It was late in the evening, before Miko and the others were able to leave the capital.
When he walked out the gate Miko heighten his senses to limit, in an attempt to gather as much information around him as possible.
He remembered what Sasha said about his grandfather using his servants to monitor him. He wanted to see if he could detect one of these servants.
He couldn't.
He began to wonder if he really was being monitored, or if his mother was mistaken. After thinking it over, he decided to just stop thinking about it.
He walked with an unhurried pace when he entered the country, as Hina and the others were excitedly looking around.
Even though none of them were originally from the Dragna Kingdom, it's been a long time since they've left the capital. Especially Hina, who came to the capital as an infant. So this was basically her first time outside the city.
Miko on the other hand, didn't really care about any changes in the countryside. To him whether it the city or country didn't matter, he can adopt to almost any environment.
“We'll be there soon.”
After nearly two hours of walking, Miko saw that he was near the farm his parents used to work and informed the others.
“Really? I can't wait to see the home Mikky was born in!”
Hina said excitedly.
“It's just a small house. There's no need to make a big deal out of it.”
Miko spoke with indifference.
“It may be a small house, but home is still home. You should be more grateful Gamiko.”
Said Ace.
“It's not that I'm not grateful, it's just the concept of home has no meaning to me. A house is just a house. I can live anywhere, even outdoors and wouldn’t mind.”
Ace didn't say anything as he knew that this was how Miko was.
He never allows himself to be truly comfortable. He would occasionally say and do things to isolate himself from others.
Ace and the others found it sad, but the person himself didn't seem to mind it or realized he was doing it.
“We're here. It's that house on the hill top with the large oak tree.”
Listening to Miko's words, the trio turned their gaze to the small house in the not too far distance.
“So that's Mikky's home.”
“You wouldn't think that the daughter and grandchildren of the world’s first [Tyrant] lived there.”
Said Sora.
“Don't forget the Proxy of Tiamat.”
Ace added.
“It's just shows that nothing is as simply as it seems.”
Miko suddenly increased his walking pace as if he was in a hurry.
It was now a little after sunset, and he could see lights in the house.
He walked over to the front gate, scan the yard with his eyes, and then enter the yard.
With the trio behind him, Miko walked up to the front door and knocked on it a few times.
“Coming!”
He heard the energetic voice of his sister, accompanied by hastily footsteps.
It wasn't long before the door swung opened.
“Big Bro!”
When she saw that the one at the door was Miko, Tessa happily leaped into Miko's embrace.
“Are you ok?! You were acting strange today!”
“I'm fine now. Is my mama home?”
Tessa nodded her head.
“Yes, she's in the kitchen.”
“I see. Then I'm coming inside.”
“Are you coming back home?! Alright!”
Without waiting for Miko to respond, Tessa ran off in the direction of the kitchen while shouting.
“Mama! Big Bro has come back home!”
Miko smiled wryly and entered the house.
“Come in.”
He called out the trio and gave them permission to enter.
When they enter they couldn't help looking around.
Miko noticed that the furniture were different from when he lived here. They were more luxurious.
It looks like with Leon becoming a full time guard with a higher income, they could now afford a lot more stuff.
While Miko was noting the small changes in the house, he heard the hurried footsteps of his mother coming towards him.
“Miko! Are you okay?!”
Upon seeing Miko, Sasha ran lifted him off the ground and held up in the air. This surprised Miko.
“I-I'm fine. Can you put me down mother?”
Miko said while hiding his embarrassment.
He could hear the trio snickering behind. Upset, he sent a current of electricity and shocked them.
They bodies jolted a little and they glared at Miko, who was smiling with satisfaction.
Sasha put Miko down as he requested, and began to frantically circle around him trying to find any oddities.
When she saw that nothing seemed out of the ordinary, sigh in relief and looked at Miko solemnly.
“Miko, why didn't you come home if you were having difficulties with the curse?”
“Because I had it under control.”
“Attempting to slash your mother’s throat, is having it under control?!”
When he saw that Sasha was genuinely angry, Miko backed up a few steps.
He who wasn't afraid to die, was frighten by his own mother. He didn't know if he should laugh or cry.
“Ah, no. I-I had under control but..”
“But?”
It was a strange scene. A coldhearted and manipulative killer, was being pressured by his mother.
This was one of the few times he looked his age.
(Watching you being cornered like this reminds me of Nero.)
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
‘Shut up!’
Miko took a deep breath to calm himself down.
“Okay I don't have it 100% under control, but it won't advance any further.”
It was at this time that Sora frowned.
“Gamiko, there's someone approaching the house at an incredible fast pace.”
“Ah, that must be Leon. I sent him a message earlier, telling him to rush home as soon as a possible.”
*Bam!*
It was at this moment Leon burst through the door.
“Sasha! What's wrong with Miko?!”
He was breathing heavily and was sweating. He scanned his eyes around the room and spotted Miko and the others.
