“I’m listening.”

Brent was all smiles and ready to hear what Miko had planned.

“As you know, the Newgate Country ruled the Southern Region. However, the country has lost its leader, who made it into such a powerhouse and gained me as its new owner. This sounds like a dream come through for me but it isn’t. I’m based at the opposite end of the continent and is already managing a country. I can’t manage this one as I would like but luckily I met Bella and Yota. Your children are quite talented and they’re people who’ve earned my trust, so I have no problems giving them the Newgate Country to run in my stead.”

“Oh, that’s very generous of you. I’m pleased that my children could earn your trust.”

Brent laughed.

“So, you’re giving us the Newgate Country for the purpose of helping you capture the entire Southern Region?”

“That’s correct.”

“But will that be enough? There’s a lot of powerful countries in this region; it’ll take a lot of manpower and time to conquer it all. From what I’ve been told, the Newgate Country suffered serious damages in regards to its resources and manpower.”

“It’s true that most of the soldiers died and most of the country is in shambles but the core of the country still remains.”

“The core is its technology. As far as I know, MYTH left the country.”

“They did but thanks my partner here we have all the information that MYTH stored in Newgate Country. We even have their Gaia System.”

“What?”

Brent leaned forward and looked at Edward who was smirking.

“Lady Tiamat ordered me to steal all of their information and destroy it. That’s when I got my hands on it.”

“Edward’s ability is good for teaching arrogant brats like them a lesson.”

Tia laughed proudly.

“We’ll give you all of MYTH’s data so that you can recreate their technology with your alchemists and engineers.”

(Of course, we’ll keep the most important data a secret.)

Miko leaned back.

(Although, I’m sure MYTH foresaw this happening with Gear and Edward having the abilities they have. So the information they left behind is most likely obsolete. However, it’s enough for us.)

He grinned.

“We’ll provide you with the technology, manpower, and everything else you’ll need to create an empire. So, what do you say?”

“……….”

Brent silently stared at Miko. He didn’t talk for a long time and just kept staring.

“Um…Father?”

Bella called out to him but he ignored her. He just kept staring at Miko as if trying to read him. Miko didn’t speak and let him stare.

“About your offer, I must decline.”

Miko’s eyes narrowed while everyone else’s widened.

“Why father?!”

“Shut up and sit down, Bella.”

Bella quickly closed her mouth when faced with her father’s glare. She silently sat down and Yota stood up.

“I’m curious about your reasons for denying, Father. I won’t be satisfied until I hear them.”

“My reasons are simple, Yota.”

Brent locked eyes with Miko.

“This deal is degrading but I’m sure you know that Miko.”

“No, I don’t. Please explain it to me.”

“At first glance, it looks like you’re giving us the south on a golden platter but it’s the opposite. We’re the ones who are giving you the south. That’s because while we’ll become a powerful empire, we won’t be the ones in power.”

He pointed at Miko.

“You would.”

He pointed at himself.

“We would only be a figurehead. A puppet with you as the puppeteer.”

His eyes narrowed.

“My Azalea Kingdom is worth far more than that. We are a proud people, not puppets for your entertainment!”

The soldiers on the walls slammed their spear poles on the ground and created a thundering dong. This caused the tension in the room to peak.

“Miko, what do you wanna do?”

Sora asked. Miko didn’t answer him and spoke to Brent.

“I see, so you’re not completely against the deal; you just want to be treated as equals.”

Brent nodded.

“I believe my people would agree that we deserve no less.”

The guards slammed their spear poles on the ground again. Ishma transformed her arm into a sword on reflex but was stopped by Tia.

(Well, this is a problem. He’s showing off his patriotism to his people and using their pride to intimidate us. If things go south we might have to fight the whole country, something we can’t nor want to do in our condition.)

Tia sighed.

“What if I said that I would take my offer elsewhere?”

“You’re free to do so but you and I both know that you can’t do that.”

Brent smirked.

“Not when your clan is facing such a crisis.”

“So that’s where your confidence is coming from. The news of what happened at my clan has already spread across the world.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m certain that you won’t seek out another country for two reasons.”

Brent lifted a finger.

“Time. It will take too much time to search for another ally; especially, one competent enough to carry out their mission. Unfortunately, you don’t have that much time to waste.”

He lifted a second finger.

“Trust. You said that you trust my children, that’s why you chose us. Who knows if you’ll find another who’ll gain your trust enough for you to leave such a big project in their hands. There’s also the chance that they’ll turn against you once they gain enough power. If they did, it would be the same as shooting yourself in the foot.”

“You sure thought this through. I’m impressed.”

Brent showed a bright smile.

“Thank you, I try.”

Miko clicked his tongue.

(Now, how should I deal with this?)

He ignored everyone, put his feet on the table, and leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes.

(As I feared the news of my clan crisis puts me at a disadvantage when negotiating. If they had somehow contained the news from spreading this would be a lot easier.)

He opened his eyes with a sigh.

(The smudge expression on this bastard’s face pisses me off. I really want to punch him but that would be stupid. His people most likely back his actions and they’re high on patriotic pride….Patriotism can be a pain to deal with.)

He glances at the apologetic Bella.

(Bella and Yota are very capable individuals. They’ll be great vassals to have but if I handle this poorly I’ll lose them. Not only that, while he’s a pain in the ass, Brent shows that he’s pretty competent himself from the way he’s giving me trouble now. If groomed properly he’ll be a great emperor. I guess Bloom making piss himself did more good than harm. He developed a lot from it.)

He closed his eyes again.

