A GOD’S PRESENCE?
Neoma grabbed Mama Boss’ rose-gold staff before staring blankly into the air.
She knew it was bad manners to get distracted in the middle of a fight, but she couldn’t help it. After all, the presence felt familiar to her.
"Lady Roxana?"
"The Goddess of Light?" Mama Boss asked, surprised. "Did you feel her presence, Neoma?"
"Yes, Mama Boss," Neoma answered while nodding, letting go of her mother’s weapon. "It’s been a while since I felt Lady Roxana’s presence get this strong."
The last time she felt Lady Roxana’s presence with the same intensity was the moment she had met Monik— back when the child still had the memories of the late Empress Juliet. But, after that, the Goddess of Light’s presence had diminished significantly.
"It’s a relief then," Mama Boss said. "Now that we know that the enemies are trying to recreate the Absolute Darkness, we need the Goddess of Light more than ever."
Hmm.
It was obvious that the Light could defeat the Darkness.
Neoma felt regretful that she didn’t work on that earlier.
As soon as we found Monik and realized that she was the saintess representing the Goddess of Light, I should have worked hard to improve Lady Roxana’s reputation in the empire.
Sure, she ’died’ around that time.
Even so...
I could have done better.
Haaah.
"Neoma, the traitors of the empire and the cult that has been killing the de Moonasterion princesses are the same people who have been ruining Lady Roxana’s reputation for centuries— all because they knew that the Goddess of Light could defeat Darkness," Mama Boss said carefully. "I’m saying that reviving Lady Roxana’s reputation in order for her to gain new followers isn’t easy. And that you’ve done enough in that aspect. So, I hope you stop thinking that you should have done more."
Oho?
"Mama Boss, can you read minds now?"
"I wish I could," her mother said, smiling. And then Mama Boss gently pinched Neoma’s cheeks. "But I don’t need to read your mind to know what you’re thinking, Neoma. You’ve always been like this— taking responsibility for things you can’t control."
"Well, it’s my duty as the strongest person in the world."
"That arrogance, really..." Mama Boss sighed and shook her head. "Neoma, let your twin brother handle this one."
"Yes, Mama Boss," Neoma said defeatedly. "I hope Nero does a good job."
***
THIS MUCH of divine power from the Goddess of Light isn’t enough to protect the world from the emerging Absolute Darkness, but this should be enough to bless the items that Neoma spent her wealth on.
Nero nodded approvingly to himself.
This should be enough for today.
"Melvin."
"Yes, sire?"
"Secure this place and make sure that no one approaches the temple without my permission," Nero said, and then he looked at the kids who were still playing with the status. "Princess Monik, Prince Skylus, it’s time for us to return."
Of course, the two kids complained immediately.
"Can’t we stay for a bit longer, Hyung?"
"We still want to talk to Lady Roxana, Oppa."
Haaah.
They had already been there for almost an hour, just listening to the kids talk to the statue.
To be fair, Nero could hear Lady Roxana’s voice.
It was faint, but if he tried hard enough, he was confident that he could listen to the goddess’ words properly.
However, he didn’t want to.
I’m not interested.
"I-I’ll talk to the kids and try to convince them to go home now, Your Imperial Majesty," Dahlia said shyly. "May I?"
Nero nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes, you may do so."
Dahlia just bowed, and then she approached the whining kids.
Hmm.
She can handle them.
Nero turned around and was about to tell Melvin Luchessi to put knights around the area when, suddenly, he felt a cold breeze around him.
"Are you not going to talk to me, our little emperor?"
Tsk.
The voice that he had been ignoring suddenly grew loud and clear.
It seemed like the Goddess of Light wanted to talk to him.
"I am not Neoma," Nero said coldly while looking up at the statue of Lady Roxana. "I won’t treat you like my grandmother, so stop wasting my time and go straight to business."
***
1. PAPA BOSS.
2. Lewis.
3. Jasper Hawthorne.
4. Page Avery.
5. Jeno Dankworth.
6. Juri Wisteria.
7. Xion Redgrave.
Neoma looked at the list of the people that she had chosen as her Battle Representatives so far.
She still needed three fighters, but she was already stuck.
"Princess Neoma, you’re not bringing Greko with us?" Lewis asked, obviously confused. "He’d feel left out if he were the only one who wouldn’t be coming with us to fight for you."
"Why would I bring a kid to the fight?" Neoma asked, sighing. "I’m already stressed that I need to bring Monik and Skylus with me."
"Greko is a kid, yes. But he can fight."
"The kid is a Healer."
"He can fight if he has to."
Neoma raised an eyebrow at Lewis. "Do you want me to bring Greko to the fight?"
"I understand that you don’t want kids to be involved in the upcoming war, Princess Neoma," Lewis said carefully. "But you have to think logically. Just because you bring Greko doesn’t mean he’s going to fight. Moreover, we need a Healer in our team. Paige Avery is a good Healer, yes. But that’s not her main job."
Tsk.
Neoma knew that Lewis made a very valid point.
However...
"I have a feeling that Greko would get chosen if I bring him. That’s how my luck goes," Neoma said, sighing. "I know that Greko can fight. I’ve seen the report that Paige sent to me. But I still can’t..."
"May I speak as the Commander of the Order of the Moonrose Knights and not as your ’son,’ Princess Neoma?"
Tsk.
Lewis suddenly became formal.
"Go ahead."
"Greako is a capable combatHealer, Princess Neoma," Lewis said firmly. "Yes, just like Princess Neoma, my heart will break if Greko gets chosen to fight in the Battle Representative. However, I’d rather have my heart broken that way than have it break if Greko ends up hating us for leaving him behind."
Neoma flinched, feeling guilty already.
"Moreover, leaving Greko behind in the empire wouldn’t guarantee his safety either," Lewis added, his voice not faltering. Then he paused for a moment before he dropped the ’bomb.’ "But shouldn’t we ask for Greko’s opinion first? Princess Neoma, it was you who taught us about using our free will."
Tsk.
Neoma pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine. Bring Greko here." She paused for a moment, and then she shook her head. "No, actually, bring all your siblings here."
***
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