Nebulous City, Renacido. Miko returned to the Hall of Rebirth. Upon his return, he was greeted by his comrades.

“Welcome back, Don. Great work showing the world our might.”

Edward was the first to greet him.

“It was nothing. Was the king and queen of Ziyech and Rennes able to watch the show?”

“Yes.”

“And their reactions.”

Edward smirked.

“Satisfactory.”

Miko smirked back.

“That’s good. I hope you sent them back to their countries with the best hospitality we could offer?”

“Don’t worry, I made sure they had a comfortable ride back home..”

Miko high-five Edward and patted his shoulder.

“Good work. I know I could rely on you. By the way, how’s your brother?”

“He was shocked by your display but I think saw a bit of admiration in his eyes which is a good thing. He tries to be a leader but he’s actually the type who’s at his strongest when he has devoted himself to someone or something. If you or Renacido can become the object of his admiration then we’ll benefit greatly.”

“I see. Then I should give my all to be as awe-inspiring as possible.”

“Miko.”

He looked beyond Edward and his eyes met with Luka’s.

(I know that look…)

He sighed and walked past Edward.

“You’re upset.”

“I am.”

“Care to tell me why?”

“Why were we left behind while you brought Layla and the others?”

“I’m curious about that as well.”

Hina approached him.

“We didn’t hear anything about your plan…No, it feels like you keep us in the dark regarding a lot of stuff.”

She looked at Natasa who was standing with Layla and the guardians.

“It feels like you trust them more than you trust us.”

“Trust has nothing to do with it. I’m the Don King of Renacido and they are my hands and legs.”

Miko spread his arms.

“We’re one and the same, one unit with one goal; to create a world where outcasts like us can be reborn and find a place where they belong.”

“Then what are we? We founded Renacido along with you?”

“My heart and soul.”

Everyone’s eyes widened at his response.

“…That’s strange. You say that but you’re obviously isolating us from your plans.”

Miko turned to Luka.

“Then let me ask you, could you have done what they have done today?”

Luka opened her mouth but Miko lifted his finger to stop her.

“Think about the question clearly before you answer.”

His eyes were serious.

“Today, we slaughtered thousands of defenseless people, destroyed people’s lives, trampled over their pride, and treated them like shit.”

He lifted his hands in front of him for Luka to see.

“I strangled children today.”

“?!”

“I couldn’t allow my soldiers to commit such a sin so I took it upon myself to do it. They were no immediate threat to me but I couldn’t let them live. They had to die. Even if some hadn't even taken their first steps I deemed their deaths as a necessity.”

He clenched his fists.

“Their parents begged me to spare them but I ignored them. After all, the pleas of corpses meant nothing to me. So I crushed their necks one by one.”

“…Stop.”

“I killed their parents after so it’s not like they were alone in hell for long.”

“…Stop it.”

“You know, if the people had started to rebel immediately after I killed their rulers I would’ve activated the poison in them and kill half of them to shut them up.”

“I said stop it!”

Luka grabbed his collar and dragged him closer to her. Her trembling pupils locked with his still and emotionless eyes.

“This is why I left you behind.”

“….Why are you like this? Why do you always try to isolate yourself from us? Why don’t you ever allow us to get close to you?”

“Because you are my heart and soul.”

He placed his hand on hers and gently loosen her grip. He slowly brought her hand to her side.

“My heart and soul are as delicate as they are they are important. They’re what keeps me from becoming a monster.”

“Then…”

“That’s why I’ve decided to discard it.”

“Huh?”

Luka looked up at his face. He had a deadpan expression as he placed his hand on her cheek.

“Currently my home is a half-dead sheep in the eyes of all the wolves in the world. They’re lining up, getting ready to sink their fangs into this place and devour whatever they can.”

She felt Miko’s hand trembling on her cheek.

“I can’t let them do as they please. I refuse to watch them devour everything I care about. I rather devour them first.”

His eyes darken and resembled an abyss.

“I’ll destroy them all, by any means necessary.”

“………”

“………”

A stifling silence covered the room. As if he realized the mood he created, Miko took his hand away from Luka’s face.

“I didn’t bring you because I didn’t need my heart and soul. Compassion, mercy, guilt, all of those are unnecessary.”

He looked behind him at Layla and the others.

“What I need now is arms and legs that will strangle and trample my enemies without hesitation. That is all.”

He placed his hand on her head and smiled.

“But there might be times when I’ll wish to fight using my heart. I hope that you’ll be around if that time comes.”

He walked off and headed to the office alone. Ace and Sora, who had remained silent for the entire time, quickly caught up and quietly walked beside him. Miko looked at them and smile as he continued to walk in silence.

