Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 465: Challenge

Chapter 465: Challenge

Far away from the estate, a luxurious carriage rolled steadily along the road toward the Ruthiana Province.

Inside the carriage, three young noblemen sat comfortably on opposite seats while speaking with each other.

If Ethan had been there, he would immediately recognize them.

These three men came from some of the top aristocratic families of the Arcadia Empire.

Although they were not the next generation heads of their families, they were still core members with considerable influence.

The reason they came to the newly incorporated Ruthiana Province was for two reasons.

First, they wanted to expand their families’ influence into the new territory.

Second, they wanted to see exactly which bastard Amber had chosen.

“Can’t believe Amber rejected you, Pentos,” one of them said with a smirk.

Hamel leaned forward slightly.

“Hamel, don’t just talk about me,” Pentos replied calmly.

“Aren’t you the same?”

“You have known her since childhood.”

“And what was the result?”

“You couldn’t catch up with her and could only watch her fall into the arms of that country bumpkin.”

Garet replied without any courtesy.

“You!”

Hamel’s face instantly turned red as if a sore spot had been poked.

He stared at Garet fiercely, looking ready to attack him.

Seeing the tension rise quickly, Pentos immediately raised both hands to calm them.

“Everyone, calm down and let’s talk this out rationally,” he said quickly.

“If we resort to violence, we will just become a laughingstock.”

He leaned back slightly before continuing.

“Although we had some unpleasant arguments before while pursuing Amber, we are now allies.”

Listening to Pentos’s words, the tense atmosphere slowly eased.

The three of them sat back again.

Amber was the woman they had pursued for many years.

Not only because she was a rare beauty, although she certainly was.

But also because of the benefits her family represented.

Duke Lancelot was one of the most respected figures in the empire.Having his support could open many doors inside the imperial court.

It could even grant access to secrets of the imperial family itself.

How could they watch that opportunity disappear?

The thought alone filled them with bitterness.To vent their frustration, they decided to unite and cause trouble at the wedding.

On top of that, although they did not know Marquise Ethan personally, they already carried a strong dislike for him.

And now they were heading directly toward the wedding.

……

On the other side, the wedding of Ethan and Amber proceeded as scheduled.

People from all around the Ruthiana province gathered at the Duke’s estate. Many nobles, knights, soldiers, and officials had come to witness the union between Marquise Ethan and the daughter of Duke Lancelot.

“Ugh… our little lady has grown up,” he sniffed loudly.

Another old soldier nodded while clutching a wine cup.

“She is finally becoming a woman.”

“Our princess is leaving us.”

“Uuuuuuwuuuuu…”

Several of them began crying loudly while hugging each other.

One of them even raised his wine bottle dramatically.

“Our princess!”

“We watched her grow up!”

Duke Lancelot looked at them with clear annoyance.

“Damn it… cut the drama,” he said sharply.

“What drama…Aren’t you sad to see your daughter going away?”

“Sad…Why would I be sad?”Duke Lancelot spoke and then looked at Amber.He felt a pang of remorse which disappeared as he remembered how much headache she gave him.

“Instead of being sad,I am so happy that I want to celebrate.”

The old soldiers quickly straightened their posture but continued wiping their eyes while pretending they were not crying.

As one of the main figures of this wedding, Duke Lancelot naturally had to personally receive all the important guests.

So he was busy to the point of being overwhelmed.

He moved from one group of nobles to another while greeting them politely. Old comrades from the battlefield came forward to congratulate him, and several noble families from nearby provinces arrived with gifts and formal greetings.

Thankfully,most of the comrades were those who didn’t have much link with nobility.

As someone who worked as Emperor’s man he knew how to steer ahead of troubles.Associating with any nobles would just raise paranoia.

Also he didn’t even bother to invite any.As for face to face,he didn’t give a shit.

By the time all the guests had arrived, it was already noon.Then the wedding officially began.

Ethan and Amber walked up to the wedding stage in their ceremonial attire.

