“We’re finally here.”

The location was unknown. Human God Lennox stepped out of a portal with Arsene and Alesia behind him.

“I thought we were safe after we left the empire, but who would’ve thought we would run into Krox on our way out of the Silver Continent? I know he’s the empire’s External Assault General, but did he really have to hunt us down to the ends of the earth?”

Lennox sighed. He snapped his fingers. A shattering noise came from behind them.

“You destroyed the portal?”

Arsene smirked.

“Kaiser is gonna be pissed.”

“Can you blame me? Krox was literally right on our tail until the last second. He would find it eventually.”

Lennox turned around and smiled at Alesia.

“More importantly, welcome to your new home. Welcome to New Era.”

A mystical world opened up before Alesia’s eyes. Five enormous islands were floating above her. Each one was a different world. Flowing rivers flowed through the clouds and circled the islands. Lesser dragons and mystical birds played in the sky. Roads of gold and gems connected them. Each island also had a different weather condition.

“…It’s beautiful.”

“Tiana would love to hear that. She designed the place after all.”

Alesia pointed at one of the islands.

“Are these the bases of the five organizations?”

“That’s right. Each island is supervised by one of the Five Leaders of New Era.”

Lennox pointed at an island covered by dark clouds.

“And that’s my island, Hell’s Dynasty HQ.”

The trio arrived on Lennox’s island minutes later. The island was covered by darkness and was illuminated by an occasional flash of lightning. The buildings had gothic designs and the wildlife was demonic.

“Surprising, isn’t it? He’s called Hero but his base looks like a Demon Lord’s Domain.”

Arsene laughed as he walked while embracing Alesia.

“We’re called Hell’s Dynasty. I wanted it to look the part.”

Lennox laughed. They headed to a black and gold palace.

“Boss! Thank god, you’re back!”

Upon arriving, someone ran up to Lennox and clung to his feet. It was an obese man with his brown slicked back. He was drenched in sweat as he clung to Lennox’s feet almost kissing them.

“What’s up, Drake? Did you miss me that badly?”

“Boss, I want to retire from New Era!”

He pointed at the palace behind him.

“I can’t work with those maniacs any longer! They’re gonna kill me!”

“Stop overexaggerating, Drake. No one’s gonna kill you.”

Drake’s face ashen as he looked up at Arsene.

“Another maniac came back!”

He clung to Lennox tighter.

“Boss, I don’t want to be a Deicider anymore!”

“Calm down.”

Lennox picked up Drake with one hand.

“First, tell me what happened?”

“Paige and Touma were talking about who would win in your fight with Rood. Paige bet on you while Touma said Rood. The others got involved and then we were split into factions. When we heard you lost again—”

“Draw.”

“Huh?”

“I didn’t lose. Neo the Unyielding intervened and it ended in a draw.”

Lennox brought Drake’s face closer and spoke with a smile.

“It was a draw, alright?

“….Boss, I heard Neo got involved after the fight ended and you were black and blue.”

“Who’s spreading these lies?!”

“Arsene.”

Lennox turned to Arsene.

“Did you not know what I meant when I said “You saw nothing” earlier?!”

“In my defense, you told me this after you woke up. I called the others and told them you lost the moment Rood punched you through a mountain.”

“That was at the beginning of the fight!”

“And it wasn’t a very bright start, now was it? And as I predicted, you ended up losing. So I wasn’t wrong.”

“……..Anyway.”

Lennox turned back to Drake.

“So what? Those who bet on me didn’t want to pay?”

“No, they paid. The winners started to drink in celebration and the losers drank while cursing your name. It didn’t take long before it turned into a drunken fest and everybody started hurling insults and attacks at each other. I was knocked out twice!”

He opened his suit to show off his flabby skin.

“Someone tattooed your face on my belly while I was knocked out! I’ve had enou—Blegh?!”

Someone landed on top of Drake and stomped him to the ground.

“What are you yapping off to the boss for?”

It was a woman holding bottles of liquor in both hands. Her beautiful face was reddened from intoxication. Her draconic purple eyes were dancing in her head. Her wild black hair was dripping wet. She was wearing an oversized black hoodie with blue flames. The hoodie emphasized how small she was. Despite her small stature, her presence was overwhelming.

“Touma…You reek of vodka.”

Lennox held his nose.

“Well, that happens when you’ve been drinking for over a week straight.”

Touma chugged a bottle of vodka like water.

“Anyway, boss. I won quite a bit because of you.”

She smirked.

“Thanks for getting your ass kicked.”

“…You’re welcome.”

Lennox grumbled.

“……….”

Alesia stared at Touma and Drake who she was stepping on.

(Disaster Dragon Touma and Barrier King Drake…)

“Huh? Who’s this?”

Touma noticed her gaze.

“She’s my girlfriend.”

Arsene wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Ah, the one who was supposed to be our first junior member.”

“How long are you gonna stand on me?!”

Drake sprung to his feet flinging Touma off him. He glared at her with bloodshot eyes.

“You lizard bitch!”

He pointed at her.

“Do you want me to—”

Lennox forced a bottle of vodka into drake’s mouth.

