Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 453: Promotion
Previously on Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill...
After the intense battle, the days in Blanks slowly resumed their normal pace.
Soldiers mended the broken walls as patrol squads cycled along the borders. Merchants gradually returned to the market lanes, while the territory's residents began restoring the sections ruined in the clash.
Within Blanks' administrative hall, Rathlos diligently managed the routine tasks.
Piles of reports, trade logs, and inventory lists cluttered the massive wooden desk before him. As the interim administrator, the majority of daily duties now burdened his shoulders.
It was just another typical day for him.
Clerks hurried back and forth with papers as guards stood motionless against the walls.
Just after Rathlos wrapped up examining a delivery report, the hall's heavy door burst open abruptly.
A courier strode in swiftly.
The man donned official robes and held a sealed missive with both hands. The crimson wax seal on the envelope shimmered under the light.
Most strikingly, the emblem stamped into the wax froze everyone in place.
It was the Imperial seal.
The insignia of the Arcadia Royal Family.
The whole hall dropped into instant silence.
Even the clerks ceased their writing.
Rathlos creased his brow faintly, rising from his seat. He stepped forward and received the letter with great care.
The instant the seal's weight settled in his palm, he sensed this was no common dispatch.
Without delay, Rathlos proceeded to the inner chamber where the family members had convened.
In the room, Sophia and the others were chatting about daily affairs.
All heads swiveled as Rathlos entered.
"Sister, what's this?" Lia asked curiously upon spotting the sealed letter in his hand.
Rathlos offered a slight bow before replying.
"A message from the Imperial Court."
Tension seized the room the moment those words escaped his lips.
Sophia rose from her chair.
"What?" Diana exclaimed with eyes wide open.
Claira leaned in close, eyeing the letter intently.
"Wait… that seal… isn't that the Royal seal?"
Mira blinked in astonishment.
"Did the Emperor send a letter here?"
Sophia looked momentarily stunned herself.
"Sister, what's this?" Lia asked once more, her curiosity shifting to thrill.
Sophia lifted her hand gently.
"Calm down, girls. Calm down," she instructed, fighting to steady her own breath.
Then she faced Rathlos.
"Did you inform Ethan?"
"Yes, Milady," Rathlos responded deferentially. "I have informed him. He said that you can take a look."
"He will come back shortly."
Sophia nodded deliberately.
With permission granted, she took the letter with utmost caution.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to claim she felt thrilled.
Her fingers quivered faintly as she snapped the wax seal.
As the envelope parted, a golden crest emerged on the inner parchment.
The Arcadia Royal Family's symbol gleamed prominently atop the formal decree.
Sophia unrolled the letter as the others pressed in around her.
She started reading it out loud.
The missive first outlined Ethan's wartime achievements, noting his safeguarding of Frostvele, the annihilation of several demon generals, and his triumph in defending the western border.
Praise overflowed from every word.
The Imperial Court publicly recognized how Ethan's efforts had secured the area and thwarted a perilous advance by the demon forces.
Line after line extolled loyalty, courage, and devotion to the Empire.
The room hushed further as Sophia read on.
Soon she arrived at the letter's conclusion.
Her voice halted abruptly.
All eyes turned to her.
Sophia swallowed hard and recited the closing sentence deliberately.
"By the authority of the Arcadia Empire, and in recognition of outstanding service, Count Ethan is hereby elevated to the noble rank of Marquise."
She eased the letter down a touch.
"Congratulations, Marquise Ethan, on your promotion."
A profound hush enveloped the room.
For an instant, no one uttered a word.
Shocked and incredulous glances darted between them all.
Ethan…
He had ascended to Marquise.
And not merely any marquise.
A Marquise of the Arcadia Empire.
Mira clapped a hand over her mouth.
Diana blinked over and over, as if verifying what she'd heard.
Claira gaped at the letter with bulging eyes.
Lia murmured softly.
"Holy shit…"
The quiet persisted just one more second.
Then abruptly—
A piercing shriek erupted through the room.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
....
"AHHHHH!"
"For real?" Ethan blurted in disbelief, fixated on the crystal ball hovering before him. Sophia's exhilarated expression shone vividly on its glowing surface.
"Yes, Ethan. It's true. You have become a Marquise."
Her tone brimmed with lingering astonishment and joy.
Yet Ethan didn't share the others' euphoria.
A subtle hint of fatigue emerged in his eyes. The promotion had arrived far too abruptly.
Typically, such a rank wasn't granted so lightly. Promotions in the Empire demanded years of service, and occasionally even generations.
Yet it had happened just like that.
This sparked doubts.
Ethan slightly narrowed his eyes as he pondered it. Still, no matter the cause, it brought great tidings for the territory.
Recognition like this from the Empire would vastly reinforce his authority.
He breathed out gently.
"This still calls for victory," Ethan remarked with a subtle smile.
"Sophia, have Rathlos arrange a celebration. I'll host a party for all as well."
"People have been quite tired."
Sophia nodded gleefully from the other end.
"Of course. I'll notify him at once."
Afterward, Ethan quickly inquired about his children and the status of everyone in Blanks. He checked on Herion and Ray too before wrapping up the talk.
The crystal ball faded gradually, and silence returned to the room.
Right then, a faint noise echoed from nearby.
A shadow approached and bowed her head in respect.
"Here is the drink you ordered, Master."
Ethan lifted his gaze to the woman standing there.
It was Kassandra.
The former demon assassin still exuded a unique aura. Her long, dark hair draped smoothly over her shoulders, sharp eyes glowing faintly crimson. Slim and poised in form, her actions were serene and disciplined, like a stealth specialist's.
Despite her perilous origins, her beauty shone strikingly. She kept her stance upright, holding the glass with care in both hands.
Ethan took the drink and sipped it slowly.
'Who knew she hid such a figure,' he pondered silently.
Without the Soul Stamp... no, if Amber hadn't shown up right then, Ethan likely would have slain her instantly in the fight.
But now, everything differed.
The Soul Stamp chained her fully, rendering her powerless against his directives.
With her already present, Ethan deemed it wasteful not to exploit her talents.
He set down the glass and eyed her once more.
"Very well, Kassandra," Ethan stated evenly.
"Go inform Julia to prepare everything. We'll have a blast."
Kassandra bowed her head promptly again.
"Yes, Master."
She then turned and slipped quietly from the room to execute the command, as preparations for the celebration gradually stirred across Frostvele.