"Isamu, is it? Welcome to the Shuriman Empire. From this day on, you are a citizen under Shurima's protection."
Riku made the proclamation, and Isamu, trembling with emotion, fell to his knees in devout silence. He had no words left for gratitude.
Tony Stark frowned at the sight. Proud as he was, he could not imagine bowing so low, so he stood quietly to the side.
Riku nodded, satisfied with Isamu's posture. This was prime harvest, loyal subjects who would generate Legend Value for him day after day.
"Rise," Riku said, in excellent spirits.
Once on his feet, Isamu asked nervously, "Great Emperor, do you know about my family?"
"You mean Isa and the others. You have a happy home, and by great fortune, you can all reunite in Shurima. They have been waiting here for you a long time. Go and see them."
Riku smiled as he spoke. He was fond of Shurima's residents. After all, they yielded a steady stream of Legend Value each day.
Compared to Isamu, a man of learning, his family had joined Shurima even earlier.
In a way, the Empire's existence had changed Isamu's tragic fate. Without Riku's arrival, Isamu's loved ones would have died in a coming war. Luckily, before the chaos struck, they had earned the right to enter Shurima.
Overflowing with joy, Isamu hurried out, eager to see the family he had been separated from for years.
When he first returned to his war-torn homeland, he had received a terrible message. His family had vanished, and his quiet village was a ruin. After searching the disaster zone for a long time, he found a fellow villager, a herdsman who was both townsman and neighbor. The man told him that his wife and child still lived, and had gone to the place everyone dreamed of, the legendary Shuriman Empire. Isamu chose to believe. He had to. Without that belief, he would have had no will to go on. He set out to find Shurima, found a way in, and against all odds, succeeded.
When Isamu left, only Tony Stark and Riku remained in the hall.
Looking at Tony, Riku recalled what he knew of the man. His life split neatly in two. If the first half was contemptible, the second half won respect. The Marvel world was never kind to heroes. Across its stories, any who bore that mantle suffered.
He felt sympathy, but he had no intention of meddling with their fates. He only wished to restore Valoran's glory in this world, then carry that glory to the summit. To do that, he could not remain buried in the sands forever.
In this world, Riku had no legal identity. He needed one, and with it he would gather more Legend Value. Compared to this disaster zone, a high-tech nation like America offered faster gains. Here was for slow growth, not rapid ascent. He might be an emperor, but that was temporary. The Azir template had a time limit. His true assets were Shurima itself and the undying soldiers he had converted over the years.
"Tony Stark, do you know why I summoned you?" Riku asked in a deep voice.
"No idea," Tony replied without a thought.
"I have a daughter. Her name is Sivir."
"And? Is there something I can do for your daughter?" Tony asked, wary but intrigued. He knew himself well enough to doubt he was being sized up as a son-in-law.
"My consort-to-be, my son-in-law, wants to see the outside world. In exchange, I want you to take him to your country and show him your world."
Riku stated his aim. As for who Sivir's man was, of course it was Riku himself, the future conqueror of hearts.
Tony considered, then nodded. "Sounds like a fair deal. I agree."
"Remember this. You will guarantee his safety. If anything happens to him, your country will be buried with him," Riku warned, his presence pressing down like a weight.
Tony shrugged off the threat. "You are very kind to your son-in-law. A fine father-in-law indeed. Relax. I am Tony Stark, the richest man in America. In the world of capital, I do as I please."
"In that case, you may go. Say your goodbyes to your friend. He will come find you when it is time to depart."
Riku dismissed him, no longer interested in talk.
Tony rolled his shoulders and turned to leave, unfazed. As for keeping this so-called Riku safe, he had full confidence. Backed by his wealth, it would be no problem at all.