He ran up to Miko and looked like wanted hug Miko, but before he could a hand made of purple aura slammed in his chest, and sent back through the door.
“What was that for Miko?!”
Leon rushed back through the door with an angry expression.
“Don't try to hug me out of the blue. It's the creepy.”
Said Miko, with a disgusted expression.
“I can see a clear difference between how he treats his mother and father.”
Said Ace.
“Why can't I hug my own son! You let Sasha do it.”
“That's because Sasha is a woman. Her body is soft and comfortable. You're a man, your body is hard and unpleasant to touch.”
Leon reminded silent because he somewhat agreed with what Miko said.
“Well, it's a good that you're here. I want to ask you something.”
Moments later, everyone moved to the living room to continue their discussion.
“Miko, how bad is the curse?”
After being filled in on everything that happened in the last two years, Leon spoke with a solemn expression.
“Let me show you.”
Saying so, Miko removed his jacket and and his shirt, revealing his naked upper body.
“Hmm, so you really aren't a girl.”
“No, Ace. Gamiko is just 8 remember? Even if he was a girl he would still be flat as a washboard. If we really want to know, he has to take off his pants as well-ugh?!”
Two purple hands suddenly appeared out of nowhere and began choking Ace and Sora.
The hands only released them, after they were about to faint.
“Shut it. I'm being serious right now.”
Miko said with a glare.
Seeing their interaction made Sasha and Leon smile.
“Ok. I'll let the curse run wild for a bit.”
Miko closed his eyes for a few seconds and reopened them.
Everyone could see that his right eye was crimson colored.
Their faces stiffen when they saw Miko's hand was slowly darkening. The black skin slowly spread to his entire arm and then to his shoulder.
It didn't stop until it took over half his body and face. Miko's hair was also partially crimson, resembling a bit of his father’s.
When Leon and Sasha saw the changes on Miko's body, their face paled.
“I didn't think it would be this bad. You've already lost half of your body! How did you let it get this bad?!”
Leon shouted.
“I need the power to kill Darius. I knew the risks.”
“I still can't believe that you kids killed Darius, but Miko this is no laughing matter! If the Saevio Clan finds out about this, they'll do everything to kill you!”
“Kill?”
As if she heard a taboo, the atmosphere around Sasha became extremely tense as a black and purple aura leaked from her body.
“What right does the Saevio Clan has to kill my son?”
This frighten everyone in the room. Miko used [Dragon Rage] himself, so he could immediately identify it. But he could feel that Sasha's [Dragon Rage] was a bit different from his.
There was a more sinister feeling coming from her’s, it was like the opposite of Tiamat’s [Dragon Rage] that had a mix of a majestic gold.
“C-Calm down, Sasha. Of course I won't allow that to happen. Believe me.”
Sensing the danger, Leon frantically calmed Sasha down. Luckily it worked and aura disappeared. But Sasha's face remained serious.
Leon sighed in relief and then turned back to Miko.
“I'm seriously amazed that you can keep your sanity with half of your soul eaten.”
“Big Bro looks cool!”
“I agree. The two different skin, eye, and hair color looks weirdly awesome.”
Upon seeing their brother’s transformation, the twins eyes sparkled with excitement.
At that moment,
“Human, you must want to lose more of your soul, for you to release these chains on me.”
A terrifying voice left Miko's mouth.
When everyone looked, they saw that there were two different expression on his face.
The right side was gleefully smiling, while the left side was serious.
“Shut up, Ugly Cat. There's no way you can take my soul so easily.”
Miko responded with the left side of his face.
The right side suddenly looked furious.
“You bastard! How dare you call this King an Ugly Cat!”
“Shut it. A Demon king or not, to me you're nothing.”
The left side showed a mocking smile and said-
“Go back the depths of my soul.”
“Curse you, you brat! I promise you that I'll have your soul yet!”
Miko body then began to change again.
The dark skin began retreating and Miko original olive skin replaced it. His hair and eye also returned to normal.
When everything was done, Miko was a panting heavily with his body soaked in sweat.
“Miko are you alright?”
Sasha asked worriedly.
“Yeah, I'm used to it.”
“It seems that you can suppress the demon to an extent. How did you do it?”
Leon asked.
“I can't really explain it, but Tiamat played a big part.”
“I see. How long can you suppress him for?”
“A few more years tops. That's why I need to find a way to suppress it permanently.”
“Unfortunately, I was kicked out of my clan when I was young. So I don't know anyway to suppress it.”
“Why were you kicked out?”
Miko was curious as to why the Saevio Clan would discard Leon, who seemed to have a bright future.
“….I was born with an abnormal amount of demon blood in my body. They determined that it would be too risky to teach me any of the clan’s techniques, as it could turn me into a monster they can't control.”
Leon spoke with a sadden tone.
