Joshua was now standing in the ruins of the 7th Entente base that he had destroyed. Eating flowers from the cadavers aliens. Joshua was literally making his way through the area by force, like a knife cutting though a portion of meat. It was not going to be eaasy, nor was it going to be too difficult. Carrying the Peacemaker pistol, it definitely was more powerful than Priest Alex's Blessing, and clearly. It was still in an unawakened state. Yet, a single shot was able to down the Reptile Soldier types which normally took a few shots. Along the path, there were decommissioned bases that he could find. These carried different weapon types that he could have. Right arm locked with a 40mm rail gun attached to the forearm, left shoulder equipped with a 18 missile pod rack. The right back slot is equipped with a howitzer that was designed to fire at long ranges. Having the four Familiars be at his side was a blessing, they made the fights easier albeit Tyrant Trickster was lazy about offing these aliens, he still did his duty accordingly.

The armor was a good fit, and Joshua ended up hunting the other creatures that were present. He also discovered that drinking the flowers actually clears up his body's toxins so he does not need to use the toilet at all. So it just means that Joshua can literally grow flowers to eat and fight. Though eating the aliens here did not give him much of a boost in power but at the very least, they tasted good.

The moon looked different, it was shot by the Etente during their initial assault. Half of the moon was missing. Joshua continued moving onward, this time preparing himself for another position. Where he was going to launch everything in the missile pod at the next base. It was a military stronghold, multiple Brutuses were patrolling with Four Eyes. Locking onto them, Joshua unleashed the missiles up to the sky. Dropping the pod and firing the howitzers last 5 shots. Then dropping it too.

Then proceeding to make his way forward. Leaping into the base, where he fired the railgun first. Aiming to the position where the system had highlighted to be the position of the The single shot was enough to destroy the generator that was housed below. Detaching the railgun as Joshua proceeded to use the Peacemaker against the aliens. A single shot was able to put holes in the armors of the Brutuses, clipping the wings off the Four Eyes and the Reptile Soldiers.

Joshua holstered the pistol and turned to the entrance of the base. Drawing Ashen Phoenix as the four Familiars awaited on the outside. They were waiting because Joshua knew that he was going to see more of the mutated humans inside. Drawing the tachi, to give them a merciful death. Joshua then stepped out, seeing his four familiars just looking at the weapons of the aliens.

Joshua stood alone with a tired expression, then watching as a weapon pod crashed onto his position.

"Overlord to Jane 000."

"Jane 000 copies. I've cleared my 8th base. Any trouble on your end?" Joshua asked.

"None... Surprisingly your allies have been very helpful. They've helped to take care of a few enemies and even cleared a path to restore a major city. Currently most of humanity lives underground. We've managed to keep them all safe... Your allies... Are they human?"

"Krieg is a demon. Mitchell and Alec are vampires. Commander 151 and the Suicide Division are humans who live in a world that is far polluted and messed up beyond reason. They betrayed their own Lord of Thorns and ever since then. They fight to serve me and I will avenge your Lord of Thorns. I will make that my vow. That I will bring this fight to their leaders and right now... With Ashen Wind, it's given me their location. The location for one of the Ruling Ships... The Bishop of Ruin." Joshua said as he looked at the spaceship flying in the sky.

That is where the 6th Vizel was and the Mask of Thorns, or rather the Helmet of Thorns. Joshua turned to One Eyed Emperor as the ravens flew to his side, changing to become large birds that could rival the ship itself.

"Go, my master. Allow us to watch the chaos from here." Joshua nodded as he jumped to the raven's back, where it brought Joshua on top of the ship. The 7th Vizel was by Joshua's side, carving into the ship's frame and falling down. Where Joshua looked at the Bishop of Ruin who was a Reptile Soldier who was in a chair.

"What the-" Joshua did not waste time, going after the Bishop of Ruin and then making contact with another figure.

"The 6th Vizel." Joshua said, looking at the White Knight armor. It was less sophisticated and primitive when compared to the 7th Vizel.

