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

Chapter 601: 601:Negotiations

The negotiations began fiercely between both sides, and every meeting quickly turned tense while the leaders and representatives constantly tried to pressure one another for advantages.

Neither side was willing to lower their heads easily.

The humans demanded compensation and safer borders, while the Demon Alliance pushed aggressively to keep the territories they had conquered during the war.

The atmosphere during the negotiations became extremely hostile at several points, and many people even believed the talks would collapse completely and the war would start again.

That was when Arcadia finally revealed its last piece on the table.

A potion capable of curing the curse affecting the young Demon children.

The moment this information was revealed, the entire direction of the negotiations changed instantly.

The fierce arguments that had continued for days suddenly weakened because no matter how much territory or resources were discussed, nothing held greater value to the Demon side than the lives of their children.

The news spread rapidly across the world like wildfire.

Everywhere people talked about the cure.

Inside taverns...

Markets...

Military camps...

And noble gatherings...

The discussions never stopped.

”A cure?”

”Arcadia actually created a cure?”

”I heard even the Demon side became shaken after hearing about it.”

Many people felt proud because despite the other Empires possessing countless researchers and alchemists, it was Arcadia that ultimately produced something capable of changing the entire war.

For the first time in a long while, many Arcadians finally raised their heads proudly again.

The heavy pressure and humiliation from losing territory lessened slightly because now the Empire possessed something the entire world desired.

And with the rumors spreading that it was Crown Prince Haster who had brought forth the cure, the support toward his faction rose to unbelievable levels.

The people praised him constantly.

”The Crown Prince truly cares for the Empire.”

”As expected of the future Emperor.”

”His Highness stopped the war.”

Even many nobles who had remained neutral slowly began leaning toward Haster’s side after hearing the news.

Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Capital, the atmosphere still remained heavy even after the ceasefire announcement spread.

Soldiers continuously moved through the streets while officials hurried everywhere managing the aftermath of the war, and large groups of injured troops steadily returned from the frontlines every single day.

Some returned alive.

Others returned in coffins.

The scars left behind by the war could still be seen everywhere.

Meanwhile, inside his temporary residence within the capital, Ethan quietly stood near the balcony while looking toward the distant skies.

The ceasefire had finally happened.

The war was ending.

This should have made him feel relieved.

And yet...

The unease inside his heart still had not disappeared completely because after witnessing the horrifying battle in the heavens, Ethan understood one thing clearly.

The war between nations had ended.

But who knew what would come after this.

More than that, Ethan also felt slightly displeased while hearing the endless praises directed toward the Crown Prince.

After all...

The potion originally came from him.

”I can’t tell if that guy planned all this while hiding in the background or not,” Ethan muttered while leaning lightly against the railing.

Beside him, Rathlos folded his arms before shaking his head slowly.

”He must have known something beforehand and simply acted at the correct time when it mattered,” he replied calmly.

Then Rathlos clicked his tongue lightly.

”What a crafty bloody fellow he is.”

Those words only made Ethan feel worse for a moment, but after thinking briefly, he finally let out a helpless sigh.

”Whatever,” he muttered.

Then he shrugged slightly.

”I think it’s not that bad that I was spared from the limelight because who knows what kind of weird shit might have happened if my name spread around.”

Rathlos glanced at him silently while Ethan continued speaking.

”And now that the Emperor and Crown Prince know the truth, I should be rewarded heavily, right?”

Ethan slowly turned toward Rathlos while raising an eyebrow slightly.

”Right??”

.....

The quiet atmosphere inside the residence did not last for long because shortly after Ethan finished speaking with Rathlos, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the hall while a servant hurried inside respectfully.

”Lord Marquise,” the servant spoke while bowing slightly.

”An Imperial Envoy has arrived.”

Ethan and Rathlos immediately looked toward one another for a brief moment.

”So fast?” Rathlos muttered quietly while raising an eyebrow.

Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly before straightening his posture and placing the teacup down onto the table calmly.

”Let him in,” he said.

Moments later, the doors slowly opened and a middle-aged man wearing luxurious imperial robes stepped inside with measured steps while several guards followed behind him carrying beautifully decorated boxes in their hands.

The envoy maintained a polite smile the entire time and bowed respectfully toward Ethan.

”Greetings, Lord Marquise Ethan Blanks,” he spoke calmly.

Ethan nodded lightly in response while observing the man carefully.

”To what do I owe the honor?” he asked.

The Imperial Envoy smiled faintly before reaching into his sleeve and taking out a scroll sealed with the imperial crest.

”This servant has come under His Majesty’s orders,” he replied respectfully.

The moment those words were spoken, even Rathlos became slightly attentive from the side while his relaxed posture straightened a little.

The envoy slowly opened the scroll and cleared his throat before speaking clearly.

”By order of His Majesty, Emperor Alaster Aurelius Arcadia...”

”The previous military faults placed upon Marquise Ethan Blanks are hereby officially cleared due to his outstanding contributions toward the Empire during the recent negotiations.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly after hearing that while his fingers tapped lightly against the armrest beside him.

The envoy continued calmly without pause.

”In addition, the restrictions previously placed upon your future title promotion have also been removed.”

The moment those words entered Ethan’s ears, even he looked slightly surprised for a brief moment.

Because this basically meant his future advancement within the nobility was no longer blocked by the earlier accusations related to the war.

But the envoy was still not finished.

”Furthermore,” he continued smoothly, his voice remaining calm and professional as though what he was about to announce was nothing more than a routine matter.

”The compensation payment previously demanded by the royal treasury shall be reduced by half in recognition of your contribution toward ending the war.”

For a brief moment, silence filled the room.

Rathlos’s eyes widened slightly as he turned toward Ethan, disbelief clearly visible on his face as he processed the envoy’s words.

Even Ethan himself looked genuinely stunned now.

Half?

That was not some insignificant reduction that could simply be ignored.

That was billions of gold coins being erased with a single sentence.