The Church of Augustus. Contrary to what people think, this church isn’t new. The church was founded during Augustus’ reign, however, Augustus himself denounced it. He declared to his believers that he was no god and didn’t wish to be worshipped. He encouraged them to worship his wife, Tiamat, instead. Naturally, the church ceased its operations when Augustus died. However, once the empire was rebuilt the church made a comeback. This time, the church wasn’t that popular and eventually faded away in the flow of time. The church would be reformed time and time again only to disappear a few years later.

Rogan Dragna was inside the church. He was sitting in a coach in a room at the back. He had a glass of rose-colored champagne in his hand and the bottle on a table in front of him.

“This isn’t really my style, Gaius.”

“Well, it’s all I have, so you either drink it or give it back.”

A woman wearing cleric purple and gold robes took the glass out of his hand. She placed the glass against her lips that were painted with purple lipstick. Her silver eyes lit up and her silver hair swayed back and forth along with her body.

“I don’t know why you don’t like it. This thing is heaven-sent.”

“Really? The liquor before the Proxy Era must’ve been horrendous if cheap champagne like this makes you react like that.”

“There you go again. Acting condescending because you were born in a more advanced era.”

“Anything you say, Cavewoman.”

“Tsk. If Octavian’s son didn’t choose you, I would’ve squashed your head for your insolence a long time ago.”

“You know you love me.”

Gaius held her trembling fist when a knock came from the entrance. The door opened and Nina Dragna walked in.

“I see that you two are still messing around while I do all the work.”

“Do compare me to this slouch. I’m leading a religion.”

Gaius quickly disassociated herself from Rogan.

“More importantly, what’s the general reaction to Miko’s latest actions?”

Rogan got to business.

“Confusion and distress.”

Nina took a seat on a chair near the entrance.

“The people are panicking. The news that the higher-ups are fighting each other isn’t something to take lightly. Especially since with Nero and Kimiko injured their allies won’t come to aid the empire. The people are scared that they might declare war instead. There’s also Nova. No one knows what he might do.”

“So the people are realizing how incompetent the current regime is?”

“Pretty much. The number of frustrated people has certainly increased.”

She looked at Gaius.

“Your believers are making sure to spread the gospel of Augustus to those frustrated people. So you should prepare for an influx of new followers.”

“That’s great news.”

Gaius took up the bottle and poured herself some more champagne.

“What about the reaction to Miko’s possible rebellion and defection?”

Rogan asked.

“The people are angry. They’re especially angry because he’s threatened the existence of the empire even though he’s Tiamat’s Proxy…Well, Miko and the people have never had a good relationship in the first place.”

“I must thank him. He’s made our job a lot easier.”

“I wonder what his true plan is?”

Gaius swirled the champagne in her glass.

“I’ve never met him but if that heartless woman chose him to be her Proxy he must be quite amazing. So I doubt that he plans to rebel, at least not like this.”

Nina nodded.

“If Miko truly wanted to rebel he wouldn’t go about it like this. He’s a very intelligent person, so if he was serious by the time, people realized that he was rebelling his blades would be at everyone’s neck.”

“As always you speak highly of him.”

Rogan laughed.

“I’m just being honest.”

“Well, I kinda agree with you. After all, Miko’s generation is quite impressive. Many believe that they might rival the branch leaders’ golden generation. If there is a problem it would be the fact that they all have destructive tendencies. It’s because of these tendencies why people call them the Catastrophic Generation.”

He started listing them from his finger.

“Miko, Renato, Rin, Ashur, and Krul. If you include the saevus and Flameheart clans then Luka Flameheart would be considered to be on the same level as these five.”

“I heard about all five of them. Especially, Krul. If what I heard is true then that kid is a monster.”

Gaius added.

“I admit that Krul is something special but if there’s one thing he pales in comparison to Miko, it’s intellect. There’s not many in the clan who can go toe to toe with him in a battle of wits.”

“Well, it’s true that no one seems to know the real reasons why he did what he did. Everyone is just jumping to conclusions. If Miko truly wanted to rebel then he would’ve teamed up with Niflheim to do it. As Kimiko’s grandson, he has the right to command the country in her and Sasha’s absence.”

“I don’t know what he’s planning but there’s no doubt that he granted us the advantage for the time being. We should capitalize on it and strengthen or forces.”

Rogan stood up. Nina did the same and Gaius put down her champagne.

“If we were able to recognize the chance given to us then surely you’ll realize it as well. Is that right?”

Rogan turned to a corner of the room where he saw a man leaning on the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

“I know that you weren’t dead but I didn’t think you would come for a rematch so soon, Gremlin.”

“While it would be interesting to fight against Augustus’ techniques again, I’m not your opponent.”

Aeon pointed at Rogan’s feet. He looked down. A fist was millimeters away from his face. Someone flew out of his shadow and hit with an uppercut. The roof blew off and was blasted into the sky along with him.

“Not bad. He actually blocked my punch. Although he couldn’t stop the force behind it.”

Rihan laughed while looking at the sky.

“Devil’s Joker!”

Rihan turned his attention to Gaius. His eyes sparkled.

“So that’s how it is. I was wondering who taught him Augustus’ techniques and trained him to fight…So it was you, Gaius (Person of Earth). I believed it was someone with the same name because I thought you were a myth, but here you are in the flesh.”

Rihan turned to Aeon.

“Son, I suggest you go all out against this one.”

“What about her?”

Aeon pointed at Nina. Rihan looked at her and a huge grin appeared on his face.

“This one sold her soul to a devil. Her end won’t be pretty.”

He looked away from her.

“You can do whatever you want.”

Rihan launched off the ground like a rocket and took the skies.

“Well, you heard him.”

Aeon unfolded his arms and took a step forward. Dozens of masked figures appeared out of nowhere wielding weapons pointed at Nina and Gaius.

“Mamushi, this is all-out war.”

Gaius stomped the ground and a Halbred formed out of the earth. She grabbed it and pointed it at Aeon.

“My contract with Octavian prevents me from killing his blood….But I can still kick your ass.”

“……..”

Nina silently scanned the room.

“I have no interest in any of this. Gaius, you can handle this on your own.”

She turned her back and tried to exit the room. Her body froze up.

“Nina, you were Miko’s servant so I originally wanted to be lenient. However, you killed people of the clan and destroyed our teleportation arrays. Both are capital crimes, so death is the only appropriate punishment.”

(I can’t move….If I remember correctly, Gremlin’s Inborn Ability, Fool’s Time allows him to learn Time-Based techniques. He must’ve frozen my time...But if time is something governed by gods, then...)

Her body started to tremble. Aeon’s eyes widened as a silver hue covered Nina’s body. A shattering sound resounded and Nina began to move without restrictions.

“Did she break my technique? How?”

Nina glanced back at him and left the room.

“Looks like it’s just you and me.”

Gaius stepped forward. However, Aeon’s eyes were looking at where b

Nina was.

“Original Sin.”

He turned his attention back to Gaius to see her smile.

“You’re wondering what she used to break free, right?”

“Original Sin?”

“What’s the first sin of man? That’s basically what it is.”

“……..”

Gaius shook her head at the confused Aeon.

“You came to destroy my church, right? Then get to it.”

She took a step forward and a heavy pressure fell on Aeon and mamushi.

“Just so you know, I’m far stronger than Nina and Rogan combined.”

“….Who are you?”

“Gaius, but if I had to say it in a way you’ll understand…”

Gaius smirked.

“You could say I’m what you people refer to as Augustus' Inheritance."