Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent - Chapter 313

Chapter 313: The Traitor
Agility: 200 —> 220

Being fast would help me evade during critical situations.

Alaric inspected his attributes and was content with the improvements he made. Now that he had maxed out his stamina, he wouldn’t easily tire out in prolonged battles.

Suddenly, he sensed some movements behind him because of his Sixth Sense trait.

“Who goes there?” He frowned as he turned around.

“There is no need to be alarmed, my lord. It’s me.” A squinty-eyed warrior dressed in black battle armor revealed himself.

It was one of Rendon’s deputies, a man named Steven. He was a Transcendent Knight, one who wasn’t recorded in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard.

Alaric didn’t relax his guard upon seeing that it was him.

“So it’s Sir Steven! How can I help you?” Alaric put on a relaxed smile, but he was on full alert.

This was because this man was someone he was familiar with.

In his past life, Steven would betray the crown prince and defect to the second prince’s faction. He had even reported their secret camps which caused significant losses on the crown prince’s army. It was also because of this man that Alaric fell into battle.

Steven had planned an ambush at their military encampment which took them by surprise! Alaric was killed in that battle.

Recalling that moment, Alaric’s eyes flashed with rage, but he quickly concealed it.

This fucking snake! I want to crush his skull!

Alaric could barely control his anger which was threatening to burst out at any moment. He just couldn’t stomach the face which caused the deaths of his comrades and also his demise.

Steven didn’t seem to notice the unusual reaction. He smiled faintly as he approached Alaric. “My lord, I apologize for disturbing your sword training. I was fascinated with your technique so I couldn’t help myself but observe at a closer distance.”

Hearing this, Alaric chuckled, but he was seething rage deep inside. “You don’t have to apologize, Sir Steven. If you want, I can show you more.”

Steven waved his hand and shook his head with a look of embarrassment. “How could I trouble you, my lord?”

“It’s just a small matter. There is no need to be embarrassed.” Alaric insisted.

Seeing that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, Steven finally relented. “Alright. Please show me your sword techniques, my lord.”

When he said this, he failed to hide the contempt in his eyes. He was quick to hide it, but Alaric had already seen through his farce.

If I didn’t know about the future, I would have fallen for your acting.

Alaric showed off some of his moves, but he only displayed his most common techniques. However, this common technique made Steven flabbergasted.

He was also a swordsman and Alaric’s technique had already surpassed his own understanding of the sword.

No wonder others call him a swordsmanship prodigy. So they weren’t just baseless rumors after all.

Steven’s expression turned serious after Alaric displayed his techniques. In just that one quick session, he even felt that he had comprehended something!

I thought that Lucas was the only one we need to be careful of in the North. Who would have thought his son is also a dangerous person?

I need to report this to the second prince.

“Excellent sword skills! You have truly opened my eyes, my lord! I learned a lot from your demonstration!” Steven beamed at him.

“Haha! You flatter me, sir!” Alaric chuckled.

This guy is only second to my uncle when it comes to acting.

He thought to himself.

“I need to leave now, my lord. I still have things to do. Thank you for showing me your sword techniques.” Steven excused himself.

Alaric didn’t force him to stay and nodded. “No problem. I hope you can show me your techniques next time, sir!” He jokingly said.

“Of course!” Steven didn’t linger and left in a hurry.

Looking at his strange behavior, Alaric guessed that Steven was most likely on the second prince’s side by now.

This guy must have purposely chosen to stay in the crown prince’s faction to act as a spy for the second prince.

Should I report him to the crown prince?

Alaric furrowed his eyebrows.

Steven was never discovered in his past life. When his betrayal was revealed, it was already too late.

I will not let you succeed this time, you damnable bastard!

He temporarily set aside the thought of reporting Steven. He didn’t have evidence of the man’s betrayal so it would only backfire on him if he reported him now.

I should make a name list of all the spies hidden in the crown prince’s faction, but how should I give it to His Highness without making him suspicious?

Alaric rubbed his temples.

Thinking back, it was because of those traitorous bastards that the crown prince’s faction suffered innumerable losses.

There is still plenty of time before they would make a move. I just need to keep an eye on them and send the name list to His Highness when the time is right.

Alaric sorted his thoughts and temporarily put the matter aside.

A moment later, he resumed his sword training.

***

Later that midnight, in the Grand Duke’s mansion.

A man who seemed to be in his late fifties unrolled a letter he had recently received.

This was sent by one of our spies.

His expression changed drastically when he read the contents of the letter.

They want to attack me?!

He burned the letter furiously.

“So you want to kill your Uncle using Lucas? If you think that you can defeat me so easily, then I will let you know how terribly wrong you are, Your Highness!” His rage was evident in his voice.

He took a deep breath to calm down before he summoned his right-hand man.

A few minutes later, a man dressed in shiny steel armor kneeled before him. “My lord, I await your command!”

“Recall our troops and have them ready for battle!”

Hearing this, the man in shiny steel armor was momentarily surprised. “Yes, my lord!”