“Do you have everything you need?”

At the southern borders of the Dragna empire, Miko’s family and friends came to see him off.

“Yeah, I’m alright, mother.”

Sasha walked up to him and started straightening his clothes.

“Remember, if anything happens just call. We’ll be there in a minute.”

“I will. If nothing happens I’ll give the signal to come sightseeing in a few months or so. By that time, father should be awake.”

Sasha nodded with a worried expression. Miko then walked up to his siblings and placed his hands on their heads.

“Train hard you two. Since you decided to follow me down my path I won’t be soft on you if I see you slacking. Remember, I value your lives before my own. If it keeps you two alive I’ll gladly give up my life, but I know that you don’t want that. So become strong so that I won’t have to die for you and I’ll become strong enough to create a safe world for the both of you.”

“Yes, brother.”

The twins spoke in unison.

Miko then pulled them in and hugged them both.

“Listen, Mama’s got a lot on her plate right now. I want you two to support her while I’m gone. Sorry for placing my duties on you, but I’m counting you.”

He whispered. The two nodded. He released them and step back.

“Make me proud.”

“We will.”

Miko then turn his attention to the trio.

“There’s no need to say much since we’re still connected even a thousand miles apart.”

Miko and Sora bumped their fists.

“What a cheesy thing to say.”

Sora said. Miko laughed and firmly clasped hands with Ace.

“If you find a hot girl down there put in a good word for me until I make it there.”

“She might be an Android, is that alright?”

“Hey, I don’t judge.”

The two laughed. He looked at Hina and she leapt into his arms and placed a kiss on his lips.

“That’s so that you don’t forget me down there.”

Miko frozen momentarily before grinning.

“If you don’t want me to forget you then you should’ve done something a bit more intimate.”

“Oh, like what?”

He looked to his side and saw Luka glaring at him.

“Hahaha, I was just joking.”

“I’m not the jealous type but I have my limits. Don’t play around too much.”

“Do I look like a playboy to you?”

“Yes.”

Everyone said in unison.

Miko looked like he was going to defend himself but instead he just shrugged it off. He bend forward and placed a kiss on her lips which caused her to freeze. It was the first time they’ve ever kissed after all. Seeing her reaction brought a smile on Miko’s face.

“Maybe I do have what it takes to be a playboy after all.”

“A woman is gonna stab you in your sleep one day. Just you watch.”

Momo said. Miko approached Layla, Oden, and the others of Renacido.

“I’m leaving everything up to you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Layla replied. The two then stared at each other in silence for a bit. It looked like they were communicating with their eyes as they smiled. It was obvious that the two shared a unique bond. After a while Miko looked away and at Oden and the guardians.

“I appreciate you guys more and more everyday. I honestly have I hopes for you.”

He placed his hand on Oden’s shoulder.

“Which is why I want you all to become Divine Beasts by the time I return.”

“?!”

Miko ignored their shocked faces and continued.

“What? You don’t think you can?”

Oden looked at him and saw the trust in his eyes when he was looking at them. This caused him to smile.

“Don’t worry, we’ll live up to the Don’s expectations.”

Miko nodded. He then turned his back to everyone and looked at Tia, Momo, Regis, and Ishma who were waiting for him.

“Let’s get going.”

*******

“Have you said your farewells?”

Kaido who was waiting a few miles off the Dragna borders spoke in a teasing tone.

“Don’t eavesdrop on my intimate moments. I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

“Hahaha. The difference in treatment is clear as day.”

Miko looked around.

“So, are we just going to walk the Newgate Country?”

“Don’t be silly. Our ride will be here…Ah, it’s here.”

Miko looked up and saw a bird-shaped airship in the air.

“A crow?”

“The Silver Crow. It’s one of our queen’s aircrafts.”

Kaido waved his hand and the aircraft descended to the ground and landed in front of them. It was as big as a commercial plane.

“Let’s get on.”

Kaido walked up to the aircraft and a door appeared on the side. The door opened and the turned into a flight of stairs that led to inside the aircraft. Kaido got on the steeps and climbed into the aircraft. Miko looked at the aircraft with interested before entering as well. When he entered it was like he was standing inside a living room. There were all kinds of comfortable furniture and it had a dim lighting.

“Oh, I want a jet like this.”

Tia said when she got on.

“I wonder if there’s food.”

Said Ishma.

(What would you like?)

A voice echoed in the aircraft and a holographic window appeared in front of her.

“Ah!”

She was visibly frightened.

“If you’re hungry you can pick something from there.”

Kaido said.

“I-I see.”

Ishma was hesitant at first but her eyes started sparkling when she started going through the dessert list.

“Do you have any reading material?”

Regis asked.

“There’s a library of over 100,000 books and comics that originated from our country.”

Another holographic window appeared in front of Regis. She started going through the list of books and paused.

“The titles of some of these books are strange. The Promised Neverland, One Piece, Mob Psycho 100…”

“Oh, those are manga.”

“Manga?”

“Yeah. It’s a new type of comic that our queen invented a couple years ago. It’s really popular in our country. Please give it a try.”

