“You actually did it. I’m impressed.”

Miko patted the bloodstained Edward on the shoulders. They were now in the villa that was previously owned by the Usurpers before they were slaughtered by Edward moments ago. The battle continued throughout the night and it was now a few minutes before daybreak.

“We were watching from start to finish and as I expected, you have some very interesting cards up your sleeves.”

“They’re all laid out bare before you now though.”

Miko smiled.

“I knew that technology was terrifying but after what I’ve seen last night I’m once again convinced.”

Luka said while looking at Edward’s suit.

“Technology, while can’t do anything against god level characters as of yet, is capable of granting a weak person what’s needed to take down a juggernaut. That’s why one should pay attention to its development and at least become knowledgeable about it. The dawn of raw brute strength is long gone. This is why MYTH, who is the face of technology is such a dangerous entity.

Miko said.

“Anyway, Edward. You took down the Usurpers and used that ability of yours to make sure news of their downfall wouldn’t reach anyone’s ears too quickly. However, how do we know that your allies came through with their parts?”

“I’d like it if you down look down on us, Miko.”

Miko turned around and saw Bella and her girls walking towards them.

“How did it go?”

Edward asked.

“More difficult than I would prefer, but it was fun. All the top gangs have been forced into submission.”

“And their leaders?”

“Dead. Some of them were assassinated by our people before we got there. Those gangs were easy to take down because of the chaos but the one’s that couldn’t be killed in time gave us a bit of trouble.”

She looked around the villa that was filled with corpses.

“But I think we had it easier than you.”

“I see….Ah, Don. This is the heir to the Azalea Kingdom, Princess Bella and the giant in the back is her little brother, Prince Yota.”

“Azalea? Isn’t that the country next to this one? You were conspiring with a foreign country all this time? You’re not your average gangster are you?”

“I merely constantly thrive to live up to my full potential.”

“I see.”

Miko looked at Bella.

“Should I take it that your country is willing to work with me?”

“That depends. If you win this war, what would you do next?”

“I would go back home.”

“That’s it? What about this country?”

“I don’t want it.”

“You don’t…Then why are you fighting in this war?”

Miko started smirking.

“If I said that it was to save a girl from herself what would you say?”

“Save a…Huh?!”

Bella pointed at Miko.

“Are you stupid? A lot of people will die in this war and you’re saying that it’s all so that you could save a girl?! How stupid is that?!”

“Most wars are started over stupid and selfish reasons. I’m just carrying on the tradition.”

“….Hey, Code Breaker What do you see in this guy? He’s talking nonsense here.”

“Trust me, Bella. He’s your winning horse. If you want the best for your country then you should side with him.”

“Really? He seems like the type to just do as he pleases without care for anyone else.”

“Bingo!...Argh!”

Miko hit Ace for his outburst before turning back to Edward.

“You gave me allies, a base, resources. It would be a crime if I didn’t repay you….Alright, I’ll fortify this city into a fortress. You should go get some rest. I promise to reward you another time. Hina, follow me. I’m gonna need your help with this.”

“Alright.”

Miko and Hina then walked away from the group.

“Fortify the city? What does he-”

*BAM!*

Bella was cut off by Miko and Hina suddenly releasing an explosive amount of magic power. Hina took her dark form while Miko activated Chaos Lord, but kept the effects to those around him to a minimal. He stretched his hand out.

“Primordial Creation.”

Azure fog rushed out of his palms and covered the area. Everyone could see pairs of glaring eyes appear in the fog one after the other. They could even hear growling reminiscent of a beast. The fog faded away and an army of azure scaled monsters were left behind.

“Fantasy Maker.”

A light shot out of Hina’s hands and engulfed the monsters. When the light faded the monsters were at least twice as big as before and were all wearing thick armor, and the humanoid ones were even carrying weapons.

“What the? They can create monsters just like that?!”

Bella was rightfully shocked.

“Alright, you guys spread out and guard the every inch of the borders. Those that can fly should guard the sky. If there’s any intruders let me know by telepathy. If you understand go.”

