Flameheart Residence, Lushun. There was a meeting to which every member of the Flameheart Clan was invited. This meeting was a big deal because this was where Lisa Flameheart would appear in front of everyone for the first time in over a decade. The meeting itself was being held in the yard of the residence where a huge stage was prepared. All of the elders, who weren’t punished by Darwin for acting on their own, were there standing at full attention. No one showed a hint of sloth, as they all had dignified expressions.

“It’s the Grand Elder!”

Maria was seen walking onto the stage with two female attendants behind her. She stood in front of the other clan elders with a proud look on her face.

“Even the Grand Elder is in a good mood. Talk about rare.”

While the crowd was talking among themselves, Darwin came onto the stage with his face filled with smiles.

“Good morning, my brothers and sisters. I’ve called you all here to discuss three very important issues. First…”

He pointed to his left and Luka walked onto the stage with her mother.

“I’m sure you’ve already heard but my daughter Lisa is back with us again!”

“Lady Lisa!”

“Little Miss!”

“Milady!”

Everyone started cheering for Lisa.

“Thank you, everyone. Also, I apologize for making you all worry.”

Lisa bowed and said.

“I’ll make sure to work hard to make up for the time I was gone.”

“Ohhh!”

The crowd cheered again. After allowing them to cheer for a while, Darwin raised his hand to quiet them down.

“As for the second issue, it’s about the recent actions taken by some of our members.”

Everyone immediately became quiet.

“There were some of you who wanted to go to war with the Dragna clan and even went to great lengths to make it happen.”

Darwin looked at everyone with a sharp glare.

“I’ll be blunt with all of you. Anyone who tries something like that again without my permission will be executed along with all of their immediate family members.”

“?!”

“That’s how serious of an offense this is. No mercy will be shown to anyone who tries to destroy the brotherhood between the three clans. Got it?”

“Yes, clan leader!”

Everyone responded with a shout.

“Good.”

Darwin smiled.

“As for the third matter, I’ll have this esteemed person handle it.”

Joesph Flameheart appeared next to Darwin. His sudden appearance confused a lot of people. Even most of the elders were confused.

“Ahem. From your faces, I see that my face isn’t really known. Well, that’s to be expected since, unlike the others, my face wasn’t painted and hung up in the founders' hall.”

Joseph spoke.

“Founders’ Hall?”

Everyone started looking at each other in confusion. The first to realize were the elders who were on the stage. Looks of shock painted their faces.

“Yo, I’m Joesph Flameheart. The first of the five founders of the Flameheart Clan.”

“?!”

The others finally caught on and realized who Joesph was.

“P-Progenitor!”

They all kneeled in unison.

“Hahaha! Stand, stand. My master once said the magnitude of a man isn’t decided by how many bow before him but by how many are willing to stand beside him. So I’ll rather have you all standing by my side than kneeling. Ah, I don’t mean literally since this stage can’t hold everyone.”

Everyone slowly stood back up and looked at Joesph.

“I hid away millenniums ago and only showed myself to Clan Leaders and those I have high expectations of, so I’m happy to see you all still hold this much respect for me.”

He laughed.

“Now then, let’s get down to business. It’s about someone I’m sure you all know, Miko.”

Everyone’s face became serious when Miko’s name was mentioned.

“I’m sure you already know this but you all are prohibited from harassing him in any way. In fact, I was the one who passed this order down to Darwin, so that he could enforce it.”

Joseph looked around at everyone’s face.

“I can tell that you all want to know my reason for issuing such an order.”

He pointed at Luka.

“Well, for one he’s Luka’s fiancé. Do you want to make her a widow, you fools?”

“But he almost killed the princess!”

Someone shouted from in the crowd.

“That’s just a mere lovers’ quarrel. Although it was on the extreme side.”

Joseph answered with a shrug. His answer came off as a joke to everyone in the crowd. After all, a lot of lives were lost because of this lovers’ quarrel.

“Another reason is that if you had killed him, Lisa wouldn’t have been saved. Oh, Miko was the one who saved Lisa by the way.”

