The news about Miko being Tiamat's proxy spread throughout the world like wildfire.

Of course it would. Tiamat was the oldest among all Higher Beings, she was the creator of the first dragons, mermen, bullmen(Minotaur), serpents, scorpion men, and all kinds of powerful races.

It was also an unmistakable fact that her bloodline was among the most gifted in the world.

Persons like Nero and Rouge proved this time and time again.

A lot of people were glad that she never showed interest in the Proxy war; but now not only did she picked a proxy, she chose one from her direct bloodline, and it was someone who had several powerful blood traits.

That was just fucked up!

Miko automatically drew the attention of some of the world's strongest people.

The person in question was enjoying a grand celebration in his honor.

The entire kingdom was basking in his glory as if he was a god.

He was currently sitting in front of a half drunk Nero, who was having a drinking contest with Tiamat.

Ouroboros also came, and joined them.

“Who's the world's strongest?”

Said Nero.

Miko had just asked him this question.

“Yeah. I heard about a lot of people, but I wanted your opinion on it.”

He then looked towards the people to his right.

“I want to hear your opinion too Uncle, and Grams. Oh, and Rouge too.”

“The world's strongest huh? That's kind of a taboo topic, you know. Since everyone would have their opinions and lead to arguments.”

Kimiko said as she sat beside Nero.

Rouge and Nova also sat down.

“Oh, I'm interested in this topic too.”

Luka who was nearby also came over.

Momo and Hina also joined in with Ravel.

Ace and Sora were too busy talking with the aristocratic women.

The twins were somewhere having fun. Well, Tessa was. Kristen was being dragged around by her.

Sasha and Leon couldn't be found. But they were still in the palace somewhere.

Soon all who were interested in this topic gathered in one section of the hall.

There were a lot of people who were tactfully eavesdropping.

Seeing this, Nero couldn't help but to laugh.

“Who's the strongest? Me of course!”

He said arrogantly, while laughing.

This caused a lot of people to sigh.

“Gamiko, be serious.”

Said Kimiko.

“I am serious. If you want to be strongest then you must first believe that you're the strongest. Right, grandma?”

“That's right.”

Tiamat said with a nod.

“Then other than you, who is the strongest?”

Miko asked.

“Well, that depends. The strongest what exactly? Proxy? Tyrant? Mortal? If you think they're all the same, you're mistaken.”

Nero answered.

“A Proxy is a being closest to the gods. A tyrant is a being that slay those pseudo-gods. And a mortal is one that doesn't belong to either category.”

“Then following that logic, who do you believe is the strongest Proxy?”

“Hmm…..That's hard to say. How about I pick one from each of the four sides?”

Miko nodded.

“That works.”

“Then…”

Nero started to ponder for a while before saying-

“For the god side, War Sage Stein.”

“Stein? If I remember correctly, he's the one who created the Asgard Empire.”

The Asgard empire was the world’s longest standing empire, with over a dozen proxies of the highest level.

This empire was undoubtedly the largest and most powerful empire in the world. Not even the mighty Morningstar Empire could trample on this powerhouse.

The Empire is headed by Odin’s proxy, War Sage Stein.

“Yup. Stein is the world's oldest proxy. He's Odin's only proxy ever, with him being a proxy from the start of the Proxy system until now. Not only that, he has most of the Norse gods proxies under his belt. He's most likely the hardest proxy to kill and the one closest to winning this war.”

“?!”

Even though he knew a bit about Stein, he didn't expect Nero to say he's the closest to winning the war.

That speaks volumes of his power and influence.

“I don't think Stein is the closest to winning the war on the god side.”

Said Kimiko.

“Oh? Then who do you think it is?”

Nero asked, although he had an idea of who she was going to pick.

“Black Heavens Eris. When it comes to fire power, in my opinion she's number one.”

Eris was Zeus’ proxy. She was a dark elf who once led the dark elves on an expedition to conquer the Beast Continent. She was close to her goal, but was betrayed by her people and left for dead.