“Because of my lack of strength, I was constantly bullied. But one day the bullying got out of hand, enraged I subconsciously drew out the power of the curse without being push to the brink of death. With my new found strength I defeated the bullies, but their parents came in retaliation. Angered even further, because I was unjustly being prosecuted, I activated the curse again and killed the adults who were all above [B Class]. My father scared that I might kill him in the future, banish me and stripped me of my noble title and name.”
Miko was shocked to hear that Leon was able to kill eight people above [B Class], without any form of training when he used the curse.
“Wait. If the demon blood is especially strong in you, then why aren't you suffering from [Demon Assimilation]?”
“….I'm not sure myself. I have the ability to use [War Face] without needing to be on the brink of death. That might have something to do with it.”
‘If that's the case, if I somehow find a way to gain full control over [War Face] I might be able to control the curse as well.’
Miko thought about it some more, and then nodded after getting an idea.
He then looked at Leon.
“I think I might be able to suppress the curse permanently. But it's impossible right now, so I won't say how I'll do it.”
He then look at the twins.
“I came here for two reasons. The first one is to suggest that the twins be trained how to fight soon.”
Miko's words startled Sasha and Leon.
“Why?”
Sasha asked.
“Because just like me they're from two dangerous bloodlines. It's best that they learn how to control their abilities from now, so that it doesn't hinder them in the future.”
Miko then pointed at Sasha and Leon.
“Another reason they should begin training is because you two were born with unimaginable talent, but due to certain reasons those talents went to waste. They can't waste their talent too and get a late start.”
Miko then pause for bit.
“…Beside, what if something happens, and their lives are suddenly at risk? This isn't a peaceful world, death is literally around the corner. I want them to be able to look death in the face and bitch slap him.”
“If something happens we can protect them.”
Sasha said.
“Too naïve. You can't protect them all the time. Also what if you face an enemy outside your power.”
“I don't have any enemies.”
“What about Nero and Nova? They're both [Tyrants], it wouldn't be far fetch if their enemies are around their level.”
He stared intently at Sasha.
“Are you able to protect them from people with similar strength and influence as your father?”
Sasha didn't say anything and just frowned.
“I'm not forcing you. Whether they capitalize or waste their potential is up you.”
He said with a bit resignation, and switch topics.
“The other reason I came to here is to warn you.”
“Warn us? Of what?”
Asked Leon.
“I bumped into another Proxy today.”
“Really?! There's another Proxy in the kingdom?!”
Leon couldn't hide his excitement.
“Yeah. She's only around my age, but gives off a similar feeling to me. Which means she's quite dangerous, and will only become more dangerous in the future. The reason I asked for the twins to learn to defend themselves is also because of this. I originally thought Proxies wouldn't come to such a small kingdom, but I was wrong. There's a chance that several wars among Proxies might occur in the future.”
“….Do you know whose Proxies is she?”
“Nope. The lizard just said that it was another lizard. Nothing more.”
(Call me a lizard again, and I'll personally reveal your identity to all of Proxies worldwide. It might be fun to see you running around frantically.)
Miko ignored Tiamat's threat without a change in expression.
“Then do you know her name?”
Miko nodded.
“She said her name was Luka.”
“Luka?”
Leon frown when he heard the name.
“Does she use dark magic?”
“Yeah. You know her?”
“Luka is a Class A criminal in the kingdom. We're ordered to kill her on sight by the king.”
“What?”
Leon words shocked everyone in the room. Seeing that, Leon started recounting everything he knew about Luka.
“I never seen her before, but I never expected that she was your age and a Proxy too. I heard that she snuck her way into the kingdom around three years ago. Shortly after arriving, she infiltrated the Royal District and robbed the royal palace. We weren't told what she had stolen. Guards were sent to capture her, but were killed by the dozen by her dark magic.
General Han was then deployed, but she escaped before he could finish her off. She then went into hiding for a while, and reemerge two years ago leading a strange organization called Fate. They're an underworld organization that truly lives in the shadows. Their track record is astonishing to the point that even Darius was wary of them.
However, this organization doesn't accept just any jobs. They only accept jobs that are considered suicide missions; also they don't care about the reward but only the difficulty. That's why I call them weird.”
Leon stared at Miko intently.
“Luka is a threat to the kingdom at such a young age. If she really is a Proxy, she's even more of a danger then we originally thought. You should be careful when dealing with her, Miko.”
“I know.”
After hearing about her from Leon, Miko's interest in Luka grew. A eight year old who leads a crime organization, and was also able to robbed the King and escape from a General. All these achievements made her more alluring in Miko's eyes.
If it was him, who was mentally in his late twenties, who had done what she did he wouldn't find it amazing. But it was a bonafide kid, with no memory of her past lives.
He couldn't help wanting to meet her again.
“Luka.”
Miko hadn’t realized that he called her name with an affectionate tone.
But it didn't missed the ears of Hina and Sasha who were both frowning.