Novel Full Chapter 453: Promotion
Chapter 453: Promotion
The days in Blanks gradually returned to their usual rhythm after the battle.
Soldiers repaired damaged walls while patrol units rotated across the frontier. Merchants slowly returned to the market streets, and the people of the territory began rebuilding the parts that had been destroyed during the fighting.
Inside the administrative hall of Blanks, Rathlos was busy handling the daily work.
Stacks of reports, trade records, and supply lists were spread across the large wooden desk in front of him. As the person temporarily overseeing the administration, most of the routine matters had fallen into his hands.
It was a usual day for him.
Clerks moved back and forth carrying documents while guards stood quietly along the walls.
Just as Rathlos finished reviewing a shipment report, the heavy door of the hall suddenly opened.
A messenger stepped inside quickly.
The man wore formal attire and carried a sealed letter in both hands. The wax seal on the envelope gleamed red under the light.
More importantly, the mark pressed into the wax made everyone freeze.
It was the Imperial seal.
The seal of the Arcadia Royal Family.
The entire hall immediately fell silent.
Even the clerks stopped writing.
Rathlos frowned slightly as he stood up from his chair. He walked forward and accepted the letter carefully.
The moment he felt the weight of the seal in his hand, he knew this was not an ordinary message.
Without wasting time, Rathlos headed toward the inner chamber where the household members were gathered.
Inside the room, Sophia and the others were discussing daily matters.
When Rathlos entered, all of them turned their heads.
“Sister, what’s this?” Lia asked curiously the moment she noticed the sealed letter in his hand.
Rathlos bowed slightly before speaking.
“A message from the Imperial Court.”
The moment those words were spoken, the room instantly became tense.
Sophia stood up from her seat.
“What?” Diana said with widened eyes.
Claira leaned forward and stared at the letter carefully.
“Wait… that seal… isn’t that the Royal seal?”
Mira blinked in surprise.
“Did the Emperor send a letter here?”
Sophia herself looked stunned for a moment.
“Sister, what’s this?” Lia asked again, her curiosity turning into excitement.
Sophia raised her hand slightly.
“Calm down, girls. Calm down,” she said while trying to steady her own breathing.
Then she turned toward Rathlos.
“Did you inform Ethan?”
“Yes, Milady,” Rathlos replied respectfully. “I have informed him. He said that you can take a look.”
“He will come back shortly.”
Sophia nodded slowly.
Now that she had permission, she carefully took the letter.
It would not be a lie to say she was excited.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she broke the wax seal.
The moment the envelope opened, a golden crest appeared on the parchment inside.
The symbol of the Arcadia Royal Family shone clearly above the official decree.
Sophia unfolded the letter while the others crowded closer around her.
She began reading aloud.
The letter first described Ethan’s contributions during the war. It mentioned his defense of Frostvele, his destruction of multiple demon generals, and his success in protecting the western frontier.
The words were filled with praise.
The Imperial Court openly acknowledged that Ethan’s actions had stabilized the region and prevented a dangerous breakthrough by the demon army.
Each line spoke about loyalty, bravery, and service to the Empire.
The room grew quieter as Sophia continued reading.
Then she reached the final part of the letter.
Her voice suddenly paused.
Everyone looked at her.
Sophia swallowed once and read the final sentence slowly.
“By the authority of the Arcadia Empire, and in recognition of outstanding service, Count Ethan is hereby elevated to the noble rank of Marquise.”
She lowered the letter slightly.
“Congratulations, Marquise Ethan, on your promotion.”
A deadly silence filled the room.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Everyone looked at one another in shock and disbelief.
Ethan…
He became a Marquise.
And not just any marquise.
A Marquise of the Arcadia Empire.
Mira covered her mouth.
Diana blinked repeatedly as if trying to confirm she heard correctly.
Claira stared at the letter with wide eyes.
Lia whispered slowly.
“Holy shit…”
The silence lasted only one second more.
Then suddenly—
A loud scream exploded across the room.
“AHHHHHHHHHHH!”
….
“AHHHHH!”
“For real?” Ethan asked aloud in shock while staring at the crystal ball floating before him. Inside the glowing surface, Sophia’s excited face appeared clearly.
“Yes, Ethan. It’s true. You have become a Marquise.”
Her voice was still filled with disbelief and excitement.
However, Ethan did not feel as elated as the others.
Instead, a faint trace of weariness appeared in his eyes.The promotion had come too suddenly.
Normally, such a rank would not be given so easily. Promotions in the Empire usually took years, and sometimes even generations of service.
Yet this had come just like that.
It raised suspicion.
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly while thinking about it.However, whatever the reason might be, this was still good news for the territory.
This kind of recognition from the Empire would strengthen his position greatly.
He exhaled softly.
“This still calls for victory,” Ethan said with a faint smile.
“Sophia, ask Rathlos to organize a celebration. I will also give everyone a party.”
“People have been quite tired.”
Sophia nodded happily from the other side.
“Of course. I will tell him immediately.”
After that, Ethan asked briefly about his children and how everyone in Blanks was doing. He also asked about Herion and Ray before ending the conversation.
The crystal ball dimmed slowly and the room fell quiet again.
Just then, a soft sound came from the side.
A figure stepped forward and bowed her head respectfully.
“Here is the drink you ordered, Master.”
Ethan raised his eyes and looked at the woman standing before him.
It was Kassandra.
Even now, the former demon assassin still carried an unusual presence. Her long dark hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and her sharp eyes held a faint crimson glow. Her figure was slim yet graceful, and her movements were calm and controlled like someone trained for stealth.
Despite her dangerous background, her appearance was strikingly beautiful. Her posture remained straight while she held the glass carefully in both hands.
Ethan accepted the drink and took a slow gulp.
‘Who knew she would hide such a figure,’ he thought quietly.
If not for the Soul Stamp… no, if Amber had not appeared at that moment, Ethan might have killed her immediately during the battle.
But now things had changed.
The Soul Stamp had bound her completely, and she had no way to resist his orders.
Since she was already here, Ethan felt it would be a waste not to make use of her abilities.
He placed the glass down and glanced at her again.
“Very well, Kassandra,” Ethan said calmly.
“Go and inform Julia to organize things. We will be having a blast.”
Kassandra bowed her head again without hesitation.
“Yes, Master.”
Then she turned and quietly left the room to carry out the order while preparations for the celebration slowly began across Frostvele.