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

Distant from the estate, an opulent carriage glided smoothly along the path heading to the Ruthiana Province.

Within that carriage, three young aristocrats lounged on facing seats, conversing casually among themselves.

Had Ethan been present, he would have recognized them instantly.

These three hailed from the premier noble houses of the Arcadia Empire.

Though not heirs to their family leadership, they held key positions with substantial sway.

Their journey to the freshly annexed Ruthiana Province served two purposes.

Primarily, to extend their clans' reach into this fresh domain.

Secondly, to discover just which lowborn Amber had selected.

"Can't believe Amber rejected you, Pentos," one remarked with a sly grin.

Hamel leaned in a bit.

"Hamel, don't just poke at me," Pentos responded evenly.

"Weren't you in the same boat?"

"You've known her since you were kids."

"And what came of it?"

"You couldn't keep pace with her and just watched her tumble into that peasant's embrace."

Garet shot back without holding back.

"You!"

Hamel's face flushed crimson, as if struck at a raw nerve.

He glared at Garet with fury, seeming poised to lunge.

Noticing the swift escalation, Pentos lifted both hands to soothe them.

"Everyone, cool down and let's discuss this sensibly," he urged hastily.

"If we fight, we'll only end up as a joke."

He settled back a touch before going on.

"Sure, we clashed bitterly chasing Amber before, but now we're united as allies."

Pentos's words gradually diffused the charged air.

The trio resumed their seats.

For years, they had all vied for Amber's affections.

Not merely due to her stunning beauty, which she undeniably possessed.

But also for the immense advantages her lineage offered.

Duke Lancelot ranked among the empire's most revered personages. Gaining his backing could unlock countless opportunities in the imperial court.

It might even reveal hidden truths of the royal house.

How could they let such a prize slip away?

The mere idea stirred deep resentment within them. To unleash their rage, they banded together to disrupt the wedding.

Moreover, despite never meeting Marquise Ethan, they already harbored intense disdain for him.

And now, they barreled straight for the ceremony.

……

Meanwhile, Ethan and Amber's wedding unfolded right on time.

Folks from across Ruthiana Province crowded the Duke's manor. Nobles, knights, troops, and officials flocked to behold the marriage of Marquise Ethan to Duke Lancelot's daughter.

"Ugh… our little lady has grown up," one sniffed noisily.

Another veteran soldier nodded, gripping his wine goblet.

"She's finally stepping into womanhood."

"Our princess is departing from us."

"Uuuuuuwuuuuu…"

A few burst into loud sobs, clutching one another.

One even hoisted his wine bottle high in theatrical fashion.

"Our princess!"

"We saw her grow from a child!"

Duke Lancelot eyed them with obvious irritation.

"Damn it… enough with the theatrics," he snapped curtly.

"What theatrics… Aren't you heartbroken seeing your daughter leave?"

"Heartbroken… Why would I be?" Duke Lancelot glanced at Amber, a twinge of regret hitting him before memories of her endless troubles washed it away.

"Far from sad, I'm thrilled enough to throw a party."

The grizzled soldiers snapped to attention yet kept dabbing their eyes, feigning dry tears.

As a central host of the event, Duke Lancelot had to greet every notable visitor himself.

Thus, he buzzed about, swamped with duties.

He shifted from noble cluster to noble cluster, offering courteous welcomes. Battlefield buddies approached with congratulations, while families from adjacent provinces brought presents and stiff salutes.

Fortunately, most old comrades lacked deep noble ties.

Having served the Emperor directly, he knew to dodge pitfalls. Mingling with nobles only bred suspicion.

He hadn't invited any anyway. And in person? He couldn't care less.

Once every guest arrived, noon had struck. The ceremony then kicked off.

In their splendid wedding garb, Ethan and Amber ascended the platform.

Amber's gown of white cascaded gently with her steps, while Ethan, clad in his marquise regalia bearing his rank's emblem, stood poised and serene before the assembly.

The couple stood in front of the altar as the guests observed silently.

Lancelot family representatives and key officials occupied seats on either side of the wedding platform. Duke Lancelot himself was seated in a prominent position close by, watching the ritual with a steady yet piercing stare.

Right as the pair prepared to start the wedding rites, a abrupt sound echoed from beyond the courtyard.

Guards by the entrance moved out of the way.

Moments later, three youths strode in boldly, trailed by over a dozen servants.

Their entrance instantly captured everyone's focus.

"Garet, Hamel, Pentos? What brings them here?" one man murmured in shock.

"Looks like drama's about to unfold."

Among the nobles from Ethan's faction at the wedding, a few instantly identified the trio. Excitement flickered in their gazes.

Hearing this, the military folks unfamiliar with them appeared confused.

"What's going on? Something off about these three's backgrounds?" one whispered.

A nearby noble leaned in and lowered his voice.

"You unaware? Allow me to explain. These three hail from the empire's premier houses, and they've pursued Lady Amber for years."

He halted for a moment before adding,

"With Lady Amber now claimed by Marquise Ethan, is it any wonder they can't stomach it?"

"Hiss…"

A few attendees drew sharp breaths in hush.

"From that vibe, these three aren't here with good intentions," one grumbled.

"Probably not," another agreed.

"I doubt these three showed up just to wish Lady Amber and her groom well."

Whispers spread among the nobles as they eyed the unfolding events. Quickly, most figured out why the trio had appeared.

By then, the three noble youths had advanced to the courtyard's heart.

Garet opened with a subtle smirk.

"Marquise Ethan, we three have arrived for the wedding."

"I trust you won't turn us away."

His words carried a courteous tone, yet a subtle challenge lurked beneath.

After all, away from their estates, they embodied their noble lineages' honor and prestige.

Ethan hadn't responded yet. Amber's face had already darkened. She recognized these three all too well.

For years in the capital, they'd trailed her, showering flattery.

Their sudden wedding crash screamed one motive: disruption.

Chill filled Amber's eyes as she glared at them. She nearly marched up to demand they leave.

But Ethan caught her shift right away.

He softly gripped her hand and murmured near her ear. This was a celebratory day with crowds watching.

Causing a scene before all wouldn't do.

Amber drew a deep breath, steadying herself. She held back the impulse to lash out.

Ethan then regarded the three nobles steadily.

They weren't ordinary sorts.

Pentos Ambrose, Hamel Cravik, and Garet Halcrest.

The Ambrose house had already taken hits from Ethan in Ruthiana Province. Though no outright feud with the other two, Mira—tied to the Halcrest family—had fled, adopting a disgraced noble guise to infiltrate another domain.

Things were bound to heat up.

Extremely so.

Ethan advanced a step and offered a courteous wave.

"All visitors are welcome," he stated evenly.

"Provided you're not here with malice, you're most welcome."

"Please sit and witness the event. My union with Lady Amber resumes shortly."

With that, Ethan took Amber's hand tenderly once more, ready to proceed.

Yet before the priest could continue, Garet lifted a hand faintly.

"Hold on, Marquise Ethan."

He offered a refined smile in Ethan's direction.

"I trust you won't see my ask as rude."

He paused a beat, then went on.

"Word is you once crushed the Empire's elite knight order in a flash. My companions hold your feats in awe and yearn to pick up some techniques from you."

"They wish for a lesson."