>>5903187“But then I realized something, as I watched him. As his students grew in strength and in numbers, their power wasn't all he was cultivating.” you continue, remembering when you'd first had this revelation. “He was forging another family.”
“A family? You've lost me.” she says, you turning from the sea back to her.
“Yes. Just like you could call the wider Crimson Demon Village a 'family', or like Yunyun's team could be called her family, a chosen family. Or, to a more abstract, the Crimson Demon Village and our two biggest allies, the Great Tomb of Nazarick and the Jura Tempest Federation, could also be considered a family.”
She looks away as you say this, her brilliant mind working overtime as she studies what you've said. You can see her eyes darting back and forth while she looks down, muttering quietly to herself as she breaks down your logic, analyzing it. So, you continue, letting her ponder your words.
“The bonds we forge, Like the one between our families, you and I. Between all of our friends across worlds, our bonds as both students and as masters. These are also a strength.” you continue, turning from your wife and looking back out to your kids, watching as they and Karn Jr all work together to lift a large, submerged rock, curious what was under it. Exemplifying what you're saying. “This power is one that grows far greater than any single, individual power can ever hope to reach on its own. That when we work together to help each other grow, we all become stronger for it. Together. Pushing us all to ever-greater heights, smashing through limits previously thought unobtainable. And, with this power, we can reshape our very universe. To turn it from one where the strong trample the weak to one where we all lift each other up, pushing each other to reach ever-greater heights.”
After you finish what you're saying, everything's quiet. You turn, Megumin looking at you with an almost sad-seeming smile. And, without words leans in, hugging you with both arms. You return the hug, the two of you sitting there quietly.
“Dad made the universe a safer place for us, to live how we want to. But now it's my turn.” you say, still holding Megumin close. “It's our job to give them a better life than ours as their parents.”
“I'm in.” your wife says, pulling back a bit to look you in the eyes. “If we're going to make the universe better, we need to set an example for everyone else to follow. And I think you're off to a great start, mister <span class="mu-i">Crystal Sage</span>. Really working hard to earn the last part of that title title today.”
And as the two of you laugh at her gentle teasing, you know that, no matter what, Megumin's got your back. And with her support, with your loving wife behind you one hundred percent, you can do anything.
-Saiyan Conqueror Quest 211 Intermission End-
