Gael. For the first time in a long while, hundreds of people were gathered in the streets and there weren’t any signs of fighting among them. There was only one reason for this. Today everyone was there to hear an address from the man who now controls this country, the man who is basically their new king and god in the underworld.

They were there to hear an address from Miko.

“To think the one who ended up succeeding Nebulous was the man who killed him.”

“I think it makes sense, you know. Throughout history, there are countless examples of a king being succeeded by his murderer. Although that’s more Usurping than succeeding.”

People who were in the crowd gathered started talking among themselves.

“No, Miko really succeeded Darius. I heard Nebulous was really a two-man unit with Darius Flameheart and Layla Song. Layla now works for Miko and even supplied him with all of Darius’ assets.”

“I heard that as well. I also met Layla Song once when Renacido destroyed the gang I belonged to before. Let me say this, that woman is no joke. You could tell that she really ran this empire’s underworld.”

“Wait a minute….Isn’t she a part of the Song Family that officially owned Gael? Then doesn’t that mean Gael is rightfully hers? And now she works for Miko…..Doesn’t that mean Miko can legally rule Gael through her?”

“……..”

Those talking in the crowd became silent. They felt like they discovered a cunning plot, one that they were sure that Miko came up with.

“….Our boss is truly something isn’t he?”

That was all they could say after a while.

The crowd was gathered in the center of Gael, where the town Mainz once stood before it was destroyed when Hina’s powers went out of control. It was the town Hina and Layla were originally from and was the most peaceful area in the country. Currently, the town was in ruins after the battle that occurred there almost a decade ago. During the violent period when everyone was fighting for control of the underworld, this place became the favorite place to hide out after losing the battle for Crime God. Many came here to recover their strength before heading back into battle.

There was a massive monitor and a stage at the front of the crowd and everyone was now waiting for Miko and the rest of Renacido to come out.

“Hm? Here he comes!”

Someone pointed at the stage and shouted. Everyone saw Miko walk onto the stage dressed in an azure blazer, black undershirt, black pants and shoes, and an azure belt with a buckle of a crow and a dragon. He looked both casual and professional at once. He walked to the center of the stage and stood there with a smile. The monitor behind him came on and projected his figure to those far away from the stage.

Several more monitors started appearing across Gael and the empire. Everyone was confused at first, but they quickly gave the monitors their full attention after seeing Miko.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m sure all of you already know who I am, so I won’t introduce myself. Instead, I’ll cut to the chase and tell you why I am addressing you.”

Miko spoke with a smirk.

“I’m taking full control of Gael and as of now declare it the country of rebirth, Renacido.”

“?!”

Miko’s words sent shockwaves across the empire.

“Renacido? So it wasn’t a gang but instead a country?”

“Hey, can he do that?”

“I don’t think so….”

“Are the three clans going to allow this?”

“Won’t this lead to war? I mean, he’s literally stealing a country here.”

Such talks simultaneously occurred across the empire.

“Of course, I’m expecting opposition, however, what I’m doing is completely legal by our empire’s standards.”

Layla walked onto the stage wearing a silver slit dress.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Layla Song, the sole survivor of the Song Family which ruled Gael for hundreds of years.”

She took something out of her dress pocket. It was a piece of paper.

“This is a contract signed by the Triad Royal Families back when Gael was first absorbed into the Dragna empire. It states here that the Dragna empire owns Gael as one of its states. It also grants the then royal family all authority over the country as long as they don’t do anything that would negatively affect the empire as a whole.”

“There was a document like that?”

Someone asked.

“The Song Family was the royal family back then, and I’m the direct heir to the family as well as the sole survivor. Which means by law, I own Gael and can govern it as I wish.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Layla smiled.

“I now declare myself as the head of the Song Family, and the first thing I wish to do as the family head…”

She pointed at Miko.

“I appoint Miko as my representative, meaning that his words are my words.”

“Hahaha!”

Nero, who was at the royal palace, laughed while watching the broadcast.

“Good move, Miko. However, that alone won’t make it possible to gain Gael. There are many ways to break agreements.”

He grinned.

“But I think you already know that.”

“Let me make this clear. I’m not declaring Renacido an independent state, it is still a part of the Dragna empire. So this is in no way a rebellion against the crown.”

Miko stepped out and said.

“And for those who think that they can use the clause that stated the crown can retake Gael if the Song Family is accused of trying to harm the empire.”

He smirked.

“You can challenge me, but you all seem to be forgetting something very important here.”

He pointed at himself.

“I am Tiamat’s proxy. Let me repeat. I’m the proxy of this empire’s matriarch progenitor. This means that I was chosen by our patron goddess, the one we all worship and pray to. Who is the royal family to say that giving the country to me, who was chosen by the heavens, will negatively affect the empire as a whole?”

“Hahahaha!”

Nero burst out laughing again, but this time he was applauding Miko.

“That’s it, that’s the right answer. Despite everything, you are still Tiamat’s proxy. She chose you out of countless other people. Who are we to criticize her judgment? Going against her will be seen as blasphemy in the eyes of her worshipers.”

