After gathering the Tertitus, Quartus, Secundus branch members he wanted, Miko led the way to the underground passageway under the palace.

Just like the last time he came here, Miko could feel the countless gazes of hidden guards.

“Now that I’ve gotten stronger, I can sense that those hidden in the shadows are incredibly strong.”

Miko muttered to himself.

“The people guarding the treasure vault are some of the first servants of the clan from the days of Augustus. So of course they’re strong. You can say that they’re monsters from the clan’s golden age.”

Alec answered.

“What? You know about the treasure vault too?”

“I’ve heard a quite a bit about it from a reliable source.”

Alec replied with a smile.

“Is that so? Then did your source tell you what was inside?”

Alec shook his head.

“I only know about the guards, not the treasury itself.”

“Oh? So there are somethings you don’t know.”

Miko said with a satisfied expression.

“Anyway, we’re here.”

Miko could see a familiar black door with a red eye insignia on it. Standing in front of it was Bašmu.

Miko and the others slowly approached him.

“Is everyone inside?”

Miko asked.

Basmu nodded.

“They’ve been in there for quite sometime waiting on you.”

“Then I can’t have them wait any longer, can I?”

Miko looked at the door and grinned.

“Open the door.”

“As you wish.”

Basmu turned around and faced the door. He then placed his hand on the red insignia.

*Bam!*

The giant doors immediately swung open, and lustrous golden light rushed out and illuminated the corridor.

The light caused the others behind Miko to shield their eyes on reflex.

When their eyes adjust, they saw a golden wonderland open up in front of them.

“Fellow clansmen.”

Miko turned and face them.

“I welcome you to the Imperial Treasure Vault of the Dragna Clan.”

Everyone looked in awe, as none of them could’ve expected such a place to be under the palace.

“Come on.”

Miko said and walked in.

However, he soon stopped when he saw that no one was following him.

He turned around and faced them.

“What’s wrong?”

“You see, the thing is….we aren’t allowed to enter the treasure vault.”

Alec answered.

“It’s one of the greatest taboos of the clan. If you break this taboo, death would be a light punishment.”

Gizmo added.

“It’s fine. I’m giving you permission to enter.”

“Is that okay? Even the branch leaders need the consent of the other leaders to enter.”

Said Karim.

“I said it’s fine. I outrank the branch leaders, so I don’t need permission from anyone and can also grant anyone permission to enter. Besides, this place was mine in the first place. No one can punish you if the owner gave you his permission.”

Miko asserted.

Everyone looked at each other, still hesitant.

Miko sighed.

He then glanced at Alec and Kirika.

The two knew what his gaze meant and sighed as well. They then simultaneously entered the treasure vault with trouble expressions. Seeing that, the others looked at each and walked in one by one.

It wasn’t long before everyone was inside.

“Took you long enough.”

Miko complained.

He then turned around and started to walk deeper into the room.

“From your behavior, looks like I was the first to enter this place for countless years.”

“It can't be helped. You’re only suppose to enter here when the clan encounters a crisis. Considering how strong the last few generations have been, there wasnt much that could threaten us.”

Said Alec.

“Is that so?”

Yet, Miko didn’t seem to care about the past that much.

After walking past several mountains of treasure, Miko and others spotted a group gathered together.

“The others from the Primus and Quintus Branches, huh?”

Said Kouta.

However, he was shocked to see not only his fellow clan members but Miko’s generals as well.

“Hey, what is this? You let outsiders in the treasure vault as well?”

He asked in shock.

He wasn’t the only one seeking answers. Everyone was shocked. This was because genuine members of the clan had a basically nonexistent chance of entering this place, but Miko actually people outside the clan in.

It was completely ludicrous.

“Like I said, it’s my place. Who I want to enter is my business.”

Miko replied, and walked towards the other group.

Those behind him had no choice but to quietly follow him.

“Oh, Miko!”

The first to spot him was Ravel.

“This place is beautiful. Everything is glowing and sparkling!”

“I see. Then you’re having fun?”

Ravel nodded.

“I recognize a couple things and It brought back some memories.”

“I see. We’ll soon take a look around. Maybe you’ll be able to find something else you recognized.”

“Okay!”

“Hahahahaha!”

That’s when Miko heard a joyous laugh, and looked behind him.

There he saw Ace and Sora literally swimming up a mountain of treasure.

“I can’t believe it. I’m swimming in gold!”

Ace shouted.

“I’m rich! I’m rich!”

Sora shouted.

“If they take anything without permission, you can beat the crap out of them if you want.”

Miko looked at the others and said.

They all nodded.

“Now that everyone’s here, how about you explain what you need us for?”

Said Krul.

“I was just about to do that.”

Miko looked at everyone and smiled.

“I gather you all together with the intention of forming an all-star team to aid me in creating the empire. I selected you all, with the exception of Raven and Ravel, because you all have great potential, limitless room to grow, and most of all, you’re all young with bright futures ahead of you.”

“Oh? He’s great with words.”

Said Sylvia.

“I bet he’s a womanizer.”

Sylphy added.

Miko continued.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I absolutely need you all. I could’ve carried out my plan without anyone of you. But I have another objective in bringing you all together.”

“And what’s that?”

Asked Alshura.

Miko smiled.

“I want to surpass Augustus!”

“?!”

Miko’s words shocked a lot of people for a lot of different reasons.

They were a few who knew who he really was, and knew that he meant that he wanted to surpass himself from a different age. While there were the rest who only knew that Augustus was the progenitor of the clan, who no one was able to surpass.

