Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill

Chapter 47: 47: Lighting Up The Empty Inn

For the first time since his arrival in this world, Ethan felt he could travel with peace of mind.

With his own strength and the steady presence of knights around him, the weight of fear lifted from his heart. He sat back in the carriage and allowed himself to enjoy the scenery that stretched endlessly across the horizon.

The world outside was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Rolling hills painted in shades of green, wildflowers swaying in the wind, and rivers glimmering under the sun created a picture that no artist from his old world could ever hope to capture. The air was clean, crisp, and alive with the songs of unseen birds. There was no trace of smoke, no scars of pollution, no marks of endless human interference.

“The world without any form of pollution and human absence is marvellous,” Ethan whispered, his eyes shining.

He rested his chin on his hand, staring at the vibrant colors of nature around him. “I wonder how the artists of Earth would react if they could see such a world. Every view is a painting and every land seems to tell its own story.”

The days passed quietly and peacefully, filled with such wonders. After five days of steady travel, the view changed. Ethan leaned out from the carriage window, his eyes widening in shock as towering walls came into sight.

“The walls are so huge,” he gasped. His voice carried both awe and disbelief.

The Duchy of Salvos stood before him, its outer defenses unmatched in grandeur.

The walls rose high and unyielding, built of stone so thick that even the strongest siege weapons would falter before them. Along the battlements, knights in polished armor stood on guard, their spears gleaming under the sun.

Massive crossbows and ballistae were mounted at intervals, their shadows stretching long across the stone. In some places, he even spotted cauldrons set for boiling oil, ready to rain destruction on any foolish invader.

“Aren’t they over-prepared?”Ethan muttered, tilting his head.

“The walls were built to keep invaders away.As Duke they can’t be negligent as such situations may arise anytime,”Oliver explained with calm authority as he adjusted his glasses.

Ethan’s eyes remained fixed on the endless stretch of stone. “Do others have something like this?”

Oliver nodded. “That depends on manpower and wealth. Counties often try to build, but most cannot manage the cost. Their walls stand tall , but none compare to this marvel.” He gave a small smile, as though remembering his own first impression.

Though it wasn’t Oliver’s first time here, the sight still impressed him. For Ethan, the difference between this Duchy and his humble Blank Town struck him deeply. His chest tightened, and his heart beat with ambition.

A man without dreams is nothing but a hollow shell.

He clenched his fist and vowed quietly, “I swear one day, the Blanks will be like this. We will stand greater than even this.”

With the system he had and all the support it granted, there was no excuse for failure.

The carriage rolled forward, and soon they passed through the gates. The guards at the entrance stood tall in full armor, but their stern expressions softened at the sight of the noble badge displayed on the carriage.

“Welcome to Salvos, my lord,” one guard said, bowing respectfully.

Another stepped forward to guide the way. “Please proceed. You may skip the lines.”

The soldiers parted, clearing the crowded road. Ordinary travelers moved aside quickly, bowing their heads at the passing carriage.

Inside, Ethan smiled faintly. “If only I had drones. I would capture every scene. This city is alive.”

He turned to Oliver. “About the place we planned?”

Oliver gave a small nod. “Yes. I will go and ask them to stop.”

Ethan tapped his finger against the wooden armrest, a sign of his focus. “Good. It is time to establish the shop.”

Oliver stepped down from the carriage, his cloak swaying, and walked over to the guards. In a low, professional tone, he began discussing arrangements for testing in a nearby place.

Ethan leaned back, his eyes drifting once more to the towering walls that now surrounded him. His ambition burned brighter than ever.

….

In a small dilapidated inn, the air was quiet. The wooden chairs were empty, and the smell of dust mixed faintly with the scent of food cooking from the back.

“Father, it’s empty again today,” a young girl said softly. Her lovely face looked downcast, and her two beastly wolf ears drooped sadly over her head.

“Lia… don’t worry. The God of Beasts will bless us. We just need to keep working hard,” her father, Rony, replied.

His voice was steady, but his eyes carried the weight of exhaustion.

“But father… How long can we keep going like this?” Lia’s eyes glistened with tears. Her small hands tightened around the tray she carried.

Rony’s heart twisted painfully at the sight. He pulled his daughter into his arms. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault… all of it.”

Two months ago, everything had changed. A wealthy merchant had tried to buy the inn to expand his bar and build a casino.

When Rony refused, the man began to make things difficult. Soon after, groups of people came into the inn, pulling insects out of food and shouting that the place was filthy. It happened so often that the inn’s reputation was completely ruined.

Their business had collapsed.

Rony thought of selling this place but this place was not just a building. His late wife, a beastwoman, had bought it with her life savings for him because of his passion for cooking.

Together they had opened the inn and built a life. It was the last piece of her that remained.

He clenched his fists weakly. “Don’t worry, Lia. Things will turn out fine.” Yet in his heart he whispered, ’Maybe I should just give in… sell it, bow my head, and retire. If Lia marries a good man, her life will still be safe.’

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside, breaking the silence.