Eight years ago, the capital had suffered an attack by a rampaging Miko. This attack was stopped by Nero. It wasn’t even a fight, Miko was taken down in an instant.

“……..”

When he came to, Miko found himself looking at a familiar ceiling.

“I’m in Xia Palace.”

“That’s right.”

He turned his head. There was a girl sitting in a chair reading a book. Her skin was pale and unhealthy, her face was average, the clothes were baggy. The girl lacked any real presence.

“Who are you?”

“Nina Dragna, your servant.”

“Servant? I have no servant.”

“You do now. Lord Nero assigned me to keep you company for the time you’ll be here.”

“What do you mean by time I’ll be here? You sound as if I’m going to live here now.”

“Because you are. Lord Nero’s orders. You’re under house arrest until he believes you’re fit to return to your family.”

“Fuck that!”

Miko sprung out of bed. He grabbed Nina by the neck and force her to stand.

“What’s stopping me from snapping your neck here and escaping?”

“Nothing really. You’re free to do so if you wish. As your servant, I have no right to oppose to you killing me. However, I must state even if you kill me it will not increase the chances of your escape. You will still fail.”

Miko glared at her as he looked in her eyes.

“You really don’t fear death do you?”

“Unfortunately, I do not. Death is a part of life, it is unavoidable, so why fear it?”

Miko released her throat.

“People must find you creepy. It’s like talking with a robot.”

“I’m merely carrying out my training. However, you’re correct. People find me unpleasant, which is why I can’t understand the reason for my appointment as your servant.”

(Because we’re both unafraid of death and incapable of processing emotions properly.)

Miko frowned.

“That old geezer has a sick sense of humor.”

“Well, will you attempt to escape?”

(Of course. But I gotta be smart about it. Xia Palace is Nero’s dominion, escaping with my strength is nearly impossible.)

Miko shook his head.

“I’m going to take it easy and cool off.”

“You’re lying, but as your servant I’ll follow your orders.”

She bowed.

“Make use of me as you wish.”

“……..”

Miko silently observed the girl in front of him. She lacked presence, was emotionless, and robotic.

(Yet, she interests me for some reason.)

“Why did you assign that girl to Miko, Old man?”

Nova and Nero were watching Miko and Nina’s interaction.

“Don’t know. I just felt like the two would get along. Miko needs someone to help appease his rage. His hatred for the world and his guilt towards his family prevents him from interacting with normal people. So I thought interacting with someone with similar negative traits might trigger something in him.”

“You mean you’re hoping they’ll lick each other’s wounds?”

“Maybe.”

Nova laughed.

“Using a broken person to fix another broken person, what a heartless thing to do. You know there’s a high chance only one will be fixed, the other might sink deeper into despair.”

Nero smiled.

“Oh, I’m fully aware.”

Present time.

“Rogan Dragna, Nina Dragna, and Gaius, these three are leaders of the Augustus Regime.”

Chika stood before the top brass of the Dragna Empire. She was reporting the information Viper passed on to Miko.

“According to Viper, it’s unknown if they are responsible for what happened to Aeon. However, they are the lead suspects.”

“Good work.”

Rouge spoke with a frown.

“I know Rogan. He’s a member of the Secundus Branch belonging to the Roland House.”

He looked at the leader of Roland House, Alisa.

“If I remember correctly, he was a smart child but he wasn’t blessed with martial talent.”

“His parents were my personal servants. I allowed them to retire when he died. But it looks like he’s alive and well.”

“How did he supposedly died?”

“He was caught stealing from Krow and was killed by him.”

“But it was a trick. Krow took him under his wing and now he’s a thorn in our side.”

Andreas grumbled.

“Rouge, what do you mean he had no martial talent?”

Verde spoke with a casual tone. Even so, Rouge answered.

“Whether it was magic, weapons, or Vita he learned at a slower rate than everybody else.”

“That’s impossible. He possesses Augustus’s Ruler’s Contract. If anything he should excel at all the things you listed.”

“…He has Ruler’s Contract? Are you certain?”

Verde nodded.

“Mamushi confirmed it. They said he used it against someone called Rihan during their battle.”

“He survived fighting Rihan? If that’s true, he can’t be underestimated.”

“Which branch is Nina Dragna from?”

Ecko asked.

“Mine.”

Nero spoke up.

“I assigned her to be Miko’s servant over 8 years ago.”

Eyes widened while some narrowed.

“What kind of relationship did they have?”

Markus asked.

“Lovers, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“It was a bit complicated.”

Nero smirked.

“They had a twisted relationship.”

Silence filled the room. It was broken by Darwin.

“Can he kill her?”

Nero shrugged.

“Who knows?”

“Of course he can. He’s determined to protect the empire, by any means necessary.”

Andreas said. Markus nodded.

“I don’t think he can.”

Kirika stood up.

“I’ve met Nina and heard a lot about her from Momo. The two were incredibly close, so much that only his family had a deeper relationship.”

She looked around.

“The fact he isn’t here but sent these two to report on his findings is proof of his troubled state.”

“Then are you suggesting we take matters in our own hands?”

