Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 692:Blank Had Been Declared As Traitor

The ancient magic circle continued shining brighter and brighter.

BOOOOOOM!

A tremendous wave of magical energy burst outward from the underground chamber. The entire Blank Estate trembled as the energy surged through countless hidden formations buried beneath the mansion. Ancient runes that had remained dormant for years suddenly awakened one after another.

The light did not stop there.

It rapidly spread through hidden channels beneath the ground until it reached every corner of Blank City.

The next moment...

BOOOOOOM!

A gigantic pillar of light erupted from the center of the Blank Estate.

Then another.

And another.

One after another, enormous pillars of magical energy shot into the sky from different parts of the city. Every pillar stretched hundreds of meters into the air while ancient runes rotated around them. The ground shook violently beneath everyone's feet, and the entire city trembled under the overwhelming magical pressure.

The citizens who had been peacefully walking through the streets immediately stopped.

"What is happening?"

"Where is that light coming from?"

"Is the city under attack?"

Countless people looked toward the sky with shocked expressions.

Even the city guards froze for a brief moment.

Then, before anyone could understand what was happening, every pillar of light suddenly connected high above the city.

BOOOOOOM!

A massive dome-shaped barrier spread across the heavens.

The enormous barrier expanded until it completely covered the entire Blank City. Countless ancient runes flashed across its surface while waves of magical energy flowed through it like rivers of light. The barrier remained visible for only a few brief moments before slowly fading from sight and becoming completely transparent.

Although it had disappeared from view, everyone could still feel its lingering presence.

An uneasy silence spread throughout the city.

People looked at one another in confusion while whispers quickly filled the streets.

"What just happened?"

"Why was the barrier activated?"

"Did something happen on the battlefield?"

The city guards immediately sprang into action.

Captain after captain began issuing orders while soldiers hurried toward every city gate.

"Maintain order!"

"Everyone stay calm!"

"Return to your homes!"

"Do not create panic!"

The guards continuously moved through the streets while trying their best to calm the increasingly anxious citizens.

A few moments later, a cold and dignified voice echoed throughout the entire city.

The voice had been amplified through magic and reached every street, every building, and every corner of Blank City.

A cold and dignified voice, amplified by magic, echoed throughout the entire city.

"Citizens of Blank City, listen carefully. From this moment onward, the entire city is under complete lockdown. No one is permitted to leave the city without authorization, and every outsider who wishes to enter the city will be thoroughly inspected before being allowed inside. This order will remain in effect until further notice, so remain calm, return to your homes, and cooperate with the city guards."

The voice paused for a brief moment before continuing in a much heavier tone.

"You all deserve to know why such measures have been taken. Our Lord, Marquise Ethan Blank, while fighting for Arcadia on the frontlines, uncovered a conspiracy that does not threaten only the Empire but the peace and future of the entire world. Alongside Duke Osantra and several trusted nobles, he discovered evidence that certain people among the highest ranks of the Empire have secretly joined hands with the Heretics and have been carrying out forbidden schemes behind everyone's backs."

A wave of whispers spread across the city, but the voice continued before anyone could interrupt.

"When Marquise Ethan and Duke Osantra uncovered this truth, those responsible immediately attempted to silence them forever. They were surrounded, betrayed, and hunted by the very people they had fought beside. Thankfully, Marquise Ethan and Duke Osantra managed to break through the encirclement and escape alive, but many brave men lost their lives while protecting them."

The voice became even firmer.

"The enemy now fears that the truth will be exposed before the world, and because of that they have falsely declared Marquise Ethan a traitor. They have spread lies throughout the Empire and are trying to destroy his name because he refused to stand by while innocent lives were sacrificed for their ambitions. Do not be deceived by these false accusations. Marquise Ethan has always fought to protect the people, and he continues to risk his life for that very purpose even now."

Another brief pause followed before the final announcement rang throughout the city.

"The Blank Family will not bow before lies, nor will we surrender to those who hide behind power and conspiracy. We will stand together and protect this city with everything we have. Once the evidence is revealed before the world, every righteous force will rise against the Heretics and those who have chosen to walk beside them. Until that day arrives, remain calm, obey the city's orders, trust the Blank Family, and prepare yourselves. Whatever comes next, we will face it together."

The moment the announcement ended, the entire Blank City fell into an uproar.

The quiet streets that had been calm only moments ago instantly erupted with countless voices. People gathered in small groups while discussing what they had just heard. Some looked confused, some were frightened, and others simply stood frozen in place while trying to process everything. The news had come too suddenly, and no one had expected to hear that the Empire's own higher-ups had supposedly joined hands with the Heretics.

"What is going on?"

"Is it really true?"

"Marquise Ethan was declared a traitor just this morning."

"Then why would the Blank Family publicly defend him?"

"The Duke also escaped?"

"The Empire wouldn't lie... would it?"

One question after another spread throughout the city while uncertainty slowly filled every corner. Even the city guards found it difficult to calm the growing unrest, but they continued patrolling the streets and reassuring the people while asking everyone to return to their homes.

Inside the Blank Estate, the atmosphere was no better.

Everyone remained standing inside the underground chamber while the echoes of the announcement still lingered in their minds.

The younger members of the family were especially shaken.

Julia looked toward Rathlos with worried eyes while tightly holding Rina's hand.

"What is really happening out there?"

Amber lowered her head slightly while trying to remain calm, but even she couldn't hide the concern on her face.

Sophia quietly clenched her fists.

Although she had expected things to become difficult after Ethan's call, she had never imagined the situation would escalate this quickly.

Regalina remained beside Duke Osantra while gently supporting his weakened body. She looked at her father and then toward Rathlos before softly asking,

"Will Ethan really be alright?"

No one answered immediately.

The silence itself became the answer.

Far above Blank City...

High above the clouds where no ordinary person could notice them, several black-cloaked figures quietly stood in the sky.

Their presence was completely concealed while they silently looked down at the city beneath them.

One of them slowly narrowed his eyes after seeing the barrier surrounding Blank City.

"It seems the matter has already spread."

His quiet words caused the expressions of the others to become much heavier.

For several moments, none of them spoke.

Finally, one of the cloaked figures slowly let out a long sigh.

"It seems it won't be enough to carry out a simple purge anymore."

He looked down at the city once again before speaking in a cold voice.

"We need to bring the entire thing down."

"We have to make sure no rumors remain."

The others silently nodded.

"Hmm."

"Let's move."