The monsters instantly spread out to carry out their orders.

“Are you starting to see why he’s the one you should bet on?”

Edward asked Bella who was still in shock.

“Heh. I guess I’m beginning to see it.”

“Ah, Edward. About the electronics that you destroyed can you restore them?”

“I can.”

“I see. I know I just told you to rest but I need you to restore them for me right away then you’re free to take it easy.”

“Alright, but what are you going to do?”

Miko started smirking.

“With Kaido’s betrayal, the Pillars making their move, and she and I having a falling out, Bloom should be going through an important transition right now. I want to give her the final push that she needs.”

“What the hell is this?”

Bastian Brant was sitting in a chair with a tablet in his hand and an astonished look on his face.

“Is this a video game footage or something?”

“No, General. This is a live feed from the Red Light District.”

A soldier reported.

“You gotta be kidding me. Where the hell did these monsters with shiny armor come from? Did a portal to a monster realm open up in the city or something?”

“Stop joking around, you idiot.”

Natasa walked into the room with a huge grin on her face.

“Check this out.”

She handed Bastian a tablet that was playing a video.

“Yo, people of Newgate. I am Gamiko Dragna the Third, you all probably know me as Miko. I’ll get to the point, I saw a broadcast by one of the Four Pillars and got inspired to do one myself. Anyway, I got something to announce.”

Miko spread his arms.

“I’m joining this war as the third party. To show how serious I am, I’m announcing that I’ve successfully captured the Red Light District. The monsters behind me are a part of my forces who will defend my new fortress. If you think you can take it back come give it your best shot.”

He smirked.

“Lets all have fun as we try to kill each other, now shall we?”

“Now this is an interesting development.”

Bastian started laughing.

“I’m sure Gear is having a fit right now.”

Natasa started laughing too.

“Laughing when the odds against them have increase, and even mocking their ally in the process…”

Shòu looked at the two in disgust.

“They’re insane.”

Meanwhile at the Silver Nest.

“It’s one thing after the other.”

Jin was fuming after watching Miko’s broadcast.

“Capturing the Red Light District is a big deal. It’s located at the center of the country and is connected to all of the major cities. Yes, it’s hard to defend because you can get attacked from every direction; however, if you can defend it, you can attack any city or even all of them pretty easily. If Miko took it then he has confidence that he can defend it.”

He clicked his tongue.

“If this reaches Bloom…Goddammit!”

“Jin, Calm down. You’re obviously too stressed.”

Sapphire gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Of course I’m gonna be stressed!”

Jin turned and held Sapphire’s shoulders.

“Can’t you tell? Bloom’s already reached her breaking point! Any more of this and she’ll disappear and that woman will take over!”

He brought his face closer to Sapphire and stared into her eyes.

“Other than me, you’re the only one on our side who knows about her! Are you saying that her reawakening wouldn’t result in a disaster for everyone?!”

His grip tightened on Sapphire’s shoulders so much that it felt like he was going to accidentally break it. Even so, Sapphire showed a smile on her face as she gently placed on her hand on Jin’s cheek.

“?!”

It was only then that Jin realize what he was doing. He quickly let go of her and step back.

“I’m sorry. I got too heated.”

Sapphire shook head.

“It’s natural that you’d get this upset over Bloom. She’s your, our family after all.”

Sapphire took a deep breath and put on a more serious expression.

“You’re right to be anxious though. Bloom is in danger and we officially have more enemies than allies. There’s nothing we good going on for us at the moment. However, if you the protector of this city and our queen starts panicking then what the rest of us are to do?”

“…You’re right. Instead of panicking I need to brace my for what’s come and prepare for the battle of a lifetime.”

Sapphire nodded.

“So what’s the next move, Boss?”

Jin didn’t answer immediately and looked towards the throne room with a solemn face.

“That’ll depend on which queen comes out of that room. Either way, I’ll carry out any mission that she gives me.”

