"WHAT DO you want from me?"

Nero talked to the statue, but no one gave him a weird look.

Everyone immediately understood that he was talking to the Goddess of Light, even the royal children.

At least, no one thought he had gone crazy.

"I just wanted to confirm if you’re currently serving a god."

"Do I have to?"

"The de Moonasterios who sit on the throne usually serve Yule. But even though you are the descendant of the Moon God, I don’t feel an ounce of faith coming from you, our little emperor. Don’t you think it’s a problem that the emperor doesn’t have faith in gods?"

"I believe in gods, though."

Not because Nero was a believer, simply because he had seen gods himself.

Hence, why would he deny their existence?

"Believing and having faith in a god are two separate matters."

"Can you get straight to the point?"

"Your faith can amplify a god’s power, so it would be nice if you start believing in me and Yule. After all, a de Moonasterio and a Roseheart like you is a special existence in this world."

"You are mistaken, though. I’m already devoted to a god."

"Sire, please don’t lie to the goddess," Melvin Luchessi scolded Nero in a frustrated voice. "What god are you serving? I’ve been by your side all these years. I haven’t even seen you offer a prayer to Lord Yule, unless it’s for an official business."

Well, that was true.

I have to keep up appearances, after all.

But he didn’t lie.

"Melvin, you’ve been by my side all this time, and yet you didn’t know?" Nero scoffed, slightly disappointed. "I’ve always worshipped Neoma, have I not?"

"Y-You’re talking about Princess Neoma, sire?"

"Who else would I be talking about?" Nero raised his head confidently, looking at the statue’s ’eyes.’ Yeah, it was just a statue, but he could feel eyes staring back at him. "Neoma is my god, always has been, and always will be. If having faith in her amplifies her power, then I’ll worship her even harder from now on. So, I’m sorry, Lady Roxana. I don’t think I’m capable of worshipping other gods."

To be honest, he didn’t care whether the Goddess of Light would be offended or not.

But, to his surprise, he heard soft laughter.

"I understand, our little emperor. Thank you for indulging this old woman. Say hi to Neoma for me— tell her that I’m bringing a surprise to her soon."

Nero nodded politely, glad that Lady Roxana finally revealed why she wanted to talk to him. He knew the Goddess of Light, who only had traces of her old power left in the world, wouldn’t waste her energy just to ask him to have faith in Yule. "Yes, ma’am, I will relay your message to Neoma."

***

"EOMMA, of course, I’m going with you!"

Aigoo.

Neoma sighed when she saw the determined look on Greko’s face after she explained everything to her son.

No, to her children, actually.

For the first time in a while, my kids are complete.

"I’ll get hurt if I’m the only one left behind," Greko insisted, even slamming his hands on the table. "You can’t do this to me, Eomma. I want to fight for you. You can’t discriminate just because I’m young! I can fight, too! I’m strong and useful!"

Ah, Greko rarely raised his voice.

My baby must have been so pissed after knowing that he was about to get left behind.

"Okay, I get it, Greko. So, calm down for a moment," Neoma said, and then she looked at her other children. "Raise your hand if you think we should bring Greko with us—"

Aigoo.

Everyone raised their hands before Neoma even finished her question.

Greko even raised both of his hands.

I have to admit defeat at this point.

"Princess Neoma, we understand that there’s a chance that Greko might get picked," Paige Avery said. Now that the children had gathered, Paige Avery had become their spokesperson since Lewis was already done talking about the matter. "But we’re not worried. Aside from the fact that we have faith in Greko’s abilities, we also know that you won’t let him die."

Oho?

Greko nodded eagerly. "I’m not afraid, Eomma. If I get chosen, then I’ll fight with all my might. Because I know that if ever I’m in serious danger, you’ll save me."

Aww.

These kids really trust me.

"I understand that we need to think about the worst-case scenario, but isn’t it the reason why you made the no-killing rule, Princess Neoma?" Lewis added. Ah, he spoke. Maybe he felt responsible as the commander of the Order. "Don’t worry too much. We’ll protect each other."

