“What? Are you upset?”

Miko asked. He and the others were inside the villa which they had now made one of their bases. He was standing by himself pondering something when he noticed that everyone was looking at him.

“Let me tell you now, I believe that I made the right decision and have no regrets or the slightest remorse.”

Luka walked up to him.

“We’re pressed for time and in great need of manpower, that’s why we couldn’t waste any time or energy on the residents rebelling. The quickest way to keep everything under control and get everyone motivated is to use a strong stimulant….I know that but…”

“But you don’t agree with my method, huh?”

Miko placed his hand on her head and showed her a gentle smile.

“That’s okay. I never expected you to. After all, your reaction is normal. So you don’t need to hesitate to reprimand me when you think I’m doing something wrong, okay?”

“…But you still feel no remorse. Not only that, you plan on doing things like that again don’t you?”

Miko didn’t respond immediately and continued to smile.

“Of course.”

He removed his hand away from Luka’s head and visibly distanced himself from her.

“I’m not a good person, Luka. In fact, I’m quite the villain. Also, this war…This world is in need of a villain the likes never seen before, otherwise, nothing will end and the cycle will continue until the world is in ruins.”

A small grin appeared on his face.

“I’ll gladly be that villain. No rules, no limitations I can just destroy everything as I please. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“….You…What are you talking about?”

Luka’s voice was trembling which caused Miko’s eyes to widen. He slowly looked around the room and noticed that everyone was looking at him funny.

(I see…)

He turned his back to them and started to walk away.

“I want you all to work with Edward and organize all the new manpower that we have. The quicker we know what they can do the better.”

After saying that he left the others in awkward silence.

“Are you okay?”

Tia along with Ishma and Regis appeared at his side.

“It’s nothing. I simply forgot that my way of thinking is abnormal. Their reactions were perfectly normal.”

“…I see.”

They walked in silence for a bit before Miko spoke again.

“Tia, do you also want answers from me? Like the reason why I’m like this?”

Tia shook her head.

“I’m curious but I think that you’ll tell me in time.”

Miko’s looked at her and smiled but ultimately said nothing.

(If you guys knew the things that I know would you understand me better?)

He shook his head.

(No. My choice is the extreme, they won’t necessarily walk the same path. Even so, I don’t regret it.)

He smiled.

“Being the villain is fun after all.”

Newgate City. Bloom was sitting on her throne while coldly looking down a group of people who were kneeling in front of her.

“Your Highness, I beg you; we’re innocent.”

The one who said that was a man with white hair and was dressed in luxurious clothing.

“Innocent? Are you saying that I’ve made a mistake, Blanche?”

“I would never…But there’s no way that we would betray you and ally ourselves with those blasted Pillars!”

“Really?”

Bloom took out a stack of papers.

“Then these suspicious transitions over the last couple months to the Luna Foundation are false?”

“….No.”

“Could you remain me Blanche, who is the leader of the Luna Foundation?”

“…Isabel Luna, one of the Four Pillars.”

Blanche stood up.

“But-”

His body was immediately assaulted by a powerful pressure and he was forced back to his knees.

“Who gave you permission to rise?”

A suffocating atmosphere instantly formed in the room. Blanche and the rest of the people kneeling felt like they were at the bottom of the ocean. They didn’t even dare to breathe too hard.

“To be honest, I was planning on slaughter you all and your families.”

“Please Your-”

*Bam!*

A man who spoke out was immediately flattened and forced to lay on his stomach, unable to move.

“Don’t interrupt me.”

The pressure increased further and the men felt like they were under the foot of a giant. Bloom didn’t move an inch and yet she could end their lives whenever she wanted. This realization made them feel immense fear.

“Anyway, I’ve decided that you all still have some use so I’ll keep you alive.”

The pressure they were feeling suddenly disappeared and they could breathe easily again. They looked at Bloom with hope.

“Your wealth will be used to fund my army and your subordinates will be transferred over to me. What I want from you personally is the names of all of those who conspired with the Pillars and are still in the capital. If you fail to do, so you’ll be used as a meat shield in the next battle. Oh, I want genuine people. If you just start accusing people with no proof you’ll be executed on the spot. If you understand, then go with my soldiers and bring me the traitors.”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. We won’t fail you and will definitely repay you for your kindness.”

Blanche stood up and declared. Bloom didn’t pay him any attention and merely dismissed him with a hand gesture. After they left, she got off her throne and started walking towards the exit.

“Jin, make sure that they’re killed the moment they sell their allies out.”

“As you wish.”

Jin’s voice echoed in the room even though he couldn’t be seen. Bloom nodded and exited the room. The moment she did she saw Chrome kneeling in front of her.

“Did you accomplish your task?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I used the method that you suggested and have successfully discovered Tommy Akabe’s identity.”

She handed a tablet to Bloom who took it and looked at it.

“Oh? Is this what he looks like? He’s blander than I expected.”

