"If the premise changes, the essence changes, too."
As those words once spoken by that God suggested, it was certainly true that if a single premise shifted, the essence that once seemed absolute would transform along with it.
A single piece of information could explain every inscrutable action. A single truth could become the key to uncovering a cleverly hidden objective.
Why did she appear there? The reason traced back to a "promise" made long, long ago.
In a small general store located away from the main street in the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Sinfonia, the owner, Alice, was quietly tending to her knives at the counter.
Usually, a split body wearing a cat kigurumi tended the shop while her main body served as Kaito’s guard. Today, however, Alice had exceptionally entrusted Kaito’s protection to several split bodies and subordinates so that her main body could remain here.
A short while later, a pure white feather fluttered down into the shop, which was illuminated by the soft glow of magic tool lamps. Amidst a dazzling radiance, the God of an Otherworld descended.
"...I suppose I should call this irreverent. Calling me out like this—what are you thinking?"
"Oh, look at that—perfect timing. I’ve been waiting for you, Eden-san."
Alice spoke with a bright smile to the expressionless Eden, then gave a light wave of her hand. With that, the shop door locked, and the sign out front flipped over to indicate the store was closed.
Eden didn't react to the action, merely stating in a flat tone, "What is your business? I am not so idle that I have time to spare for anyone other than my beloved child..."
"Now, now, it’s nothing big, really. I was just hoping you’d lend me a hand."
"..."
"You see, back during that incident with Shallow Vernal-sama, I realized I was lacking a bit of power myself. I couldn't help but think that if I were even one level stronger, there might’ve been other moves I could’ve made."
Upon hearing Alice’s cheerful words, Eden’s expression turned suspicious, as if she couldn't understand the point of telling her any of this.
Whether that reaction was expected or not, Alice’s grin widened as she got to the heart of the matter.
"So, the long and short of it is that I’m thinking of doing a bit of training... but you see, my body and magic power only grow when I’m in Hecatoncheir’s Ultimate War-Form. I can activate the Ultimate War-Form itself by interpreting it as something that leads to protecting Kaito-san in a broad sense... but I won’t grow properly unless I’m facing a higher-ranked opponent. That’s why I wanted a training partner."
"..."
"It would’ve been best if I could’ve asked Kuro-san, but she seems to be doing all sorts of trial-and-error things of her own lately, so I didn't want to get in her way. And I can't exactly imagine Shallow Vernal-sama listening to such a request. That’s when it hit me! I figured I could just ask Eden-san... so, please, be my training partner."
"Ridiculous. This is an utterly pointless conversation. I have no reason to listen to such a request. I have wasted my time."
Eden dismissed Alice’s request and turned her back to leave, but she stopped in her tracks at the voice that followed.
"...Ow, ow, ow. That old wound from when I fought Eden-san before is really acting up."
"..."
Though it was a blatant, exaggerated performance, Eden turned back toward Alice with a troubled expression.
Alice flashed a bright smile and continued. "No, of course, I know that was done for my sake... though I can't help but think there might’ve been other ways to handle it."
"...N-no, that was..."
"Yes, I know. If it had to be solved urgently, that was the best timing. That’s why I have nothing but gratitude; I’m not angry at all."
"..."
Eden looked visibly relieved at those words, but naturally, Alice wouldn't have gone out of her way to bring it up if it were going to end there.
"...Though, I am angry about the fact that you hid your identity for 'more than half a year before I noticed,' and for 'more than two years' before you actually spoke up."
"Guh—!?"
Eden recoiled at the unexpected remark. Her face turned pale, and she began to break into a heavy sweat.
"Really, how cold-hearted! Ahh, whatever happened to our friendship, back when we talked while looking up at the starry sky?"
"Guh... Th-th-that was..."
"You could’ve told me much sooner; it’s just terrible!"
"Ah, n-no, well, there were various circumstances for that..."
If Kaito or Kuromueina saw Eden's current state, they would have been shocked. She, who was usually so godlike that she could be called arrogant, was now shifting her gaze around in a panic.