“You sure talk about your country with pride. I never took you for a patriot.”

Kaido smiled at what Miko said.

“Now then, since we’re all here let’s take off.”

******

A hour later, Miko and others were in the aircraft waiting until they arrive to their destination.

“I would’ve never guess that this thing was unmanned.”

Miko smiled.

“I’m with Tia, I want one too.”

He said.

“These mangas are interesting.”

Regis was drawn in by the comics in front of her.

“The plural is manga. Some people are touchy about that, so be careful.”

Kaido added.

“You all seem too relax.”

Momo complained. Miko took up a tablet that was at his side and started using it.

“Look, they have a library of spells from all over the world.”

Momo grabbed the tablet out of his hands and started going through the spells.

“Wow, they even vampire spells! These things are hard to get your hand on!”

Momo’s eyes sparkled while she used the tablet.

“Impressive.”

Kaido applauded. Miko sat back and closed his eyes. Images started flashing in his mind. He saw visions of carnage, darkness, and suffering. Screams rung his ears as if those screaming were beside him. He felt like he could feel blood being poured onto his body. The warmth he felt from it was both disgusting and strangely comforting. He soon found himself standing in a dark world. He blinked and someone appeared in front of him. It was a boy who was wearing nothing but a blank white mask. Miko stretched his out and touched the mask; the moment he did, the boy disappeared leaving the mask behind. Miko held the mask in his hand.

“Miko.”

Hearing Kaido call his name, Miko opened his eyes.

“Are you alright? There’s black liquid coming from your eyes.”

Kaido pointed and said. Black liquid was indeed at the corner of Miko’s eyes. It looked like he was shedding black tears.

“I’m fine. I just dwelled too deep into the spiritual channel.”

Kaido looked at him with a confused expression.

“It’s nothing.”

Miko didn’t bother to explain, but Kaido did hear him mumble something to him.

“Looks like it still isn’t time.”

********

It took almost three hours for the aircraft to travel from the northern region of the Silver Continent to the Southern Region. The Newgate country laid at the center of southern region next to two coastal countries.

(We’ll be landing in the capital Newgate City in a few minutes. Please prepare to disembark the aircraft.)

A computerized voice cams from the plane and woke Miko from his slumber. He woke up and saw everyone looking out the windows and walked towards one Tia was using.

“How strange. During the war this place used to be occupied by trolls and now it’s a futuristic country. The span of time is funny sometimes.”

She said. Miko looked out and the country looked like any other country from the plane. The only thing that stood out was that he could see a wall separating this country from the others.

“You guys really don’t want to associate with anyone else huh?”

“The wall is a warning. It’s telling everyone that their about to enter Newgate, a country funded by MYTH. It’s not your backyard.”

Kaido said.

“Telling everyone to know their place huh.”

Miko chuckled. The aircraft landed in a public airport contrary to the private airfield that Miko expected. Kaido figured out what he was thinking and spoke.

“Our Queen doesn’t mind having her possessions being mixed and viewed by the public. In fact, it’s her way of showing off.”

“I can relate to showing the world that you have nice things. I used to flaunt my wealth at the other gods all the time.”

Tia said. They exited the aircraft and was immediately greeted by a group of people. Miko was surprise to see that they were all bird-type Beastmen; after all, Newgate was suppose to be a human dominated country.

“Our Queen likes birds, which means that she naturally likes Birdfolk.”

“She has good taste.”

Ishma, who was a Crow Demon, had a huge grin on her face.

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”

Tia’s words caused Ishma to become enrage. While the two argued Miko started looking around. The airfield was filled with airships, planes, and helicopters; a lot of them looked like they were designed for war. Miko could only imagine their firepower since many of these vehicles were unfamiliar to him.

(I doubt that these aircrafts are always stored here at a public airport. They must’ve brought them out today to appeal their military strength to us.)

Miko thought with a smile on his face. He turned and looked at Kaido.

“So are you or these people going to be our guides and show you around?”

Kaido opened his mouth to answer but someone else did before him.

“We are going to be your guide, Lord Miko.”

It was a man with blond hair, green eyes, and an attractive face. He was dressed in a business suit and had a pair of owl wings on his back indicating that he was a Beastman.

“Wha?!”

“Hm?”

Miko looked towards Kaido after hearing an outburst from him.

“Is something wrong?”

Kaido calmly shook his head. He looked at the the man.

“I thought that I was supposed to be their guide?”

“The Queen passed new orders down while you were away. We’re supposed to chaperone our guests, while you are to handle other stuff at Silver Hall.”

Kaido frowned.

“What stuff?”

“When you get there you will find out.”

The man said with a smile. Kaido looked at him for a while and shook his head.

“Fine, do whatever you want.”

He looked at Miko.

“I’ll see you later. Be careful.”

“Be careful?”

Kaido said nothing more and left. Miko looked at the guide who introduced himself in a gentleman manner.

“Hello. I’m Johan Clark and I’ll be your guide for today.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

“Welcome to Newgate Country.”