Dragna Empire.

It was a bright sunny morning. Despite this, there was a stifling tension covering the entire empire. It was like everything had come to halt and everyone was nervously waiting to see how this day will come to an end. No one felt like it was appropriate to talk too loudly. This was all because today was the day that Gamiko “Miko” Dragna will be put on trial after nearly three months of imprisonment.

“What do you think will happen? Do you think that there will be a war?”

“I don’t know, but today can’t end peacefully.”

The citizens of the empire whispered among themselves. The fact the Dragna and Flameheart clans are at odds because of this incident wasn’t a secret. Everyone in the empire knew about it. Even those outside the empire knew. There were many well-informed people interested in this trial across the world. This was because of Miko’s lineage and the fact he’s the Dragna Empire’s ancestral goddess proxy. Since Tiamat has never chosen a proxy before this, many people were curious about what kind of person could attract her.

“That Miko, he sure knows how to cause trouble. Because of him, the empire could be split into a civil war today.”

“He’s really a pain to the end.”

Many people blamed Miko for the entire ordeal.

“I honestly hope he’s executed. Someone who could cause the death of so many of his own citizens shouldn’t exist.”

“Remember the people he reduced to ash in the high-class district?”

“The place was reduced to a sea of flames.”

“Thinking about the number of people who died in his battles with Nebulous, it would unfair if he escapes punishment.”

Many held grudges against Miko and prayed for his death regardless of the consequences it would have.

At Miko’s home, Sasha was standing in front of a mirror in her room with a serious expression. She was dressed in her battle suit with a gray base made of an unknown flexible material, a pair of black gauntlets with purple enchantments on them, thigh-high black combat boots with strange purple runes, and a breastplate with purple flowers on it. On her hip was a pouch.

Sasha opened the pouch and took out a pink crystal that had black smoke swirling inside it.

“If push comes to shove, I’ll leave this place with Miko and wage war if I must.”

She muttered.

“You’re going in your war attire?”

Leon leaned on the room door and asked.

“Aren’t you doing the same?”

Leon’s attire consisted of crimson, gold, and black armored clothing, which made him look like a majestic warrior.

“Hahaha. I guess we’re both thinking the same thing.”

He walked inside the room and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“No matter what decision you make, I’ll forever be on you and our children’s side. Even after death.”

Sasha held his hand and smiled.

“Thank you.”

She turned around a placed a kiss on her husband’s lips.

“Let’s go.”

The royal palace. The palace had a huge land filled with countless facilities, one of these facilities was a courthouse which was located near the Secundus branch’s domain. This courthouse was mostly used when dealing with enemies of the crown. Today it was being used for this important case.

The courthouse itself had an Ancient Rome-style design. This was because this courthouse was created during the era of Augustus. He used it to give his enemies trials as a formality before executing them himself. There was even a case where he executed the Greek god Pan here for his defiance. That meant this place had been bathed in the blood of gods before.

“I thought by the time I came back, this stupid affair would be over. I’m honestly disappointed.”

Walking towards the courthouse was a large group of people, all with the Dragna clan’s characteristics which were purple or azure hair with blue eyes. This group came from the third branch of the clan, the Tertitus branch. The one who had spoken with an annoyed voice was dressed in a dark-colored vest with a red dress shirt underneath, he had dark-colored jeans with a chain on the side, high boots with buckles on them, and a pair of stylish gloves. He was extremely handsome and had a perfect mix of purple and azure hair, and bloody red eyes.

He was Alec Dragna.

“Couldn’t you adults sort this out without going this far, Gramps?”

He spoke to the Tertitus branch leader and his biological grandfather Alexus Dragna. He was dressed in a sharp suit and was wearing thin-frame glasses. His azure and purple hair were well-groomed as well.

“Do you want me to staple that pretty mouth of yours shut?”

Alexus said without looking at him.

“No way. The beautiful women of this world would weep if they were unable to hear my voice.”

“I’m surprised you can say such things with a straight face.”