"Oh... A new Lord of T-" Joshua swung the blade away as he shoved the barrel of the pistol to the Bishop of Ruin's mouth. Pulling the trigger to kill it. The 6th swung his blade to Joshua who was then countered by the 7th.

"Oh... A new Vi-" A shoulder charge by the 7th, then slashing the 7th's legs. A strike to the chest, and then lifting the 6th up.

"Wai..Wait.. I can be of use to yo-" The 7th Vizel ripped the helmet off his predecessor, then Joshua pointed the pistol to the 6th's face.

"I can't waste time." Joshua said, emptying the entire magazine into the 6th Vizel's body. Not dying yet, the 6th got back on his feet. Only to be impaled by the Ashen Phoenix and Brilliant Ash to the walls. The 7th Vizel passed a magazine to Joshua.

"This was made from the Bishop of Ruin's corpse."

"Vizel. Kill all of the aliens behind me." Joshua said, turning to the aliens that began to crowd behind him. Vizel drew his blade and shield, where the shadows of his brothers fired at the aliens from within the 7th Vizel's cape and shadow.

Joshua loaded the flower ammuntion.

"You won't die, 6th. You're just going to be in eternal agony. That no one will save you. This is for the betrayal you made towards the Lord of Thorns." Joshua emptied the entire magazine, watching the 6th Vizel's body hang to the wall.

73rd's Peacemaker. Awakened State (Stage One)

The pistol that served the 73rd Lord of Thorns, born from her desire to create peace. Yet, betrayed by the aliens who wished to study his abilities.

Always dreamt of peace, the young lord was betrayed by one of her own servants. The 6th Vizel who now serves with the aliens.

The Peacemaker is now awakened from avenging the betrayal of the 6th Vizel to her. Now it will serve you as its new master. Will you rename the weapon?

Attack Power 700 Range 500 meters Capacity 15 bullets Ammo 9mm Parabellum Custom.

"Jane 000 to Overlord."

"Overlord, copies. What's going on Jane 000?"

"What's the name of the Lord of Thorns?"

"Her... Her name was Aliyaah." Joshua nodded as he looked at the pistol.

"Thanks, I've taken down the Bishop of Ruin. Sending you video footage. I'm also going to destroy the leading ship." Joshua said as he stepped away.

Aliyaah's Peacemaker. Awakened State (Stage One)

The pistol that served the 73rd Lord of Thorns, born from her desire to create peace. Yet, betrayed by the aliens who wished to study his abilities.

Always dreamt of peace, the young lord was betrayed by one of her own servants. The 6th Vizel who now serves with the aliens.

Aliyaah's Peacemaker, the name given by the Lord of Thorns. The one who bears the 7th Vizel and ended the betrayal of the 6th Vizel. To carry out the predecessor's wish for peace and to save her people.

Attack Power 2500 Range 500 meters Capacity 15 bullets Ammo 9mm Parabellum Custom.

The pistol was far lethal than anything Joshua had, even if it was only effective at 500 meters. It still made it powerful. It pierced through the enemies with ease. Joshua turned to see the 7th Vizel, his Vizel fight on. Painting his White Rose Knight armor with the blood off the aliens. There was no anger, no grunt. Just pure efficiency. The 7th Vizel wielded Redemption in its truest form, slashing through the aliens like they were nothing. The aliens focused on the 7th Vizel so much they did not bother with Joshua who proceeded to use the systems. Hacking into the ship's manifest and details. Getting as much information that he can.

The details on all their attack plans, their weapon schematics. Their technology logic, there was more that Joshua could use. Having this as a whole was a bonus. The suit did a full translation on everything.

"Jane 000 to Overlord. Sending fully translated intel on Entente Technology. Multiple details have been prepped." Joshua explained.

"Overlord to Jane 000. We got the details, what are you trying to do?"

"Just prepping for the next plan. This will sort out a lot of minor things. This will help you plan and increase technology for our weapons. The better we get with our weapons. This will change a lot of things." Joshua said to them.