To Alice, however, this was exactly the reaction she had aimed for. Eden was no longer a troublesome opponent to her.
Alice covered both eyes with movements so blatant they were almost comical, pressing her advantage with a fake crying voice.
"Ahh, and here I thought we were best friends! It’s so sad!! It’s so painful!!"
"...Alright."
"Oh?"
"I get it! I’ll help! I just have to do it, right?!"
Seeing Eden speak in her natural tone out of desperation, Alice flashed a wicked grin. She shifted instantly from her sad act to a beaming smile.
"Wow, I’m truly grateful you’ve accepted so willingly. As they say, a friend in need is a friend indeed! Well then, right away, please prepare a 'space that won't break even if I go all out.' Oh, also, I don't want to be away from Kaito-san’s guard for long, so 'send me back about one second after I depart.' Ah, and since I’ll get hungry from moving around, please provide some 'delicious food,' too."
"..."
"Oh, almost forgot. Actually, since my power increased during the battle in the God Realm, it seems like my knives won't be able to withstand the strain much longer due to their original durability, no matter how much I protect them with magic. There aren't any tougher materials in this world... so please give me some 'materials that are easy to process and durable.' Oh, I’ll do the processing myself, so that part’s fine."
"...Look at this. As soon as you found out who I really was, you became this shameless... you haven't changed at all. Alici... Alice, that part of you is one of the reasons I couldn't bring myself to say anything."
Eden retorted with half-closed eyes as Alice cheerfully piled on request after request. However, there was no sting in her voice; instead, it was a gentle tone that seemed to say, "I guess it can't be helped."
"...Sigh, alright. I’m sure you’re planning to bombard me with all sorts of questions anyway. I’ll go get things ready, so have 'Paradise (Eden)' guide you. I’ll authorize the disclosure of information up to Level IV, so ask whatever you want to know."
After saying that with a sigh, a change occurred in Eden. Her multi-colored eyes turned a dull gray, and she bowed to Alice at a perfect angle.
Immediately after, a white, door-like object appeared beside Eden.
"Then, Alice-sama, please come this way. I shall guide you to Mother Brain Machina."
Hearing the voice that sounded like a mechanical recording, Alice put a hand to her chin and asked with a serious expression, "...Hmm, I see. So, does that mean you aren't 'Machina'?"
"Affirmative. I am an Integrated Management Observation Program created by Machina-sama, code name Paradise (Eden). This individual currently conversing with Alice-sama is the unit in charge of the planet known as Earth, who has been granted temporary access for the purpose of guidance."
"Well, I have plenty of things I want to ask, but it’s probably better to do that while we’re moving."
"Understood. Then, allow me to guide you."
"...It’s none of my business, but seeing you act so humble with that face feels really bizarre."
In a space where multiple glowing green lines ran through a black landscape to form a path—a space that was black but not dark, where one's own body could be seen clearly—Alice spoke leisurely as she walked behind Eden.
"...Now, since you're moving through a space like this instead of arriving instantly... can I assume that 'we'll arrive once I've finished asking what I want to know'?"
"Yes. That is correct. Please ask anything you wish."
"Hmm, then I'll start with this. Eden-san... no, should I call you Machina here... Machina said earlier she'd authorize disclosure up to Information Level IV. How much can you actually answer?"
"Information levels exist up to a maximum of V. At Level IV, I believe I can answer most things. This is the first time Machina-sama has granted permission for information disclosure up to this level."
"I see..."
Understanding from Paradise (Eden)’s words that she would answer almost anything except for critical secrets, Alice thought for a few seconds before throwing out a question.
"Then, for the first question. You just said you were the 'unit in charge of the planet known as Earth,' right? Does that mean there are others with the same role?"
"Yes. Regarding the Integrated Management Observation Program Paradise (Eden), there exist 470 billion and 1 units. My unit number is 76812. Fundamentally, there are no differences in appearance or ability; only our assignments differ. Regarding combat power, please consider us as Quasi-Almighty Class—equal to or slightly inferior to Kuromueina-sama among your acquaintances."
