79th Adversary: The Outcast King

Later that day, Miko and the others were sitting around a table eating a grand feast prepared by Oden and his people. There were all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and meats that they never saw before laid out in front of them.

"Eat and drink and let's all celebrate our new partnership!"

Oden stood up and toasted. He sat on one end of the table while Miko sat at the other. Everyone else was lined off on either side. They all had confused expressions as they looked at the feast in front of them.

"What's wrong? Are you afraid to try new things?"

Oden asked.

"No, it's just that everything happened so fast that I can't really wrap my head around it."

Hina said.

"Yeah, why did you suddenly admit defeat?"

Jason was curious as well. As someone who was raised by Oden, he had a good understanding of his character. For Oden to kowtow in front of someone was a huge deal. This was a man who disrespected famous characters throughout history, after all. It didn't matter if they were stronger than him, his pride wouldn't allow him to bow down to another person. Yet, he bowed to Miko. That meant one thing.

Miko had completely shattered his pride, and it happened in the split second their souls clashed.

"My eyes were simply opened, that's all. I now know that despite living so long and seeing many things, there are some things that you'll never come close to understanding."

His explanation only made everyone else more curious about what he saw.

"Let's forget that."

Miko took up what looked like a drumstick and bit off a piece of it.

"We should discuss the future of your people."

He seemed to like it because he started chewing with delight in his eye.

"As I said earlier, I don't intend to treat you guys like tools. While I'll give you tasks to carry out, you're free to decline as long as you can provide a better solution or reason why you don't want to do it. I'm not a closed-minded person, so I'm willing to hear your opinions."

He took up another weird dish and started eating it. Seeing him the others started eating as well.

"That's reasonable. I don't think anyone would reject such conditions."

Oden said.

"But Miko, you seem set on the Parasite Demons. Do you perhaps have something in mind that you want them to do?"

Momo asked.

"Well, there are a few things but there's nothing major yet. I just wanted them as a part of my arsenal in case a need for their power arises."

Miko took a bite of strange fruit.

"There's also another reason."

"What's that?"

"I find them interesting and wanted to learn more about them."

He showed a childish smile.

"Why do I think that's the main reason?"

"Well, Miko has always loved strange things."

Leon said.

"Calling us strange is rude. To us, you're the strange ones."

Jason said.

"They didn't mean any harm, Jason. So stop pouting."

Layla ate with proper manners that were expected of an aristocratic lady.

"Hey, Oden."

Ace suddenly called out to Oden.

"Yes."

"Half of your people don't have personalities, right? Doesn't that make those with personalities sad?"

"Pfft!"

Sora and Hina spat out some of their food and started coughing when they heard Ace's question.

"You really have no tact do you?"

Hina frowned while wiping her mouth.

"Well, I would be lying if I said that it didn't make us sad sometimes. Especially when it's your family. Imagine not knowing what they're really like and only getting to see a robotic person."

Oden's words had a hint of loneliness in them. Sora and Hina elbowed Ace for making the mood awkward.

"Hm….Hey, Miko."

Ace turned to Miko.

"What?"

"Couldn't you supply them with bodies to take over?"

"What?"

Ace questioned came as a shock for everyone, except Miko who quietly chewed his food.

"Why do you care? I thought strangers didn't matter to you?"

"They don't, but I saw a lot of beautiful women here who are nothing but lifeless dolls. Seeing them, made me feel like it was a waste. So I was curious if you could help them out?"

"For a simple reason like that?"

Miko was amused by Ace's reason. It was a selfish reason, but it could also be seen as a noble one.

"Ace, supplying people for them to take over means sacrificing thousands of people you know. That's a sinister suggestion."

Hina said.

"True, but we've already destroyed countless lives and will destroy countless more. What's wrong with doing something sinister that will benefit our comrades?"

"...…"

Hina didn't reply. Ace's reasoning was wrong and straight psychotic, however, it was strangely convincing.

"I can do it."

"What?"

Everyone looked at Miko who was wiping his mouth.

"I said I can do it. Sinister or not, it doesn't really matter to me. If it benefits my people, I have no problem becoming a devil. Though, I'm already one."

