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

“Ruel, you…” Kane said in a low voice clearly looking upset.

Ethan looked at the man curiously.

“I am Vice Captain Ruel, under Sir Kane,” the man replied, gritting his teeth as he straightened his back.

“And your reason,” Kane continued, his eyes cold and sharp, “for objecting to an imperial decree.”

Ruel swallowed.

“Baron Blanks… no, Count-designate Ethan Blanks,” he said, correcting himself mid-sentence. “Sir Ethan’s strength is yet to be tested. Granting him a Count title so soon sets a dangerous precedent. The other border lords will raise complaints. According to imperial law, a Count must possess sufficient strength to counter a Legendary Knight.”

A ripple of tension spread through the hall.

Some of the soldiers who had followed the envoy shifted uncomfortably. A few even nodded inwardly, though none dared to speak out loud.

Ruel continued, his voice gaining confidence as no one interrupted him.

“If such promotions are handed out freely, what stops other barons from rebelling, expanding recklessly, and demanding higher titles? The balance of the Empire will be shaken.”

The words hung heavy in the air.

Ethan did not interrupt. He watched quietly, his face calm, his eyes steady and unreadable.

Kane looked at Ruel for a long moment.

Then he laughed.

It was a soft laugh, not mocking, but filled with something closer to disappointment.

“So,” Kane said, “you believe this is about strength.”

Ruel stiffened. “Yes, sir.”

Kane turned slightly and looked at Ethan.

“Count-designate,” he said, “may I ask you something?”

“Please,” Ethan replied.

“This question will come again,” Kane added calmly. “Today it is just a guard. Tomorrow there will be nobles. They will all exert pressure. How do you plan to handle it?”

Ethan thought for a moment.

“What do I need to do to prove my worth?” he asked solemnly while staring at Kane.

He understood what was happening.

Ruel was not objecting on his own. When Kane had taken out the scroll earlier, Ethan had noticed the brief glance Kane gave Ruel. It was not accidental. Whether this was a provocation or a test, Ethan needed to justify his position.

“Tell me what you want me to do,” Ethan asked coldly.

A sharp intake of breath echoed from several corners of the hall.

Ruel’s face twitched.

Kane nodded, as if he had expected this answer.

“Tell me, Ruel,” Kane said. “What should we do?”

Ruel clenched his jaw. “It is simple.”

He lifted his head and met Ethan’s gaze.

“I am a Legendary Knight,” Ruel said firmly. “At the very least, he should be able to take ten of my moves. If he cannot do even that, nobles will hold prejudice against him, and people from Ruthiana may be ostracized.”

The air grew heavy.

Kane’s eyes sharpened.

“No,” he said. “That is risky. What if you injure Baron Blanks?”

He raised the imperial scroll slightly.

“This promotion was not decided because of territory size alone,” Kane said evenly. “Nor because of military strength alone.”

He looked around the hall.

“It was decided because during chaos, he stabilized the situation. During the war, he protected civilians. It was based on merit.”

Kane’s gaze returned to Ruel.

“Tell me,” he asked quietly, “how many barons do you know who would refuse a throne when offered one?”

Ruel’s lips parted, but no words came out.

“And how many,” Kane continued, “would invest their own resources to heal refugees, rebuild cities, and strengthen borders instead of hoarding power?”

Silence answered him.

Ethan’s lips twitched hearing this.He had not expected this defense however.

‘Did you take me as a kid who didn’t know the carrot and stick method.. As someone who is quite familiar with Hollywood,you really think you can deceive me with your act.’

Ethan snorted inwardly.

Kane lowered the scroll slightly.

“This man,” he said firmly, “was evaluated not only by Arcadia’s court, but by the Church, by neutral trade councils, and by observers you do not have clearance to know about.”

That last sentence landed like a hammer.

Ruel’s face was drained of color.

“You object,” Kane said coldly, “because you fear instability.”

He took one step forward.

“I approve,” Kane continued, “because stability already exists.”

The pressure in the hall intensified.

“Now,” Kane said, his voice sharp as steel, “do you still object?”

“I understand,” Ruel said finally, nodding stiffly.

Then he hesitated.

“However, that alone is not enough to stand firm,” he added. “There are several Counts, some even at the Mystic stage. Then there are Marquises, Dukes, and others who have reached even higher realms.”

“I cannot agree—”

Before Kane could finish his sentence, Ethan cut him off.

“I accept.”

Kane’s expression changed slightly.

“Baron Ethan, there is no need to do this.”

Ethan felt his lips twitch.

He wanted to laugh. All the grand words Kane had spoken were not praise. They were a reminder. For a kingdom, Ethan’s deeds were impressive. For Arcadia, they were barely acceptable.

“I accept the challenge,” Ethan said calmly. “I am prepared to fight you.”

Kane gave him a brief look.

“Are you sure, Baron Ethan?” he asked. “Haste makes waste.”

“I am absolutely sure,” Ethan replied. “And it is fine if I lose or end up injured. Such a valuable fighting experience is not something I can let go.”

Kane stared at him for a moment, then smiled faintly and patted his shoulder.

“Hahaha,” he said. “That is an interesting take.”

He glanced at Ruel.

“I should remind you,” Kane added, “that Ruel has been in the Legendary Knight realm for the last forty years. That is roughly your age.”

“….”

‘Damn…He thought this was some greenhorn kid.’

He looked back at Ethan.

“Do not pressure yourself,” Kane said. “Take your time. I am sure you will reach it.”

The hall remained silent.

But this time, it was no longer frozen.

It was waiting.

Once the words left Ethan’s mouth, there was no turning back.

Kane did not smile anymore. He lifted his hand slightly, and the murmurs that had begun to stir were crushed before they could grow.

“So when will you spar,” Kane asked calmly.

“Let’s do it tomorrow.I am sure all of you might be quite tired.”Ethan answered calmly.