However, she apparently survived and became Zeus’ proxy. After becoming a proxy she destroyed the very empire that she built, and freed the continent from her people's rule.

This led to a lot of dark elves becoming slaves, but Eris didn't care. They had already betrayed her, so what happened to the elves were no longer her concern.

No one knows why a sexist like Zeus chose a woman to be his proxy, but she is easily his strongest yet.

“Eris?”

Nero was skeptical.

“It's true that her black lightning is terrifying even to me, but not even she could survive gungnir.”

“No, I agree with mother.”

Said Nova.

“Eris is a very terrifying woman. Plus she has Athena’s Proxy the Divine Tactician, Vinea. When those two combine their wits and strength it's hard to oppose them.”

“I think you're all wrong. I think it's Heavenly General Rafael. Indra’s Vajra is pretty incredible. Besides didn't you leave your daughters in his hands Gamiko. Wouldn't it be a problem if he falls?”

Rouge added.

“Hmph. The Sanskrit Federation won't fall so easily. If it could, I wouldn't have left Eva and Ava there.”

“…..Seems like there's a lot of powerful god proxies.”

Miko commented.

“Yeah. Eris, Stein, and Rafael are just the most prolific. There are other incredibly strong proxies.”

Said Kimiko.

“Like?”

“Like Underworld Prince, Spector who founded the Undead Country. He's Hades proxy.”

Said Nero.

“There's also Thor’s Proxy, Lightning Emperor Skylar. There's also Loki’s Proxy Warmonger Julian and dozens of others. Some active and some inactive.”

He suddenly looked like he remembered something and leaned over towards Miko.

“I think it's best I tell you this now. There's a forbidden swamp at the center of the Night Continent. You must never go there. There's a terrifying existence sealed off there.”

“Who?”

Nero hesitated for a while before saying-

“Mad King, Raver. Cthulhu’s Proxy.”

Cthulhu?!

This name greatly shocked Miko. He didn't expect the Cthulhu Mythos to exist in this world as well.

“But wait. I've read a lot of books, but there was never a mention of the Cthulhu Mythos.”

“That's because we tried to wiped them out.”

Tiamat suddenly said.

“Wipe them out? The entire Mythos?”

“That's right. But we ultimately failed. There are about 20 we didn't get to kill off.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because they were creepy as hell, that's why. And that's coming from someone who once flooded the world with monsters.”

Tiamat was visibly disgusted.

“They were only good for spreading madness and causing destruction. Did you know that out of the 23 times the world was destroyed, they were involved in 3 of them?”

She obviously didn't like the Cthulhu Mythos.

“In the end, I and the other gods decided to get rid of them all. But it wasn't so easy. I even had to resort to throwing that blind idiot Azathoth into the Void Realm myself while he was asleep.”

The Void Realm was like the graveyard of Higher Beings. It was a Realm that existed outside the laws of the world. When a god dies, they're sent there and can never return.

However, people could go there and back if they're powerful enough. But it was extremely dangerous.

It's a graveyard realm, so even gods will disappear there forever.

Once a dead soul enters that place it's over for them, unless they understand the mysteries of Realm, which only a handful knows.

“I see.”

Miko then turned to Nero.

“Are the entire Cthulhu Mythos sealed off in that swamp?”

“That's right. It would be a pain to search for their new proxies after killing them, so we sealed them off from the rest of the world.”

“What happens if they are freed from there seal?”

“Hell. Hell is what would happen. But that's impossible. The seal can't be undone that easily. And even if it could, only a maniac would released those people back on to the world.”

Miko could tell that Nero was very cautious towards Raver and the other Cthulhu Mythos proxies.

“Anyway. Let's talk about the strongest demon proxies.”

Nero said.

“I think we all can agree that Nine Hells Dante is the strongest.”

Kimiko, Rouge, and Nova immediately showed they're approval with a nod.

“Although Zara is among the world's strongest, Dante is on a whole other level.”

Everyone nodded in agreement again.

“Then what about on the Beast side?”

“That also is no brainer.”

Nova said.

