Composed, Tony Stark stepped out of the palace and spotted Isamu waiting not far away.
Seeing the joy on Isamu's face, Tony guessed he had already reunited with his family.
For reasons he could not name, Tony felt a flicker of envy.
"Tony Stark, you are finally out. Well? Can you stay here too?" Isamu ran over, excited.
"No. I am here to say goodbye, then I am leaving with a tagalong," Tony said with a grin, his tone free of regret.
Compared to this place, he preferred the glittering world outside.
Hearing that Tony was leaving, Isamu grew anxious. "Tony, you should stay. You have been here long enough. Have you noticed anything miraculous?"
"Miraculous? What is miraculous about it? It is sand and rock, sand and rock. The only things worth praising are the palace behind me and that floating disc. Otherwise, I do not see how this differs from outside."
Tony's answer was careless. The power system here was strange, but as a technophile, he disliked its backwardness.
"Exactly, the disc. It is called the Sun Disc," Isamu said, alight. "I asked my wife. The Sun Disc is Shurima's sacred relic. In scientific terms, it is a massive radiation source. People who live under its radiation undergo an incredible leap and evolve toward a more perfect state. That is why the people here have such frightening physiques."
He poured out the wonders of the Sun Disc to a fellow man of science.
Tony's interest spiked at once.
When he had first entered, he had noticed the disc, but only marveled at the technology required to make such a vast structure float.
He had not expected the true marvel to be the disc itself.
"A gigantic radiation source that drives people toward a more perfect form? That is... hard to believe," Tony said, staring at the disc in surprise.
What did that imply? Shuriman citizens might be Captain America level on average, and on top of that, they had mysterious magic.
For a moment, Tony was tempted, though a thread of concern tugged at him.
What if this nation chose to invade Earth? Even ignoring everything else, the soldiers' physical prowess alone would be a problem.
He wanted to stay and study the Sun Disc.
Such a wondrous relic.
"Sadly, I am not a citizen here, and the master of this country does not welcome me to remain. Sorry, Isamu," Tony said, helpless.
At first, he had looked down on this seemingly primitive nation. Even with its strangeness, its social form felt archaic.
But once he grasped the Sun Disc's mystery, his view flipped.
This was not a backward country. It was a civilization taking a different path.
While the two discussed the disc, Riku jogged over, no longer wearing the Desert Emperor's guise.
Listening in, he felt a private swell of pride. He had agonized before exchanging for the Sun Disc. In this world, it was outrageously valuable. His goal had been simple: let Shuriman citizens live longer. The longer they lived, the more Legend Value they produced.
"Actually, the Sun Disc is even more miraculous than you think. Enhancing the populace is only one of its applications," Riku interjected.
Their talk broke off. Under their questioning looks, he smiled and introduced himself. "I am Riku, the Light of Valoran."
"The Light of Valoran? What is that supposed to mean?" Tony arched a brow, intrigued and puzzled.
"It is a custom here. Anyone of renown or ability bears an epithet. For example, His Majesty the Emperor is the Desert Emperor. His daughter, Sivir, who is my wife, bears the title War Goddess," Riku explained with an easy smile.
"Desert Emperor, Lord of Valoran, War Goddess. Sounds like ancient honorifics. You are the prince who is coming out to enjoy the wider world with me?" Tony asked.
"Yes, Mr. Stark. We do not have many entertainments here. Stay long enough and it gets dull," Riku said without denial.
Tony nodded in sympathy. As a man who knew how to enjoy life, he understood.
Seeing them drift off topic, Isamu cut in, helpless. "Your Highness, I am Isamu. You just said the Sun Disc has other uses?"
Riku nodded and continued. "The Sun Disc's most critical role is as the key instrument for the Ascension Rite."
At their puzzled faces, he added, "Ascension is the making of gods, the passage by which mortals evolve toward divinity."