The one who said that was Alec’s older sister Kirika. She was dressed in a warrior’s outfit that looked like it was made from a mixture of odd leather and unknown metal, and had two swords on her right hip.

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“But Alec has a point. I don’t think it needed to come to this.”

She put on a serious face.

“Gathering everyone here will likely result in a war.”

“This was Gamiko’s idea. We’re just going with it.”

“Nero, huh?”

Alec smiled.

“I guess things will get fun then.”

One after the other, members of the five branches arrived at the courthouse and then entered it.

“The Flamehearts are here.”

A huge group, or rather an army of emerald hair people approached the courthouse. They all were armed from head to toe and didn’t seem like they intended to hide their bloodlust.

“Gulp.”

Those who saw them approaching felt their overwhelming passion. It was like watching an army of burning hearts approaching. At the head was their leader Darwin Flameheart. Behind him were Jeffery and Luka.

“The Flamehearts are serious……They came here to die taking us down with them.”

Nova said while watching them.

“Hm?”

That’s when he spotted someone in the crowd. She had emerald hair that sparkled when the sun shone on it. Her face looked like it was sculpted by a master, and her eyes were like a pair of polished jewels. She wore the emerald and gold robes that the elders of the Flameheart clan wore, but that didn’t hide the fact that she had an appetizing figure.

“Maria, my wife!”

Nova instantly ran and shouted. All of the Flameheart members saw him, but he ignored them and approached the woman. The woman continued to walk as if she didn’t notice him approaching her.

“Hey, Maria.”

He started walking beside her completely ignoring the weird stares he was getting from everyone around him.

“Uncle…..You just walked into enemy forces and joined them….”

Momo held her head watching her uncle.

“Nova.”

Maria turned and looked at him only after he started circling her.

“Yes.”

“Go away.”

“Ugh?!”

Nova held his chest and fell to the ground. The Flameheart members behind him stopped and looked troubled as if wondering what to do.

“You can just step over him. Treat him like a pebble in the street.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

The members started stepping over Nova, continuing their march.

“Hahahaha!”

Alec burst out laughing while pointing at Nova.

“Idiot, she might be your wife but now isn’t the time.”

Sasha said. Nero approached his son who lay on the ground like a log.

“Come son, life goes on.”

He held Nova by his leg and drag him into the courthouse.

“Man, it’s always a show when Nova and Nero are together.”

Alec was still laughing.

“Don’t you agree, Aeon?”

Beside him was Aeon who also looked amused by what he saw.

“Yeah, I’m proud to have them as my grandfather and uncle.”

“Most people wouldn’t say that after what just happened you know.”

Kirika said.

“Really? I guess I’m weird then.”

“Isn’t everybody in this clan weird?”

Momo said.

“Good point.”

“Lord Krow has arrived!”

Someone shouted and drew everyone’s attention. Krow was seen walking by himself with a calm demeanor. In fact, if someone didn’t announce his arrival, he would’ve probably gone unnoticed.

“I’m amazed that a man of his stature and with his ambitions doesn’t walk with any fanfare at all.”

Momo mumbled.

“I think he just likes to fit in.”

Aeon joked.

“If he liked to fit in, he wouldn’t have done the things he had done and acquired such a status for himself.”

Kirika said.

“Miko is in this whole mess because of him, right?”

“In a way, yes.”

Momo answered.

“Good.”

Kirika placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. A sharp look appeared in her eyes.

“If things go south today, he’s the first one I’m cutting down.”

As if he heard her, Krow looked over at them and waved. That only angered Kirika further.

“I can’t believe I’m the one saying this to you, since it’s normal the other way around, but calm down, sister. He’s provoking you.”

Alec wore a smile on his face.

“I know.”

Kirika took a deep breath and took her hand off her hilt. Krow smiled and turned away from her.

“You know, I don’t actually hate Krow.”

Alec suddenly said.

“I actually find him intriguing.”

He had an excited look in his eyes.

“Not to mention, he’s the last son of that Augustus. I’m sure there’s a lot of secrets in his body.”

