Flameheart Residence, Lushun. The buildings that were destroyed during the traitors’ departure were all fixed. In the main house, the main branch was gathered together by Joesph’s orders.

“All of that really happened at the meeting?”

Luka’s eyes were widened and her jaw was lowered. Darwin nodded with a bitter face.

“It was hell. Even though Nero was still alive the fact that Master injured Lady Kimiko and sealed away Nero has angered the Primus Branch. If Maria and Alisa hadn’t stepped in Nova would’ve lost it and seriously tried to kill him.”

“It wasn’t enough to stop Rihan though.”

Joesph clicked his tongue.

“That brat used a really nasty technique. It hurts just thinking about it.”

“So, what now?”

Lisa turned to her aunt. Maria thought about it for a bit but shaking her head.

“Nova is still upset about his parents. The fact that he’s temporarily the Primus Branch leader makes the situation even more difficult. There’s no telling what he’ll do if left alone with his thoughts….I might have to stay with him for a while to keep an eye on him.”

“Is Lady Kimiko's injuries that bad?”

“Unfortunately, I lost my cool for a bit and used too much force. If they’re not broken then her bones are at least fractured. Also, she still hasn’t woken up.”

Joesph sighed.

“Nero, Sasha, and Kimiko. Members of the Primus Branch are falling one after the other. I’m certain that anger is overflowing in them.”

“There’s also the culprit who destroyed the teleportation arrays. The incidents with the Primus Branch added with them have greatly delayed our plans to strengthen the empire.”

Darwin became silent for a bit.

“….This is really bad. I heard reports that many of the members of the five branches are angry because the branch leaders killed their family who had bombs planted in them by Alexis. There are also those who lost their loved ones at the hands of Ranga and Marc Saevus. They are directing their anger at the Flameheart and Saevus clans. Lastly, the citizens’ dissatisfaction with us grows by the day. If news of what happened gets out the situation will only worsen.”

“It will get out.”

Joesph leaned over and rested his chin in his hand.

“Someone is actively out there trying to sabotage the three clans. So we should prepare for what’s to come rather than worry.”

“Um…”

Lisa lifted her hand.

“Does anyone know what Miko’s doing?”

A tense silence covered the room. Everyone’s eyes slowly shifted to Luka. She shook her head.

“I have no idea what he’s doing either. The only thing I know is that he has no intention of going to capital anytime soon. He also wants me to stay away for time being.”

“Why? Does he not wish to see his mother?”

“It doesn’t look like it. However, when he heard about Lady Sasha, I saw it for a split second….Overwhelming rage. He controlled himself and erased that rage from his face the next second though.”

“I see. With his family in such a state, I thought that he would make a move. The fact that he hasn’t makes me feel uneasy.”

Lisa’s body trembled a bit.

“It is indeed unsettling that he hasn’t made any moves. If his family isn’t enough to make him move then what is?”

Darwin looked puzzled. Luka kept quiet.

(Miko, I hope that you’re not suppressing your emotions too much…If you’re not careful you could explode or even forget how to feel.)

“Regardless, there’s only one thing that can fix this situation and I’m sure Miko knows that. While I support him, he’s too young. He’s for the future, he can’t fix the present.”

Royal District, Dragna City.

Alec Dragna was walking through the royal yard with two women following behind him.

“Are you sure that they’ll come?”

Kirika had a doubtful expression on her face.

“They’ll come. I personally invited them, something I rarely do. Their curiosity will lead them here.”

Alec straightened his cashmere jacket with a confident smile.

“Is it really alright for me to come here?”

Bella was fidgeting and glancing around.

“You’re my future wife, so I don’t see the problem. I’m just introducing you to everyone.”

Alec patted her on the shoulder with a smile.

“Do you think they’ll accept such a reason?”

“They don’t have a choice.”

After a few minutes, they arrived at a garden. Under a tree was a huge table with seven people around it. Bella recognized everyone at the table. Her eyes first landed on a man with azure hair, fierce golden eyes, muscular build, and was dressed in a sleeveless military-style uniform.

(Al-Shura Dragna aka the Rampaging Dragon Of the Bloodied Path. Then she must be…)

Beside him was a woman who had similar features but a more docile aura.

(Alesia Dragna, aka the Rattlesnake of the Desolate Path. Both of them are professional Proxy killers. They’re certain to become Deiciders in the future.)

Not too far away from them were three women with identical faces.