“Huh?!”

“What? None of you guys knew? Sigh, then let me explain it for you.”

He pointed at Lisa.

“As you all know, what Lisa was suffering from wasn’t any sickness but a severe mental condition unique to us called Shutdown. When we Flamehearts lose a loved one there’s a high chance of us feeling physical pain from overwhelming grief, which is why we cry tears of blood to grieve. This won’t kill us, but if we experience this loss over and over again our minds will collapse and our hearts will crumble as a result and we’ll become lifeless and unresponsive to the world around us. This is our attempt to run away from reality. This is Shutdown. Lisa experienced the loss of her mother and brother as a child; it wouldn’t have been strange if she had experienced shutdown back then since she was so young but she didn’t.”

Joesph paused as if to see if Lisa was alright with him mentioning these painful events. After seeing that she was fine, he continued.

“Lisa was strong, but even she couldn’t accept the reality of having her husband killed before her eyes. This caused her Shutdown. You all searched high and low to find a cure but you couldn’t. While Miko could. Well, to be accurate Darius could.”

He smiled.

“There’s only one sure win way to cure Shutdown and that is to make the victim believe that they had regained a loved one. If Darius had come back to the clan he could’ve freed Lisa, but there was one problem….Darius wasn’t sane enough to do so. Also, we would need to enter Lisa’s mind and convince her to face reality, but you’ve tried that already several times, right? No one was able to withstand Lisa’s crumbling mind long enough to convince her to come back.”

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Joseph looked at everyone’s face.

“Do you understand where I’m going with this? Miko had inherited everything from Darius and basically became him. He had the ability to enter the mind and souls of others, and he had experience handling crumbling minds. So he alone could’ve saved Lisa.”

(Well, the fact he could handle a crumbling mind that well indicates he himself has some serious mental issues, but I won’t mention that.)

Joesph saw everyone thinking about what he said. They all slowly came to accept what he said as true.

“Of course, Miko knew he had the best chance of saving Lisa and saved her without asking for anything in return. Do you understand? The man who you all cursed, saved your princess. He took away your prince but gave you your princess. Why? Because he doesn’t want to fight you all, he never did. He also never revealed the clan secrets to anyone. In the end, you were the ones who always attacked him, he only protected himself. So why would you consider someone like that your enemy?”

Joseph put on a serious face.

“I don’t know about you but I believe we’re in Miko’s debts here and I intend to repay this. This brings me to the third thing that I want to announce.”

He took a deep breath and spoke.

“The Flameheart Clan will sign a nonaggression pact with Renacido and will promise to back them whenever they are in trouble.”

Everyone became shocked but Joesph ignored them.

“This isn’t up for discussion. This is an order. The Flameheart Clan will repay all debts without fail. Is that clear?!”

“Yes, Progenitor!”

A few days later. News of the Flameheart clan supporting Miko circulated the empire. This news came as a shock since it was common knowledge Miko and the clan had a blood feud. There were even rumors the clan had tried to attack Renacido in recent weeks. So, of course, everyone would be confused.

The Dragna clan. The leaders of the five branches gathered together to discuss the news.

“I must say, Aeon really is brilliant when it comes to scheming. I guess it runs in the family.”

The Quartus leader, Ecko looked at Nero with a teasing smile.

“I know right? He’s a living stamp of his father.”

Nero said with a laugh.

“She meant he’s like you, idiot.”

The Quintus leader, Andreas retorted.

“Either way, it worked. Now we don’t have to worry about the Flameheart Clan. The problem now is…”

“The Saevus Clan.”

The Secundus leader, Rouge nodded.

“The Saevus Clan is a huge headache in their own right. They’re not openly antagonistic towards us, but they aren’t with us either. They insist on being neutral and taking the side with the most benefits.”

“Can’t you have your son-in-law do something about that, Gamiko? He’s the heir to the clan isn’t he?”

The Tertitus leader, Alexus asked.

“Former heir. Besides, I have my reason why I don’t want his help.”

“Which is?”

“My pride.”

All the other leaders looked at Nero like he was garbage.

