“Was that okay?”

Tia asked while she walked beside Miko.

“While it’s a gamble leaving them unattended to, it’s something I want to see. I want them to get comfortable and show their true colors. Of course if they stay on guard all the time I have many ways to make them feel like there’s nothing to worry about and let loose.”

He answered.

“They’ll naturally plot against each other and myself, but that’s fine by me. I have no intention of getting outplayed by some brats.”

Tia looked at Miko weirdly when he said that.

He didn’t seem to realize what he had said was strange for someone his age to say.

‘Does that mean that his sense of self is being altered?’

Tia thought to herself.

“Hm?”

Miko stopped when he saw three persons up ahead standing as if waiting on him.

“Oh!”

Tia’s eyes lit up when she saw them.

Miko could immediately tell from the oppressive aura that they gave off that they were guardian beasts like Gallu and Bašmu.

“Long time no see, mother, brother, and sister.”

The one who stepped and said that was the tallest of the three.

He had a muscular build, well groomed red curly hair and beard, a gentle face, and was dressed in a suit with a luminous aura around him.

“Lahmu!”

Tia leaped into the man’s, Lahmu’s arms and hugged him.

Lahmu was the first born son of Tiamat and her first husband, Abzu., making him the third oldest existence in the world.

He and his sister Laḫamu are the parents of Anshar and Kishar, the sky father and earth mother, who birthed the gods of the Mesopotamian Pantheon.

He was the god that represented the stars, constellations and zodiacs.

He was also the guardian beast of the Quartus Branch.

“It’s great to see you again after so many years.”

Said Tiamat.

“I feel the same way about you mother.”

Lahmu replied.

Tia then looked at the other two behind lahmu.

“It’s great to see you two as well. Sirrush, Mušma.”

Behind Lahmu were a beautiful woman and an aggressive looking man.

The woman was dressed in a short skirt and blouse, and wore high heels. She also was wearing black stockings and a pair of glasses on her face.

Her overall appearance was that of intelligence mixed with sex appeal.

This was the guardian beast of the Tertitus Branch, mušḫuššu who was also known as the mythical dragon Sirrush.

Sirrush was depicted as a scaly dragon with hind legs resembling the talons of an eagle, feline forelegs, a long neck and tail, a horned head, a snake-like tongue, and a crest.

The man was dressed in a military uniform similar to Andreas and a hat to match.

He had azure hair and golden eyes like Tiamat, and ferocious look in them.

This was the Quintus Branch Guardian beast, Mušmaḫḫū. More commonly called Mušma.

Mušmaḫḫū was an ancient Mesopotamian mythological hybrid of a serpent, lion and bird, sometimes identified with the seven-headed serpent slain by Ninurta in the mythology of the Sumerian period.

He was also one of the three horned serpents who were three monsters who were considered the first of their kind and unusually strong.

“Mother.”

Mušma greeted Tia with a simple nod, while Sirrush showed a bright smile.

“So this is the infamous Miko.”

Lahmu approached Miko, seemingly measuring him up.

Miko looked at him and a light flashed in his eyes. However, no one seemed to noticed it.

“You did a number on the leaders of our branches earlier.”

Mušma said as he approached Miko.

“I’m impressed. To think that you can utilize our power to that extent.”

Sirrush approached him as well.

Miko found himself being surrounded by all five guardian beasts.

Even so he didn’t flinch or showed any signs of being pressured.

It gave the guardian beasts who were meeting him for the first time a good impression.

“So this is the man you chose, Mother.”

Said Lahmu.

Tia wrapped her arm around Miko’s neck.

“Yup. Isn’t he great?”

Lahmu nodded.

“He reminds me of Augustus.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

Said Sirrush.

“Geh!”

Tia’s body jolted when she heard that.

She realized that her children were looking at her weirdly and started to laugh awkwardly.

‘These kids are as sharp as always.’

She thought to herself.

“So, you guys let me get to the point.”

Miko suddenly said.

“Whose side are you on, mine or the Dragna Clan?”

He asked with a straight face and eyes that showed no unease, just pure confidence.

Lahmu smiled when he saw that and bent a knee.

“Of course, we’re on your side.”

Mušma and Sirrush did the same.

“You’re the man our mother chose, which qualifies you to control us.”

Said Sirrush.

“Just say the word and we’ll do everything in our power to make you happy.”

Mušma added.

“Good. You’re all as smart as I hoped.”

Miko said with a smile.

He signaled them to stopped kneeling and they got to their feet.

“With all five of you by my side, the path to emperor is even more clear. If your branches are smart they accompany us on that path, then that would be great. Otherwise, then I no longer need them.”

The guardian beasts smiled wryly when Miko said that.

Later that day, Miko was walking in the Royal district by himself.

He looked up at the sky and saw a pink star, a floating ship and a robot dragon; all hovering above the capital.

Miko sighed when he looked at them.

“This is just drawing unnecessary attention from everyone around the world.”

He shook his head and started walking again.

“Well, it doesn’t matter since it’s almost time to leave our mark on the world.”

He walked at a slow pace while organizing his thoughts and planning his future moves.

“Hm?”

That’s when he sensed some activity in his shadow.

“Luka?”

“Yes.”

Luka’s voice came from his shadow, but she wasn't near him at the moment.

