Chapter 988: TO BE STRONGER
Paige already knew that the mirage of Princess Neoma had a life of its own.
She didn\'t even bother trying to control it again.
Even so, she was still surprised when the fake Princess Neoma asked the fake Commander Ruto to die for them.
She didn\'t want to admit this, but the Abyss was really tough.
[It\'s not fighting back, but it\'s also not going down no matter how much we attack it.]
They were already running out of Mana, and it wasn\'t like they could ask Greko to replenish their Mana again and again.
[The child has a limit, too.]
"I know why you\'re protecting the Abyss," the fake Princess Neoma continued. "But, don\'t worry— these children won\'t destroy your resting place."
Oh?
That was when Paige was hit by the realization.
The mirage of Princess Neoma and the fake Commander Ruto…
[They are the memories of the previous Princess Neoma and Commander Ruto who probably cleansed the Abyss in the first timeline.]
No wonder the two looked really alive.
That was actually a bit scary.
[This is why we\'re not supposed to replicate gods…]
"Give it your all."
Oh?
The fake Commander Ruto talked for the first time!
[And he\'s mocking us…]
"Come," the fake Commander Ruto said, opening his arms. "If you can take me down in one hit, I\'ll give up."
That was their best shot.
But that wasn\'t for them to decide.
Paige, Juri, Jeno, Xion, and Greko all turned to Lewis.
[It\'s the commander\'s call.]
"Everyone, lend me your strength," Lewis said while drawing his sword. "Let\'s end the Abyss now."
***
"ARE YOU not afraid to be cursed?"
Pfft.
Trevor was amused by his own talent.
Dilan Crowell, the noisy bastard, could steal open his mouth even after he ripped his heart out of his chest. Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr
Yes, the crow bastard was still alive.
[And it\'s all thanks to me.]
Trevor had already prepared an artificial hear for Dilan Crowell. Yep, he kept the enemy alive.
[Because I promised a certain someone that the crow bastard\'s death won\'t be easy.]
"Sorcerers are forbidden to eat the heart of their fellow sorcerers," Dilan Crowell threatened him— blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. He was sprawled on the floor, unable to move. "Sorcerers are arrogant, but not arrogant enough to replicate gods. But by eating my heart, your physical body is bound to change and develop extra organs that only gods should—"
"Oh, shut up," Trevor said while holding Dilan Crowell\'s beatimg heart in his hand. "I know what I\'m doing."
The crow bastard looked shocked by his statement. "You knew and you\'re still going to do it?"
"Why not?"
"You greedy Sorcerer," Dilan Crowell growled. "You\'re a disgrace to the Kessers!"
"Don\'t talk as if you belong to our clan," Trevor said, completely crushing the beating heart in his hand until it was no longer beating. "And I don\'t care if my ancestors are rolling in the grave now— I\'ll do anything and everything to be stronger for Princess Neoma."
***
HANNA had already used the Black Hole a few times.
She also learned the concept from his father and the notes that her Uncle Gavin had left.
However, Commander Ruto said before that her Black Hole was still weak.
And, just recently, Neoma said that she needed the Black Hole to end the war.
That only meant one thing.
[I have yet to unlock the true potential of my Black Hole.]
"Father, have you calmed down?" Hanna asked her father who was silently wiping his tears with the handkerchief that she handed to him earlier. "You haven\'t sent me to war yet, and you\'re already crying."
"Children shouldn\'t be frontliners in a war," her father said in a cracked voice. "But what can I do? I know that you need to fight in order to bring peace in the empire. Even so, you can\'t stop me or your mother from worrying about you, sweetie. You\'re our precious only daughter, after all."
"Maybe Mother and Father should give me a younger sibling?"
"Hanna Quinzel."
"It was just a joke, Father."
Her father let out a sigh, and then he paused for a moment. "There\'s a technique that I haven\'t taught you yet, Hanna— it\'s a technique that I hid even from my brother. I abandoned it at its early stage, but it might help you master the Black Hole."
Hanna\'s face beamed. "Please teach me, Father."
***
NERO frowned as soon as he entered the guest room where Calyx de Luca would be staying.
Yes, the crow bastard was already out of prison.
[Neoma told me to treat our prisoner of war properly.]
Hence, Calyx de Luca was dressed like a noble once again.
"Your Imperial Majesty," Calyx de Luca greeted Nero, bowing politely towards him. "I\'ve missed you so much."
Argh.
Nero felt his skin crawl, but he had to endure.
[I have something I need to whisper in this creepy bastard\'s ear.]
***
AH.
[They\'re getting stronger.]
Ruto tapped his fingertips on the table, his eyes closed as he was checking on Neoma\'s Four Pillars.
Lewis Crevan.
Trevor Kesser.
Hanna Quinzel.
Nero Roseheart de Moonasterio.
[They\'re ready.]
"My son, you cannot fight for Neoma de Moonasterio."
Ruto opened his eyes and met his divine father\'s gaze.
They were currently in the conference room while waiting for the other gods to arrive. After all, they needed to talk about the upcoming war.
This was the first time the Upper World would be used as a battlefield, after all.
"You\'ll be a full-fledged god soon," Lord Levi said firmly. "I won\'t allow you to be distracted."
"Don\'t worry too much about me, my lord," Ruto said, hiding his smile from his divine father. "Neoma\'s people will be enough to fight for her."
The Eternal Flame would agree so.
[And Neoma still has a lot of tricks up her sleeve.]
Like the Black Phoenix, for example.
***
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