Chapter 271: Lord Ansu! I've Come to Save You!

“That explains it, that explains it...”

Ansu was marveling, his tone filled with admiration.

“I was always curious how you managed to create this divine realm.”

He gazed at Gulzan with a complimentary tone. “But since Your Excellency has such transcendent power... I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you could achieve something of this magnitude.”

Gulzan smiled faintly, accepting the praise with composure.

“So...” Ansu's mind raced, connecting all the clues he had gathered over the past few days.

“This so-called divine realm is just your method of harvesting the faith of the masses to obtain a steady stream of the power of faith, isn't it?”

“Harvesting?” Gulzan's expression shifted slightly, a hint of displeasure in his voice. “They were already my devout believers. I am a god-ascended one!”

But in the next second, as he noted the playful, knowing smirk on Ansu's face, he suddenly snapped back to reality.

Wait...

Was he being baited by this brat?

Had all that flattery been for the sake of fishing for information about the divine realm?

Gulzan's brow furrowed, and he raised his hand as if to grasp something.

Terrifying mana constricted Ansu's neck, lifting him into the air.

The moment his feet left the ground, Ansu felt the bones in his throat creak.

“You fool! You're a dying man. What use is there in prying information out of me?”

“Take a guess...” Ansu's consciousness began to blur from the lack of oxygen, yet a mocking sneer tugged at the corner of his mouth. “In the next round, you're finished, you idiot... I've already seen through your trick.”

Gulzan felt an inexplicable sense of confusion.

What next round? What other round could there possibly be?

“What nonsense are you spouting? Have you gone mad?”

Ansu didn't answer, the mocking smile still plastered on his face.

In this world, gods were born from the worship and awe of mortals...

That strength was the source of a god's mighty authority, and Gulzan was actually replicating that process...

The power of faith.

The divine arts of various sects, such as those of the Church of Holy Light, were linked to the power of faith. The Goddess of Holy Light had her Chosen One launch a holy war to purge heretics precisely to compete for faith.

Watching Gulzan's irritated expression, Ansu struggled to speak, his voice intermittent:

“You trapped everyone in this domain and meticulously designed a script... You had Leo play the part of the Chosen One, letting him lead the people and display an extraordinary leadership quality... In this script, Leo would become the great hero who saves the people and the world...”

He saw Gulzan's face grow increasingly grim, making him even more certain.

“But in the end, all that faith will flow to you.”

“That's why I asked you... if you and Leo are the same person.”

Shock and a trace of panic flickered in Gulzan's gloomy eyes.

He clearly hadn't expected this dying man to understand so much of the internal situation.

“This isn't achieved through your own strength, is it?” Ansu chuckled, his voice weak but every word distinct. “You're the one who exposed your own rank. Even if you are Saint Tier, that is merely the pinnacle of human transcendents in this world. You have no divine spark, and you are no god-ascended one.”

Otherwise, the Pope, the archbishops, or the Holy Maidens of past generations would have long since become gods.

Even someone as powerful as Celia didn't possess the ability to create something like this divine realm... It was even more impossible for Gulzan.

Had Gulzan also encountered some special opportunity?

“You are quite clever!” Gulzan laughed out of pure rage, his entire face twisting into a hideous mask. “Unfortunately... this is where it ends!”

“Your fate is sealed. I will extract your soul! I will learn everything you know, and then I will cast you into eternal darkness to suffer endless torment! I'll make you wish for death, but death will not come!”

He grinned savagely, his fingers twitching as he raised his bone staff.

Incredibly dense dark energy condensed at the tip of the staff, instantly piercing through Ansu's body.

Ansu's body hit the cold rock like a broken kite.

He curled up, coughing out breaths of black blood; his lungs and other internal organs had been corroded until they were riddled with holes.

Was it over...

Breathing became difficult, his vision blurred, and darkness surged in from all directions.

He closed his eyes in a daze, preparing to welcome the end of this simulation.

However.

In that very instant—

Holy Light descended.

A brilliant radiance erupted from the end of the tunnel, like the dawn sun dispersing all darkness.

“Lord Ansu!”

A familiar and anxious voice suddenly called out as Freya's pink hair fluttered within the Holy Light.

“I've come to save you!!”

She stood before Ansu, her Holy Light forming a barrier that forcefully intercepted Gulzan's lethal black magic strike.

Boom!!!

The collision of light and shadow triggered a terrifying roar.

For the first time, shock appeared on Gulzan's face.

He stared at the pink-haired girl radiating Holy Light, his pupils shrinking slightly.

The Holy Light grew increasingly blinding and lethal; even he had to avoid its direct edge.

Freya took the opportunity to return to Ansu's side.

Seeing the heavily injured, dying Ansu, her heart clenched instantly, and she knelt down in a panic.

Her pale fingers lightly touched Ansu, but she didn't dare use force to support him, fearing she might worsen his injuries.

“Lord Ansu, hold on, you have to hold on...” Freya's voice trembled, her eyes quickly turning red. “I'll heal you. I'll heal you right away!”

A soft glow emanated from her palms as the healing power slowly seeped into Ansu's wounds.

Ansu felt a warm aura soothing him, followed by a slight stinging at his wounds—the sensation of flesh mending itself.

He opened his eyes in surprise, his vision gradually clearing.

The first thing he saw was Freya's incredibly anxious and panicked face.

“You're awake! Thank goodness!” Freya gently helped him up, then wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body close to his.

She could feel his heartbeat, his body heat—proof that he was still alive...

The trembling in her heart finally subsided, replaced by a surge of overwhelming emotion.

“Lord Ansu...” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “I thought I'd never see you again! I thought I'd lost you!”

Her pale gold eyes were filled with lingering fear and affection.

“Lord Ansu, promise you won't lie to me again... You never intended to meet up with me at all! You just wanted to trick me into leaving so you could face these dangers alone...”

Ansu looked at her tear-stained face and those eyes filled with worry and devotion.

He let out a sigh.

He raised his hand and gently stroked her soft, light pink hair.

“You little dummy, I lied to you for your own good...”