Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Too bad we didn't get a beast soul crystal from it.

Alaric shook his head, feeling regretful that there was no beast soul crystal in the Iron Back Crocodile's carcass.

Not all Fatal-grade monsters possessed a beast soul crystal. They were only lucky enough to get one from the Spiked Grizzly Bear.

The group went to dig up all the Dragon Tail Ferns inside the cavern.

In the end, they managed to collect over seven hundred stalks of Dragon Tail Ferns.

Alaric was over the moon.

Each stalk was worth 15 gold coins in the market and sometimes, it even goes beyond 20 gold coins depending on the supply and the demand.

Everything is roughly worth around 14,000 gold coins! With that much money, not to mention 3 years, I can even fund the orphanage for the next hundred years! Holy shit!

He had underestimated the number of Dragon Tail Ferns they could find inside the cave.

It seems like the information from my past life was either wrong or it was manipulated.

He thought to himself.

From what he remembered, it was mentioned that there were only a few dozen stalks of Dragon Tail Ferns inside this cave. However, this was no longer any of his concerns.

"Good job, everyone!"

"But before we go back home, allow me to say a few reminders first."

Everyone gathered in front of him, waiting for him to say his piece with serious faces.

When he saw that he had gathered their attention, Alaric spoke.

"Whatever happened inside this place must remain a secret."

"The value of the things we found here could cause a storm, not just in Vale, but in the entire empire!"

At this point, his face turned grave as he continued.

"We might even be targeted if this information ever spreads."

Their faces changed upon hearing his words.

Dragon Tail Fern was an important resource for Knights. Just one stalk could help them increase the speed at which they gather mana, what more if they had seven hundred of such herbs?

They could already imagine the turmoil it would cause once the news spread.

Just the thought of it made them realize the gravity of the situation.

"For the safety of House Silversword, please keep this a secret. Never tell this to anyone, not even to your family or your closest friends."

"Do you understand?"

Alaric warned them with a stern look.

"Yes, my lord!" The Knights replied in unison, their faces looking incredibly serious.

"Good!" Alaric nodded, pleased with their response.

"Let's go home."

***

It was already past midnight when they returned to North Pine Town.

Some residents who were still awake went pale with fright at the sight of the two huge beast carcasses being pulled by the makeshift wagons.

"Oh my god! What kind of monsters did Lord Alaric and the Knights bring back?!"

"Did they hunt those monsters down in the Evergreen Forest? I'm never going back to that place again!"

"One of the Knights seems to be injured. It must have been a tough battle."

The townsfolk discussed animatedly amongst themselves.

No one dared to approach Alaric and the Knights, afraid that the two carcasses might somehow come back to life and attack them.

Soon, the group finally arrived at the estate.

News about their return immediately reached the ears of the baron and the madam who both came out of their chamber to check on their son's wellbeing.

Elena also followed them, her face painted with anxiety.

When they saw Rigor whose upper body was wrapped in bandages, they furrowed their eyebrows.

Elena craned her neck to look for Alaric's figure.

A moment later, she finally caught sight of his familiar figure, making her breathe a sigh of relief.

The baron and the madam also looked visibly relieved that he was unharmed.

"What happened out there? Why do you guys look so beat?" The madam approached her son and gently grabbed his arm, her face filled with concern.

Alaric smiled apologetically at her as he squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry for making you worried, mother."

Maria shook her head and forced out a smile. "It's alright."

She was the wife of the baron who was known as the Shield of the North, and she was also aware that her son, Alaric, would follow in his father's footsteps to carry the banner of House Silversword.

The lives of the father and son were destined to be filled with war and bloodshed, so she had already prepared her heart for what was to come no matter how difficult it was for her. This was her duty as the madam of the household.

She must be firm and strong no matter what happens.

Alaric walked towards Lucas and bowed to him. "Father, I have returned from my trip."

Lucas nodded his head with a calm look.

"Mn. Good job."

His gaze then moved to the two carcasses and the sacks on the wagons. "It seems like your trip was quite fruitful."

Alaric grinned upon hearing this. "Yes, father. We accomplished our goal and we even got some extra rewards. Although we encountered some challenges, we managed to overcome them by virtue of our efforts and teamwork."

"I see. That's good to hear." Lucas raised his eyebrows.

He was aware that his son's goal was to search for Dragon Tail Ferns.

"I will tell you the details later. Let's go inside first." Alaric gave him a knowing look.

Lucas understood his intentions and nodded. "Alright. Let's head in."

Alaric gave a signal to Henry and the others and said. "Bring in the items. As for the carcasses, let the others deal with them."

"Yes, my lord!" The Knights replied.

Lucas narrowed his eyes as he looked at the sacks they were carrying. He was curious, but he said nothing. He knew that Alaric would explain things to him soon.

As soon as they walked inside the mansion, Alaric took the chance to grab Elena's hand, gently squeezing it while giving her a warm smile.

"Did you wait for me?" He asked with a hint of teasing in his voice.

Elena was flustered by his touch.

She tried to pull out her hand, but she couldn't break free from his grip.

She shyly looked around to see if the others had noticed anything.

When she saw the Knights pretending to be blind, she lowered her head in embarrassment.