Chapter 767

767 – The Tale of the Mechanized God ⑨

The stalls that lined the cobblestone streets were so tightly lined up that they gave off an atmosphere of the good old days, and made you feel as if the era had been rolled back.

Alicia and Machina were walking down the street while the sun was setting and the lanterns were illuminated by the faint glow of the lanterns.

'No~ It was good timing. I didn't know there was a festival just around the corner…''

''You're an amazing person this yukata has a kind of strange vibe to it, along with your clothes.

Well, it's a unique atmosphere.

They arrived in Japan after a few days of sailing, first at an upscale hot spring resort recommended by Alicia. They happened to hear that a festival was being held nearby, so they left their luggage behind and came to visit.

Dressed in the yukata Alicia had prepared for them, Makina's curiosity led her to look around as she walked. Although only knowledge is readily available with omniscience, coming to the place by yourself like this and walking around is probably a different feeling.

After looking at such a figure with a smile, Alicia buys some food from a nearby stall.

''Alicia, what's that?''

Takoyaki. Do you want some takoyaki?

'Ummmmm, I'd like to eat but I found out after Alicia made me eat a lot of things, I seem to have quite a cat's tongue, so maybe I should wait until it's a bit cooler.

Hmmm… machina, ah…

What?

Makina refused to eat the takoyaki because of her cat's tongue, but the words Alicia told her with a nasty smile immediately afterwards made her reflexively open her mouth.

And there, with a control that could be called even more brilliant, Alicia threw the hot takoyaki…….into the air.

''Ginya!　Ahhhh, ahhhhhh!

Of course, the Machina that was thrown into the air is not something that can be tolerated. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. But even so, putting both hands to her mouth to prevent the takoyaki from spilling out may be the last resistance of a woman.

After rolling on the ground with a rumble, a little while later, Makina stood up and crowded Alicia like a fierce fire.

'What are you doing!　That's terrible, Alicia!

'Huh?　Makina had a cat's tongue?　No – sorry, sorry, I didn't notice.

I said it!　I said pretty clearly that I have a cat's tongue!

Don't worry. I blocked her from recognizing you, so no one knows she's a pervert!

Ha-ha, that's pretty lavish of you.

Mmm.

Seeing Alicia laughing happily, Makina puffs out her cheeks in a puff. It's not that she's really that angry, but I can't explain that she's just going to let this go on indefinitely.

Makina quickly takes the container of octopus balls that Alicia was holding in her hand and tells her just as payback for what she did earlier.

''Alicia, ah~''

Uh-huh.

….

Hmmm, that's pretty delicient.

How are you okay with this?

No, because I don't have a cat's tongue…

Mmmmmmmm….oh my God!

Oh, wait, wait!　There's still a takoyaki in my mouth…

Unfortunately, the counterattack didn't work on Alicia. However, the counterattack of pulling her cheeks that she went half-heartedly afterwards seemed to have some effect.

''……..Haha, no, sorry, sorry. I healed the burn on my tongue, so let's eat something else. There are plenty of things that aren't hot.

'Hmmm. Alicia's … teasing.

'Sorry. Oh, look, Makina, they're selling cotton candy!　That thing won't be hot!

While apologizing flatly to Makina, who was sulking rather than angry, Alicia bought some cotton candy from a nearby stall and handed it to Makina.

Makina took a bite of the cotton candy with a dissatisfied look on her face…….and her eyes lit up.

''Delicious!　That's awesome, Alicia!　This is so fluffy!

''Well I'm in a better mood now. It's easier to handle, or cheaper….

Yeah?　What did you say?

No, whatever. Come on, let's move around!

Wow, don't tug on it, it's hard to move in this dress, it's too stiff.

After enjoying the festivities, we returned to the hot spring inn for a dip together before dinner.

'Huh, that's a nice bath!'

Huh, hot springs feel so good…. but it's an amazing room. You even have a hot spring in your little garden.

After all, it's a top-class room at a very exclusive hotel. Dinner is top notch as well, so you can count on it.

I see. Looking forward to it.

Seeing Alicia talking cheerfully while soaking in the hot spring side by side, Makina naturally smiles as well. The fact that they are sitting so close to each other in the spacious hot spring, their shoulders naturally touch each other, shows how close they are to each other.

The truth is, I would like to have a light drink of sake here, but Machina is still very young, and I can't have a drink alone.

Mmm, not really. Look, think about it, Alicia. I'm a god now, and I don't care about human laws and such. So it's perfectly fine for me to drink alcohol.

'No, I don't mean that I can see that it's definitely bitter or unpalatable.

You don't know that until you try it.

Do you want a drink?

It's a good idea to buy the words, or should I say the words to sell, Machina, who took on Alicia's provocation as quickly as possible, received the corkscrew that Alicia took out without a second thought.

