"Eh? Did you call me?"
Cloud walked to Kula's side, picked her up, held her aloft before everyone, and loudly declared:
"That's right! It's Kula!"
"Three reasons!"
"First! Our Kula is innocent, pure, and adorable, without any selfish motives! Having her make decisions is the fairest!"
Kula blinked, seemingly pondering whether "fair" or "ice cream" was tastier.
"Second! Our Kula is powerful and invincible! Anyone who disagrees with her decisions can ask her Ice-Fire Sun if it agrees!"
Kula instinctively extended her small hand, a tiny ice-fire fusion energy sphere appearing in her palm, making the surrounding sisters unconsciously step back.
"Third! And most importantly!" Cloud's expression became utterly serious.
"Because... I spoil her! I want to! Anyone have a problem with that?"
This declaration of "completely unreasonable" and "utterly illogical" left all the brilliant, powerful goddesses completely speechless.
What could they say?
Reason with Kula?—She probably wouldn't understand.
Fight Kula?—They'd most likely lose.
Protest to Cloud?—He'd just flip the table and refuse to play.
Finally, Chizuru Kagura was the first to react. She pressed her forehead, letting out a helpless yet indulgent sigh.
She understood.
Cloud had no intention of establishing hierarchies or making rules.
By choosing Kula—the child least likely to make "reasonable" decisions—as the "queen," he was precisely making all "rules" meaningless.
What he wanted wasn't a strictly hierarchical harem, but a true "family" where he could do as he pleased, enjoying everyone's love while loving everyone in return.
Understanding this, Chizuru's face showed a relieved smile.
Though Mai was still pouting, she reluctantly called out: "Fine, fine, whatever you say, little one!"
Leona gave a crisp military salute: "Yes!"
"So, Your Majesty the Queen," Cloud smiled as he set Kula back in her chair, asking gently, "Regarding tonight's sleeping arrangements, do you have any instructions?"
Everyone's ears perked up.
Kula tilted her little head, looked at Chizuru on her left, then at Mai on her right, and finally at the table full of delicious food.
She struggled for three seconds.
Then she picked up the biggest strawberry cake on the table, handed it to Cloud, and in an unquestionable, queenly tone, announced in her baby voice:
"Tonight, you sleep with the cake!"
The entire room burst into laughter.
Cloud held that cake, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Looking at these goddesses before him, each beautiful in their own way, laughing until they shook, his heart filled with unprecedented satisfaction and happiness.
Yes—what Dimensional Sovereign? What Universal Overlord?
Being able to enjoy such warm yet chaotic daily life was the true ultimate goal he'd been pursuing throughout his transmigration across dimensions.
...
After that afternoon tea party in "Infinite Manor" that concluded with "Queen Kula's coronation," Cloud's family status was thoroughly "stabilized"—he became a "head of household" who had to follow "Her Majesty's" decrees and sleep with cake.
Regarding this, Cloud said: It hurts, but I'm happy.
With internal matters settled, Cloud finally had the leisure to think about this world's "future development."
Though Otoma=Raga, that universe-level bug, had been turned into a "battery" and the KOF world had achieved eternal peace...
In Cloud's words: "Peace is won through fighting, not waiting. Who knows when some 'Cosmic Gourmet Association' or 'Dimensional Tourism Group' might pop out of some corner. Can't have me leaving the mahjong table to solve problems every time."
He needed to establish a sustainable, self-defending "firewall" for this world.
So he "worked overtime" once again.
This time, his summons went not to his harem but to this world's true "pillars."
In the KOF Mansion's training hall, once used as a "round table meeting" room.
Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Terry Bogard, Ryo Sakazaki, K', Kim Kaphwan... nearly every notable fighter sat there with serious expressions.
They thought this "Merciful God" was about to issue some "divine decree" concerning the world's survival.
But Cloud's opening words made their jaws drop.
"Everyone, I'm planning to... start a training camp." Cloud sat in the main seat, still holding a bubble tea Kula had forced on him, his tone as casual as a college graduate planning a startup.
Everyone: "...Huh?"
"Don't look so surprised." Cloud took a sip of tapioca pearls and spoke unclearly. "I'm about to officially retire. But before retirement, I should hand over my work and leave the company some corporate culture and training materials, right?"
He snapped his fingers.
Several light screens appeared before everyone.
The first screen displayed NESTS Technology's complete tech tree. From cloning technology and biological modification to anti-gravity engines and spatial portals... all the core technologies that Igniz and True Zero had dreamed of understanding were neatly organized by Cloud, complete with detailed "idiot-proof operation guides" and "anti-corruption notes."
K' and Maxima's eyes went wide seeing these materials. In the past, this would have been enough for NESTS to rule the world for another hundred years!
The second screen contained a deep analysis of Orochi Power. Cloud had removed all negative intentions about "destroying humanity," keeping only the purest essence of "Earth's life force." How to sense nature, how to guide ley lines, how to use life energy for healing and enhancement... even including how to use Orochi power to improve soil and increase crop yields—"divine-level farming techniques."
Seeing this, Chizuru showed a gratified smile. This was how Orochi power, as "Gaia's Will," should truly be used.
The third screen displayed Cloud's personally compiled Combat Insights, fusing martial arts essences from myriad realms.
It contained not only deep analyses and improvement suggestions for all known martial arts—Hadouken, Kyokugenryu, Yagami style, Kusanagi style—but even a "Guide to Godhood (Beginner Version)" about breaking through bottlenecks and comprehending "law" power.
...
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