Even during hours that would be considered deep into the night in the Human or Demon Realms, a bright blue sky stretched across the God Realm. There, within the Sanctuary, the pinnacles of two worlds—Shallow Vernal and Eden—stood facing one another.
"So, Shallow Vernal? What did you wish to discuss?"
"I thought I should inform you… I’ve decided to provide a guard dog for Kaito-san’s home."
"A guard dog?"
"Yes. While Alice and I watch over him when he is there, I felt it would be wise to have something to protect the mansion in Kaito-san’s absence."
Truthfully, Eden doubted any fool would dare raise a hand against the place even when Kaito was away, but she nodded nonetheless, acknowledging Shallow Vernal’s logic.
She also surmised that if Shallow Vernal was going out of her way to mention this, she intended to create something powerful enough to make even Eden wary should she encounter it unexpectedly.
After all, while the residents of Kaito’s mansion were of little consequence to beings like Eden or Shallow Vernal, they were among the most elite powerhouses by the standards of the world. There was no point in providing a guard dog weaker than them.
"Since there happens to be a World Tree in Kaito-san’s garden, I have placed the guard dog within it in the form of a spirit."
"You’ve already done it, then? Is this a being you newly created?"
"No, it is not."
Shallow Vernal shook her head in response to Eden’s question, then spoke again after a brief pause.
"…I am capable of resurrecting those I have brought to an end with Epilogue (The End of the Story)."
"Yes, you mentioned that to me once before. I see. So you’ve selected a suitable candidate from the countless existences you’ve erased in the past… But is that truly wise?"
"In what sense?"
"It is the same for both you and me, but the creators of worlds—or even those who haven't reached that stage but belong to the Almighty Class—tend to be incredibly strong-willed. At best, they are eccentric; at worst, utterly self-centered. Is this being you’ve made into a guard dog going to be alright?"
"I believe her strength is beyond reproach. Among the beings I ended before I had clearly acquired an ego, she was one of the few who left a lasting impression."
At those words, a look of slight surprise crossed Eden’s face.
"…The you from back then? An opponent remembered by you, from the time when you held no interest in anything? Who exactly is it?"
"Her name is Nebula."
"........................What?"
Upon hearing the name Shallow Vernal uttered, Eden’s face went blank with shock.
"…Nebula? Y-You don't mean… that Nebula? The one who ruled over countless Multiple Worlds and was hailed as the Ultimate God Nebula?"
"I do not know the details of her history, but there is no doubt she possessed power so immense it stood out to me."
"..."
Eden pressed her fingers to her temple and looked up at the sky, as if trying to shut out reality. She was an existence far beyond common sense herself, yet even for her, this revelation was so staggering that it took time to process.
A moment later, a look of realization dawned on Eden’s face, and she spoke in a slight panic.
"W-Wait a minute! This world is quite small compared to others. If I were to bring my Main Body here, the world would collapse, unable to withstand the strain of my power. Nebula possesses power orders of magnitude greater than even mine! It would be like trying to pour the entire ocean into a single cup! There is no way this world could endure her presence…"
"Ah, that is quite fine. I ‘lowered her rank.’"
"…I beg your pardon?"
"As I said, I lowered Nebula’s power to the Quasi-Almighty Class level and placed restrictions upon her innate abilities as well."
"..................Um, please, wait a moment. My mind can't keep up… Is such a thing even possible?"
Eden clutched her head as if fighting off a migraine, but Shallow Vernal’s tone remained perfectly flat.
"When I use Epilogue (The End of the Story) to bring back a being I once ended, I can also ‘rewrite’ them as I see fit. I simply made some adjustments… Did I not mention this?"
"This is the first I've heard of it… Or rather, is there anything you can’t do? That power of yours is…"
It wasn't just an absolute power of the end that no being or ability could resist; any story once finished could be altered exactly as Shallow Vernal desired. And the fact that she could rewrite an entity as formidable as the Ultimate God Nebula meant that no one could possibly defy those modifications.
Eden looked up at the blue sky of the God Realm with distant, hollow eyes.
"…I’ve had enough of this absurdity. You truly have no concept of self-restraint."
"Hm?"
Ignoring Shallow Vernal as she tilted her head in confusion, Eden continued to stare at the sky with an expression of pure exhaustion.
(...Once this is over, I’m going to eat something delicious with Alice. I’ll recreate that summer festival and we'll eat takoyaki together… Oh, that’s right, I’ll invite my beloved child, too… I need healing. I desperately need healing.)