EPISODE 3: MEETING FOR THE FUTURE

Summary: Taking his rightful place as the Holy Emperor of the Misurugi Empire, Julio attempts to recruit the monster no humans dare associate with…

Note: Other than this chapter, I also drew something for Halloween: redkhii/art/Cross-Ange-Hell-O-Ween-991290875

Disclaimer: I don't own Cross Ange or any of its characters and original plot, excluding the original characters I created for this story. This is a spin-off series of the main 'Cross Ange: Living Hell' story. So please read that before here.

Cross Ange and all its rights belong to King Records (Japan), Sentai Filmworks (USA), and Sunrise/ Bandai Namco Entertainment (Japan). This fanfiction is meant for entertainment only and not for profit. This story contains heavy language, blood and violence, and mild sexual themes not for audiences under 16-18 years old.

Today marks the first morning that Holy Emperor Julio walked through his Imperial Palace proud in all his glory and without hiding his disgust he had to keep himself for sixteen years now that the filth of his sister is no longer around, with his trusted servant and confidant alongside the Captain of the Royal Guards joining his side from behind. Ever since leaving his chambers with his aide while his attention mostly focused on his Mana screen, Julio couldn't help but smirk a wickedly delightful one when he and Riza walked past the hallways where servants and guards initially do their duties but stopped in fear of seeing their new ruler bow and greet his arrival, knowingly afraid for their lives at stake and not anger the young Emperor to receive a terrible punishment or death before resuming once Julio and Riza head their way to the dining room for their breakfast. So far, despite wanting to, Julio decided to spare his uncles and aunt from sharing his disgraceful father's public fate that will commence tonight with the entire Misurugi Empire spectating, starting the slow cleansing of the royal family's deception and born anew to be a purer land than it was when Angelise unknowingly stained it with her hands all her life.

"Riza. How are Sylvia and Momoka?" Julio demanded, not looking away from the Mana screen he was watching from in front and following his direction during the walk.

"I've checked that Lady Sylvia has woken up but wishes to stay in her chamber until she calms down from her fright, while Momoka is still mourning her ex-mistress," Riza informs, secretly peeking at Julio's Mana screen showing video footage of a young boy and girl playing with their toys, making them alive with Mana, while calling themselves as either the Norma Killer and Empress of Misurugi or Emperor Julio and Riza.

'Hmph. Such child's play…' Julio mused as he read the message from the children's mother assuring the sender or any other ones of the possibly safe future and referencing him as their rightful Emperor. As much as he finds this trivial, the video reference amused him to think about the future. When the boy first calls himself the 'Norma Killer' before changing to act like Julio, secretly humbling the young man, Julio thinks about a certain soldier he shall acquire to make him serve his ruler, ever since he witnessed his ruthless but effective torture towards Norma's mother to drag them away and his unceremonious argument with Angelise.

"Riza? I think we shall proceed with what I discuss our plan tonight." Julio firmly declares with a swipe of a finger dismissing his Mana screen once he and Riza arrive in the massive dining room fit for fifteen people to join for a gathering. However, today's morning will have four instead of five since Sylvia is still recovering from yesterday. Seated in Father's initial chair at the head of the table with Riza standing behind him alongside one of the Palace's butlers who dressed differently than the others, it took three minutes for the arrival of Lords Akihide and Shinji and Lady Sayuri for their breakfast. Julio wished he could proudly snort his pleasure at his uncles and aunt's fright when they thought he would execute his flesh and blood. "Good morning, Uncle Akihide, Uncle Shinji, and Aunt Sayuri." Julio kindly addressed, almost laughing when the three adults stiffened their surprise with a muffled gasp from the meek Uncle Shinji.

"A-a-a-ah! Good morning, Julio." Uncle Akihide nervously greeted his nephew once they took their seats a bit farther from him with the servants carefully placed today's breakfast menu on the table. At first, it was silently awkward for almost everyone with Julio, Riza, and the mysterious servant ignoring the royalty and staff's appalment twitching in their faces for the former's heartless action towards his living and dead family yesterday. However, Uncle Shinji quickly calms down from his cowardice to ask Julio the first question of the morning.

"W…What are you planning to do…, Julio?"

"Ah, of course. I almost forgot to tell you all." Julio amusingly chuckled, wiping a tint of sauce off his lips with a napkin. "…Tonight, I shall both execute Father for his sixteen years of treason to our beloved people and hire the Human Killer for his services as my new bodyguard." The mention of Jurai's sentence and the Human Killer alarmed the dining room to almost gasp in their dismay with Riza and the stoic butler beside her looking slightly calmer than everyone now glaring at Julio, yet the former was confused than the others.

