Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

Luo Xu showed no intention of backing down.

"You're the one who ordered this guy over. You can do whatever you want with me, but too bad... I've never intended to work for anyone."

"So, what if I told you that one of the core elements of my plan is that man named Dian Si? What would you do then?"

Luo Xu's bone hand, which he had originally intended to extend, stopped abruptly behind him.

"...Are you the same way?"

There seemed to be a sense of oppression hidden in his voice.

"Come and help me, Luo Xu. I know your target is that man named Dian Si. You want to get rid of him... right?"

"However, if it's just a matter of using your power to kill him, that would be an easy thing. But... what if you prove yourself to be stronger than that human in every way?"

"..."

"I know, you've always looked down on Dian Si, you look down on him for being valued by so many people despite being human, you look down on his naive and kind nature, you look down on his limited strength... So you want to prove that you are much stronger than him, you want to prove that the so-called possibilities of humanity are all nonsense, isn't that right?"

Luo Xu directly turned the driver sideways and deactivated the transformation.

What do you want?

"It's very simple. Just follow the plan I've outlined. I'll arrange a battlefield for you and Dian Si to fight each other. When that time comes, you can use your own strength to completely overwhelm him from every angle, thus proving that you, not him, are the one who can change the world."

"Hmph...that sounds like a good idea, but I'm not going to stay with you guys."

Luo Xu turned around and said to Finis without any mercy.

"I will do things my own way. Even so, I don't care what you plan to do."

"However... I must be the one to defeat that human named Dian Si."

"Sure, but you'll have to help us when we need it. So, it's settled then?"

"Do as you please."

Luo Xu no longer cared about Phineas's expression behind him.

He walked slowly into the deserted desert.

'Just you wait, I'll prove I'm the key player... weaklings like that don't deserve to be part of the plan!'

"Hey, are you sure it's okay for you to just let him go like this?"

After recovering, Da Dao Keji stood up and looked at Phineas to ask him a question.

But Finnis... simply smiled calmly.

"Everything is going as I expected... I just need to wait and see how things develop."

Volume 4, Knight Wars: Chapter 84 - I Will Definitely Save This World for You

The next morning, everyone got up very early.

In the end, Yan Ming and Woz still didn't go to sleep, while Gates was a bit too tired to stay awake. Dian Si seemed to be in good physical condition, so he wasn't very sleepy.

After a simple breakfast, the children's new life in the shelter began.

"Mr. Lloyd!"

"Sir! The new house feels so big! It's so much better than our old place!"

"That's right! We don't have to squeeze together anymore when we sleep together; everyone feels like there's plenty of space!"

"I won't feel cold when I sleep at night anymore, and I won't get a fever or catch a cold because of the wind!"

"And yesterday's dinner was really delicious! Today's breakfast was the same!"

"It's so great that I don't have to sleep to the sound of gunfire anymore!"

Lloyd and Joel couldn't help but widen their eyes slightly, exchange a glance, and then look at the children.

Are you all satisfied with the new environment?

"Yes! Very satisfied!"

"Oh, I see. Well then... everyone should thank Mr. Yan Ming properly later, because he helped us build this new house."

"Understood! Thank you, Mr. Yan Ming!"

The couple couldn't help but smile at each other. How long had it been since they had seen such joyful expressions on the children's faces?

After settling the children in, they went to the side.

Anya, who had just finished breakfast, excitedly rushed towards them.

"Mom! Anya wants to go play by the river!"

"Huh? Is that... the stream Mr. Yan Ming mentioned yesterday?"

When Anya made this request, Jolton looked at Lloyd as if he couldn't make up his mind.

"What should we do, Mr. Lloyd?"

"It's a rare opportunity... so why don't we take Anya along and go check it out?"

"Really?! Thank you, Dad and Mom! Anya loves you both the most!!"

Lloyd patted his daughter's head helplessly, while Anya smiled expectantly.

------------------

Then the family of three went to the riverbank together.

About 100 meters from the shelter, the three saw a clear stream flowing in the middle of the road.

"It really exists! What a beautiful little river!"

"Wait, Anya! The river over there looks very strong, be careful!"

Anya excitedly ran to the riverbank, squatted down, and touched the ever-flowing river with her little hands.

Joel and Lloyd also came over here.

The stream is crystal clear, with some pretty pebbles at the bottom; just looking at it can make you feel happy.

