"… If we used the ninth floor to rearrange a group of stars into a flame-based attack array, we really would be untouchable. Even the War Canon wouldn't be able to match its might… Oh! If we incorporated concepts from the Golden Crow Clan's [Nine Suns of Armageddon] and their [Sun God Body] into this formation, it would be even better than that star grade formation within the [Dao of Array Alchemy]…
"… If we manipulate the strong gravitational pulls of several black holes, it should be possible to form an impenetrable barrier around our habitable planets after gathering them into one location. Still, I can't be too greedy, black holes are incredibly dangerous. Even a Higher Existence would lose their life if they travelled too close to one… I'll have to be careful if I use this method…
"… I wonder if the ninth floor can manipulate the void too?... What if I fused two universes together, but instead of doubling to their c.u.mulative size, I instead layered them atop of each other. In fact, better yet, what if I shrunk the size of a universe. If that was possible, couldn't I logically thicken the void layer around the universe? Then wouldn't it be even more difficult to penetrate into our Mortal Alliance?..."
Dyon kept mumbling these wild ideas to himself. Ri and Amphorae had been watching him mutter away like a madman for the better part of the past day, yet he kept going as though his stream of thoughts was endless. They began to worry that his mind might overheat.
More than 80% of Dyon's ideas were unviable simply due to the ridiculous energy requirements necessary, but there were some others, like the formation of stars, that were very much possible given enough time, patience and resources.
Ri giggled lightly at this slightly erratic version of Dyon. She had only stayed by his side for so long because she was worried about how he'd react to Jade's situation, but it seemed he had bounced back quicker than she expected. She could tell that he was still troubled by the situation, but she also knew that he had chosen to look forward instead of backward.
That was the kind of man Dyon was. Since his future self messed up, he wouldn't allow this current version of himself to do the same. If he wasn't certain before, he was certain now. He couldn't allow Jade's tragedy to repeat.
Ri smiled and left silently. She had taken up responsibility as the Elvin Queen. She had taken a more hands on approach to fostering the growth of the Elves during the past few years and it was a responsibility that she was intent on upholding.
Jade's words about the final remaining elves struck a nerve with Ri. She wouldn't allow her people to face the same fate in this life… Since Dyon was working hard, she would work hard too.
Finally, countless hours later, Dyon awoke from his trance, numerous plans floating around in his mind.
"Oh!" Dyon looked toward Amphorae with an apologetic expression.
However, Amphorae didn't seem perturbed.
"Lord Husband… Are you alright?"
Dyon smiled. Amphorae looked truly adorable right now. She was clearly out of her comfort zone, trying to help Dyon feel better while not being certain how to. Her slightly fl.u.s.tered appearance made Dyon's heartbeat quicken.
Dyon's arm reflexively wrapped around her small waist. Her aura was so powerful that he felt his newly reconstructed forearm crumbling under her presence, but he held her tightly anyway.
"One of these days, I'm going to conquer you."
The words almost came out in a low growl, a bestial rumbling hidden deep within Dyon's c.h.e.s.t.
He would never say such a thing to any of his other wives. What 'conquering'? He saw his women as his own equals. Just like he was, they were pillars for the future success of the Mortal Alliance.
However, something felt different about his relationship with Amphorae. There was still a barrier between the two of them. Though, it was an incredibly thin one. It existed nonetheless.
There was a heavy power imbalance in their relationship. This wasn't something as simple as Amphorae being far stronger than Dyon, it was something deeper than that. She was more m.a.t.u.r.e, her mind was steadier, and she spent more time uplifting Dyon than Dyon spent uplifting her.
Dyon understood this reality more than anyone. His words weren't something anchored in some toxic will to dominate his woman. It was about expressing his d.e.s.i.r.e to stand shoulder to shoulder with his wife, to promise her that there'd be a day where he too could uplift her.
Amphorae smiled lightly, resting her head on Dyon's c.h.e.s.t.
"I look forward to it, Lord Husband."
The faint whisper of her voice made Dyon's spine tingle. He wanted to whisk her away to the nearest bed, but remembering his pathetic display last time, he refrained. Instead, there was something more important he felt he had to do.
"For now, I'll have to rely on you." Dyon smiled. "I'd like to know more about your Clan. I don't mean the Pakals… Rather, I want to understand more about what it means to be an angel."
This was something Dyon felt he needed to understand. Now that Amphorae's memories from her first life had awoken after meeting Dyon, there was no better person to learn from than his own wife.