73rd Adversary: Miko’s Comeback!

"You'll walk out here unharmed without us being able to do anything?"

"Are you insane?!"

"Today's the day you die, brat!"

The Flameheart members naturally reacted negatively to Miko's declaration.

"Oh, you don't believe me?"

Miko didn't seem bothered by their hostile words. He became silent for a while before a huge smile appeared on his face.

"Then bear witness!"

*Bam!*

The courthouse doors swung open as if they were kicked in. Everyone turned to see who it was. There they saw two young girls, one who looked identical to Miko, and the other who had tomboyish good looks. They were both dressed in tuxedoes and had bold smiles on their faces.

"Who's that?"

"One of them looks like a Dragna member, but I've never seen them before."

"In the first place, there's another person who looks like Nero other than Miko and Nova?"

Everyone in the courtroom started speculating on the identities of the two girls.

"The great Ishmavael has made an appearance for the first time in 10,000!"

Ishma shouted at the top of her lungs before she burst out laughing.

"This isn't about you."

Regis said.

"Nonsense! This is always about me!"

"Ishmavael?!"

The Branch Leaders and Krow all reacted with shock. They were the only ones who seemed to know who Ishma was.

"Impossible. Ishmavael is supposed to be sealed off in the treasury underground."

Krow mumbled.

"Nero, what's the meaning of this? When did Ishmavael leave the treasury? Also, who is that child who looks like you?"

Alexus asked Nero.

"I have no idea."

That was all Nero said. He wasn't lying. He really didn't know what was going on.

"Could it be that father had another secret child?"

Nova mumbled.

"Brr!"

Nero suddenly felt like he was dipped naked in a frozen lake. He looked and saw that Kimiko was glaring at him.

"My beautiful wife, I swear to you that isn't my kid! Now that I look clearly, isn't she a regalia?!"

Nero quickly shouted.

"Regalia?"

"Then that's Miko regalia?"

Everyone looked at Regis with curious eyes. A living regalia was rare, but a humanoid living-type was almost nonexistent. Even the three Deiciders there had only met less than 10 individuals with that type of regalia over several thousand years.

"Then, that other girl is connected to Miko as well?"

"She seems to be important since the branch leaders reacted the way she did."

People started discussing among themselves again.

"Miko, who is that Ishmavael person? Is she connected to you?"

Kimiko asked Miko, who was smiling from ear to ear.

"Ishma was a famous demon during the War For Supremacy. She was the sister of Augustus' Right Hand who was said to rival him in power, Ajax Diabolus. She's the daughter of Lucifer, Ishmavael Diabolus."

"Lucifer?!"

"Then she's a True Devil?!"

Ishma's origins were something that no one could've predicted. Just like Kimiko, she was the daughter of a Higher Being and wasn't just any Higher Being. It was the Supreme King of Hell, the leader of all demons, Lucifer.

"If she's here that means she made a contract with Miko to become his partner."

Krow mumbled.

"Hm?"

Ishma looked over at Krow. A confused expression appeared on her face.

"Aren't you Augustus' brat? I'm surprised that a crybaby like yourself is still alive. I thought that you would've died in a ditch a long time ago."

Ishma started laughing.

"I'm honored you remembered me, Ishma. I was indeed a crybaby back then, but now even you are nothing in my eyes."

Krow replied with a sly smile.

"Oh? You've gained a sharp tongue after so many years."

Ishma narrowed her eyes.

"How about I cut it out for you?"

Tension started building between the two.

"I don't think you can. Unlike the rest here, I know the conditions on which you can form a contract with someone. All of your strength from your prime is sealed off and you only can be as strong as your owner. In other words, you're only as strong as Miko."

Krow looked over at Regis.

"I believe it's the same with you. You're only as strong as your owner. Meaning, if Miko wields you two it would be like it's three of him. That's not enough to harm me in the least."

"Oh?"

Those who started to panic once again calm down.

"Is this your trump card?"

"Forget three of you, even if it was a thousand of you, you can't escape this situation!"

"Hahahaha!"

Miko laughed in response to the crowd's words.

"Who said that we're his trump cards?"

Regis asked. She and Ishma instantly turned in strands of light and appeared in front of Miko.

"Stop them!"

The warden shouted, but it was too late.

*Clang!*

Ishma and Regis transformed their arms into blades and cut the thick chains that were connected to Miko's limbs.

"Heh."

Miko grinned under everyone's shocked gazes.

"Ah!"

He grunted and poured power into his limbs.

*Bam!*

Suddenly his twig-like limbs bulked up and tripled in size, and azure scales started appearing on his body.

*Bam!*

Miko pulled his limbs and broke the wall he was nailed down and forcibly tore himself free. He stood in front of everyone with a proud look. His body was reduced in size, but he no longer was skin and bones. He looked like his old healthy self.

"Impossible! The runes carved on his body are meant to restrict his magic and vita usage! So how was he able to break free so forcibly?!"

The warden looked at Ishmavael and Regis.

"And those chains, they were made of anti-magic material! How were you able to cut it?!"