“Hina.”

Luka looked at Hina with eyes overflowing with determination only to see the same determination. The two nodded at each other and looked at Layla and Natasa.

“Take care of Miko for us.”

“….Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah. We’ve just realized that something needs to be fixed and we stay here then we can’t fix them. But don’t worry, we’ll return when Miko needs us the most.”

Layla’s eyes widened.

(From the look on their faces, this is something that they’ve been thinking about for a while now. It looks like what Miko said helped them make up their minds.)

A smile crawled onto her face and she nodded.

“Leave him to us.”

The girls nodded and took off without saying another word.

“The Don is lucky to have such strong women around him.”

Edward smirked as he watched them disappear. Layla nodded.

“They are his heart and soul after all.”

Royal District, Dragna City. In the purple mansion used by Rogan and Nina, the Pope of the Church Of Augustus, Gaius was walking through the halls with a complicated look on her face. Their last battle with Rihan played in her head.

“Rogan could’ve lost his life if Rihan wanted to. If he’s so vulnerable then realizing his dream will be impossible.”

Rihan’s words from that day played in her head.

“Your previous guidance and current power are lacking. I suggest you contact your main body and have her transfer more power and knowledge for the Augustine Regime to become more of a threat.”

“………”

She stood in silence for a while before sighing. She entwined her index and middle fingers and clasped her hands together. A silver glow surrounded her body and her eyes shone in her skull miniature suns. Ancient runes started appearing around her skin. The runes lifted off her skin and floated around her.

“Initiating spiritual connection.”

Light shot out of her body and formed a copy of herself before her. This version was dressed in light battle attire and not the cleric robes she was wearing. The “other” Gaius looked at herself with great interest.

“A spiritual connection?... Let’s see what happened.”

She placed her hand on the Gaius who summoned her.

“I see…Looks like you’re in quite a bind. Krow had already permitted me to assist you in guiding Rogan as much as possible, so I’ll grant your request.”

The tattoos on her skin floated off her body and dancing around the two of them.

“Initiating the spiritual link to Octavian’s Dominion. Lifting restrictions to allow access to higher levels. Access granted. Levels 1-5 are now open.”

She took her hand off Gaius's head and nodded.

“The rest is up to you.”

She dispersed into light particles and entered Gaius’ body. The runes surrounding her reattached to her skin and faded into nothingness. The glow around her faded as well and her eyes returned to normal.

“Hah~.”

She a deep breath and relaxed her body. Her eyes illuminated for a second before returning to normal. She clenched her fists.

“With this much power, I should be able to fight even the Branch Leaders to an extent.”

She placed her hand on the side of her head.

“I’m able to gain access to stronger techniques now. I’ll give them to Rogan and Nina.”

“Give me what?”

Rogan entered the hall with a tired look on his face.

“Are you feeling better? Have your injuries finally healed up?”

“Never mind that. You tapped into more of Augustus’ power didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Then I only want one technique. Give me the Voice of God.”

“What? Why that one? I have half of Octavian’s techniques at my disposal.”

“I don’t need it. I’ll manage on my own. Right now I want the ability to empower the people more than anything. I want to give them the power to make their voices heard.”

“But the Dragna Clan…”

“Screw them. They’re all arrogant bastards with no care for the lives of others.”

Rogan’s eyes had a strange fire in them.

“I was a clear threat to the current empire and instead of killing me to prevent future bloodshed Rihan spared me saying that I should get stronger? He doesn’t care if this place is burned to the ground or how many people die. From what I hear, Miko is the same.”

He clenched his fists.

“Someone who would slaughter countless even defenseless babies has no right to rule this empire. Neither do those who encourage and praise his actions.”

His eyes were sharp.

“Just what do they take a human life for?!”

Gaius watched as his shoulders trembled.

(He isn’t acting, Rogan is genuinely angry at Miko and Rihan’s actions. He, who was abandoned by his family as a child, was raised by this city, by this empire. To him, this place is his home and its people are his true family.)

She smiled.

(They are his heart and soul, and he would do anything to protect them. Even challenge an impossible task such as dethroning the current Dragna Clan.)

“Alright, I’ll give you the Voice Of God.”

“Then—”

“However, you must use your Ruler’s Contract to copy another technique of my choice. This is non-negotiable.”

“Deal.”

The two shook hands and a bright glow surrounded them. Gaius looked at him with a gentle gaze.

(He’s different from Augustus but he too is a natural-born conqueror.)

She smiled and spoke with a voice oozing confidence.

“I’m certain now then ever, as long you don’t betray your beliefs, Rogan, you will never lose.

Rogan smirked.

“Don’t worry, they’ll have to kill me to stop me.”