CHAPTER 210: DIVINE BEARER

"But," Mirabella grinned, "you will still have to follow me."

A bright light radiated from her body.

Zarek immediately felt his mind almost completely bound, as if a terrifying force was trying to imprison it. The pressure was heavy and suffocating.

His vision blurred, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

But within moments, a blue panel appeared before him. Zarek’s consciousness returned, though he didn’t move his body and kept his eyes closed.

[You have adapted to weak divine power]

[You have gained an exclusive skill bound to Adapt: Divine Bearer]

—

Divine Bearer

The first step to becoming a god. The user gains the ability to have a chance to manifest a sacred image. Followers may pray upon this image, channeling Fate Energy back to the user.

—

Mirabella approached, lifted him in her arms, and turned to take off.

"Umm," Kaeric called out hesitantly.

"What is it?" Mirabella frowned, turning toward him.

"If he can’t lift the sword, can you send him directly to our Empire? I’ve already betrothed him to my daughter, so..." Kaeric spoke shamelessly at this moment.

Even if Zarek couldn’t lift Excalibur, his growth had been insane. And as Mirabella mentioned, he possessed the purest human bloodline. He could produce a worthy heir for the Empire.

Zarek if given enough time will surely reach Paragon, then their power might soon surpass all other empires.

So, even though Zarek hadn’t agreed, Kaeric had already accepted in his heart without his consent, how dare a mere general disobey the emperor’s will? Besides this was his honour and he could always use the sheer number of resources to entice him.

"Very well."

Mirabella’s voice was calm and quiet as she lifted into the air, cradling Zarek against her boosomes. Her figure blurred into a shimmering haze as she soared swiftly across the skies.

The two kings stood in silence, watching her vanish into the distance. They exchanged a glance, then both sighed.

Though not a single word was spoken, the same thought echoed clearly in their minds:

’This damn church... if it weren’t for her direct connection with our Human God, we would have already annihilated her.’

The church had clashed with the interests of every empire across the lands and had even destroyed some of their gains. It was safe to say they had thoroughly offended the top brass of all the great powers.

But if they dared to openly oppose the church, their fate might mirror that of the fallen empire, completely swallowed by the sea.

Anyway, Mirabella swiftly traveled through the sky. Then she tilted her head downward, gazing at Zarek resting in her bosoms, a gentle smile gracing her face.

Suddenly, her grip loosened.

In an instant, Zarek slipped from her embrace and entered a free fall, crashing toward the ground.

A cloud of dust erupted around him, hiding his entire form.

"Oops, I slipped my hand," Mirabella chuckled as she descended to the ground. As the dust settled, it revealed Zarek’s body, prime and pristine.

Then she soared even higher than before, and in the next moment, her hand loosened once more.

Zarek crashed to the ground with a brutal smash, the impact almost forming a crater as the earth caved in beneath him.

Mirabella swooped down again to catch him, finding his figure completely unharmed, without a single scratch.

Then she lifted him into the air, higher than ever before, reaching beyond the clouds, her hand loosened again.

Zarek fell for the third time.

This time, the impact was even more terrifying, like a meteorite striking the ground.

Everything was torn asunder. It was like a nuclear blast had struck, without the fire, radiation, or mushroom cloud though.

The first time, it might have seemed like a coincidence. The second time, a fumble, a little sus. But the third time?

Zarek knew she was playing with him. But, he didn’t do anything, just lying motionlessly. He was quite curious what this woman was pointing at.

Besides, his body felt like it was growing stronger with each fall, so he let her do as she pleased.

This time, Mirabella lifted him even higher, almost reaching outer space. But in the final moments before breaking through, a flicker of hesitation crossed her face, and she began flying back down.

"Time Save."

Zarek quickly recorded his body’s current state in Time. Even if he died, he could rewind Time and recover.

"You’ll really die if you fall from here." This time, there was a hint of uncertainty in Mirabella’s tone.

"..." Zarek said nothing.

Without another word, she let go.

He plummeted, brutal, even more so than before.

His body was shattered, bruises covering him from head to toe. His internal organs: his spleen, his heart, were on the verge of rupture. He was a breath away from death.

Then, at the very edge of oblivion, a blue panel flickered into view:

[Your life is in critical condition. You have activated the title: Supreme Man of Wonders]

In that instant, Zarek felt a surge of power blaze through his veins. Something within him ignited, keeping him afloat, keeping him alive.

This title was almost overkill but it allowed Zarek to adapt to all the damage he had sustained on the brink of death. His entire body was now strengthening at a rapid pace.

Mirabella swooped down and landed beside the cratered earth, staring at Zarek’s recovering body with disbelief in her eyes.

"How powerful are you?" she asked coldly. "I know you resisted my divine power, so stop pretending."

"..." Zarek remained silent.

A chilling wind swept through the ruined ground, brushing against the skin of the two.

"Move. Right. Now." Mirabella’s voice dropped dangerously. Her pupils locked onto him, a terrifying killing intent radiating from her form.

The gentle smile on her lips was filled with malice.

Zarek’s eyes snapped open. His blue pupils locked onto her, and without missing a beat, he spoke in a cold, steady tone:

"You knew I was conscious, so why are you playing games with me?"

"I should be asking you that," Mirabella replied, shaking her head as her gaze fell on his blue pupils. "Your eyes, they’re quite beautiful."

Zarek narrowed his gaze. "How did you know?"

"Oh, how did I know?" Mirabella’s smile vanished, her expression turning cold and unreadable.

"I’ve been watching you since the Dragon Hunting Festival."

At that moment, Zarek’s terrifying conjecture was confirmed.

She really did stalk him the entire time!