"I see. So it''s the crown prince..." Maria fell into deep thought after hearing the situation from them.

    After a moment of silence, she lifted her head and said. "We will proceed as planned."

    Hearing this, Alaric and Lucas nodded with grim faces.

    ***

    The next day, Roland still didn''t receive any response from Alaric.

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    It seems like they are still debating over the matter, but their hesitation is understandable. After all, His Majesty is still alive. If he recovers, the crown prince could receive punishment for gathering private forces and the people who followed him would also be punished.

    Roland thought deeply as he went out of the guest mansion to discreetly observe the activity inside the estate.

    As soon as he stepped out, the cold morning breeze hit his skin, but it hardly affected him because of his strong physique.

    As he walked along the snow-covered, cobbled pathway he heard a familiar sound from the distance.

    Hm? Someone is training this early in this weather?

    He was taken aback.

    Feeling curious, Roland followed the direction where he heard the sound, and soon, he arrived at an open training ground.

    There he saw one man repeatedly performing the same sword movement.

    Lord Alaric?

    He didn''t expect that it was actually Alaric.

    Roland observed for a while. He thought that Alaric would perform the same sword movement, but then the latter changed his pattern all of a sudden. This time, he was repeatedly stabbing his sword into the air.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    The more Roland watched, the more he noticed that something was quite different with Alaric''s style and technique. It wasn''t the conventional sword stab that he was used to, but a version that seemed to be entirely different. The most surprising thing was that every stab was swift and decisive, almost without any flaw.

    He looks like he is only casually stabbing his sword, but each stab brings out his maximum potential.

    Roland was amazed by this and he even wanted to follow Alaric''s training routine, but he was too embarrassed to disturb him.

    Huh?

    With a bewildered look on his face, Roland caught the sword.

    Is he seriously thinking of teaching me his technique?

    He couldn''t believe it.

    The sword technique that Alaric displayed was unlike any other. If it was someone else, they would definitely guard this technique closely and never let a stranger learn it. However, Alaric didn''t seem to share the same ideology.

    "Stop dawdling before I change my mind."

    Alaric''s voice sounded more serious this time so Roland no longer hesitated.

    He adjusted his stance and moved the sword according to what he had remembered.

    Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Alaric watched him in silence.

    His comprehension is worse than Aliya''s, but he has some talent. At least it''s on the same level as Renante''s and Rasmus''s.

    He felt tempted to take this man on his side, but he immediately dropped the idea when he recalled Roland''s personality.

    This man was loyal and he would never betray his lord.

    Well, there is an exception... His principles...

    He knew that Roland followed a strict principle. He was willing to sacrifice his life for his lord, but he will never hurt the innocent.

    In his past life, there was one time when Roland disobeyed his lord''s commands. It was because he was ordered to attack a village for its strategic location.

    Roland was supposed to be executed for his disobedience, but because of his contributions, he wasn''t executed and was only demoted to that of a normal warrior. That was also how he had found his way into Alaric''s group.

    Is there any way to bring this guy to our side?

    While he was seriously pondering about this, Roland lowered his sword and looked at Alaric. "Did I execute it right, my lord?"

    Roland''s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

    "It''s not bad, but your form still needs a lot of polishing. I noticed that you..." Alaric told him about the mistakes he made.

    Roland quietly listened.