Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: 249:Ray’s First Experience To Brutality
Since he is at an advanced stage, he shouldn’t be that frail and brittle.”

He turned to Rina.

“Maybe he relied too much on potions. There is always a difference between someone who gains power by himself and someone who relies on other means.”Rina replied without hesitation.

“….”

Those words struck Ethan deeper than he expected. It felt like an unintentional emotional attack.

After all, wasn’t he the same?

Using potions and gaining power ups from the system to end up a hollow mage without any substance.

He took a slow breath and decided to let it slide.

He sat down and thought carefully, tapping the envelope lightly against his leg.

From a ruler’s perspective, things looked strange.

No matter how old or weak a king becomes, one cannot be so careless about future succession. To declare the next heir late could throw a kingdom into chaos.

It was because reputation mattered and legacy should be kept on.

So strangely something felt off.

No one would be foolish enough to ignore succession like this unless something forced them or frightened them.

Ethan could not point it out yet, but the doubt lingered inside him like a splinter beneath the skin.

Something was wrong at the heart of Ruthiana.

…….

A boy sitting atop a horse galloped wildly across the plain. His silver-white hair fluttered with the wind and his broad shoulders made him look strong and confident. His face was handsome and bright, and anyone who saw him would notice he resembled someone important.

And he was none other than Ray Blanks.

The eldest and first Master of the Blanks.

“Young Master Ray, please slow down. If something happens to you, the Lord will skin us alive!” The guards shouted desperately from behind as they struggled to keep up.

Ray only chuckled in amusement and kicked his horse again. “Haaa, I am just riding so we reach quickly. Also I am not a kid. I am already sixteen!”

Behind him,the second male in line,Herion chased after him.

“Brother, still…” Herion tried to speak but Ray waved his hand with irritation.

“Shut up,” he snapped, annoyed. He just wanted to enjoy the moment, to feel the freedom of the wind and the earth beneath the hooves. Yet everyone kept disturbing him and breaking his concentration.

The current Ray was way different from the one when he was around 10.

Previously he was riddled with worries and responsibilities but after having a talking with Ethan and knowing his plans,he had learnt to calm down.

But then Ray suddenly stiffened.

He pulled the reins sharply. “Stop!”

The horse jerked and halted, and the guards nearly collided into him.

“Have you gone insane, big brother?” Herion shouted as he rode forward. He followed Ray’s gaze and found a caravan ahead. Several wagons stood parked along the grassland, guarded by strange men.

Ray frowned deeply, something inside him feeling off. “I feel a bit odd.”

Still, he approached with Herion and members of Blank Guards walking beside him for protection. As the group reached the caravan,

Ray realized the people standing there looked very different from the locals. Their beards were long, some braided and some flowing wildly. Their clothes were bright with strange patterns, too dazzling compared to the simple wear of this region.

Ray halted before them. “What are you selling?” he asked calmly.

One of the merchant leaders stepped forward. “Who are you, boy?”

“I am the son of the Lord of this region,” Ray replied without hesitation. “Those huge wagons of yours caught my attention, so I came to see.”

Though he appeared polite,he wondered who these people were who were reading here yet didn’t know the blanks of Western region.

Another man beside the merchant muttered something and the group exchanged glances.

Then one of them forced a smile. “We have many goods, young lord. Spices, silks, tools, weapons, and exotic items from far lands.”

Ray nodded, curiosity growing. “Can I take a look?”

Just then one man grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. The guards reacted instantly but Ray raised his hand to stop them.

“It’s alright,” he signalled.

The man opened a cloth draped over the side of a wagon and gestured inside. Ray stepped forward and peeked in. His eyes widened.

Inside were dozens of girls cramped together, barely clothed, dirty and trembling. Their eyes were hollow like their souls had been drained.

The merchant leader leaned close to Ray’s ear. “Young lord, pick one. All of them are ripe and juicy.”

Ray felt his breath hitch. Heat rose in his body but he forced himself to remain calm. He swallowed hard and looked at the leader.

He wanted to draw his sword but remembered his father’s words.

‘Think before you do lest you commit a mistake.’

“Where did you get all these?” he asked.

“Uhh, these… These were survivors from a Dark Religion raid. We captured them as slaves and we are transporting them to the capital to sell.”

Ray froze for a second.He didn’t know what was right or wrong.

Was this legal or illegal? He had no idea how these things worked.

“Is it legal?”

“Of course. Nobles pay heavily for women to satisfy their tastes.”

Ray’s eyes trembled faintly. The girls looked lifeless and hopeless. His chest tightened painfully.

“Do not think too much, young lord. They are widows and discarded beings. Giving them to nobles is a blessing. They will live better and not worry about anything again,” the leader, named Kea, whispered into Ray’s ear.

Ray swallowed again. His heart felt heavy for some reason. He thought maybe it was not his place to judge.

Maybe nobles knew better than he did after all since they are allowing it this must be legal right?

Just then a violent jolt came from inside the wagon.

Creak!

“Stop!”

A woman suddenly tried to escape. Ray snapped to attention and saw mercenaries dragging her down. She bit into one guard’s arm, tearing flesh, then spat blood and screamed.

“Please save us! These beasts killed women’s children and husbands. They destroyed our homes. They left only women alive to take and sell. Please, we beg you—”

She could speak no more as a mercenary stuffed her mouth and pinned her down.

Kea stepped forward, panic flashing in his eyes. “Do not listen to her. She is a liar. She is a madwoman.”

Kea then turned around with a murderous intent and shouted,”Kill her if necessary!”

But his words faltered when he felt a chilling pressure spreading through the air.

A cold aura followed by a trembling silence fell.

Something had changed in Ray’s eyes.