Takumi's reply had barely faded from the chat window before the entire group felt the weight behind his words.
He wasn't joking.
He wasn't theorizing.
He was announcing the financial system of a future civilization.
Gold, rare metals, and high-value condensed materials would form the cornerstone of a brand-new economy—one spanning multiple worlds.
But he said it so casually that everyone needed a moment to process it.
Even Miori Shiba, who had already adapted rapidly to Takumi's intensity, paused.
For her father, however, that single message was enough.
He understood exactly what Takumi was creating:
A frontier civilization.
A blank world.
A sovereign who needed everything built from scratch.
A world where those who arrived early would become the ruling class by default.
Where wealth and influence would be shaped by the first settlers.
Miori stared at her father, who now rubbed his temples deeply, overwhelmed by the scope of the decision ahead.
1. A Family on the Verge of Departure
"Father?" she asked softly.
Her father exhaled a long breath.
"This is… absurd. But the opportunity is real."
Miori smiled faintly.
"That's what I thought too."
"Gold, rare metals… those will hold value in his world?"
She nodded. "Yes. And he won't mass-produce them. He wants us to bring our assets."
"Bring our assets…"
Her father looked at the storage vaults visible from the office window, filled with their company's collected materials.
Not stocks.
Not cash.
Not infrastructure.
But metals.
He slowly nodded.
"We'll begin conversion immediately. Silvers, rare earth materials, gold reserves, and industrial diamonds. Anything portable."
Miori expected hesitation.
Instead, she received determination.
Her father wasn't just accepting the idea—he was already operating on Takumi's wavelength.
2. Group Chat: Civilization Brainstorm Chaos
Back in the chat, chaos was unfolding in the usual way only Takumi's group could produce.
Fujiwara Chika:
[WAIT— PRESIDENT?!]
[WHY AM I STILL BEING CONSIDERED?!]
Sagiri:
[President Chika!! I'll draw your posters!!]
Akeno:
[Ara, ara~ How bold. Will you promise tax benefits to demons?]
Bronya:
[Bronya approves of a strong political figure. Bronya is now preparing celebratory stickers.]
Megumi Kato:
[I can bring snacks to the meetings.]
(A perfectly Megumi response.)
Zhongli:
[A nation will need structure. Perhaps six ministries to start: Industry, Agriculture, Education—]
Chika:
[STOP!!]
[YOU'RE MAKING IT SOUND REAL!]
Chika's panic only served to amuse everyone further.
Takumi sipped his jasmine tea and chimed in:
Takumi:
[Relax, Chika. The election hasn't even started.]
[But don't worry— I'll rig it in your favor.]
Fujiwara Chika:
[TAKUMI THAT IS NOT REASSURING AT ALL!!]
Sagiri:
[Takumi-nii… you shouldn't SAY the quiet part out loud…]
Akeno:
[Ara~ A benevolent dictator.]
Zhongli:
[I see nothing unusual.]
Bronya:
[This feels like a comedic dystopia.]
Himeko:
[Welcome to Takumi's world building experience~]
Takumi grinned.
The chaos always put him in a good mood.
3. Herta's Interest & The Aeon's Glance
Himeko reappeared in the chat:
Himeko:
[Sending the package now.]
[Herta just finished cataloguing Takumi's items.]
Takumi:
[And?]
Himeko:
[She said… "Interesting. Too interesting."]
Akeno:
[…That doesn't sound good.]
Megumi:
[Is she dangerous?]
Zhongli:
[The researchers of that world are… unique.]
Himeko:
[In summary: Herta thinks your items shouldn't exist.]
[So she's curious. Very curious.]
Takumi froze.
He wasn't afraid.
But he wasn't stupid, either.
Curiosity from Herta… meant curiosity from the entire Genius Society.
Curiosity from the Genius Society meant the potential interest of beings far beyond mortal comprehension.
Takumi rested his chin on his hand.
Planet-busting strength?
A joke to some of the monsters in that universe.
He needed to grow.
Fast.
But he wasn't intimidated.
He was excited.
Takumi:
[Good. Tell her I'll visit her someday.]
Himeko:
[She said "fine, but bring data."]
"Data," he muttered, chuckling.
Herta probably wanted samples of his world, the chat system, and the serum formulas.
Too bad she'd need to wait until he could punch a black hole.
One day, but not now.