It's good. I'm a grown-up, I'm a grown-up, I can afford to have a drink!

Good luck with that.

Thank you. So, let's get on with it–?

When Alicia, with a bitter smile, poured the sake into the sake cup, the Makina drank it all at once after thanking her. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.

When that state of affairs continues for a few seconds, Makina, who may have finally become unable to hold back, tells with a bitter expression.

It's Japanese sake. I'm telling you, this is not a dry one.

…and Alicia is…………………………..does this spicy stuff taste good?

Sake is an alcoholic beverage that is mainly enjoyed for its aroma. The trick to drinking sake is not to drink it all at once, but to enjoy the aroma of the sake as it is poured into the cup, and the hint of the aroma as it slides down your tongue and out your nose.

Yeah, well…

Seeing Alicia tipping her own sake cup and drinking sake, Makina imitated her movements and tried to practice what Alicia told her to do.

Then, although she could still feel the spiciness, she could faintly sense the two fragrances that Alicia said were present.

'………Hmmm…. It's still spicy…….but maybe I've figured out that I can enjoy the scent for a little while?

'Well, you get used to it. Maybe you'll get used to it after a few sips?

Why is it a question mark?

After all, it's a matter of taste. Also, sake tends to make you feel sick easily, so it's probably best to drink the same amount of water in alternate years. So, yes, water.

'Thanks … hmmm. Is it because I've become a god?　I don't feel too drunk, but…well, maybe it's because I'm not used to it?　The water tastes better.

Haha, you're still so cheap.

The look on their faces as they laughed at each other was one of genuine happiness.

After getting out of the onsen, it's time for dinner at the table in the luxurious Japanese room. The room is naturally arranged so that they are seated facing each other, but they are seated side by side. It wasn't something that either of them had said, but it was because they naturally felt more comfortable sitting next to each other like this.

Machina?　You're not going to eat it?

No, no, I know. It's a proper dish called sashimi, and you can eat it but it's the first time I've ever eaten raw fish and it takes a little bit of courage.

Oh, I see.

Needless to say, the most Makina had ever eaten in her life was a jelly drink, followed by military-grade canned food. Since she got to know Alicia, she had started to eat a lot of things, but she seemed a little hesitant, as this was her first time eating raw fish.

After smiling at Makina's situation, Alicia used her chopsticks to take a piece of sashimi with a familiar look and held it out to Makina.

''Look, Makina. Ah~

Uh….yeah. Ahhhhhh.

What do you think?

"…delicious!　I thought it would be more fishy.

Well, you can't help but be hesitant if it's your first time eating sashimi. Well, still, the fishy smell may be a little there, and if you don't like it, you may want to pull the water out of the water.

Yubari?

Makina nodded her head once at Alicia's words, but she immediately nodded her head as if she had examined it with her omniscience. And when she executed the hot water extraction as she was told, she seemed to like it better than eating it raw, but she had a happy expression on her face.

''………Is that what Alicia is wearing, what's called horseradish?

'Yeah, but I don't think you should do that Machina.　You know, Makina has a child's tongue, right?

'Mmm, not really!　I'm a grown man I'm a respectable adult I'm totally fine with horseradish!

Oh, no, that's too much.

''~~~~?

"–It's come to this, I guess, in a way, it doesn't disappoint me, or, how should I put it…

Makina, who got pissed off at being called a child's tongue and ate the horseradish, immediately looked astonished and then writhed with tears in her eyes. Seeing the scene, which in a sense could be said to be expected, Alicia handed the water to Machina with a wry smile.

He seemed to be chewing on that happiness.

Alicia spontaneously organized a trip around the world……..without having a specific goal in mind, a trip that took the two of us to many places around the world to see the sights……and it lasted for ten years indeed.

This chapter is scrapped from readlightnovel.org

Alicia and Machina have been getting along well with each other, visiting many areas and enjoying many things, but that journey won't last forever… ending on an uninhabited island that is now unmanaged, the place where they began and the goal of their journey. There they were.

In a corner of that man-made island, where the grass looked much greener than it did ten years ago, they were standing side by side like the first day they met, gazing at the star-filled sky, exchanging words.

''…By the way, Alicia, do you don't want this core anymore after all?''

Hmmm, I wouldn't have much use for them if I did.

'I see, well, I don't need it anymore either, and I don't mind destroying it… maybe someday Alicia will use it, and I'll 'seal it up on this island'.

After becoming a god, Makina's form hasn't changed, but after ten years of traveling, she has been able to use her power as a god in her own way, and she uses the core of the Great Evil God that she used in the process of becoming a god, in the building that used to be Makina's house, a place she doesn't use now, a place with memories. into it and lightly waved his hand.

