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

"Papa, I want to go too! Take me," Nera said as she snuggled against Ethan's chest.

She puffed her chest accompanied by a little pout and tearful eyes making it hard for him to resist.

"Yes, me too! Take me!" Herion added quickly, pressing his cheek against Ethan's arm. His innocent eagerness made Ethan chuckle helplessly.

"Nera, Herion, you two are still too small to go out," Ethan said gently, brushing Nera's hair away from her face. "Grow up a bit more, and I promise I'll take you next time."

Both children looked disappointed, but they nodded reluctantly.

All of this started when Ethan decided to take Ray along for the trip. As his eldest son and already at beginner stage, Ray had never set foot outside the Blank Estate. Ethan thought it was time his son saw the world and learned how things worked beyond their walls.

However, somehow Miranda got wind of the plan, begging him to take her out and that was when things turned chaotic.

She had thrown a tantrum, insisting she wouldn't let Ray go alone. And in the end, Ethan had to give in and take her along too.

Ethan sighed softly as he looked down at his little ones. He crossed past Nera and Herion, only to see Leon standing quietly in front of him. The boy stretched out his small arms and spoke in a soft voice, "Hug!"

Ethan's heart softened instantly. He knelt down, hugged Leon tightly, and kissed the top of his head. Then he turned to Sophia, Lia, and Diana, embracing each of them one by one. He held them close for a long moment before stepping back.

"I'll be back soon," he said with a small smile.

Sophia smiled faintly but there was worry in her eyes. Lia simply nodded while Diana gave him a brief but firm look, the kind that said take care of yourself.

With everything ready, Ethan climbed into the carriage. His elite knights stood by, armored and alert. Even though Randall wasn't with them this time, Blank Estate was no longer a one-man effort. Over the years, several intermediate knights had risen within his ranks, each commanding their own region with loyalty and discipline.

Meanwhile, his secret shadow force had already begun spreading quietly under the cover of his business network. From the outside, it looked like trade and commerce, but underneath, it was a web of information and influence. Slowly, Ethan's reach had started to spread through the western region, inching toward other territories.

He looked at his men, then leaned back in his seat. "Let's go," he said calmly.

The driver snapped the reins.

"Neighhh!" The horses roared as they began to move, hooves striking the dirt road. The carriage rolled forward, leaving behind the estate gates as dust rose under the golden light of morning.

...

The world outside the carriage was alive, filled with different types of color and structure.

Rolling green hills stretched endlessly beneath a sky painted in soft shades of blue and gold.

Birds darted through the air, and the faint scent of wildflowers drifted in with the wind. For Ray and Miranda, who had rarely stepped beyond the walls of Blank Estate, everything felt magical.

"It looks so different from outside," Miranda said with wonder, popping a few bites of cheesy popcorn into her mouth. Her wide eyes glowed with excitement as she leaned against the window, watching the passing scenery.

Ray nodded, just as mesmerized. "Father," he asked after a while, his curious eyes shifting toward Ethan, "what is the purpose of this trip?"

At that moment, the cheerful atmosphere inside the carriage froze. Ethan blinked, and a faint bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

'What should I even say?' he thought nervously. 'That I might be going to bring them a new mother?'

If what Sophia said was true, then Countess Rina's sudden request to meet him might not be about business at all. It could mean something much more… complicated.

He coughed lightly and forced a composed smile. "Cough... I am going there for business," he said in a calm tone. "You know Countess Rina handles our warehouse and transport matters. We need to discuss some very important things about her figures."

"That's good," Miranda said innocently, tilting her head. "But Father, why are you sweating so much?"

Ethan's expression darkened instantly. "Shut up," he muttered, looking away.

Under the protection of the seasoned knights, their entourage continued to move smoothly along the dirt road. The rhythmic sound of hooves striking the ground mixed with the rustle of leaves from the forest that flanked the road. The air was calm, and for a moment, it seemed like the journey would remain peaceful.

Miranda and Ray sat near the window, quietly observing everything. Farmers worked in the distant fields, and a few merchants passed by with their wagons.

Everything looked ordinary until screams erupted.

"Aahhh!"

"Kyaaa!"

The carriage jolted violently to a stop. Miranda screamed, her face pressing against the window from the sudden impact.

"What's happening?" she gasped, her eyes darting toward the outside.

Through the glass, she saw people running in panic. Villagers were sprinting down the road, clutching their children and shouting in terror.

"Brother!" she cried out.

Ray immediately looked through the window, his sharp eyes scanning the fleeing people.

"They're villagers," he muttered, his tone turning serious. "But what are they running from?"

Ethan didn't reply right away. His eyes were closed, and a faint ripple of power spread from him as he extended his senses outward. Then, without warning, he snapped his eyes open.

"Shit," he hissed, pushing the carriage door open. "There's a monster horde incoming!"

He jumped out of the carriage and shouted, "Prepare for battle! Tell the villagers to hide behind us! Quickly issue my command!"

"Yes, sir!" The knights responded immediately.

Their armor clinked as they spread into formation.

Ethan turned back toward the carriage. "You two stay inside," he said firmly.

"Father, I want to fight," Ray said quickly, his eyes burning with determination.