Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1650 - 570: The Pros and Cons of Becoming a God (Part 2)

"Can you possibly escape?" Rein taunted, raising the sub-key and directing it at Erebus.

One grain!

Two grains!

Three grains...

As three crystalline grains were consumed within the sub-key, transforming into white mist, Erebus's colossal form was astonishingly blasted backward yet again.

"Matilda, you actually bestowed your divine artifact upon this mortal!"

"Damn it all!"

"Could this human be your illegitimate offspring?"

"You vile creature!"

"Silence. You prattle too much." With a swift motion of Rein's high-frequency blade, Erebus, mid-tirade of hateful curses, suddenly froze, his venomous words abruptly silenced!

The immense divine form began to disintegrate into countless minuscule points of black and gray light. Left floating in the air was a sole divine fragment, significantly larger than the preceding six, its size comparable to a human infant's head.

As Rein extended his hand, the divine fragment settled gently into his grasp.

Witnessing Rein's effortless defeat of Erebus's Demigod-level avatar, Goddess Matilda couldn't help but cast him a second, more scrutinizing glance.

...

Half an hour elapsed.

The lowest stratum of the Floating Layer.

"This Fiend Demon avatar can only be contained for a duration shy of a fortnight. King Rein, do you intend to utilize the sub-key repeatedly to prolong its imprisonment?"

Goddess Matilda, positioned beside the vibrantly hued vortex shield, turned to address Rein.

Confronted with Matilda's inquiry, Rein found himself momentarily speechless.

After all, his strategy was rather audacious, potentially staggering to all who knew.

"King Rein, my counsel remains unchanged: absorb faith as swiftly as possible to ascend into a more enduring Demigod."

"Hmm?" Rein couldn't suppress a flicker of surprise. Due to his rapid progression, he hadn't thoroughly investigated the distinctions between a Full Moon Wizard and a Demigod.

From Matilda's tone, it was evident that substantial differences existed between a Full Moon Wizard and a Demigod, particularly concerning lifespan.

"Eh? You were unaware?" Now, it was Matilda's turn to exhibit astonishment.

However, she readily shared her knowledge, elaborating on the variances for Rein.

"Should you opt for faith absorption, a sacred connection will be forged with your devotees... Your physical form shall transmute into a divine body... Corresponding innate wizardry will evolve into specific divine authorities..."

Following Goddess Matilda's comprehensive explanation, reinforcement dawned upon Rein's countenance!

It transpired that by embracing the path of faith, upon reaching the Demigod stage, one could ignite divine fire and manifest a divine body through the populace's devotion, thereby attaining immense longevity.

Conversely, a wizard, in essence, chooses to hoard power for personal gain but faces limitations regarding their lifespan.

In terms of sheer longevity, Fifth and Sixth level wizards were demonstrably inferior to the divine.

Nevertheless, the divergent paths ultimately converged.

"However, should you commit to the path of faith, your ultimate trajectory will be bound by that faith, rendering departure from this world impossible. Should you venture towards the Wizard World, your divine body would inevitably disintegrate."

Goddess Matilda bestowed another profound look upon Rein, adding this crucial caveat.

"Unable to depart?" Rein's expression shifted dramatically, his brow immediately furrowing in concern.

"Forgive my inquisitiveness, but what prompted your decision to become... a deity, in your time?" After a brief pause, Rein inquired.

"In that era... had I not intervened, perhaps... this world would have faced utter annihilation, its inhabitants enslaved, or worse, consumed." Matilda's gaze turned distant, tinged with recollection.

Rein perceived the subtle undertone of resignation within her voice.

No wonder!

It was understandable why so few beings native to this realm chose the divine path after attaining Full Moon Wizard status.

Yet, this revelation only amplified Rein's admiration for the Seasonal Wind and Ocean Goddess standing before him.

The Goddess must have wielded the Key of Time sub-key to confront the fiends and malevolent gods.

The employment of such a divine artifact necessitated the expenditure of vast quantities of lifespan, thus making the absorption of faith and the ignition of divine fire an imperative.

"Thank you. I shall give your words serious consideration." Rein offered a slight bow, expressing gratitude for the goddess's counsel.

Despite his profound respect, Rein refrained from revealing his capacity for rapid divine fragment assimilation, as such an ability defied conventional explanation.

"Indeed, King Rein, while you have acquired several divine fragments, your strength can escalate further within a decade."

"However, do not disregard a significant external factor: the rapid undulation of the energy tide, which will manifest far sooner than you anticipate, therefore..." Matilda paused.

"I comprehend," Rein affirmed with a nod.

Under normal circumstances, even a seasoned Full Moon Wizard would approach the absorption of divine fragments with extreme caution, typically dedicating several years to fully integrate a minor fragment, often with substantial absorption losses.

...

Meanwhile.

Within the Imperial City of Tamriel.

The Cologne Cathedral, ensconced in an aura of malevolent Qi.

With a sudden 'crack,' a half-burned shell shattered, releasing an intensely concentrated black evil Qi that coalesced into a dark, swirling mist above. The mist writhed, and then, like the forelimbs of a praying mantis, more than ten black, scythe-like appendages emerged one after another. Arranged symmetrically like ribs, a black heart materialized from nothingness, pounding with ferocious intensity!

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

With every beat, the shadowy form grew more substantial and solid! Yet, it still appeared insufficient, as even the remnants of the Fiend Demon, held captive by the sub-key of the Key of Time far below the Floating City, seemed to quiver in response to the black heart's pulse.