Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 446: Victory
Chapter 446: Victory
The impact shattered rock and sent waves of snow outward, but Ethan stepped forward through the debris unharmed.
He flicked his fingers.
The water behind the barrier froze instantly, turning into countless sharp ice spears.
“Return,” he said quietly.
SWOOSH!
The ice spears shot forward at terrifying speed.
Kiea twisted midair to dodge, but several spears pierced through her armor, drawing blood. Herios swung his axe wildly, shattering some of them, yet more followed relentlessly.
“Break it!” Herios shouted.
He slammed his axe into the ground.
Black lightning spread outward in a violent arc, destroying the remaining ice and blasting apart the stone pillars. The shockwave surged toward Ethan.
Ethan did not retreat.
Instead, he stepped forward.
The ground beneath him glowed faintly red.
Heat erupted.
Molten cracks spread across the frozen mountain path as flames burst upward like rising serpents. The cold air evaporated instantly as a ring of fire expanded around him.
Herios charged through it with brute force, ignoring the burns.
Ethan’s eyes sharpened.He raised his palm toward the sky.
Dark clouds gathered instantly above the mountain.
Thunder roared.
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning descended directly onto Herios’ raised axe.
Electric current surged through his body violently and the lightning attack did not stop.
“Gaayawhhhhh!”
He roared in pain as his muscles locked for a split second.
That moment was enough.
Ethan vanished.
He reappeared before Kiea.
Wind spiraled around his blade as he swung.
The strike carried compressed air so dense it sliced the mountain ridge beside them cleanly in half.
Kiea barely blocked.
CRAAANG!
Her sword cracked under the pressure and her arms trembled violently.
Herios broke free from the lightning and rushed forward again with blood dripping from his mouth.
Both demons attacked together once more.
Dark energy and brute strength combined in a final desperate assault.
Ethan exhaled slowly.Water, fire, wind, and lightning circled around him simultaneously.The elements responded to his will like loyal soldiers.
He stepped forward.
SWOOSH!
A vortex of compressed wind and fire spiraled outward, deflecting Kiea’s blade aside. Lightning surged through his sword as he slashed horizontally.
CRACK.
Herios’ chest split open before he could react.
His body staggered.
Kiea screamed and lunged wildly.
Ethan turned.
The air froze again around her blade, slowing her movement by just a fraction.
That fraction decided everything.
SHHHHK!
A vertical slash descended cleanly.
Silence returned to the mountain.
Snow began falling gently again.
Herios collapsed first.
Kiea followed seconds later, disbelief frozen in her fading eyes.
Ethan stood alone at the mountain pass, elements dispersing slowly around him as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
He flicked the blood from his blade calmly.
“So much struggle only to die.”
He paused and looked around at the shattered ridge and scorched snow.
“It seems this victory is going to make my situation more troublesome.”
…..
Inside the command hall of the Lancelot Estate, the atmosphere felt unusually heavy.
Outside, soldiers continued moving across the fortress walls while distant horns echoed from defensive lines along the Northern Circass. Reports arrived one after another, yet Duke Lancelot paid little attention to most of them.
He was pacing restlessly across the stone floor.
Back and forth.
Again and again.
His boots struck the ground with uneven rhythm, revealing the anxiety he was trying hard to suppress.
Normally, the veteran Duke remained calm even during large scale wars. Decades of battlefield experience had hardened his nerves, yet today his thoughts refused to settle.
His mind remained fixed on only one place.
Frostvele.
He stopped near the large tactical map spread across the table and stared toward the western frontier marked with glowing crystals.
“Did Ethan win…” he muttered under his breath.
His brows tightened.
“And did Amber arrive in time for help?”
War was never predictable.
Even the strongest warrior could fall because of one mistake, one hidden ambush, or one unexpected variable. Lancelot had seen too many victories turn into disasters within moments.
Although Amber had confidently said Ethan was strong, a father’s heart refused to rely on assumptions.
He resumed pacing again.
On the battlefield, countless things could go wrong.What if reinforcement arrived late?
What if the demons deployed hidden commanders?
What if Frostvele’s defenses collapsed before Ethan reached there?
Each possibility made his expression darker.
Rake, who stood nearby reviewing reports, watched silently before finally speaking.
“Father, you should sit for a moment.”
Lancelot waved his hand impatiently.
“How can I sit?” he replied sharply. “Frostvele guards the western approach. If it falls, the entire newly acquired Ruthiana territory becomes exposed.”
He paused and clenched his fists.
“And Amber is there.”
The last sentence came out quieter.
Rake did not reply.
He understood well that beneath Duke Lancelot’s stern authority still existed the worry of a father.
Minutes passed slowly.
Every second felt longer than usual.
Then suddenly—
The doors of the command hall burst open.
A knight rushed inside, breathing heavily from haste.
“My Lord!”
Lancelot turned instantly.
“What happened?” he demanded, stepping forward.
The messenger straightened quickly and saluted.
“Sir, the battle at Frostvele is over.”
For a brief moment, silence filled the hall.
Lancelot’s heartbeat seemed to stop.
“…And?” he asked.
The knight’s face brightened with excitement.
“Count Ethan has won the battle decisively. Not only were the demon forces repelled, but he also captured an important enemy commander alive.”
Lancelot froze.
Then relief exploded across his face.
“Damn… That’s great!” he shouted loudly.
A rare laugh escaped him as tension finally left his shoulders.
He struck the table with his palm in excitement.
“I knew that brat wouldn’t fall so easily!”
Rake released a quiet breath beside him, his own expression relaxing.
“So Frostvele is safe,” the messenger said.
“Yes,” Lancelot replied firmly, pride clearly visible now. .
He began walking again, but this time his steps were lighter.
“That fellow really exceeded expectations,” he continued. “Defeating the commanders and capturing one alive during an active war… this will shake the entire continent.”
He suddenly stopped and looked toward the western direction.
A faint smile appeared.
“It seems I worried for nothing.”
After a brief pause, he added quietly,
“…Good work, Ethan.”
Then his expression turned serious once more as the strategist within him returned.
“Send orders immediately,” Lancelot commanded. “Reinforce supply lines toward Frostvele and prepare diplomatic reports. News like this will spread fast.”
The knight saluted.
“Yes, My Lord!”
As preparations resumed inside the estate, Duke Lancelot finally allowed himself to sit down.
