Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 403: Purple Mist Tree

Aldrin was one of the ten warriors chosen to scout the monster colony. He had recently advanced to become an Elite Knight with the help of the near-limitless resources and rigorous training.

(Author’s Note: If you have forgotten about Aldrin, you can see him in the characters panel.)

Why did His Highness choose that elf to be our leader?

Aldrin curious looked at Varys, the assigned leader of the ten-man scout team.

From his observations, he wasn’t the most physically gifted among them nor the most charismatic.

The one who stood out the most in their team was a barbarian with wolf-like features.

He looked no different than a normal human except that he had thick wolf fur on some parts of his body. He also possessed a pair of intimidating beastly eyes.

Moreover, this barbarian warrior exuded the strongest aura among everyone in the team.

Despite his confusion, Aldrin had full trust in Alaric’s judgment.

There must be something special about him.

He thought to himself as he pulled his gaze from the elven warrior.

This is no time to doubt my comrades. I should focus on the mission.

Thinking about this, he carefully observed the surroundings for any possible threat. His sharp eyes roamed all over the place.

When they traveled more than fifty miles, Varys instructed the team to get some rest.

Their horses had been running at full speed so the poor creatures were exhausted. It would be bad for the team if their mounts were in bad condition during the reconnaissance so no one objected to Varys’s decision.

Throughout the whole trip, Aldrin kept his vigilance. He didn’t even remove his hand from the handle of his spear.

While they were setting up a temporary camp, someone suddenly approached him and said. “Relax, buddy. We are still far from the monster colony. You don’t need to be so rigid.”

Aldrin turned his head.

It was one of the barbarian warriors. Just like him, this guy was also an Elite Knight.

Looking at the bow slung over his shoulder, Aldrin furrowed his eyebrows.

Is the bow his primary weapon or is it just a decoy?

The barbarian warrior chuckled dryly when he noticed that Aldrin wasn’t listening.

He pointed at the insignia on Aldrin’s chest and said.

“You have that insignia so you must be a warrior from House Silversword. I am Sandro, a member of the Green-eyed Falcon Tribe.”

Though the human was quite peculiar, he had a good impression of House Silversword.

Aldrin nodded and replied. “I am Aldrin.”

He wanted to introduce himself as a newly promoted team leader of House Silversword, but he didn’t want to come off as a boastful guy so he decided not to mention it.

“I will call you Sir Aldrin if you don’t mind.” Sandro smiled faintly.

Aldrin nodded to express his assent.

“What are you two doing over there?” A stern voice suddenly drifted into their ears.

It was another member of the scout team, the second elven warrior, Lesley.

“It’s nothing, Dame Lesley. I’m just making friends with our team members, is all.” Sandro laughed awkwardly.

This elven warrior was the only woman in the group, but no one dared to underestimate her. This was because she possessed the second strongest aura after the barbarian with wolf features.

Lesley stared deeply at them and instructed in a cold tone. “Instead of wasting time chatting, you two might as well check the perimeter.”

Hearing this, Sandro didn’t hesitate for a second and acknowledged her command.

“I understand!”

Aldrin was amused upon seeing him scurrying like a scared cat.

What a funny guy.

“What are you laughing about? You are not exempt from the task! Go and scout the area!” Lesley’s displeased voice echoed.

Aldrin glanced at her and nodded. He then left without saying a word.

So there are still arrogant elves like this woman. She seems to be the daughter of a High Elf. No wonder she’s got the temper.

He didn’t like Lesley’s personality, but he still followed her instructions. It wouldn’t be good for the team if he were to create conflict with the members.

He climbed atop a massive tree and surveyed the surroundings with his keen perception.

He found some monsters, but they weren’t a threat to the group so he decided to remain at the top of the tree to continue his observation.

Hm?

Suddenly, he saw one of their members rushing back to the camp with an urgent expression.

Sensing that something was amiss, Aldrin jumped down from the tree to inquire about the situation.