Amber’s white wedding dress flowed softly as she walked, and Ethan stood beside her in his formal Marquise attire. The coat he wore carried the insignia of his rank, and he stood straight and calm while facing the gathered crowd.

The two of them stood before the altar while the guests quietly watched.

Representatives of the Lancelot family and important officials were seated on both sides of the wedding stage. Duke Lancelot himself sat prominently nearby while observing the ceremony with a calm but sharp gaze.

Just as the couple was about to begin the wedding ceremony, a sudden noise came from outside the courtyard.

The guards near the gate stepped aside.

Immediately after that, three young men walked in with confident steps while more than a dozen attendants followed behind them.

Their arrival immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

“Garet, Hamel, Pentos? Why are they here?” one guy whispered in surprise.

“It looks like things are going to get interesting.”

Among the nobles from Ethan’s side attending the wedding, several recognized the identities of these three young men. Their eyes immediately showed a hint of excitement.

Upon hearing this, those from armies who did not know them looked puzzled.

“What is the matter? Is there something wrong with the identities of these three?” someone asked quietly.

A noble sitting nearby leaned closer and spoke in a lower voice.

“Don’t you know? Let me tell you. These three are all from the top families of the empire, and they have all liked Lady Amber for many years.”

He paused briefly and continued.

“Now that Lady Amber has been taken by Marquise Ethan, can you blame them for not being able to bear it?”

“Hiss…”

Several guests quietly inhaled.

“Judging from that, these three people are not bringing good news,” someone muttered.

“Most likely,” another replied.

“I do not believe these three came here to bless Lady Amber and her soon to be husband.”

The nobles present whispered among themselves while watching the scene carefully.Soon most of them had guessed the purpose of the three men’s arrival.

Meanwhile, the three young nobles had already stepped forward into the center of the courtyard.

Garet spoke first with a faint smile.

“Marquise Ethan, the three of us have come to attend the wedding.”

“I hope you will not be unwelcoming.”

His tone sounded polite, but there was a faint provocation hidden in his words.

After all, when they were away from home, they represented the reputation and image of their respective noble families.

However, Ethan had not spoken yet.Amber’s expression had already changed.She knew these three men very well.

They had followed her and tried to flatter her for years in the capital.

Seeing them suddenly appear at her wedding could only mean one thing.They had come to cause trouble.

Amber’s eyes instantly turned cold as she stared at them.She almost stepped forward to tell them to get lost.

But Ethan noticed her reaction immediately.

He gently squeezed her hand and spoke softly beside her.Today was a joyous occasion, and there were many guests present.

It would not be appropriate to lose control in front of everyone.

Amber took a slow breath and forced herself to calm down.She suppressed the urge to curse at them directly.

Ethan then looked calmly at the three young nobles.

These three were not just anyone.

Pentos Ambrose, Hamel Cravik, and lastly Garet Halcrest.

Ambrose family had already suffered losses because of Ethan in Ruthiana Province. While Ethan had no direct conflict with the other two, Mira was someone connected to the Halcrest family who had run away and taken the identity of a fallen noble to enter another territory.

This situation would surely become interesting.

Very interesting.

Ethan stepped forward slightly and extended his hand in a polite gesture.

“All guests are welcome,” he said calmly.

“As long as you are not ill-intentioned individuals, you are very welcome.”

“The three of you may take a seat and enjoy the ceremony.My wedding with Lady Amber is about to begin.”

After saying that, Ethan gently held Amber’s hand again and prepared to continue the ceremony.

But before the priest could resume, Garet suddenly raised his hand slightly.

“Wait, Marquise Ethan.”

He smiled politely while looking toward him.

“I hope you will not take my request as a disrespectful gesture.”

He paused briefly and continued speaking.

“But I heard that you once defeated the Empire’s main knight order in an instant.My friends greatly admire your achievements and are keen to learn a few moves from you.”

“They hope to learn from you.”