“Grim City? What's that?”

Miko asked the naked woman across from him.

“I'm surprised you don't know.”

The woman said with a deliberate surprised tone.

“Shut up and just tell me what it is?”

The woman smiled as if trying to lighten the mood.

“Grim City is one of the seven futuristic cities created by Make Yourself The Hero aka MYTH.”

“A city created by MYTH? I've never heard of such a thing.”

Since MYTH was called a mysterious military organization, Miko found it hard comprehend why would they create cities.

“Yes. There’s a city created by MYTH on each continent. Grim City is the one for this continent. As I'm sure you have guessed, the city possesses some unbelievably technology. Most of which could only be produced by MYTH themselves.”

“I see. So who are these ‘Four Pillars’ you've mentioned?”

“The Four Pillars is a group consisting of four individuals that governs the city. They are like four kings ruling a country together.”

The woman explained.

“And these people are inviting me to their city? Why?”

“They're actually trying to recruit you.”

“Recruit me? For what?”

“Grim Academy. The #1 military institution on the continent.”

Miko's eyes narrowed when he heard that.

Since he wanted to create a similar institution, he considered this information gathering on a potential rival.

“Tell me about it, Grim Academy.”

The woman smiled and spoke.

“It's an academy dedicated to help groom some of the continent's most promising youth. This includes children of monarchs and heads of states. It's equip with the world's latest technology designed to create strong and capable leaders. It's ideal school for those aiming for the top.”

“Oh? Sounds like interesting place.”

“Then do you accept?”

“Hell no.”

An instant refusal.

“I've always hated when the protagonist enters a battle academy for no good reason. Why should I do the same?”

Miko's words confused the woman, but she didn't give up.

“But there will a lot of promising youth that you can compete with. If you conquer the school you'll be considered the #1 youth on the continent.”

“Number one youth? Hahahahahahaha!”

Miko burst out laughing.

“Why should I care about a stupid title like that? Girl, listen. You've most likely done your research on me, right?”

The woman nodded.

“Tell are there anyone in your little school who have done half the things I've done?”

“….No.”

“Then are there anyone my age who you think have what it takes to beat me?”

“No. Normally you have to be 15 to enter, but we sometimes make exceptions for people of your magnitude.”

“Is that so? Then let me rephrase the question. Are there anyone that's 15 or even 16 that can be beat?”

“Yes.”

The woman answered with confidence.

This made Miko a bit curious where her confidence was coming from.

“Is that so? But I'll still have to decline.”

“That's too bad. I thought that you would like to get a hold of the city's technology.”

The woman said in a deliberately disappointed tone.

“Don't try to manipulate my decision with such cheap temptations.”

Miko said in a cold tone.

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

Miko coldly looked at the woman who was playing dumb.

“It seems that you know that I want to create my own MYTH.”

The woman smiled but didn't say anything.

“Well, it's not a secret so I won't inquire on how you got that information. However, what you said gave me an idea.”

“Are you going to try and steal the secrets of our technology?”

The woman said with a playful tone.

She seemed to have a good grasp of Miko's personality. It made him wonder if MYTH has spies in his country.

He shook his head.

“I'll go to your city, but not to steal your technology.”

“Then what are you going to steal?”

“That is not of your concern. You'll find out eventually.”

The woman frowned, but she couldn't say anything.

“Oh just to let you know, I have no intention of going to the academy. I'll remain in the city at all times. Also, I'll leave whenever I want.”

“….That would be a problem.”

“Like I care.”

Miko looked at the woman's body again before speaking.

“By the way, what's your name?”

“…Sapphire.”

“Well then, Sapphire. I'll have you lead me to this Grim City.”

After he finished making his arrangements with Sapphire Miko returned to where Tiamat was and told her his decision.

“I think it's fine.”

She said.

“I know about Grim City. It really is a futuristic city. It will be beneficial to your goals for you if you spend sometime there.”

“I was thinking the same thing. There are technology is top notch, but what I really want is their alchemists. If I have skilled alchemist I'll be able to save a lot of money. Instead of importing stuff like Neo-Concrete, we can just create it for a cheaper price. We’ll also save the money for the maintenance, since the alchemist can do it at anytime for free.”

“Hmm….That's some great insight. But I thought you were a bit more greedier than that?”

Tiamat said with a smile.

“Of course. I don't only want their alchemist….”

Miko put on a savage smile.

“I want the whole city. It's technology, its resources, its people. I want to claim it all for myself. And that's why I'm going.”

“Oh! We’re going conquering?! Hell yeah!”

Ishmavael shouted in excitement.

“We aren't going to slaughter our way through, just to let you know.”

Said Miko.

“Then what are we going to do?”

“Don't get me wrong there will definitely be a lot of killing, but I want to conquer not only the city but it's people. I can't do that if they come to resent me for slaughtering their home. A country's power isn't only dependent on its king, but also its people.”

Fear was a good way to motivate people to do what you want, but loyalty was much more preferable to Miko.

Fear isn't permanent and is like a fragile chain that ties people down, but loyalty, true loyalty is a chain made of diamonds. It isn't so easy to break.

Just like how the people of the kingdom worship and possess a great amount of respect towards Miko, he wants that to be same with places he's conquered in the future.

This will make his empire have an extremely strong foundation. This foundation will make it hard for his empire to fall no matter what it faces.

There's a saying, “There's nothing more dangerous than a charismatic king”.

This was because a charismatic king can change the tides of a battlefield by just appearing in front of his people.

That is the type of king Miko aims to be. A king worshipped by his people, but terrifying to enemies.

“I'm certain that a way to capture the people's hearts with present itself if I stay there for a while. When that happens, then you'll get rampage.”

