Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 709:Bad Premonition

Duke Alaric felt his senses ring the moment he heard Ethan's cold and commanding tone.

For a brief moment, he remained silent.

He carefully looked into Ethan's eyes, but all he saw was calmness. There was no anger on Ethan's face, no shouting, and no visible rage. That calm expression somehow made him even more uneasy.

Seeing his hesitation, Ethan slowly smiled.It was a sinister smile.

"I know what you're thinking."

"But don't forget..."

"This alliance is only temporary."

He leaned back slightly while keeping his eyes on Duke Alaric.

"Once the war is over, everything will return to normal.The Empires will separate.By that time, there won't be any problem if I act."

"As long as I don't leave any loose ends."

The room suddenly became silent.

Duke Alaric unconsciously swallowed.Cold sweat slowly formed on his forehead.

'Terrifying...'

'This is utterly terrifying.'

'Fuck it...'

'Are youngsters these days really this sharp and steady?'

'I don't remember anyone acting like this unless they lacked strength and could only plan from behind the scenes.'

'But this fellow...'

'He has both the brains and the strength.'

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Duke Alaric slowly answered.

"The proposal came from Duke Haggard's side."

"He belongs to the Valorant Empire."

He paused for a brief moment before continuing.

"It was jointly supported by several nobles from the Morvath Empire, along with others."

He slowly sighed.

"And... even some of us agreed."

"I don't mind telling you."

"Everyone agreed because, during such a crucial period, we couldn't allow even the slightest risk."

Ethan quietly nodded.He understood the reasoning.

In fact...

He had already prepared himself for something similar.

If the situation had been handled properly, he would not have resisted being detained.Even he would have made the same decision if their positions had been reversed.

Lock the suspect in prison.

Wait until the war was over.Then investigate everything properly before deciding what to do next.

That would have been understandable.

Ethan had even imagined spending a peaceful few days inside a prison cell until everything settled down.

But...

Never...Not even in his wildest dreams...Had he imagined that they would directly choose to kill him.

'God damn...'

'This is fucking stupid.'

'Going straight for the kill...'

A faint smile slowly appeared on Ethan's face.

'Damn.'

'I will make sure every one of them coughs for this.'

After a brief silence, Ethan looked back at Duke Alaric."Was there anyone who objected to this proposal?"

Duke Alaric lowered his head and thought carefully for a few moments before answering.

"I remember a few."

He slowly listed the names of the nobles and commanders who had opposed the proposal as best as he could remember.

Ethan quietly listened without interrupting him.After hearing the names, he simply smiled.

Then he asked another question."What about you?"

"Huh?"

Duke Alaric was slightly startled.

"I mean..."

"Did you support it?"

Duke Alaric's expression became complicated.

"I..."

His voice hesitated.

He did not know how to answer.

Before he could continue, Ethan slowly stood up from his chair.

He walked over to Duke Alaric and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry."

His voice became much calmer.

"I understand."

He slowly looked around the room before speaking again.

"Even if you had agreed with that plan...You still stepped forward and protected me when it mattered."

"That alone is enough."

Duke Alaric remained silent.

Looking at Ethan's calm expression, the heaviness in his heart only grew stronger.

For some reason, Ethan's understanding made him feel even more uncomfortable than if Ethan had shouted at him.

Duke Alaric remained silent for a long moment.

The room became unusually quiet.

Only the faint crackling of the lamp and the distant footsteps of soldiers outside could be heard. He slowly let out a long breath before looking at Ethan once again.

"You are much calmer than I expected."

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

"If it were someone else, they would probably be shouting by now."

Ethan shook his head.

"What is the use of shouting?"

"It won't change what already happened."

He leaned back in his chair while folding his arms.

"I prefer remembering faces.And settling things when the right time comes."

Duke Alaric could only smile bitterly.

"I don't know whether I should admire your patience..."

"...or fear it."

Ethan did not answer.

Instead, he quietly looked toward the map hanging inside the tent.

After a brief silence, he suddenly asked,

"How long before the next major battle?"

Duke Alaric walked over to the map.

He pointed toward the front lines.

"Judging from the current situation..."

"Not long."

"Both sides have suffered heavy losses."

"They need time to recover."

"But once they finish reorganizing..."

"The next battle will be far bigger than the previous one."

Ethan slowly nodded.His eyes remained fixed on the map."The peace outside..."

"It won't last."

Duke Alaric also looked at the map and sighed.

"No."

"It won't."

"The losses on both sides are too great."

"The hatred has only grown stronger."

"The next clash will probably decide the direction of this entire war."

The two of them fell silent again.After several moments, a soldier hurried inside the tent.

He respectfully bowed.

"Your Grace."

"The healers have finished treating Sir Ethan's wounds."

"And Queen Ophelia has already received the report regarding the Supreme Token."

Duke Alaric's expression immediately became serious.

"So soon?"

The soldier nodded.

"A messenger bird left the camp the moment the battle ended."

"It should have reached the capital by now."

Duke Alaric slowly rubbed his chin.

"It seems Her Majesty will make her decision very soon."

He then looked toward Ethan.

"Until then, I suggest you stay inside the safe house."

"It will be much safer."

Ethan slowly stood up.

His wounds still ached, but they no longer affected his movements.

"I wasn't planning to wander around anyway."

He picked up his greatsword and fastened it to his back.

Then he looked at Duke Alaric.

"I have only one request."

"What is it?"

"If anyone asks about me..."

"Tell them I am resting."

Duke Alaric frowned.

"And what will you be doing?"

A faint smile appeared on Ethan's face.

"For now..."

"I'll really be resting."

He paused for a moment.

"After that..."

"We'll see."

Although Ethan's tone remained calm, Duke Alaric somehow felt that those simple words carried a deeper meaning.

He silently watched Ethan leave the room, and an uneasy feeling slowly settled in his heart.

For some reason...

He felt that the names Ethan had asked about today would not remain peaceful for much longer.