“Calm down before you start losing weight. Slim you are a pain in the ass to control, even for me.”

He patted Drake’s shoulder.

“Touma, tell everyone to stop the partying. We’re holding a meeting.”

“A serious one?”

Lennox nodded.

“Oh?”

Touma grinned.

“Looks like it’s finally time to rampage again.”

After 15 minutes, nine people gathered in a room with eight seats. Alesia stood at a wall behind Arsene. The mood of the meeting made it impossible to sit in Arsene’s lap like he wanted, and she wasn’t qualified to sit with those in front of her.

(Incredible….Each of these people could make nations fall to their knees just by showing up at their doorsteps. Every one of them has made the heavens, hells, and earths bow down before them time and time again.)

Cold sweat covered her body.

(Eight Deiciders casually gathering together in a single organization? The world would go into a frenzy if word of this gets out.)

“……..”

Lennox sat at the head of the table with a smile on his face.

“I’m glad you all got to unwind. That means this meeting should go smoothly.”

“I didn’t get to unwind but whatever.”

Drake mumbled.

“First, is there any news any one of you would like to share with me?”

“Yeah. The father and son duo are knocked out.”

Touma pointed at two men who were passed out in their seats with a cloth over their heads. They wore white and gold military officer-style uniforms. Louds snore came from them. Lennox looked at them for a bit and shook his head.

“Let them be. They always turn violent when you wake them up.”

Alesia’s eyes landed on the men. After a while, they slowly widened.

(Nora and Luthur! Arsene said they joined, but being in the same room as Momo’s Father and Brother is surreal. I’ve heard so many stories about when they massacred the previous emperor’s faction.)

She clenched her fists.

“I’m now a traitor like them.”

“If there’s nothing else to report, then I have an announcement.”

Lennox grinned.

“The time for New Era and the Dragna Empire to clash will be closer than expected.”

“Oh? What caused the change?”

A woman sitting on Lennox’s left spoke up. Pale skin, red hair wrapped in a bun, donning a Sapphire gown, and crown on her head; this woman emitted a regal presence.

(Parasite Queen, Paige. The person hailed as the undisputed queen and protector of all Parasite Demons.)

Alesia observed the woman who wore a proud smile.

“A third party has entered the fray.”

Lennox answered.

“Is it an ally or enemy?”

“Does it really matter?”

“Heh. I guess not. So I take it this third party is gonna attack the Dragna Empire and we’re planning to take advantage of that.”

“Bingo.”

“I’m ready to go anytime.”

Touma cracked her fingers.

“…Boss.”

Someone lifted their hand. It was a dark-skinned man with dreadlocks, a muscular build, and dressed in casual clothing. His green eyes reminded one of emeralds.

“What is it, Unai?”

“Are you alright with attacking them like this?”

“Do you think it’s dishonorable?”

“I do. However, I’m not one to make a fuss over things like that. Everything goes in war after all. What I’m asking is, are you alright with it? Isn’t it your style to challenge everyone upfront?”

Lennox didn’t answer immediately but wore a smile.

“I’m not thrilled but I’m willing to put my honor aside for our cause.”

Unai stared at Lennox in silence before nodding.

“If you’re okay with it, then I have nothing else to say.”

“Thank you.”

Lennox looked at everyone again.

“Speaking of the empire, I met their starboy while I was there.”

“You finally met your soulmate?”

Touma burst out laughing. Lennox didn’t mind.

“So what was the infamous Young Satan like?”

Lennox looked at Alesia.

“Why not ask someone who knew him longer than I have?”

Everyone faced her.

“She is the first member of our upcoming junior division, Alesia Dragna.”

“Then, she’s a future Deicider?”

“That’s right, Unai. She and her brother formed a duo who became known for hunting proxies. So I think she’ll fit right in.”

“So, if one of us dies she’ll take their place?”

Drake asked while glancing at Touma.

“Dream on, Fatass.”

She playful stuck out her tongue at him.

“Alesia isn’t our replacement. Those in the junior division will be promoted to a senior member once they become a True Deicider.”

Lennox answered.

“True Deicider? Isn’t that harsh?”

Paige frowned.

“Girl, do you know what a True Deicider is?”

Alesia nodded.

“After you kill a Divine Proxy from each of the four factions and are invited to the summit of the gods where the Higher Beings reside and receive your Deicider title, you’d be considered a 1 Star Deicider. If you repeat the same feat you’ll be called 2 Star Deicider. You stop gaining stars after repeating it five times, but doing so will crave your name in history as a True Deicider.”

“That’s right. Then, did you know most Deiciders die before gaining that title?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because just as how Deiciders hunt Proxies, they are hunted down by Divine Proxies and people wishing to obtain their Deicider Title by killing them.”

Paige nodded.

“We’re hunted almost as much as Irregulars, so only the best of the best can become a True Deicider. If you include everyone in this room there are only 12 True Deiciders in the world. So I ask again, isn’t it too harsh of a requirement for you to join us?”

Alesia shook her head.

“It’s only natural. After all, Hell’s Dynasty does not need weaklings.”

Paige smiled.

“What would you know, Arsene actually has good taste in women.”