"Why do you think of that!?" Aunt Sayuri raised her voice, both angry and disgusted. "I care less of my brother's deserving death for your sister's filthy secret, but why would you want that foul murderer's service!?"

"I've been thinking about it ever since Angelise met the Human Killer two days ago after shooting a Norma's mother dead before dragging them to who knows where," Julio admitted, unfazed by his loud aunt's outburst. "Although it dared spew a ludicrous offer of making him a royal guard if not for my presentation yesterday, it does attract me to plan the possibility of the Human Killer serving me for the future of being Emperor."

"Absolutely not." Uncle Akihide objected, also as furious as Sayuri. "That heartless fiend is as dangerous as those creatures, using those Norma things' appearances as an excuse to gun down our kind like animals."

"Ah, but I've been reading Father's documents researching about the Human Killer and I think it is interesting," Julio affirmed, closing his eyes to hide his frustration at his annoying uncles and aunt interrogating him. "From what I've read; the Human Killer was public at the young age of thirteen and ruled this 'Haven' nation for more than a decade when its previous founder passed long ago. Perhaps, once I find a way to contact and invite the Human Killer in to perhaps assist me in executing Father tonight, I can communicate with him for my plans."

"Well, your plans to invite that monster would be futile, Julio." Sayuri snapped. "No one has ever found the Human Killer's homeland and bore his contact information, so it is impossible even to you."

From her position, Riza could guess that Julio was trying to hide his aggravation for his rude uncle and aunt, excluding his other cowardly uncle watching their argument in fear, but making sure to hide her increasing curiosity for this Human Killer. A human, publicly killing both his kind and Norma? What are his intentions? And why do the other humans despise him other than his job? Out of everyone inside the castle besides Julio, Riza could ask the one person beside her that she could openly discuss it with.

"Sir Daigorou? I'm afraid I am clueless about this Human Killer. Can you tell me a bit about him?" Riza whispered to the white-haired, blue-eyed butler, dressed differently than the other servants for his customized, formal green attire. Although peculiar in his stoic demeanour hiding his true thoughts even from the royal family, Riza is slowly familiar with Daigorou more than the other servants for he is the one who willingly assisted her when she first started her duties serving as Captain of the Guards and Julio's confidant.

"Oh, yes. You've been serving Lord Julio for two months. So, you don't know…" Daigorou quietly recalled, seeing Riza nodding her agreement and appreciation before he explained out of the living royal family's ears. "Other than what Lord Julio mentioned, the Human Killer and his people's main duties are to apprehend and punish or execute traitorous humans who rather save their Norma daughters and friends from being sent to where they go, even fight who were once their family and friends that do want Norma to be taken away. Although the Human Killer received the world's scorn for his heartless actions, he does serve the world leaders as their on-and-off soldier with the former Emperor Jurai and Empress Sophia being the only ones who know the Human Killer's contact information and speak with him on multiple occasions." Julio heard his parents' names and the Human Killer which attracted him to look behind his seat and see Riza and Daigorou conversing with each other.

"So, the former Emperor and Empress interacted with the Human Killer? And you seem to know more about him as well." Riza exclaimed, noticing a hint or two from his explanation.

"Of course…We've been friends ever since we were kids, even before he became the Human Killer." Daigorou immediately confirmed, surprisingly collected and sincere enough that his words and expression made the entire dining room silent but felt a strong feeling of shock that shot into everyone's minds and hearts, even Julio was surprised but not as dismayed as almost everyone now eying at the butler. He…is friends with the Human Killer!? Since kids!?

"You, servant!" Akihide raised from his seat and pointed a finger at Daigorou in anger. "You dare expect us to believe you of ALL PEOPLE call yourself a friend to the damned Human Killer!? You will be punished severely for a blatant lie!" Despite his uncle's harsh threat, Julio is surprised and impressed to see Daigorou unfazed by his stoicism.

"I'm not. I can call him right now as proof." Daigorou calmly reassured, summoning a Mana screen to start a non-video call.

"D-Don't you dare…" Sayuri almost finished her warning when everyone heard Daigorou's Mana call ringing a few times, almost everyone but Daigorou, Julio, and Riza prayed that it would be rejected or ignored….until the call switched on with the sudden sounds of a loud thump and a gunshot alarmed everyone but Daigorou, releasing a terrified gasp from Shinji Misurugi's mouth of the unexpected noises just when everyone has sworn they heard a tired groan coming from the other line.