"Calm down, Warden."

Miko started stretching his body.

"You all just failed to know who you were dealing with."

He smiled.

"It's not your fault for being incompetent."

"You!"

"If you're wondering how I broke free…I just flexed my muscles a bit."

Miko started laughing.

"Miko's free!"

"Stop him before he escapes!"

People moved to capture Miko, while some moved to protect him. They all stopped when they saw that Miko had taken a seat on a piece of the concrete.

"He's not trying to escape?"

"I told you didn't I? I'm gonna walk out here unharmed with all of you watching. I can't do that if I run, now can I?"

He smirked.

"Besides, I'm waiting on my ride."

"Your ride?"

"Miko!"

A loud voice echoed in the room. Everyone once again looked at the door and saw five people standing there. They were Hina, Sora, Ace, Layla, and Jason. Many people there recognized these five since they were all somewhat famous in the empire.

"Layla?!"

This time Darwin was shocked to see Layla appear in this place.

"And my ride arrived."

Miko smiled and said.

"Layla Song, it's Layla Song!"

"Song? You mean the Songs that ruled Gael? She's alive?!"

"So they decided to come out of hiding?"

Krow frowned.

"Layla Song was Darius Flameheart's lover, right? Why is she here?"

"Attention, everyone. I would like to introduce these five to you."

Miko sat on the concrete with Regis and Ishma and spoke.

"The first three on the right are Hinami Akume, Sora, and Ace. You all should've heard at least one of their names before. They're all famous in this empire after all."

"Akume…"

"It's that musician everyone's talking about…"

"Ace….Isn't he the top player on Dreamscape in the empire?"

Everyone reacted to the three. Miko pointed at Jason.

"This is NoFace, a former subordinate Darius, who was pretty much the backbone of operations."

"NoFace, I heard of him. He's supposed to be Nebulous top subordinate."

Miko then pointed at Layla.

"I'm sure you all already know her. She's the daughter of the Song Family which owned Gael, Layla Song."

He grinned.

"She's also Darius' lover and longtime partner. Together the two formed Nebulous. Meaning she's Nebulous other half."

"There was another Nebulous? Then Darius wasn't alone."

"But why is she with Miko?"

Miko spoke again.

"These five are my first subordinates."

Miko's words caused an uproar. Every one of those five was incredible in their own way and would make great subordinates to have.

"Layla, why are you siding with Miko? He's the one who killed Darius."

Darwin asked.

"Long time no see, Lord Darwin."

Layla stepped forward.

"What you said is indeed the truth, Miko indeed killed Darius."

"Then why?"

"Because it's Darius' will. Darius asked me to not accompany him to the afterlife just yet, and assist Miko, who he recognized as his successor."

"Successor?"

Everyone started looking at each other with confused expressions.

"Yes. Darius admitted that his life was a failure and that it had become a living hell. So he decided to entrust his everything to Miko and served as his first stepping stone to the top."

"Nonsense! This woman is lying! She probably set up the Young Master!"

A Flameheart member shouted.

"I set Darius up?"

Layla showed a bloodthirsty glare.

"Don't insult the love and dedication I had towards Darius. I'll kill you."

"?!"

The Flameheart member stepped back in face of her terrifying gaze.

"Layla would be the last one to set up my son. I can guarantee that."

Darwin said.

"Thank you, Lord Darwin."

"However, this still doesn't pardon Miko's action of killing a noble. Also, we don't know if you're being threatened or manipulated by anyone."

Darwin said.

"Well, that's fair. But you're free to believe what you wish."

Miko stood up. Hina walked over to him and gave him some clothes to put on. He got dressed in front of everyone and took off the rags he was wearing and was now wearing a sharp black suit with an azure undershirt and black tie. Regis and Hina went behind him and styled his long wild hair into a ponytail.

"Now then, I should get going."

"I still don't understand why you think you can just walk out here. You're still a criminal who should be executed for his crimes."

Darwin said.

"You don't? Then let me ask you all this. Is Darius Flameheart truly dead?"

"What?"

Miko's question angered the people there. They held a funeral for Darius themselves, yet his murderer was asking if he was dead. It was unforgivable.

"Then let me ask a different question. What makes a person them? Their personality? Their memories? Their emotions? Or is it all of them?"

"What are you getting at, Miko?"

Ecko asked.

"You all should know that I have the ability to mess with people's minds to some extent, that's why you said Layla could've been manipulated by me. But how many of you know if I connect too deeply with someone I'll be influenced by their personality and emotions?"

"You don't mean…."

People were starting to understand what Miko was getting at.

"That's right. While fighting Darius I tapped into his mind and our very souls were linked influencing each other. We inherited each other's memories, emotions, and personalities. In other words, we basically fused."

"What?!"

Most people in the room were shocked. They couldn't believe what they just heard.

"Don't believe me?"

Miko closed his eyes and calmed down his breath. He reopened his eyes, and everyone immediately felt a severe change in him.

"Yo, Jeffery. Do you remember when I was 11 and you lost your favorite mug? Yeah, I accidentally broke it."

