Chapter 759

“When the premise changes, the essence also changes”.

As that God had said, even if a single one of the premises changes, the essence that should have already been established will also change its shape.

A single piece of information may explain all of a person’s inexplicable actions. A single truth may become the key to discovering one’s cleverly hidden purpose.

Why did she show up there? The reason for that————- was a “promise” she made a long time ago.

In the royal capital of Symphonia, there is a small miscellaneous goods store located off the main street. At the counter, Alice, the store owner, was quietly cleaning her knives.

A clone wearing a cat stuffed costume is normally in charge of the store, while the main body is acting as Kaito’s bodyguard, but today, Alice had unusually left guarding Kaito to several of her clones and subordinates, and stayed here with her main body.

A few moments later, pure white feathers descended into the store lit by Lighting Magic Tools, and with a dazzling glow, the God from another world descended.

[……Now this is quite the disrespect, if I may say so myself. For you to call upon me, what is the meaning of this?]

[Well~~ You arrived right on time. I’ve been waiting for you, Eden-san.]

After saying that to Eden-san, who just looked up at her with a blank expression on her face, Alice lightly waved her hand. Thereupon, the door of the store was locked and the sign in front of the door was flipped over.

Without reacting to her actions, Eden spoke to her with a nonchalant tone.

[What do you want? I don’t have time to spend on anyone but my children……]

[No~~ Well, that’s the thing. I need your help for a little while.]

[………………….]

[You see, after that incident with Shallow Vernal-sama happened, I realized that I was a bit inadequate. If I had been a step more powerful, there would have been other moves I could have taken.]

When Eden heard the words Alice said with a smile, she looked at her suspiciously. It’s as if to say that she didn’t understand the meaning of telling her such a thing……

Perhaps, her reaction was something she had expected, but Alice’s grin deepened as she cut to the chase.

[So, well, to put it simply, I’m thinking doing some training…… and you know, my body and magic power can only grow while I’m in Ἑκατόγχειρες’s Ultimate Battle Form. In a broad sense, my Ultimate Battle Form itself can be activated when in a battle that would lead to Kaito-san’s protection…… but if I don’t have a superior opponent, I won’t be able to grow properly. That’s why, I wanted a training partner.]

[…………………..]

[It would have been best if I could have asked Kuro-san, but it seemed like she was also making her own trials and errors, so I didn’t want to interfere…… but I don’t think Shallow Vernal-sama would listen to this request. That’s when it hit me! I should just ask Eden-san…… and so, please be my training partner]

[How ridiculous. This is an extremely worthless conversation. There is no reason for me to listen to such a request. It is but a waste of time.]

Eden dismissed Alice’s request to be her training partner, and turned away to leave but…… she immediately stopped after hearing the voice that called out after her.

[……Ouuuuuuch, it feels like those words were opening up the old wounds I received when I fought Eden-san back then.]

[……………….]

One could definitely detect the deliberate exaggeration in Alice’s words, but Eden looked back at Alice with a troubled expression on her face.

Thereupon, a bright smile appeared on Alice’s face as she continued.

[No, of course, I know that you did that for my sake…… but well, it’s not like I’m thinking about how there should have been other ways to do that.]

[……N- No, that is……]

[Yes, I know. If you’re looking to urgently settle the situation, that was the best time to do such a thing. That’s why, I was just grateful, and there’s nothing to be angry about.]

[……………………]

Eden clearly looked relieved at her words…… but of course, if it ended there, Alice wouldn’t have bothered talking about it.

[……Well, I’m still pissed off about the fact that your true identity “for more than six months before I found out” and “more than two whole years” before you actually told me.]

[Fuguhhh!?]

At her inconceivable words, Eden was greatly taken aback. Then, her pale face began sweating profusely.

[Seriously, how heartless can you be!? Ahh, I wonder where our friendship that we talked about while looking up at the starry sky went~~]

[Guhh. T- T- T- That is……]

[Even though you could have told me earlier, how terrible of you!]

[Ahh, no, ummm, I have a lot of reasons for that……]

If Kaito or Kuromueina were to see Eden’s current state, they would be astonished. She, who would normally be as overbearing as a God should be, has her gaze sweeping around, looking really flustered.

But for Alice, this is the reaction she was aiming for…… Yes, Alice doesn’t consider Eden as a troublesome opponent anymore.