"…Hello? Daigorou?" Julio almost gasped his astonishment. Despite the cold and weary tone, as if he had just woken up, he recognized the Human Killer's voice from two days ago.

"Good morning, Human Killer." Daigorou nonchalantly greeted, continuing to surprise everyone for boldly calling the human murderer a friend which he proved of his truth. "I'm sorry for waking you up and making you fall off your bed with your gun as always, despite the timing."

"Nah…At least it's you, man. What's up?" The Human Killer's voice yawned with a few quiet groans in pain from possibly stretching himself and falling off the bed, according to Daigorou. 'Such vulgarity.' Sayuri scrunched her nose in disgust shared by her brother-in-law for the Human Killer's inelegance.

"Just want to call you to prove the new Emperor Julio of our relationship, for initially assuming it is a lie. But I thought you're supposed to be heading to Rosenblum for your mission." Daigorou exclaimed, subtly raising his right eyebrow in confusion at what attracted Julio to also react in curiosity. Why would the Human Killer have a mission in Rosenblum? Initially silent, the Human Killer tiredly spoke in anger.

"…I don't care about the mission…but who the fuck thought that we're not best friends?"

"Emperor Julio's uncle, Lord Akihide Misurugi." Daigorou curtly answered, not seeing the older Misurugi man shuddered in bafflement and felt his younger brother grabbing his left hand in fright.

"Thanks for waking me up, man. Message me if you want to see me when I'm done with Rosenblum. See ya…" The Human Killer reassured with one last yawn before the call ended once Daigorou flicked his fingers dismissing his Mana screen and saw mixed horror and anger from everyone.

"…I hope this proves that I am not deceiving you, Your Holiness." Daigorou calmly bowed to Julio, who flinched with a startled gasp but hurriedly smiled his pleasure for this servant. Despite knowing him as odd and improper, Julio does find him amusing even before the revelation of his friendship with the Human Killer and even immediately calls him his proper title after Riza.

"Ah, thank you Daigorou. I'm sure that you can hand me the Human Killer's Mana number after breakfast for tonight." Julio acknowledged, seeing Daigorou silently nod his acceptance but something he just noticed from that call attracted Julio to ask the white-haired man standing straight. The two, three if including Riza, are ignoring the three adults gawking their fear and fury at the two men. "Oh, yes. Why did you call your best friend with his title than his name?"

"When we were children and after the Human Killer was public, we willingly decided to omit his real name whenever we do our work. We don't want people to know his real name and I respect that." Daigorou answered, not once shifting his expressions that could manipulate anyone of his true feelings.

"Pah! Not even if we, at the top of the world's hierarchy, demand for his identity as an order!?" Uncle Akihide barked.

"No." Daigorou again angered Akihide and Sayuri with his one-word response and not looking them in the eye to focus on Julio with a black-gloved hand on his chest. "However, Your Holiness. If I can invite him to visit us for tonight's event, I can discuss with him if he is willing to give you his real name, if you offer him to serve you just as he served your parents." That immediately surprised but quickly delighted Julio to rise from his seat, planning to leave.

"Ah, how excellent!" Julio beamed, terrifying the three royals and the staff in dread for this conversation fuelling Julio's dangerous plans. "Then please do send the Human Killer a message to come into the Misurugi Palace for tonight. Riza, inform the guards that we'll have our special guest in the palace."

"Yes." Riza nodded as she and Daigorou were about to follow Julio out of the dining room when Sayuri stopped them from leaving just by yelling at her nephew.

"Julio! You can't invite the Human Killer in our dear home! He will end our lives with a snap of his fingers!" A peek at Daigorou's displeased scowl confirms Julio's thoughts to smile at his furious uncles and aunt.

"Rest assured, Aunt Sayuri. I'm confident that the Human Killer will NOT harm us if Daigorou will convince him not to." Julio reassured, raising a hand at Daigorou silently bowing and nodding his agreement, doing little to ease the older adults' fury directed to the white-haired butler but unable to stop them when the three quickly walked out of the dining room, leaving the almost complete royal family and staff frozen in aghast for what they were forced to witness.

To Julio, his excitement almost burst out of the joy of executing his disgraced Father and having the Human Killer serve him.

Under the Imperial Misurugi Palace's basement, which is also a dungeon for the despicable prisoners that dare commit the highest crimes in humanity, lay the only prisoner sitting in the last cell at the end of the dungeon, secured by a pair of guards standing up front and not lay eyes and speak to the criminal, even if he is unable to move when he sullenly sat on the floor since yesterday, looking fatigued from the guards remorselessly starving him with no food due to his betrayal for hiding the truth of his Norma daughter. Even when he heard about his sentence tonight which would commence in another hour, the former emperor stayed silent to the point the guards believed and hoped that he had died out of nothing.

