“You died protecting your master from the hands of a devil?”

Miko pondered Mayumi’s words deeply.

The master that she spoke of can only be Miko. In other words, she’ll die protecting him.

“Mayumi, when is your 17th birthday?”

Miko asked.

“In a few months.”

Mayumi answered.

“I see. In other words, in the year period starting from a few months from now, I’ll face a foe that I’ll need saving from.”

He spoke as if mumbling to himself.

“Coincidentally, that time period also matches the time of my death that you prophesied. Meaning that I’ll still die even after you died saving me. Thus we both die together.”

Miko couldn’t help but to smile after saying that.

“But isn’t that kind of romantic? Us dying together.”

“You’re sick in the head if you think that’s romantic.”

Mayumi retorted.

“Well, its only one of the possibilities. You could’ve died saving me from a different foe than the one that’s ultimately kills me too.”

Said Miko.

“But that will mean that my life will be in peril twice in a year period. That’s uncomfortable to think about.”

“It’s my death we’re taking about here. Uncomfortable or not, I don’t like the idea of dying to protect you.”

Mayumi retorted.

“Then don’t.”

“What?”

“It’s simple right? If you see that I’m about to die, look the other way. I won’t hold a grudge if you do.”

Mayumi stared at Miko in shock after hearing what he said.

“You….Don’t you value your own life?”

She couldn't help to ask.

“Not really.”

Miko said with a carefree expression.

“What I care about is being acknowledged by those who matter to me, as well as doing my best to protect them. I don’t really fear death, since I’ve already experienced it. If I die trying to accomplish my goals then so be it. But that doesn’t mean I’m suicidal. I know that no matter where or how I die, it will be one of the greatest deaths in history. Plus I’ll be taken the world with me.”

“……Again, you’ve proved to me just how insane you are.”

“It’s all a part of a day’s work.”

Miko said with a laugh.

“Anyway, did the death you told me about appear in all five visions?”

He asked.

Mayumi shook her head.

“All five deaths are different. It’s just that this death is the only one where I die violently.”

She said.

“Then just do as I say and not save me. Problem solved.”

It was then that Miko had a thought.

“On second thought, lets do this instead.”

He pointed at her.

“After this war saga is over and the empire has been created, leave the country.”

“What?”

“I’m freeing you. Go live a happy and long life far away from me. Considering your personality it’s possible.”

“B-But….”

Miko put his finger on her lips.

“No buts. Leave. I don’t like the idea of someone dying while protecting me. It makes me look weak.”

He removed his finger and leaned back.

“Leave my enemies to me. Even if I die, I’ll be sure to show you a death that anyone can be proud of.”

“……….”

Mayumi didn’t know how to respond to that, so she slowly nodded her head.

What Miko said made sense. There was no need for her to go out of her way to save him, at the cost of her life. She should just go and live her life in peace after this.

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It’s just…..

“This just doesn’t fit right with me.”

She spoke out loud.

“What do you mean?”

Miko asked.

“You welcoming death and even talking about it with open arms. It’s pretty sad actually.”

“Sad….”

Miko thought about it.

It was true that he has already died twice already, but does that mean he should stop fearing death?

The main reason people fear death is because it’s unknown what lies beyond it. Do you go to heaven or hell, or do you just disappear? Maybe your mind enter an indefinite dream? Or maybe you enter the Samsara cycle and get reborn? No one knew which one of these were right or if any of them were right. That’s what makes death scary.

But for Miko, it was different. He had already experienced death and was no longer afraid of it. Or it would be better to say he never was afraid in the first place.

As Logan, Miko’s goal was to die in a ditch somewhere. When he was reborn, his goal was to destroy the gods or die trying. Even though he didn’t have that much memories as Augustus, Miko was sure that Augustus didn’t fear death and definitely didn’t seek immortality.

So to Miko, fearing death was unnatural. Or maybe he’s the unnatural one?

“So you don’t want to live?”

Miko asked.

“I do, but I prefer if you live along with me as well.”

Mayumi answered.

“Was that a proposal?”

Miko said in a teasing voice.

“You know what I mean.”

Mayumi rolled her eyes and said.

Miko laughed when he saw that.

“I’ll consider cherishing my life more, if you consider cherishing yours, and leave.”

Mayumi thought about it for a while before nodding her head.

“Fine, but I don’t want to hear that you kicked the bucket while I was gone. It would haunt me forever.”

She poke Miko’s forehead.

“Try your best to cling to life and don’t stop until you’re dead.”

“That’s quite contradictory.”

Miko smiled and said.

“I know.”

Mayumi turned her back.

“After taking to you, my anxiety seems to have vanished.”

“Glad I could help.”

Mayumi nodded her head and then left. After she closed door Miko laid back down and muttered.

“Cling to life until I’m dead huh?”

He then smiled.

“That’s some big words considering she was speaking to a naked person with a straight face.”

Miko laughed.

“Seems like I’m surrounded by nothing but good women.”

He sat up and retook his meditative pose.

“With them around, life is worth clinging onto.”

After he said that, he started putting Deus Malum under control again.

The one month period given by the Aloe Kingdom quickly past. It was also on this day that Miko came out of his isolation.

