War God's Contracted Marriage

The War Gods Unexpected Proposal (Escaping marriage)

"Are you kidding me?" Ruth exclaimed, his voice laced with shock.

Melina, equally startled by his reaction, took a step back before regaining her composure. "Hey, calm down. You were the one who told me to find someone trustworthy to marry. And honestly, I trust you more than anyone else. Besides, I can even teach you martial arts. Isn’t that a great deal for you?"

Ruth shook his head, still baffled. "How could you take my words seriously? It was just a casual suggestion! You really scared me there."

Melina chuckled. "Relax, I was just teasing you. But seriously, I do appreciate you keeping my identity a secret."

Ruth sighed. "I just did what I thought was right. But you can’t stay here for too long. You should return to your family and discuss it with them. If you truly can’t find anyone else, then… you can contact me."

Melina pouted. "It’s not that easy to find someone trustworthy. The Collins might offer more than we can, and that could sway people's loyalty. Finding someone reliable is almost a miracle. But since this makes you uncomfortable, I won’t force you. I don’t want you to experience the same pain I have."

For some reason, an unfamiliar sense of loss crept over her. It felt as though she had let go of something precious, yet she couldn’t quite grasp what it was. This was the first time she had felt such a strange, surreal emotion.

Meanwhile, Ruth found himself lost in thought. There’s more to this than meets the eye. This marriage proposal… it’s not as simple as it seems. But why do I hate the idea of her belonging to someone else?

After chatting for a while, Melina retired to her room for the night. Ruth, on the other hand, remained deep in thought about the path ahead.

Outside, the search parties continued their frantic efforts. Fortunately, no one had come knocking on his door yet. My little act must have worked. But it won’t be long before someone discovers this place.

At the Same Time…

The Lyndens, desperately searching for their young miss, were stunned by the sheer number of men the Collins had hired. Fear and anxiety gripped them as they prayed for her safety.

Among them was Jenni, dressed in a camouflage outfit to blend into the forest. Just as she was about to move, her phone rang.

Annoyed, she answered without checking the caller ID. "Whoever this is, call me back later. I’m busy."

But before she could hang up, the voice on the other end sent a chill down her spine.

"Hmm… so bold. What will you do if I insist on talking?"

A cold sweat broke out over her body as fear gripped her. "My apologies, Lord," she stammered. "I didn’t realize it was you. I was caught up in something urgent and—"

Ruth chuckled. "No need for the formalities. I know you’re looking for your daughter. She’s safe with me for now, so you should call off your search and withdraw your forces."

"If you continue, don’t blame me for what happens next."

Jenni sighed in relief but felt an undercurrent of tension. "Understood, my Lord. If you have any commands, I will follow them."

"You’ve always been sharp," Ruth remarked. "Listen, she doesn’t know who I am—she thinks I’m just an ordinary man. Right now, she’s teaching me martial arts. In return, I offered her a simple solution: return to her family and find someone trustworthy to marry. But then… she proposed marriage to me instead."

Jenni froze. "She what?! That reckless girl—how dare she say such a thing?"

Ruth coughed. "Don’t be too hard on her. I admire her spirit, and I’m not offended. When she returns home, follow her lead. And if she truly can’t find anyone trustworthy… then I’ll step in."

Jenni felt like she had stepped into another world. The ruthless War God… showing kindness? And he’s not rejecting my daughter outright?

If she marries him, even in name only, our family’s struggles would be over.

Just as her mind raced with possibilities, Ruth’s voice snapped her back to reality.

"I know what you’re thinking," he said coolly. "But let me be clear—I will not be a tool for your family’s gains. I prefer to remain in the shadows. If those old fools find out where I am, they’ll come knocking, bringing nothing but trouble."

Jenni exhaled slowly. "I understand, my Lord."

"Good. Now, withdraw your forces and have your family return to the mansion."

Without hesitation, Jenni relayed the order. Her subordinates, shocked by the sudden retreat, suspected something was amiss. But they dared not question her.

Meanwhile…

The Collins' men scoured the forest, growing increasingly frustrated. Finally, they found traces of their target deeper in the woods.

Unbeknownst to them, danger lurked in the shadows.

Ruth, now dressed in black, seamlessly blended into the darkness, moving like a phantom. One by one, he eliminated the men, his methods swift and ruthless.

The Collins' search party soon noticed something was wrong. Their numbers were dwindling, and the bodies they discovered were far from the work of wild animals.

Some corpses had crushed chests. Others had shattered skulls or broken limbs. The gruesome sight sent shivers down their spines. Fear settled in as they regrouped, retreating to the forest’s edge.

When Raymond, the Collins' leader, received word of the situation, his frustration boiled over.

Just then, his uncle, Savy, stepped forward. Unlike the others, Savy was a skilled second-level mage, capable of wielding mana—a rare ability within the Collins family.

Sensing a formidable presence approaching, Ruth remained unfazed. He simply lit a cigar, inhaling deeply as the smoke curled into the night air.

When Savy arrived, he was met with an eerie sight: a young man, his clothes soaked in blood, standing amidst the c*****e.

Yet, the man looked utterly at ease, casually smoking as though he hadn’t just slaughtered an entire battalion.

Savy narrowed his eyes, unable to gauge the stranger’s strength. He found it hard to believe that a lone young man could pose a threat.

"Who are you?" Savy demanded. "What are you doing here? I suggest you leave before you get caught up in something beyond your understanding."

Ruth exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression unreadable. He remained motionless.

Savy clenched his fists. He had no idea that the predator standing before him was far deadlier than he could ever imagine.