"How long does it take for the cleansing to start? I'm not wasting any longer guarding the traitor." The first of the two guards complained in irritation.

"We'll drag him out when Captain Riza gives us the signal." The second guard scoffed; his boredom shifted into indignation. "Did you hear that our Holy Emperor invited the Human Killer to help with tonight?" Unaware of the guards, a brief shiver stunned Jurai to subtly raise his head from brooding his melancholy for his late wife and exiled daughter.

"Yeah." The first guard nodded, also fuming in rage. "How did the bastard get in contact with Emperor Julio?"

"I heard from the staff's gossip this morning that the odd butler Daigorou is the Human Killer's best friend and that he's the one who called him with the Emperor's approval." The second guard recalled. "That brat may have served the former Emperor and Empress, but he is still nothing but a monster hellbent on killing our kind for his destructive fun."

"That prick, friends with the Human Killer?" The first guard snarled in disgust. "I know he was the only one who wasn't interested in Angelise before the truth was revealed, but I didn't know he was close to that madman."

Listening to the guards' conversation, aware they were ignoring his presence and wanted him dead, Jurai sadly pondered his surprise. Daigorou called the Human Killer here? He and Sophia knew their friendship when they met the young but broken gunner only to find out when the once sixteen-year-old boy visited the Misurugi Palace with the Haven's original ruler and reunited with Daigorou, also the same age at the time, with Julio, Angelise, and Sylvia unaware of their parents' connection with the Human Killer. Because of that, Jurai secretly asked Daigorou for updates on the Human Killer just like how he asked Momoka to serve Angelise even if she is a Norma.

"Alright, traitor! Time for your punishment!" The guard spoke and used the Light of Mana to open the cell door, he and the other guard forcefully grabbed and lifted Jurai on his knees and dragged him through the now-empty dungeon corridors. Instead of fighting back to escape, Jurai weakly but willingly accepts his cruel fate even if his son is the one to kill him.

'Sophia…Angelise…Julio…Sylvia…. I'm sorry.'

"Hang him up! Hang him up! Hang him up!"

As the Misurugi Empire chanted and cheered for both the hanging and unexpected burning of the former Emperor Jurai Asuka Misurugi caused by the Human Killer's assistance for their new Holy Emperor Julio, the entire nation was unaware that the entire sentence was being watched, not the other countries, but by the one person no one knows of his true role of their world. Inside the secret top rooms of the Dawn Pillar no one, not even its staff and servants ever knows, which is a large living room consisting of a shared kitchen, large glass windows overlooking the Misurugi Empire, and doors leading to the bedrooms, bathrooms, and office, a lone man was sitting on the couch and watching the pitiful sight at the Dawn Pillar's base with a Mana screen. With his dark green suit, grey vest, and red tie hanging at the couch's arm, the long blonde-haired man with dimly glowing aquamarine green eyes only wore his white dress shirt with elbow-rolled sleeves and retained his dark green pants and dark grey formal shoes. But unlike the people heartlessly chanting for the fool's death like ecstatic imps, instead of blindly looking up to him before his daughter's truth, the man expressed bored displeasure when he switched his Mana off.

'Such a disgusting show.' Embryo mentally sighed his anger, disappointment, and a secret tint of sadness with his right leg slowly resting on his other and not hitting his foot knocking the red toy wagon full of children's toys, books, and child-sized pan drum-harp on the floor. Even before this whole ordeal, Embryo knows that this world is NOT how he created it. The peaceful, and kind world he hoped for became slightly like its disgusting predecessor; full of sickening, mindless and violent babies discarding their powerless girls to their deaths just because of not having powers. The former world was hellishly worse when no humans had the Light of Mana, but Embryo can still remember how humanity used to almost make them extinct for idiotic reasons. That made him want to create the World of Mana in the first place.

'I swear…with the right timing and pieces, this world will not be too late.' Embryo decided just as he blinked his eyes in surprise from feeling a tiny pair of hands gently massaging his temples from above and behind him, coming from the tiny body and legs sitting on his shoulders and head from out of nowhere. But Embryo did not stop the unexpected source when he felt the head and brain massage relaxing to close his eyes and moan from his smile in satisfaction, also feeling a slightly big child figure standing closer in front of him to gently grasp at both sides of the figure with his hands until the source finished massaging his head with a soft kiss at the back as reassurance.

