Shiro-san’s turn had finally arrived. Based on everything I’d experienced so far, I didn't believe for a second that she would provide a sensible, down-to-earth gift. In fact, it was an absolute impossibility.
Naturally, I was happy to receive a birthday present, but there’s a limit to everything. I really wished she would read the room just this once... though I knew better than to hope for that.
"And now, appearing with much-anticipated fanfare—it’s Shallow Vernal-sama! ...Hey, you Rotten Angel! Stop ramping up your causality interference!"
All eyes were on Shiro-san as she ascended the stage with a dignified stride. Yet, wait... was it just my imagination, or did she look like she was in a bad mood? Actually, she looked like she was pouting.
"Shiro-san? You look somewhat dissatisfied."
"Yes, I am a bit dissatisfied."
"Wh-What are you dissatisfied about?"
Why? She hadn't seemed this way during the Karaoke Contest earlier. Was she unhappy with the turn order? No, that didn't seem to be it.
Could I have somehow offended Shiro-san without realizing it?
"My gift overlapped with Kuro’s."
"..."
I should have known it would be something trivial. But wait, her gift overlapped with Kuro’s? Out of all the presents I’d received so far, that seemed like the one least likely to have a duplicate.
"The present I have prepared is this."
While still looking slightly displeased, Shiro-san held out a mysterious object that looked like a twelve-inch square block of black iron.
"Um, Shiro-san?"
"What is it?"
"Well, I don't really feel like it overlaps at all... Or rather, what is this square thing?"
"It is a birthday present."
As expected of her, that was a classic Shiro-san response. No, that wasn't it; I wanted to know what this mysterious object actually was.
If it overlapped with Kuro’s, was this a VR device too?
"It is a game console."
"A game console? You mean that kind of game console?"
"Yes. As of this moment, it is capable of playing every game currently in existence on Earth."
"Eh?"
For a moment, I couldn't grasp the meaning of what Shiro-san had said. A game console? It can play every game on Earth? With this little box?
It was a literal black box—or maybe an out-of-place artifact. How absurd. No, more importantly...
"Um, weren't mechanical products supposed to be forbidden in this world?"
"Strictly speaking, that is incorrect. Mechanical products were prohibited by a contract with the Earth God. However, this time, my interests and those of the Earth God aligned perfectly. Therefore, I have lifted the contract specifically for this item."
"I-I see, I get it now..."
"And yet, it overlapped with Kuro."
My mind couldn't keep up because so many outrageous things were happening at once, but I had to say one thing.
"No, it doesn't overlap at all, okay!?"
"Is that so?"
"The only thing that overlaps is the single fact that they involve games."
"I see."
Still, to be honest, I was happy that I could play games from Earth. I liked games, and since I had decided to stay in this world, I thought I would never be able to play them again.
So, I was happy, but...
"Um, Shiro-san."
"What is it?"
"You said it can play every game on Earth... does that include online games?"
"Yes."
"Where does it connect to?"
"A cyberspace I constructed within this world."
"Are there any players other than me?"
"There are none."
"..."
In a sense, it was the ultimate solo play experience. She’d glossed over it, but hadn't she just said she created an entire cyberspace? I was too terrified to ask, so I decided not to dig any deeper.
For now, I would just use this to play things other than online games. Let's go with that.
"But, how do I use this?"
"This is the Instruction Manual."
An Instruction Manual the size of a dictionary appeared out of nowhere. I suppose if a device this small can play every game ever made, it might require that much documentation.
I decided to read it slowly another time.
"U-Um, Shiro-san. I was surprised by a lot of things, but I'm happy. Thank you very much."
"I am glad if you are pleased. Ah, also, Kaito-san."
"Yes?"
After hearing my words of thanks, Shiro-san’s lips curled up slightly, and then she spoke as if she had just remembered something.
"Do you want this castle?"
"I don't."
"I see."
I ended up answering immediately, but she was probably talking about the flying castle we were currently using as the venue. As expected, I didn't want such an outrageous castle. It would be a complete burden.
Shiro-san didn't seem particularly bothered; she shifted her gaze and gave a light wave from the stage.
"Huh? Me?"
"Human, Lilia Albert."
"Wha—!? C-Creator God-sama!? Y-Yes!"
Then, Lilia-san, who had been unconscious, woke up and hurriedly knelt down upon being addressed by Shiro-san.
"Following its use today, this castle shall be your property."
"Fueh? ...Hah, eh? Eeeeeeeeeeeeh!?"
Shiro-san sent a lethal pass straight at the newly awakened Lilia-san. Naturally, Lilia-san couldn't handle it. She screamed with an expression that was a mix of despair and shock.
Even so, perhaps as expected of her, she managed to pull herself together and spoke while trembling.
"B-But—"
"Lilia!"
"—Chronoa-san?"
"I understand how you feel! I understand it painfully well! However, you must not! Listen well, this is a gift from Shallow Vernal-sama. The insolence of refusing such a gift is a privilege permitted only to Miyama. If you refuse, every member of the God Realm will become your enemy... Give up."
"Y-Yes. I... g-gratefully... ac... accept..."
Following Chronoa-san's warning, Lilia-san bowed her head while crying... and fainted again in that position.
How should I put this... I'm sorry, Lilia-san. I didn't think it would go to you.
Dear Mother, Father—for now, I’ll help her figure out what to do with the castle. Whether I take responsibility for it myself or ask Ryze-san to have the kingdom manage it, I’ll do everything I can to minimize the burden on Lilia-san. However, even though I was partially the cause, I couldn't help but wonder... why is it that Lilia-san always seems to draw the short straw?