Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

At the frontmost row, Yskaela, who was holding a pair of twins in her arms, revealed a mixture of emotions as she watched the ceremony.

Suddenly, someone reached out to hold one of her babies. It was Hershey, offering her a smile. "I understand what you are feeling right now. I may not be the queen of an empire, but I am also his wife..."

Looking at this fragile yet strong woman, Yskaela couldn’t help but admire her.

Hershey wasn’t as physically strong as her, but she had this powerful breadth of mind that even she as the Queen of Veronica didn’t have.

"You are much stronger than you look," Yskaela mumbled.

Hershey raised her eyebrows in confusion.

Yskaela simply smiled at her and offered no explanation.

While they were chatting, Garandel’s voice echoed across the venue.

"You may now kiss your bride!"

Everyone stared at the couple on the stage. Some revealed expressions of envy, while others expressed their joy.

Alaric might not be the first to marry an elf throughout history, but he was the first to marry an elven princess. Not to mention that he just married the most powerful woman in the surrounding nations. To most of them, he was one hell of a lucky man.

At this moment, Garandel prepared a short closing speech to formally conclude the wedding ceremony.

The newlywed couple walked hand in hand to greet the guests and to thank them for attending the wedding.

"Thank you for coming."

"Congratulations!"

As they walked toward the Astanian Emperor, Alaric secretly used his Appraisal to check the man’s progress.

To his surprise, the Astanian Emperor was only missing one point to his EXP. Furthermore, his attributes had also risen to the highest possible point for a Mythical Knight.

No wonder this guy is rushing me to start the expedition.

Realizing the other’s situation, Alaric chuckled.

John Phillip Astania was unaware that his little predicament had already been seen through by his nephew.

"Congratulations to you both."

"It’s an honor to have you here, Your Majesty." Yvanna gracefully curtsied.

The Astanian Emperor chuckled and responded almost immediately in a joking tone. "The honor is mine. Besides, how can I not be present for my nephew’s wedding?"

Alaric grinned at him. "So did my Uncle prepare a wonderful gift for his nephew?"

The Astanian Emperor laughed heartily. "Of course! I brought it with me since I wanted to give it to you in person."

While saying this, he grabbed a small jade box with intricate patterns and handed it over. "This is an item I received from my great-grandfather. Open it."

Alaric opened the box and saw a round gem, shiny and ethereal. "This is..."

"Did you notice?" The Astanian Emperor smiled faintly.

"That is a beast soul crystal, one with quality that surpasses that of Calamity-grade." He added.

Alaric and Yvanna gasped at his words.

A Calamity-grade beast soul crystal was already exceedingly rare. As for one that surpasses that, it’s almost unheard of.

The value of this beast soul crystal was enormous.

"This... how can we..."

Yvanna wanted to return the gift, but the Astanian Emperor sent her a deep look.

"I remember my great-grandfather telling me that only the chosen one could inherit the power within that crystal. Unfortunately, I am not that person, so I might as well give it to my outstanding nephew. Who knows? Maybe one of you two is destined for it."

Alaric and Yvanna felt much better upon hearing this.

"Then we will politely accept this valuable gift. Thank you, Uncle." Alaric closed the jade box.

He knew the meaning behind the gift. It was a favor from his uncle and also an investment.

The two men looked at each other and quietly made a tacit agreement.

"Good. You should talk with the other guests. They might talk behind my back if I keep you for long." The Astanian Emperor said in jest.

Alaric and Yvanna thanked him once more before they went to speak with the other guests.

This beast soul crystal...

Even though it was still sealed in the jade box, Alaric could sense that something within him was drawn to it.

Just what kind of power does it hold?

He felt inexplicably curious.

Yvanna, as the one closest to him, felt his restlessness. "Are you alright?"

Alaric snapped back into reality. He looked at her and nodded with a smile. "I am fine."

"Is it because of that crystal?" She asked.

Unlike Alaric, she had a different reaction toward the crystal. To her, it possessed an ominous energy that made her feel repulsed. It was an instinctive feeling that made her realize that the crystal might be holding a terrifying secret.

Alaric hesitated for a moment, before he nodded. "We will discuss this later."

It wasn’t the right time to talk about the matter.

Yvanna agreed and no longer pursued the conversation.

They talked with the other guests. She could feel that her husband’s mind was no longer there. He didn’t show it, but she could tell that he was distracted.

"I can’t believe I have to give you another gift." A middle-aged guest dressed in a silk suit said playfully. This man was a king from a small nation, someone that he had befriended in Veronica during his wedding with Yskaela.

His name is Otto Kroodtheing, a Mythical Knight.

This lighthearted joke made Alaric temporarily forget the beast soul crystal he got from the Astanian Emperor.

"Don’t worry. I will also give you something rare at your wedding." Alaric joked back as he accepted the man’s gift.

Otto’s face changed. He quickly looked back and was relieved to see that his wife didn’t hear anything. He then glared at Alaric. "Are you trying to get your older brother killed?"

With a wry smile, he added. "I’m not nearly as outstanding as you. I don’t dare take another wife."

Alaric laughed at his words. Even Yvanna couldn’t resist the urge to laugh when she saw the man’s expression.

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