"I understand, Luo Shu. You want to help Familia members advance their Classes through point distribution."
"That's why you established their monthly base salary as half their contributed points."
"But I don't recommend this approach."
Lacus's gaze was unusually composed as she spoke:
"During the primitive accumulation phase of capital, this distribution system is inadvisable."
"What Luo Shu needs most—with the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System—is rapid growth to unlock its permissions and functions."
"Take the Dream Simulation Chamber that appeared after cultivating Miss Tokisaki. This auxiliary function benefits you more than gifting Familia members tens of thousands of points, don't you agree?"
Luo Shu had no rebuttal, though he found it strange. Lacus's attitude completely contradicted his understanding of her.
Was this still the same Peace Ambassador?
Beside them, Meer muttered under her breath:
"Oh no, Lacus has entered her startup phase again. Looks like leisure time will be drastically reduced."
Opposite them, Kirika Tachibana wore a complicated expression.
No one's personality remains static.
As a veteran from the SDS's startup days, like herself, knew, Lacus's former temperament was quite different.
The gentle young lady, the compassionate princess—these titles only emerged after the SDS had passed its initial accumulation phase and entered a stable development stage.
Before that, the title bestowed upon her by Truth Astronomy—one they spat through gritted teeth—was the name recognised across American organisations: the Enchantress.
If the leader of a semi-official covert organisation had truly been some fool who only preached peace, the group's expansion would've been impossible.
During a group's initial development, its leader excels at just one skill.
Exploitation.
Exploit yourself, exploit your enemies, plunder all resources to maximise your own growth.
Only after accumulating sufficient capital and surviving the initial phase does one begin to prioritise stability and order.
Kirika Tachibana had witnessed Lacus's era of struggle and even held deep admiration for her.
That's why she'd previously been somewhat dissatisfied with Lacus's current gentle demeanour.
After all, in her eyes, Lacus shouldn't have been this kind of gentle princess.
Yet judging by current circumstances, it seemed Lacus had found a new purpose to strive for.
Was that Enchantress about to make her return?
At this thought, Kirika Tachibana stopped smoking, instead crushing the cigarette between her fingers as she laughed:
"I thought you'd go for a 90-10 split."
Lacus gave her a calm glance before replying evenly:
"Familia members aren't machines on a production line."
'So you actually considered 90-10?'
Luo Shu couldn't help but complain internally.
Meanwhile, Lacus turned back to continue persuading Luo Shu:
"The current points distribution system for Familia is an equal fifty-fifty split, but you also established a mission commission system."
"Truthfully, the fifty-fifty split conflicts heavily with the mission commission system."
"I originally intended to suggest abandoning one of these systems, but considering other factors, I believe dropping the mission commission system would be preferable."
Here, Lacus suddenly smiled:
"Or perhaps, the mission system should only retain recruitment bonuses for new members."
Hearing this, Luo Shu stroked his chin:
"You're suggesting I reduce the points distribution ratio, set recruitment targets for each Familia member, and incentivise them to recruit for extra points?"
Lacus lifted her teacup - the tea had been prepared earlier by Yukino Yukinoshita:
"Targets needn't be mandatory. Some Familia members genuinely lack motivation for self-improvement, though this doesn't preclude them from contributing."
This immediately made Luo Shu think of Eriri Sawamura, whose drive to grow stronger was indeed the weakest among the Familia.
"Slackers content with fixed wages versus ambitious salespeople hustling for commissions?"
Luo Shu didn't particularly object to Lacus's proposal.
After all, the distribution ratio favoured him, and treating Familia members as recruiters would expand their numbers, yielding more points overall.
"Though quantity without quality isn't necessarily good."
As he said this, Luo Shu looked at Lacus. He didn't believe the SDS Supreme Chairwoman would overlook this point.
After all, the SDS currently boasted the lowest casualty rate among all official organisations - merely 6% annually.
This statistic stemmed from their members' comprehensive capabilities.
Truthfully, were it not for the unpredictable nature of Abyss Artefact abilities, this rate could be pushed even lower until a new equilibrium is reached.
"I understand your concerns, Luo Shu."
Lacus sipped her tea before exhaling a warm, moist breath:
"But Familia members don't necessarily require points to grow stronger, do they?"
At this, Luo Shu's eyes brightened:
"You mean... Gene Adjustment?"
Just then, Meer spoke up quietly from the side:
"In addition to the development of Dying Will Flames, the Demon God Project currently being conducted by Dr. Verde and Dr. Anya is another means to enhance Familia's strength. Of course, it could probably earn us points as well."
"After all, compared to ordinary money, points are definitely more important! If we can exchange monetary expenditure for points from Familia, it would be quite a good deal."
"Demon God Project? What's that? Some classified SDS project?"
Hearing the term 'Demon God,' Luo Shu couldn't help but show some curiosity on his face.
"Luo Shu, you know about Gundams, right? There are several stored in the Hidden Management Zone after all."
Kirika Tachibana explained in terms Luo Shu could understand:
"Simply put, it's about miniaturising and mystifying Gundams - reducing their size while using Dying Will Flames paired with Solar Furnaces for power. They're remotely controlled via psychic interfaces or worn as surface armour for operation."
"Additionally, imitating bloodline sorcerers, each Gundam is bestowed with a special mystic side ability."
"This project was initiated by Dr. Anya and Dr. Verde."
"These special Gundams were named Skill Demon Gods by Dr. Anya, hence the project's name - Demon God Project."
"Currently, the first prototypes - the Jade Demon God with freezing abilities and the White Jade Demon God with sealing capabilities - have been completed, with mass production designs underway."
"Apparently, Dr. Anya wants to develop a Silver Demon God with spatial abilities and a Black Iron Demon God with gravity manipulation, but research seems stuck at the moment."
"Honestly, the SDS's recent budget has been completely devoured by these two doctors. If not for seeing actual results, I'd have considered dumping these budget warriors into Tokyo Bay."
As Luo Shu listened to Tachibana's explanation, his expression gradually became somewhat dumbfounded.
Skill Demon God development powered by Dying Will Flames and Solar Furnaces? Combining abilities with technology?
What kind of madness is this?!
So SDS is involved in such diverse activities?