While the Earth Federation descended into chaos, Planet Zenith was experiencing an era of rapid and unprecedented development.

​Legions of advanced terra-farming robots worked tirelessly across the changing landscape. And Rosella’s brilliant agricultural and industrial blueprints, the planetary transformation accelerated at a terrifying pace.

​The newly established sectors showcased a perfect harmony of sustainable life and absolute military might.

In one region, endlessly expansive cultivation lands stretched toward the horizon, their rich soil glowing with magical vitality to feed the growing population.

On the opposite side of the continent, colossal industrial behemoths were rapidly rose. These towering, magically powered factories operated day and night to aggressively manufacture top-tier armaments, heavy warship plating, and cutting-edge magi-tech gadgets for the rising Zenith Empire.

Today, Neo and his family were personally strolling through these rapidly changing landscapes. The warm sunlight of Zenith bathed the massive agricultural fields in a golden glow, while the towering magi-tech industrial behemoths hummed softly in the far distance.

​His mother walked beside him with her hands politely folded. She was, as usual, a very quiet and gentle person. The horrors they had faced under the Earth Federation had left their scars, but here, walking on the safe and vibrant soil her son had conquered, she looked entirely at peace.

​His little sister Nina, however, was a completely different story. Despite being 18 years old, she was bouncing on the tips of her toes and looking around with the excitement of a young child.

Pointing a delicate finger toward a colossal mechanical harvester hovering gracefully over the glowing green crops, she squealed:

​"Brother, look over there! That machine is hovering entirely on air! We never had anything even close to this back in the lower sectors of Earth. It is absolutely amazing!"

​Neo let out a genuine chuckle. He reached out and gently patted her head.

​"This is only the beginning, Nina. We have have designed these entire sectors to be fully self-sustaining. Within a single year, Zenith will easily produce ten times the resources Earth ever could."

​Nina gasped, "Does that mean I can finally have my own Spaceship? The really fast ones the elites use?"

​"Haha, yes, You can have a hundred of them if you truly want. You are the Princess of the Zenith Empire now. You can have absolutely anything you desire."

​His mother suddenly stopped walking. She looked out over the endless, peaceful green fields, a gentle breeze rustling the fabric of her simple but elegant dress.

She suddenly grasped Neo’s large, calloused hand.

​"I do not need a hundred hoverboards, Son. Seeing you safe, and seeing our family finally free from the past is already more than I could have ever asked for in this lifetime."

​Neo gently looked down at his mother. The absolute tyrant who had ruthlessly slaughtered thousands Federation soldiers just days ago was nowhere to be seen.

He was now a devoted son.

​"I promised I would always keep you both safe, didn’t I Mother? No one in this vast universe will ever hurt our family again. This entire planet, this growing empire, it is all for my family."

​Nina rushed over and wrapped her arms tightly around both of them.

​"We know, big brother. You are the greatest Emperor ever."

​Just then, Amelia looked up at him with a curious expression.

"Tell me one thing, son. Who will be my daughter-in-law? Is it that girl who is always teasing you, Noir? Or that feisty girl, Zestia?"

​Nina’s eyes immediately shone with pure excitement.

"Yes, brother! Tell us. Who will be my sister-in-law? I love Sister Noir. She is strong and beautiful, and she always makes me smile. Ahem, Sister Zestia is not bad either. She is just a little bad at expressing herself. But I heard she has been your friend for a very long time. We will be completely happy with anyone you choose."

​As this delicate topic arose, the very subjects of their conversation were much closer than they realized. Noir and Zestia could be seen hiding behind the thick trunk of a large jujube tree nearby.

Invisible, crackling electricity passed between their eyes.

Neo noticed their presences long ago, so he replied:

​"Um, Mother, The universe is infinitely vast, and our enemies are completely innumerable. Right now, all my focus is on solidifying the iron foundation of the Zenith Empire. A ruler must first secure his domain to ensure the total safety of his people."

​"Noir and Zestia are both entirely indispensable pillars of my vanguard. They are exceptional warriors. To elevate one above the other right now would undoubtedly fracture the delicate balance of my military forces. When the universe is fully conquered, and our family is truly untouchable, only then will I consider taking a Queen."

​Nina puffed out her cheeks, "Humph, that is just a very fancy way of saying you are too dense to make up your mind! You are an Emperor, brother. You could easily have both of them if you really wanted to."

​Amelia gently knocked on her head, "Do not tease your brother, Nina. An Emperor’s heart is a highly complex domain. He will make his final choice when everything is right."

​As the royal family slowly continued their peaceful walk down the luminous dirt path, the two hidden figures behind the massive jujube tree finally came out.

​

Noir flashed a sultry smile to the direction her darling had gone.

​"Well, well. It seems my darling is playing hard to get. But did you hear his exact words, Zestia? He called me an indispensable pillar. He knows he cannot conquer the universe without my strength. I am practically already sitting on the Empress’s throne."

​Zestia clicked her tongue in defiance.

​"TCH. Are you completely deaf, Noir? He very clearly stated that we are both indispensable pillars. Do not try to twist the Emperor’s words to feed your own massive delusions."

​Noir casually stepped closer.

"Oh, my sweet, naive Zestia. I have literally been in his arms. I know exactly how fast his mighty heart beats when I gently blow into his ear. I know the dark depths of his desires.

​You, on the other hand, just glare at him from afar like he owes you money. If you keep acting like a grumpy, emotionally stunted child, I will gladly swallow him whole and take the title of Empress all for myself."

​Zestia’s fiery aura erupted.

​"I have fought relentlessly by his side long before you even existed in his world, Noir! I know his earliest struggles. I know his true, unfiltered self! I do not need to rely on cheap, lustful parlor tricks to win his heart. When the dust of his cosmic conquest finally settles, he will undoubtedly realize who truly has the absolute resolve to stand beside him forever."

"Is it a challenge?" Noir asked.

"Yes," Zestia declared.