"Ahhhh…thank you, Khalifa." Embryo sighed in contentment and looked to his left to see his two-year-old, blue-haired, dark-skinned toddler daughter leaning to the side with curious, glowing green and black eyes staring back even if those eyes would scare a normal person by how eery they looked. In front of Embryo when he and Khalifa turned is their eldest five-year-old son and big brother Aya, tilting his head at each side with a concerned scowl for their father's frustration they must've noticed.

"Ah, welcome back, children." Embryo chortled with a sad smile trying to hide his irritation from his innocent children, softly stroking Aya's white hair with his right hand. "How did the play go to both of you?" The answer to his question was Aya immediately narrowed his eyes and stuck his tongue out to blow a quiet raspberry.

"Not surprised." Embryo sarcastically chuckled, leisurely reaching his hands off Aya to carefully hold and lift Khalifa off his shoulders after standing off the couch, placing her to sit on the floor beside her toy wagon and gently yet playfully placing and dropping his suit on top of her head, nearly hiding her glowing blue hair under it. "I'm sorry, children. I couldn't make dinner earlier due to the execution below us ruining tonight's mood. I'll make a simple one just for tonight and I promise to make it up by cooking something special tomorrow." When he walked to the open-connected kitchen, Embryo noticed Aya hurriedly running to his side and started signing his worry about HIM.

'Don't worry, Father! It doesn't matter what we eat, as long as you're alright and not working!' Embryo mentally translated Aya's sign language assuring him as the two stood in front of the kitchen pantry once Aya finished signing and pulled one of the four chairs from the dining table, positioned it to climb and stand beside his father, tempting to help him cook. That, and hearing the sudden soothing melody of harp and pan drums from Khalifa strumming her customized instrument, made Embryo smile in ambivalence. Other than being intelligent and mature for their ages, Aya and Khalifa cared for their father's welfare the same as he does for them and more earnestly than the world leaders' so-called sympathy.

"Thank you, Aya, Khalifa." Embryo thanked before gathering the ingredients and seasonings from the fridges and cabinets, with the man and boy letting their daughter and sister expertly play her pan-drum harp, trying to drown their ears from the ongoing chants from outside with beautiful percussions. Unlike the other humans, due to his irritation with their selfish actions and behaviour toward each other and the Norma for almost a millennium, Embryo prefers to use his hands than waste the Light of Mana whenever he cooks and other trivialities unless necessary, even if his powers are limitless than what everyone presumed their Mana capacity is. How ironic, because of them but he doesn't mind.

He may be their creator, but he's not their God.

As Aya skilfully sliced the garlic, onions, spring onions, carrots, and cabbages with one of the knives, Embryo ignited the stove's fire under the pot filled with coconut milk broth in medium heat, cooking the ingredients inside the pot alongside the already boiled glass noodles from the bowl inside the large sink, leaving the chopped meat and chicken ready at the side. Immediately, the room smelled delicious from their father's cooking and Khalifa hurriedly ran from the floor to the kitchen once Embryo poured the vegetable and glass noodle soup into the large serving bowl Aya helped provide, using Light of Mana to levitate the first dish onto the table alongside the plates, soup bowls, cutlery, and the pot of steamed rice.

Aware of his children watching him with Aya swiping the sliced beef and chicken inside the used pot to steam them, Embryo broke four eggs onto a frying pan to make scrambled eggs with two pinches of pepper, taking almost ten minutes for the family's dinner to be served.

"Tada!" Embryo proudly presented with a smile, seeing his toddler children's delight on their faces and Khalifa's voice after carefully placing them on their chairs, grabbing his suit off Khalifa's head and hanging it over her chair, leaving the cooking pots, pans, and utensils being washed inside the sink by Mana. "I thought of making an Asian-themed dinner, which your mother wished to try years ago." Embryo admitted, pouring their portions of vegetable and glass noodle soup into their soup bowls while Aya helped scoop a generous amount of rice onto their plates by standing on the table, leaving Khalifa watching from Embryo's left due to her short stature and arms.

'Thank you, Father!' Aya happily signed after climbing back to his seat at Embryo's right side.

"…Terima kasih." Embryo and Aya immediately looked at each other before staring at Khalifa in befuddlement when she thanked the former, not from her rare, excited smile but her speaking in another foreign language other than her occasional Italian. 'Why did Khalifa suddenly speak Malay?' Embryo wanted to ask but chuckled from his puzzled smile and started eating his food, pleased to see Aya and Khalifa enjoying their dinner with closed eyes and smiles especially when the latter's body bops up and down on her seat from quietly slurping her favourite glass noodles and coconut milk broth.