"You little! Do you know how long I had that mug?!"

"Ahh! Father, help me! Jeffery is going to kill me!"

"Jeffery it's only a mug. You don't need to get so upset."

"Just mug? He's always breaking-"

Jeffery paused and looked around. He noticed that everyone was looking at him and Darwin weirdly.

Miko stood there with a smug look.

"See? You thought that you were talking to Darius just now, didn't you? Even though you know it shouldn't be possible, your heart told you otherwise. That's the spiritual connection that Flamehearts experiences when talking to a loved one."

Jeffery and Darwin couldn't say anything. They reacted to Miko as if he was Darius with one sentence. They couldn't explain what happened no matter how they thought about it.

"Let me repeat. I have inherited all of Darius' emotions, personality, and MEMORIES."

Miko emphasizes on memories for everyone to hear.

"Meaning I know everything he knew. Everything."

"....."

Flamehearts became quiet. Darius was their heir so he was taught most of the clan's secrets, and now those belong to Miko. Miko obviously was making this clear. At this moment, he was threatening the entire clan. If they defy him, he would spill their secrets, and some of those secrets could cause the clan's destruction depending on who heard them.

They couldn't touch him.

However, the Flamehearts weren't the only ones nervous. A lot of Dragna members had dealings with Darius as Nebulous. Some really dark and nasty dealings that could get them arrested or exiled from the clan.

"Miko took control of the situation."

Alec said with a chuckle. Kirika slowly sheathed her swords, after sensing that the atmosphere had changed.

"Now then…"

Miko started to leave with everyone.

"Hm?"

But he was blocked from leaving. He looked at the person who blocked him with a cold gaze.

"A good dog knows when not to block the road, Krow."

Krow looked at him with a smile.

"No, I'm not blocking you. It's just that I wanted to applaud you. You completely turned the situation around in your favor. Bravo."

"Krow, like I said earlier. I've fused with Darius, meaning that I feel the same way about you as him."

"Oh? And?"

"And, let me make this clear."

Miko showed a wild grin.

"I will kill you."

"Oh? What a coincidence."

Krow also showed a beastly grin.

"I was about to tell you the same thing."

"I see."

Miko walked passed him.

"Let's see who'll be put 6ft under first."

Miko continued walking until he left the courthouse. Everyone was silently in the room for a long time.

"…..He actually walked out here unharmed and we couldn't do anything."

Someone said.

There were a lot of different emotions everyone was feeling after everything that just happened. Fear, admiration, disgust, envy, wrath. These were all things people were feeling toward Miko.

"OHHHHH!"

Suddenly an earth-shattering roar came from outside and caused the building to shake.

"What's happening?!"

"It's coming from outside!"

Everyone started running outside the courthouse. When they came out they looked around and were frightened when they looked outside the palace walls.

There they saw a sea of people surrounding the palace. They all looked rugged like thugs but were all dressed in suits and armed from head to toe. There were also countless armored vehicles lined off in a straight line serving as borders, leaving a path from the palace straight out of the capital.

"W-What the hell?"

"What is this?"

"An invasion?!"

"How did this many people enter the city without us knowing?!"

Everyone that was in the courthouse started panicking. That's when they saw someone walking down the path made from the sea of people. When the members of the Dragna clan saw this holy figure they all felt the urge to bow down.

This figure was none other than their mother goddess, Tiamat.

"Granny?"

"I wondered where she was, but this is something else."

The Branch Leaders were also surprised to see their grandmother after so many thousands of years.

"Look! There's Miko!"

Miko was walking down the path with Hina and the others behind him. He walked up to Tia with a smile.

"Miko, no, God of Crime. Your subordinates have all come to welcome your return."

Tia's voice projected to every part of the empire, as news of this massive gathering of criminals and thugs had long become a hot topic in the empire.

"Subordinates?! All of them?!"

"I see. So that's how they snuck in undetected. Tiamat hid everything that was going on outside from us."

Kimiko said.

"Do you have any words you wish to say?"

Layla asked Miko. Miko looked around at those from his trial who was watching from behind the palace walls.

"Renacido! The old era is officially dead!"

He spread his arms.

"From now on, it's our era!"

"OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!"

The city shook under the shouts of the Renacido who numbered in the tens of thousands. The shouts struck fear in the hearts of countless people. Everyone began to wonder just what was about to begin.

Miko had a broad smile on his face as he spoke again.

"Renacido, let's go back to our Gangster's Paradise!"

"YES, DON!"

The city once again shook because of their shouts. The sea of people then started to move in the same direction. It looked like a receding wave from afar. Those who were watching saw countless powerful vehicles drive away and even saw fighter jets and helicopters flying in the skies, all heading in the same direction as Renacido.

Everyone there knew. This was a display of power. Miko was showing them the power and influence that he had. He was boldly telling them that he had the power to turn this empire on its head, and he wasn't afraid to use it.

This was the actions of a tyrant.

A lot of people began thinking the same thing.

"This might truly be his era."

Flameheart Resentment Arc End!!!

Renacido/Rebirth Country Arc Start!!!!