Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 838:Being A Count Is Better Than Nothing

Rake's expression changed as he heard this. He had always assumed that his father's position and strength would be enough to preserve their family's status, but Lancelot seemed to have already accepted the possibility of losing everything.

"Then what about Ethan?" Rake asked curiously.

Lancelot folded his arms and thought for a moment before replying.

"He has some weight, so they might keep his nobility, but I am sure ours would be gone."

He spoke with a sigh, and a trace of reluctance appeared on his face.

Lancelot had grown from a soldier. In his early days, he hadn't been familiar with noble affairs or the privileges that came with such a position. However, after being a Duke for decades, he had naturally grown accustomed to it.

After all, who didn't like power?

He stood by the window and looked over the entire territory. From the streets to the distant estates, everything had once been under his family's authority. Having the power to control so many people with a wave of his hand was something only a truly selfless man could easily give up.

Lancelot didn't consider himself a saint. If he had no ambitions, he wouldn't have reached his current position. Although he trusted the Emperor like a brother, he too had ambitions of rising higher.

As he continued looking at the territory, he suddenly remembered Ethan's decision to refuse the throne. The thought made him pause for a moment.

'What would I have done in his place?'

Lancelot couldn't help but wonder. He had spent decades building his position, and the thought of losing it wasn't something he could easily accept.

Just as he was lost in thought, Rake's voice suddenly rang out.

"Father, what is that?"

Lancelot immediately snapped out of his thoughts. He sensed a strange fluctuation in the surroundings and quickly raised his head toward the sky.

A spatial tear had appeared above the estate.

His expression changed instantly as he felt the unfamiliar spatial energy. Without wasting a moment, he stepped forward and moved in front of Rake, his aura rising as he prepared for a possible attack.

"Rake, immediately sound the danger ho..."

His words were cut short when a figure emerged from the spatial tear.

Lancelot stared at the person floating in the air, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Huh?

Both Rake and Lancelot were stunned to see Ethan stepping out of the spatial tear. The strange phenomenon had nearly made them sound the alarm, and now the person who had emerged from it was none other than Ethan himself.

For a moment, neither of them knew what to say.

'What the hell is this shit?'

Lancelot and Rake stared at Ethan as if they had just seen a ghost. Their eyes remained fixed on the spatial tear behind him, and neither of them could hide their surprise.

Teleportation was nothing new in this world, but long-distance teleportation was certainly a big problem. Very few people could accomplish it, and even those who could usually relied on coordinate marks to create portals and travel between distant locations.

But Ethan hadn't appeared through a portal. He had simply torn through space and stepped out.

Now, that was both shocking and interesting.

Lancelot looked at Ethan with curiosity, his previous wariness slowly fading away.

"Ethan, what was that just now? Did you tear through space to get here?"

Ethan nodded casually.

"Yes. Gu Cheng taught me a few things about spatial manipulation. With my Space Affinity, I was able to learn it quite easily. As long as I know the coordinates, I can travel long distances without relying on a portal."

Lancelot's eyes twitched slightly as he listened. He rubbed his chin, looking at Ethan with a hint of regret.

"So that's how it is. To think you can travel such a distance by tearing through space itself. What a pity I don't have any affinity with the Space Element."

He let out a sigh, feeling that he had missed out on something truly remarkable. Even as a Transcendent Knight, he couldn't help but feel envious of such a convenient ability.

At the side, Rake coughed lightly before stepping forward.

"Brother-in-law, why did you rush here suddenly? Don't tell me there is another problem."

Ethan waved his hand softly.

"No, there isn't any problem. Or do you think I only appear when there is a problem?"

As he spoke, he paused after noticing both Rake and Lancelot giving him a look as if to say, 'Isn't that exactly what happens?'

Ethan's expression changed slightly.

'Am I really such a person?'

Before the atmosphere could get awkward, Rake quickly changed the subject.

"Then why are you here?"

Ethan took a breath and looked at the two of them.

"Well, I received a visit from an Imperial envoy today. He brought an edict from Her Majesty, and it seems I have been officially granted the title of Duke."

Lancelot raised his eyebrows, while Rake blinked in surprise.

"Wait, what?"

Ethan nodded and continued.

"The edict declares me the Duke of Eldorian, and the entire region that was previously under the control of the four families will be placed under my jurisdiction. The County of Blanks will also be elevated to the Duchy of Blanks."

The moment Rake and Lancelot heard this, they were taken aback. Both of them stared at Ethan for a moment, as if they were trying to make sure they had heard him correctly.

"For real?" Lancelot asked, his expression shocked but relatively calm.

Rake turned toward his father and looked at him with a questioning gaze.

Lancelot shook off his surprise and let out a short sigh.

"I thought they might have given you a title, but I didn't expect it to be Duke. That was unexpected."

Ethan nodded, then hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"However, since I will be the Duke, Sir Lancelot, you might not be..."

He paused, finding it a little difficult to finish the sentence.

Lancelot understood what he meant and nodded calmly.

"Yeah, since you will be the Duke, I would be forced to step down, wouldn't I? But no worries."

He waved his hand dismissively and continued with a relaxed expression.

"I was afraid someone from Eldorian would take over this post, but since it's you, then I can rest easily."

Ethan felt relieved after hearing his response. He had been worried that Lancelot might feel dissatisfied with the arrangement, especially after serving as Duke for decades.

Still, there were other matters to discuss.

"What about the other nobles? Have they been elected yet?"

Ethan shook his head.

"Not yet. The other nobles haven't been appointed, and the jurisdiction will be handed over to court. But I have some authority to decide who holds the vacant positions."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully before looking at Lancelot.

"In that case, Sir Lancelot, would you like to become a Count?"

Rake turned toward his father, wondering what he would say. Although the title was a step down from Duke, it would still allow their family to retain its noble status and influence.

Lancelot remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"Being a Count is better than being nothing."