Even if the execution has died down from the mad event, Embryo doesn't care for Jurai's death or his wickedly spoiled son seizing his throne to make the Misurugi Empire more disgusting than it was, just like the other parts of this world. What should be more important is putting his plans in set for the future.

Regarding Jurai, Embryo felt nothing…due to his sin unrelated to his Norma daughter.

"Ah, thank you so much for your assistance, Human Killer." Julio happily acknowledged once he and the Human Killer returned from the refreshing cleansing of their homeland by fittingly sending Father to hell for his atrocious crime of almost making a Norma their ruler. If he didn't, what else would Father even think of making Angelise do? Letting Norma live with their former family members? That is the most disgusting and dangerous offence that anyone could think of.

After a quick read of his Mana message that Riza has done her job before diminishing it away, Julio looked at the Human Killer with a hiddenly curious smile for the stoic, half-bandaged man walking beside him with his bandaged hand resting at his gun resting on his right hip. This man, known to be a heartless soldier but also protecting their kind with barbaric but appropriate torture towards those animals, is just like how Julio thought on the day he almost killed Angelise two days ago. And he surprisingly had Daigorou to thank. Perhaps, from what Daigorou told him earlier, Julio must keep a positive master and soldier relationship for the Human Killer to serve him in their emperor's best interests.

As the two walk through the corridor heading to his new office, Julio immediately recalls the meeting he had earlier this morning…

... "Unacceptable!" The first person to 'offend' Julio right when he received a sudden video call invitation from the world leaders right after breakfast was the Galia Emperor, all five Mana screens each showing a nation's ruler hovering in front of his face and above his new office desk and both Riza and Daigorou stood in front of the desk with the latter already sent the message Julio descriptively told him to the Human Killer. Julio's irritation rose that like his uncle and aunt, these old rulers save for Enderant Union's President and the Velda Queen are livid with his decision to hire the Human Killer to serve him, but Julio knows it is also because of his family's secret. "The Human Killer may be reckless and violent even to our kind, but he is a soldier strictly serving under us, even if he is born from Misurugi! And it is foolish to believe he is willing to serve YOU!"

'I know that, old man.' Julio mentally rolled his eyes. "I am aware of that. I am simply offering him to serve me the same as he served my father before executing him tonight. Rest assured; I have my butler who is also the Human Killer's dear friend invite him for a meeting after the event." The Velda Queen softly narrowed her eyes with a subtly bemused frown while the Enderant Union President expressed a concerned glower almost showing fear like Uncle Shinji.

"Oh yes, he did tell me of having a best friend serving the royal family." The Velda Queen recalled, secretly surprising Julio and noticeably startling the other men of her serenity. Is the queen also acquainted with the Human Killer?

"Hmph. How ridiculous to believe that the trigger-happy fool has the heart to consider someone as equal to HIM." The overweight Marmeria Republic Secretary scoffed his anger from his frustrated smirk. Julio can see that, out of the six rulers, the Secretary harbours a dangerously crude disdain for the Human Killer that not even Father knows why from his reports. Looking at Daigorou, Julio agreed with his disapproval reaction.

"I just had a meeting with him and his team regarding the mission I ordered him to inspect Arzenal and its Inspector tomorrow. Even if you propose your suggestion after the mission, he must serve every nation instead of picking a side!" The Rosenblum King, who holds the highest role in maintaining and keeping check of this Norma combat facility prison, sternly spoke. So that was the mission Daigorou mentioned this morning.

"Why would you hire the Human Killer for that? Won't he kill the Norma for no reason?" The Enderant Union President wondered, trying to calm his fear down.

"Indeed. If you sent him there, there's a chance that he will gun those animals and reduce their numbers until there won't be enough to combat the DRAGONs." The

"As much as it does sound like something he would do…" The Velda Queen exclaimed, showing herself as tranquil for this meeting. "…But as someone who knew of the Human Killer when he was a child, for saving my son and Lady Misty ten years ago, I am confident that he will not even think of recklessly killing ALL the Norma."

'It would be better if he did.' Julio wished he could speak his mind. Why would this world even want Norma if all they do is be a burden to them?

"Julio." The Galia Emperor curtly called with a sneer. "Other than the Human Killer, we are suspicious of you being Emperor. Yes, you 'saved' your nation from almost being led astray by your sister, but I don't see how you will rule Misurugi once Jurai is executed."

