After he left the Primus Branch, Miko left with Raven, Ravel, Momo, Chika and Verde following behind him.
“Which Branch are you going to visit next?”
Momo asked while walking next to him.
She long since knew that Miko was going to form his personal team, to aid him execute his plan to build the empire.
Miko looked back at her and smiled.
“I originally wanted to visit the Secundus Branch, but after thinking about it, taking care of the more troublesome branches first is more effective.”
He answered.
“The more troublesome ones huh. If that’s the case you should start with the quintus branch. They were the ones who opposed you the most.”
“You’ve read my mind.”
He then stopped and faced them.
“With that being said, I would like for you guys to go ahead to the palace without me. I’ll be going directly to the quintus branch.”
They nodded.
“Momo, let’s hang out until Miko comes back.”
Ravel picked up Momo like a doll and said.
As if it was normal, Momo only smiled in response.
“Oh, Momo. I would like you to prepare something for me.”
“What is it?”
Miko took a key out of his pocket and threw it towards her.
“That is the key that leads you down to the treasure vault below the palace. Show it to Bašmu and he’ll let you enter the vault. Once in there I want you to wait down there for me with Chika, and Verde. In the meantime you guys can look around and see if there’s anything you like.”
“?!”
Momo and the others were shocked to hear this.
“Wait, Miko. No one is allowed to enter the Treasure Vault unless the Clan is in peril!”
She said.
“That’s the old rules. I’m giving you guys permission. It’s mine in the first place.”
Without waiting for Momo to argue back, Miko left.
She sighed and let ravel drag her a way.
While flying in the sky Miko spoke-
“Regis, how are you feeling?”
His necklace started glowing and a voice came from it.
“Much better now that the link was repaired.”
Regis answered.
At that moment, the glove on Miko’s right hand started glowing.
“Hey, are you really planning on using the stuff stored inside the treasure vault?”
Ishma asked.
Miko nodded.
“You might not know, but there are some extremely dangerous stuff in there. I mean really dangerous.”
“I know. The vault is filled with all kinds of treasures and artifacts that Augustus and his generals gathered during their numerous wars. Some of these things includes God Relics and Demon Artifacts.”
“No. What you know is just the information. You haven’t seen those things in action. I’ve been locked in that vault for thousands of years and got familiar with everything inside. Trust me. There are stuff in there that you don’t want to mess with. Not even Augustus himself was reckless around them.”
“……I’ll keep your advice in mind.”
Miko said and ended the conversation.
He flew towards the gigantic battleship in the sky, and stretched his hand out.
“Mušma, let me in.”
He spoke a command. In response, a hatch opened up at the bottom of the ship.
When he saw that, Miko smiled and flew inside.
When he entered he saw countless soldiers run up and down, completely their individual tasks. Miko was impressed with how focused they were that they didn’t even glanced at him.
He looked around and saw Mušma ordering some soldiers around with a serious expression. Miko walked up to him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Some of our troops are just preparing to deploy to their assigned battlefields.”
“I see. Business doesn’t stop even at a time like this.”
Miko nodded with satisfaction.
“Where is the entrance to the Quintus World?”
“Follow me.”
Musma said before walking deeper into the ship.
They appeared in front of a stone door with a seven headed dragon on it.
“Just push it open and you’ll be there.”
“Thanks.”
Miko pushed open the stone door and a whole world open up before him. It didn’t take long for him to discern what mythology this world was based off.
The giant tree in the center of the world gave it a way. That and the fact that the world looked like it was divided into nine realms.
“Norse, huh.”
Miko leaped in the world and flew in a certain direction.
“Since this world is base on the Norse universe, then the main family should be in Asgard or more specifically the center.”
Miko flew towards the center of the world, and as he expected he came across a grand city filled with descendants of the clan.
He flew down and landed on the ground, only to be surrounded immediately after.
“Quite the welcome.”
Miko said as he scanned the faces of the soldiers aiming weapons at him.
“I guess that here power speaks more than words. So unless I Slaughter a couple of you, you won’t let me past.”
He grinned excitedly.
Seeing that, the soldiers all took steps back on reflex.
“Stop.”
It was then that someone appear from within the crowd.
It was Alshura.
