Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 224

224: 224:Farewell My Fellow Soldiers 224: 224:Farewell My Fellow Soldiers A merry and joyful atmosphere prevailed in the entire Barony.

Music echoed from every street, and songs were played at every intersection.

The whole territory shimmered with warmth and celebration.

Free food, beer and rum were handed out to everyone without hesitation.

Families sat together eating and laughing while soldiers walked proudly through the crowds.

“Grandpa Randall!” “Are you really Grandpa Randall?” Miranda peeked from behind Ethan’s leg and kept sneaking quick looks at Randall.

He wasn’t alone.

Sophia, Lia, Ray and others who had known him for years were staring at him in pure shock.

The reason was simple.

The man standing before them did not look like a middle-aged warrior at all.

Instead, he looked like a sharp young man in his teens.

His skin looked healthy, and his figure looked strong.

His hair was darker, and his face had regained youth that made him almost unrecognizable.

Even Ethan sucked in a cold breath, feeling a strange pressure in his chest.

“Un…” Ethan’s throat turned dry.

Calling a guy who looked like his elder brother “Uncle” felt very awkward.

“Haa…

It’s really me…

Randall…

The Captain of the Knights of Blank,” Randall said with a bright, laughing expression.

Miranda jumped at him first and hugged his waist.

“Grandpa Randall, you look different!

You look so young!” Herion and Nera clapped excitedly while Leo hid behind Sophia’s dress but smiled shyly.

Ash and Meera waved their small hands, trying to get his attention.

Sophia walked forward and hugged him warmly.

“Welcome back, Uncle Randall.

We thought we lost you,” she said softly.

Randall lowered his eyes with a gentle smile and patted the children’s heads one by one.

“I missed all of you too.” Ethan cleared his throat loudly.

“Let him breathe.

He just returned.

We have plenty of time so go and enjoy.” He waved his hands, shooing the children away.

The kids laughed and scattered back to the celebration.

Once everyone left, Ethan pulled Randall aside and stared at him with wide eyes.

“You really reached the Advanced Stage…” Ethan whispered, unable to hide his excitement.

The man before him was not just an Advanced Stage Knight, but a warrior at the middle rank of Advanced Stage.

Randall lowered his gaze with humility.

“It’s all your blessings, my Lord.

After I took the potion, I felt it was easier to advance.

And His Highness Duke Phillips also gave me subtle guidance.” “Hohoho…

That’s great!” Ethan clapped with satisfaction.

“Then did you unlock Aura?” A bitter smile tugged at Randall’s lips.

He shook his head.

“Nah…

Not everyone is as talented as you, My Lord.” “Stop being pessimistic.

I am sure you will unlock it one day and reach Master.” “Master…

That’s quite a dream,” Randall laughed.

Ethan then asked him about his experience in the war.

Randall explained everything slowly and carefully.

He described the battles, the enemies, the power levels and the strategies.

Ethan listened to each detail with full focus.

His brows rose slowly.

“I see…

So all the Dukes are at Master Stage while Duke Monopolis, who is the strongest, might have reached King’s Stage.” “What about Star Knights?” Ethan asked.

“I haven’t seen them but possibly most of them might be at Advanced Stage and the top one among them might be at Master.As per captain,I am sure he must be also at King’s Stage.” Ethan’s pride sank a little.

Yes, he had reached King’s Knight, but there were others at that same height.

And on top of that, he was alone.

His people were not yet strong enough.

‘It seems I need to cultivate my people more strongly.’ The celebration around them continued loudly.

But even in the midst of joy, those who had died were not forgotten.

Later that evening, Ethan stood at a graveyard built specially for the martyrs of the war.

The air was quiet.

Hundreds of graves stretched before him.

Fresh flowers were placed neatly, and incense burnt slowly as the wind carried a faint scent.

Around him stood the family members of the deceased.Some were the old parents who looked at graves with their sons name.

Some lost their husband,some lost their son,and some their brother.

Ethan stood with a solemn expression.

The soldiers who survived gathered behind him, silent and tense.

He stepped forward, looked at the graves, and began to speak.

“I can’t say I understand your sorrow because I wasn’t part of it.” His voice echoed gently across the graveyard.

“Saying those stupid things like I understand your pain, this and that, is bullshit and false pretence.” Many soldiers lowered their heads, their eyes burning with emotion.

“All I can do is respect and make sure their families live properly.

They will be gifted, and their children will be taken care of well.” His tone was heavy but filled with determination.

“I promise that none of their sacrifices will be forgotten.

Their names will be written in the history of this land, and their loyalty will be remembered for generations.

They fought for our safety and our home.

They fought so our children could sleep peacefully.

They fought so we could have a future.” Some soldiers bit their lips hard, their bodies trembling as they tried to hold back tears.

“It hurts.

I know it hurts.

Losing comrades is something no one can accept easily.

But they gave their lives with pride.

And we, who are left behind, must live with pride as well.” Ethan looked at the sky for a moment, gathering strength.

“Don’t be sad.

Our brothers wouldn’t want us to cry.

Instead of sending them off with sorrow, greet them happily and bid them adieu.” His words struck the hearts of everyone present.

Tears finally fell.

Some cried quietly, some cried loudly.It was a cry of sadness, but for some it was cry of relief.

They had finally returned home but their brothers had not.

Ethan bowed deeply toward the graves.

“Farewell my fellow soldiers.” The soldiers followed, bowing together, their shoulders shaking.

The night wind blew gently over the graveyard as if carrying the souls away to a peaceful rest.