After Kaido left, Miko and his group was guided out of the airport by the man called Johan Clark. After registering in the countries visitors database, they were now standing in front of the airport.

“Whew~!”

Miko whistled at the sight in front of him. Laying before his eyes was a modern city filled with skyscrapers in the distance, vehicles that he’s never seen before, and personal aircrafts in the air.

“Reminds me of Vera.”

Momo commented.

“May I ask you all what you would all like to see first?”

Johan turned to them and asked.

“What would you recommend?”

Miko replied with a question.

“I would recommend a drive through the city. That way if you see something you’re interested in we can stop there without any worries.”

“A drive huh? That sounds good.”

“Then…”

A luxurious car pulled up at their feet. Miko looked and saw that the car was unmanned and most likely in self-drive mode. Johan opened the back door and gestured for them to enter.

“This is surprisingly spacious.”

Tia said when they entered the car. Despite all five of them entering the back, there was a lot of free space for them to move around or make themselves more comfortable.

“This car has a feature that allows it to stretch to accommodate more people than the average car while allowing them to feel comfortable.”

Johan said as he sat in the driver’s seat. The birdfolk who were following them waved goodbye at them from outside the car. The car started moving after Johan gave it a command; thus beginning the tour.

“We should’ve came in the night. I’m sure that this place really brightens up at night.”

Tia said.

“It is as you say, Lady Tiamat. This city is quite the sight in the night.”

Johan said. He started operating a monitor that was in the steering wheel.

“This country has a lot of beautiful aspects to it. I’m sure that you’ll fall for our people and culture in no time.”

A projection appeared in front of them. It was a projection of a map.

“This is a map of the country. I’m sure that you’ve seen one already but this map gives more insight than the others.”

Miko and his group scanned the map with their eyes.

“I see. This map shows what’s the specialty of each city and town in the country.”

Miko said.

“There’s a Red Light District….”

“That’s the first thing that caught your attention? It looks like you’re true to your desires, Lord Miko.”

Johan laughed. Miko didn’t say anything and smiled.

(According to Aeon, the Red Light District is where I should head if things get nasty. Apparently this place isn’t under government rule and is pretty much a free zone.)

Miko recorded the location of the Red Light District and scanned the other cities.

“You have a military city this far away from the capital? Isn’t that risky?”

Momo asked.

“Don’t worry. This city has all it needs in case something happens. So it isn’t really a big deal.”

“I see.”

Momo wasn’t satisfied by the answer she received but she let it slide. She continued to look at the map.

(Military city, Romix, Technological City, Elon, and Economic City, Sawyer….Why do these kind cities exist so far away from each other. It would make sense if they were centered around the capital but they aren’t….Is there a reason?)

Momo felt like there was more to this countries layout. As she was about to think of something Johan spoke.

“I think you’ve gotten an idea of what the country is like.”

The projection of the map disappeared and Johan spoke.

“I think it’s time you look out the window and see the real thing with your eyes.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Miko agreed. Johan smiled and looked in the rear view mirror and saw Momo glaring at him.

(She’s a smart one. She was already close to figuring it out from the map alone.)

He laughed.

(Well, they’ll find out eventually. Until then, she’ll have be patient.)

The car continued to drive while Miko and the others looked around the city.

“Oh!”

Regis suddenly became excited and pointed at a billboard.

“It’s Luffy!”

“Luffy?”

“The main character of the One Piece manga. He’s a pirate who became a rubber man because he ate a magical fruit.”

“…….”

“Yeah, it’s far better than it sounds. Peerless world building too.”

Johan explained.

“So he’s a comic character.”

“Manga character. There’s a difference.”

“Anyway, looks like they were popular here as Kaido said. You’re even using such a huge billboard to promote it.”

“Well, it and pop culture are one of the top earners for our economic.”

“Really?”

“That’s how popular they are here.”

“Then your queen who thought them up must feel pretty good about herself.”