"Exactly!" The Marmeria Secretary agreed. "Even if you managed to regain your people's trust from the filthy secret, you are nothing but a child claiming to lead a kingdom tainted by YOUR blood from his sister!" Julio felt his veins and blood boiling in rage for the insult especially when Rosenblum nodded his agreement with closed eyes just when the Enderant Union President said something that made everyone silent.

"What if Master Embryo wish to meet with Julio regarding this?"

Julio raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, Riza quietly increased her guard with a firm sneer, and Daigorou's face twitched to almost break his stoicism and laugh for the name but all three saw their apprehension for this name. Julio believed he read that name somehow from Father's notes but by seeing the other rulers' faces, he guessed that this Master Embryo could be somehow who is more powerful and dangerous than even the Human Killer. "You fool, you can't say his name. What if he is listening to us now!" The Rosenblum King warned.

"Master Embryo…" Julio muttered. "…I only read a bit of Father's documents and know little of him."

"Indeed. He is someone both mysterious and powerful as our world's true God." The Velda Queen affirmed. "Other than the Light of Mana, Master Embryo is the only one who can control everything and could even torture us with the impossible, not even the Human Killer and the Haven can comprehend and will instantly kill us with a snap of his fingers."

"It was he that created our beautiful world from its disgusting predecessor and its powerless savages, and as such, we are his loyal subjects sworn to do his every bidding." The Galia Emperor agreed. "And if he meets you and the Human Killer, he will surely eradicate ALL OF US simply for letting you both do as you please!" Julio snarled his annoyance but the thought of meeting the revealed God attracted him more than everything else in this conversation.

That does sound like Master Embryo is surprisingly powerful and dangerous if the five rulers are afraid of him rather than being the poised, authoritative leaders of their homelands everyone knows of them for years. And then Julio thought of meeting him with the Human Killer…

… 'Then I'll show them.' Julio declared after finishing remembering that memory, making sure no staff was around to see their young Emperor smiling madly to himself. '…I'll show those worthless lowlifes that I am the superior Emperor of this world. I'll impress Master Embryo that the Human Killer and I will serve him better than those miscreants.' He can see himself being his new Master's right-hand man.

"You idiotic servant!" Julio and the Human Killer heard a voice the former recognized as Aunt Sayuri screeching her usual anger in front of them, prompting them to look up and see her and Uncle Akihide looming over Daigorou and Riza in front of the office doors, their fury directed at the former being nonchalant but holding his left arm to block them from attempting to attack Riza who stood closer to him with a furious scowl. 'What are they doing now?' Julio mentally hissed in anger, almost stepping forward when he caught the Human Killer's hand tightening his grip on his gun's trigger with a clocking noise, his face scrunching towards in anger that surprisingly alarmed Julio with a gasp.

"You dare make a fool of us and even persuaded Julio to bring the foul Human Killer into our home!" Uncle Akihide howled in rage, looking like he would break into a mad fury just by Daigorou's boldly collected composure.

"I apologize for the misunderstanding." Daigorou bowed, keeping his left arm higher to make sure the royal relatives would not harm Riza. "I didn't mean to make you all believe I'm intending to kill everyone by inviting the Human Killer here. Holy Emperor Julio insisted…" Unfortunately, he was interrupted by Aunt Sayuri.

"You could've silenced yourself; you fool!"

"Lord and Lady Misurugi," Riza spoke, trying to minimize the argument but finding herself disappointed for the older Misurugi royalty. "I'm afraid that I was the one who asked Sir Daigorou about the Human Killer, for I know little about him."

"Then clearly Julio is a fool for believing the BOTH of you to serve him!" To Julio's bafflement, Uncle Akihide raised his right arm ready to strike his hand at either Daigorou or Riza who couldn't grab her sidearm in time. Right before he could run towards them, Julio was shaken by the swift blur of white that flashed from his side and it took a second to hear a new sound of Aunt Sayuri screaming her appalment that shocked Julio who now saw a new scene…of Human Killer standing between Uncle Akihide and Daigorou with Riza, pressing the barrel of his customised gun at his now sweating cheek, stopping the terrified man from attacking. 'Riza!' Julio hurriedly ran towards his right-hand woman and mad family.

"…Get the fuck away from them." The Human Killer coldly hissed his threat with both the sight of his gun pressing against his left cheek and his single right eye darkened with such wrath that made Akihide stiffen his fear as if he was seeing the Devil through the gunner's eye, forcing him to back himself and Sayuri away from the Human Killer still aiming his gun at them, Daigorou and Riza who have calmed down but the latter glared at their saviour in bewilderment before almost all noticed Julio running towards them to stand beside the two servants.