With overly exaggerated movements, Alice then brought her hands over her eyes and acted like she was about to start crying.

[Ahhh, I thought we were best friends! How sorrowful! It hurts!!!]

[……ready.]

[Oya?]

[Alright already! I’ll cooperate with you! That’s what you wanted me to do, right!!!?]

""

Seeing Eden desperately tell her such a thing with her original tone, a mean grin appeared on Alice’s lips. Then, the sad acting she had done earlier completely disappeared and she put on a big smile.

[Well~~ I’m so grateful that you’re willingly helping me out with this. You really are the bestest bestie I’ve ever had! Well then, let’s get right to it. Please prepare a “space that won’t break even if we get really violent”. Ahh, also, I don’t intend to leave Kaito-san without me guarding him for a long time, so after we’re done, “please return me back about a second after we depart here”. Ahh, I also get hungry when I move my body about, so please give me some “good food” too.]

[…………………..]

[Oops, I almost forgot. In fact, after my strength increased in that battle in the God Realm, no matter how much magic power I use to protect it, the knives are unable to withstand my base strength. Since there is no more durable material in this world…… Please prepare me “some materials that are easy to process and durable”. Ahh, I’ll do the smithing myself, so you don’t have to worry.]

[……This is it. As soon as you find out who I am, this brazenness…… hasn’t changed at all. This is one of the reasons why it was so difficult for me to tell you this, Alici…… Alice.]

As Alice made one request after another with a smile, Eden stared at her and threw a tsukkomi. However, there was no sharpness in her voice. It was gentle, as if she was saying “It can’t be helped”.

[……Haahhh…… Alright. I’m sure you’re going to ask all sorts of questions anyway…… I’ll go prepare it, and “Paradise” will escort you there later. I’ll allow her to disclose up to Information Level IV, so if there’s anything you want to ask, you can ask her.]

After telling her this with a sigh, a change appeared in Eden. The color of her eyes, which had been richly colored, changed to gray, and she gave a beautiful bow to Alice.

And right after that, something like a white door appears next to Alice.

“Well then, Alice-sama, please come this way. I will now lead you to 《Mother Brain Makina》.”

Hearing her voice that sounded like a machine, Alice brought her hand to her chin and asked with a serious expression on her face.

[……Fumu, I see. This means you aren’t “Makina” huh?]

“Affirmative. I’m 《Comprehensive Management Observation Program》, created by Makina-sama. Codename: Paradise Eden. The one who is conversing with Alice-sama right now is the individual in charge of the planet Earth, who has been granted temporary access for the purpose of guiding Alice-sama.]

[Well, I have lots of question, but I guess we’d better get moving before that.]

“Understood. Well then, I will now guide you.”

[……I don’t really care about that, okay? Seeing you bow really low with that face of yours makes me feel very uncomfortable.]

The black landscape was covered with layers of glowing green lines, forming a road, and even though the scenery is dyed in black, it isn’t dark at all, and one could even see their own body clearly…… Walking through such a space, Alice leisurely spoke as she followed Paradise.

[……Now then, we could have been there in an instant, but the fact that we’re going out of our way to travel through this space…… means “we’ll arrive when I’ve asked what I want to know”, right?]

“Yes. It is as you said, please feel free to ask anything.”

[Fumu, I guess I should ask this first. Eden-san…… No, I guess I should call you Makina here huh…… Makina said earlier that she would allow disclosure up to Information Level IV. To what extent does that mean you can answer me?]

“The maximum Information Level is 《V》. At Level IV, I think I can answer most questions. This is the first time Makina-sama has given permission to disclose information at this level.”

[I see……]

Alice, who recognized from Paradise’s words that she would be able to answer most of the questions except for the important secrets, thought for a few seconds before she asked a question.

[Well then, here’s my first question. You said earlier that you were the “individual in charge of the planet Earth”, right? Does that mean that there are other beings like you who have the same role?]

“Yes. There are 《470 billion and one》 Comprehensive Management Observation Program, Codename: Paradise Eden. I’m Individual Number 76812. There basically are no differences in appearance or ability between us, only the place we’re in charge differs. In terms of combat ability, we consider ourselves “quasi-omnipotent”, and if compared to your acquaintances, I’m equal to or slightly inferior to Kuromueina-sama.”