Of course, there were some who didn’t know who Augustus was.

Miko ignored their various reactions and continued.

“You all must be wondering what does surpassing Augustus have to do with me gathering you all. You must’ve heard about it before, the golden age of the Dragna clan. A period where our clan was considered one of the top powerhouses of the world. A period when offending the clan resulted in the heavens being slaughtered and the hells being ripped apart. I want to create an age in the clan that surpasses that.”

“Oi, oi. Do you understand what you’re saying?”

Kouta stepped out and spoke.

“Back then the clan had countless invincible warriors at its disposal. These warriors were all world renown for fighting against Higher beings. Especially the Five Divine Generals who were considered Augustus rivals in power. The clan no longer possess anyone like that. The closest we have are the branch leaders.”

“Then you all just have to surpass those invincible warriors.”

Miko immediately replied.

“If that generation was invincible then all this generation needs to do is to become invincible as well.”

He then smirked.

“Or do you not have the confidence to do so?”

“Don’t look down on me!”

Kouta shouted back.

“If they can become invincible then I can become almighty!”

Miko smiled.

“Then what’s the problem?"

“…….”

Kouta didn’t answer.

“Of course, I know it won’t be easy. But it isn’t impossible if you all wish for it.”

He then looked at Luka and the others.

“For you guys outside of the clan, I want you all to become unstoppable and help usher in a new golden era. After all, it was because of all the monsters that existed back then, why that era was called the era of the gods.”

Everyone looked at each other and then nodded.

This made Miko smiled. He wanted to create an era that was far more glorious than the one Augustus lived in. And to do that he needs to gather and cultivate rare talents.

‘In a way, I’m grateful towards the New Era. Their existence will surely send this world into chaos, and that will cause warriors to rise all over the world.’

Miko thought.

The more chaotic an era, the more powerful warriors it will produce. In order to survive, people will need to break out of their shells and push past their limits. This will result in an era of warriors with terrifying strength. And the ones who would lead this era could only be the best of the best.

A monster among monsters.

Miko’s aim was to become this monster.

‘A peaceful era is too boring. As such, just like New Era, I need to plunge this world in the deepest pits of hell. Only then will climbing to the top be truly worthwhile.’

Miko thought to himself.

“So, what’s the reason you brought us to the treasure vault?”

Rin asked.

“Didn’t you hear me? I want to create an era greater than Augustus’. The equipment we need, is in this vault.”

Miko lifted a finger.

“Let me ask you, what is inside this vault?”

“The clans most precious treasures.”

Rin answered.

“You’re right. But your answer is shallow.”

At that moment, Miko’s glove turned into light particles and appeared next him. From it Ishma appeared.

“Allow me to introduce her to those of you who don’t know her.”

Miko pointed at Ishma.

“This is my partner in crime, and my sword. Ishma Diabolus.”

Ishma looked around at everyone and snorted.

“Hmph. Do you seriously want to create a grander era than mine with these brats? They’re not up to the task.”

Ishma words immediately offended a lot of people in the room.

“Who are you to decide that, Brat?”

Said Kouta.

“Hmm…Well, you’re pretty decent.”

Ishma ignored his question and gave an evaluation.

“Ishma is the daughter of Lucifer and the sister of Augustus’ biggest rival Ajax Diabolus. She was sealed inside a sword by her brother because she was a bit mischievous.”

Miko explained.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Ishma defended herself.

“Lucifer’s daughter?”

Not many knew Ishma’s real identity, they just knew that she was one of Miko’s swords who accompanied him everywhere. In fact, outside of Momo, Alec, Kirika, and Raven. No one else in the room knew.

As such, the way everyone looked at the gluttonous sweets loving yet violent sword changed.

“Listen you brats, it’s not that I’m looking down on you. Wait, I am…Anyway, compared to the people who fought in my era you’re nothing more than infants.”

No one said anything, because as someone who lived in such a chaotic era, those from this peaceful era really were nothing but infants in their eyes.

“Well, some of you are decent. For example.”

She then started pointing out people.

She pointed at Alec, Christian, Kirika, Kouta, Chika, Verde, Kaido, Jin, Luka, Momo, and Karim.

“You guys are very impressive. Well, two of you were born in my era so that’s expected. The rest of you aren’t worth mentioning.”

She said with pure arrogance.

“Wait, are you saying that we’re worthless? If so, I can’t let that go.”

Said Alshura.

“I only acknowledge the most talented. I don’t care for insects.”

Ishma answered.

“You!”

Al-Shura’s eyes burned with rage as he approached her.

“Calm down.”

Miko stepped between them.

“Ishma just stated her own opinion. She’s the type that only looks at the talent in front of her, but looks past one's potential. Basically, she’s simpleminded.”

“What was that?!”

Ishma roared.

Miko took out a cake from who knows where and threw it at her. She excitedly caught it and became docile as she began eating.

“See?”

When everyone saw how Miko tamed Ishma they all thought the same thing.

‘She doesn’t have an ounce of dignity as Lucifer’s daughter.’

The necklace that was Regis, started shaking as if she was shaking her head in disappointment.

“Anyway, unlike Ishma. I look at not your current achievements but at your potential ones. It's for this reason why I’ve gathered you.”

He then turned his back to them and spread his arms as of embracing everything in the room.

“I brought you all here to help you unlock your true potential.”

He then glanced back at them with a smile.

“In other words, I’m going use the treasures here to level you all up. Myself too of course.”