Below the Silver Nest, the members of Silver Crow where gathered along with Kaido and Hana.

“And that does it for the report.”

Jin said while looking at Bloom.

“Good work. It sure was an eventful mission.”

“You can say that again.”

Kaido mumbled.

“I didn’t expect Miko to risk his life to protect Hana.”

“Maybe he had an ulterior motive?”

The one who asked was the spiky red-haired delinquent looking man called Ryker.

“We can’t rule that out but if he did it with honest intentions then it would be insulting him for even thinking that.”

Hana said.

“Whatever his intentions were, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m alive because of him.”

“Don’t get upset, Hana. Ryker meant no harm.”

The dark-haired male who was dressed in full black and was called Axel, tried to calm Hana down.

“Either way, the coalition must’ve been a tough opponent considering your injuries, Nico.”

Said Chrome, the girl with short black hair and green eyes.

“The coalition itself isn’t tough, it’s the weapons that they used. Not only did they possess them, they know how to use them to their full potential.”

“We still don’t know who supplied them with those equipments, but it’s certain that it’s someone connected to the technological sector. Either as a worker or someone who’s connected to one of its higher ups.”

Jin said.

“Should we question Tommy Akabe?”

Sapphire asked Bloom.

“No. From the fact that Natasa went and destroyed the coalition, it’s safe to say that this was the work of a third party.”

“I agree. Otherwise, why would the pillars destroy the coalition? To bury their tracks? I don’t believe that to be the case. If Gear was really backing them their weapons would be far more powerful.”

Kaido added.

“A third party who can supply resources on that level? Who could that be?”

Ryker mumbled. Bloom thought about it for a while before speaking.

“I want all of you to keep an eye out for anyone that fits the bill. Chrome, you’re stationed in Elon. I want you to be especially on the look out. Don’t allow a single move made by Tommy Akabe to escape your eyes.”

“I understand.”

Bloom looked around the room and spoke.

“That’s all for now. Please return to your usual assignments.”

********

After the meeting with Silver Crow was over, Bloom returned to her office.

“There you are. I’ve been waiting for a while.”

She was greeted by Miko who was sitting in her chair reading a manga.

“Is your meeting with Silver Crow over?”

He asked with a smile.

“I’m not even going to ask how you know about them, but I must ask why you’re in my office, in my chair even?”

“I came for a visit but you were busy so I decided to wait. Fortunately for me, you had the next volume of Act-Age that wanted to read.”

“You like Act-Age?”

Bloom walked up to her desk and picked up the manga that was on her desk.

“Surprised?”

“Yeah, I am. Act-Age is a story about acting. It doesn’t have fights or things like that. So I’m surprised.”

“That means that you don’t know me well.”

Miko put down the book.

“I’m the type of person who enjoys any genre as long as it’s interesting. Besides, the story in this manga is nothing short of being a masterpiece. I like the main character too.”

“You like Kei Yonagi? Most people find her scary.”

“Scary huh?”

Miko smiled.

“It’s true that she’s someone who ran away from reality a lot by turning into other people. She’s also able to manipulate her own emotions to a frightening degree, even to the point she completely forgets who she is….But isn’t that what makes her interesting?”

“…I think I’m wrong here but don’t tell me that you see yourself in her? She’s at the constant risk of having a mental breakdown and her way of acting can destroy her at any moment…She’s pretty much insane.”

Miko said nothing in reply and smiled. He then took up another manga called Magi.

“Manga sure tell some interesting stories. They take me to all kinds of world and let me experience a lot of things.”

He looked at Bloom with a curious gaze.

“I heard that you created this form of storytelling. Is that true?”

“That’s correct. I’ve been developing it since I was a child, when I became queen I introduced it to my people and they loved it.”

“Really? That’s impressive. One of my apostles, Hina is a famous novelist and comic artist in our empire. Her stories are incredible but even they lack what manga possess. I even heard that you wrote only a few manga and it inspired others to make their own leading to a boom in the business. That’s incredible.”

“Are you trying to get at something here?”

Bloom frowned.

“No, I’m just talking for conversation sake.”

Miko put down the comic.

“Let’s change the topic. How about I tell you the reason why I came here?”

“To hang out, right?”

“Well, you’re not wrong but not entirely right either.”

He pointed at Bloom.

“I’m here to seduce you, Bloom Newgate.”

“Huh?”

Naturally, Bloom had a confused look on her face.

“Do you have a crush on me or something?”

“Not that I know of.”

“….You know, I don’t know why you said what you said but how do you expect to seduce someone if you won’t even say you like them?”

“Seduce might be a wrong choice of words. I basically wish to be closer to you.”

“Why?”

“Why, huh? If I were to be honest I think that I’ll have a lot fun being close to you.”

Bloom froze when she saw Miko’s bright smile. It shone with pure innocence that started to wonder if he was a child.

“Ah~. Do what you wish. It’s not like there isn’t any benefit from being friends with you.”

She took the manga Miko was reading and spoke with a bright smile.

“So what’s your favorite part in Act-Age?”

