Summit Of The Gods, a place where all Higher Being resides and a place where they socialize with each other. In this place, Tia was sitting in her realm which was like her personal world. The place was nothing but a vast sea with with a single temple. Compared to the other Higher Beings’ realms hers was lackluster.

“Oh, he’s here.”

She stood up from the golden throne she was sitting on and walked to the edge of the platform that her temple was on. She saw a huge shadow in the endless sea, heading towards her. As it was about to crash into the temple, the shadow disappeared and someone jumped out of the water and landed in front of her.

“Enjoyed the swim, Boros?”

The one in front of her was Ouroboros, the dragon that swallowed its own tail.

“It wasn’t bad.”

He walked and took a seat in front of Tia’s throne. Tia smiled and sat back on her throne with Ouroboros facing her.

“So? You said that you wanted to talk.”

“Yes. I’m sure you’re already aware of what I want to talk about though.”

“The relationship between our proxies, right?”

Ouroboros nodded.

“Let me give you a heads up. Lulu might challenge Miko to a death match any second now.”

“Oh? Looks like something happened in the Flameheart clan.”

“The clan members are planning on using Luka’s status as a proxy to create the perfect opportunity to kill Miko.”

“I see. They want her to challenge Miko to a duel between proxies. It’s true that if she does that then they have a legitimate reason to fight that no one can argue about. Also, as a proxy aiming for the throne Miko definitely won’t decline a chance to fight a fellow proxy. It would be a wasted opportunity to gain experience.”

Tia smiled.

“But not all battles between proxies needs to be one to the death. You just need to show that you’re stronger and more worthy for the throne. If Luka defeats Miko and kills him the Dragna Clan can still retaliate even if it will put a smudge on their reputation.”

“They intend to make it look like an accident.”

“Hmm….Well from what I can tell Miko and Luka are indeed close enough in strength that either of them can accidentally kill each other in an attempt to obtain victory. However, Boros. That is only from a logical point of view. Logic won’t be enough to console an enraged mother you know.”

“Sasha, huh?”

Tia nodded.

“Accident or not, Sasha would never forgive anyone who kills her son. Things like honor and reputation is worthless in her eyes. She would definitely seek revenge. Kimiko is the same.”

Tia lifted a finger.

“A second after Miko dies, there will be war.”

She leaned back in her throne.

“So unless the Flamehearts want a war then killing Miko will be their worst mistake…..Ah. So they do want war.”

Ouroboros nodded.

“What nonsense.”

Tia sighed.

“The Flamehearts can’t take on both the Dragna Clan and Kimiko. Let’s take the Dragna clan out of the equation, Kimiko isn’t someone they should cross.”

“What if they plan on getting outside help?”

Tia’s eyes widen when she heard Ouroboros question.

“You mean like teaming up with the Dragna Clan’s enemies?”

Ouroboros nodded.

“If they do that then there’s no turning back, the Flameheart Clan would no longer be able to remain a part of the empire……That’s what they want, isn’t? To leave the empire.”

“I believe that there exist a faction that does wish for that. It looks like they are fed up of being oppressed and want to spread their wings.”

“Idiots. Are they planning on destroying what their ancestors worked so hard to build.”

Tia looked uncharacteristically angry.

“The reason why I came here is because I want to stop this.”

“You shouldn’t care about the Flameheart Clan, so this must be for Luka’s sake.”

Tia smiled once again.

“I’m surprised. I never thought that you would work so hard just not to lose a proxy.”

“Lulu is different. She’s someone I raised like my daughter.”

“If I remember correctly your last proxy was her father, right? Zanis Zebul…..He was a powerful one. He had what it took to become a Divine Proxy which is the highest rank for a proxy. Too bad what happened back then.”

Tia voice showed that she was indeed a bit saddened by Zanis’ early demise.

“But Boros, What kind of father doesn’t have faith in his own daughter? It isn’t certain that she would die if she fought Miko you know?”

“Oh, I’m not worried about her losing. If they fought Lulu would be the one to emerge victorious.”

“Oh?”

A sharp glare appeared in Tia’s eyes.

“Those are quite some big words there. To think that my Miko would be looked down upon like this.”

“I’m not trying to pick a fight here, Tia. So calm down.”

Tia burst out laughing.

“My bad, Boros. Its been a while since I’ve gotten angry for someone else’s sake. I must love Miko more than I thought.”

“No problem. It was my fault.”

Ouroboros cleared his throat.

“What I meant to say was that in the case she won Lulu would never be the same. Her Flameheart blood would destroy her. I’m sure you remember what happened with Darius?”

“He lost his mind when Hina’s grandmother died.”

