Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

He is right. The Carefree Duke would only lose the people’s trust if he were to harm us without a legitimate reason.

Sam’s expression eased up.

“Then I will trouble you to protect me during this trip.” He forced a laugh.

Warrick nodded. “That is my job.”

He then got up and stepped out of the carriage. Before closing the door, he added. “If something were to happen, I will make sure that you aren’t harmed, even if it kills me.”

Sam nervously shook his head. “Please don’t say such unlucky things, Sir Warrick.”

“I’m sure the Duke won’t harm us.” He tried to convince himself.

Warrick scoffed and climbed back onto his horse. “Let’s go.”

The entourage resumed their journey.

On their way into the inner ring of Gilmatan, they saw a group of twenty fully-armed cavalrymen.

Warrick frowned as he signaled the entourage to halt their march. He had a feeling that the other party was waiting for them.

“Sir Warrick.” Riding on his horse, Einar moved to his side with a grim expression.

Warrick gestured with his hand. “It’s fine. Let’s hear them out first.”

The twenty-man cavalry unit slowly approached them. The guy who seemed to be their leader, removed his helmet and introduced himself. “Greetings, guests! I am Namgung Jae-wan. My grandfather sent me here to escort you to the estate.”

Hearing this introduction, Warrick and Einar raised their eyebrows in surprise.

Namgung Jae-wan was the most promising grandson of the Carefree Duke. At the age of thirty-nine, he was already a Transcendent Knight. Although not comparable to Alaric, his talent was already the most impressive in his generation.

“So it’s Lord Namgung! Please pardon us for not recognizing you. I am Warrick, a warrior of House Silversword.” Warrick gave him a knight’s salute.

“And I am Einar. We are pleased to meet you, Lord Namgung.” Einar mirrored his greeting.

With a faint smile, Namgung Jae-wan waved his hand. “There is no need for formalities. I am younger than you both so feel free to speak casually with me.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, Sam stepped out of the carriage and introduced himself with a candid smile.

“It’s an honor to meet the renowned prodigy of House Namgung! I am Sam Bartadamen, the Director of the Holy Sun Orphanage!”

Namgung Jae-wan squinted his eyes. He had of course heard of the Holy Sun Orphanage.

It was a newly established orphanage in Sorl, built to accommodate the children who were left orphaned after the recent battle against the heretic cult.

“The honor is mine, Director Sam.”

As a former bishop, Sam was no stranger to engaging in polite conversations with the nobles.

After some small talk, Namgung Jae-wan gestured with his hand and said. “Gentlemen, why don’t you follow me back to the estate? My grandfather has prepared a banquet for you.”

“It won’t be polite to reject the Carefree Duke’s invitation. Please lead the way, Lord Namgung.” Sam laughed heartily, looking completely different from the nervous man he had been earlier.

“My pleasure.”

…

Soon, the group arrived at the Carefree Duke’s estate.

On their way to the main mansion, they encountered numerous knight squads patrolling the premises.

Warrick and Einar were visibly shocked when they sensed the power of those warriors. Among those they encountered, there were already some who exuded auras as formidable as their own!

Upon their arrival at the main mansion, Namgung Jae-wan invited them inside. He enthusiastically led them to the banquet hall, located in the west wing of the mansion.

As they walked, Namgung Jae-wan chattered nonstop, introducing them to the paintings pasted on the hallway’s walls.

As an expert in arts and literature, Sam managed to adeptly respond to his words, but the same couldn’t be said for Warrick and Einar. Both guys were purely military men and they lacked knowledge in those areas. They could only pretend to understand Namgung Jae-wan.

The latter noticed this and secretly scoffed at them. He looked down on boorish men like them the most, but he didn’t show it in his face.

“We are here.” Namgung Jae-wan pointed at the huge double doors at the end of the hallway.

“Announce our arrival.” He told the two doorkeepers.

Understanding his intentions, one of the doorkeepers announced in a loud voice. “Lord Namgung has arrived with the important guests!”

The double doors were pushed open, revealing an opulent interior. From the shiny chandelier to the marbled floor, everything screamed of luxury.

Warrick, Einar, and their subordinates held their breath as they stepped inside the banquet hall.

Other than them, there were already guests inside the hall. It looked like they weren’t the only people attending today’s event.

Why did they invite so many people?

Warrick couldn’t understand the host’s intentions. Was it a show of power and wealth? Whatever it was, he couldn’t tell.

As if sensing his confusion, Namgung Jae-wan explained with a chuckle. “My grandfather was expecting your arrival so he invited the most prominent people in Gilmatan to join today’s banquet and welcome you all.”

“We are just minor people. We don’t deserve such a grand welcome ceremony from the Lord Duke.” Sam Bartadamen was similarly astounded by the extravagance of the banquet.

Although he was a former bishop, he had never received such a warm welcome before.

“Don’t belittle yourself, Director Sam. You may find yourself lacking, but we certainly don’t think so. Besides, you have Her Majesty’s support.” Namgung Jae-wan sent him a look filled with hidden meanings.

Sam didn’t understand his meaning and just thought that it was a show of respect to the empress.

“Then please convey my gratitude to the Lord Duke.”

Namgung Jae-wan suddenly grabbed his shoulder, looking like they were longtime friends. “My grandfather is here. You should tell him this yourself, Director Sam.”

Hearing this, Sam was surprised. He thought that Namgung Jae-wan would handle the negotiations with them. He never expected that their arrival would alert the Carefree Duke.

He felt inexplicably nervous deep inside and Warrick’s earlier statements echoed in his mind like thunder.