And everyone nodded eagerly in agreement with Lewis’ statement.

Aww.

My kids are all grown-up now.

"Alright, you win," Neoma said, laughing while raising her hands in surrender. "We’ll bring Greko with us."

And her kids cheered.

1. Papa Boss.

2. Lewis.

3. Jasper Hawthorne.

4. Page Avery.

5. Jeno Dankworth.

6. Juri Wisteria.

7. Xion Redgrave.

8. Greko

"Now we only need two more," Neoma said while looking at the list. "I have to decide who the last two representatives would be as soon as possible."

***

"WHAT’S UP, Nero?"

Neoma was about to check on Monik and Skylus when Melvin Luchessi picked her up, saying that Nero summoned her to his office.

So, here I am now.

"Lady Roxana talked to me," Nero said, sitting on his desk while crossing his arms over his chest. "She said she has a surprise for you."

"Really? She could have just talked to me directly."

"She probably couldn’t since the traces of her divine power were weak," Nero said, shrugging. "I was at the temple, and her traces there were strong. That probably shows she was able to talk to me. You should visit the temple later."

"Ah, I will. But I’ll check on the kids first."

"I brought them home safely."

"What if they got traumatized after spending time with you?"

Nero rolled his eyes. "Dahlia was with me, and she played well with the kids."

"Ah, so that’s why you brought Dahlia with you."

"No. Are you insane? I brought Dahlia because I was worried that the temple might be filled with Impure Mana or Darkness."

Neoma just laughed softly. "Anyway, you need Dahlia, huh? I mean, she can stop your Lunacy. That’s the reason why she has to stay by your side in the first place."

Nero raised an eyebrow at her. "Why? Do you want to bring Dahlia with you to the Upper World?"

"I still need two representatives. Well, I’m considering Dahlia. But it’s not like I can take her away from you. Plus, in case a great flood suddenly occurs, her ability can be used to save lives."

"Stop worrying about me and the empire. If you need Dahlia, just bring her with you."

Neoma was about to say that she couldn’t do that when, suddenly, she felt the shift in the air.

Even Nero became alert.

"Moon Princess!"

Ah, it was just Trevor...

... but he looked anxious, so Neoma suddenly became more vigilant.

"What’s wrong, Trevor?"

"The door to the other world suddenly burst open!" Trevor reported urgently. "Two individuals from the other world have just arrived."

But that door was supposed to be shut already.

Tsk.

Neoma immediately grabbed Trevor by the collar. "Bring me there, Trevor."

***

FUCK.

The Black Ocean had really dried up, huh?

Neoma was taken aback when she and Trevor arrived on the island that was supposed to be surrounded by the Black Ocean.

But, yeah, it was now surrounded by dry land.

She wanted to explore the place, however...

"Princess Neoma."

What?

Neoma froze, shocked when she was greeted by two people who shouldn’t be there. "Uncle Dominic? Appa?"

Dominic Zavaroni, the former saint.

Gavin Quinzel— now living as Kim Won-shik, Neoma and Nabi’s appa.

But they’re supposed to be living peacefully in Korea with Aunt Nichole and Eomma!

"Neoma, are you shocked?" Gavin Quinzel/Kim Won-shik asked, smiling. "You didn’t expect to see us here, did you?"

Haaah.

Neoma observed the two men in front of them, wondering if they were real.

"It seems like they’re the real Saint Dominic Zavaroni and Lord Gavin Quinzel, my Moon Princess," Trevor whispered. "What do you think?"

Yeah, I also think that they’re the real Uncle Dominic and Appa.

And that was why Neoma was shaken.

"Uncle, Appa, why are you here?"

"Actually, we should as "how,"" Trevor mumbled to himself. "The door is already shut."

"Ah, we can explain that later," Dominic Zavaroni said, smiling. "Princess Neoma, we’re here to fight as your Battle Representatives."

The fuck?

***

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