“A man who once fought a month-long war in his birthday suit has pride?”

“A man who showed up drunk at a stranger’s wedding and slept with the wife has pride?”

“A man who’s banned from every Buddhist temple in the world for spraying graffiti of himself on Guanyin’s statues, has pride?”

“A man who is seen more often drunk than sober has pride?”

After hearing what his cousins said, Nero thought about it for a while and nodded.

“Yes. Those were all prideful acts.”

The other leaders sighed in unison.

“This isn’t about me and my past glory. This is about the Saevus Clan, which I have under control.”

“Huh? Aeon’s plan involves the Saevus Clan?”

Nero nodded.

“This is something that is sure to happen considering both Miko and Markus Saevus' personalities.”

Renacido. Miko was dressed in a white suit and azure tie with his hair in a ponytail.

“Hm….I can see why my grandfather and uncle are so popular. We really look good in a suit.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard someone compliment themselves in such a roundabout way.”

Hina said while watching Miko admire himself in the mirror.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m just saying you have great taste in men. So I’m actually complimenting you.”

Miko turned and faced her, who was dressed in a white gown with purple flowers on it.

“You look great too. I guess I have great taste in women.”

Miko started laughing.

“Stop fooling around and let’s go. We can’t keep everyone waiting.”

Hina walked up to him and fixed his tie.

“Hmm….I think you’d make a great wife, Hina.”

“Well, thanks. But stop trying to change the topic.”

Hina looked at Miko with a worried face.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid to meet Luka after fighting her.”

“Hahaha.”

“Don’t try to laugh it off.”

Hina pulled his tie up and made it choke him.

“Keh!.... Can you blame me? I tried to kill her after she confessed to me. Of course, I’ll feel awkward.”

“You enjoy life and death battles but are afraid of awkward situations? What’s up with that?”

Hina sighed and released his tie.

“Tell me honestly Miko, how do you feel about Luka?”

“…….”

“Don’t worry, I won’t be mad. I’m not that petty of a person.”

“Well, I believe she’s my first love.”

Hina nodded.

“And you’re her’s. So I’m sure there are no ill feelings between you. Plus you saved her mother. I’m sure she’s even more deeply in love with you.”

“…I see. I guess you’re right. Besides, I’m the great Don King of Renacido. This is nothing for me.”

Hina nodded.

(He’s only weak-minded when it comes to Luka….)

While Miko was pumping himself up in the mirror Hina had a sad expression on her face, but this expression didn’t even last a second before she started smiling again.

“You know, Hina.”

Miko spoke while fixing his jacket.

“Outside of my family, you’re probably the one who understands me the most. Actually, only my mother and Momo may get me more than you.”

He turned around and looked back at her.

“If I loved Luka because of how hard she tries to be with me, then I love you because you get me.”

Hina’s eyes widened. Miko walked up to her and placed his hand on her head.

“I already told you that I intend to spend the rest of my life with you, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

He then placed a kiss on her lips and walked past her.

“Let’s go. The others are waiting.”

Hina turned around and watched him leave the room. She placed her finger on her lips and stood there for a while.

“Wait, Miko! I wasn’t ready, I want a do-over!”

She chased after Miko.

Today, there was a ceremony being held at Renacido. This ceremony was to celebrate the end of the feud between Renacido and the Flameheart Clan. A peace treaty is being signed along with a contract between both parties that states that they’ll do business with each other. Since Lushun, where the Flameheart Clan lives, was the top recreational spot in the empire it wasn’t a bad deal for Miko.

At this moment, the contract signing will be held in front of a grand crowd. On the stage prepared were Miko and Layla representing Renacido and Darwin and Maria representing the Flameheart Clan. Both parties had their respective entourage nearby, but these four were the focus of everyone’s attention.

“The terms aren’t bad. Both parties can benefit from this.”

Layla read the contract and said.

“I have no problem signing it. What about you Miko?”

“No problem here.”

Miko bit his finger and signed the contract with his blood. This action was surprising since everyone expected that he would use a pen. Miko lifted the contract with a smile.

