"Hmph." Kawa nodded in satisfaction though Dyon was smiling bitterly inwardly.

When had he ever neglected Ri? More accurately, she had thrown herself into raising the Elvin Clans back up so he took a step back and played the role of supportive husband. In the end, didn't he see her everyday?

Aiya, it really was too difficult when you cared about your parent-in-law's opinion. Maybe he should estrange himself from Kawa too, he thought jokingly.

In reality, Kawa was just a bit frustrated by her own husband and was projecting their problems onto Ri and Dyon though they didn't exist.

It was no wonder King Acacia, or rather, Patriarch Acacia, was feeling a bit inadequate. Actually, even that title was incorrect. He had handed his title off to his younger brother, so right now, Uncle Acacia was the current Patriarch of the Acacia Clan.

In the meantime, Dyon's father-in-law had been training like a mad man. According to Ri, he had abolished his cultivation over 7 times already, searching for a new path for himself.

In the end, he abolished his cultivation for an 8th time and entered the Epistemic Tower, hoping to gain some insight through the True Empath trial. How could he rely on his own daughter and son-in-law to improve? He felt that it would be a blow to his manhood.

Obviously, in all this time, he had neglected his wife.

"Don't worry mother, Edrym will find his path. Just give him some time."

Kawa paused at these words before smiling lightly. She really was satisfied with this son-in-law of hers. Despite knowing she was being unfair, he didn't complain and instead helped ease her mind.

"Mm. Come, Little Alex will be happy to see you." Wrapping her arm around Dyon, she pulled him forward, chatting with him despite knowing that with his senses, Dyon already knew exactly where Ri was.

But, considering how lonely his mother-in-law had been, Dyon didn't want to disappoint her, so he purposely walked slower, feeling a slight warmth as Kawa's smile deepened.

**

Within the depths of the Epistemic Tower, a tall blue haired man stood in a black fog filled world. Though to the outside, there was nothing but himself, he still trembled and sweat profusely.

"No I didn't mean it." He mumbled.

"I only wanted to save my wife! Wouldn't you want to save yours too?!"

"I didn't abandon my Kingdom! I didn't abandon my daughter! I didn't! I didn't!"

The ravings of the blue haired man was heard by no one else but himself.

...

Dyon and Kawa walked toward a large courtyard to find the massive image of an ancient tree. It loomed over the whole of Elvin territory. In fact, it was so large that it could be seen from the outer space territory of soul planet. It was none other than the World Tree projection Ri had brought into this world with her abilities as Elvin Queen.

Currently, hundred sat meditating under its rays, while Ri herself sat on a sturdy branch of the projection meditating. She was so focused that she didn't even notice Dyon enter, completely focused on her task at hand.

"Ah, so painful, my own wife doesn't even notice my presence." Though Dyon didn't lower his voice, no one but Kawa heard him.

Still, elves who weren't as focused as Ri couldn't help but look over. When they recognized him, their eyes became filled with reverence.

The elves hadn't participated in the battle in any large capacity. They were one of the most powerful fighting forces Dyon had at the time, but it was impossible for them to contribute. Currently, their bodies were still undergoing changes under the influence of the World Tree, so they couldn't bring out their true strength.

In the end, Dyon made the choice of allowing them to remain here, thinking that he would soon be attacking the 99 universes anyway. But, now that he had decided against such a rash action, he was faced with a dilemma.

Of the probationary 1st Tier Clans, the Pakals, the Guatama, and the Jafari were the only Clans who gained enough merits to become official 1st Tier Clans.

The Guatama Clan, led by Alidor, absorbed what remained of the Uidah, effectively taking it over. The two Clans had very close blood ties to begin with, having only diverged a few generations ago, which was why their two Clans had once been very close.

With the contributions of Alidor and the Sons and Daughters, not only did they accumulate enough merit to become 1st Tier Clans, they were well on their way to becoming a 2nd Tier Clan.

These matters gave Dyon quite the headache. Though he wanted to favor his wife, it was impossible to do so under these circumstances. He couldn't just arbitrarily give the elves status when they hadn't earned it.

If the merit needed could be covered by Ri alone, it would be fine. But, the way Dyon and Clara constructed the system, a Clan must meet a total merit goal as well as meeting a total contributors of a certain threshold goal. Meaning, a single person couldn't carry a Clan to great status.

All of this resulted in a situation where the Elves might very well lose their probationary status as 1st Tier Clans. Should this happen, Dyon would be forced to rescind much of their territory.

If he really followed through with such a thing, what had been his mother-in-law projecting her poor marital status upon him might become closer to the truth than he'd like to admit.

Luckily, the Federation gave Dyon a great escape from this. If the World Tree had as great of an effect as it should, then that would mean that Dyon could allow the elves to accumulate merits by 'conquering' universes through the Federation's system. Then, the problem would be solved.

Dyon didn't mind sending a clone to handle these matters. After all, a single clone of his would already be stronger than any of the youths below 1000 years of age. At least in the Tower Quadrants, that is.