Alec wiped the drool from his mouth.

“I want to dissect him.”

“Everyone, this guy needs to have a trial as well! I’m sure he’s secretly a serial killer!”

Momo shouted while pointing at Alec.

“How rude. I don’t kill people needlessly. I use their body and soul to advance science.”

“You know, you sounded like a real serial killer just now.”

Aeon said.

“Enough playing around, you guys.”

Sasha and Leon approached the group.

“Everyone’s here. The trial is about to start.”

With the arrival of the Dragna and Flameheart clans, everyone gathered for Miko’s trial. Inside the courthouse looked like a Parliament House. It was divided into three parts to represent the Triad clans. However, one of the three parts weren’t filled. There was also a large platform that looked like it was used for a panel of judges. Sitting there were all of the branch leaders as well as Darwin.

“Ahem.”

Rouge stood up.

“Before we start I would like to address something.”

He gestured to the empty section.

“As you can see, the Saevus clan is absent from this trial. They already sent an apology stating that they couldn’t make it because an emergency has risen in the clan.”

“They bailed. Not that I blame them.”

Alec smirked.

“As such, both clans will have to act as jury. I hope that we can come to a peaceful agreement.”

He bowed and retook his seat.

“Now then.”

A person dressed in an officer uniform stepped forward.

“The trial of Gamiko Dragna the third will now commence! The defendant will now be brought into the courthouse!”

The door opposite the audience opened and people wearing the uniforms of the Demon’s Nest walked in pushing something that was covered in cloth. They stopped in front of the panel where the judges sat and faced the audience.

“Remove the cloth!”

The warden ordered his subordinates.

“……..”

They looked around with worried expressions before doing as ordered and removed the cloth.

“?!”

Eyes peeled open as the cloth was removed.

“M-Miko?”

Momo's eyes started to water as deep rage appeared in them.

“Those bastards….”

Kirika once again touched her hilt, but this time her hands were trembling.

“This is very unpleasant.”

Alec and Aeon also seemed upset. As for Luka, she couldn’t speak.

In front of everyone was a large lump of concrete, like it was a piece of wall that was broken off. On this piece of broken wall was a person, if that’s what you could call them. Their hair covered their face and swept against the floor. Their body looked like it was suffering from malnutrition as there wasn’t an ounce of fat on them. They were basically skin and bones. On their fragile body were several runes carved into their flesh. These carvings were continuously bleeding with no evidence of healing to be seen. Their twig-like limbs were nailed to the wall with 2-inch thick spikes. They were also wearing a helmet that looked like it was connected by having parts of it embedded into their flesh-like hooks.

This person before everyone’s eye was none other than Gamiko Dragna the third, Miko.

“I heard those sent to solitary confinement at the Demon’s Nest were subjected to horrendous binding, but this…. This is a whole different level.”

Darwin mumbled. Even he felt like this treatment was too inhumane.

“Ha….”

Everyone heard a small laugh and looked at where Leon and Sasha were sitting.

“Haha…Hahahahahahaha!”

Leon suddenly burst out laughing holding his head back with tears flowing from his eyes.

“Hahahahahaha!”

His hysteric laugh sent chills down everyone’s spine, especially when they saw him silently get up.

“Leon, control yourself!”

Rouge shouted.

“Hahahahahaha!”

Leon ignored him and continued to laugh.

“Hahaha…..HAAAA!”

*BOOOM*

Leon slammed his fist on the desk before him. A powerful burst of demonic power spread out and destroyed every seat in the Dragna section blowing people back at the same time. He stood there silently with his body covered in a burning crimson aura. He had become an enraged demon craving blood.

“………”

Beside him, Sasha who was terrifyingly quiet silently stood up. Her small actions immediately drew everyone’s attention. She had her head down all this time mumbling something inaudible. After a while, she silently looked up with cold black eyes.

“I’ve decided.”

She took out the pink crystal in her pouch and crashed it in her hand.

“I’m going to kill every single one of you!”