A few days after the members were selected, the training of the newly established knight order began. Highly accomplished Transcendent Knights were invited to help with the training. There was even a Mythical Knight who had retired from his military service who came to oversee the training together with Alaric.

With the quality of the trainers, it was almost guaranteed that the Heaven Sword Knight Order would become one of the strongest knight orders in the country.

Alaric presented a rigorous training plan for the new knight order. As promised, he would be responsible for leading the first few months of the training. After that, he would pass the role to Beom Maeng-ho, a Mythical Knight and a retired general of Veronica.

For the next few months, Alaric busied himself with the task of mentoring the young warriors. He taught them basic battle formations, tactical awareness, close combat methods, and many other things that were crucial to the development of the Heaven Sword Knight Order.

In the first month, the young warriors struggled to keep up with the rigorous training program. They weren’t used to the strict schedule, and it almost made some of them think about quitting. The intensity was too much.

However, things gradually changed in the latter half of the second month. The members of the Heaven Sword Knight Order started seeing drastic improvements in their abilities. They realized that they were advancing by leaps and bounds. With this newfound realization, they became more disciplined. No one expressed dissatisfaction, at least on the surface.

While he was immersed in his job as an instructor, Alaric didn’t stop his own training. He continued to polish his skills, and he even occasionally asked the grand commander to spar with him.

Alaric also performed his daily missions, which he had neglected. With his efforts, his attributes steadily improved as the days progressed.

...

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, four months had gone by since the training of the Heaven Sword Knight Order began.

At this moment, Alaric was wearing battle armor, riding his horse in the middle of a vast grassland.

In front of him were the members of the Heaven Sword Knight Order, all riding their horses and dressed and ready for combat.

Unlike when he had first seen them, the young warriors had become more formidable. Three Apprentice Knights advanced during the training and became full-fledged Knights.

He felt proud to see their growth.

He scanned everyone’s faces, his eyes narrowing. "You have survived the hellish training, but you are still far from ready to participate in dangerous missions! Today, you will face five Disaster-grade beasts and a large number of Fatal-grade beasts!"

Alaric noticed their faces changing, but he ignored their reaction and continued. "This will be your first practical combat training! If you want to survive, you must use everything that you have learned from your instructors!"

"I will not step in to help you! Some of you might die here, so you must be cautious!"

"Get ready!"

Alaric’s final warning made everyone feel tense. Five Disaster-grade beasts were already difficult to handle. Even Elite Knights would struggle to subdue them. Not to mention that they would have to face a large number of Fatal-grade beasts on top of that.

It was an insane practical combat training, but they all knew that this was necessary for their growth.

Although the pressure made them nervous, they were also excited to show off what they had learned in the past few months.

While the young warriors were getting into their battle formations, Alaric made a hand signal.

In the distance, the warriors responsible for releasing the fierce beasts immediately unlocked the giant steel cages.

Roarr!!

Wrahgh!

Numerous beasts poured into the vast grassland. These creatures were captured from the nearby forests for this purpose.

Alaric had to mobilize the imperial army just to capture this many beasts. It took them three months, but he felt that it was worth it.

The roars of the beasts echoed across the grassland.

"Shield warriors, forward! Archers, get ready and wait for my signal!" Barked Beom Baek-ho, the temporary commander of the Heaven Sword Knight Order.

Alaric chose him to take this role because he was the most capable of the group. He wasn’t just strong for his age; he was also skilled in military tactics.

This guy is quite good. I should have invited him to join me back then.

Alaric lamented with a shake of his head.

Beom Baek-ho’s potential might not be as startling as Darco’s, but his prowess still far exceeded that of his generation.

Well, I shouldn’t be too greedy. Getting Darco is enough. If I take all of the most capable young talents of Veronica, who would be left to lead the next generation?

He thought to himself.

While he was absorbed in his thoughts, the horde of beasts finally clashed with the Heaven Sword Knight Order.

The shield warriors staunchly resisted the attack, keeping the battle formation from breaking apart. Behind them, the archers released a barrage of arrows, stopping the beasts from advancing further.

Meanwhile, Beom Baek-ho directed a separate force composed of the strongest members of the knight order to fight against the five Disaster-grade beasts.

"Proceed as planned! We must eliminate those beasts at once!" He roared, raising his weapon into the air, igniting everyone’s morale.

Five small units were dispatched to take on the Disaster-grade beasts. Each group had at least a hundred members, and they were led by a Knight. These people were the most promising members of the knight order.

Under Beom Baek-ho’s leadership, the five detached units fiercely fought the Disaster-grade beasts.

Alaric was observing the battle when he suddenly noticed a cavalryman approaching him.

An imperial messenger?

Alaric immediately identified the man from his attire.

He furrowed his eyebrows, wondering what news was being delivered.

In the next moment, the imperial messenger jumped off his horse and knelt before him.

"I greet the Great Emperor of Veronica! I have come to deliver a letter from the Astanian Emperor."

Alaric beckoned to him. "