Miko said with a laugh. Johan didn’t say anything and just kept driving. Miko didn’t mind and asked a question.

“Is there a MYTH office in the capital?”

“Yes. We have several stores where people can get the latest products.”

“I don’t mean stores, I mean an office. You know, a head office that has official MYTH representatives.”

“….We do have one. May I ask if you’re planning to meet an executive?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Johan paused a bit before speaking again.

“I see. Whenever you’re ready to go there tell me and I’ll have someone escort you there.”

“I’ll do that.”

Miko lean on Tia and rest his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.

“You’re really close.”

Johan said when he saw that.

“Of course. Our souls are connected after all.”

Tia replied with a proud look.

“I see….You all must be tired. How about I take you all to the best hotel in the city and let you get some rest. We’ll continue the tour later tonight.”

Miko opened his eyes and smiled.

“I appreciate the offer but let’s continue the tour. After that, we’ll have a night out on the town by ourselves if you don’t mind.”

“If that’s what you want then let’s do that.”

Johan then looked like he had an idea.

“Hey, do you guys know about karaoke?”

“Kara-What?”

Johan started grinning when he heard Miko’s responds.

“This is great. I’ll introduce you to our pop culture and make us all have a good time at all at once.”

Johan’s excitement piqued Miko’s interest so he didn’t stop him from turning the car around and driving off somewhere.

********

Meanwhile back at the Dragna Empire. An unexpected guest arrived at the Flameheart residence in Lushun.

“I didn’t expect you to come visit me, Nero.”

The one who welcomed Nero was the leader of the Flameheart Clan, Darwin Flameheart.

“I was just bored and decided to stretch my legs for a bit. How’ve you been my old friend?”

“Well, I currently have a daughter who preparing to go to war with one of the strongest Demon Empires out there. I have a granddaughter who is trying to compete with an actual Satan and intends to defeat him if needed. I have the former girlfriend of my dead son staying here and training to become stronger with something sinister lurking inside her….But I found some money in one of pants while doing the laundry…”

Darwin nodded.

“I can say it’s been good.”

Nero laughed at his friend’s misfortune.

“Well, I can fix the former girlfriend of your dead son problem easy.”

He smiled.

“Just hand her over to me and I’ll ensure that she’ll become stronger than she’s ever imagined.”

“….Just what are you planning, Nero? What is inside Layla?”

“It’s not confirmed but it looks like she’s fused with a creature from the dead when she was brought back to life. My bet is that it’s an ancient demon, possibly from the Primal Era.”

“The Primal Era? Isn’t that too much?”

“You said that she has something sinister inside her and yet you can’t identify what it is. You’ve been alive for so long and have receive the memories and records of the previous Flameheart leaders, and yet you can’t identify it?”

Darwin became silent. He couldn’t refute what Nero said however-

“The Primal Era is mysterious. There’s no known records of what happened during that time….And you’re telling me that Layla might have become linked to it? I find that hard to believe.”

“Whether you believe it or not is up to you. It doesn’t change the fact that your clan isn’t suited for teaching her. With her current condition only by learning Devil Arts will she grow. Your clan doesn’t have a single devil.”

“Then, I’ll take her.”

Suddenly a third person appeared at the table.

“Markus?”

It was Miko’s other grandfather and leader of the Saevus clan, Markus Saevus.

“If she needs Devil Arts then who is better than our clan?”

He said.

“Do you have a problem with that, Nero?”

“No. If your clan wants to take her then that’s great. I was only offering a solution to a friend.”

“Quit your crap. You knew that news of you visiting Darwin would reach my ears and didn’t bother to sneak around. You wanted me to come here to hear about Layla Song and take her under my wing.”

“Hahaha! You have an overactive imagination, Markus. But, since we’re all here how about a drink for old times?”

Nero didn’t wait for the other two to answer before taking out a huge bottle of rum and slammed it on the table they were all sitting around.

