his full strength. He has yet to use that move…

Lucas thought as he recalled the special move that solidified Andre’s position on the leaderboard.

It was an unnamed fist technique, but due to its notorious power, people started calling it ‘the Fist of Calamity’!

Lucas wanted to know whether he could withstand that fist, but he had already accomplished his goal. Furthermore, making Andre unleash that move would only force him to reveal more of his power.

Maria had specifically warned him not to use his trump cards. Although he was reluctant to end the fight, he could only let out a helpless sigh.

“It was a great fight, Lord Andre.” He cupped his fists while expressing his respect toward the other party.

He then turned his head to the referee and calmly said. “I forfeit.”

Hearing this, Andre was baffled by his decision. Lucas had fought evenly with him and there was no clear winner between them so it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Lord Lucas…” He called out.

Lucas raised his eyebrows and stopped in his tracks. He glanced at Andre and saw the latter giving him a deep look.

He didn’t bother to explain himself. He just nodded at Andre and jumped down from the platform.

It was only then that the referee had reacted. He leaped onto the platform and announced the results of the match, leaving the crowd confused.

“Why did Lord Lucas surrender? He doesn’t look that injured. Did he sustain internal injuries?”

“Perhaps Lord Lucas sustained a hidden injury that we hadn’t seen.”

“That’s too bad then. The battle could have ended differently if they had continued.”

“Still, it was an awesome fight! Just look at the state of the platform. It’s like a tornado had passed by.”

The crowd discussed, speculating the real reason behind Lucas’s surrender.

Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Prince Leighnard stared at Lucas’s back with a curious smile on his face.

Is he afraid of Lord Andre’s Fist of Calamity or is there another underlying reason for his decision?

Now I finally understand why His Majesty wanted to get you on his side. Lucas Silversword, you are one enigmatic man…

Beside him, Prince Giovanni couldn’t sit still any longer. He rose from his seat and turned around with a flick of his sleeve before he left impatiently.

He was afraid that his older brother would snatch Lucas from him.

Prince Leighnard raised an eyebrow as he watched his younger brother leave with quick steps.

At this moment, realization suddenly dawned on him.

I understand now.

Lucas did not just randomly challenge Andre. It was a deliberate move to reveal a portion of his power to the public!

Thinking about this, a playful smile hung on his lips.

Oh, my dear younger brother, this is not someone that you can tame.

He chuckled as he rose to his feet. “Let’s go. The show is over.”

“Your Highness, what about Lord Lucas? Didn’t you say that you want to get him to come to our side?” An old man dressed in standard noble attire asked in a low voice.

Prince Leighnard smiled profoundly at the old man as he shook his head. “Lord Tyrone, Lord Lucas has already made a choice. Going after him would be a fruitless endeavor.”

Hearing the crown prince’s words, the old man was puzzled.

***

On the 23rd day of March, Alaric came to Ryvaad with a large entourage bearing valuable gifts.

The carriages that carried the gifts were escorted by a hundred warriors dressed in ceremonial uniforms.

The striking entourage shocked the onlookers and some even followed them out of curiosity, wondering what was about to happen.

“Isn’t that Lord Alaric?”

“What are all those gifts for?”

“Is he going to propose marriage?”

“It seems like it…”

Alaric noticed the increasing number of people following them, but he ignored them.

As they got closer to the estate of House Paxley, he felt inexplicably nervous.

I did not think that proposing marriage would actually make me this nervous.

He smiled wryly.

He had never done this in his past life so it felt like he was going into unknown territory.

Alaric took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

“My lord, everything will be alright. Just relax.” Henry’s voice drifted into his ears.

Alaric glanced at the old warrior and smiled awkwardly. “Am I that obvious?”

Henry chuckled. “Your face says it all.”

“Don’t overthink things. Just be your usual self and I assure you that everything will go smoothly.” He added.

The old man’s words reassured him. “Thank you, Sir Henry.”

“It’s my pleasure, my lord.”

After half an hour, they finally arrived outside the main gate of House Paxley’s estate where a group was already waiting for them.

Alaric immediately spotted Hershey in the crowd.

She was wearing a white dress with a golden floral design.

How beautiful!

Alaric subconsciously smiled upon seeing her.

The crowd seemed to have vanished from his eyes and the only one he could see was Hershey.

In that instant, it was as if time had slowed down.

The noise around him disappeared and all he could hear was a beautiful melody that struck a chord in his heart.

However, a burst of boisterous laughter broke this special moment.

“Hahaha! Thank you for coming here, Lord Alaric!”

Alaric glanced at Baron Nathan and forced a smile as he jumped off from his horse. He lowered his head, showing his courtesy to his future father-in-law. “Greetings, my lord! I have come here to propose marriage to your daughter.”

Hearing this, Baron Nathan’s smile deepened.

“Hahaha! What a joyous occasion! It looks like my daughter’s wish of marrying you will finally be fulfilled soon.” The baron couldn’t conceal his joy and he didn’t forget to send his friends a smug look.

When he heard that Alaric was coming over to propose marriage, he invited his old friends all for the sake of letting them witness this moment.

The faces of the baron’s friends twitched when they saw his smug look.

Alaric noticed this exchange of glances, but he didn’t say anything about it. Nathan Paxley would soon become his father-in-law so he didn’t mind this little pretentious act.

“My lord, what are you saying in front of everyone?” Hershey smiled demurely at her father’s words.

“Oh, my! Silly me! Look at my mouth! Hahaha!” Baron Nathan laughed heartily.

They exchanged polite words before the baron invited them inside the estate.

He brought them to a pavilion right behind the main mansion.

“We will leave you two here. Us old fogies will only disturb you so we will take our leave first.” Baron Nathan winked at Alaric as he said these words. He then sent his daughter a look of encouragement before he pulled his friends away.

“I apologize for my father’s antics, my lord. He is just enjoying this moment so I hope you don’t mind his behavior.” Hershey was a bit embarrassed.

Alaric laughed lightly when he heard her words. “It is alright. I do not mind it at all.”

He then found himself at loss for words.

The lines that he had memorized before coming here suddenly disappeared from his mind.

Oh, no!

Just then, he recalled Henry’s words.

Just be yourself…

Thinking about this, Alaric let go of his worries.

He looked into Hershey’s eyes and smiled. “You look beautiful, Hershey.”

Looking at his radiant smile, Hershey’s heart melted. “You also look dashing, Alaric.”

Alaric didn’t bother to hide his affection. He offered his hand and asked. “Do you know how to dance?”

As a noble, he had been taught how to dance at a young age. Although the dance steps he had learned when he was young seemed to be a distant memory, these forgotten steps strangely appeared in his mind right at this moment.

Hershey didn’t expect this question, but she took his hand and hummed in response. “Mn.”

In the next moment, the two started moving.

Their graceful steps and movements flowed naturally as if they had been practicing together for a long time.

A strong wind blew by, making the flowers surrounding the pavilion look like they were dancing along with the two.

After they took the final steps, Alaric took her hands and kneeled while looking at her with eyes filled with love. “Hershey, will you marry me?”

Hershey was frozen in place. She didn’t know when it started, but tears started falling down her eyes.

With a trembling voice, she nodded. “Yes, I will!”

Alaric smiled and rose to his feet. He wiped away her tears and sealed her lips with a kiss.