And then... wait a minute?

"Mr. Lloyd, is someone over there...?"

Joel pointed to the distance, and Lloyd quickly looked in the direction she was pointing.

A young man dressed in black clothes and white trousers stood there.

He had several wooden buckets with him, and he was bending down to collect the stream water in them.

"Mr. Yan Ming...!"

Yan Ming, who was getting water, stood up immediately upon hearing a familiar voice behind him.

He turned his head and saw the Lloyds waving and walking toward him.

"It's you guys."

Yan Ming also stopped what he was doing and put the wooden bucket aside.

"You actually got up so early?"

"Isn't Mr. Yan Ming the same? And also..."

Lloyd tilted his hat to the side, revealing a grateful smile.

"The children are very happy with the shelter you built. They all said that last night was the best sleep they've ever had!"

"…is that so."

How could such a simple, basic wooden cabin elicit such high praise from the children?

Just how miserable must their lives have been before...?

After thinking about this, Yan Ming felt even more concerned about these children.

"So, Mr. Yan Ming, what brings you here? You look like you're getting water..."

"You don't have a device that can directly generate water, do you?"

Yan Ming straightened the wooden bucket next to him and picked up an empty one.

"The mountains and streams here don't seem to be that murky. If we store this fresh water for the children, and then filter it and heat it up, we can solve everyone's drinking water problem."

Mr. Yan Ming, you really care about the children's affairs.

"Ah...actually, we were planning to come back to fetch water after hearing from Mr. Yan Ming that there was a water source in the mountains, but it seems Mr. Yan Ming beat us to it..."

So, does that mean they didn't come here to collect water?

Yan Ming glanced around at the two of them and then noticed Anya, who was still playing by the stream.

"Hey Anya, be careful not to fall into the river!"

"Okay, Daddy~"

When Joel saw that Yan Ming seemed to be watching Anya, he smiled and prepared to explain to him.

"This child, after hearing you say there's a stream here, really wanted to come and see it."

"I see, so you all came along to play with her..."

"Yes... Ah! Anya! The ground over there is all muddy and dirty!"

When Joel saw Anya seem to want to step on the muddy patch of ground, he quickly gave her a warning.

Lloyd, however, chuckled.

"But to be honest, although the surrounding area is a bit dirty, this stream is really clear and clean."

"Especially in such an apocalyptic world, it's a very rare place. Compared to this dark world, it's so clean here, really."

Only after he finished speaking did Lloyd realize what he had said.

Yan Ming remained silent, while Joel showed a slightly helpless expression, and Lloyd couldn't help but smile wryly.

For a moment, the atmosphere seemed somewhat heavy.

"Well... in short, Mr. Yan Ming, leave the rest of the work to us!"

"No, it's nothing if it's just getting water..."

“You have done so much for the children and for us, Mr. Wozniak, Mr. Soga, and the new Mr. Gates and Mr. Denji.”

"So just leave it to Mr. Lloyd and me. Oh, by the way! If Mr. Yan Ming has time, could you please look after Anya?"

"It's not that it's impossible."

"Great! Then, please keep a close eye on Anya and make sure she doesn't step on the dirty mud or fall into the river!"

Lloyd and Joel moved the empty barrels aside, leaving only Yan Ming and Anya nearby.

Anya then stood up, turned her head to look around, and tilted her little head.

"Um...where did Mom and Dad go?"

"They took the buckets to the side to fill them with water, and it will be over soon."

Although it's not really necessary for Yan Ming to just store water, since he can create a lot of water with the Build dial, all of that water contains special energy or is industrial water, and he's still a little worried about giving it directly to the children to drink.

However, Build's full bottle does contain the power to make food, so if possible, I'll make some food for the kids later, like Christmas cookies or something...

Now, Lloyd and Joel's task is to take good care of this little girl.

Anya looked at Yan Ming with some curiosity, then secretly revealed a troubled expression.

'No, that won't work! No matter how I look at him, I can't see into his heart, and I can't hear anything!'

"Your parents said you seemed very interested in this stream, is that true?"

"Ah...yes, yes!"

Anya shook her little head up and down, then walked over to Yan Ming's side.

"Um, Yan Ming... Yan Ming... brother...?"

"Well, what happened?"

When dealing with children, Yan Ming tries his best to be gentle.

Anya tugged at his hand and pointed to the stream beside them.