(The triplet daughters of the Quartus Branch Leader Ecko; the Heavenly Stars! I heard that they inherited Athena’s blood from their late father who was her former Proxy. Rumor has it that they’re unkillable as long as they’re together thanks to the blessing they received from one of Tiamat’s children.)

Her feet halted when her eyes landed on the last two.

(Christensen and Kouta Dragna, the Spawns of Nova…)

“Why are you stopping?”

Alec called out to her. She shook her head and followed him as he approached the table.

“Sorry that we’re late everyone. I just couldn’t decide what to wear.”

He took a seat along with Kirika, Bella stood behind him. Alec noticed this and looked around the table.

“There’s no seat left?”

He stood up and went behind Bella and gently pushed her towards the table.

“You can take my seat. I’ll stand.”

“I wouldn’t-”

“It’s fine. What kind of man sits with his wife standing behind him?”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

“Wife? When did you get married?”

Kouta asked the question on everyone’s mind.

“Miko set us up a little while back. Her name is Bella Azalea, the Crown Princess of the Azalea Kingdom. Isn’t she beautiful?”

Alec showed off Bella ignoring her reddened face.

“Miko set you up? I see. So she’s his eyes and ears for this meeting.”

The eldest of the triplets, Sylvia scanned Bella from head to toe.

“I couldn’t care less who you want to marry. Tell us why you called us here?”

Al-Shura impatiently crossed his arms in front of his chest. Alec looked at Christensen whose eyes were half-closed.

“Where’s Karim and Dario??”

“They said that they were too busy to play along with your games.”

“I see. That’s fine. Momo and Aeon are also busy. As for Sasha, it goes without saying.”

Alec made Bella sit down and faced everyone.

“As you all can see, I’ve gathered the most talented people of our generation from each branch minus the Primus Branch. I did it for one reason, to discuss what happened in the meeting of the three clans a few days ago.”

“Discuss, do you mean you want to find a solution?”

The middle triplet Sophia spoke up.

“That’s right. The older generation isn’t in the position to find one, so should we do it in their stead.”

He held onto the back of Bella’s chair and leaned forward with a serious look in his eyes.

“There’s only one thing that can fix this crisis. We need to pick a Clan Leader.”

Everyone became silent as they thought about Alec’s words. The first to speak was Al-Shura.

“I hate to admit it but you’re right. The empire needs a leader and not just an empty title like Emperor. A true leader to lead the three clans and it’s people. It’s only then can we start moving forward. However-”

His eyes sharpened.

“Not just anyone can sit on that throne. Only Augustus have held this position before. Succeeding him is nearly impossible. That’s why there hasn’t been a Clan Leader since his death. With that being said, who would you recommend, Alec?”

His eyes fell on Bella. Her body stiffened at the sight of his golden eyes locked on her. She felt like a rabbit in front of a lion.

“Oi.”

Alec gently slapped the table to draw Al-Shura’s attention to him.

“Keep your eyes on me or you might lose them.”

“Aren’t you defensive?”

“Of course. I’ve already promised to marry her. So I’ll treat her as any man would his wife. She represents me and I represent her, understand?”

Bella held down her flushed face and hid her smile. Al-Shura smiled as well and leaned back.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Since your clash of egos is out of the way, let’s discuss what your real goal is Alec.”

Sylvia wore a smirk on her face.

“You said that you invited the most talented members of our generation but that’s not it. Of the 9 of us here 4 of us share a similarity, being Miko’s allies.”

“Kirika teaches him swordsmanship, Christensen teaches him close combat, Kouta teaches him ranged combat, and Alec once taught him alchemy. If the missing Momo and Aeon were here and you expected Karim and Dario’s absence then they’d be 6 out of the 11of us who are his allies. A majority.”

The silent Alesia finally spoke up. Alec nodded at her words.

“So what’s your point?”

“Her point is, you’re here to nominate Miko to be the next Clan Leader.”

Al-Shura grinned showing off his fangs.

“Is that right?”

Meanwhile, Rogan Dragna stood outside a purple and gold cathedral with a burning Phoenix statue on its roof.

“I finally made it here. Looks like I took more damage from my battle with Aeon than I thought.”

He sluggishly walked past the sign and approached the building’s entrance. The sign read the following words:

“Welcome to the Church Of Augustus. Realize the conqueror within you.”

With bright eyes and a gleeful smile, Rogan mumbled to himself.

“The one to succeed and surpass Augustus is me…. The voice of the people will be heard.”