After Miko finished talking with Luka he continued his walk through the Royal District.

“Ishma.”

After Miko spoke, a green light appeared in front of him. From it Ishma stood in front of him with a frown on her face.

“What is it? I was busy.”

She said.

It was then that Miko realized that there was some icing on her face. It looks like he summoned her while she was in the middle of eating her sweets.

“I want you to help me out with something.”

“What?”

Ishma said as she wiped the icing with her finger and licked it.

“You knew Augustus pretty well, right?”

“I wouldn’t say that I knew him that well, but I did hear a lot about from my brother.”

“I see. Then can you give me your impression of him.”

“Impression, huh?”

Ishma suddenly looked like she was in deep thought.

“Now that I think about it, you two are pretty similar, except…”

“Expect what?”

“You’re more humane.”

Ishma answered.

“Me? Humane? I’m recognized as a devil by countless you know.”

“I know. But even so, compared to Augustus you’re nothing but a human.”

“…..Explain.”

Miko said after a pause.

“Hmm…..well Augustus didn’t really possess nearly half the emotions that you do. From what I know he only possessed wrath, lust, and greed. If he wasn’t expressing these emotions a creepy smile would be on his constantly.”

“What? Are you serious?”

Ishma nodded.

“Quoting my brother, ‘To me it looks like he has no desire. It’s true that he gathered people around him, but that is just a necessity for him to conquer this world. Augustus doesn’t see anything beyond his ambition. He will anything at his disposal and is wiling to give up everything to reach his goal. There are no hesitation in any step he takes. He’s a machine with no love or compassion, but at the same time some one who can utilize them to accomplish his goals. A true irregular in this world.’”

“……….”

Miko silently digested Ishma’s words for awhile before responding.

“I see. Thank you.”

“Why did you want to know about Augustus?”

“No reason. I was just curious.”

Miko answered with a smile.

“I-Is that so?”

Ishma got a weird vibe from Miko’s smile which made her uncomfortable.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

After saying that she disappeared and went back where she came from.

“I see. So that’s the difference between us.”

Miko muttered before starting to walk again.

“Does that mean that I can become stronger if I threw everything away?”

He placed his hand on his chest.

“Is that what you’re telling me, Augustus? You possessed no envy, no sloth, no pride you just marched forward no matter how muddy the road became.”

He gripped his chest.

“Is it because of that why I can’t tap into my true strength, because I’m not as big of a monster as you?”

Miko wasn’t a fool. He knew that he was being restricted from a great power that was present in him. He’s tried countless times to tap into that power but couldn’t without using Deus Malum as a medium. He didn’t know the reason why this was so but after hearing what Ishma said it became clear.

The current him wasn’t worthy to use such power.

He sighed.

“Well, whatever. I’ll figure something out eventually.”

He said as he continued his walk.

“Hm?”

It was a little less than ten minutes later that he ran into people he knew.

“Oh, Miko. So this is where you were.”

Said Momo who was walking with Aeon, Alec and Kirika.

“Look, Miko! Alec gave this to me. It’s real godly beer!”

She said as she pushed the gold bottle against Miko’s face.

“I see. Are you going to give me a taste?”

“Sure.”

She answered immediately.

“Wait, I asked you to give me a taste and you declined.”

Said Aeon.

“So? This is my protégé. We pledged to share the good and the bad times together. So it’s natural that we share this gift.”

Momo argued.

“If you want some then have Uncle give you. I’m sure he’s able to get a bottle or two.”

She said with a shooing gesture.

Miko smiled he watched her.

‘I guess it’s reasons like this why I can't discard everything for my ambition. I already left a lifestyle like that behind, and I have no intention of returning to that.’

He thought to himself.

That’s when he looked behind Momo and Aeon.

His eyes met with Alec’s.

“This is….”

Alec stepped forward and extend his hand for a greeting.

“Alec Dragna from the Tertitus Branch. Nice to meet you, Miko.”

“Tertitus branch?”

Miko looked at Alec from head to toe.

“….Is that so? Nice to meet you.”

Miko reached out and shook Alec’s hand.

“?!”

The moment the two’s hands touched Miko felt something inside being stirred up.

His eyes turned purple for a second and glared at Alec.

Alec who received this glare felt like he was being stared at by a prehistoric monster.

However that glare happened for only a second, before Miko’s eyes turned back blue.

The two silently removed their hands from each other.

There was cold sweat on Alec’s forehead which he wiped off with his finger.

“Who are you?”

Miko asked.

“He’s Alec of the Bloodflame.”

Momo whispered to him.

“Blood Flame?”

“Yeah, it’s a magical blood colored flame that is said to render the Class System useless. In other words, no matter who you are, this flame can cause you damage regardless of your Class.”

“Is that so?”

The red flame that melted the robot that Gear built in Grim City resurfaced in his mind.

“I see. You were the one….”

Miko immediately knew that Alec was in Grim City when he fought the final war. This meant that Alec might’ve been observing him way before they met.

‘From the fact that he saved us, suggests that he didn’t want me to die. However, the reason he wants me alive is unknown. In other words there’s no telling whether he’s an enemy or ally.’

Miko remembered the static that travel through his body when he touched Alec. It was a terrifying feeling as if something was opening up inside him.

‘Should I eliminate him here or observe the situation a little longer.’

He thought to himself.

(Wait, Miko.)

