Within the Sanctuary of the God Realm, the two goddesses—Shallow Vernal and Eden—had been watching the scene unfold. Once the first meeting between Nebula and Kaito came to an end, Eden spoke, her face pale with disbelief.
"I see... Your Power of Alteration is truly terrifying. For that Absolute One, Nebula, to be so submissive to My Child... exactly what kind of change did you perform?"
"I lowered her rank and placed restrictions on her unique abilities."
"No, I meant her personality. Surely you altered her to be submissive toward My Child or friendly toward others?"
"I did no such thing?"
"............Excuse me?"
Shallow Vernal tilted her head in genuine wonder, leaving Eden with a blank stare. It was only natural; Eden had assumed Nebula’s sudden friendliness was the result of a narrative rewrite through Shallow Vernal’s Power of the Epilogue.
She couldn’t fathom that Nebula, a being who once sat at the zenith of multiple worlds, would ever choose to interact with a mere human on equal terms. But no confirmation came to validate her suspicions.
"You didn’t alter Nebula's personality? Not even a single restriction?"
"I did ensure that she cannot cause Kaito-san any harm. In the sense of emotional injury, she may find herself unable to utter verbal abuse. But that is truly all I did."
"Then... how do you explain it? Nebula has been calling My Child 'Master' and interacting with everyone with a bright, social smile since she arrived."
"She is simply doing that of her own accord."
"............I see............"
Eden looked up at the sky once more, lost in a state beyond words. While she had never met Nebula personally, she knew of her as a fearsome existence who had reigned over countless worlds.
She had even felt a flicker of admiration for Nebula's overwhelming power and the charisma she displayed while ruling over vast worlds and their creators... but now, that image had been smashed to pieces.
"...I am tired. I’m going home. If you've lowered her rank, I suppose she won't be a threat, but the possibility that she’s plotting a rebellion isn't zero. Do not let your guard down."
Clutching her head, Eden turned and vanished from the Sanctuary. For now, she simply wanted to get some deep rest. Shallow Vernal watched her leave, tilting her head in confusion.
That night, after a hectic round of introductions to the mansion staff and residents, Nebula sat perched on a branch of the World Tree. Despite her lowered rank, she still possessed the power of the Quasi-Almighty Class and felt no need for sleep.
Furthermore, since she had been stationed as a guard dog, her body was naturally designed to function without rest. Nebula gazed at the dark mansion, lost in thought.
(What a humiliation! What a disgrace! To think that I, the Absolute One, would be reduced to bowing my head to such inferior creatures... Grrr, but this is only temporary. Yes, this is a time for lying low. I am the Absolute One... I shall surely reclaim my rightful position... Hm?)
Interrupting her own thoughts, Nebula floated off the branch and drifted through the air. She slipped through the window of a room with drawn curtains—Kaito’s bedroom.
Fixing the blanket that had been kicked aside while Kaito tossed and turned, she lingered for a moment before slipping back out the window and returning to her perch on the World Tree.
(First, I must properly assess the current situation. It is loathsome, but my current strength is limited to the Quasi-Almighty Class... I have been weakened to the point of being inferior to even a mere Almighty Class being. Well, even if my opponent were Omniscient and Omnipotent, should a battle occur, I could use my authority as the Absolute One to encompass everything and emerge victorious. However, it is frustratingly inconvenient that I cannot use that power unless I am being antagonized—and it will not activate if I intentionally provoke that hostility myself.)
To put it bluntly, Nebula had been weakened to a staggering degree—but as a guard dog, she was unparalleled. Against any intruder, her power to encompass all would activate, allowing her to trample them as an Absolute Superior Being.
However, in any other circumstance, she was limited to Quasi-Almighty power. While that still put her on the level of a world’s creator, it was a pathetic shadow of her former self.
(...The question is whether the power I gain after encompassing and disposing of an opponent remains with me afterward. It used to. In other words, if an Almighty Class being attacked, I could reclaim that level of power... However, that goddess wouldn't have been foolish enough to leave such a loophole. If that's the case... Hm?)
Nebula stopped her ruminations once more and flew back through the window. She entered Kaito’s room again to fix the blanket that had become disheveled from his restless sleep.
(...Is he not tossing and turning a bit too much? A certain amount is to be expected, but this frequency is concerning... No, perhaps it is still within the margin of error? I should investigate, just in case. Even in my weakened state, such a task is easy... It would be unacceptable for the Master... my servant... to fall ill while I, the Absolute One, am present. Should that happen, it would be my failing; I must remain vigilant... Hmph, it seems there is no physical ailment. I might as well adjust the atmosphere so he has pleasant dreams.)
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Nebula returned to her branch and settled back into her thoughts.
In the Sanctuary, Shallow Vernal recalled Eden’s behavior today and tilted her head.
"For some reason, the Earth God was quite restless today. In fact, she seemed strangely overprotective."
Eden had been worried about Kaito, clearly fearing that Nebula’s frustration would eventually explode. She had asked repeatedly if having Nebula as a guard dog was truly wise, or if it wouldn't have been better to create a new protector from scratch.
However, Shallow Vernal found this skepticism puzzling.
"...I don’t believe there is any need for such concern... I wonder why she feels that way?"
Therein lay the fundamental difference in perspective. To Eden, Nebula was the Absolute One who ruled at the pinnacle of multiple worlds—an entity that would never accept being subservient to a human.
But Shallow Vernal’s reason for choosing Nebula was different.
"Out of everyone I know, I made sure to choose the one with the highest degree of benevolence and the greatest kindness toward others... It is very strange."
Nebula's Logic:
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It is only natural for lower beings with inferior abilities to cause trouble for the Absolute One; therefore, she will not reproach or punish them for it.
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The Absolute One is meant to endure trouble; she must never be the one to cause it.
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The Absolute One is the giver; lower beings need not push themselves to offer tributes. However, she will cherish anything given to her as a sign of their loyalty.
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It is the Absolute One's responsibility if a lower being under her protection is injured or falls ill; such a thing must never be allowed to happen.
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The Absolute One has a duty to protect those under her aegis; therefore, she must be the one to stand at the front lines during battle.
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The Absolute One must be perfect, but it is a mistake to demand perfection from lower beings; it is the mark of her magnanimity to laugh and forgive their disrespect.
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There is no need for lower beings to serve the Absolute One. Lower beings are the ones who should receive benefits; the Absolute One exists to provide them.
Serious-senpai: "...Wait, isn't she just a really good person?"