Thea thought for a moment, then asked,
"Your Majesty, do you have any requirements for the scope of faith-spread?"
"So you've agreed?"
The goddess was visibly delighted—Thea could clearly sense the surge of hope from someone who'd seen a sliver of life after accepting certain death.
"Of course the wider the spread, the better… is there a problem?"
Noticing Thea's troubled expression, the goddess asked with concern.
There was definitely a problem—a huge one.
Europe and America were the territory of Christianity…
And Thea still couldn't figure out how the "God" constantly mentioned by Westerners related to the supreme Creator God of the DC universe.
But considering that the Old Man Upstairs hadn't smashed Europe into the sea for speaking His name constantly… well, that already said a lot.
Even though His gaze had long moved past little things like mortal faith, spreading the Night Goddess's belief on His home turf—wouldn't that make continents sink?
Even if you gathered every deity and god-king in this world, their combined strength probably wouldn't match a single flick of His finger.
Thea truly didn't know how to explain it. Obviously Artemis had no idea that God existed—so how was Thea supposed to explain why she knew? There was simply no way.
"Your Majesty, have you perhaps considered… the unity problem of the Twelve Olympians?"
After much deliberation, Thea finally found a usable excuse.
Think about it: the Twelve Gods had all agreed to die together, yet now you suddenly get to live again. What's that supposed to mean?
Are the remaining eleven supposed to go kick a cosmic soccer ball while you enjoy an extra life?
Gods, at the brink of death, weren't that different from ordinary mortals—jealousy and imbalance existed all the same.
"We're all family, siblings, unity, blah blah…"
All lies.
Throughout the endless ages, those twelve had schemed against each other more times than mortals could count.
Now, with eleven ready to perish and you, Artemis, finding yourself a sucker to gather faith for you, giving you an extra breath… how could that possibly be allowed?
Either you bring us with you—or you die with us.
The Moon Goddess's silhouette clearly understood Thea's implied warning. She paced back and forth, thinking for a long time before finally reaching a decision.
"You're right. I can't promote this publicly. You may work only in small areas."
"Now that I've fully awakened, you can no longer act under my divine name… To compensate you, I'll grant you a small privilege."
The goddess pointed at Thea, and a faint ribbon of transparent spiritual light connected them for a brief moment.
The divine title had never been something Thea wanted. On Themyscira, it was considered an honor; to her, it was nothing.
Returning it and getting a privilege instead wasn't a bad deal.
But after patting herself down, she didn't feel any clearer or stronger.
Seeing her confusion, the goddess explained,
"From now on, within the range covered by night, if someone calls your name, you will automatically hear the next five words they speak. As your divine power grows, this range will expand."
At first glance, it sounded useless.
But Thea instantly understood—this was the true terror of gods.
Speak a god's name, and the god knows.
Her version was weakened—limited by distance and night—but the implications were enormous.
The first thing that came to mind?
Once she took over the Queen Group, she could see who was talking trash about her—and ship them off to Siberia.
But she also quickly understood the goddess's real intention.
Since Thea would be secretly spreading Artemis's faith, she was effectively the goddess's representative.
Anyone with complaints about the goddess would… naturally complain about her.
And the goddess wanted Thea to catch all of that.
This divine level of foresight was… terrifying.
Still, spreading the faith required thought.
In Europe or America? Even with three lifetimes' worth of courage, she wouldn't dare.
In the Arab world? The locals were fierce, and even centuries of crusades hadn't made a dent—what chance did she have?
After thinking it over, maybe she could promote it in Africa under the guise of Queen Group charity work…?
But that felt like she'd end up butting heads with the Egyptian pantheon. Again.
Faith could wait.
If she couldn't return to her timeline, all of it was meaningless.
"Your Majesty, I will do everything I can to spread Your faith. But about my return…?"
The goddess clearly sensed her concern. With a clear, bright laugh, she said,
"Ares is still strong. And judging from how eager you look—you want to join the battle as well? Have you taken an interest in his divinity of war?
Go if you want. All divine gazes are focused on this battle. Ares's avatar is destined to fall today. His true body's sight is already blocked by the gods.
You may fight freely—it will not affect the timeline."
Oh—this was perfect!
Thea had been worried about Diana fighting alone.
Hearing that it wouldn't affect the timeline made her fighting spirit flare instantly.
"Then Your Majesty, I'll join the battle."
"Go, my chosen one. I shall watch over you from my divine realm."
Thea easily withdrew from the goddess's high-dimensional space.
Time passed, and night quietly arrived. The area around her was wrapped in darkness, and music from the distant fortress drifted through the air.
Removing her denim clothes, she switched into her Amazon armor—ready to enter tonight's divine battle as a warrior.
She drew her Silver Moon Bow. Moonlight periodically bathed its surface.
Feeling the stillness of the night sky, she steadied her breathing.
She would face Ares in her strongest state.
A commotion erupted from the fortress.
A cannon shell fired, hurtling straight toward the village she and the others had stayed in.
Originally, Thea had been hesitating whether to intercept the shell.
But after speaking with the goddess, she changed her mind.
From what the goddess implied, the villagers who felt faith stir during her and Diana's night dance would likely be protected.
They were essential for the goddess to hold on until Thea returned to the future.
No matter how cold she might appear, she wouldn't gamble with her own survival.
As for those who didn't place their faith in the goddess?
Thea could only sigh.
This was fate.
They lacked the ability and courage to change their destiny—and were fated to die tonight.
This was no longer something she could intervene in; the timeline itself constrained her.
Those who believed in the goddess had luck on their side—Artemis would resist the timeline for them.
Thea's frail arms and legs couldn't do anything for the rest.
Especially knowing that the gods' attention was directed here—this water ran too deep.
As a future-sider, the best thing she could do was stay out of it.
Hoofbeats echoed in the quiet night.
Diana, free of disguise, galloped in on a tall horse.
Facing the billowing yellow poison gas, she didn't hesitate for a second—
She charged straight in.