“This is how serious I am about this. If any party breaks this contract I propose that they’d be eliminated on sight.”

“Oh? That’s fine by me.”

Darwin also signed the contract with his blood. Cheers immediately came from the crowd to celebrate the signing of the contract.

After the public signing was finished a small after-party was held with the core members of the Flameheart Clan and Renacido.

“Miko.”

While he was talking with his aunt, Maria, and Darwin, Miko was approached by Luka and her mother. Miko turned around and looked at the two of them.

“I want to apologize. Our fight was entirely my fault. Also, thank you for saving my mother. I owe you a lot.”

Luka bowed and said. Miko looked at her in silence for a while before calling over a waitress and taking two glasses of champagne.

“Don’t sweat it. Everything is water under the bridge.”

He handed the glasses to Lisa and Luka.

“Come on, it’s a time for celebrations. There’s no need to hold back. Just be yourselves.”

He took a glass for himself.

“This is a free country after all. It’s your first time coming here, so you must enjoy yourselves.”

He smiled and tapped his glass on Luka’s and Lisa’s glasses.

“If you want to repay me then come visit me every now and again. Renacido will always accept you…I will always accept you.”

“Miko…”

Luka nodded while Lisa laughed.

“You’re very much like my brother. I’m glad to have you as my son-in-law.”

“Mother, nothing is set in stone.”

“It isn’t?”

Miko and Lisa asked in unison.

“Huh? Huh?”

Luka looked at the two of them in confusion.

“I mean we’re engaged, right? And we just signed a blood pact with each other, I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t get married in the future.”

“Right? I’m sorry, Miko. It seems my daughter inherited her father’s shyness.”

Lisa had an apologetic expression on her face.

“Ah, it’s fine. I’m used to it.”

(Are they joining together to make fun of me?!)

Luka started frowning. Meanwhile, Hina was standing next to Momo with a frown on her face.

“He’s going to get stabbed one day.”

Momo nodded in agreement.

“Augustus was the same in that regard.”

That’s when Joesph appeared behind the two. They quickly turned around and backed away.

“There’s no need to be afraid of me. It’s not like I’m your enemy or anything.”

He said while drinking champagne as well.

“Hinami Akume, right?”

Hina nodded.

“Tell me, Hina. Do you wish to be stronger?”

“Why the sudden question?”

“Well, I’m planning on training Miko and Luka for a bit, so I just wonder if you wanted to be able to keep up with them, or do you want to fade away in the background?”

“Wait, you want to train Miko?!”

Momo asked.

“Well, I only plan on giving him some tips at most. He has a solid foundation which I would probably mess up if I teach him anything too difficult. Whether he improves from these tips is up to him.”

Joseph looked at Luka.

“But Luka on the other hand, she’s perfect to inherit all of my skills and techniques. She’s even a better candidate than Darwin which is very shocking. Must be because of Ouroboros blood.”

He looked back at Hina.

“You want to walk by Miko’s side forever right? Then you’ll need to become someone worthy of doing so.”

“……If I say yes will you give me some tips too.”

“Nope. But I’ll have those brats in the Dragna clan help you out. They owe me for all this mess. Oh, I already asked your brothers and they said they’ll do it.”

“Those two did?”

“Pardon, Joesph Flameheart but what about me?”

Momo asked.

“Ah, I didn’t ask you because you don’t need my help. You have the potential to achieve things never seen before. In fact, I’m sure Tiamat must’ve considered you as a proxy once.”

Momo remembered Tia mentioned that when she chose Miko to be her proxy.

“Your problem is completely a mental issue. You should know what I’m talking about.”

“…….”

Momo became quiet.

“Anyway, you two need to start thinking about your future. Wanting to walk beside Miko forever is one thing, being able to do it is another.”

At the same time, Miko had a frown on his face. The reason was that he had just received something from Layla that was sent to him. It was a letter. He looked at the insignia on it. It was an insignia of a crimson cat. Miko recognized this insignia. It was the insignia of a group which he was very closely related to.

“The Saevus Clan.”