“As always you move by your own pace.”

Darwin said.

“Oh, yeah. I heard Miko left for the Newgate Country.”

“Yeah, he left early this morning.”

Nero swallowed a glass of rum like it was water, after answering.

“Wait, isn’t that country funded by MYTH? Why would you let him go when we still don’t know whether MYTH is the enemy or not?”

Markus complained.

“There’s something I want to confirm.”

Nero threw another glass down his throat.

“I think Miko has made contact with the New Era and hasn’t told us.”

“Are you suggesting that my grandson is a traitor?!”

Markus became enraged.

“First of all, he’s my grandson too. Second, he wouldn’t be a traitor since we never told him about New Era or the fact that we might go to war with them.”

“Don’t be stupid. Miko most already knows of them. He’s a smart kid after all, which means that he knows siding with them is an act of betrayal.”

“Wait, is that why he met with Krow in secret?”

Darwin said.

“You two should stop jumping the gun.”

Nero casually poured more rum into his mouth. He had already drank half of the bottle by himself.

“I only said he made contact with them. I never said that he joined them. Well, I can’t deny the chance that he’s considered doing it. I mean there’s a lot of privilege from joining them after all.”

“Then what are you suggesting?”

Markus asked. Nero smirked.

“Miko has some grand plan that involves New Era. I don’t know what that plan is but I can tell that he intends to carry it out alone.”

Nero lifted his cup into the air and looked at the sky through the clear liquid and saw a slightly distorted world. The look in eyes was one of melancholy.

“I think Miko is planning on going somewhere that none of us can reach him.”

********

Back in Newgate.

“Hahaha!”

Sounds of laughter came from the car that was driving Miko’s group around.

“Man, that was fun.”

Miko said. He then looked at Tia with a teasing tone.

“Who would’ve thought that a goddess was so bad at singing?”

“S-Shut up. The songs were too upbeat and not what I’m used to.”

“Excuses, excuses.”

“Shut up, Crow! You were worse than I am!”

Tia shouted at Ishma who joined in on teasing her.

“Even if that’s true, I was hunger so I only used my hungry voice. Wait until I’m full! I’ll blow your socks off!”

“What the hell is a hungry voice?!”

“The voice you make when you’re hungry, duh!”

“Alright. I’m killing her.”

“Don’t destroy the car. It’s a rental.”

Johan complained.

“I gotta admit. I really enjoyed those songs. They’re similar to one’s Sora sings but there’s just something different.”

Momo said.

“I’m glad you all like it. Next is-”

At that moment, Johan’s phone went off. He picked it up and looked at the screen.

“Looks like its time.”

“What for?”

Johan smirked.

“To meet the queen.”

He carried them to the center of the city where a fortress like building was located. This building had a Silver Crow on it, was painted pink and black, had a look that was mix between modern and ancient.

“This is the castle of our queen, The Silver Nest.”

Johan explained. He took Miko’s group past the guards at the entrance. They bowed when they saw him and immediately made way.

“The throne room is up ahead. That’s where the queen will meet you.”

(If it’s on the ground floor then what’s above us?)

Miko thought to himself. Johan brought them in front of a pair of massive doors.

“Is it me or have we’ve seen this scene before?”

Ishma grumbled. Johan pushed the door open and walked in. Miko and others followed behind him.

“Huh? The room’s empty? Is she late?”

Momo asked. Johan didn’t answer and continued walking towards the throne.

“She’s here.”

Miko smiled as he looked towards the throne. Momo, Ishma and Regis were confused for a bit but they all came to a realization.

“You don’t mean…”

They watched as Johan sat on the throne and crossed his legs with a smile on his face.

“Welcome, Lord Miko and his group.”

“A woman’s voice.”

They were shocked to hear a soothing feminine voice come out of “Johan’s” mouth. He ignored their shock and went on to say-

“I am the Queen of this country, Bloom Newgate.”

Bloom started smirking.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”