[……470 billion Eden-sans, what kind of horror movie is that…… No, well, I know Eden-san was like that because of Makina’s outrageous personality. Incidentally, what’s with that odd 1 over there?]

“Yes. This body that I am currently using to guide Alice-sama is that 1. This body is slightly different from the other Paradises because it is a body that was specially adjusted and remade for Miyama Kaito, he who is called Makina-sama’s beloved child. However, there is no difference in ability with the other Paradises, aside from being that this body’s internal structure is more human-like.”

[……That’s one heck of a story. In short, for Makina, Eden-san is……]

“Yes. The Paradises are “endlessly replaceable foot soldiers” for Makina-sama’s cause.”

Even Paradise, who undoubtedly has the power of a world creator and has almost omnipotent abilities, is nothing more than a handy pawn that can be replicated as many times as needed for Makina, the true body.

Becoming aware that Makina is an even more amazing God than she expected, Alice continued to ask questions.

[Then, next question. Having called yourself a Comprehensive Management Observation Program…… does that mean there are other programs that hold different roles?]

“Yes. Recognizing it that way isn’t a mistake. As for the programs that were directly created by Makina-sama, there are two others besides Paradise. Let me introduce them in order, please look at your right.]

Following Paradise’s words, Alice turned to her right, and the space at a considerable distance from where they were walking distorted and a giant iron star appeared.

[……That is that thing I saw back in the Sanctuary…… Unnn? But unlike that time, it doesn’t have a core.]

“Yes. Back when Alice-sama encountered it before in Trinia, it was when Mother Brain Makina was inside.”

AD

[……In other words, it’s that, isn’t it? The reason Eden-san said that was “her true body” at that time was that Makina was inside it, and that mechanized star itself really isn’t her true body or anything like that.]

“Yes. That’s right. That star is the 《Hostility Annihilation Program》, Codename: Abyss Tartarus. Of the three types of programs, it has been given the greatest power by Makina-sama, possessing “omnipotent” power. In most worlds, world creators can be annihilated by a single Tartarus.”

[That’s another outrageous one, isn’t it? So, how many of them are there?]

“Yes. There are 《98 trillion》 of them.”

[The inflation is too d*mn high……]

Just from what she’s heard so far, Makina’s army consists of 470 billion quasi-omnipotent soldiers and 98 trillion omnipotent soldiers. It was an extremely large force, making even Alice mutter in astonishment.

[……And so, what about the final program?]

“Yes. It doesn’t have a definite form, so I’m unable to show it to you, but it’s 《Defense Program》, Codename: Shield Aegis. They are quasi-omnipotent programs that specialize in defense, and there are an infinite number of them.]

[I don’t know how I’ve said this, but this is quite outrageous. Is that everyone?]

“Yes. That is all the programs created by Makina-sama. However, Paradise is the only one with personality among the three programs, and is allowed to manufacture auxiliary programs at our discretion. I have also produced two auxiliary programs, α and β. They now call themselves 《Amaterasu》 and 《Tsukuyomi》 respectively, so if you ever come to Earth, you can always rely on them to do your work.”

Hearing the words Paradise nonchalantly said, Alice sorted out the vast amount of information she had obtained while thinking at high speed.

After a few moments of silence, Paradise announced in the same mechanical voice.

“Do you have any other questions?”

[……Since a while ago, there have been times when you referred to Makina as “Makina-sama”, but on other times, you call her “Mother Brain Makina”…… What’s the meaning of those actions?]

“My apologies. This information falls under Information Level V, so I’m not authorized to answer you. Please check with Makina-sama directly.”

[I see…… Alright.]

“Do you have any other questions?”

[If asked if I have questions, then I do have some, but well, I’ll just ask Makina about the rest.]

When Alice said that, Paradise stopped and turned towards her, before she bowed her head.

“Understood. Well then, we have arrived.”

With her words, a door with huge gears appeared in front of them. The gears then loudly rattled when they rotated, and the huge door slowly opened.

“This will be the end of my guidance.”

[I see, thank you for everything.]

“No. Well then, if you’ll excuse me. If you ever visit Earth, please feel free to contact me.”

AD

Leaving these words, Paradise disappeared. After seeing her off, Alice lightly scratched her head and muttered to herself.

[……Her bowing her head with that face really doesn’t feel right.]