"...470 billion Eden-sans? What kind of horror story is that? Well, I can understand that it's just because Machina's personality is totally off the rails. By the way, what about that extra '1'?"
"Yes. This body currently guiding Alice-sama corresponds to that single unit. Regarding this individual, Machina-sama has made special adjustments and reconstructed it specifically for Kaito Miyama-sama, whom she calls her beloved child, so it differs slightly from the other Paradise (Eden) units. However, there is no difference in capability itself; only the internal structure of the body is closer to that of a human."
"...That’s an incredible story. So, in short, to Machina, an Eden-san is..."
"Yes. Nothing more than an expendable frontline soldier."
Even Eden, who possessed enough power to be called a God of World Creation and had nearly almighty abilities, was merely a convenient pawn that Machina could produce in any number.
While recognizing that Machina was an even more terrifying God than she had imagined, Alice continued her questions.
"Okay, next question. 'Integrated Management Observation Program'... does that mean I should assume there are programs with other roles, too?"
"Yes. That understanding is correct. Regarding the programs directly created by Machina-sama, there are two other types besides Paradise (Eden). I shall introduce them in order; please look to your right."
Following Paradise (Eden)’s words, Alice looked to the right. Far away from where the two were walking, space distorted, and a giant Iron Star appeared.
"...That’s the one I saw in the Sanctuary before. Wait? But unlike that time, it doesn't have a core."
"Yes. When Alice-sama encountered it previously in Trinia, Mother Brain Machina was inside it."
"...So that’s how it is. When Eden-san said 'my main body' back then, it was because Machina was inside. That mechanical star itself isn't the main body or anything, right?"
"Yes. That is correct. That star is an Anti-Enemy Annihilation Program, code name Tartarus. Among the three types of programs, it has been granted the greatest power by Machina-sama, and its strength is Almighty Class. In most worlds, a single Tartarus unit is capable of annihilating the world along with its creator."
"Well, that’s just insane. And how many of those are there?"
"Yes. There are 98 trillion units."
"The power creep is unreal..."
Just from what she had heard so far, Machina's forces consisted of 470 billion Quasi-Almighty Class units and 98 trillion Almighty Class units. It was a military force that was far too excessive, and Alice couldn't help but mutter in amazement.
"...So, what's the other program?"
"Yes. That one has no fixed form, so I cannot show it to you, but it is a Defense Program, code name Aegis. It is a Quasi-Almighty Class program specialized in defense, and there exist an incalculable number of them."
"I don't know how many times I've said this, but that’s just insane. Is that all of them?"
"Yes. Those are all the programs created by Machina-sama. However, Paradise (Eden), the only one of the three programs that possesses a personality, is permitted to manufacture auxiliary programs at its own discretion. I have also manufactured two programs, Alpha and Beta. Currently, they call themselves Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi respectively, so if you ever visit Earth, please feel free to work them to the bone."
As Paradise (Eden) spoke matter-of-factly, Alice organized the vast amount of information she had gained, thinking at high speed.
After a brief silence, Paradise (Eden) spoke again in her unchanging, mechanical voice. "Do you have any other questions?"
"...Earlier, you sometimes referred to Machina as 'Machina-sama' and other times as 'Mother Brain Machina'... what does that mean?"
"My apologies. That falls under Information Level V, so I do not have the authority to respond. Please confirm directly with Machina-sama."
"I see... understood."
"Do you have any other questions?"
"I have some, but I'll save the rest for Machina."
When Alice said that, Paradise (Eden) stopped, turned around, and gave a bow. "Understood. Then, we have arrived."
With those words, a giant door with gears appeared before them. The gears began to rotate with a loud noise, and the massive door slowly opened.
"My guidance ends here."
"I see. Thank you for everything."
"Not at all. With that, I shall take my leave. If you ever visit Earth, please do not hesitate to call upon me."
After saying that, Paradise (Eden) vanished. Watching her go, Alice scratched her head lightly and muttered to herself.
"...Yeah, seeing that face act so humble really does feel weird."