“All of you go back. He’s an important guest.”
The soldiers immediately scattered upon Al-Shura’s order.
“Sorry about that. It’s just that they don’t recognize you.”
Alshura explained.
“They don’t recognize me? Aren’t they members of the clan?”
Miko asked.
“No, they’re a bit special.”
Alshura then turn his back to Miko.
“Follow me. My grandfather is waiting for you.”
Miko nodded and followed behind him.
He entered the palace and saw several servants lined off the hall. They all were armed and stood motionlessly like they were statues.
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“Hm?”
Miko stopped and stared at one of the soldiers.
‘These guys are pretty strong.’
He then looked at the rest.
“The weakest one here is still stronger than me.”
He then extend his Qi and scanned the surroundings.
“There are at least a thousand of them in the palace too. Adding them with the ones I saw on the ship…..the quintus branch has an impressive force.”
He then smiled and caught up with Al-shura.
They then arrived at what appeared to be a training room. Inside, he saw Ashur fighting against several of the soldiers on a field below. Further down, Miko saw Andreas observing Ashur with a keen eye.
Miko watched Ashur as well.
He fought against the soldiers, who were stronger than him, with overwhelming vigor. Even when he would get knocked around and played around with, the excited look in his eye didn’t fade in the least.
Miko had to admire his spirit and his thirst for battle.
In the end, Ashur could only manage to hold out for a minute and was completely defeated soon after.
After he was defeated, Miko turned his attention to Andreas and smirked. Andreas noticed him and frowned.
He walked over to Miko and Al-Shura.
“Long time no see.”
He said.
“It’s not long, only a few months.”
Miko replied.
“Ashur is progressing pretty well, I see.”
“He’s been influence by you and now is thirsty for strength.”
Andreas replied.
“I see. That’s good. The stronger he gets the better it is for the clan.”
Miko looked at Ashur and said.
“What kind of business do you have to come here?”
Miko looked back at Andreas when he heard that.
“What? Is there a problem with me coming here?”
Andreas didn’t reply.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of causing your Branch any problems.”
Miko leaned on a railing and smiled at Andreas.
“I’m here to borrow some of your troops.”
Andreas narrowed his eyes when he heard that.
“Is this to build your empire?”
“It’s our empire, and yes.”
Miko replied.
“I thought you said you didn’t want our help.”
“I don’t. Well, not the adults help anyway.”
Miko peeped over at Alshura. Andreas noticed this.
“I see. You want to borrow our younger generations.”
“Bingo. I want to form a team using solely the youths of each branch.”
“Why? If you used us, building an empire wouldn't be hard.”
“But I wouldn’t feel like I accomplished anything. If I use the weaker youths and is still able to build an empire, wouldn’t that be something?”
Miko asked with a smirk.
“Then this is solely for your ego?”
“Well, I’ll be lying if I said my ego didn’t have a part in it. But me using the younger generation has a strategic meaning.”
“It would make your enemies underestimate you and drop their guard. When that happens you’ll swiftly and throughly destroy them.”
“As expected of a war veteran. You get it.”
Miko praised.
‘It’s a tactic that you loved to use when you were Augustus after all.’
Andreas thought to himself.
“Also if I use this tactic, everyone in my team will become famous overnight. This would cause your business to bloom as well.”
Miko added.
Andreas thought about it and agreed with what Miko said.
“Alright. I’ll lend you them. Just say who you want.”
“Ashur, Hal, Kane, Al-Shura, and Alesia.”
“Alesia is under strict investigation. She’s being accused of espionage.”
Andreas answered.
“Free her. It’s wrong to mistreat her because she’s involved with Arsene. I’ll take her under my wing. But don’t worry, she’ll be supervised at the sametime.”
“…….Understood.”
Andreas answered after a while.
Soon after Miko left the Quintus Branch with those requested.
“Hell yeah! We get to participate in the war!”
Ashur shouted.
“Miko.”
It was then that Alesia approached Miko.
“Thank you. If it wasn’t for you I would probably be forced to remain in the branch for the rest of my life. I’m grateful.”
She said with a bow.
“I only did it for your strength. I heard that you were strong, so if you want to repay me then do it with your strength.”
Miko coldly replied.