Then a number of magic circles emerged and Makina's house sank to the ground after turning into a small iron box that could fit in the palm of your hand.

''Well then, well, if you ever need it, feel free to 'let me steal it'.

…stealing, because it was originally Alicia's property.

'Haha, well, I've already given it to Makina now, and it's hers.

Hmmm, I guess that's what it sounds like.

After looking at each other's faces and laughing happily, Makina looked a little sad. Seeing this, Alicia, who sensed that the time of separation was approaching, also changed her expression to a serious one.

''………Is it time to go?''

Well yes, I'm thinking about doing that. But before I do that, I need to ask Alicia a favor.

Please?

After preamble, Makina looked into Alicia's eyes with a serious expression, produced a small cog in her palm and held it out to Alicia.

''……..I'm going to travel around many worlds in order to become a real god. I think I'll see a lot of things, I think I'll experience a lot of things. And I don't know how long it will take but one day I will create my own world.

….

….You 'broke' me, Alicia.

It is the heartfelt wish of Makina, who is about to walk to become a true god.

Hearing those words filled with strong resolve, Alicia smiles while receiving the gear that Machina offered her.

The cog was in Alicia's hands, and after a moment of light, it disappeared as if it was sucked into its body. While understanding that the gear was the key to destroying Machina, Alicia still received her best friend's wish.

With that, Makina also smiled, and after a short pause…………………she raised one hand to the sky. Then in the starry sky, a complex and huge magic circle………….a magic formula that crosses the world appeared.

''……..I want to talk more, but I'm running out of time…….so I'll go……soon…….I'll go.

Yeah, I know you're going through a lot, but good luck with that… Makina.

Yes, thank you Alicia.

As if sucked into the night sky, the machina slowly rises into the sky, but as the distance between her and Alicia grows, her body begins to tremble a little, and her expression, which had been calm, begins to change.

And when a streak of tears spilled from her eyes, Makina cried out as if she had cut her cough.

'Alicia!　I'm so glad I found you!　I'll never, ever forget you I'll never, ever forget Alicia and the days I spent with her!　I love you, Alicia!

Well I'll never forget it either.

And with a shimmering light, the girl who wanted to be a god left this world.

Makina is the only one of the many people Alicia knew between her death and separation from Iris… and her meeting with Miyama Kaito in the distant future… "The one person who could have saved Alicia… It was.

Because she was originally a human being, and the chemistry between her and Alicia was good…….and above all, she was 'a being who could walk together in a time that could be called eternal'…….

So why did she choose to leave this world…….that was the small and fatal difference that occurred between Alicia and Makina.

Makina had not used her omniscience against Alicia even once before she left this world.

Because of that, she was going to make one mistake.

That is to say, it was a misunderstanding that Alicia's search for hundreds and thousands of years … was interrupted by her own fault. I'm sure you'll be able to find something to do with your own feet only," Alicia told me, coupled with the fact that I'm omniscient, and I thought I'd be a hindrance to her if I continued to stay by her side.

If I wanted to, Alicia would have stayed with me as long as I wanted. But that would only result in her being tied down to her beloved best friend and benefactor, and that's why she chose the option of leaving this world.

Because she loves Alicia, because she loves Alicia, because it's more important than anything else…Makina left Alicia.

And that was also true for Alicia.

Alicia, too, if she was honest, wanted to stay with Makina a lot longer. To her, he was the first person she had called her best friend since she lost Iris, and the first person she felt she wanted to be with forever.

Makina was the one she had been searching for….to the point where she felt that……..

That's why she couldn't stop her dream of "building the world" that such a precious best friend wished for. She didn't want to leave Makina, her own unrealized desire to leave her…….best friend, and she didn't want to stand in the way of her……best friend.

It was ironic, really.

We should have hoped for the same future for both of us. However, because they cared for the other, both Alicia and Makina were distracted from that future.

There is no point in talking about IF. In reality, Makina had left this world and Alicia was left alone again.

But still, if we are going to talk about the possibility of what if….

What if Makina, with her omniscience, knew what Alicia was looking for….

If Alicia had told Machina in detail what she was looking for……..

If Makina had asked Alicia one word………

If Alicia's heart had become impatient with the current situation at this point in time……..

And above all………

I'm trying to do what I want to do, but I can't just say, "Don't get in my face" or "Don't leave me alone". I can't say that………….

The girl who keeps crying big tears while gazing at the starry sky where Makina left off…….if she was just a little bit more honest….

Two girls, who have transcended the boundaries of humanity, travel together through the changing world…….maybe that was the future.

And after this day, the heart of the hero, Alicia, begins to break down at an accelerated rate. Because she has met the existence that could have been her answer……..

You could call it the 'second curse'.