The moment he returned, someone representing the Aloe Kingdom came.

“Nice to meet you, King of Dragna. My name is Rodrick Shidou, and I’m the minister of finance.”

The man introduced himself.

“Rodrick, huh? What happened to Derek?”

Miko asked.

This time he wasn’t concealing his wild aura and let it freely spread.,

“Derek wasn’t feeling well , so I was sent to replace him.”

Rodrick answered.

‘This is strange. According to what Derek said, this boy was merely a stupid brat with the aura of a sheep.’

He looked at Miko as he thought to himself.

‘No matter how much I look at him, he doesn’t fit his description. Instead of a weak lamb, he gives off the feeling of a rabid beast.’

As if knowing what Rodrick was thinking, Miko smiled at him. Rodrick felt like that smile held a hidden meaning behind it.

‘I have a strange feeling about this.’

He thought to himself.

“I see. So what can I do for you, Minister of Finance?”

Miko sat on his throne and asked.

“I’m here to hear your response to our proposal.”

“proposal? Ah, you’re taking about becoming a colonial state of your kingdom.”

Miko said as if he had just remembered, as if it was something trivial.

This made Rodrick frown.

“Yes, that proposal.”

“Huh? You were serious? I thought you said it as a joke.”

‘A joke?’

Rodrick suddenly felt upset.

“I assure you that it wasnt a joke, we’re completely serious.”

“Hmm….I see.”

Miko place his hand on his chin, as if he was thinking deeply about it.

“Since it was a serious proposal, I need to give you a serious respond.”

He smiled and then spoke.

“Fuck no.”

“What?”

“You heard me. My country becoming a colonial nation of your puny kingdom? Keep dreaming.”

When Rodrick heard Miko’s response, alarms started ringing in his head.

‘We were tricked!’

He immediately turned to flee.

“I need to get out of here and let the king know!”

He screamed and ran off.

Miko didn’t chase him and let him frantically forced the doors opened.

*Bam!*

He was immediately hit by a heavy force was sent flying back into the room. He looked at the person who forced him back with a punch. He was immediately shocked afterwards.

“M-Mayumi?!”

Mayumi walked in wearing the armor Miko gave her.

“That’s bad manners, Minister. You can’t just arrive and want to leave already.”

She had a weird smile on her face as she looked down on Rodrick.

“Oh? You know him, Mayumi?”

Miko asked with an amused expression.

“He’s my uncle.”

“Oh? I see. Then could he be one of those you want to kill?”

When Rodrick heard Miko’s question, his heart skip a beat. He looked at Mayumi’s face.

“Yeah, when I was younger he was one of main people who supported the proposal that I was be to exiled. He called me cursed Witch countless times.”

Mayumi answered with a glare.

“I see, I see.”

Miko got up off his throne and walked up to him.

“So you’ve taken good care of my advisor.”

Miko’s eyes were incredibly cold like he was looking at a corpse.

“Advisor?”

Rodrick looked at Mayumi again.

“That’s right, Advisor. Unlike you idiots I see the real value that Mayumi has.”

Miko replied with a mocking tone.

Rodrick was a smart person. He immediately knew that he had fallen into a trap. Not only him, but the entire Aloe Kingdom had fallen in a well-devised trap.he also knew from the look on Miko’s face and his regal yet wild attitude that he was the mastermind.

Despite being a X Class, he felt like nothing more than a child in front of Miko.

He gulped uncontrollably.

“Mayumi, what do you think should happen to this uncle of yours?”

Miko asked while maintaining his cold smile.

“I want to kill him to be honest.”

Rodrick’s heart clenched when he heard that.

“But, I know that you need him so I won’t do it.”

She said.

“I see. A mature choice.”

Miko nodded in approval.

“You heard her uncle.”

Rodrick saw a mad light shining on Miko’s, which made him want to kneel and beg for forgiveness. However Miko didn’t give him the chance.

“Don’t worry, you won’t die. Well, today that is.”

A few days later, the Aloe Kingdom.

The king Kaju walked through his castle with a frown on his face.

“Where is he?”

He asked a maid impatiently.

“Minister Rodrick is waiting for you in your room, Your highness.”

The maid respond.

Kaju nodded and hurriedly walked towards his room. He arrived in no time and pushed the door open in a grand way.

When he looked inside, he saw his brother sitting on a chair, rather absentminded.

“Rodrick.

Kaju called out to him and gained his attention.

“Rodrick, what’s the matter? Why did you take so long to return? Don’t tell me you were enjoying the Dragna hospitality and lost track of time?”

Kaju asked seemingly dissatisfied.

Rodrick looked at him in silence, before opening his mouth.

“I received King Miko’s reply to our proposal.”

He stood up.

“He told me to give you a message.”

He then took off his jacket and revealed a strange symbol on his skin. Before kaju could even ask what it was,

*BOOM!*

Rodrick exploded.

The explosion caused Kaju to be blown back, as nearly half of the room blew up with him. When kaju looked in the room, he saw something written on the walls using Rodrick’s flesh and scattered blood.

It read-

“Suck my royal dick!”

Kaju roared in anger when he saw it, and this was what signaled the war.