“If Lulu was to kill Miko with her own hands the backlash would be far more severe than what Darius suffered. Best case scenario she’s loses her mind…..worse case she dies.”

“Ahh, Flamehearts suffer from that lover’s curse don’t they? In a way their ancestors really screwed them over when they accepted Aphrodite’s blessing.”

Tia started playing with her hair.

“Miko would suffer if he kills Luka too…But not like she would of course.”

Tia looked like she remembered something which caused her to smile.

“Say, Boros. If they do end up fighting let’s leave them be.”

“….What are you planning?”

“Nothing really.”

Tia started grinning.

“I just figured out a way the three clans can be reunited once again. I’m sure that a certain someone in my clan has realized it too.”

Renacido. Miko was standing in front of someone with a smile on his face. He looked like a teen, had long purple hair, a “plain” looking face in comparison to Alec, was dressed in full white and held a book in his hand. This was Gizmo Dragna, an Alchemy genius who descended from Augustus and one of his many wives. In other words, he wasn’t Tiamat’s descendant and just like Krow had no dragon blood in his veins.

Normally someone like this wouldn’t be a part of main Dragna family thus unable to inherit any major role in the clan unless talented to the point that they can’t be ignored. This was the case with Gizmo. He fought his way into the main family of the Tertitus branch with his Alchemy skills and engineering techniques and became a central member of the younger generation along with Alec and Kirika.

“Gizmo, I’m glad that you came.”

“Alec said you wanted to talk so I came to see what you wanted. Since we were never really that close I pretty much figured out what you wanted.”

“Then I won’t beat around the bush. Gizmo, how would you like to join Renacido as one of my central figures in our science department.”

“Sure.”

“That was quick.”

“I felt a bit left out when Alec and Kirika started working here but I was never asked.”

“Well, it’s like you said. We were never really close so I was more comfortable asking them first.”

Gizmo nodded.

“Makes sense. Also I’m sure you figured I would join if these two did and purposely left me out to take a strike at my pride causing me to start wondering if I’m not good enough to be recruited. This will cause me first feel insulted, however since I have an inferiority complex towards Alec and Kirika I will start believing that I’m indeed inferior. After you confirm that I’m sadden and is starting to lose confidence in myself you will try to recruit me which will make me feel overjoyed, thus increasing your chances of successfully recruiting me.”

“………”

Miko was left speechless for a long time. It was exactly like how Gizmo described it.

“I see that they don’t say you rival Kirika and Alec for no reason.”

Miko’s sighed in resignation.

“But if you already knew what I was doing, why accept my offer?”

“Because even if I knew that this was a ploy I couldn’t stop myself from getting depressed. It’s just like being a bad relationship. You know that your partner is bad for you but you can’t stop yourself from being with them.”

“……I’m not sure I follow.”

“Basically I have anxiety problems and a low self esteem. Even so I know I’m being tricked there’s still a little part of me saying that I’m just trying to justify my incompetence by making excuses.”

“I see.”

Miko nodded and stretched his hand out.

“Anyway, other than the awkward atmosphere just now, it’s great having you Gizmo.”

“Likewise.”

Less than 15 minutes later, Miko was in Layla’s base. Around him was Momo, Alec, Kirika, and Gizmo. Everyone else were busy completing other task.

“For some reason I’m exhausted.”

Miko leaned back in his seat and said.

“It’s my fault for being awkward. My apologizes.”

Gizmo bowed his head and said.

“If you do that you’ll only make it awkward again you know.”

Alec said with a laugh.

“Ah, you’re right.”

Gizmo suddenly started mumbling something to himself with a gloomy aura around him.

“Hahaha! You’re a riot, Gizmo.”

Alec started slapping Gizmo’s back.

“Um…”

“Hm? What is it? Anxiety attack? Or are you feeling depressed?”

“Well, there’s that too…”

(What do you mean that too?)

Miko thought with a confused expression.

“Is there any other clan that has produced more talents than ours? I mean if you think about it, from your grandfathers’ generation to now there have been countless geniuses appearing from the Dragna Clan. So I want to know if we’re #1 or what?”

This question caused everyone to look at each other.

“I’ve never really thought about it.”

“But if you think about it, our clan might be special. Not just ours, the Flameheart and Saevus Clans who can compete with us are strange too….Are there any other clans like us?”

Momo said. Gizmo turned and looked at Alec specifically. Everyone else soon did the same. Out of everyone here Alec undoubtedly held the most knowledge about the world because of his travels. If there was such a clan then he must’ve at least heard rumors of it.

“Well there are a few. There’s the Diabolus Clan that Nine Hells Dante is from. It’s a clan of Lucifer’s descendants that produced countless demon geniuses.”