He looked at Oden.

"The population here is 10,000 right?"

"10,453 to be exact."

"How many of them still aren't awakened?"

"Around 6000."

"6000, huh? That's more than I thought."

Miko thought about it for a bit.

"Does it have to be humans?"

"No. Any of the four races will do."

"I see. Then I'll have it arranged. And tell your people don't worry, the ones they'll devour are vile people. Just in case there are some who would develop a guilty conscience when they gain a personality."

Oden was impressed. They were indeed lots of Parasite Demons who felt guilty about devouring others to live. Some would even curse their existence. Miko was trying to be considerate towards those people.

"Thank you. I'm sure everyone will be grateful."

Oden bowed and said. He was really feeling grateful. If he had gone out of his way to kidnap thousands of people for his kin to devour, he would be hunted and eventually destroyed. His people would also be eradicated as a precaution. So he gave up and accepted their fate, but now there was hope.

"Miko, there's something I'm concerned about."

Leon spoke up.

"If you suddenly take in 10,000 Parasite Demons many will believe you're sheltering them and regard you as a great sinner."

"I know. Parasite demons are hunted worldwide and are prosecuted and enslaved. If I suddenly start sheltering them, a lot of people would get angry and come for me."

"....."

Oden was quiet.

"But I don't care. Renacido is a country of rebirth. Anyone can be reborn there, no matter how hated and prosecuted they were, I'm willing to accept them and give them a second chance at life."

Miko replied.

"Those who fit into society might look down on outcasts but I wish to embrace them and take them under my wing. If society doesn't like that, they can kiss my ass."

"Hahaha!"

Oden burst out laughing.

"I guess I didn't make a mistake in following you. I'm happy that my king is such a person."

He lifted his glass to toast Miko, who did the same for him.

"I see. Whatever you want to do, I and your mother will be behind you."

Leon said.

"Thanks."

Miko nodded.

"By the way, Oden. Do you know if there's any other place on this continent where Parasite Demons might gather?"

Oden shook his head.

"Since we're always being hunted, most of us are always moving. We were lucky to find this paradise where we can live freely. As long as the guardians are here, no one will think of coming here to cause trouble."

"I see. I thought that with the Parasite Queen declaring all of you her family, you'll have more freedom."

"Parasite Queen Paige resides on the Beast Continent. Parasite demons on the Beast Continent are mostly fine, but everywhere else is hell for us. And not all of us can make it to the beast continent anyway."

Oden said.

"Parasite Queen Paige is a Deicider like Nero and Nova, right? I never thought she was a Parasite Demon, although it's in her name."

Hina said with some embarrassment.

"Paige's Deicider title is She Who Steals From The Blessed. Many interrupt it as she has the ability to steal powers which is true, but she barely makes an appearance. So that's why you didn't know."

Leon said.

"Either way, not even she can protect everyone. But someone else might."

Miko said with a sly smile.

"So when are we leaving?"

Layla asked.

"I don't know."

"You don't know? But we already got the Parasite Demons."

"True, but after coming to this jungle my motives have changed."

Miko took a sip of champagne and placed the cup back on the table.

"Now I want everything. I want this entire jungle."

"What?"

Even his father was caught off by Miko's words.

"This is the border for several countries, yet you want to claim it?"

He asked.

"That's right. Those living here can't live in society in peace, right? Then they fall under the people I want under my wing. Since I'm here, why not take them too."

"...…"

Everyone was quiet as they started to wonder if Miko was serious. But they immediately knew from the smile on his face he seriously wanted to claim this massive jungle with countless monsters for himself. This was a grand ambition.

"Hahaha! I really made the right choice!"

Oden started laughing again. As if his laughter was contagious, the others began to laugh again.

"I'm up for anything."

"Let's do it."

"Go hard or go home, huh?"

"I smell a lot of battles from here on out."

Miko smiled.

"Enjoy the feast Oden prepare for us, Renacido. Today marks the first day of our grand conquest!"

He stood up and lifted his cup.

"We'll conquer this jungle and then on to the world!"

He shouted.

"To Rebirth (Renacido)!"

"To Rebirth!"