863: THE CORRECT ANSWER

THE CORRECT ANSWER

NEOMA didn't have the time to answer Vitu's question when she felt the Eternal Flame approaching.

The real deal this time.

Hence, she quickly stood in front of her son protectively.

"You don't have to protect me, Mother," Vitu said as he stood behind her. "The Eternal Flame won't hurt me."

"Even so, as your mother, it's my duty to protect you."

"Mother, I'm stronger than you right now."

"Hah! You're really my child since you inherited my arrogance," Neoma said proudly. "Congratulations on being the one and only son of THE Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio, Vitu. You should be eternally grateful to your father for winning the heart of an awesome woman like me."

Vitu just laughed as if he was amused.

<"The Neoma I know isn't as arrogant as you, little princess."

He finally arrived.

The Eternal Flame was here at last.

And wow.

[It really is a talking fireball.]

"I'm Neoma version 2.0," Neoma said to the Eternal Flame. "Anyways, I'm glad you're already here. I thought you were going to burn me to death."

She didn't notice it at first, but the flame around her disappeared when Vitu reappeared.

[The teenage Vitu, I mean.]

<"I can tell that you're different from the princess I know,"

the Eternal Flame said. <"Your eyes are full of anger, and yet you haven't lost your mind yet."

The Eternal Flame was correct.

Of course, Neoma was seething.

But if she lost her mind, the world would treat her like a fucking villainess. Worse, Ruto might be forced to eliminate her again as the God Slayer. In short, there was no benefit in getting angry.

Hence, she decided to hold back for now.

"Don't get me wrong, Mr. Eternal Flame. After all, I hold grudges," Neoma said, smiling while her red eyes glowered. "The punishment for those bastards who ruined my life in the first timeline is only delayed– not forgotten."

<"Then what's the first thing you'd do if I lent you my flame once again?"

Neoma's body suddenly felt hot, as if she was standing on top of an active volcano that was about to erupt at any moment.

Ah, it was her final test.

[The Eternal Flame's decision will be based on my answer.]

"If I gained the Eternal Flame once again, then the first thing I'd do is share it with my people."

<"Huh?"

"Mother?"

Neoma blinked, confused. "Why do you look shocked? Am I the only one allowed to use the Eternal Flame? I think you once mentioned that only Yoan and I can use your flame, but I have faith in my people."

<"Why would you share my flame with your people? What if they use my power to harm you?"

"Nah, my people wouldn't betray me. I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not as naïve as the Giant Neoma who was deceived by Larissa and Lord Levi. That won't happen to me."

<"Let's assume that your people could handle my flame. But enlighten me. Tell me why you want to share my flame with them. If you do that, then the Eternal Flame that you'd receive would be lesser and inferior to the flame that the other Neoma had wielded in the first timeline."

Of course, she knew that.

However…

"Neoma of the first timeline is the strongest, but she's lonely. After all, it's sad when you're the only person on the top of the world," Neoma said in a serious voice. "I don't want to be lonely in this lifetime. And so, I decided to bring my people with me to the top. I may not become the strongest human-god in this timeline, but it's okay as long as I'm happy and surrounded by the people I love, by the people who love me."

Perhaps Neoma of the first timeline had lost her mind because she was lonely.

It was the reason why Giant Neoma was obsessed with having a baby, too.

"I am not alone anymore," Neoma said, smiling because the heaviness in her heart was already gone. "I will protect this world with my people. I will not suffer alone. I will share my burden with my people and we will all figure this out together."

"Small Mother is wise."

Pfft.

Neoma smiled and turned to Vitu, then she ruffled his hair. "What did I tell you? Your mom is awesome."

Vitu smiled shyly, then he nodded his head in agreement.

<"Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio, if you had lost your mind after retrieving your memories, then you would have failed my test."

[I thought so.]

<"If you had forced your way out to get your revenge onT the people who wronged you in the past, then I would have kicked you out of here without lending my power to you."

Oops.

She almost did that.

[I'm glad I have the patience of a saint today.]

<"If the first thing you said was about revenge, then I wouldn't have lent you my strength for the second time."

Neoma flinched because she felt a tad guilty. "I didn't say I wouldn't use your power to get my revenge later…"

<"Exactly. You would do it LATER. Neoma of the first timeline burned Queen Tara and the Spirit World as soon as she received my flame."

"They deserve it, though."

<"I'm not saying that Neoma of the first timeline was wrong. But I didn't want you to self-destruct the way that she did. When Neoma of the first timeline died, I couldn't help but feel guilty. After all, it was my flame that ended her life. I do not wish for the Eternal Flame to dull your shine again, child."

Hmm.

It seemed like the Eternal Flame really cared about Neoma of the first timeline, huh?

<"That's why I'm glad to see that you have changed, Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio,"

the Eternal Flame said, and he actually sounded like he was smiling. <"I accept your resolve, so let me grant your wish."

Hmm?

In just the blink of an eye, familiar faces appeared in front of Neoma one by one.[1]

<"I will share my flame with you, children!"

Neoma laughed when she finally saw the faces that she had missed a lot. "I miss y'all!"2

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NOTE: Sorry for the short chapter. I was at a book fair all day. Will make it up to you tomorrow.

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[1] guess who

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