“Is this some kind of new way to communicate, with our shadows?”

Miko asked while shaking his head.

“It’s nothing special. I just used a technique your grandfather showed me to place portals anywhere I want to use as my personal transit stations.”

“And you placed one in my shadow?”

“Yup.”

“Just to be clear, these portals have a range Limit right? Like, you cant use them if you’re a certain distance away from them.”

“Of course. I’m not omnipotent like Nero after all.”

Luka answered.

‘Thank god. It would be a problem if she could pop up on me at anytime she wished, even if we were far apart. It would feel like I had a stalker and that’s not funny.’

Miko thought to himself.

“So what is it?”

“I heard that you let the three branches that returned today do as they please.”

She said.

“That’s right.”

“Do you want me to keep an eye on them?”

“No. If they discover you they might kill you without a second thought. I would like to avoid that at all cost.”

“…..I see. Then I would like to report something.”

“Go ahead.”

“The Flameheart Clan made contact with me. They wish to settle our differences. What do you think?”

Miko paused before answering her.

“I think that they’re multiple ways to interpret this. They could be trying to use you to get to me.”

“I thought so as well.”

“However, there’s a chance that their intentions are pure.”

“…….”

Luka didn’t reply.

“I know you have mixed feelings about them, but them being your only family members other than ouroboros means that you’ll have to face them eventually.”

“Then are you saying that I should take up their invitation?”

Miko nodded even though he didn’t know if Luka could see him.

“However, let’s make full use of this.”

“Meaning?”

“The foundation of this kingdom is definitely the Triad, Dragna, Saevio, and Flameheart. However, as it stands none of the Triad interacts with each other anymore, and could be said to be at odds because of an accumulation of old grudges. This invitation is a chance to fix that.”

“You want me to persuade the Flameheart Clan to ally themselves with you?”

Miko nodded again.

“The Dragna Clan is responsible for the deaths of a member of both the Saevio and Flameheart main clans. Dario killed your mother Lisa Flameheart, while I killed Marco. This caused both clans to cut off all interaction with us. While the relationship between those two clans aren’t the greatest, there’s still a chance for them to band together in the future and try to overthrow the Dragna Clan as the rulers of the kingdom. To prevent that from happening I must unite the Dragna Clan with at least one of them.”

“I see. But aren’t you selling me out here? You know my grudge with them.”

“You’re my woman right?”

“……That’s right.”

“Hey, what’s with that long pause? You’re making me nervous here.”

Said Miko.

“I’m your woman, okay!”

Luka suddenly shouted.

Even though he couldn't see her, Miko could imagine how adorably embarrassed she was to say that out loud.

“And as my woman, there’s no way I’ll sell you out or use you. I’m a very selfish person after all. I don’t like the notion of sharing my women.”

“Get to the point already!”

“I’m basically saying that Im just seeking my lover’s help. However, I’ll be sure to protect you if anything happens. Even if I must trade my life for your safety.”

“……….”

Luka could tell from his tone that Miko was serious about what he said.

“Fine. So what do you want me to do?”

She asked after a while.

Miko smiled before answering.

“I want you to meet with these persons. Maria Flameheart, Darwin Flameheart, and Joesph Flameheart. I’m sure as you know these persons are your Grandaunt, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather respectively. They are also the ones who hold the most power in the clan. Especially, Joesph who is the only living progenitor of your clan. I heard that he’s a monster who was personally trained by Augustus Dragna himself and his five generals. Joesph seems strict but he’s actually a softy; if you approach him with pure intentions then because of who you are he’ll listen.”

“I knew all this expect for the last bit about Augustus and Joseph’s personality. Where did you get that information?”

“…….I have my sources.”

Miko answered after a while.

“As for Maria, she’ll be a bit difficult. From what I heard she became somewhat unstable after your mother died. It isn’t bad enough to say she’s completely off her rockers, but she’s close. Even I can’t predict how she’ll react to you. As for Darwin, he shouldn’t be a problem. He’s probably the one who is pushing to meet you.”

“Then, as long as I convince these three to join you then it’s mission complete.”

“That’s right. But I don’t want you to view this as only a mission. I want you to try to build some genuine relations with them. Unlike my wild clan, your clan is more protective. Having them as backers you can really trust would be very beneficial for your future.”

The tone Miko spoke with sounded a bit weird to Luka. It was like he was a bit jealous, but at the same time not.

She couldnt see through his heart.

“Miko, why the Flameheart clan? Wouldn’t it be easier to ally with the Saevio clan that you are related to?”

She asked after thinking for a while.

“Is it because of me?”

Miko shook his head.

“No, the Flameheart clan is an emotional clan. They treasure bonds over all. If I make them my allies I’ll obtain backers that will go to the pits of hell for me without an ounce of hesitation.”

He answered.

“On the the other hand, the Saevio clan is too untrustworthy. They’re like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment. As such I plan on eradicating them.”

What Miko said didn’t shock Luka.

That was because she came to a similar conclusion a long time ago.

The Saevio bloodline is cursed and honestly too dangerous. It was logical to eliminate them if you want to feel truly secured.

Leon and Kristen were perfect examples of what they can produce. To ensure that no more nuisances like them are born, the clan must disappear.

Miko’s eyes flashed crimson as he thought this.

“I’m the only Beleth this world needs.”