“It’s got be the play.”

“Really? I loved that arc. Kei really grew a lot working with the director.”

“I know right. I also love the melancholic feeling I got from it. I can’t tell you how many times I felt like crying.”

Bloom started nodding excitedly.

“I know what you mean. The play itself was so amazing that I felt like I would like to watch it in real life.”

The two started talking nonstop about what they liked in the manga they read and before they knew it the distance between them began to lessen.

*******

Elon; it was the name of the most technologically advanced city in Newgate. It was where most of the technology research and advancements of this country are made. It was filled with flying vehicles, holographic projections, and androids walking among normal citizens. These were all considered normal in this place.

In a place like this, a flying bike rode on one of the floating roads. This bike was green and silver with a picture of a skull wearing headphones on it. The rider was dressed in a black bodysuit and was wearing a skull helmet with the initials CR on it. This bike descended from the sky and parked in front of a building with a sign that said “Chromatic Industries”. The rider got off the bike and took off their helmet. It was the girl called Chrome who was a part of Bloom’s Silver Crow.

“Good morning, Boss.”

Chrome was greeted with respect by the guards at the entrance. She acknowledged them with a nod and entered the building.

“Hey, Who is that?”

One of the younger security guards asked his seniors.

“You don’t know? She’s our boss.”

“Boss? Wait, that’s the genius inventor Chrome? But she’s so young…”

“Idiot. She’s called a genius for a reason. Despite being only 18 she runs one of the top aircraft manufacturers in the country. You see that bike that she rode here? I heard she made it when she was 13.”

“Seriously?!”

The older guards nodded proudly.

“She’s the real deal. She’s an apprentice at MYTH after all. I heard that she’ll officially join them in a few years. Now if you understand, go and park her bike!”

Meanwhile, Chrome had entered the building and was surrounded by assistants that were making reports to her.

“Boss, our factory sent news that the new hover bike is ready for testing.”

“Tell them to wait until I come over. I want to see it myself.”

“Boss, the annual financial reports for each sector is ready for review.”

“Send them to my cloud. I’ll check on them later.”

“Boss, the queen is asking for assistance in rebuilding the Red Light District.”

“I already spoke with her.”

Chrome stopped and faced her assistance.

“I have some important matters to handle. Send the rest of your reports to my cloud. That’s all.”

“Yes, Boss.”

She nodded and then headed to her office.

“Activate Soundproof mode.”

The sounds of locks closing echoed in the room.

“Enter night mode and open interior interface.”

The room became dark and one of the walls turned into a holographic computer screen. Chrome sat behind her desk and moved her hand to touch a file. The open and holographic images covered the entire room. These images all had one similarity; they were pictures of Bloom.

“Hah~.”

Chrome looked at the pictures and let out a huge sigh. She slumped on her desk with a pleased look on her face. She moved her hand again and pressed on another file.

(Good work, Chrome.)

(You’re so smart, Chrome.)

(Good girl.)

(I don’t have to worry with you on my side, Chrome.)

Bloom’s voice started echoing in the room. Chrome slowly closed her eyes with a smile on her face.

“This really is the only way I can unwind after a stressful day.”

She said while slowly opening her eyes.

“Big sis…”

She sat up and stared at Bloom pictures with a loving gaze.

“If you didn’t find me back then I’m sure that I would’ve committed suicide already….You gave my life meaning and gave me purpose.”

Her gentle eyes suddenly became sharp.

“That’s why I’ll eliminate anyone who stands in the way of your happiness.”

She snapped her fingers and Bloom’s voice and pictures disappeared.

“Open file ‘Gear’.”

Suddenly words filled the room. There were pictures of buildings and people as well.

“Tommy “Gear” Akabe, this bastard is the mastermind behind the Four Pillars and the one who’s the forerunner in the potential usurpation of Bloom’s throne….Yet how is it that we don’t even know what he looks like? How is it possible to hide everything about yourself in this digital age? Especially when he’s Pillar?”

Chrome started gritting her teeth.

“I’ll definitely find out all about you and chop you up into little pieces!”

Her eyes were bloodshot and veins were bulging in her head.

“Ah!”

That’s when she suddenly remembered something.

“Open ‘Heavenly Demon’ file.”

The words disappeared and pictures of Miko, his apostles, Layla Song, and the rest of Renacido appeared.

“Bloom said that he’s an ally now and even saved Hana….”

She started moving through the pictures with her hand. She stopped on what seemed like a diagram of a missile.

“I guess I don’t need this again.”

The information written under the diagram went as followed:

Meteorite Warhead, upon activation will hit the target with a force rivaling a meteorite followed by hundreds of deadly poison that will be released on impact. Estimated # of victims: Millions.

“I was planning on dropping this on Renacido but it looks like it will be unnecessary for now. Too bad I can’t use it on the pillars though….”

She hid the diagram.

“I’ll just have to find another way to get rid of them.”

She snapped her fingers again and Bloom’s picture and voice covered the room again. She then spoke with a smile on her face.

“Well, I’ll think of something.”