Alicia—now Alice—had reclaimed the strength of her heart and her hope, meaning Machina’s objective was fulfilled. After clashing for a short while longer, Machina ceased her assault and ended the battle simply because Kaito had entered her line of fire.
Even in her limited state as Eden, she possessed power that was virtually absolute; there was no way she was incapable of attacking while avoiding Kaito. She simply had no further reason to keep fighting, so she used the moment as a convenient excuse to end the conflict.
She had planned to apologize to Kaito for involving him, tell Alice her true identity, and bring the matter to a close. That was the plan—at least, that was as far as things went according to her script.
The variable Machina hadn't accounted for was Kaito himself. He possessed the qualities of a "Beloved Child" worthy of her boundless affection—a child who would bare his fangs against her, just as she had hoped for all those years.
Because of this, Machina’s excitement reached a fever pitch. Her best friend had regained her hope, and she had finally found the child she had waited for. She was at the pinnacle of happiness. In her elation, she introduced herself as Eden, exactly as she had planned before arriving in this world.
In short, she completely forgot to tell Alice that she was actually Machina.
Alice would later describe her as an airhead who fumbled the most crucial details, and she was exactly right. Machina had been so distracted by Kaito’s appearance that she had forgotten the most important part of her visit.
She realized the mistake the moment she left them. However, after making such a poised and dramatic exit, her divine dignity wouldn't allow her to simply turn back and say, "Actually, I was Machina all along." She spent quite some time agonized over the blunder.
Finally, she decided to visit Alice’s general store to set things right. From her perspective, this was a perfect solution: she could visit Alice, see Kaito again, and finally reveal her identity. It was killing three birds with one stone.
But as Machina arrived at the shop, brimming with inner excitement, she met another massive miscalculation. The moment she walked through the door, Alice greeted her with a flat command.
"Leave immediately. Go home!"
To be blunt, Machina was devastated. She was so shocked that her connection to Paradise nearly cut out for a second. Logically, she understood that Alice didn't know who she was and that hostility was only natural. However, being glared at with such loathing by her favorite person was more than she could bear, and she fell into a minor panic.
She struggled with how to reveal the truth in such a strained atmosphere. As a result, she fell into a vicious cycle where her responses to Alice became increasingly curt and cold. Then, before she could recover, Alice dropped the final blow.
"Kaito-san, I hate this person."
The impact of those words was immeasurable. Had Machina’s true body been present, she likely would have burst into tears. She was reeling from the psychological damage.
"Alicia said she hates me..."
Though her expression remained stoic, she was screaming internally. In her panic, she spat back a nonsensical defense.
"I have no desire to be liked by you. It is utterly pointless."
Kaito was the one who saved her. When he asked them to get along, it was like a lifeline. Her evaluation of him, already astronomical, doubled instantly. Of course, no one noticed.
Even at the store, Machina’s actions were strange upon reflection. To prove her goodwill, she gave Alice a large sum of money. She knew exactly what Alice—who was supposed to be a stranger—would want.
Her affection for Kaito nearly ran wild, but she managed to repair her rapport with Alice somewhat. However, as she prepared to leave, she was gnawed by a deep sense of guilt.
"I’m sorry, my beloved child. I’ll make it up to you... Forgive this useless mother for using you as an excuse."
She used a pretext to buy an enormous amount of merchandise as she left. To be blunt, she just wanted the stuff. As an omniscient being, she knew every item was handmade by Alice, and she desperately wanted to take them home. Since her pride wouldn't let her say she was buying them because they were her best friend's crafts, she took the roundabout way.
She left the store giddy, imagining where she would display the stuffed animals... only to realize, with a heavy heart, that she had once again forgotten to reveal who she was. Once the timing is lost, it is difficult to reclaim. A long time would pass before Alice finally learned the truth.
Having reached the end of her story, Machina stood up from the edge of the building and smiled.
"Well, that’s enough about the past. Shall we get started?"
