Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 466:I Accept It But..

Suddenly, silence blanketed the entire courtyard.

The priest halted midway through the ritual, clutching the sacred tome. Guests gradually swiveled their gazes toward Garet and the two nobles positioned behind him.

A few nobles traded sly glances with subtle smirks. Others leaned forward in their chairs, unwilling to miss the unfolding drama.

All present sensed that trouble had descended.

Amber's grip tightened faintly on Ethan's hand. Her gaze sharpened instantly as she fixed it on Garet.

"They came here to cause trouble," she murmured softly under her breath.

Ethan caught her words clearly, yet showed no outward response.

He stayed utterly composed and at ease.

Garet stood with a subtle smile playing on his lips, Hamel and Pentos lingering just behind. The trio appeared fully relaxed, though their provocative intent rang clear to every onlooker.

Several guards around the courtyard knit their brows upon hearing the remarks.

One gripped his tankard and muttered low.

"These bastards came here to ruin the wedding."

Another soldier gritted his teeth in silence, held back since nobles were involved and intervention was off-limits.

From his seat, Duke Lancelot observed the scene motionless. His face stayed serene, yet his eyes chilled noticeably.

He uttered not a word.

He merely watched in quiet anticipation.

He awaited Ethan's handling of the matter.

Ethan turned his head leisurely to face Garet.

His eyes briefly swept over the three nobles before him.

Pentos Ambrose.

Hamel Cravik.

Garet Halcrest.

Names tied to mighty imperial houses.

Three who had vied for Amber's hand before. And now they appeared united on his wedding day.

Ethan exhaled slowly and offered a faint smile.

"You came to learn from me?" he inquired evenly.

"Yes," Garet answered with courteous grin.

"My friends and I have long admired your strength."

"Especially the story about defeating the Empire's main knight order."

His voice carried respect, but the biting sarcasm underneath was unmistakable.

A handful of nobles among the guests chuckled softly.

They grasped the situation perfectly.

This was a blatant challenge.

A very open provocation.

Amber edged forward protectively.

"This is my wedding," she stated icily, eyes locked on them.

"If you came here to cause trouble, you can leave right now."

Hamel's mouth twisted into a sneer.

"Lady Amber, please do not misunderstand."

"We only wish to witness the strength of the man you chose."

Pentos spoke evenly, arms folded behind him.

"If Marquise Ethan truly possesses such legendary strength, then a small demonstration should not be a problem."

The courtyard plunged into deeper hush.

Guests resumed hushed murmurs, eyes glued to the scene.

"If Lord Ethan refuses, it will look bad."

"But if he accepts, they will surely try to embarrass him."

"Those three are not weak either."

Several soldiers scowled at the nobles.

Amber's face hardened further. But before she could retort, Ethan gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

He advanced with steady poise.

No trace of fury or annoyance crossed his features. He simply regarded the three men ahead.

"Today is my wedding day," Ethan declared steadily.

His tone rang firm and resonant.

"I do not intend to turn it into a duel arena."

Garet's grin broadened a touch.

"Of course."

"We understand."

"But surely a small exchange would not ruin such a joyful occasion."

Hamel folded his arms and cocked his head.

"Unless…"

He lingered on the word before completing it.

"Unless the rumors about your strength were exaggerated."

Some nobles snickered at that.

Tension thickened across the courtyard. Amber's eyes blazed with fury.

Yet Ethan held his calm. He eyed the trio silently for a beat. Then he spoke once more."You traveled all the way here just to test me?"

Garet dipped his head affirmatively.

"That is correct."

Ethan stroked his chin thoughtfully, as if pondering deeply.

Suddenly, a smile lit his face.

"Fine."

That lone word ignited a stir throughout the courtyard.

Amber whipped toward him, eyes wide in shock.

"Ethan—"

But he lifted a hand softly to hush her.

"It's alright," he murmured tenderly.

Then his gaze returned to the three nobles.

"If you wish to learn from me," Ethan stated evenly, "I will not refuse."

"But there is one condition."

Garet arched a brow.

"And what condition would that be?"

Ethan's subtle grin gradually sharpened into something fiercer.

"You three."

"Come at me together."

Silence blanketed the whole courtyard in an instant. It was as though the very breeze had frozen solid.

Murmurs then burst forth from the gathered crowd. The yard had turned utterly still right after Ethan's bold words.

Not a single whisper broke the quiet.

Countless nobles gawked at Ethan, convinced they'd heard wrong. Soldiers swapped stunned looks, while guests inched ahead from their chairs, eager for the drama to unfold.

"You three."

"Come at me together."

Ethan's words rang out crystal clear over the courtyard.

Garet's subtle smile faded away bit by bit.

Hamel furrowed his brows as Pentos squinted his eyes just a touch.

A short silence gripped them all. Then a soft chuckle slipped from Hamel's mouth.

"You are quite confident, Marquise Ethan," he remarked, advancing with measured steps.

Garet crossed his arms, eyeing Ethan with close attention.

"You do realize who we are, right?" he questioned in a steady voice.

"We are not some drunken knights from the frontier."

Ethan offered a casual shrug.

"I know."

His voice stayed utterly composed and laid-back.

"That is exactly why I said all three of you."

Nearby guests broke into a frenzy of hushed exclamations at once.

"This guy…"

"He really asked them to attack together?"

"Is he insane?"

Yet a handful of soldiers around the courtyard suddenly flashed wide grins.

"That's our lord."

"He didn't even hesitate."

Meanwhile, concern flickered in Amber's eyes as she gazed at Ethan.

"Are you sure about this?" she whispered softly, edging a bit nearer to him.

Ethan turned to her briefly and gave a soft smile.