Royal District, Dragna City. In a certain mansion, Rogan Dragna was sitting in a chair with a chessboard in front of him. He picked up a pawn and played with it in his hand.

“Say, Nina.”

Nina, who was quietly reading in a corner, glanced at him.

“Does Miko like chess?”

She turned her attention back to the book.

“I’ve never seen him play, so I don’t know.”

“Considering how good of a schemer he is, I think he would be bad at it.”

“Bad? Not good?”

Rogan shook his head.

“Chest is a game where two players have a clear idea of everything their opponent have at their disposal. The objective of the game is to figure out what they’re thinking, outsmart them, and take their king. However, real war is nothing like this.”

He crushed the pawn in his hands.

“In war, you can’t just look at the board and know what your opponent has and what he doesn’t. Even with the use of spies it isn’t certain that you’ll know what you’re opponent can and cannot do. You can prepare for everything and your enemy can still strike from behind.”

He smiled.

“Miko is a creative schemer. He’s someone who always thinks outside the box and breaks the rules in the most unexpected ways. Chess is too restrictive, so he’ll naturally suck at it.”

“I see. So that’s why you suck.”

“….I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or not.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not complimenting you.”

Nina flipped the page.

“So is there a reason for your monologue or did you just want to hear yourself speak?”

“…It’s that heartless personality why you don’t have any friends.”

Rogan cleared his throat.

“My point is there are two types of strategists. Those who play by the book and those who write their own books. Miko is the latter. Now here’s my question, of the five branch leaders who also fall in this category?”

“Nero, Andreas, and Ecko.”

“Correct. Now that the clan is in a crisis who do you think will take charge of the decision making among the five leaders?”

“Rouge and Alexus….”

Nina stopped reading.

“I see. Since those two are logical thinkers it’s possible to figure out what action the clan will take and sabotage them.”

“Good girl.”

Rogan clapped.

“Stop that, I’m not a dog.”

“Really? Because sometimes you act like a bitch.”

“………”

“………”

“That one was funny, so I’ll let it slide.”

She closed the book and stood up.

“I have an idea of what their next step will be. So I’m going to sabotage it.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“By the way, why did you bring up, Miko?”

“As Tiamat‘s Proxy he’s the one with the most qualifications to become the next Clan Leader. I want to always keep him in my thoughts so we don’t get caught off guard.”

“Clan Leader, huh?”

She started walking away.

“Was an empty title like that enough to bring you from the dead, Miko?”

“The only way to find out is to try to take that title ourselves.”

She glanced back at Rogan and nodded before leaving the room. He laid back and crossed his legs.

“Our biggest threat will definitely be Mamushi. They should be making their move soon.”

He smirked.

“I’m looking forward to clashing with you, Rihan.”

The Royal Palace. Behind the Throne Room, there was a room that was created for the sole purpose of royal meetings. The room was divided into seven sections to match the five branches and the Saevus and Flameheart clans. Each branch was in their respective sections with their guardian beast’s symbol overhead; it was the same for Saevus and Flamehearts. Each branch and clan had at least five members representing them. Their leader, their elders, and their guardian beasts along with their proxies. In the center of the room were Tiamat’s symbol and a sole throne. The throne was empty because only the Dragna Clan Leader was allowed to sit on it.

“Is everyone here yet?”

Nero leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

“It’s rare to see you so impatient, Nero. We’re waiting on your son by the way.”

Nero glanced over at Darwin, who had his daughter Lisa standing behind him.

“My daughter is suffering from damages done by traitors, it’s hard enough to stop myself from destroying random places until I find the bastards’ base. Now I have to wait for you to before we can come up with a plan to find them?”

He stood up and pointed at the door.

“Come sit down already, you stupid brat!”

“We haven’t seen each other in years and the first thing you do is shout at me.”

Rihan faded into the room to a lot of people’s surprise.

“Maybe you can’t tell but I’m not in the mood to hug you and call you a good boy.”

“Please spare me the nightmares.”

He walked over to the primus section.

“Everyone, I’m sorry I was late. I had to handle some business before coming here.”

He stopped in front of Kimiko and bowed his head.

“Mother, I’m glad to see that you’re as beautiful as always.”

