Seiya had handed Mei over to Sirin once they entered the conference room, much to the younger sibling’s befuddlement.
‘What was she supposed to do with the infant?’
So, as Sirin awkwardly patted Mei’s head—whose mouth had turned up in a pout from being taken away from Seiya—she was thoroughly distracted and thus unable to interrupt the conversation between the two adults.
Seiya looked through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the end of the room as Ryoma sat down at the head of the table, spreading his hands in a display of confidence that he was accustomed to adopting during meetings with investors and other Massive Electric Corporation affairs.
Before he could play his cards, Seiya pulled him into small talk.
“Mei’s a very happy child, isn’t she?
You and your wife have taken very good care of her.”
Seiya complimented him with a fond smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
The laughter of children always lightened his heart.
The purple lighting reminded him of Sirin.
There was no way he wouldn’t like Mei.
Ryoma blinked.
Unexpected.
But…
He’d never reject compliments towards his daughter.
So, with a paternal smile, Ryoma spoke up.
“Yes.
Mei is a healthy, delightful, perfectly normal child—”
“Brother, she has a Stigmata of Thunder.”
Sirin piped up.
Chibi Ryoma panicked.
Seiya raised an eyebrow.
He’d known this, of course.
But he was delighted that his darling Sirin would immediately inform him.
With perfect comedic timing too!
‘That’s my girl!’
Ryoma’s eye twitched.
A facade of calm remained on his face, though internally he indubitably knew that he was on the back foot.
“It’s unstable too.
She’ll die soon if nothing is done to balance the equilibrium.”
Sirin continued.
While there was a hint of pity in her voice, she was ultimately nonplussed.
She didn’t have much concern for the lives of others besides Seiya.
The child was barely two years old.
There had been no life for her to mourn yet.
Though her brother…
He’d most likely want to know this information.
Ryoma’s expression darkened.
‘I’d hoped this wouldn’t come out so early.’
He certainly didn’t want any pity.
But this information could work in his favour as well.
After all, Seiya had been officially recognised as a saint by both major organisations.
‘Surely the death of a toddler would pull at his heartstrings.’
“Seiya-dono, you see how… my hands are tied here.
As part of this deal, I’m prepared to extend to you any amount of resources or assistance you require, with anything you want.”
Raiden Ryoma then proceeded to do something absolutely shocking for an older Japanese man who was Seiya’s senior within Anti-Entropy.
He bowed to both Seiya and Sirin until his body was completely horizontal.
“Please!
Save my daughter!”
To his heartfelt plea, Seiya had only one response.
“As you wish, Ryoma-san.
As a saint, I shall grant your wish.”
Ryoma gained hope.
“In exchange, I ask for your support in my endeavours within Anti-Entropy, in whatever way I may require.
That is all.
It would be… remiss of me to ask for a great reward as payment for saving an innocent child.”
Seiya spoke with his hands raised in a prayer-like position, his eyes remaining closed as sunlight fell upon his face.
A serene expression rested upon his features.
A warm smile.
His long purple hair fluttered gently, courtesy of Sirin’s use of the Gem of Desire.
For a moment, even Sirin was enamoured.
“I will present to you the Gem of Conquest.
Have it implanted into her.
It contains a portion of the power of the Herrscher of Thunder.
Combined with the unstable frequency produced by her Stigmata, it should stabilise it into equilibrium and prolong her life indefinitely.”
Seiya spoke with a graceful lilt.
Faced with the words and disposition of an angel, Raiden Ryoma found himself convinced of the saintly title.
‘What else could a man who saved his daughter for no real benefit to himself while giving up the Gem of Conquest be?’
As for Seiya’s gracious disposition…
‘If they’re calling me a saint, I’ll play the part!
Squeeze it for all it’s worth!’
This worked out perfectly for Seiya.
He had been wondering how he would hand over the Gem of Conquest without making it look suspicious.
This was perfect.
He’d solidify his reputation as a saint while skyrocketing his favourability with Ryoma.
‘Which means I’ll get to visit Mei as much as I want!’
He held out his palm towards Sirin and, without hesitation, she plunged her hand into her chest.
Bursting through Imaginary Space with the Core of the Void, she pulled out the Gem of Conquest.
As Seiya presented it to Ryoma, he saw tears glistening in the older man’s eyes.
Then he had an idea.
Playing perfectly into his role as a saint, he kissed the top of Mei’s head.
“I bless this child, Ryoma-san.
May she have a prosperous future.”
“—Thank you… Thank you!”
“It does not befit a proud father such as yourself to bow, Ryoma-san.
I’ll leave you alone in your time of vulnerability.
Come, Sirin.
We’re leaving.”
Seiya bowed slightly—much to Sirin’s annoyance.
‘Brother shouldn’t be bowing to anyone.’
Then he grabbed her hand and left the room.
One of the servants outside escorted Seiya and Sirin to the guest rooms.
Much to the servant’s surprise, Sirin simply entered Seiya’s room instead of using the one prepared for her.
Raiden Ryoma, holding his beloved daughter in one arm and the Gem of Conquest in the other, felt tears stream down his face.
Much to Mei’s panic.
‘[Why’s Papa crying!?]’
“Long… live the saint.”
He idly wondered if the church had been built yet.
Though not a religious man, Ryoma intended to attend a service if it ever became official enough for one.