“If we're talking about the beast side, then there could only be one person who has the right to call himself #1.”

“The Beast Rebelling Against Heavens, Chao Tiān.”

“Chao Tiān? Whose proxy is he?”

Miko asked.

“Sun Wukong.”

“The Monkey King?”

Sun Wukong also known as Son Goku. The protagonist of the historic novel Journey to the west.

A monkey born from a rock, who through training gain the strength to rebel against the heavens and sweep all who stood in his way.

It goes without say that his proxy must be incredible.

“Chao is like me, someone who rewrote common sense.”

Said Nero.

“He was the first person to be a Tyrant and a proxy at the same time.”

“Wha?!”

Miko was extremely shocked.

A Tyrant who is also a proxy? That doesn't make sense.

Unless….

“He became a proxy after becoming a Tyrant?!”

Nero nodded.

“When Chao first made his debut, he was like a rampaging beast. He destroyed every opponent that stood in his way. He especially hated gods. Eventually, he became a Tyrant. Shortly after he also became the Monkey King’s proxy. It seemed that Sun Wukong was attracted by his rebellious nature and recruited him.”

“But that doesn't make sense. Why would a Tyrant become a proxy?”

Tyrants were proud creatures. It was normal for them to be approached by several Higher Beings in search of a proxy. However, Tyrants were normally too proud to accept their offer.

That was because they were able to kill proxies with their own strength, so them borrowing power from gods would discard their past achievements, and their future ones would be blamed on their status as proxies.

They didn't want that. They wanted to be recognized as someone who stood against the heavens, hell, and earth with their own strength.

In order words, being a Tyrant was their ultimate joy and their most prideful achievement.

So it was common sense for there not to be a Tyrant proxy.

But Chao broke this common sense.

As a result, he became history's strongest Beast Proxy.

“Who's stronger? Killo or Chao?”

Miko asked.

“Chao. Although Killo is the strongest dragon proxy, overall Chao is a bigger monster.”

“Stronger than Killo….”

Miko found it hard to imagine. Especially after facing him for himself.

“Then what about the Hero/Human faction?”

“That's…..That's pretty hard.”

Nero suddenly looked like he was wracking his brain the best he could.

“That's easy.”

Suddenly a new voice joined there conversation.

It was the “War Prisoner” Neo.

She strolled over with a confident smile on her face.

“The strongest Hero Proxy is Rood.”

“Isn't that just being bias since you and Rood are partners.”

Fighting God Rood. Just like Neo, he's one of the leaders of the militia/military organization Pandora. He is Hercules’ proxy.

“Bias or not, Rood is the strongest.”

Neo declared arrogantly.

“I beg to differ.”

Nova disagreed with her.

“Rood may be the strongest when it comes to physical strength, but he isn't the number one Hero Proxy.”

“Oh? Then who is?”

“Perfect Queen Maya!”

Nova loudly declared.

Perfect Queen Maya, Proxy of the legendary Arthur Pendragon and leader of the military group/country Camelot.

“Bullshit! Are you saying that our Pandora is inferior to her Camelot?!”

Neo suddenly got angry.

“Of course. She has the Round Table, Merlin, and Morganne Le Fey’s Proxies on her side. Their all top-notch fighters.”

“So what? Greywolf alone can wipe the floor with Wilhelm and the other Round Table Knights.”

“Cerberus’ Proxy? What can a little dog do against Wilhelm?”

“You're courting death, Nova!”

"pfff!"

Miko who was drinking suddenly started choking when he heard.

‘….People actually say that?’

He thought to himself.

“You're both wrong.”

Rouge suddenly spoke up.

“The number one Hero Proxy is obviously the Conquering King Guzan. He has the largest human empire after all.”

Conquering King Guzan. Alexander the Great’s Proxy, and ruler of the largest human empire, Olympias. Olympias also acts as a private militia like Pandora and Camelot.

Together the three makes up the largest military organizations in the world.

“Guzan?”

Neo suddenly looked like she heard the name of her most hated enemy.

