Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 690:It's The Emperor

His serious tone immediately made both of them quiet down. Although the worry on their faces did not disappear, they stopped interrupting him and patiently waited for him to continue.

Ethan slowly exhaled before beginning from the very start.

He explained everything in detail, leaving nothing out. He told them how he had sensed something unusual near the battlefield and how he had discovered the miasma spreading across the land.

He spoke about the corrupted battlefield where countless corpses had been left to rot, the strange dungeon gates that had suddenly erupted, and the horrifying creatures that had become stronger after being affected by the miasma.

He continued explaining how they had followed the strange flow of energy until they reached the hidden area where the gigantic crimson cocoon stood behind an ancient barrier. He described the countless magic circles carved into the ground, the endless streams of dark essence flowing toward the cocoon, the cloaked figures guarding the place, and finally Haster's betrayal after they accidentally discovered everything.

Neither Rathlos nor Duke Lancelot interrupted him even once.

The more they listened, the uglier their expressions became. Their brows remained tightly furrowed while silence filled the communication.

After explaining everything, Ethan paused for a brief moment before speaking again in a much heavier voice.

"That blackish mass of thing is absorbing the miasma. Or more accurately, it is absorbing the remaining life essence left behind by the dead. Every corpse on that battlefield has become nourishment for it. The magic formation is collecting everything and continuously feeding that cocoon. From the way that thing is being nurtured, I have a strong feeling that someone is trying to break through."

The communication instantly fell silent.

Neither Rathlos nor Duke Lancelot spoke.

Several long moments passed before Duke Lancelot slowly lifted his head. His expression had become unusually calm, yet there was a heaviness in his eyes that Ethan had never seen before.

"It's Alaster."

The two simple words struck Ethan and Rathlos like a bolt of lightning.

"What did you say?"

Both of them reacted almost at the same time.

Their eyes widened while shock completely covered their faces. For a brief moment, it felt as though thunder had exploded inside their minds.

Ethan stared straight at Duke Lancelot, trying to see whether he was joking.

"You are saying... it's the Emperor? Are you sure?"

Duke Lancelot slowly nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"I am absolutely sure."

His answer was calm, yet every word carried complete certainty.

"It's him. He is trying to break the taboo. He wants to forcefully step into the Ascension Realm."

The atmosphere instantly became heavy.

Neither Ethan nor Rathlos could say a single word. The answer was simply too shocking.

After remaining silent for several moments, Ethan finally spoke again.

"But why are you so certain?"

Duke Lancelot slowly leaned back before letting out a long breath.

"Because this isn't the first time. I have been investigating him for many years. I simply never had enough proof to connect everything together."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Many years ago, strange disappearances began taking place near battlefields. At first everyone believed they were simply accidents caused by war, but the numbers kept increasing. Entire villages vanished without leaving behind a single survivor. Battlefields that should have been filled with corpses were mysteriously emptied overnight. Every investigation reached a dead end, but every clue I managed to gather slowly pointed toward the same person."

He looked directly into Ethan's eyes.

"Alaster."

"I never understood what he was trying to achieve. I searched for years but never found the answer. However, after hearing everything you just told me, the final piece has finally fallen into place."

His voice became much heavier.

"What do you mean?"

Ethan frowned deeply as he looked at Duke Lancelot through the communication screen. His mind was already in turmoil, yet every answer seemed to raise even more questions. He had a bad feeling about where this conversation was heading.

Duke Lancelot did not answer immediately.

He remained silent for a few moments while wearing a deadpan and somber expression. His eyes lowered slightly as though he was organizing his thoughts before finally speaking.

"It seems... he has finally joined hands with the Heretics and chosen that path."

The words instantly made both Ethan and Rathlos stiffen.

Neither of them interrupted him.

They simply stared at Duke Lancelot while waiting for him to continue.

Seeing their confused expressions, Duke Lancelot slowly explained.

"The main reason behind Arcadia's crisis was the fall of its Ascension Realm expert. Once that pillar disappeared, the Empire immediately became the target of the surrounding Empires. They knew Arcadia no longer had anyone capable of standing at that level, so they began slowly pushing it toward destruction."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Now Alaster is trying to force his way into the Ascension Realm by using forbidden means. Once he succeeds, the entire balance of power will change. He won't need to defeat everyone. He only needs to become strong enough to force the other Empires into compromise."

Ethan quietly listened before frowning even more.

After thinking for a few moments, he finally asked,

"But will that even be effective? I mean... can't the other four Emperors simply join hands and take him down?"

Duke Lancelot slowly shook his head before clicking his tongue.

"You don't understand."

"You might be able to defeat an Ascension Realm expert if enough people join together."

"But killing one is an entirely different matter."

"If someone at that level truly wants to escape, stopping them becomes incredibly difficult."

His expression suddenly sharpened as another thought crossed his mind.

"I am beginning to understand his real plan."

"He probably never intended to stop after breaking through."

"I am certain he plans to kill the other Emperors one by one and begin a slaughter."

"He will use absolute fear to force the remaining Empires into compromise."

He paused before adding another sentence that made the atmosphere even heavier.

"And once he steps into the Ascension Realm, he can no longer remain Emperor."

"Haster will naturally take his place."

Silence filled the communication once again.

Ethan slowly rubbed his forehead.

A deep headache spread through his mind.

"So many calculations..."

"So many damn twists..."

"What a pain in the ass."

He let out a long sigh while trying to calm himself.

Duke Lancelot quietly watched him before asking the question that mattered most.

"What are you going to do now?"

He paused briefly before continuing in a much heavier voice.

"This time, you might not be so lucky."

"By now, he has probably already sent people to detain your family."

Those words instantly caused both Ethan's and Rathlos's expressions to harden.

Neither of them doubted that possibility.Ethan could protect himself.

LHis family could probably defend themselves for a few days.

But if Alaster truly sent Transcendent Realm experts...

The situation would become completely different.

Ethan slowly looked toward Duke Lancelot.

For the first time since the conversation began, there was a trace of pleading in his eyes.

"Father-in-law..."

"Can you please hold them back?"