Inside the throne room. There was only a single source of light in this pitch black room and it came from a projection of Miko’s declaration. Bloom watched this projection with an unfocused look in her eyes. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were worn out, and her face looked like she hadn’t sleep in days. It was hard to believe that it was the same beautiful queen that was admired by millions.

“How pathetic.”

Bloom heard a voice and looked up to see someone standing in front of her. It was none other than herself. However, unlike the Bloom who was sitting on the throne this Bloom looked as beautiful and prideful as ever. She looked down on herself with utter disgust.

“How the hell did you, the queen, end up like this? Sulking in the dark while your enemies continue to grow stronger. You disgust me, Bloom Newgate.”

“…Say what you want. I’m so exhausted that insults can’t faze me anymore, Katherine .”

Katherine eyes narrowed into a sharp glare.

“Those who should have been your subject has publicly opposed you, your subordinate has betrayed you, and finally the man you’ve foolishly allowed into your heart have made it his mission to tear you down….Are you just going to take all those insults laying down?”

“………”

“Answer me, brat!”

Katherine grabbed Bloom by the face and made her stand up.

“I made you and gave you life and this is how you repay me by allowing others to spit on my prestige?! You let them trample on my honor?! Everything in this country is mine and nobody else’s! Not the Pillars’, not MYTH’s, and most definitely not that brat Miko’s!”

She pushed Bloom back and made her fall on the throne.

“….I don’t care anymore.”

Bloom finally glared back at Katherine.

“I’ve worked hard these five years! I transformed this country, it’s people and their culture for the better! I built diplomatic relations with countries all over the world for this country! I stretched my hand out towards every person I met who needed my help! I gave it my all and what it gave me in return?!”

She stood and grabbed Katherine by the collar.

“Betrayal, betrayal, betrayal!”

Her body started trembling and her voice started cracking up as she spoke while looking at the floor.

“I’m fed up of it all…I’m not like you, I can’t just trample on those I care about for my own agendas…I love anime, games, Light Novels, Pop music…I’m just an ordinary girl…I’m….”

“A huge disappointment.”

Bloom looked up at Katherine and saw her looking down on her with cold eyes.

“Everything is being taken from you and here you are doing nothing but throwing yourself a pity party.”

Katherine slapped away Bloom’s hands.

“You might be willing to take everything laying down but I’m not. If you disrespect my authority, I’ll behead you. If you stand in my way I’ll trample you to death. And if you try to take anything from me, I’ll take your soul as compensation.”

Katherine’s pink eyes turned into a burning red.

“That’s the type of person I am. That’s what I had to become to survive.”

Katherine placed her hand on Bloom’s chest.

“You said that you were tired didn’t you? Then you can rest, I’ll be taking over from this moment forward.”

“Wait!”

“I will not. You have failed in your pursuit for happiness and as a result threaten the freedom I worked so hard to obtain. As such, Bloom Newgate, you’re relieved of your duties as queen of this country.”

Bloom’s body turned into light particles and entered Katherine, leaving her alone. Katherine silently sat on the throne and crossed her legs.

“….So even in this world happiness have eluded me.”

She sighed.

“Well, whatever. I can try again once I’ve destroyed those ignorant fools and reset everything.”

She looked at the door almost as if glaring at it.

“Jin Makoto, I wish to see you.”

Immediately after, the doors to the throne room opened and Jin walked in. He took one look at throne and sighed.

“So it came to this after all.”

He crossed his arms behind his head in a relaxed manner and with a deadpan expression.

“So, How should I address you? Bloom or Katherine?”

“Does it matter? Bloom Newgate and Katherine McCloud, we’re the same person.”

“I wonder about that.”

“….Call me whatever you want.”

“Then, Bloom.”

Bloom smirked.

“You know why I called you here, right?”

“I have a few ideas at the top my head.”

Jin smiled.

“Not that it matters, just give the order and as always I’ll carry them out. For you are my queen and my little sister.”

Bloom smiled.

“That’s reassuring.”

She then stood up from her throne and pointed at him.

“Prepare for battle. It’s time to remind some fools why I am queen.”