Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 454: Promotion Celebration Party

Dusk settled upon Frostvele, yet the stronghold had shed its chill and strain from those battle-filled days.

The whole city pulsed with energy.

Massive bonfires blazed in courtyards and plazas alike. Sturdy wooden tables stretched out everywhere, while giant beer kegs were hauled from the warehouses. Scents of sizzling meats filled the breeze as chefs rushed around with platters heaped with barbecued ribs, sausages, and warm loaves of bread.

Troops clustered together, roaring with laughter and clinking their tankards hard.

A few still wore bits of their armor, but others had switched to casual garb after weeks at war.

Tonight, rank and protocol meant nothing.

Victory demanded a feast.

Tunes soon rang out across the fortress. A handful of troops pulled out weathered instruments, others clapped to the beat. Rough dances kicked off by the flames, cheered on by eager young recruits.

The merry vibe swept through every nook of Frostvele.

Kegs of beer cracked open one by one.

Foam overflowed from cups as warriors guzzled deeply and smacked their lips in bliss.

"Another round!"

"Bring more meat here!"

"Damn, this is the best night we've had in months!"

Shouts and chuckles echoed into the night.

Up on the fortress wall overlooking the yard, Ethan gazed down at the revelry.

Bonfire glow danced over his features as a cool breeze whispered along the ramparts.

Several officers and seasoned knights flanked him.

Down below, thousands of troops partied heartily.

Ethan advanced slowly, placing his palms on the stone parapet.

"Soldiers!" he bellowed.

His words rang sharp over the yard.

Hubbub died down as heads craned upward one by one.

In seconds, silence gripped the throng.

Countless gazes fixed on the wall.

Ethan scanned the ocean of warriors before resuming.

"You fought well."

His tone stayed steady, laced with unyielding power.

"You stood your ground when demons marched toward our homes."

He halted for a beat.

"You held the line when others would have run."

Troops hung on every word in hush.

Ethan's eyes swept the masses.

"Many of you bled on that battlefield. Some of our brothers will never return."

Somberness weighed briefly.

"But because of your courage," Ethan pressed on, voice lifting, "Frostvele still stands."

Cheers swelled gradually from the ranks.

"You did not fight for glory," he declared.

"You fought for your homes. For the people behind these walls. For the land we protect together."

A guard passed him a brimming tankard.

"And tonight," Ethan said with a subtle grin, "we drink for victory."

Warriors bellowed in unison.

"But remember this," Ethan stated resolutely.

"The war is not over."

Roars softened a touch.

"The demons will come again. They will bring stronger armies and greater monsters."

He hoisted the tankard skyward.

"And when that day comes…"

His tone sharpened like a blade.

"We will crush them again!"

Deafening thunder rolled through the fortress.

"For Frostvele!"

Ethan thundered.

"For Frostvele!" thousands echoed back.

"For Blanks!"

"For Blanks!"

"For victory!"

"FOR VICTORY!"

The uproar rattled the stronghold.

Ethan drained a deep swig from the tankard and chuckled heartily.

"Now stop standing around and drink!" he hollered.

Laughter and frenzy burst from the crowd.

Melody resumed its sway.

Tankards crashed together boisterously as troops dove back into the feast with wild vigor.

Some belted out songs while others hauled comrades to the fire pits for more rounds.

....

Far above the yard on a serene section of the wall, two silhouettes lingered together amid the din below.

Amber rested softly against the icy parapet, breeze tousling her locks. Her vantage revealed the full sweep of Frostvele's courtyard.

Blazes roared across the fields. Warriors hooted while hoisting their brews. Songs rose from some, brawls over demon kills from others.

Ethan dominated the heart of the chaos.

Soldiers mobbed him, chanting his name and cheering. A fresh tankard was shoved into his grip, shoulders pounded in pride. Though their lord, he blended right in tonight.

At ease.

Joyful.

War's grim shadow had lifted from his expression for the first time in ages.

Amber observed in stillness.

Unbeknownst to herself, a subtle smile crept onto her lips.

Right beside her, Julia caught sight of it at once.

Leaning lightly against the stone wall, Julia crossed her arms and eyed Amber with a teasing grin.

"Do you like Ethan?"

Amber stiffened abruptly.

"What?" she exclaimed, spinning to face Julia.

Julia just arched one eyebrow.

Heat flooded Amber's face as a soft blush colored her cheeks.

"Of course not," Amber shot back swiftly.

Julia couldn't hold back her smile.

"Oh really?"

A slight frown furrowed Amber's brow.

"What do you mean?"

Julia let out a soft chuckle and glanced toward the courtyard, where Ethan boomed with laughter alongside the soldiers.

"I can literally see your admiration for him," she stated evenly.

Amber's mouth fell open, but no words came right away.

Julia kept going.

"You watch him whenever he shows up—when he battles, when he talks, even just standing idle."

Amber's cheeks burned even brighter.

"You are imagining things," she claimed, forcing a steady tone.

Julia shook her head softly.

"No, I am not."

Then she gave Amber a light nudge with her elbow.

"If you like him, just go for it already."

Amber blinked, taken aback.

"What?"

"You should not hold back," Julia remarked offhandedly. "Life is too short to keep pretending you feel nothing."

Amber turned her gaze away, staring at the courtyard once more.

Down below, Ethan hoisted another mug amid the soldiers' wild cheers.

She fell quiet for an instant.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Amber whispered under her breath.

Julia observed her briefly before piping up again.

"You admire him."

"That is obvious."

Amber offered no denial this time.

"Anyone would admire someone like him," she murmured softly.

Julia gave a nod.

"That is true."

Silently, the pair watched the revelry unfolding below.

After a brief lull, Julia spoke anew, her voice gentler now.

"But admiration and feelings are not the same thing."

Amber breathed a faint sigh.

"You make it sound simple."

Julia shrugged casually.

"In some ways it is."

Amber swung back to face her.

"You are his wife. Of course you would say that."

Julia laughed lightly. "You think I would feel threatened?"

Amber remained silent.

Julia glanced at Ethan again, her smile growing tender.

"Ethan is not someone who belongs to just one person," she remarked calmly.

"He carries too much responsibility for that kind of life."

Amber listened in stillness.

Julia turned to her then, eyes warm and kind.

"If your heart really leans toward him, you should not be afraid of it."

Amber gazed at her, plainly startled by Julia's forthright words.

Below, the soldiers erupted in cheers once more as a fresh drinking challenge began.

Slowly, Amber's eyes drifted back to Ethan.

He was laughing heartily again.

And unwittingly, the faint smile bloomed back on her face.