4. Psychological Effect — The Calm Before Grand Ambition
Takumi leaned back on the couch, eyes half-lidded.
He could feel it.
That creeping sensation…
The quiet whisper of empire-building instinct.
The gentle thrill of shaping a civilization.
The subtle pressure of godhood taking root.
Not corruption.
But a natural shift.
There was no one above him.
No government.
No laws.
No authority but himself.
A civilization growing under his hand.
Not as a tyrant.
Not as a ruler.
But as the world's caretaker.
Its architect.
Its first and final pillar.
He exhaled slowly.
"…This is dangerous," he murmured.
Not the power.
But the temptation.
He needed to be careful.
He needed balance.
And most importantly—
He needed people.
5. Plans for Mass Rescue & Civilization Foundations
Takumi returned to the chat, tone serious for the first time since the conversation began.
Takumi:
[I'll leave soon.]
[Miori Shiba, prepare your side.]
Miori Shiba rejoined instantly.
Miori Shiba:
[We've begun converting assets.]
[Gold bars, rare earth materials, and high-density metals are most of it.]
[My family and some trusted people will be ready within the day.]
[The cursed children… will take more time. They are scattered.]
Takumi:
[I'll handle the collection myself.]
Miori paused.
Miori Shiba:
[All of them? Personally?]
Takumi:
[Yes. It will be more efficient.]
Zhongli chimed in:
Zhongli:
[With your spatial authority, you can retrieve them instantly. The difficulty lies in screening the adults.]
Takumi:
[Adults will be selected based on usefulness and morality.]
[Professionals accepted.]
[Trash rejected.]
Akeno:
[Ara… that sounds very Takumi-like.]
Bronya:
[Practical, efficient, morally grey. Fits perfectly.]
Sagiri:
[Brother Takumi… you're really becoming a world ruler now…]
Takumi didn't deny it.
Not anymore.
Takumi:
[This world is empty. Someone has to lead.]
Himeko:
[Just don't forget to rest, alright?]
6. Takumi's World — Preparing for the Influx
Takumi closed the chat and stretched.
Outside the villa, his world lay quiet—so quiet it was eerie.
But soon, it would be filled with life again.
He snapped his fingers.
Imaginary Space rippled.
Giant construction drones awakened, their eyes glowing blue.
Dormant factories hummed to life.
Robotic assembly lines began fabricating housing modules, power grids, water systems, and atmospheric purifiers.
He infused each machine with part of his Herrscher of Reason Authority.
Blueprints unfolded in midair, projected by hologram:
Modular housing sectors
High-efficiency public sanitation
Industrial zones
Agricultural hydro-domes
Research institutes
Multiverse cultural centers
Education academies
Children's welfare city
Cursed Children Sanctuary
The last blueprint flickered with a faint golden glow.
He put more detail into it than anything else.
"…A home," he murmured, "that cannot be taken from them again."
He pressed his palm to the projection.
The blueprint transformed into physical schematics and streamed into the waiting drones.
Construction began.
7. Slice-of-Life Group Chat Banter
As Takumi monitored constructions, the group chat pinged again.
Megumi Kato:
[Takumi-kun, should I prepare snacks for the incoming children?]
Takumi smiled gently.
Takumi:
[You don't need to— but if you want to, I'll make space for a snack center.]
Fujiwara Chika:
[ME TOO!! Can I teach them how to play board games?!]
Takumi:
[Sure. I'll build a recreation dome.]
Sagiri:
[I want to draw picture books for them…]
Takumi:
[Then I'll prepare an art studio.]
Bronya:
[I'll supply technology to protect them.]
Zhongli:
[I will share Liyue's educational principles if needed.]
Akeno:
[Ara~ I will teach magic if they want.]
Even Himeko chimed in:
Himeko:
[I'll send educational materials from my world. They deserve the best.]
For a moment, the group wasn't chaotic.
It was warm.
Unified.
8. The Calm Before Departure
Takumi stood outside his villa, hands in his pockets, watching drones build the first city of his world.
Hundreds of structures already rose from the barren land.
A civilization ready to be born.
He exhaled slowly.
Tomorrow, he would travel.
Tomorrow, he would begin rescuing the cursed children.
Tomorrow, his empty world would no longer be empty.
But tonight—
He closed his eyes and breathed in the cold, silent wind of a deserted Earth.
Tonight was the last night of solitude.
Because soon…
He would no longer be alone.