In the end, Luo Shu made his decision:
"Instalment payments can be considered, but they can't be mandatory."
Luo Shu understood perfectly well that Lacus's goal was to extract the points the SDS needed from the Familia.
And the reason for this was Luo Shu's own need for points to accelerate his growth.
Under these circumstances, as the primary beneficiary, Luo Shu could hardly criticise her approach.
Hearing this, Lacus couldn't help but smile:
"Even if you say that, your wording sounds more like encouragement."
Luo Shu gave her a deadpan look:
"What else can I do? You expect me to conjure points out of thin air?"
The Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's points came from two simple sources: increasing Luo Shu's personal influence and recruiting high-impact Familia members.
These channels not only provided a substantial initial points payout but also guaranteed significant monthly returns.
Lacus's earlier proposal had been to adjust the monthly points split from Luo Shu's original 50-50 to 70-30.
In a way, this was a cost-cutting measure. To earn more points, they needed to focus on expanding revenue streams.
At this thought, Luo Shu suddenly had an idea and voiced it directly:
"Speaking of which, if I obtain powerful Abyss Artefacts, they could passively boost my personal influence and generate points."
Kirika Tachibana's eyes widened in realisation:
"So that's why you applied to establish the Hidden Management Department to oversee Abyss Artefacts?"
So Luo Shu's purpose in establishing the department was actually to borrow resources to hatch his own eggs, setting his sights on the Abyss Artefacts held by SDS?
Hearing Kirika Tachibana instantly grasp his scheme to leech points, Luo Shu coughed twice and said:
"Ahem, while your wording isn't quite accurate, that's essentially correct."
At that moment, Meer, who'd also caught on, poked Luo Shu's cheek with her finger, grinning:
"Naughty Luo Shu."
"Every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy him..." Luo Shu mumbled sheepishly as his cheek was prodded.
Seeing Luo Shu like this, Lacus couldn't help a slight upturn of her lips:
"Since we have this channel available, Meer, prepare for the transfer of Abyss Artefacts. Internally, we'll say Verde has developed a new sealing method for Abyss Artefacts, and we're changing systems to cut costs."
"Understood."
Meer smiled at Lacus before adding:
"But little Luo Shu's method for sealing Abyss Artefacts actually utilises the Hidden Management Zone's special properties, doesn't it?"
'Little Luo Shu? What kind of nonsense is that? Have you seen me or something?'
Luo Shu mentally complained, but still answered Meer:
"It does utilise the Hidden Management Zone. As for its capabilities, judging from how it suppressed the Kusanagi Sword, sealing Demigod Rank Abyss Artefacts shouldn't be a problem."
Currently, everyone present knew the Hidden Management Zone was actually Luo Shu's Divine Kingdom. However, due to the area's unique nature, Lacus had suggested continuing to use "Hidden Management Zone" both internally and externally, directly under the jurisdiction of the Hidden Management Department, to prevent intelligence leaks.
Naturally, no one present, including Luo Shu, had any objections.
Though Kirika Tachibana noticed something amiss - Lacus hadn't mentioned the Divine Kingdom suppressing the Kusanagi Sword.
Probably another case of Lacus keeping secrets with Luo Shu to avoid worrying them.
That said, Kirika was well aware of how the Kusanagi Sword's excessive power had been overburdening Lacus' body. Having a method to suppress it was undoubtedly good news.
Of course, the most crucial point was the Hidden Management Zone's ability to suppress the Kusanagi Sword.
Meanwhile, Lacus immediately understood Meer's implication upon hearing her question:
"Meer, you're thinking of expanding Hidden Management Zones to all branches?"
"Exactly."
Without hesitation, Meer - perched on an armrest - slung an arm around Luo Shu's neck and cheerfully explained:
"SDS branches already have corresponding Abyss Artefact management personnel, with branch heads having authority to retrieve artefacts under specific circumstances."
"If Hidden Management Zones can establish access points across branches, we could absorb the existing management staff and expand the Hidden Management Department to oversee all Abyss Artefacts directly."
"Of course, the most important thing here is the points generated from containing Abyss Artefacts."
As she said this, Meer vigorously ruffled Luo Shu's hair.
Feeling the touch against his cheek, Luo Shu couldn't help but remark dryly:
"Can I interpret this behaviour as you trying to bribe me with your body?"
Hearing this, Meer giggled without offering any rebuttal.
Meanwhile, Kirika Tachibana shot an irritated glance at Meer's frustratingly voluptuous figure, then at Lacus—whose proportions were only slightly less impressive—before scowling even harder.
Receiving no response from Meer, Luo Shu turned to Lacus with a sigh:
"Aren't you going to stop her?"
"Meer is a good girl," Lacus replied with a gentle smile.
Seeing this, Luo Shu exhaled in resignation and continued:
"Since I proposed that containing Abyss Artefacts could generate additional resources, I naturally intend to allocate all these points entirely for the SDS's use."
"After all, these are rewards earned through life-and-death struggles. If we weren't comrades, it'd be one thing—but since we're Familia allies, I'm not shameless enough to withhold these points."
Unlike Luo Shu's current Familia of fewer than twenty members, the SDS was a massive organisation with tens of thousands of affiliated personnel—and that was just counting direct members.
Among so many, very few could become Familia members, yet points were beneficial to everyone.
Of course, Luo Shu understood Lacus wouldn't foolishly distribute point rewards to every SDS member. Instead, most points would likely be invested in Verde's Research Department.
For scientific advancement, some things weren't about money—they were about accessibility.
Classes, abilities, knowledge, and even materials for ability progression, as well as the Dream Simulation Chamber—these were all resources the SDS had previously struggled to obtain.
Without Luo Shu's involvement and approval, access to these would have remained impossible.
Money could be earned and used to purchase most worldly things, but the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's scarce resources? Those could only be exchanged with points.
"I'll transfer all points from the SDS's existing Abyss Artefacts, as well as future earnings, directly to you, Lacus. You can handle the distribution."
As someone raised in the modern era, Luo Shu fully grasped that scientific advancements were the primary drivers of progress.
Investing points into Verde's Research Department could yield benefits for all SDS members—even humanity at large.
Yet Luo Shu also recognised that the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's resource repository grew in tandem with his own strength.
The stronger he became, the more potent the repository—achieving the same effect through different means.
"For us, the optimal approach right now is..."
"Advancing on both fronts." X2
Luo Shu and Lacus spoke almost simultaneously.
Luo Shu glanced at Lacus, who responded with a sweet smile.
Amused, Luo Shu chuckled:
"It seems our positions have aligned."