"Yeah. My stomach is full enough. Let's do it."
Alice stood up, and the scenery shifted back to the pure white void. Machina drifted through the air and landed a short distance away.
"Are you ready? Have you activated Hecatoncheir’s Ultimate War-Form?"
"Yeah. I can’t put out as much power as I do when I’m protecting Kaito-san, but I’m ready to fight."
"Ready to fight, are you? Heh heh heh..."
"What—!?"
Alice had activated her Ultimate War-Form in the blink of an eye, but as she declared her readiness, Machina simply smiled. It was a soft, gentle smile without a trace of malice—yet Alice immediately collapsed, her knees slamming into the ground.
"Your perception is still a bit soft, I'm afraid."
"Guh... what is this?"
Alice felt no magic power, yet her body refused to obey. She couldn't even stand. Machina continued to speak with that same serene smile.
"Think for a moment. Imagine the strongest people you know. You have to exclude the Epilogue, of course, but think of Shallow Vernal, or Kuromueina, or even me in my Eden form. Picture every powerhouse you can think of."
"..."
"Do you have them in your head? Good. Now, here is the reality. Even if every single one of those people banded together, they wouldn't reach my feet in terms of combat power. If you don't adjust your perspective, you won't even be able to stand in my presence."
Machina’s voice was almost kind, but Alice remained silent. She hadn't been taking this lightly, but she realized now that she had still underestimated the scale of the being before her. Gritting her teeth, Alice forced her legs to move and slowly stood up.
"Oh? As expected of Alice. Have you already seen through the trick?"
"A trick? Hardly. You haven't done a single thing. You haven't released even a spark of magic... My body just tried to surrender on its own the moment you entered battle readiness, didn't it?"
"Correct. Your body instinctively accepted defeat against the sheer pressure of my existence. That’s all."
"I see. So my perception was soft."
"Exactly. You can't let your guard down for a single second. Wring out every drop of power, pour your heart into your limbs, and surge with enough willpower to shatter your limits. Only then will you be able to stand before me."
Machina hadn't released a fragment of power, yet Alice felt like she was being crushed by an invisible weight. Alice, a being of Quasi-Almighty Class, could only face her by squeezing out every ounce of her soul.
"Sigh... Honestly..."
"An Omniscient and Potent God is truly terrifying, isn't she?"
Machina laughed. "Both 'Almighty' and 'Omniscient' are perfect descriptions. Now, let’s begin. I’ll go easy on you, so do your best. I call it 'Omniscient and Potent' for lack of a better term, but keep in mind that I am far stronger than your average god."
The Machine God, a creator who stood at the summit of countless worlds, smiled at her best friend. It was a small provocation, daring Alice to make her use even a fraction of her true strength.
Alice eventually ended up lying on her back in a corner of the white void, looking utterly spent. Machina watched her fondly and raised a hand.
"Let’s call it a day for the first session. I’ll heal you."
"Thanks... Seriously, Machina, you're too strong."
"Heh heh, I am a god, after all. Still, Hecatoncheir’s Ultimate War-Form grows remarkably fast. You were actually landing attacks toward the end."
As Machina restored Alice's stamina and magic, she offered genuine praise. From her perspective, Alice’s growth was impressive; she was a different fighter than she had been at the start of the session.
"I have to ask... just how much power were you using in that fight?"
"Hmm... zero point... well, how many zeros can I put after the decimal before you lose your will to fight?"
"I figured it was something like that. You're ridiculous."
Alice looked up at the ceiling, exasperated but not surprised. Machina sat down beside her.
"In a standard match, I would win a thousand times out of a thousand. But if I were trying to harm my beloved child and you were trying to protect him, I couldn't say for sure I'd win. That is where your true strength lies, Alice."
"That's high praise."
"Of course. You're my Hero, after all."
Machina tapped her chin thoughtfully. "We should set a goal for your training."
"A goal helps, yeah."
