Chapter 1081: INTRODUCING THE TEAMS

"NOW LET’S confirm the identities of the individuals listed here and see if both teams brought the right people," Ruto said while holding the two familiar old-looking sheets of paper. It seemed like it was decided that Ruto would facilitate the battle. "Let’s start with Princess Neoma’s team."

"Alright," Neoma said, nodding. "Go ahead."

"I’ll start with Princess Neoma’s chosen ’human weapon’: Duchess Hanna Quinzel."

"Here," Hanna said, stepping forward. "Do I need to do something?"

"Yes," Ruto answered formally, and then he pointed at the huge, old book sitting on a high table. No, the table looked more like a column standing on a platform. "Please place your hands on the pages of the Divine Grimoire."

Ah, so it was a grimoire.

The sheets of paper where they listed the names of the Representatives must have come from the Divine Grimoire, since the pages looked similar.

No wonder Trevor didn’t find anything strange about it.

"The Divine Grimoire will confirm whether you are the same person on the master list."

Hanna nodded confidently, and then she placed both of her hands on either page of the open Divine Grimoire. "Here you go."

The pages of the Divine Grimoire and the master list in Ruto’s hand both lit up.

And since the light was bluish, it didn’t seem ominous.

Of course, it’s not. I brought the real Hanna, after all.

"Thank you, Duchess Quinzel," Ruto said, still all formal. "You’ve been successfully registered as Princess Neoma’s human weapon."

Hanna just nodded again before stepping away from the platform.

"Now let’s proceed with the Divine Representatives."

The Divine Grimoire was too high for the children to reach, so Lord Manu had to carry Skylus and Monik before taking the test himself.

But nothing else showed up as a problem after that.

"The Divine Representatives have been registered successfully," Ruto announced. "Now, for the Battle Representatives, let’s start with the former Emperor Nikolai de Moonasterio..."

It was Papa Boss first.

Then Uncle Dominic and Gavin Quinzel.

After them, it was Jasper Oppa.

Then, finally, it was Neoma’s children’s turn.

"The Battle Representatives have been successfully registered," Ruto announced, and then he looked at Neoma. "Now, it’s Princess Neoma’s turn."

Oh, I need to get checked, too?

No problem.

Neoma stepped on the platform and calmly placed her hands on the Divine Grimoire.

To her surprise, the old book released golden lights instead of blue.

"The lights have a different color than the others before me," Neoma said, lifting her head to look at Ruto. "What does it mean?"

"It just proves that you are a divine being, Princess Neoma."

"Ah, okay."

I’m not a full-fledged god yet, but my Divination has already started.

Hence, Neoma was already considered a god.

"Princess Neoma has been successfully registered as the main fighter. Thank you," Ruto said, and then he finally turned to the other team. "Now it’s Lord Helstor’s team’s turn to take the first test."

Ah, finally.

Neoma was really, really looking forward to meeting Helstor’s team.

***

"YOUR IMPERIAL MAJESTY, the Hellgate that Her Imperial Highness has entrusted to you has been shaking nonstop ever since this morning."

Oh, right.

Nero almost forgot that Neoma entrusted the Hellgate to her.

What did her twin sister say again?

Ah.

"The Silver Foxes may come out at anytime. Take care of them. I already asked Pinkie to let you open the door. You just have to touch it. Though it might be a bit painful because Pinkie will suck a bit of your blood and divine power to check your identity."

"I believe the Silver Foxes want to get out already," Alucard Dionisio said, continuing his report. "What should we do, sire? The shaking is causing a slight quake."

Nero got up from his seat. "I’ll go and open the Hellgate."

It was only possible because Neoma gave Nero the temporary right to manage her Hellgate.

I hope the Silver Foxes’ training made them stronger.

***

NEOMA watched intently as the other team’s representatives got called one by one.

Of course, the first one to be called from the other team was Regina Crowell.

"Lady Regina Crowell has been successfully registered," Ruto announced. "Now, the Divine Representatives may step forward."

Tsk.

Kids.

The saintesses representing the God of Eternal Darkness were twin sisters, who were probably around 10-12 years old.

13, at max.

Both sisters looked the same, except for the eye color.

One had amber eyes, the other hazel.

"Young Lady Evelyn and Young Lady Evara de Luca have been successfully registered."

De Luca?

Neoma found that interesting.

Anyway...

The two young saintesses were accompanied by an old woman, who seemed to be blind judging by her eyes.

"Her Holiness Miriam Crowell has been successfully registered."

And now a Crowell.

Haaah.