“What did you see out there?” Varys asked the man, his expression serious.

The man took a deep breath before he responded in a grim tone. “A monster outpost! I saw a monster outpost!”

Hearing his words, everyone frowned and quickly gathered around him.

“Are you sure? Where did you see it?” Someone inquired.

The man pointed in a certain direction. “Half a mile from that location, there is a big tree with strange purple fruits. The monster outpost is built on top of that tree.”

“Is he talking about the Purple Mist Tree?” Lesley rubbed her chin while looking at Varys.

“It must be the Purple Mist Tree. It is the most conspicuous tree around here. The monsters must have chosen to build their outpost on top of it to keep an eye on its fruits.” Varys agreed with her assessment.

“What is this Purple Mist Tree that you are talking about?” Asked the barbarian warrior with wolf-like features.

This man’s name was Bane and everyone believed that he was the strongest in the team.

“I will explain it to you guys.” Varys nodded and gave them a short introduction about the tree.

According to him, the Purple Mist Tree was a spiritual tree that produces an unusual elixir fruit, the Purple Mist Fruit.

When a peak Knight Apprentice consumed a mature Purple Mist Fruit, they would immediately advance to become a Knight!

However, there was a problem.

Each Purple Mist Tree could only produce a maximum of ten fruits every ten years.

“What?! There’s actually such a good thing here? Why didn’t you guys send a team to safeguard the tree?”

Everyone was confused.

If it was so valuable, why did the elven kingdom not send its warriors to protect it?

Looking at their baffled faces, Varys sighed and told them the truth.

“This area of the forest was originally the territory of a powerful monster pack. Their alpha was also a peak Disaster-grade monster.”

“We did try to claim the tree, but the monster pack was fierce and they didn’t fear death. After numerous losses, His Majesty decided to give up on the Purple Mist Tree.”

While everyone was ruminating on his words, Varys added.

“There is no need for us to attack the outpost. Our mission is to scout the monster colony so we shouldn’t sidetrack and do anything unnecessary.”

He paused for a moment and scanned everyone’s faces before he continued.

“We just need to avoid the outpost so we wouldn’t be discovered.”

Bane stared deeply at him and nodded after a moment of silence. “Fine, but I will send word to the main army about the outpost.”

Varys wasn’t opposed to this. He also planned on informing the main army about the outpost to prevent them from sending word to the monster colony.

An undiscovered monster outpost fifty miles from the elven kingdom. It seems like the elven kingdom’s worries weren’t unfounded.

Thought Aldrin who was listening to their conversation.

With this discovery, the group no longer dawdled. They gathered their belongings and took a detour to avoid detection from the outpost.

Bane also sent a messenger bird to inform the main army about what they had discovered.

***

Back to the main army.

Alaric received the letter sent by the scouting team.

He unrolled the letter and read the contents with a stern look.

Purple Mist Tree?

Is there something like that here?

He hadn’t seen this tree before, but he had encountered its fruits at an auction in his past life.

They were very rare and it was almost impossible to artificially grow them.

I wonder if I can transplant this tree into our garden?

Alaric fell into deep thought.

Attacking the monster outpost is a bit risky, but the tree is quite tempting.

In the end, he decided to inform his father about the Purple Mist Tree.

He told Lucas about the story, but the guy didn’t seem to be interested in it.

To a Mythical Knight, this tree was indeed insignificant.

“My lord, we have plenty of talented Knight Apprentices in our household. If they can have this fruit, they will save a few years.” Alaric tried to persuade his father.

Lucas frowned and thought for a moment.

Just like Alaric had said, House Silversword had plenty of promising Knight Apprentices. Given enough time, they would become the next batch of elites for the household.

However, it would take years of training before they could advance and become a full-fledged Knight.

After much deliberation, Lucas relented.

“Alright.”

“I give you my permission, but who are you going to send this time?” He asked while looking at his son.

“I will be going there myself.” Alaric replied confidently.”

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