"Then let's make it this: your goal is to be able to use my Heart Tool."
Alice's eyes widened. "What?"
Being sharp, Alice quickly connected the dots. "Ah, I see. When you were human, you touched me while I was in my Ultimate War-Form—while I was fused with my Heart Tool."
"Exactly. It’s a power I don't need now that I'm almighty, but if you can channel it through Hecatoncheir, it'll prove you've approached my level of power. It's a perfect benchmark."
"I guess so. A Heart Tool from an Omniscient and Potent God... that must be terrifying."
Machina suddenly looked away, looking a bit awkward.
"Machina?"
"Well... it's... very convenient, if you can use it."
"Ah. It's not a combat power, is it?"
"I can't help it! A Heart Tool is based on the wielder's heart, not their power level. It doesn't have to be for fighting!"
It seemed Machina’s Heart Tool wasn't designed for war. That made sense; a Heart Tool reflected the soul, not the combat stats.
"Fair enough. What's it called?"
"Factory Gear."
"That sounds like a production ability."
"It is. To be specific, Factory Gear allows me to replicate anything non-living as long as I have the original and enough magic power. There are restrictions, of course."
"That’s useful, but... for someone with the power of creation, it's completely redundant."
"Exactly."
While replicating anything was a god-tier power for anyone else, for an omnipotent being like Machina, it was a toy she didn't need.
As they chatted, Alice suddenly had a mischievous look. "Machina, say 'aah'."
"Eh?"
Machina reflexively opened her mouth, and Alice tossed in a piece of piping hot oden she had pulled from nowhere.
"Fugyahhh! Hot! It's hot!"
"Wait, you haven't cured your heat sensitivity!?"
Machina rolled around on the ground clutching her mouth, just as she had in the past. After a moment, she used her power to fix the pain and sat up straight.
"I forgot."
"You're still such an airhead... Your power is terrifying, but I’m glad the core of who you are hasn't changed."
"That’s not true! I’ve grown into a sophisticated, mature woman with boundless motherliness—"
"A mature woman? You have a spindly little body just like mine."
"Excuse me?"
Machina’s eyes went flat. She stood up and proudly puffed out her chest.
"I’d appreciate it if you didn't lump us together. There is a massive difference between us."
"A massive difference? Is this about the mature woman thing?"
"Yes! Look closely. My chest size is a B-cup. You're an A-cup. That is a massive difference!"
"A B-cup?" Alice looked at her skeptically. Her face clearly said: "What is this idiot talking about?" Alice stood up and peered intently at Machina’s chest. "Are you sure? Looks like an A-cup to me."
"It's a B! It is overwhelmingly a B! It’s so close to being a C-cup that you could practically call it one!"
"Hmmmm."
"I am the Omniscient One! If I say it's a B, it's a B!"
"That's just a self-proclamation..."
"Fine! If you don't believe me, measure it yourself! It is absolutely a B!"
Machina was getting worked up. Alice nodded and reached out, giving Machina’s chest a firm squeeze.
"Hmm. This is a tough call."
"Why are you grabbing me with such a serious look!?"
"You told me to measure it."
"You should be able to tell just by looking!"
"There might be a margin of error. Give me that."
Machina manifested a measuring tape and shoved it at Alice. Alice looked at it, then at Machina. "Okay. Take off your top."
"You can calculate the difference through the clothes! Or I can just tell you!"
"I see... so you're wearing pads."
"Hah! Fine! Have it your way!"
Stung by the remark, Machina impulsively vanished her upper clothing.
"A one-piece dress with the top half nude... that's a very specific kink."
"I didn't need to take off the bottom! Just measure it!"
"Fine, fine. Let’s see..."
Alice used the tape on the blushing Machina and made a complicated face.
"Moo."
"See? It's a B, right?"
"Technically, yes, but it’s by a hair. This is practically a rounding error."
"A B is a B!"