"Julio! Get this murderer away from us!" Aunt Sayuri yelled her fright replacing the anger she wished to show but she and Akihide can see, to their horror, that Julio is displeased at them than the person who will kill them.

"I'm upset, Aunt Sayuri, Uncle Akihide. You both tried to harm Daigorou and Riza for your belief that hiring the Human Killer for his services is ludicrous…but mostly because you referred to me as a fool earlier." Julio confessed, wanting to laugh at his amusement at seeing his uncle and aunt trying to speak for their defences but releasing inaudible noises from the Human Killer effortlessly aiming and preparing to shoot at them. However, the Human Killer's bored glare shifted from his prey to Daigorou also looking back at him, both friends felt nothing but abhorrence for this ideal….

"…I'm sorry, Your Majesty." Everyone was alarmed by the sudden apology coming from the Human Killer who leisurely lowered his arm and gun, turning his attention towards Julio who reacted in surprise at the soft but still cold glower on his half-bandaged face. "I think I'm wasting our time just by being here, and I still need to prepare for tomorrow's mission. Can I ask to have a Mana meeting about your offer to serve you at a later time once I come back?"

"O-Oh…of course, Human Killer." Julio hastily nodded, initially shocked by the proposition but quickly happy that the Human Killer was still accepting to offer his services to him. "I shall find the appropriate time for us to talk soon, once we have calmed down from this rough day. Have a good night, Human Killer. Daigorou, may you accompany your friend to his vehicle?"

"Thank you, Your Holiness/ Majesty." Both Daigorou and the Human Killer bowed in front of Julio, humbling him further until everyone watched the two men walk past them to the other side heading through the corridor, forcing Akihide and Sayuri to back away from each other and gawked their anguish and rage at them. But one sentence from the Human Killer who glared a wickedly furious stare bulging his single eye at Akihide took the two now frozen in horror with the former almost screaming his fear until the two disappeared from the hallways.

"Pick on Daigorou, I'll fucking shoot you all dead, asshole."

"J…Your Majesty?" Riza called her Emperor once she stood closer to him and saw the disbelief on his face, both ignoring his uncle and aunt initially gawking at where the Human Killer and his best friend initially were before they hurriedly whirled their heads towards Julio…their fear grew while Riza noticed in the surprise of the suddenly and shockingly ecstatic smile twitching both corners of his mouth as if the Human Killer's attempted murder on Julio's awful family is enjoying him more than concerning him.

"The Human Killer…he's the perfect bodyguard!"

"Jeez, the family is whacked. I don't even want to know about the little bratty sister." Once the two exited the palace through the front door, they immediately shook the stress from that dilemma out of them with Rush admitting the headache towards Daigorou who only closed his eyes with a harsh sigh, agreeing with his best friend. "I still can't see how you out of our group managed to get a job serving the royal family."

"Only my best friends know how Rushi…Rush." Daigorou chuckled from his serene smile, almost calling Rush by his real name but stopped himself to collect himself with a softly calm frown, despite being aware that Rush knew his mistake. "Anyway, I hope that I did a good job when calling you this morning and the message."

"Yeah, you're great. This'll give my fake big sister the news she'll need for the bigger picture." Rush nodded with one of the rare smiles he gave to those who deserved to see it, with Daigorou being the first due to their friendship. Both Rush and Daigorou looked at the former's car starting up from the other side of the front garden by the sound and accelerated around the doughnut-shaped path and parked in front of the steps for the owner. "I gotta go. Don't want you to get in trouble." Rush wished Daigorou farewell and was about to walk down when he felt a gloved hand gently grab his forearm.

"Rushi…Rush?" Daigorou again stopped himself from calling Rush's real name, startling the gunner from seeing the other's concerned glower initially looking at Rush's care before his best friend. "This is unrelated but…is it true of what you told me about your people?" Rush looked away from Daigorou with a calm sneer, knowing what he was asking once he felt his hand off his forearm.

"…Yeah. But it is what it is. Don't worry, it won't be long…I hope." Rush reassured with a shaky smile Daigorou could sense its true feeling before he watched the Human Killer walk inside the car but not before waving his best friend goodbye. "See ya, man. Tell Leon I said hi, by the way." Daigorou chortled with a sad smile and waved Rush goodbye as well before he watched the car proceeding to drive to the main gates and leave the Imperial Misurugi Palace. That is when Daigorou frowns his sadness for Rush as soon as he sees the car has left its way to where it can take Rush's team into the Haven.

'I hope you'll be okay until the end….' Daigorou mentally prayed, looking up at the sky that finally cleared to show its countless stars from yesterday's rainstorm.