Miko said to Ishmavael.

But she frowned.

“It looks like her small brain wasn't able to understand your intentions Miko.”

Regis said while giggling.

“Shut it! I understand what he said!”

Ishmavael roared back.

“Really? There's no need to force yourself you know. Not everyone knows how to use their brains.”

Regis said in a teasing tone.

“You wanna die, brat!”

“Hmph. You're not worthy, grandma.”

The two swords took a fighting stance ready to chop the other into pieces.

“Stop it you two, before I kick both your asses. Literally.”

Miko said with a casual tone.

“So when are we leaving?”

Tiamat asked while smiling.

She seem to enjoy Regis mocking Ishmavael.

“I'm thinking of leaving in the morning.”

“So soon?”

“The sooner the better. I'm currently free from any urgent work that would need my supervision, plus I've already written down countermeasures for every single problem my projects will encounter and gave them to those who are in charge of them. So there shouldn't be any problems that will need me to solve personally.”

“But people will still be against it. A new king shouldn't leave his kingdom so easily.”

“I'll leave someone suitable in charge. Also someone I can trust to assist them. Not to mention that no one would consider rebelling against me as long as Gallu and Bašmu are here. So I don't need to worry about someone stealing my throne.”

“People will still be against it.”

“Then fuck them. I don't remember being anyone's slave. I can go wherever I want whenever I want.”

Miko said arrogantly.

“Besides its not like I'm going to just play around. I'll be working to build the foundations of my empire. It's important business that only I can do.”

“Mah, I agree with that.”

“Are you worried about something?”

“Well….”

Tiamat looked hesitant for a while before finally speaking.

“You'll be outside of the kingdom, on your own. Do you know what that means?”

“Are you worried I'll come across a powerful enemy that I'll be powerless against?”

She nodded.

“Well, it's true that I'm practically invincible within the kingdom; but outside, [S Class] is my limit. However, I have Deus Malum. With it even if I can't win, I can escape with my life.”

“Hmph! As long as I'm there everyone else are small fries!”

Ishmavael puffed out her chest and declared.

“As long you're there we're sure to get caught up in some unnecessary trouble.”

Said Regis.

“If you want to die to just say so!”

Ishmavael turned her arm into a blade and was ready to fight again.

*Bam!*

“Ow!”

“I told you two to settle down.”

Said Miko.

“Why did you only kick me?! She's the one who started it!”

“Don't complain. You sound like a brat.....But you have a point.”

*Bam!*

“Ow!”

Miko popped up behind Regis and kick her on the butt.

“Stop causing unnecessary troubles.”

She looked at Miko with teary eyes while rubbing where she got hit.

“Stop acting like you’re the victim too, before I kick you again.”

Miko said with a sigh.

He felt like a father disciplining his misbehaving daughters.

“I'm too young for this shit.”

“Aren't you mentally 33?”

“That's not the point.”

Tiamat giggled, which made Miko smile.

“Anyway, we’ll have the woman called Sapphire show us the way to Grim City. After that we’ll work to conquer it from the inside.”

“I hope it goes as smoothly as you say it will.”

“Don't say that! If you say that before we carry out the plan, everything will automatically go to shit.”

“Is that how it work?”

Tiamat said with a confused expression.

Miko didn't say anything and just sighed.

He now started preparing himself for the unknown mayhem that's bound to come.

The next morning, several persons woke up with a servant at their bedside holding a tablet.

“A message from the King.”

That's all they said before leaving the tablet and disappearing.

Hina took up the tablet. The only thing that was on it was a video file.

She clicked on the video and played it.

“Yo!”

In the video she saw Miko, two little girls she never seen before, and Tiamat.

“Oh! So you just press this and it starts recording whatever you're saying?”

Said the black haired little girl with green demonic eyes.

“Ishma, move away from the camera. I'm only recording this once. I'm too lazy to do a second take.”

Miko threw the girl called Ishma from in front of the camera.

“Ahem. Good morning, everyone who received this video. Miko here.”

“You sound too stiff. Switch with me!”

“Shut up!”

Miko pushed back Ishma who was trying to force herself in the video.

“Alright, let's keep this short and simple.”

Miko said with an irritated voice.

“I'm leaving the kingdom for a while to dealing with some important business. During that time, I leave my mother and grandmother with full authority over the kingdom. I would also like to request Hina, Luka and Momo to assist them with everything they have.”

“Leaving the kingdom?”

Hina was shocked by this sudden news.

“He said important business. What important business?”

“Umm….Your Majesty. Isn't that a bit too straight to the point? Wouldn't it be better to explain it in further detail?”

At that moment, Sapphire appeared on the video.

“Who the hell is that?!”

Hina and Luka who were watching the video at two different places shouted almost simultaneously.

Sora on the other hand had his jaw on the floor when he saw her.

“Oh, she's hot!”

Said Nero and Nova.

“Hahahahahahaha!”

Ace who knew who she was, was laughing his ass off.

“It's okay.”

Said Miko.

“Anyway, I'll be back in a year at most.”

“An year?!”

Everyone was shocked to hear that.

“Oh by the way, Sora this woman came here because of me. Sorry, man. But hey, at least you were right about her being a gold digger.”

By this time, Ace was already rolling on the floor and even started choking with laughter.

“Well, I've said what I needed to say. So yeah, sorry for all the trouble but you'll see the results when I come back. Oh, you'll receive this video when I've already left the country. So don't bother try stopping me.”

“Wait!”

Miko smiled mischievously and said-

“Well, see you in a year!”

“MIKOOOOO!”

That day the king ran away with four women, three of which were unknown, and wasn't seen for a year.

Kingship Arc End!!!!!

Grim City Arc Start!!!!!