“I’m flattered but please take a seat. Your father is reaching his boiling point.”

Rihan nodded and sat behind Nero and next to Nova, who flipped him off with a smile. He returned the gesture and faced forward.

“Since everyone is here, let’s get down to business.”

Rouge stood up and walked to the center of the room and stood in front of the throne.

“Traitors have weakened our various clans, they have heavily damaged our empire. I’m sure that a lot of you here are either angry, sadden, or both but I’m here to remind you all.”

He looked at Nero.

“This is the time when we need to remain calm.”

Nero clicked his tongue and turned his head away. Rouge also turned away from him and faced everyone.

“Our enemies want us to panic, they want us to slip up and act recklessly. We won’t give them what they want. We will not rush after them like mad dogs, we will reorganize and strengthen ourselves and show the world that the Dragna clan is not to be underestimated.”

Everyone nodded with stern expressions.

“As such, I propose that we call on our allies from around the globe to form a federation with the sole purpose of destroying New Era.”

Markus Saevus raised his hand.

“Asking our allies for help is the obvious choice but I never expected you to call for a federation. What’s your reasoning behind it?”

“I believe that we must begin to think about the future. The world is moving in a way that none of us can predict. If we stay as we are, the chances of us being left behind by the times are high.”

Alexus stood up.

“I’ve sent you guys a list of people we suspect to be in New Era. I want everyone to take a look.”

Everyone started operating their various devices. Eyes widened one after the other as they saw the names before them.

“What is the legitimacy of this list?”

Nova’s wife and Joesph’s daughter, Maria Flameheart lifted her hand and asked.

“Nothing is certain but all of these individuals have shown suspicious activities in the past. You can believe the list or disregard it, but know this.”

Alexus scanned the room with a sharp gaze.

“If even half of these people are involved with New Era it isn’t just us who will be in danger, it’s the world.”

“……….”

Everyone silently looked at the list again.

(Impressive, this list is pretty much accurate.)

Rihan smiled while going through the names.

“Hm?”

He paused at a certain name.

(I never thought I’ll see this name on the list. This one is someone who would indeed fit in with New Era.)

A small grin appeared on his face.

(Too bad they’re with me.)

He put away the list.

(I’ll give them a heads up later so that they can lay low for a bit.)

“You see someone from your group?”

Nova mumbled beside him. Rihan laughed.

“No comment.”

“I see. Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I use this list as a hit list.”

“Go ahead. Just don’t blame me when you turn up dead in a ditch. Oh, I’m gonna need new funeral clothes.”

“Shut up, the two of you.”

Kimiko snapped and caused them to shut their mouths and nodded their heads.

“Creating a federation with our allies is a good idea but I have one problem.”

Andreas spoke up.

“How do we know that there are no New Era members in our allies’ countries. If they are wouldn’t it be the same as inviting more traitors to cut off our heads?”

“I’ve already thought about that. We’ll ask people we trust with our lives in each allied country to search for traitors. After they’ve convinced us that they’re clear they’ll join the federation.”

“That’s good thinking. I’m all aboard. My Star Rose Vigilantes will give it their all.”

Ecko laughed.

“Naturally. Everybody is expected to work the organizations they control to the bone. To overcome this crisis everyone needs to dedicate their soul to this empire.”

Everyone nodded. That’s when Nero lifted his hand.

“If we’re really going to give our all, then I have a suggestion.”

He stood up and shook his head.

“No, this is a demand. Something I won’t take “No” for an answer.”

The atmosphere became tense in an instant. Rouge locked eyes with Nero.

“What do you want?”

“If you people really want powerful allies, free my siblings.”

Hall of Rebirth. Miko was inside one of the rooms sitting in front of a capsule filled with medical fluids. Inside the capsule was a naked teen girl, it was Natasa Kingsley.

“I can’t act recklessly because of Rihan. I’ll stick to my original plan and do what’s necessary, not what my heart wants.”

He stood up.

“Kill your heart and march forward.”

He approached the capsule and placed his hand on the glass. A sinister grin crawled onto his face.

“The time for sleep is over, Natasa. It’s time for you to begin your training to become my successor.”