He leaned back in his throne.

“Religious faith is a dangerous thing, one that you shouldn’t mess with. People will kill without a second thought if it’s for their religion. Fanatics are really scary. Granny is this empire’s goddess, which means she has millions of devotees willing to follow her every word. Everyone seemed to look down on how much influence her proxy can have. It’s like they forgot why we tried to obtain her proxy for so many years.”

He wore an amused expression on his face.

“He who controls religion controls the people. That means Miko’s next move should be…..”

A golden light covered the skies of the empire.

*Roar!*

A roar resounded across the land. It sent chills down the spines of those who heard it.

“L-Look!”

People turned their gaze to the sky. Something was emerging from behind the clouds. It was an azure dragon with a golden mane that shone as bright as the sun. The azure scales looked like the most beautiful of gems, and its golden eyes looked like they had the sun trapped within them. This majestic dragon was Tia’s dragon form.

“Oh!”

Eyes quivered in their heads as the citizens gazed upon the heavenly beast above them.

“The Most High!”

Millions fell to their knees and bowed with the utmost respect. Many of them prayed while others shed tears of joy. Even the criminals at Gael bowed before the goddess in the sky.

(My people.)

Tia’s voice traveled across the empire.

“My lord!”

“Tiamat!”

Just speaking two words caused people to weep and scream out her name with reverence.

(I have chosen Miko to be my representative, someone to guide you, my people to a better future. Please, I ask you to give him a chance to prove himself. Let him prove that I wasn’t wrong to choose him. Can you all do that for me?)

People looked at each other, a bit hesitant. However, another look at their god blew that hesitation away.

“As the Most High wishes!”

A thunderous roar shook the empire.

(I see. Thank you. I promise you that you’ll see a better future.)

Tia disappeared from the sky soon after speaking, yet millions still bowed before the heavens, drunk from witnessing their god in her grace.

“……..”

Miko stood on the stage, looking at the people bowing before him and smiled.

“Faith, huh? There will be a time when you all will bow down to me in a similar fashion.”

He turned turns the sky and chuckled.

“As if. Faith and religion are a pain in the ass. The last thing I want is to be revered as a god. I prefer to be feared and avoided like his adversary (Satan).”

Elsewhere, Krow had just finished watching Miko’s address inside his room. He had an amused expression on his face.

“Not bad, Miko, not bad at all.”

He quietly applauded.

“With this, you’ve gained the footing you need to build your stronghold. However, this tactic will only buy you time. Some couldn’t care less about what Tiamat decided and who she chose. They’ll cause trouble for you when they get the chance. Then again, I think you already know that.”

He turned off the monitor and picked up his father’s sword.

“Now then….”

Before him, a rip appeared in space and a world of exotic beings and monsters appeared before him. The sky was purple, the rivers were gold, and the air was overflowing with a heavenly fragrance.

“I’ll be back after conquering this place and making it my own. I’m looking forward to see what you’ll accomplish when I’m back years from now.”

He put one foot in the portal and glanced back.

“The day I return is the day this empire falls.”

A grin crawled on his face.

“I hope you people will be able to put up a good fight then.”

He stepped inside and disappeared inside the portal. The space was repaired, leaving no signs that it was ripped apart.

Renacido, formerly known as Gael.

“You actually took the country. I’m impressed.”

Miko was at Layla’s former base talking with Momo and the others.

“With this, the triad clans are going to watch us like a hawk. It’s pretty exciting really.”

Ace said.

“So, what’s next?”

“Next is fortifying Renacido as a country that can survive on its own.”

Miko replied.

“Then, we really are aiming to become an independent state?”

Hina asked.

“Of course. The empire has too many people who have a say in what direction it will go in. I don’t want those people making decisions for Renacido, so we’ll become independent. That being said, Independence will take time.”

“There are many things to consider when forming a country. We need funds, military force, and a stable economy. Only when we have all these we can ensure a stable country.”

Hina said.

“There’s also the issue of population. Because of the war and the reputation Miko held, a lot of people left Gael. Currently, the population is less than half what it used to be.”

Layla said.

“Even if we concentrate all of our subordinates from across the empire it wouldn’t be enough to stand on its own. Not to mention that would negatively impact our influence in the empire if we gathered everyone here.”

“It would most likely lead to people scrambling to take control of the newly freed territories, thus bringing us back to square one.”

Said Regis.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already started making moves to fix our problems, that includes our population issue.”

Miko turned to Jason who was silent in the corner.

“Did you make contact?”

“Yeah, they say that they’re willing to hear you out.”

Jason replied.

“Good.”

Miko stood up and look at every one.

“Everyone, Renacido is a country of rebirth, which means it’s a place where people can come to start over and be reborn anew. I wish to create such a free country. I’m creating this country for those who have been cast away by society and are viewed as the abnormal and the outcast.”

He placed his hand over his heart.

“I’m making a country for the outcasts; humans and monsters alike.”

He smiled.

“We already have the humans, so it’s time to invite the monsters.”