Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 365: Envoy From Arcadia
Chapter 365: Envoy From Arcadia
A cavalry thundered across the plains, black horses roaring as they charged forward.
Their speed was terrifying. To the naked eye, they were little more than streaks of shadow and dust. With every stride, the ground cracked and exploded beneath their hooves, each step covering several miles as if distance itself had lost meaning.
They left behind blurred afterimages and torn air.
It had not even been ten minutes since Hall received the instruction, yet the cavalry had already reached the outskirts of the manor.
Ethan stepped forward to greet the guests. From afar, he saw a towering wall of dust rising, followed by rows of massive horses slowing their pace as they approached. When the figures became clear, Ethan sucked in a sharp breath.
The horses were not ordinary mounts.
Each one radiated a strong aura. Thick muscles, sharp eyes, and steady breathing. These were B-rank warhorses.
Hundreds of them.
Ethan felt his worldview crack.
“Shit…” he muttered inwardly.
A single B-rank beast was comparable to a King Realm cultivator. Seeing one was rare. Seeing hundreds, all disciplined and controlled, was something else entirely.
“This is too much,” he thought.
His heart tightened.
“I just hope they didn’t come with ill intent.”
SWISH!
The cavalry came to a sudden halt, perfectly synchronized. At the front stood a man in dark imperial armor, his features sharp and calm. Though he looked around the same age as Ethan, the pressure he carried told a different story.
His eyes were old, carrying years of experience.
“Who among you is Baron Blanks?” the man shouted, pulling his reins and stopping his horse.
The army halted instantly behind him.
Ethan stepped forward without hesitation and bowed slightly.
“I am Baron Blanks,” Ethan said clearly. “The lord of this territory. Welcome to my lands.”
The man dismounted smoothly and landed on the ground without a sound.
“I am Kane,” he said. “Imperial Envoy of the Arcadia Empire. I was sent here to settle matters regarding the transfer.”
His sharp gaze swept over Ethan from head to toe, assessing him openly.
Ethan did not flinch.
“Please,” Ethan said calmly, gesturing inward, “allow us to host you properly after such a long journey.”
Kane nodded and raised a hand.
“At ease,” he ordered.
The soldiers relaxed slightly, some dismounting, others stretching stiff limbs. Ethan immediately gave instructions.
Food, water, and resting areas were arranged swiftly.
Accommodations and hot meals were prepared, and stable hands rushed to care for the exhausted horses.
The discipline of the imperial troops was impressive, but even they showed brief relief after the long ride.
Ethan personally escorted Kane and several officers into the manor.
Inside, his wives and children were brought forward to greet the envoy.
The moment the soldiers saw them, several pairs of eyes widened.
“What the hell…”
“Why are all his kids like this?”
“Damn… such clean auras.”
“Those eyes… those faces…”
One soldier swallowed hard.
“If someone married into the family my whole bloodline would be blessed.”
Another whispered, “Should I book one of them in advance for my son?”
Thankfully for them, Ethan did not hear those thoughts.
If he had, the greatsword resting in his storage ring might have made an appearance.
‘You dare look at my kids,’ he would have thought. ‘Here, take my blade first, you bastards.’
Kane noticed the reactions and chuckled faintly before waving his hand.
“Control yourselves,” he said flatly.
The soldiers immediately straightened.
Once the troops were settled, Kane and Ethan moved into a private hall to talk.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Kane said, taking his seat. “We appreciate it.”
“It is our duty,” Ethan replied evenly. “You are guests on my land.”
Kane studied him for a moment.
“This territory is well managed,” he said. “Efficient management with strong foundations.”
Ethan simply nodded.
“You should already know about the takeover,” Kane continued.
“Yes,” Ethan replied. “I was informed.”
Kane leaned back slightly.
“Tell me,” he asked, “what do you think about your noble status going forward?”
The question made Ethan’s heart tighten.
Earlier, the Third Prince had assured him that his status would be preserved if he did not seek promotion. But things had changed. His territory had expanded. His influence had grown.
“I fail to understand your meaning,” Ethan said carefully.
Kane laughed lightly.
“Relax,” he said. “There is no trap here.”
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a sealed imperial scroll.
“By order of the Emperor,” Kane said calmly, “Baron Ethan Blanks is to be promoted.”
Ethan’s breath caught.
“Promoted?” he asked.
“Yes,” Kane said with a smile. “From Baron to Count.”
For a moment, Ethan could not speak.
“Count…” he murmured.
“Yes,” Kane said. “A title befitting your achievements. This is a moment of celebration.”
Before Ethan could respond, a sharp voice rang out.
“I object.”
The room froze.
Ethan’s eyes widened as he turned toward the speaker. A guard standing near the entrance had stepped forward, his jaw tight and fists clenched.
“Sir, I object,” the guard repeated.
Kane’s smile vanished.
The air in the room turned heavy in an instant.
Ethan’s heart sank.
Something told him this visit was not going to be simple after all.
The hall fell into a dead silence.
Every sound seemed to vanish, as if the air itself had frozen. Even breathing felt loud. The torches along the walls flickered softly, yet no one dared to move.
The guard who had spoken stood stiffly at the center. His armor creaked faintly as his fists clenched. He was young, far too young to be standing against an imperial decree, yet his eyes burned with stubborn resolve. Around him, the imperial soldiers stiffened. Some turned pale. Others looked at him as if he had just written his own death warrant.
Ethan’s brows slowly furrowed.
Before he could speak, Kane stood up.
The movement was calm and unhurried, yet the pressure that followed was overwhelming. It rolled across the hall like a silent tide, pressing down on everyone present. Several weaker soldiers felt their legs weaken. The guard’s knees trembled, but he forced himself to remain standing.
“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.