“Fuck Guzan! The next time I see him I'll be sure to rip his balls off and stuff it down his throat!”

‘Damn. What he did to her?’

Miko thought.

At this moment Nero looked like he finally figured out something.

“That's right. Heaven’s Piercer Hughes!”

“No. Hughes shouldn't count. He's a dual proxy after all.”

Said Kimiko.

“Hold up. A Dual Proxy?”

Miko heard something he couldn't ignore.

“What's that?”

“A Dual Proxy is a person who is a proxy for two different Higher Beings.”

Answered Neo.

“Dafuq?! That's allowed?!”

“Of course it's allowed. The rules stated that a Higher Being could only have one proxy, but it never said anything about two Higher Beings sharing a proxy……I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

Everyone suddenly looked at Tiamat, who was acting like their conversation had nothing to do with her.

“What? I forgot.”

She said with a shrug.

But Miko knew that she wasn't as calm as she appeared.

He could feel the anxiety in her heart through their link.

Tiamat probably purposely didn't tell Miko because she didn't want him to look for another god to make a contract with.

She was the same when he wanted to learn Hel’s techniques.

She's surprisingly possessive….

Since he found it a little cute, he decided to let it go…..for now.

“Are there are a lot of Dual Proxies? Because I don't see arrogant beings like gods willing to share anything.”

“Just like you said, there aren't much Higher Beings willing to share a proxy. Throughout history, there's only been a handful of Dual Proxies.”

Nero answered.

“What about a triple proxy?”

“No such thing.”

“Then which Higher Beings does this Hughes guy represent?”

Depending on who they were, this guy could really be the strongest. He's as special as Chao.

“His original Parent God was Cu Cuchulain. I heard he later became the proxy of Lugh after beating his proxy.”

“Lugh and Cu Cuchulain. So the Celtic sun god and the most famous Celtic hero. Not only that, they were father and son. Both unrivaled spearmen with a sure kill spear….Damn that's one hell of a combo.”

Miko said.

“Hughes was the world’s strongest spear user. One thrust from his spear could pierce through dimensions and kill you from thousands of miles away.”

Said Nero.

“It's too bad he disappeared a couple centuries ago.”

“Speaking of disappearance. Do you remember the World Slayer Sieghart? He also disappeared around a thousand years ago.”

Said Kimiko.

“How could I forget? I'm still searching for him. That guy is the enemy of all dragons. His Regalia Gram is fatal to all dragons. I want to destroy it and seal him away.”

Nero said with a serious expression.

“Gram? He's Siegfried’s Proxy?”

“That's right. If you meet him and have the opportunity to, kill him without mercy.”

He said solemnly.

Miko nodded.

He was naturally cautious of Siegfried’s sword as well.

“Alright. Now that Proxies are out of the way, what about Tyrants.”

He looked at the three Tyrants in front of him.

“Who is the strongest Tyrant?”

Without a second to spare, everyone pointed at Nero. Even those eavesdropping.

“Oh, you're making me blush.”

Nero said with a “embarrassed” expression.

Miko sighed.

“Excluding the old man.”

Everyone immediately pointed at Kimiko.

Miko suddenly realized that he really had a freakishly strong family.

“Forget it. Then what about Mortals? Who is the strongest mortal?”

“No one can answer that with confidence.”

Said Nero.

This surprised Miko. He thought that everyone would point at Rouge since he was on the same level as Nero.

“There a lot of old monsters from the times of the War For Supremacy around. However, most of them are in insolation somewhere, or are just living there lives in leisure without paying attention to worldly matters. Just one of these dinosaurs could slap around most of the so called World Strongest. Well, not me though.”

Said Nero.

“….Is that so?”

Miko knew that Nero spoke the truth.

He decided to focus on those before him, before worrying about those old monsters hiding in the shadows.

He got a lot of important information from this discussion, which will be very helpful in the future.

He will take his take and reminisce and digest these informations, and deal with them accordingly.

For now, he has a kingdom to run.

“Well, I guess it's time to clean house.”