“I know right? Alesia’s seems docile but she is pretty ferocious when needed to be.”

“Why are you acting proud?”

Unai shook his head.

“Tell us about this Young Satan.”

Alesia nodded.

“Miko is the embodiment of danger, both for his allies and his enemies. He cannot be controlled or reason with once he set his mind on something. He’s destructive by nature and consumed by hatred. He’s conniving, highly intelligent, and insane. He’s like the perfect mix of destruction and chaos.”

“Sounds like my kind of person.”

Touma was all smiles.

“However…”

Alesia continued.

“Miko is also very kind, caring, and considerate. He’s always thinking about how to protect those around him. Their happiness is his main priority. If it’s for them he’s willing to destroy his own happiness.”

“So you’re saying that he’s complex?”

Alesia nodded at Drake.

“It’s because he’s complex why he struggles so much. He desires to become a monster yet his bonds prevent him from doing so.”

She looked at everyone in the room.

“Honestly, I believe if he throws away those bonds he’ll become something more terrifying than all you put together.”

Everyone’s eyes narrowed.

“And you say this knowing full well who we are?”

Unai asked. Alesia nodded.

“Then are you saying he’s stronger than us?”

“Stronger? Not even close. But, we all know strength isn’t everything in war.”

Alesia spoke in monotone.

“If New Era wants to beat the Dragna Clan, they must take out Miko regardless of the casualties. Because if you don’t and you push him too far, Miko will make you all see a true hell.”

She smiled.

“The same goes for the rest of my family. Underestimate them, you’ll all die without being able to resist.”

“You sound proud for a traitor.”

Touma grinned.

“I’m still a Dragna.”

Lennox burst out laughing.

“I agree with everything you’ve said, Alesia. It’s because Miko and the Dragna Clan are so dangerous that we’re taking this seriously.”

He grinned.

“After all, we all came together because of a common desire to beat the strongest Deiciders, Kimiko and Nero.”

“You joined together to do just that? All 8 of you.”

“Boss, the girl seems to not be aware of just who those two are.”

Touma laughed. Arsene looked at her.

“Alesia, do you know where the name Deicider came from?”

Alesia shook her head.

“Then have you ever heard of the Dark Trinity?”

“No…”

“It’s ancient news so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Unai said.

“The Dark Trinity was a group that appeared at the beginning of the Proxy Era. They flung the world on its head over and over again, destroying common sense, and striking fear into anyone who met them. They consisted of Nero, Kimiko Mors, and Arindam Kunti.”

“The Dark Trinity was their nickname. Their original name was the Deiciders, God Killers.”

Drake added.

“I heard Nero and Lady Kimiko were close to the Heavenly King, but I didn’t know they were a part of a group.”

“They were teenagers at the time. A bit younger than Miko.”

Lennox added.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but before he became Indra’s Proxy, Arindam was the third person to become a Deicider.”

Alesia’s eyes widened.

“He became a Deicider the same day as Lady Kimiko, but took Indra’s offer to become a Proxy hours later. This was before Higher Beings created the Slayer’s Monument, so he wasn’t given a title and his name was never recorded on it as one.”

“…I admit such information is unbelievable, but what does that have to—”

“Have you ever heard of the Caelum Massacre Incident?”

Lennox cut Alesia off.

“…No.”

Everyone started grinning.

“10,000 years ago, the first Proxies of Zeus, Indra, and Odin allied to build the greatest empire to ever exist. They subjugated thousands of proxies and powerful warriors and raised armies to conquer the world. This empire was called the Caelum Empire and they were close to achieving their goals. What stopped them was the sudden appearance of three people at their footstep.”

“You don’t mean….”

Lennox nodded.

“Nero, Kimiko Mors, and Arindam Kunti. These three took on over 1000 proxies with half of them being Divine Proxies and thousands of warriors, and utterly destroyed them.”

“Nero killed Zeus’ Proxy, Kimiko killed Odin’s Proxy, and Arindam killed Indra’s Proxy.”

Touma added.

“They say there was no place in that country that wasn’t stained in blood.”

Said Paige.

“Mountains of corpses, rivers of blood.”

Said Arsene.

“A week of nonstop fighting.”

Said Unai.

“The Dark Trinity’s greatest feat, and the battle where Kimiko and Arindam became Deiciders.”

Said Drake. Lennox leaned over on the table.

“Our goal is to surpass that trio, and to do it we must defeat them. Now with what I just told you, do you still think 8 of us gathering together is overkill?”

“………..”

Everyone laughed at Alesia’s silence. Lennox stood up.

“It might look like New Era has the upper hand against the Dragna Empire, but there’s a reason why even the likes of the Asgard and Morningstar Empires are wary of them.”

He walked towards Alesia.

“They’re a den of monsters.”

He stood in front of her and placed his hand on her shoulders.

“And we’re the brave heroes or fools, whichever you want to call us, who are going to dive into that den of monsters.”

He locked eyes with her.

“And we’re fully prepared for whatever happens in there.”

He pat her shoulder.

“Welcome to Hell’s Dynasty, Alesia Dragna, and good luck.”

He showed a bright smile.

“You’re gonna need it.”