Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 498:Throw Wales Into Lava Pool

…A dragon.

The colossal creature dwarfed anything they had anticipated, its mere presence emitting a power so immense it caused the very air to shimmer and warp.

Wales could only swallow, his gaze fixed upon the beast, his voice a mere whisper yet laced with an unwavering conviction.

"…We've found it."

Randall blinked, then vigorously rubbed his eyes, as if questioning the reality of the sight before him.

"It's… really a dragon?" he questioned aloud, disbelief coloring his tone.

Wales remained utterly still, his attention riveted to the magnificent wyrm. A profound sense of awe and bewilderment washed over his features as he absorbed its sheer scale and commanding presence.

He then turned his head to face Randall.

"Isn't your father seeking it?"

Randall offered a slow nod in confirmation.

"Yes… he was indeed searching for a dragon."

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Wales reached inside his robe and retrieved a crystal communicator.

"We should inform him," he stated, his voice remarkably even despite the palpable tension.

Clutching the crystal orb, he prepared to activate it, both men keeping their watchful eyes on the slumbering dragon.

.....

Ethan stood upon the expansive training grounds of Blanks, arms crossed over his chest, his sharp gaze scanning the field. Numerous soldiers were engaged in rigorous drills, their movements precise and synchronized as they executed sword forms and practiced coordinated assaults.

The sharp clang of steel resonated through the air.

Joel stood nearby, offering occasional guidance while closely monitoring the soldiers' progress.

"Your stance is incorrect," Joel bellowed towards a group of trainees. "Adjust your footing, or you'll falter in actual combat."

Ethan gave a subtle nod, observing every detail in contemplative silence. His mere presence exerted a palpable pressure, compelling the soldiers to train with even greater intensity under his scrutiny.

After a few moments, Ethan raised his hand slightly.

"Again," he commanded calmly.

Without hesitation, the soldiers reset and repeated the sequence, their movements noticeably sharper this time.

Joel glanced towards Ethan and commented, "They're improving remarkably quickly."

Ethan offered a slight nod in response.

"They must."

At that precise moment…

A subtle luminescence emanated near Ethan.

The crystal communicator within his grasp began to vibrate.

Ethan's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. He promptly raised the device.

The instant he activated it, Randall's voice sprang forth.

"My Lord…"

Ethan focused, and an image materialized within the crystal.

His eyes widened the moment he perceived it.

A colossal dragon lay nestled within a pool of lava, its scales faintly aglow as it breathed rhythmically.

Even through the projected image, its overwhelming presence was undeniable.

Ethan leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense and alight with excitement.

"…A dragon," he murmured.

Randall's voice continued, offering a concise explanation of the situation, but Ethan's attention was already wholly captivated by the image.

A nascent thrill began to stir within him.

"Wait… hold on… I am en route now," Ethan declared swiftly.

He made to move.

His body tensed, leaning forward slightly, his aura flaring as if poised for immediate departure.

Yet, he paused. Traveling there would still consume valuable time.

His eyes narrowed slightly as a sudden notion sparked in his mind.

Ethan tilted his head and inquired calmly.

"Is there a lava pool present?"

On the other end, Randall paused, blinked, then responded.

"Yes, there is, my Lord."

Ethan nodded.

"Excellent."

He then uttered the following instruction as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Then, throw Wales into it."

"....."

For a breathless moment, a profound and chilling silence enveloped both ends of the communication.

An absolute stillness descended.

On the other side, Randall stood frozen, as did the nearby knights, their movements ceasing. Even the air grew heavy and stagnant, as if the very world had paused to process the astonishing directive.

Randall forced a nervous laugh, attempting to dissipate the thick tension.

"You jest, surely, my Lord… keke."

"Not at all. I am entirely serious," Ethan's voice transmitted through the crystal, calm and unwavering, yet it struck them like a physical blow.

Then…

"Excuseeeee meeeee!"

Wales' voice erupted from the crystal, laced with utter shock.

His face suddenly materialized, etched with disbelief.

"Did you just command me to be thrown into lava?" he shrieked, his eyes wide with alarm.

Randall let out a small cough, clearly uncertain how to navigate this bizarre turn of events.

"My Lord… are you truly serious?"

Ethan's expression remained unchanged.

"Yes."

His reply was simple and direct.

Wales appeared as though he had been struck by lightning.

"Father… I am your son," he stammered, his voice thick with disbelief.

Ethan gave a slight nod.

"I am aware."

"That is precisely why you will survive."

"…That doesn't make it any better!" Wales retorted immediately, his voice cracking slightly.

Joel, who had remained silently beside Ethan, slowly turned his head to regard him with a complex expression.

"…My Lord," he began carefully.

"Are you absolutely certain about this?"

Ethan's gaze remained steadfastly fixed on the crystal communicator.

"Yes."

His response was resolute.

"But why?" Randall inquired, his confusion lingering.

Ethan responded with a calm demeanor.

"Do not trouble yourself... I have devised a plan. Simply adhere to it. Furthermore, ensure no beasts accompany you, otherwise, I cannot guarantee their safety."

His voice adopted a more serious inflection towards the conclusion.

....

Meanwhile, Wales momentarily faltered. The small creatures nearby emitted faint sounds of distress, but he gently soothed them with his touch.

He inhaled deeply, his chest expanding and contracting with measured breaths.

His father would not condemn him to death.

At the very least... he held onto that hope.

However, just as he was steeling his resolve, he perceived a movement. Randall's arms were stealthily extending towards him.

Wales' eyes widened in alarm.

"Stop... Grandpa, I can leap myself. You needn't enact your charade," he urged, hastily stepping back.

Randall let out an awkward cough.

"I presumed it might prove challenging, but if I were to toss you, you could then hold me accountable," he stated with a peculiar expression, suggesting a subtle willingness towards the notion.

Wales regarded him with speechless astonishment for a moment. Then, he turned and proceeded towards the precipice.

The lava pool beneath seethed with intense light, its radiating heat causing the very air to shimmer. Merely standing at its edge made his skin feel as though it were aflame.

The small animals clustered around him chirped mournfully, clearly reluctant to see him depart.

Wales gently touched them.

"Hush... do not fret... all shall be well," he murmured softly.

He closed his eyes briefly and took a decisive step forward.

SWISHH!

His form plunged downwards instantaneously, plummeting directly towards the molten rock.

The wind roared past his ears as his velocity escalated. The searing heat surged upwards, assaulting his skin like a wall of fire.

Wales grit his teeth.

He yearned to cry out.

Yet, he compelled himself to remain silent, biting his lip and suppressing the rising tide of fear within his throat.

'Father... where are you... I am about to perish...' he shrieked internally.

From above, the assembled knights observed with profound horror.

Their bodies became rigid, and a few instinctively lurched forward as if to intervene, but it was already too late.

Wales' body descended ever closer to the inferno.

The gap narrowed with alarming rapidity.

The intensity of the heat escalated to a degree that felt unbearable even from their vantage point.

Several of the knights averted their gazes, unable to witness the impending impact.

Precisely as his form was about to meet the surface.

SWISHH!

A fleeting silhouette materialized.

Moving with such incredible speed that it gave the appearance of a spatial anomaly. A hand shot out, grasping Wales firmly in mid-descent.

All motion ceased; the downward momentum vanished abruptly.

Wales' eyes widened as he felt a strong, secure grip envelop him.

A composed voice resonated beside him.

"I am here."

Wales turned his head slightly and beheld Ethan.