Riku had departed, yet he hadn't truly left.
[Saint Seiya] The universe is vast.
He still needed to make careful preparations. The Holy War was about to begin. That would be the true start of everything. But before that, he had to bury many contingency plans.
As for why he chose to cooperate with Saori Kido? The reason was simple. In this [Saint Seiya] universe, she was the "treasure" Riku deemed the most precious.
Certain Elf Race beings, born from the Tree of Life, possess the potential to grow into "Gods" if provided with sufficient resources. Compared to the resources harvested from a single universe, which was more important?
Exactly.
Talent is far more valuable, and Saori Kido possessed exactly that qualification. However, everything had to be arranged before that. If this were the Age of Myth, Riku would have found it difficult to maneuver. In that era, gods walked the earth—Primordial Gods, Creator Gods, and Absolute Gods roamed freely.
But things were different now. Some were sealed, others were in deep slumber. It was the perfect opportunity.
Three months later.
Having finished his preparations, Riku left the [Saint Seiya] universe directly. The rest would have to wait until Saori Kido reached out to him. As for whether she would contact him? Riku possessed absolute confidence.
This partnership—or rather, this "treasure" known as Saori Kido—was something he was determined to claim.
...
[Unknown Zombie] Universe.
Riku's figure appeared. He scanned his surroundings, but found no zombies; only a deep silence greeted him.
"Has Alice been that efficient?" Riku murmured with a smile.
He hadn't come as a projection this time, but in his true physical form.
"Little Klee..." Riku whispered, moving toward the energy he sensed.
"Dodoco, go!"
The joyful shout was followed by the roar of explosions and flying sparks. A vibrant, fiery red sun was cheering happily. Behind her, a tall, purple-haired beauty in a tactical outfit stood silently. She held a blade in one hand, guarding the little girl.
"Klee, what did Mommy teach you?" A gentle male voice drifted into their ears.
The tall, purple-haired beauty's long blade was unsheathed in an instant. She stepped forward, holding her blade horizontally, her voice sharp. "Your Highness, please step back!"
"Eh?"
Klee blinked her adorable eyes, spotting the tall man walking toward them from a distance. She waved her little hands and shouted happily, "Papa! Papa!"
"Hmm?"
The tall, purple-haired beauty frowned slightly at the address, though she did not lower her guard.
Riku walked over step by step. Seeing the chaotic, blast-ridden city around Klee, he shook his head with an amused, helpless smile. "Klee, if you want to play, go blast some fish. Why are you making such a mess in the city?"
"Papa!"
Klee giggled and ran over, throwing herself into the arms of Riku, who had already knelt down with his arms wide open.
Riku looked down at the little girl squirming in his embrace with a fond smile.
Oh well.
If his little girl wanted to play, who was he to stop her? If she wanted to play, he would just create a few planets for her to blow up to her heart's content.
One could only say—
Indulgence can be both open and hidden.
Riku always teased Alice for spoiling their daughter, but in reality, was his own indulgence any less?
"My Lord!"
The tall, purple-haired beauty had already sheathed her blade and bowed with deep respect.
Only then did Riku turn his gaze toward her. Though he had noticed her from the start, he remarked with interest, "Saeko Busujima. So that's it—this universe, then!"
"Papa, Papa! Mommy has been busy with important things lately and hasn't had time to play with Klee. It's been Big Sister Saeko playing with me," Klee introduced Saeko happily.
"Your Highness..."
A faint smile touched Saeko Busujima's lips.
Riku nodded, his eyes lingering on Saeko, finding her more interesting by the second.
"Busujima..." Riku seemed about to say something.
Saeko immediately replied respectfully, "My Lord, you may simply call me Saeko."
"Very well, Saeko," Riku asked, "I've found a cultivation method in another universe. Would you like to try it?"
"Thank you, My Lord!"
Saeko naturally would not refuse.
Riku raised his hand, his slender index finger tapping the center of Saeko's brow. A vast stream of information flooded her mind. Furthermore, Riku planted a seed within her. Otherwise, even with Saeko's exceptional talent, it would not have been easy to learn the basics at her age.
"Papa, does Klee need to learn it too?" Klee tilted her little head.
"No need, sweetie," Riku said gently. "Little Klee, just being happy is enough."
Learn?
To hell with learning.
His daughter, the "Daughter of the Universe," didn't need these flashy tricks. She just needed to grow up at her own pace. Of course, the "Cosmo" system was a top-tier path. Aside from its high requirements for talent, which made it unsuitable for everyone, its potential was very high.
Riku didn't take his daughter away; instead, he stayed to play with little Klee.
Four hours later.
Saeko Busujima finally recovered. Seeing the father and daughter nearby, she hurried over, ignoring the fact that they were in the middle of a street. She knelt in a *dogeza* position, bowing respectfully. "My Lord..."
Riku smiled and interrupted her. "There is no need to be so formal. Alice trusts you enough to let you watch over little Klee; that alone proves everything."
Don't let Alice's carefree attitude fool you. In truth, as a witch, her ability to see through hearts was a given. The fact that she had allowed Saeko to act as a "guardian" for their daughter over these past three months was proof enough of her trust.
That was all that mattered.
"Yes!"
Saeko didn't waste words. She stood up, holding her blade in one hand behind the father and daughter. But, after a moment's thought, she set the long blade aside.
Seeing this, Riku smiled. With a wave of his hand, a wooden sword—a true wooden sword, not a blade—landed in Saeko's hand.
While teaching Saeko the secrets of the Cosmo, Riku had also left behind a small "surprise."
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