Neoma had always known that Helstor had been working with the crows all this time, but it was still funny to have it confirmed.

"Now, for the first Battle Representative, please step forward Cyrus de Luca."

It was a boy, probably around Neoma’s age, who had ash-gray hair and black eyes.

As in pure black eyes that look a little scary.

Anyway, the boy had been successfully registered.

"Next is Caleb de Luca."

Another de Luca, huh?

It was a boy, probably around Juri Wisteria and Jeno Dankworth’s age, with blond hair and blue eyes.

"Next is Covey de Luca."

This time, it was a young man with red hair and brown eyes.

"Next is Cleo de Luca."

It was a girl around Neoma’s age with brown hair and yellow-green eyes.

"Next is Clover de Luca."

It was a young woman with black hair and blue-green eyes.

Hmm?

Neoma raised an eyebrow when her graze briefly met Clover de Luca’s gaze, who quickly bowed to her politely.

Ah, this one is strong.

Plus, for some reason...

Clover de Luca reminds me of Hanna.

Neoma glanced at Hanna, who immediately noticed her gaze and tilted her head to one side.

She’s probably wondering why I’m looking at her.

But she stopped when she noticed that Ruto was frowning.

What is it this time?

Ah, was it because it was the kids’ turn?

Yeah, Neoma had noticed that half of Helstor’s Battle Representatives were little kids.

But she tried to ignore it because she didn’t want to get distracted.

I’ve already made my resolve, after all.

"Please step forward, Crowell’s Birdbrain #1..."

What the fuck?

Neoma was shocked when a young boy, probably around 8-10 years old, stepped forward.

The kid had buzz-cut hair and a patch on his left eye.

Haaah.

Neoma had to take a deep breath to calm herself.

"Next is Crowell’s Birdbrain #2..."

It was a boy of the same age, with buzz-cut hair, and a patch on his right eye.

No, the two boys aren’t twins.

"Next is Crowell’s Birdbrain #3..."

It was a little girl with the same buzz-cut hair as the two boys before her, but there seemed to be nothing wrong with her round blue eyes.

"Next is Crowell’s Birdbrain #4..."

It was also a little girl with the same buzz-cut hair. The kid had droopy black eyes.

"Next is Crowell’s Birdbrain #5..."

Ah, fuck.

The little girl was the smallest among the kids.

She’s probably 6 or 7 years old?

Same buzz-cut hair, but her big light gray eyes were a bit unsettling.

Neoma let out a sigh.

The smallest kid is the most dangerous, huh?

"Finally, Lord Helstor, the God of Eternal Darkness," Ruto said in an indifferent tone. "Please step forward."

***

NEOMA crossed her arms over her chest while looking down at the Divine Arena where the fights would happen tomorrow.

Yes, not right now because the Divine Representatives still needed to install their barriers.

It’s like the arena where the gladiators fight.

She could already imagine the bleachers being filled with gods and other beings who would watch the fight.

Yes, Lord Levi temporarily opened the gates of the Upper World to guests.

But that means the security here would be tight.

"Neoma, you should go to your room and rest."

"It’s alright, Papa Boss," Neoma said, glancing at her father who stood next to her. "I’ve slept plenty on the "plane" earlier."

Her Papa Boss scoffed. "That, you did. Was Commander Solfrid’s shoulder that comfortable?"

Aigoo.

"Papa Boss, you have to accept that I’ll marry Ruto after the war."

"Tsk."

Neoma just laughed at his father’s reaction, but she stopped laughing when she noticed that the youngest little girl among the other team— the "#5" one— was walking towards her.

Her eyes are really unsettling.

"Should I deal with that kid?"

"No, Papa Boss. The kid doesn’t seem hostile."

The little girl, #5, stopped walking a few steps away from Neoma, and then she looked up at her with unblinking eyes.

Neoma squatted down to meet the kid’s eye level. "Do you need something from me?"

"You are Princess Neoma, right?"

The kid spoke rudely, but it was not something that Neoma would hold against a child who was probably uneducated.

And, clearly, abused by those damn crows.

"I am Princess Neoma, correct."

"Is it true that you’ve saved many kids before?"

"There were instances where I have saved children, but it wasn’t only me. My allies were there to help me save the kids."

"Then why didn’t you come and save me?"

Ah.

To say that Neoma was shocked by the question would be an understatement.

Even Papa Boss let out a sigh.

"Is it because I’m a crow?" the child asked indifferently; her eyes remained unblinking. "Do you hate me because I’m a crow? Is that why you didn’t save me?"

Ah, what an awful psychological attack it was.

***

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