(That being said I can’t make them a deal that’ll make them our equals. I need to capture the southern region to strengthen Renacido. Sharing it isn’t an option. I plan on completely taking over the northern region when I return too….Do I kill him and replace him with a fake? Nah, too risky. If his people find out it will be hell.)

He started humming an upbeat song.

(I need to find a way to make him willfully become my subordinate without using violence. A way that would please his people as well……Hm?)

He stopped humming and opened his eyes.

“That could work.”

He took his feet off the table and sat up straight.

“No, this will definitely work.”

“What would work?”

Brent and everyone else looked confused by Miko’s sudden mumbling. Miko smiled and leaned forward.

“Bella, how would you like to marry into my family?”

“?!”

Miko’s words caused everyone to jump. All eyes landed on him. Everyone was looking at him in shock.

“B-By that….You mean?”

No one was more shook than Bella herself.

“I mean what I said. Are you willing to marry into the clan?”

“I….Do you know what you’re saying?”

She indicated to Hina and Luka who looked like they were ready to murder someone, and that someone looked like it was going to be Miko. Miko looked at them and smiled before turning back to Bella.

“Is there a problem? Are you against it?”

“I’m not against it….I just want to live, that’s all.”

She could see Luka and Hina summoning weapons in their hands. Ace and Sora had to literally hold them back.

“P-Prince Miko.”

Brent called out to him with a shaky voice.

“Are you being serious right now?”

“Of course. If Bella marries into my family then the Azalea Kingdom will be linked to us by blood. Especially, if she was to bear children.”

“Children?!”

“You fucker!”

Hina and Luka tried to pounce at Miko but they were once again restrained.

“Dammit, Miko! Think before you talk!”

Sora complained while wrestling with Hina.

“In-laws? Us?”

Brent looked like he was having a mental breakdown.

“If we become in-laws then we’ll be bonded for life. Not only that, but the Dragna Clan will also be obligated to help us out in times of need. With characters like Nero and Kimiko behind us, there’s no limit to what we can do. We’ll be on the same level as other In-law nations like the Golden Fox County, Niflheim, and the Sanskrit Federation.”

He was grinning like a maniac. He coughed awkwardly and looked at Bella.

“Daughter, your father wants to see his grandchildren soon.”

“Huh?! Wait, I didn’t agree to this!”

“Then you don’t want to marry Prince Miko?”

“I never said that. If it’s for the kingdom I don’t mind but it’s just…I’ve never looked at him like that….So it’s embarrassing to talk about having children with him so suddenly.”

“I see no problem with it. Right, Yota?”

Yota nodded.

“See?”

Brent stood up.

“With that said, Prince Miko. We have a-”

“Wait a minute. I think you’re all misunderstanding something here.”

“Huh?”

“I never said that I would marry anybody. I just asked if she wanted to be married into the clan.”

“…………”

“………….”

An awkward silence covered the room.

“Stop be so misleading!”

Hina started choking him.

“Hahahaha!”

Tia held her stomach and burst out laughing. Regis and Ishma couldn’t contain their laughter either. Bella clenched her fist but was held back by Yota.

“Wait, then who will my daughter marry? It better not be a random member without any power or this deal is off.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t do that. I like Bella too much to disrespect her like that.”

Miko stood up and smirked.

“Her future husband will be Alec of the Bloodflame.”

*Thud!*

Brent collapsed and started twitching on the ground.

“Your Majesty!”

The guards ran to his side and tried to help him up.

“A-A-A-A”

He had trouble speaking.

“Alec? The Alec?”

Bella was trembling with tears flowing down her cheeks. She clasped her hand together and kneel in front of Tia.

“Our merciful mother, thank you for allowing me to be born in this world!”

“No problem.”

Tia casually answered.

“What’s going on? Is Alec that famous?”

Tessa looked around confused by their reactions.

“Famous is an understatement.”

Yota answered.

“As a Millenium Genuis who created the most dangerous flame, the Bloodflame, there’s no one who doesn’t know his name. It’s impossible to count the number of people who would want to recruit him if he leaves the Dragna Clan; even the clan’s most hated enemies. His influence rivals that of a Deicider.”

Yota looked at his sister who was worshipping Tia and his father who was trying to return to his senses.

“If he does indeed marry my sister then it would be the greatest thing to happen to our country.”

Yota looked at Miko.

“Will he do it?”

“?!”

Bella and Brent froze and looked at Miko with anticipation.

“He’ll naturally reject at first because he doesn’t wish to be tied down. Also, his Bloodflame is hereditary, so he must carefully choose who he has children with. However, I can convince him.”

“How?”

“Alec has three loves in his life: Women, Liquor, and Knowledge. So I’m gonna grant him all three.”

He pointed at Bella.

“Coincidentally, Bella is Alec’s type. So that’s one down.”

“Really?!”

Bella asked frantically. Miko nodded.

“Hell yeah!”

Miko ignored her fist-bumping the sky and turned to Tia.

“Can you bring me a few bottles of wine from Dionysus?”

“I can.”

“Then that leaves knowledge.”

Miko grinned.

(I was originally gonna share the knowledge I got from the past with him for free but now I can use it as a trade. Lucky!)

Miko started laughing diabolically for some reason.

“Ah!”

He cleared his throat and looked at Brent who was on the ground.

“So what do you say, Brent? Do we have a deal?”

Brent sprung to his feet straightened his clothes. He stretched out his hand and Miko grasped it.

“It’ll be a pleasure working for you, Prince Miko.”

He shook his head.

“No, My Lord.”

Miko showed a devilish grin.

“The pleasure is all mine.”

(With this, my counterattack has begun, Krow!)