Chapter 974: THEATRE OF WAR (1)
[A few days earlier…]
"WHAT do you think, Ruto?" Neoma asked Ruto— not as her lover but as the veteran commander of an army. "Is my plan feasible?"
"It's not," Ruto said bluntly. "Asking for other people's permission isn't your style, Neoma."
"Hey, I still have my manners."
"Is my divine father the type of person who deserves your politeness?"
"Well, I still need the owner's permission if I want to use his house, right?"
"I am the successor of the homeowner," Ruto said. His face was blank, but his voice was a bit playful than normal. "You can just ask for my permission."
"You're just a successor for now— you don't own your father's properties yet."
"Except I do. Not everything, but a huge part of it," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I even own a vast, empty land in the "countryside" of the Upper World."
Hmm?
There was only one place like that in the Upper World.
[It's like the Abyss of the Upper World, if I remember correctly.]
"You own the Chosen Land now?" Neoma asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yah. That used to be my residence in the first timeline."
"Exactly why I asked Lord Levi to give it to me as soon as I awakened as a God Slayer," Ruto explained. "I wanted to take care of your property in order to return it to you someday. But don't you think it's the most suited place for the war?"
"It is, but isn't it polluted right now? I remember I had to clean up the entire land before I built my mansion there."
"I tried to clean it up, but I'm not as good as you. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. You did your best," Neoma said, gently patting Ruto's cheek. "Thank you, babe. I'll take care of the rest."
Ruto nodded, then he held her hand and kissed the palm of her hand.
Aigoo.
"You're seducing me," Neoma said, teasing Ruto. "Babe, do you know that Mama Boss and Papa Boss were my age when they conceived—"
Ruto covered Neoma's mouth with his other hand, his face red from embarrassment. "Don't seduce me, Neoma. This isn't the right time and place for… for what you're thinking."
Tsk.
Neoma removed Ruto's hand that covered her mouth. Of course, she was that adamant to tease him since they rarely had time to spend with each other. She had to make the most out of it by being playful, yes. "How do we know if we're compatible in bed—"
"You already know that we're very compatible in that aspect, don't you?"
[Hehe.]
She grinned like an idiot when she remembered that the older Neoma had told her that Ruto was a beast in the sheets.
[My man is really the perfect match for me.]
"Why are you being impatient, Neoma?" Ruto asked nervously. "Am I making you feel lonely because I'm always busy with work? I leave your side too often, don't I?"
"No and yes," Neoma said, her honesty obviously made Ruto a little sad. "It's true that you're always away because of your duties, but you never made me feel lonely. Plus, I'm also too busy to sulk."
"Even so, I still feel sorry that I'm almost never by your side."
"You're always there when I need you the most, and that's all that matters to me."
"I'll make it up to you as soon as everything is over, Neoma."
Pfft.
Neoma let out a soft laugh. "You talk as if our win is certain."
"We will win because we have the strongest people in the world as our allies."
Oh, that was true.
"You don't have to carry the burden by yourself, Neoma," Ruto said, cupping her face between his hands. "We will win this time."
Neoma smiled and nodded. "So, will you let me use the Chosen Land as the battlefield for the final war?"
"Of course."
"Then it's settled."
"Neoma, you haven't forgotten the proper way to start a war, right?" Ruto asked carefully. "Whether you like it or not, we have protocols to follow since Helstor is a major god. You can't do it as you did in the first timeline."
In the first timeline, she just snapped and went on a killing spree.
[But it was only because I was alone back then.]
This time, she had precious people to protect.
"I get it— I won't be reckless this time," Neoma said, nodding. And then she paused for a moment. "Before I declare war with Helstor, I should help Nero get freed from the curse of the Goddess of Misfortune."
"It seems like you already have an idea about how to deal with it."
"I got a clue during my last conversation with Helstor and the Goddess of Misfortune."
"What?"
"The Goddess of Misfortune can't win against the Goddess of Fortune."
"You're going to summon the Goddess of Fortune?"
"Nero is better at Summoning than I am since his Roseheart Blood is thicker than mine, so I'm thinking of asking him to do the job."
"That sounds like a good idea," Ruto said firmly. "Can I help you with anything?"
"Just keep an eye on the Goddess of Misfortune," Neoma said, giving Ruto a kiss on the cheek. "I'll deal with Helstor while you and Nero take care of her."
***
[Present…]
RUTO stared at the Goddess of Misfortune who was suspended in the air— unmoving, barely breathing.
He remembered his last conversation with Neoma about the Goddess of Misfortune and Fortune. As expected, Neoma's expectation was turned into reality. And her plan to summon the Goddess of Fortune to get rid of Nero worked.
Her plan to let the Goddess of Misfortune die naturally also worked.
[The Goddess of Fortune is literally sucking the life out of Lady Doom.]
"Ah."
Hmm?
Ruto unconsciously moved when Emperor Nero, still possessing Neoma's body, almost collapsed.
Nero clicked his tongue, and then he closed his eyes. "This better be the last switch for today."
It seemed like it would really be the last switch between the Imperial Twins.
Ruto carried the unconscious Neoma in his arms.
It only took a moment before she opened her glowing red eyes again.
[It's my Neoma.]
"Babe, get ready," Neoma said in a serious tone. "I brought Helstor here."
Ah, so it really worked.
Neoma and Nero switching back and forth did succeed.
[Not that I ever doubted Neoma.]
Ruto nodded, relieved that Neoma had come back safely. "It's happening, huh?"
***
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