“Thank you. I will.”
It was at this time that Al-Shura approached him as well.
“Thank you for helping my sister. To show my gratitude, I promise to bring you the heads of every enemy I cross.”
He said.
“I appreciate the thought, but if you really did that the palace would be filled with heads in no time.”
Miko then started to walk away.
“Just pull your weight. That’s enough for me. I’m going to the Quartus Branch, for now go to the treasure vault under the palace and meet up with Momo. Bašmu will show you the way.”
After saying that, Miko flew off towards the Pink star hovering above the palace. Before he even got the chance to signal Lahmu, he was beamed inside.
When he arrived, he was standing in front of the Star God Lahmu.
“Welcome, Miko. Are you here to visit Echo?”
Lahmu, with his flaming red hair, asked with a smile.
Miko nodded.
“Yeah. Do you know where she is?”
“She’s inside, of course. Let me lead you to her.”
“Thanks.”
Lahmu opened the path to the Quartus world, and an ancient Japanese world open up before him.
Lahmu clapped, and a bridge made of starlight appeared in front of Miko. The bridge stretched for countless miles, and looked quite beautiful.
“Follow this bridge and it will carry you straight to Echo’s residence.”
Said Lahmu.
“Thanks, Lahmu.”
Miko stepped on the bridge, but didn’t immediately started crossing it.
He turned around and faced Lahmu.
“Ugallu, Uridimmu, Girtablullû, Umū dabrūtu, Kulullû, and Kusarikku. Do you know where they are?”
The names that Miko called were the remaining 11 Supreme Beast created by Tiamat, who didn’t become guardian beasts for the clan.
Lahmu shook his head.
“Sorry, but us Guardian Beast and them had a falling out long before the War For Supremacy halted. I haven’t seen or heard from them in countless years.”
“Even though, you’re the oldest?”
“What can I say? I was never really respected by my siblings.”
He said with a wry smile.
“I see. Then that’s all. I’m off.”
After saying that Miko turned into a lightning bolt and sped across the bridge.
Lahmu watched him and sighed.
“I wonder if I should’ve told him that he (Augustus) was the one who forced them away.”
Lahmu turned his back to the bridge.
“Nah, its fine. It’s not like they would come back for revenge or anything; not with Mother here.”
Meanwhile miko quickly reached the end of the bridge, and came across a giant Shinto style palace.
“Hm?”
Miko looked around and realized that they weren’t much people around.
“Did Echo sense me coming, and sent everyone away?”
He mumbled while walking towards the palace.
He walked up to the door and it opened by itself like it was automated. The loud creaking sounds it gave off echoed through the area.
Miko looked inside and saw only darkness. Even so he didn’t hesitate to walk inside.
“Oh?”
Once he walked in, he was instantly transported to a different space.
It looked to be outdoors, as he could see a large pond filled with colorful Koi carps jumping and swimming about.
There was a board blue sky with a bright sun illuminating the place. There were also a lot of oriental statues all over the yard. There also a lot of exotic flowers, with butterflies and bees dancing around them.
Miko saw an old house near the pond. On the porch, he saw a beautiful woman with azure and purple hair, dressed in a lovely dark colored kimono that was unfasten, a pair of jeans and a floral top underneath the kimono.
This was Echo Dragna.
She laid down on the pouch with a bottle of sake (rice wine) and sake saucers in front of her.
Miko smiled and walked up towards her.
“You sure seem relax.”
He sat in front of her and said.
“I am. It’s the first time in years that I can say I’m truly relax.”
Echo replied.
She sat up and faced Miko with a smile. It was a pure and innocent smile that belonged to a child.
“That’s because you’re here, Gramps.”
She said.
Miko looked at her innocent smile and sighed.
He took up the sake bottle and opened it. He then poured himself some wine in the saucers.
“I’m not your grandfather.”
He said and drank the wine.
Echo shook her head.
“It’s already obvious. We all know it. You’re our grandfather, Augustus.”
“You don’t cut corners do you?”
Miko sighed.
“I’ve met with the others and no one brought it up, but you didn’t even hesitate. I’m impressed by how carefree you are.”
“Hahahahaha. Didn’t you always say that we should always say what’s on your mind?”