Alec answered.

This was also the same clan that Ajax and Ishma was a part of.

“There’s Othinus, Odin’s clan in the Asgard empire. I also heard a rumor about there being a legendary clan of swordsmen clan at the Wakoku Nation that produced countless sword masters like Lucifer’s 7 swords, but nothing more. But there could be many hidden clans scattered across the world. The world is a big place after all.”

“I see.”

Miko’s was about to say something when he saw Hina enter the room.

“Miko, I received a message from Sora. He said that it was a success and that they’re on their way back.”

A huge smile appeared on Miko’s face.

“Good.”

He stood.

“That’s great news.”

“Did you plan something Miko?”

Alec asked.

“Yeah. We were having a little money problem so I sent my comrades to borrow something that could help us obtain a lot of money.”

“Oh, what’s that?”

“Dale.”

“Dale? The country?”

Miko nodded.

“You’re saying you stole a country?”

Kirika asked.

“No, I borrowed one.”

“You borrowed….Ah, you replaced the king with a Parasite Demon.”

Miko shook his head.

“Close. A king is a bit too much, I replaced their entire finance ministry.”

“Oh? Now that’s impressive. What did you make them do?”

Alec asked.

“I had them transfer their country’s annual budget to a businessman in the Aloe Kingdom. That businessman is close friends with the Aloe King. I made sure to leave enough evidence for the Royal Court of Dale to find out that the money was transferred and who it was transferred to. The royal court must be in an uproar right now.”

“I see. This will cause a rift with Dale and the Aloe Kingdom. But how will that earn you money?”

Alec suddenly looked like he realized something.

“War Profiteering.”

“Bingo.”

Miko clapped his hands.

“Renacido is a country but we’re also one huge crime organization and what do crime organization do? We make money off other’s misfortune. Currently both Dale and the Aloe Kingdom will have no choice but to try and find a way and solve the situation of the money that the businessman has acquired. Even if the Aloe Kingdom gives back all the money the trust between the two countries has already been broken because of the businessman’s connections to the royal family.”

“But a war won’t necessarily break out.”

Kirika said.

“That’s fine too. I just need there to be tensions between the two countries. As long as the possibility of war is stuck in their heads it’s fine. They’ll feel anxious and nervous and will eventually question if they can beat their opponents.”

“That’s where we come in, right?”

Alec seemed amused.

“Right. We give them something to make them feel more confident in themselves. A miracle drug that will boost the strength of their soldiers over time without any long lasting effects.”

“I see. So that’s why you want us to create that drug.”

Miko nodded in response to Kirika.

“We’ll sale it to their military and make them think that it’s something that only they would have. By the time they find out that we sold it to both sides it will already be too late. Their soldiers will become addicted to it. So even if they don’t want to continue using it their citizens will buy it will their own money.”

“You will then plant dealers in the countries and then they’ll spread Devil Tears through out the countries.”

Miko nodded.

“Devil Tears will indeed boost your strength but there will be a limit. However, the two countries won’t care as long as they gain an advantage over their enemies…..”

“This plan is evil.”

Gizmo said.

“Well, I’m an evil person and Renacido is an evil country.”

“This will cause relations between those two countries and the Dragna clan to sour.”

“Who cares. I’m planning on taking them over in the future anyway.”

Miko sat down and cross his legs.

“Besides I won’t give them the chance to attack. I have hundreds of people in the countries who will continue to sow the seeds of chaos inside them. I won’t let them have a single peaceful day until Renacido becomes strong enough to take them as our own.”

He pointed at the trio in front of him.

“That’s why you three are my lifeline. I will be able to make a powerful country as long as I have your skills.”

“Hahahaha! Praise me more.”

Alec said.

“Well, I did promise to help you out.”

“I have no objections.”

Kirika and Gizmo said respectively.

“Miko.”

Hina called out to him with a worried expression.

“There was something else.”

She gave him an envelope. Miko examined it before opening it. He started reading it. Everyone in the room noticed that the joyful atmosphere around him was gone. He no longer had a smile on his face. He just silently threw the paper in front of him for everyone to see.

“Looks like now we know who my true assassin is.”

The paper read the following:

“I challenge you to a Proxy Duel. We can meet tomorrow at the royal capital to discuss the time and place. Luka Flameheart.”

*BAM!*

Miko suddenly stood up and smashed the table in front of him with his fist. Everyone stared at him in shock while he gritted his teeth together and his body trembled with his head lowered.

“I see….So it’s you, Luka.”

He looked up and revealed a pair of crimson eyes.

“Fine by me. I’ll take you on.”