After giving it some thought, Idris realized that this probably wasn't a system bug at all.
The system's judgment was, in fact, quite reasonable.
He had only partially altered the original storyline.
The fate of the Dendro Dragon King, Apep, was still unresolved. Whether she would remain sealed forever—or eventually submit to him—were two entirely different endings.
Thus, the system had merely issued a partial reward: blueprints for civilian-grade transportation tools from modern society.
Waterborne, land-based, aerial—everything was included.
Sedans that ran on roads.
Civilian passenger aircraft that flew the skies.
Ocean-going cruise ships.
Practically a complete catalog.
But what truly caught Idris's attention were the blueprints for excavators, road rollers, and heavy construction vehicles.
…Wait a second.
These counted as civilian transportation too?
What kind of classification system was this?
Strange as it was, the reward came at the perfect time.
Sumeru was currently in a phase of rapid development. With proper construction machinery, the speed of national expansion could increase dramatically.
As for funding—Sumeru lacked neither now nor in the foreseeable future.
Reopened trade routes, combined with profits from Fontaine, formed a sustainable economic cycle.
And if money ever truly became an issue?
Idris could always take a stroll through a certain desert ruin and dig up King Deshret's treasure vaults.
That, however, was a strategic reserve—not something to touch unless absolutely necessary.
Still, this reward prompted another thought.
"Which means," Idris murmured,
"if I fully complete Apep's storyline…"
"…I'll unlock military-grade transportation, won't I?"
If half the reward was civilian tech, then the other half was obvious.
Military aircraft.
Tanks.
Naval warships.
A full modern arsenal.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Cradled in his arms as they flew, Nahida noticed the change in his expression and asked curiously,
"Grand Sage Idris, did you think of something pleasant?"
"More or less," Idris replied casually.
"Just a few inventions that'll benefit national development."
Nahida's eyes lit up with admiration.
"Like the plant grafting technologies you developed before?"
"You're amazing… I'm the God of Wisdom, yet my thinking never reaches your level."
There was a faint trace of regret in her heart.
Idris, however, paid it no mind.
Holding her, he continued flying—soon returning to Sumeru City.
Back in his familiar office, Idris stretched comfortably.
Naturally, since he had flown straight in from outside, quite a few people had noticed his return.
Not long after he sat down with a cup of tea, a knock sounded at the door.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata entered.
"You're back, Idris."
"…Mm."
Looking at the elegant, mature white-haired beauty before him, Idris felt a strange illusion—
Like a solitary elder whose greatest joy was simply seeing her juniors return safely.
After a brief pause, Rukkhadevata asked softly,
"The Scarlet King… you've sent him on, haven't you?"
"Yes. From now on, his name will exist only in history."
"I see…"
She sighed gently.
"Then I hope that, in another world, he can reunite with the Goddess of Flowers."
"May my old friends live without such sorrow in their next lives…"
At that moment, Idris finally understood the feeling radiating from her.
Loneliness.
Since her revival from the World Tree, the only people she could truly call family were Nahida and Idris.
Old bonds, old friends—gone forever.
Now even the last remnants of the Scarlet King had been sent away.
She hadn't attended his farewell, but that didn't mean their past alliance had been shallow.
She had no followers.
No peers.
And she considered herself a generation senior to both Idris and Nahida.
In all of Sumeru, there was no one left she could truly talk to.
Work alone could not fill a heart.
Realizing this, Idris didn't hesitate.
He pulled her into his arms.
"Ah—"
Rukkhadevata stiffened briefly, her cheeks flushing—but she didn't resist.
She understood his intention immediately.
Resting against his chest, she sighed softly.
"How the wheel of fate turns…"
"I used to be the one comforting others. And now, my own sage is comforting me."
"…Thank you."
She lingered in his embrace, reluctant to leave.
Nearby, Nahida felt a twinge of jealousy.
Not because Idris was hugging Rukkhadevata—but because of her own size.
She was too small.
When Idris held her, she was often tucked under his arm instead.
I really want to grow up…
So I can be held like that too.
Idris gently patted Rukkhadevata's snow-white hair.
"If you ever feel lonely," he said calmly,
"you can come to me anytime."
"I may be busy—but I can always spare a hug."
She smiled brightly.
Then, with a light step, she slipped free.
"That won't be necessary."
"Rather than wasting time on me, Grand Sage Idris, you should find a few more girls in Sumeru to make your consorts."
"Even aside from Nilou, there are plenty who like you."
"As for me… I'm already half an old lady."
With a soft laugh, she cast one last lingering glance at his embrace—and left.
Indeed.
Her difficulty level was far higher than Nahida's.
Idris soon returned to his desk and began working.
Though he had only been away for a day, paperwork had piled up.
First—news of his inheritance of King Deshret's identity, witnessed by thousands of desert folk, had spread everywhere.
Trust in him among the desert tribes skyrocketed.
Some were even saying:
Sumeru's king can only be Idris.
Even two generations of the God of Wisdom combined wouldn't compare.
Second—the Royal Guard had seen a surge of recruits.
Even Jed and his daughter, whom Idris had once saved in the desert, had applied to enlist.
Then there were factory matters: recruitment, experiments, machinery bottlenecks.
Every factory in Sumeru—civilian and governmental alike—was running at full capacity.
Further expansion would risk overload.
Yet Idris still had countless plans unbuilt:
Elevated highways.
Civilian transportation networks.
Factory expansion.
Even with the Shouki no Kami helping, it wouldn't be enough.
But Sumeru wasn't the only nation with factories.
Other nations could manufacture components—while Idris retained control over core technology.
That required closer diplomatic ties.
Natlan could wait.
Fontaine and Liyue—perhaps in a few months.
After all…
The Lantern Rite was approaching.
Some festivals could be skipped.
This one couldn't.
Even as Sumeru's Grand Sage, Idris still wanted to celebrate Liyue's festival.
And one day—
He would make it a true Spring Festival.
But that was for later.
For now, his attention turned east.
To Inazuma.
He had already replied, welcoming diplomatic visits.
And now, a response had arrived.
From that fox.
Letter from Inazuma
Thank you, Grand Sage Idris, for agreeing to our diplomatic visit.
We shall meet in one week.
Ah, what a pity—I'd love to bring along our shut-in lady, but convincing her to leave is… quite the challenge.
Though you probably don't even know who she is. Better that way—hehe~
I've also heard that you've developed many fascinating creations since taking office.
While Inazuma's economy isn't in the best shape, I do hope you'll show us some of these new inventions.
Oh—and I heard that previous guests received beauty-preserving pills personally refined by you?
Idris narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…So the visitors from Inazuma are finally coming."
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