“I don’t remember telling you that. Because I’m not Augustus.”
Miko insisted.
“Oh. I get it. You’re worried grandma would hear you.”
Echo suddenly said.
“It’s alright. Did you forget? This place is separated from the world. Meaning that no one can stay from a far and pry inside, even if they’re a god.Not only that, all weapons are inactive here, even regalia.”
‘That would explain why Ishma and Regis passed out the instant I came here.’
Miko thought while gripping the two who were now ordinary accessories.
“You created this place you know? I’m surprised you forgot.”
Said Echo.
Miko looked at her innocent expression, and felt sentimental attachment to that expression.
“Fine. I admit it.”
He reluctantly said.
“Then you’re my grandfather?”
“It’s more complicated than that. I’m Augustus, but at the same time not Augustus. Basically, I’m me and Augustus is Augustus.”
“Two sides of the same coin.”
“Something like that.”
Miko answered.
‘Normally I wouldn’t answer, but her innocent expression is just too overwhelming. It’s causing something inside me to bubble up. Could it be that she was Augustus’ favorite or something?’
Miko thought to himself.
“Knew it. The power you showed and the way you address us just made it obvious.”
Said Echo.
“By the way, talking about the time I wet the bed was totally uncalled for."
She pouted and said.
Miko found this strangely cute, despite the one in front of him being a 10,000 year granny.
“But I don’t get it. If you’re Augustus, why didn’t you just say so in the beginning? The old you would’ve done it in the most arrogant way possible.”
“Like this?”
Miko stood up and took a strange pose.
“You thought that Miko would a weak brat, but it was me, Augustus!”
Miko bent his back and screamed “Wrrrrry!”
The whole thing was just….Bizarre.
“Like that?”
He sat back down and said.
“…..Ah, no…..I don’t know what that was.”
Echo replied.
“Anyway, Echo. I’m in hurry here, so I’m going to cut to the chase.”
Miko said.
“I want you to lend me, your daughters, Krul, Maki, and Yaya.”
“Done.”
Echo immediately answered.
“Oh? You’re not even going to ask any questions?”
“I don’t need to. I trust you. Besides, you’re the clan leader. I can’t refused your orders.”
“What a reasonable woman. I appreciate it.”
“Thank you.”
Echo said with a bright smile.
Miko soon left the Quartus world and reappeared in the city. Of course, those who he asked for were there with him.
“So I hear that you want us for something.”
Krul approached him and said.
Miko could sense a lot of hostility coming from him.
“What? Are you still upset about me crushing you?”
Miko asked with a mocking tone.
Krul glared at him.
“By the way, which are you? Krul or Krulty?”
“Does it matter?”
Miko shrugged.
“I guess you’re right.”
He then grinned.
“After all, I can crush you both equally.”
When he heard that Krul took a fighting stance.
“Do you want to find out if that’s true, right now?”
“Oh? I don’t mind.”
Miko eyes shone a gruesome light.
“Hm?”
That’s when he sensed a group approaching him.
“What’s this? Are you two going to fight already?”
Said Alec.
He appeared with Kirika, Gizmo, Ren, Sura, and Cait behind him.
Upon seeing them, Miko’s desire to fight disappeared.
“It’s nothing like that. I was just teasing him, that’s all.”
He answered with his usual smile.
“I’m glad to see you all come.”
“The old man heard that you were going around collecting people from your generation and mine, and sent us.”
Said Alec.
“Oh? That’s saves me the trouble.”
“Miko, what do you want us to do exactly?”
Kirika stepped forward and asked.
“There’s no need to rush. We need to meet up with the others first.”
After saying that, Miko flew off in the direction of the palace, with everyone following behind him. When they arrived, Miko led them towards the passage way that led to the treasure vault.
“Go ahead first. I need to make one last stop in the Secundus world.”
“There’s no need.”
At that moment, Rouge appeared out of a portal.
“If Alexus can see what you’re doing, then there’s no reason I won’t.”
After he said that, people started walking out of the portal.
They were Rin, KC, Nen, Kouta, Christian, and Karim.
“I’ve brought everyone.”
Said Rouge.
“I see. I appreciate it.”
Miko smiled and then faced the passage.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s go Treasure hunting!”