Witches: Starting as a Lord Marrying a Wife

Crack!

The air was filled with the sound of shattering ice as Hobbes, the Ice Wolf Knight, roared in frustration. He activated his Arctic Ice Wolf bloodline to its fullest, summoning every ounce of its icy power.

Frost began to form over Hobbes's body, the freezing force of his bloodline matching the might of the Frost Wolf Duke's powers. Though comparable in rank, the Arctic Ice Wolf had always been considered superior in manipulating icy elements.

With a swift and deadly motion, Hobbes launched his Ice Wolf Strike, his sword infused with chilling energy as he lunged at David like a hunting wolf.

Frost Wolf Armor!

The two forces collided with a deafening explosion.

Hobbes's Ice Wolf Fang clashed against David's Frost Wolf Armor, creating a violent standoff. Hobbes poured every ounce of his combat aura into his blade, forcing it against David's icy defense.

The clash was relentless.

Combat aura and frost energy clashed repeatedly, sparks and shards of ice flying in all directions.

Crack! Crack!

The pressure of Hobbes's assault began to overwhelm David's armor, cracks forming across its surface.

David's eyes narrowed as he pushed his bloodline power to its limits. Within his mind, the Frost Wolf Spirit surged, surrounded by the faint glow of his mental energy.

Crack!

Finally, the Frost Wolf Armor shattered, and the Ice Wolf Fang pierced David's shoulder.

But before Hobbes could retreat, David seized him with both hands.

David's mental energy fully activated the Frost Wolf Spirit, drawing ice elements from within his body and the surrounding environment.

His Intermediate Ice Elemental Talent, Tier Four Frost Wolf Bloodline, and Frost Wolf Spirit combined into a terrifying surge of energy.

In an instant, ice began to creep over Hobbes's body.

Frost crystals climbed his limbs, freezing him from the outside in. Even the slightest movement became impossible as the biting cold invaded his veins, threatening to extinguish his life force.

"What… is this?!"

Hobbes stared in shock as his body succumbed to the relentless freeze.

"The Frost Wolf Bloodline… how can it command this level of icy power?!"

He had only seen such mastery of ice in the legendary knights of the Crystal Song Kingdom. Could the Frost Wolf Duke somehow also wield the powers of an Ice Wizard?

The thought crossed his mind, but there was no time for an answer.

The frost consumed him entirely, locking him in a solid block of ice. His organs, blood, and even his consciousness froze.

In a matter of moments, the formidable Ice Wolf Knight, a Tier Four Earth Knight, became a lifeless ice statue.

David exhaled, his breath visible in the frigid air.

"We… we won."

Roman, using his sword to support himself, collapsed to the ground, his face filled with disbelief.

The Frost Wolf Duke had broken through to Earth Knight status during the battle and managed to kill the renowned Ice Wolf Knight.

Defeating an Earth Knight was impressive enough, but outright killing one was a rarity. Knights of such rank could typically retreat even in dire circumstances.

For David to obliterate Hobbes so thoroughly meant only one thing: he was a prodigy of unprecedented skill.

Roman couldn't believe what he had witnessed.

But as reality sank in, his disbelief turned into relief. They had survived.

Not only that, the Frost Wolf Duke had stayed true to his word, risking everything to protect the princess. Roman's admiration and gratitude toward David grew exponentially.

"Ha ha ha!"

Gray Wolf Knight's laughter echoed as he knocked down the snow wolf that had been guarding Hobbes.

"The Frost Wolf family has produced another Earth Knight!"

Though he, too, marveled at David's rapid progress—awakening his bloodline and advancing to Earth Knight in mere months—he had grown used to such miraculous feats.

In his eyes, it was only a matter of time before David ascended to even greater heights.

With Hobbes defeated and the snow wolf subdued, the crisis had passed.

David finally allowed himself to relax.

As the adrenaline faded, exhaustion and pain from his injured shoulder overwhelmed him. His body swayed, and darkness crept into his vision.

Before he lost consciousness, he felt himself fall into a soft embrace.

---

In the master bedroom of the castle, Leah, Amy, and Rena gathered around David's bedside, their faces full of concern.

Though the bleeding from his shoulder wound had stopped, the sight of the deep puncture was still alarming.

"Don't worry," Leah reassured them. "Lord David is an Earth Knight now. He'll recover quickly."

Amy nodded, her trust in David unwavering.

Rena, however, hesitated before speaking.

"Can I stay with him alone for a while?"

Leah and Amy exchanged glances before Leah gently led Amy out of the room, leaving Rena to care for David.

Alone, Rena took a deep breath and approached the bed.

She studied the man who had fought so fiercely for her, the memories of the battle playing over in her mind.

Her expression softened as she placed her head on his broad chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

For the first time in her life, Rena felt truly safe.

She had never imagined someone would protect her so selflessly.

The Fr

ost Wolf Duke had given her a sense of security she had never known before.

For Rena, this man had become her home.