Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 839:You Can Appoint Five Nobles

"Since the matter has been settled, there is something else I would like to discuss," Ethan said as he leaned back in his chair.

Lancelot raised his eyebrows. "What is it?"

"The administration of the entire region. The territory is quite large, and I can't possibly manage everything alone. I will need people I can trust to handle the affairs of each region."

Lancelot nodded thoughtfully. "That is certainly true. The territory previously controlled by the four families is enormous. Even with capable subordinates, managing it all will be difficult. You will need a proper administrative structure."

"That's why I wanted to discuss it with you. You have been managing this territory for decades, so you understand its affairs better than anyone else."

Lancelot stroked his beard and considered the matter. "In that case, I can help you with the transition. There are several capable officials who have served under me for years. If you are willing to retain them, they can help you manage the territory."

"That would be helpful," Ethan replied. "I don't intend to replace everyone just for the sake of it. As long as they are capable and loyal, I have no reason to dismiss them."

Rake, who had been listening quietly, finally smiled. It seemed that the transition would be much smoother than he had initially expected.

Lancelot also appeared relieved. Although he would no longer hold the title of Duke, he wouldn't have to watch the territory he had spent decades managing fall into chaos.

After discussing a few more matters, Ethan stood up and stretched his arms.

"Then I will leave the rest to you for now. Once the Imperial Court sends the official documents, we can begin the handover."

"Understood," Lancelot replied as he rose from his seat.

Rake also stood up and followed them toward the door. Just as Ethan was about to leave, Lancelot suddenly spoke again.

"Ethan, there is one more thing."

Ethan turned around. "What is it?"

Lancelot looked at him with a faint smile.

"Since you are now a Duke, I suppose we should start addressing you as Your Grace."

Ethan's expression stiffened for a moment before he waved his hand.

"Please don't. Just call me Ethan as usual."

Lancelot chuckled softly, while Rake shook his head with a smile.

It seemed that even after becoming a Duke, Ethan hadn't changed much.

Lancelot gave a small nod, feeling reassured by Ethan's words. However, after a brief pause, he seemed to recall something and looked toward Ethan.

"By the way, Ethan, there is something I wanted to ask you."

Ethan turned toward him. "What is it?"

"It's about that man you fought during the battle, the one who was being controlled by the family heads. I wanted to know more about him. Who exactly was he?"

Rake also turned his attention toward Ethan. He had witnessed the battle and was equally curious about the strange man who had fought alongside the family heads.

Ethan paused for a moment before answering.

"Ah, you mean Gu Cheng."

He leaned back in his chair and continued, "Well, Gu Cheng isn't actually from this world."

Lancelot's expression changed slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"He is from another world. He was fighting against the enemies of a sect when a disturbance in space suddenly occurred and brought him here."

Lancelot and Rake exchanged surprised glances.

"Another world?" Rake repeated, unable to hide his disbelief.

Ethan nodded.

"Yes. After arriving here, he lost his ability to use Qi and was eventually captured by members of the Devine Family. They couldn't do much to his body, so they imprisoned his soul and turned him into a puppet. During the battle, the family heads were controlling him."

Lancelot's expression grew solemn as he recalled the fight. He had personally exchanged blows with Gu Cheng and knew just how strange and powerful his techniques were. Now that he understood the circumstances, the events of that battle finally made more sense.

"So that was the reason..." Lancelot muttered, rubbing his chin. "I was wondering why his fighting style was so different from ours."

Ethan nodded and continued explaining how he had entered Gu Cheng's soul world and freed him from the chains that had imprisoned his soul.

Rake listened carefully, his expression changing as he learned more about the Devine Family's experiments. He clenched his fists when Ethan explained how Gu Cheng had been forced to fight against his will.

"Those bastards really went too far," Rake muttered.

Lancelot let out a heavy sigh. Although he had already known about the atrocities committed by the four families, hearing that they had captured someone from another world and turned him into a puppet was still shocking.

After a moment, he looked toward Ethan again.

"And what does Gu Cheng plan to do now?"

"He wants to return to his own world, but he doesn't know how to get back yet. For now, he is staying at Blanks while we investigate the matter."

Lancelot nodded slowly, taking in the information. The existence of another world was something he had never expected to encounter, and the fact that Gu Cheng had been brought here through a spatial disturbance raised even more questions.

After thinking for a while, Lancelot spoke with a serious expression.

"Ethan, you should be careful. Don't be too trusting. We don't know enough about his world or the circumstances surrounding his arrival. Even if he has no ill intentions toward us, there are still many things we don't understand."

Ethan nodded, acknowledging his concern.

"I know. That's why we are taking things slowly."

Ethan didn't delay and returned to his residence.

After returning, he exchanged a brief round of negotiations with Count Alaric who had already conversed with the Empress.

However, Ethan's suggestion put him in a difficult position, and the Count couldn't give him an immediate answer.

The reason was simple. At present, Ethan was already connected to three noble families through Lancelot, Salvos, and Fenwick. Aside from them, there was also another Duke, Osantra.

If he brought all three families under his influence, it would clearly create the impression that power was being concentrated within a close circle. Such an arrangement could cause trouble in the future, especially when other nobles began to question the distribution of authority.

Ethan was well aware of this. That was why he hadn't initially suggested the others and had only intended to recommend Lancelot.

However, he couldn't bear to let the others rot away without any chance of advancement, so he eventually brought up the suggestion.

Count Alaric rubbed his forehead as he considered the matter before speaking.

"Her Majesty has given five quotas to be filled by Lord Ethan, and she will send five more nobles herself. However, if four of those five positions are filled by people who have a close relationship with the Blanks, won't that cause dissatisfaction among the other nobles?"

He paused for a moment before continuing, his expression growing more serious.

"On top of that, except for Lancelot, the others don't have the merit or strength to hold those positions."

Eldorian wasn't a new Empire like Arcadia. With a thousand years of history, its nobility had a much deeper foundation. Almost everyone from the rank of Marquess and above was a Transcendent. Even a Baron could possess the strength of a Mythic powerhouse.