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

Chapter 309: 309:The Power Behind The Wyvern King

“You want essence. I will give you essence.”

Rathlos froze and asked,”What did you say?”

“Did you take me as a fool?”

“Of course not!”

“Did you forget,” Ethan continued, “that I am also a draconic human?”

The words struck Rathlos harder than any blow.

Slowly, Rathlos lowered his head. Rage still burned in his eyes, but his body no longer resisted.

The humiliation and disbelief that was twisted across his face was replaced by shock.

“You aren’t lying?” Rathlos asked quietly.

“No,” Ethan replied. “I am not. I swear it. I will even take the mana oath if needed.”

A deadpan silence lingered for a moment.

…..

A gloomy atmosphere filled the tent.

Duke Phillips, Baron Fenwick, Randall, and Joel all felt it at the same time. For a brief moment, it was as if they had forgotten how to breathe. The pressure exuding from Rathlos pressed down on their chests like a heavy weight.

Just a look was enough to tell his mental state.

He was angry.

Truly angry.

Even Ethan was not completely unaffected. The helpless feeling gnawed at him, tightening his chest. He knew he could overcome that pressure if he pushed himself using all for one, but that did not make it feel any better.

At the end, it was the individual strength that mattered.

’Should we call Wales and see if he can calm this guy..Nahh!’Randall thought inwardly.

’Let’s not take any chances. What if this beast loses himself?’

“I am not a beast!Don’t lump me with those savage idiots.”

“…”

“I didn’t even sa-”

“I can read your face.”

Ethan glared at Randall who decided to shut his lips.

“Was that really Duke Monopolis?” Duke Phillips asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes,” Ethan replied. “At least, I believe so. I cannot be completely sure since I have never met him before, but I see no reason for him to lie.”

“Still,” Duke Phillips said, shaking his head, “it is unbelievable that he reached the Emperor stage. Two hundred years to become an Emperor Knight is no small feat.”

His voice carried deep shock. He himself had been stuck at the Master rank for years with no sign of a breakthrough. He knew better than anyone how terrifying the wall before the King realm truly was.

And yet the realm that was considered highest had been broken by Duke Monopolis.

“Was it really that precious?” Randall then asked carefully.

Rathlos snapped his head toward him.

“What do you know?” Rathlos shouted.

Randall stiffened but stayed silent.

“That was our ancient heritage,” Rathlos continued, his voice filled with pain. “Without it, the Wyvern chosen as King is no different from the rest.”

His claws clenched into fists.

“It gives the King the draconic lineage needed to solidify his rule. Without it, the future generations are cut off as the Wyvern King won’t have any special power.”

His voice dropped, heavy with sorrow.

“If only I were at my peak. If only…”

Ethan’s lips twitched when he heard that. For some reason, memories from another life surfaced in his mind.

It was during the end of the year 2024 when people were shouting with passion.

’We will reach the peak.’

’Time to return to our prime.’

’Time to do a comeback.’

At the start of 2025, everyone had shouted with confidence, only to be crushed by reality by the end of the year.

Ethan shook his head and focused again.

“What do you mean by peak?” he asked. “How strong were you?”

“Emperor stage?” he added.

“I was close to the Legendary stage,” Rathlos replied calmly. “What you would call S rank.”

“Hiss…”

Ethan, Duke Phillips, and everyone else sucked in a sharp breath.

Duke Phillips rubbed his ears and turned to Baron Fenwick.

“I did not hear that wrong, did I?”

“I doubt it,” Fenwick replied quietly.

“You were that strong?” Ethan asked, stunned.”Then why are you so weak now?”

Rathlos frowned slightly.

“I was close to Legendary, not actually Legendary,” he said. “And during long hibernation, all beasts slowly lose power.”

He paused and continued.

“The longer the hibernation, the more power is lost.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

“Does that mean you can reach the peak of the Emperor realm again within a few months?”

Rathlos snapped his gaze toward Ethan.

His eyes clearly said, ’Is this man insane?’

“It would not be difficult,” Rathlos said slowly.

“But it would not be quick either. Do you know how long it took me to reach that level?”

“How long?” Ethan asked.

“Five hundred years.”

The tent fell silent.

No one spoke.

“…How old are you?” Ethan finally asked.

“If you include the three periods of hibernation,” Rathlos replied, “I am close to nine hundred years old.”

“Damn,” Ethan said reflexively. “So you are a grandpa?”

Rathlos glared at him.

“Say that again and see if I do not flatten your skull.”

Ethan swallowed the rest of his words. He wanted to say, ’You can try,’ but wisely kept quiet. He had spoken lightly only to ease the atmosphere, and thankfully, it seemed to work.

Rathlos exhaled and looked at Ethan again.

“About that thing,” Rathlos said quietly.

“Do not worry,” Ethan replied without hesitation. “I promise to bring it back to you within five years.”

“Five years?” Rathlos repeated, clearly shocked.

Then he shook his head.

“There is no need to make empty promises, and no need to rush,” he said. “Take fifty years, or even a hundred.”

He smiled faintly.

“I have not even reached adulthood yet.”

That smile surprised everyone.

His face looked young and handsome, with sharp features, dark sclera, and faintly purplish eyes. It was hard to believe this man was nearly nine hundred years old.

The others exchanged glances, then slowly looked toward Ethan as if to say that their lord had finally met someone on his level.

Ethan coughed awkwardly.

’Damn.’

He glanced at Rathlos again.

“Though he cannot compare to me,” Ethan muttered under his breath faintly yet loud enough for everyone to hear, “he is quite handsome.”

’Baahhh… Stop being narcissistic,’ everyone cursed him inwardly.

Thankfully due to this,the mood in the tent tightened a bit.

Despite the tension, the mood in the tent lightened just a little.