“Yes. The picture and the data there is real.”

“So Tommy Akabe wasn’t an alias but his real name. The fact that he could erase his own personal information like that is impressive.”

“It is. Just like you had said, he randomly switched around his personal data with others while also creating dozens of dummy identities, thus creating a complicated web to hide his own identity. However, even he can’t tamper with the Uranus System that stores all information on all of those who are inside the Newgate Country. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have bee able to gain access to it….It’s just, why didn’t let me do this a long time ago?”

“….That woman wanted to avoid pissing off Mari since it’s kinda off-limits to me also.”

“I’m sorry, what are you talking about?”

“Nothing important.”

Bloom started scrolling through the information.

“Oh?”

Suddenly something caught her eye and a smile appeared on her face.

“Now this is interesting. Really interesting.”

“What is?”

“It’s just that everything is starting to make sense now.”

Elon, after the battle of Romix, Bastian had to relocate here since his city was in shambles.

“Ah~.”

Bastian was sitting on a couch inside a building sighing.

“I can’t believe that I of all people got scolded.”

“You destroyed your own city. What did you expect?”

Shòu was sitting on a chair across from him.

“How else was I supposed to drive that woman back? She came with an overwhelming momentum that showed no signs of stopping. I had no choice.”

“Well, I guess you’re right. Bloom needed to be thrown off her game.”

“………”

“What?”

“It’s just that you’re talking like you’re completely on our side now. I’m just surprised.”

“Well, after fighting Jin and seeing Bloom like that it feels like there’s really no going back….Those days are really gone. So I might as well give it my all for the side I’m on.”

“You do realize what giving your all means right? You’ll have to revert to your old self. Is that fine with you?”

“I’m okay with it.”

“And Hana?”

“….She’ll just have to accept it. Once everything is over I still have the option to start over again.”

A grin appeared on Shòu’s face.

“I just need to be the last one standing right?”

Bastian grinned as well.

“That’s right.”

“It’s good that you’re both getting along and everything but don’t forget the position we’re in.”

A robotic owl appeared in front of them.

“Yeah, Yeah. How could I forget when you kept cursing me about it?”

Bastian said.

“Shut up, Bastian. The fact that we suffered so much damage when two Pillars were present is a disgrace.”

“Please, spare me. I can’t take anymore nagging.”

Bastian said with a begging tone.

“….Anyway, I’ve met with MYTH and they said that your city will be good as new tomorrow.”

“Really? The Gaia System is really something if it can rebuild a city just like that.”

“I can’t wait for you to leave my city too.”

The owl started flying.

“I’m going out, watch the city while I’m gone. Also, this place is our main base of operations, please don’t destroy it.”

“You destroy one city and you never hear the end of it.”

Bastian started grumbling.

“Wait, where are you going at a time like this?”

“I’m going to meet someone.”

“In person?”

“I believe that it’s necessary this time. Also, me meeting them will definitely cause some drama in their camp.”

“Drama? Wait, don’t tell me…”

“You can’t find the Code Breaker?”

Bella and her brother Yota were chatting inside the villa. Yota shook his head.

“He disappeared a little while ago and I haven’t seen him since.”

“So he hasn’t been gone that long? Then it’s nothing to worry about. He’s probably doing someone for the Don.”

“About that, the reason why I came to you about this is because the Don is gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean he’s gone?”

“I’ve heard his siblings say that they haven’t seen him since he suppressed the residents of this city.”

“Wait, that was yesterday! Are you saying that he’s been missing for a day?!”

Yota nodded.

“…I see why you came to me. Miko and Code Breaker are the two who hold up this city if they’re both gone then we’re without a leader.”

Bella held her head in frustration.

“What are those two thinking?!”

Meanwhile, Miko was walking through the streets of a small town that was on the outskirts of the Economic City, Sawyer.

(Is this alright, coming here alone?)

Regis asked through their mental connection.

“Edward is there, so it’s fine. Even if he leaves for some reason, I’ve already told Sora and Ace that they m should take care of things should I suddenly become absent.”

(She’s not talking about that. This meeting is dangerous, especially if you’re going alone.)

Tia said.

“I know but risks are necessary when you’re in search of victory. Besides, aren’t you curious about what kind of person the leader of the Pillars is?”

(Looks like I can’t change your mind.)

“Nope.”

Miko stopped in front of a café that was named Victoria. He walked inside only to see that there was barely anyone inside. He looked around and saw a table near the back with an owl figure on it. He walked towards the table and took up the figure.

“Do you like it? I made it myself.”

Miko heard a voice and slowly turned around. There he saw someone standing in front of him. When he saw the person’s face his eyes widened for a bit before a grin appeared on his face. Regis and Ishma who also saw the person couldn’t help but shout.

“Edward?!”

The person who stood in front of them was someone they were familiar with. The person smiled and then spoke.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tommy Akabe, you can call me Gear.”