Dragna City. The leaders of the three clans along with members of the Golden and Catastrophic Generations were having a meeting in the Quartus Domain.

“Dammit!”

Al-Shura slammed his fist on the table while gritting his teeth.

“I can’t believe Alesia betrayed us!”

“Calm yourself, Al-Shura.”

Andreas spoke with a tone of indifference.

“But Grandfather, this unforgivable! I should've seen the signs as the person with her all the time, as her older brother.”

“Signs? Don’t get a big head. Alesia was smarter than you, she was craftier than you. The fault lies with me for not educating her properly. But more importantly, she’s not the biggest loss we faced today.”

Andreas clenched his fist.

“How could we allow one of the enemy leaders to enter and leave our territory alive? This is a disgrace!”

“Well, it was Lennox. Him escaping death is nothing new.”

Nero spoke up.

“Besides, he had help.”

“Arsene…!”

Al-Shura’s eyes were bloodshot as he spoke.

“He seduced my sister to his side. I’ll definitely kill him.”

“Unfortunately, that’s my job as Queen of Niflheim.”

Kimiko looked at her sister Cecil and her son Marcel, the new Secundus Branch Leader.

“If any of you encounter that brat on the battlefield bring his head to me.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“I don’t care about how many you’ll have to kill to reach him, I want him dead.”

“Yes, My Queen.”

Mother and Son spoke in unison.

“……..”

Kimiko silently wore a frown. It only disappeared when Nero placed his hand on her head.

“There’s no use getting worked up over traitors at this point. I mean, half of our people are our enemies now anyway. What’s a few more gonna do?”

He looked towards the silent Miko.

“More importantly, I don’t suppose you’ll tell us what you and Lennox were discussing, Miko?”

“Just declaring our intention to slaughter each other in the future. Nothing special.”

“You did say the Hero would be your archenemy. I take it that Hero is Lennox.”

“Yup. The Hero of the Human Race, Lennox.”

“Human race, huh?”

Nero chuckled.

“Let’s leave the topic of traitors and New Era and focus on ourselves for a bit.”

Rouge spoke.

“As you wish, Great, Almighty, Clan Leader.”

Nero bowed. Rouge’s brow twitched. He turned to Miko.

“When are you going to officially capture the North?”

“Oh, Great Magnificent Clan Leader. Whenever thou wishes it.”

Rouge’s brow twitched again. Ecko lifted her hand.

“Permission to speak, All-Powerful Clan Leader?”

“Alright, the next person who addresses me in such an overly dramatic fashion is getting hanged!”

“As His Holiness wishes.”

Everyone spoke in unison. Rouge’s hand trembled as he stopped himself from drawing his blade.

“So Figurehead.”

Ecko continued.

“Before we seek to expand outwards, I advise you to unify the current empire.”

Rouge sighed.

“My appointment to Clan Leader and Miko’s speech has motivated most citizens but a large number of them still aren’t with the current regime. This could lead to rebellions at the least favorable moments.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that. I think Rihan and Aeon are handling that.”

Nova spoke up.

“So that’s why I haven’t seen them much lately? Then we’ll leave that to them for the time being. The next agenda is to strengthen the forces of the three clans. Our allies are preparing to come here, but that will take time. We need to strengthen ourselves in meanwhile.”

Quartus Guardian, Shina stood up. She turned to Miko.

“I think it’s time you free Krul. His strength will be needed for the future.”

Miko didn’t answer immediately and stared at her in silence.

“What a forceful way to bring up your son. Are you that worried?”

Shina’s eyes were fierce. Miko chuckled a bit.

“If it wasn’t for the situation we were in I would’ve trapped him in ice for eternity. No, I would’ve killed him.”

Shina’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re angry? That’s logical. You’re his mother after all.”

Miko smirked.

“I’ll release him, not because I care for your anger towards me, but because we need to be united. I’ll also help treat his mental sickness. We can’t have a loose cannon right now.”

“…Thank you.”

Miko smiled as Shina sat down.

“No problem. We’re family after all.”

The smile quickly left his face.

“We have no choice but to be united in these times of turmoil. In-fighting must not be tolerated no matter the reason. I allowed Alesia to escape for this reason. Just as how Shina wants to protect her son despite how insane he is, just as how my parents would take on the world for me and my siblings, if Alesia was captured deciding her fate would cause a rift between some of us.”

“The problem is Alesia will most likely leak our plans to the enemy. They’ll know we’re about to enter a period of transition. If I was them, I’ll strike soon.”

Leon added.

“That won’t be a problem.”

Alec spoke up.

