Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 258

Chapter 258: 258: Declaration Of War
“Quick… Go!”

Dust flew behind hooves like smoke trailing fire. A man at the lead rode with knights beside him. They galloped as fast as horses could move. Their armor rattled, breath rushed, and urgency sat like knives in their throats. Their goal was simple. Stop things before they get too far.

But when they reached Blanks everyone froze.

Duke Phillips pulled the reins so hard the horse almost reared. His eyes widened until it almost popped out.

He stared forward with a trembling breath.

Before him stood a sea of soldiers. Rows of knights so disciplined and sharp that even wind seemed hesitant to pass between them. Their armor gleamed like silver ice under the sun.

Their swords reflected light like falling stars. Their stance was unmoving and cold like statues carved from steel. Their aura pressed like weight on the chest. Every heartbeat felt heavier just seeing them.

He had troops of 1500 under him. Trained knights. Skilled riders. Loyal men. Yet the ones he was looking at now were different. Their eyes looked like sharpened blades that saw through flesh and bone. Their posture was perfect and their breath was steady. They looked like elites born from war itself. Even one of them felt like it could fight five. His throat dried.

And then came the crowd behind them.

People were not afraid. Instead they looked like they were ready to bite through iron. They roared and cursed with devotion so fierce it chilled blood.

Housewives. Farmers. Blacksmiths. Old folks and young. All staring forward like beasts awakened. Anger and love boiled together. Loyalty burned like wildfire. Even children clenched fists with shining eyes. Duke Phillips felt sweat slide down his back.

His lips trembled.

“Ahhhh!”

“What the fuckkkk!”

Shock twisted his face. He almost screamed again.

“Is this person going to rebel?”

Fear swallowed him whole.

Thousands stood united.

They were not forced nor were they driven by fear.

Rather they were driven by devotion. Driven by love so deep that even kings rarely held. They would kill for their Lord and they would die for Ethan.

Duke Phillips felt his heart hammer like drum strikes inside his rib cage. This scene alone could topple kingdoms.

……..

Ethan watched all of it. His heart filled with joy and emotion he could hardly hide. The reaction from his people was far greater than he imagined. It was powerful and terrifying and beautiful. Yet he could also see it spiraling out of control. Their anger might burn too fast and too wild.

He took a slow breath and raised his hand.

Just one silent command.And with just a glance everyone went quiet.

The giant roar that shook the land died like someone cut the world’s voice. The silence that followed was heavy enough to feel on the skin. Even strong men felt a chill crawl along their spine. The sudden calm after such explosive rage made hearts thump nervously.

Blanks was a hub of food and trade. Many outsiders lived here. Merchants. Travelers. Workers. Seeing the amount of respect Ethan carried felt unreal to them. Some stared with jaws loose. Some swallowed in disbelief.

Can even a King make people kneel like this?

Ptuuiii.

A merchant spat slightly with disbelief.

It would be a blessing if commoners did not curse a king’s ancestors behind his back. But here people praised Ethan like a saint and swore to kill for him like soldiers sworn to death.

Ethan looked around slowly. His eyes calm yet cold like deep waters hiding storms.

“It had been a year or more when members of the Evil Cultish attacked the region.”

“The terror that brought was unshakable. Turning people to undead zombies, killing their lives and harvesting their life essence to fuel their god.”

Murmurs ran through the crowd. Memories returned like ghosts.

“I personally fought alongside the Duchess to kill those evil Priests and bring an end to the tyranny.”

“I thought the Western region would be ushered by peace. However…”

He paused. His eyes closed slowly. His face showed sadness so real that it cut through hearts like a knife. People clenched teeth. Some bowed their heads.

Their Lord looked hurt and they could not bear it.

“The villages and places that had been destroyed should be provided with aid.However…”

Voices cracked in the silence.

“Instead of providing aid, the people had been taken as slaves.”

“Thousands of people are imprisoned and sold as slaves.”

Gasps echoed one after another.

“At first I wondered what’s going on so I dug deeper.”

“The reason is because the Kingdom offers concessions.”

Shock spread like lightning. Even Randall, Joel and others exchanged stiff looks.

“Yes, concession… The labour forces are sold to other empires through trafficking.”

“Also nobles of the central are also buying slaves and reaping the poor souls.”

Ethan pulled a bundle of paper tied together. His movements are steady. He threw them into the air and papers scattered like white birds.

“So I personally sent pleas to the Centre to stop this.”

“But since my pleas fell into dead ears.”

“I wrote to the Merchant Guild and Adventure Guild to stop this farce.”

“I even warned them to not touch Western region but you see the result. Adventure Guild had banned us. The Merchant Association also banned us and bandits are running rampant.”

Voices burst again from the crowd.

“So that’s why mercenaries had stopped taking commission.”

“And merchants blocked supplies! Prices rose to the sky!”

“Thankfully our Lord acted otherwise we would starve!”

Their words grew heavy and anger rose in their heart.

Ethan raised his head. His voice was deep and cold.

“But…”

Just one word silenced storms.

A faint word yet carrying unshakable will shook the place.

“BUTTTFF I HADDDD ENOUGHH OF THISSSS BULLSHIT!”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

His eyes glowed like lightning trapped in ice. In the next moment his body released terrifying power. Mana erupted like a volcano. Pressure blasted outward in a violent wave. Wind howled like a hurricane ripping through dry fields. Dust spiraled. Clothes whipped wildly. Some weaker ones staggered, legs almost turning jelly.

A dense murderous intent exploded. It painted the air red in their minds. The world shook like thunder. Crows scattered from rooftops. Swords rattled. Even Duke Phillips felt knees weaken.

Ethan raised his sword. Metal glinted like star-fire.

He slammed it into the ground.

CRACK!

The earth split. A shockwave roared outward. The sky above flashed like lightning answering his rage. Thunder echoed as Ethan went all out without holding anything back.

This was a declaration.

Of wrath and of war against the bastards who dared to loot people.