That’s when Tia’s voice echoed in his mind.

‘Tia? Where are you?’

(At a spa, but that’s not important. You can trust Alec.)

‘Trust him? On what grounds?’

(Alec is your ally. Just trust me on this.)

‘…..Who is he?’

(Alec of the Blood Flame. He’s this era’s Millennium Genius, which means that he’s peerless in this generation.)

‘Millennium Genius? I think I heard about that once. I think Momo said Nova was one?’

(That’s right. He’s a genius on Nero and nova’s level.)

Tia answered.

‘Wait. When I first met Momo you said that she had the potential to become a second Nero, but you just said that Alec is peerless in this generation. Does that mean that he’s stronger than Momo?’

(That’s right. Momo is heaven sent but Alec is on a different level. In fact if I had to choose someone other than you from this generation to be my proxy it would be him without a doubt.)

‘And someone like that is my ally?’

(That’s right. I ensure you that Alec means you no harm. In fact he should become one of your greatest allies in the future. He’s also a way for you to unite the five branches. )

‘A way to unite the branches?’

Miko looked at Alec again.

There was a playful smile on his face.

“Are you done talking with Tiamat?”

He asked.

Miko wasn’t shocked by his question and looked at him silently.

“Perhaps she’s convincing you to trust me?”

He said.

“Miko, don’t worry. Alec isn’t like Aeon, who hide in the shadows, he’s open about his intentions, so there’s no need to be suspicious of him.”

Said Momo.

“You know, you kinda of took an indirect jab at me.”

Said Aeon.

“Well, I won't try to kill you for now.”

Miko said after a while.

“That’s fine by me.”

Alec was all smiles.

“Well, if you excuse me there’s somewhere I need to be.”

Miko took one last look and Alec before leaving.

“Later.”

Alec said as he watched Miko’s retreating back.

“You know, even though I told Miko to trust you, if I sense that you’re plotting anything against him….”

Alec looked at Momo whose eyes were a Beastly purple.

“I’ll kill you even if it means dying together.”

In face of Momo’s warning Alec laughed a little.

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on plotting against the king. I just earnestly wish to assist him.”

He answered.

“I see.”

Momo smiled.

“Then it’s all good.”

She then spun around while holding the beer.

“Alright, let’s drink to my disciple! I feel generous today!”

After Miko left, he headed straight to the center of the district.

At the center was a statue of a man dressed in armor, wielding a large word.

It was a statue of Augustus.

“………”

Miko silently looked at the statue.

No one could figure out what was going through his mind as he stared at the golden statue.

There was no emotion on his face, but he gave off an unapproachable aura.

“Yo.”

Even so, he was still approached about someone.

He looked to the side and saw a youth around his age with purple and azure hair smiling at him.

Miko recognized the youth but he couldnt remember where.

“You are….?”

He asked.

“Rin. Rin Dragna. I’m the youngest son of Marcel Dragna.”

“Ah, you’re Dario’s brother.”

Rin nodded.

“So? What’s up? You don’t seem like the type to seek revenge for others, so I don’t think this has anything to do with your brother.”

“You’re right, this has nothing to do with my brother.”

He took a step closer to Miko.

“You see, I really admire you Miko.”

“Ah, sorry. I might look like this, but I don’t swing that way.”

Miko replied with a straight face.

Rin didn’t get upset and just laughed.

“Don’t worry, me neither. I was just saying that I look up to you that’s all.”

A playful smile appeared on his face.

“I’m glad that you’re the one I was born to counter.”

“Say what?”

“Ah, guess you wouldn’t know. You see unlike my other brothers who were born between the love of my parents, I was born for the sole person off countering the Primus Branch’s younger generation. It was my grandfather’s orders actually.”

Rin said with a shrug.

“Is that so? That’s kind of sad.”

“Not really. I like my role. Although, my grandfather said that I don’t need to live up to it anymore.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you’re Tiamat’s proxy. He thought that it was a lost cause.”

“But you still believe that you can beat me?”

“I don’t know, but it should be fun trying.”

“……..”

Miko looked at him silently.

He couldn't sense any maliciousness in Rin’s words. He honestly wanted to compete with Miko with pure intentions.

He wanted to beat Miko, but he also looks up to him.

It was like a fan training to reach their idol’s level, and wishing to surpass them one day.

It made Miko feel confused.

This was his first time experiencing something like this.

Rin approached him without an ounce of malice and just wanted fight with him for the fun of it.

This was completely different from all of his previous enemies.

No. He didn’t even know if Rin would qualify as an enemy.

If so, then what was he?

This thought made Miko froze in place.

As if sensing Miko’s confusion Rin spoke again.

“You don’t need to think about it so hard.”

He said.

“Just continue to grow stronger and reach for higher heights. If you do so then I’ll promise to chase after you. The further you become out of reach the more exciting it would be to climb and reach you.”

He tapped Miko’s chest with his fist.

“Become great Gamiko Dragna the Third, and continue to earn my admiration. That is all I ask from you.”

Rin said with a pure smile.

‘I see.’

Miko came to a realization when he saw that smile.

‘So this is what it feels like to obtain a true rival with no ulterior motives. Just the wish to surpass you.’

He thought to himself.

He smiled and placed his fist on Rin’s chest.

“You too. You better be able to keep up.”

“Of course.”

It was this way that the Wicked God met the Sword Emperor.