“Don’t you think the timing of her betrayal was odd? I mean, she could’ve done irreversible damage if she had stuck around longer and see just how our forces have evolved and learned their weaknesses. The most ideal time to betray us would be when New Era is at our doorstep. Yet, she chose this time; right before we start strengthening ourselves.”

“I find it strange too.”

Darwin spoke up.

“If New Era were about to attack it would make sense but…”

“New Era can’t attack yet unless they’re willing to commit double suicide with us.”

Echo added. Alec nodded and showed two fingers.

“This means one of two things. One, she left because she didn’t wish to cause any more harm than she already has. After all, a spy is expected to give information. If she leaves before she learns anything of great importance, then New Era won’t gain the advantage they could.”

“Then what about Augustus’ Inheritance? They’ll know about it.”

Kouta asked.

“They have Krow. It’s highly likely they already acknowledged the possibility of another inheritance.”

Nova answered.

“Then, you’re saying Alesia betrayed us but didn’t commit all the way through? What kind of half-assed betrayal is that?”

“She was too compassionate.”

Miko mumbled.

“She loved too much. A failure of a spy and soldier. Right, Andreas?”

Andreas didn’t reply and silently closed his eyes. Miko smirked.

“I believe she wanted to leave to prevent her from hurting her family more than she already did. So she asked Arsene for help, who in turn asked his Boss Lennox for help. Lennox wanted to meet me so it worked out for him. He acted as a decoy while Alesia escaped with her lover. What a kind boss, don’t you think?”

Miko laughed.

“I’m surprised you find this whole thing funny.”

Markus said. Miko shrugged. He sighed.

“Anyway, the first reason for her betrayal isn’t a big deal. It’s the second possible reason that could pose a real problem.”

Alec nodded.

“There’s a third party unknown to us preparing to attack us soon. It’s because of this incoming threat that Alesia had to pull out.”

“If that’s one of the reasons she left, then this third party must be incredibly powerful. If they are, then we might not have the time we thought we had.”

A solemn silence covered the room after Miko spoke.

“…Who do you think the enemy is?”

Sasha spoke after much hesitation. Miko shrugged.

“We have too many enemies. It’s impossible to figure out who they are.”

He stood up.

“There’s no use stressing about an invisible enemy. What needs to be done hasn’t changed. We’ll focus on getting stronger. When that enemy becomes visible, we’ll just do as we’ve always done.”

He grinned.

“Slaughter the enemy in front of us.”

Everyone nodded in unison.

“Then, I’ll leave the outside threats to you guys.”

Miko started to leave. Nero smiled.

“You don’t trust Rihan and Aeon to handle the inside threats?”

“It’s not a matter of trust, I simply must know the full picture.”

He turned around and showed a bright smile.

“I can’t afford for any changes in my surroundings to go unnoticed.”

He smile fell from his face as he continued to leave.

“After all, those changes can be fatal.”

He reached the door.

“Wait.”

He stopped and looked at the Quartus Guardian Beast, Lahmu.

“Oh, that’s right.”

His gaze landed on Ecko.

“Soul Fire. Use it to free Krul. The ice trapping him is called Spirit Ice. Only a flame of similar nature can melt it.”

He smirked.

“Although, I’m sure you didn’t need me to tell you.”

After that, he left. Shina looked at her mother with widened eyes. Ecko just silently sighed.

Miko left the Quartus Domain and returned to the palace. He silently walked through the halls and stopped at the exit.

“It’s been a long time since someone has blocked my path in this empire.”

He grinned.

“It’s surprisingly nostalgic.”

In front of Miko were a girl and a boy around his age. Although, they were biologically 10,000 years old.

“Chika and Verde, right?”

“Oh, the great Clan Leader knows our names?”

Chika bowed.

“It’s a great honor.”

“Heir, I’m the heir.”

“The fact you overshadowed the actual leader during the coronation makes me wonder.”

“Heh. You got attitude. I like it.”

“Thank you.”

Chika straightened her back.

“It runs in the family.”

Miko laughed and walked up to them. He looked at Chika and then at the silent Verde.

“……..”

Verde’s eyes were locked on Miko’s every move.

(He remains me of Shouxing, Natasa, and Krul. A beast wearing human skin. However, it looks like he’s a bit different.)

Miko patted the siblings' shoulders.

“Say, do you guys wanna have fun?”

“That depends.”

Chika glanced at his hand on her and smiled.

“What will we be doing?”

Miko grinned.

“Villain stuff. You in?”

The two looked at each other and then grinned at Miko.

“We’re in.”