"We received it." Commander Shane answered.

"I've avenged your Lord of Thorns. The 6th Vizel who betrayed her has died, but the next have to be the aliens that must pay the price for such a betrayal." Joshua's words brought some comfort as he heard sniffling on the radio.

"Thank you.. Jane 000... No... Lord of Thorns." Commander Shane answered. Joshua then turned to Vizel that brought back one item from the Lord of Thorns. The Helmet of Thorns, it was shaped after the helmet she had worn.

The helmet of the 73rd Lord of Thorns.

Designed based on her operation as an Orion.

It has the recording of her last words.

"Jane 000 to Overlord. I have Aaliyah's helmet. I'll be having my Vizel bring it to you. I need to go dark for a bit." Joshua said, then seeing a screen pop up.

Countdown till next phase.

240 Hours.

No combat will be permitted. Combat damage will be annulled.

He had a rough understanding to what that means. Then looking at his familiars.

"Tyrant Trickster, Iacus and Commander 151 will follow me. The others, maintain current situation. Protect the civilians. Learn the things about them. I'll need to go handle something else. VIzel, bring this helmet back to Commander Shane." Vizel nodded as Joshua passed the helmet to Vizel to carry it away.

Joshua opened his eyes, this time he was back in Mulligan. Seeing Bayran.

"How was it Lord?" Bayran asked, seeing Joshua take off his helmet and the Ashen Wind suit unlocked itself from his body.

"Just reminded me of here and that anything that is not human should be executed the moment they threaten humanity." Joshua answered, then looking at the World of Lion's Gate. It was time to head back into it.

Joshua headed in, this time finding himself on a hospital bed. Where Joshua turned to see Fracture, his M-Frame using a large keyboard to do work.

"You've been asleep for 2 weeks, my Lion. What did you learn?"

"Crow and Dove's conversation, but that's about it... What are we up to?" Joshua asked, this time noticing the more intricate appearance to Fracture.

"I've been able to secure special deals with various manufacturers to give us some better equipment. Highly experimental, and I've tested them out. They work fine." Fracture informed, while Joshua was getting back on his feet. Then seeing a plate of hot food by the table.

"I had ordered food because I had some idea that you will awaken soon." Joshua looked at it, cubed beef steaks with some fries at the side. Joshua took the time to eat it all carefully. His body felt off, his joints felt like they were all dislocated.

"So what's been going on?"

"Currently, we've been rebuilding Crow. Having him around would be useful, he's currently helping all the other M-Frames to ensure that we don't get compromised in our own systems. Right now, Dove's back.This time, it seems that Dove's taken over the many MARS units that were not M-Frames. A few prototype M-Frames from other companies had been taken over and Dove is begnning to create a much more fearsome weapon system." Fracture summarized the details and even had a slide show for Joshua to see.

"I see.Then will we be needed?" Joshua asked.

"We are needed. The other Lions are getting used to the idea that we, the M-Frames are capable of speech. This had occurred because of your EMS compatibility. You were able to endure so much pain using the EMS, that your body seems to forget that you can still feel pain." Fracture elaborated, showing the mission lists.

"Alright, then let's go." Joshua said, seeing the new armaments of Fracture's choice. Laser katanas and rifles to the rack.

"I swapped out for different rifles with varied use. A battle rifle for long range fights, an assault rifle for fast firing. A laser rifle when dealing with enemies with high solid defense and a pulse rifle to help stress the enemy's systems even more." Fracture reported, kneeling as Joshua got in the pilot seat.

"So far, so good!" Joshua said, feeling good to be back in the M-Frame. The connection to his neck was fine,as Fracture's pilot part slid into place.

"You seem to be a bit more tired than the last time we had seen each other." Fracture spoke, showing Joshua's heart rate and the facial expression statistic.

"Just had a long day, Fracture. But if we do this right. I may need your help in another place." Joshua said.

"You are my Lion, and I am your M-Frame." Joshua was back in gear as the Shore Birds came to pick up Fracture from the garage.