Kirika nodded.

“Yes, Grandfather. This way, we won’t risk damaging Miko’s mind at such a delicate time.”

“Unfortunately, the kid is already batshit crazy.”

Nero spoke up.

“In fact most of us in this room are. I know I am.”

“…Gamiko, your point?”

“Easy Rouge. Miko will handle the Augustine Regime. Not because it’s a threat, nope. He’ll handle it because it’s now personal.”

The clan leaders eyes moved towards the entrance. Nero grinned as the door opened up behind him.

“Isn’t that right, Miko?”

Miko walked in with a deadpan expression.

“That’s right. It’s personal.”

He walked to the center of the room and stood before everyone.

“I’ll be taking over this operation. Any objections?”

“Yes.”

Andreas spoke up.

“Are you able to carry out this task without getting your feelings involved? Can you stop your emotions from interfering with you doing what’s necessary?”

Miko didn’t turn to Andreas and the others. He silently faced only Nero.

“Well, can you?”

Nero leaned back into his seat.

“Just how far are you willing to go for your goals, Miko?”

“To hell and back.”

Miko turned towards Andreas and the others.

“If you think my emotions are a problem, then there’s no need to worry.

He clenched his fists.

“I will carry out my mission crying tears of blood if I have to.”

“……”

Silence filled the room. It was only broken by Ecko’s sigh.

“I’m starting to get fed up of the toxic mindset of you people.”

She mumbled.

“So what will you need?”

Rouge spoke up.

“Chika, Verde, and Falkon. Give me these three and I’ll handle the Augustine Regime.”

“Why those three?”

“I believe they’re perfect to take on our enemies.”

“Because our enemies won’t have info on them?”

“That’s one of my reasons.”

Rouge nodded.

“Alright, you can do as you like. However, I would prefer if their existence doesn’t become widespread knowledge just yet.”

“No problem.”

“Alright. Then, when will you carry out this mission?”

Miko’s eyes narrowed.

“Now.”

“………”

Nina Dragna sat alone in a corner of the church of Augustus. She wore a small smile on her face.

“It’s really rare for you to be smiling so much.”

Gaius appeared in front of her.

“It’s exactly as Rogan said, you only become animated when Miko is involved.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“It makes me unease.”

The smile left Nina’s face.

“Are you worried I would switch sides the moment I see Miko? Or are you wondering if I was working for him in the beginning?”

“……..”

“Certainly both are possible outcomes. In fact, they’re the type of twists Miko loved in stories.”

She stood up.

“Unfortunately, there will be no such twists this time.”

“Why? Doesn’t Miko mean the world to you?”

“Of course. He became my reason for living.”

“Then..”

“However, I wasn’t able to save him. I wasn’t able to be his reason to live.”

Gaius frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I wasn’t anything special to him. Even though we bonded and licked each other’s wounds, I wasn’t able to save him from his inner hell. I only added to his inner demons. That’s why I said I was nobody special.”

“But he’s someone special for you.”

Nina nodded.

“To be honest, I was changed from a lifeless husk who simply followed orders. I was able to gain emotions I once thought was impossible for me. I was on the path of becoming a normal girl..”

“Yet, you obviously didn’t, considering the fact you’re the way you are now.”

“Well, Miko is the cause of that…”

She shook her head.

“I volunteerly walked this path of despair and self-destruction.”

“…Why?”

“Why?”

Nina smiled. She showed a smile devoid of emotion.

“I couldn’t leave that path if Miko was still walking it.”

Gaius’s eyes widened.

“Are you saying you threw away your chance of happiness because of Miko?”

Nina didn’t reply. She just kept smiling. Gaius’s eyes narrowed.

“Even more reason why I feel the need to keep an eye on you. Your feelings towards your master are abnormal. It wouldn’t be strange for you to betray us, even if you didn’t intend to.”

Nina released a dry chuckle.

“I guess you might be right. I joined Rogan to walk the new path Miko stepped on. I wanted to see if I could understand why I was abandoned if I aimed for the same things as him. I wondered if those things could change me once more.”

A grin crawled on her face.

“However, my objective has changed now that I know he’s coming for me.”

She clenched her trembling fists.

“This time I’ll make sure keeps his promise. Whether he likes it or not.”

“What promise—”

Gaius was cut off. Their surroundings had been drained of all color and a dreaded pressure fell on the church. Nina’s eyes sparkled.

“That should do it.”

Outside the church, Miko stood with Falkon and his children.

“Thanks for erecting a barrier, Falkon. This way no one can intervene with our battle. And, since we’re in a separate space, we won’t need to hold back in fear of destroying our surroundings.”

“The barrier will only fall when I’m dead or I cancel it. It’s something Augustus created to trap even Higher Beings, so there’s no escaping without one of those things happening.”

Miko nodded as he glared at the church. At the entrance he saw a man dressed in white leaning at the door.

“I take it that’s Rogan Dragna.”

“Yup, that’s him alright.”

Chika answered.

“……..”

“…….”

Miko and Rogan silently glared at each other. They spoke simultaneously.

““Hello, my enemy. It’s nice to meet you.””