"Are you sure you aren't inflating the stats of this body?"
"I am not!"
Machina looked triumphant, while Alice looked unconvinced. It was close, but as Machina had claimed, she was indeed a B-cup. Machina restored her clothes and struck a smug pose.
"Now you understand. I’m basically well-endowed. With my adult charm and motherliness, my beloved child will surely fall for me one day."
"I hate to break it to you, but a B-cup isn't exactly 'well-endowed.'"
"What!? But... it's practically a C..."
"It’s practically an A. And even if it were a C, it wouldn't count as large. Just look at the people around Kaito-san. Lilia-san is a D-cup."
Machina froze. She crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Lilia... sorry, which meat slab was that?"
"You don't even remember her?"
"Wait, she's one of the three who look like a traffic light, right? I remember the blue one is Lunamaria, so she must be the yellow or the red..."
"Traffic light? Because of the hair colors? That’s actually a good way to put it."
"Hold on. I'll check my omniscience."
To Machina, everyone besides Kaito was just a hunk of meat. She had talked to Lunamaria, so she remembered her, but Lilia and Sieglinde were a blur. She used her power to look into Lilia... and then she covered her eyes with her hand and looked up at the sky.
"What now?"
"Nothing... I just had a thought."
Alice was confused, but Machina remained silent for a long time.
(So, you’re also someone who gets tossed around by others... I feel a strange kinship with you. You aren't my child, but... perhaps I'll be a little kinder to you.)
In her office at the Albert Mansion, Lilia was working alone when she was startled by a sudden light in the room. There, before her, stood the twenty-winged angel.
"E-Eden-sama—! Ah, forgive me!"
Lilia knew this angel was an incredibly volatile, dangerous being. She was the kind of person you didn't even want to name for fear of what she might do. Lilia bowed her head, pale with terror. It was the right move. Under normal circumstances, calling Machina’s name would have incurred her wrath.
"It is fine. I forgive you."
"H-Huh?"
"Lilia Albert."
"Y-Yes!?"
Lilia had no idea why Eden was here. She stood as stiffly as possible, cold sweat dripping down her face. She knew a single slip-up could mean death. But Eden didn't call her a meat slab, nor was she radiating hostility. She stepped forward and handed Lilia a bottle of medicine.
"I am giving this to you."
"Eh? Um... what is it?"
"Stomach medicine. It is of the highest quality and has no side effects. It will automatically refill whenever it runs low."
"Oh... uh... thank you?"
Lilia was utterly lost. Why was this terrifying god looking at her with such pity? Eden turned to leave, her business concluded. She vanished into a halo of light, leaving behind one final sentence.
"Live strong."
"..................Pardon?"
Alone in her office, Lilia tilted her head, completely unable to grasp what had just happened.
~Lilia Albert~
- A genius of rare talent with exceptionally high specs in appearance and ability.
- High-born royalty who renounced her succession rights to head a ducal house at a young age.
- Possesses a unique constitution where her magic manifests as lightning when she enters battle readiness.
- Numerous combat feats: wielding a greatsword, self-taught magic, and rising to Division Commander in record time.
- Surrounded by a beautiful childhood friend (Sieg) and a beautiful maid (Lunamaria), with an entirely female household staff.
- Highly successful in business with significant personal wealth.
- The first human to receive the Blessing of Time and a personal favorite of the Supreme God.
- Gained time-manipulation magic after receiving her True Blessing.
- Acquainted with five of the Six Kings, two Supreme Gods, and all three Sovereigns, all of whom hold her in high regard.
- The Creator God remembered her name early on.
- Recognized as the representative of humankind by the Creator, who even tried to gift her a Sky Castle.
- Destined to eventually become the strongest human, capable of standing on equal footing with the Six Kings.
In short, she has the specs to be the protagonist of her own "overpowered" light novel, yet from the very beginning, she has consistently remained in the "lovable airhead" position. In a way, she is a miraculous character.