System's POV

420  I Decided To Give You All A Second Chance

"So you can only use your mind control on two people for now, correct?" Thirteen asked for confirmation.

"Y-Yes," the White Brain Beetle, Gwenn, replied. "Then can you mind control a Throne?" Thirteen asked.

"No," Gwenn replied. "At most, I can only control Champions."

Gwenn had just hatched from its egg a few days ago and was forced to remain in the Treasury of the Apocalypse with its parent, Evuvug.

The two Brain Beetles were very wary of the teenage boy. However, they were in a place where they couldn't escape, so they could only stay wherever they were and meet the other party whenever he wanted. After the parent and child had a talk, Evuvug deemed that cooperating with Thirteen would benefit Gwenn more, giving its child a chance to grow.

A White Brain Beetle was also known as the Overlord Beetle. It got this moniker because it grew twice as fast as a regular Brain Beetle and was also twice as powerful.

When Thirteen threatened Gwenn that it would be absorbed by the Black Flag in his possession if it didn't cooperate, Evuvug convinced its child to work hand in hand with the teenage boy. That way, it would at least have a chance at survival.

Left with no choice, the Rank 2 Overlord Beetle since birth agreed to cooperate with Thirteen and became one of his Beast Companions.

However, Gwenn was only his Beast Companion in name.

It wasn't like Tiona, Giga Chad, Rocky, Blacky, and Hercules, who were registered in his Status Page as his true Beast Companions.

"What is your maximum mind control range?" Thirteen inquired.

"Two miles," Gwenn answered. Since it had just been born, it was still not strong enough to control more Wanderers and dominate their minds.

Currently, Gwenn could only target two individuals who had the Rank of Champion and below.

Although its mind control abilities were limited, it was still enough for what Thirteen had in mind.

"Understood." Thirteen patted the Overlord Beetle, making it wince from his touch. "As long as you cooperate with me, I'll make sure that you become stronger."

"T-Thank you, Master," Gwenn replied.

Evuvug could only sigh in its heart. When it was still in the Rigel Continent, it had already made big plans for its child.

Unfortunately, those plans crumbled the moment Thirteen raided its lair and when it got betrayed by the Centipede King, Jalrog.

"Well, then. Metatron, can you officially make Gwenn my Beast Companion?" Thirteen asked. But before Metatron could answer, Evuvug interjected and asked the teenage boy if there was really a need for him to do that.

She didn't doubt that Metatron could do what Thirteen requested. However, Evuvug didn't want its child to become someone's subordinate, believing that as long as there was an opportunity, Gwenn could escape from their captor's grasp and become strong on its own.

Unfortunately, the Brain Beetle was dealing with the wrong person.

"Like I said earlier, you only have two choices," Thirteen smirked at the White Beetle in front of him. "Either you become my Beast Companion, or you become part of my Immortal Parade of a Hundred Demons. The choice is yours to make."

"I'll be your Beast Companion," Gwenn replied in a heartbeat. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The Overlord Beetle knew that it would rather become its captor Beast Companion and grow strong rather than become part of the Divine Artifact that would seal its fate forever.

Gwenn believed that if it reached a high enough Rank, it might be able to break free from becoming Thirteen's Beast Companion.

The chance was extremely small, but as long as there was a possibility, the Overlord Beetle would rather cling to that small chance with every fiber of its being.

"I know what you're thinking, and frankly, I don't really care," Thirteen said. "If you can really break free from my control, then go ahead. All I ask is that you listen to my orders and do it without fail. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes… Master," Gwenn replied.

Metatron then snapped his fingers, and a drop of blood escaped from Thirteen's heart. This was a Heart Essence, which was a very strong type of bond between the Master and its Beast Companion.

Metatron didn't believe that Gwenn would be able to escape being Thirteen's Beast Companion unless the teenage boy decided to free it on his own.

When the connection between the two of them was finalized, Gwenn's name finally appeared on Thirteen's Status Page, making the Overlord Beetle his newest subordinate.

"Well, then. Time for us to go," Thirteen said before shifting his gaze to Evuvug. Seeing the Brain Beetle glare at him, the teenager thought of an idea and asked Metatron if it was possible.

"It's just a small thing, so why not?" Metatron clapped his hands, and a giant TV appeared in front of the Bird Man, Zed, and the Brain Beetle, Evuvug.

"Feel free to watch Dramas in Netfix," Thirteen stated. "However, pay more attention to the news. You will see what's currently happening in the Rigel Continent. So, make sure to enjoy the show."

After saying those words, Thirteen returned to his room in Pangea, leaving the two Kings of the Rigel Continent behind.

***

Only half a day had passed since the reinforcements from the Ashford and Stallard Clan arrived in the Dvalinn Federation, and yet, the news was buzzing with Thirteen's black Propaganda.

Aaron and Norman tried to fix their image using their own networks, but whatever they did was of no use.

No matter how hard they tried to do some damage control, Thirteen was always two steps ahead of them, making sure that they didn't have a chance to defend themselves.

Aside from his interview, the cute reporter from BBCee, Rein, had also interviewed Lawrence, who was the Grand Marshal of the Central Government.

"Debates are fine, but insubordination will not be tolerated," Lawrence stated. "We are all here under one banner, and that is to help protect humanity. Zion Leventis is our Supreme Commander, and his orders must be obeyed by everyone in the Alliance.

"Any factions who can not follow their superior's directives should not participate in any military activity because it will only endanger everyone's safety. Those who cannot follow orders, no matter how strong, are a liability, not an asset."

The most popular Monarch in the world was none other than Lawrence. He was the only one who prevented the other Monarchs from totally dominating the world.

Because of this, the common people and the Wanderers who weren't affiliated with the Monarch Clans and the Prestigious Families were inclined to join the Central Government and help safeguard the world from any abuse coming from these factions.

His word was absolute. Now that he had spoken, no matter how Ashford and Stallard Clan presented their case to play the victim, they would be unable to sway the will of the people.

Because of this, Aaron and Norman ordered Seth and Allen to make a public apology and vow that they would no longer defy Zion's orders, even if they were ordered to kneel in front of everyone.

Left with no choice, the two representatives of the Ashford and Stallard Clan did as they were told and made a public apology.

They admitted to their mistakes and apologized for their wrongdoings. Of course, Thirteen knew that there was not a single ounce of sincerity in their apology, so he gave them a second test.

"I still don't trust that any of you will be able to follow my orders, but since you apologized, I decided to give you all a second chance," Thirteen said as he faced the Ashford and Stallard Army, whom he had commanded to stand in front of the flag of the Allied Armies.

"All of you, kneel," Thirteen ordered.

Immediately, as if they had already been briefed beforehand, the two armies knelt in sync.

"Good. You will continue to kneel here for two days," Thirteen stated. "All of you are Wanderers, so not eating or drinking for two days will not kill you. This will prove to me that you are willing to obey my orders and truly become part of the alliance. "If you are unable to do this, then go home. We don't need those who don't share the same vision that we do."

After saying those words, Thirteen left to conduct a meeting with the Leaders of the Alliance, leaving the disgruntled Seth, Allen, and their armies behind.

Wendell, who didn't like having the two Hyenas in his territory, gave the teenage boy a thumbs up in his heart.

The Monarch of the Dvalinn Federation was certain that after two days, the Ashford and Stallard Clan would think twice before trying to use their influence in the Alliance's backyard.