After speaking with Iris and finishing organizing her thoughts to a certain extent, Alice headed to the space where she regularly trained with Machina.
She had first been brought here by Eden, but since the sessions had become a routine, she had been given a tool to access the dimension on her own.
"Machina, there’s something I want to ask— wait, what?"
Alice reached the familiar white void, but she froze the moment she saw the sight before her.
There was Machina, lying on her side with her back turned, clutching a giant plushie modeled after a cat kigurumi—the same one Alice wore for her general store persona.
Beside her stood a placard that read: "I'm exhausted. Comfort me."
"……What is this blatantly tiresome development?"
"…So, what’s the matter, Machina?"
"……I wonder about the comedic value of a gag where you reverse your true feelings and public stance on the premise that the other person can read your mind……"
Perhaps she really was as tired as the sign claimed; her voice lacked its usual energy, and her retort lacked any sharpened edge. Seeing Machina like this, Alice let out a sigh that screamed of exasperation before speaking.
"Hah…… Fine, what is it?"
"I am currently being crushed by the world's irrationality."
"What is a 'being of the irrational' doing saying such ridiculous things……"
Though her expression was one of pure disbelief, Alice realized she had come at a difficult time. Regardless, the conversation wouldn't go anywhere unless she restored Machina’s mood first. Given that Machina had gone through the trouble of writing her request on a sign, she clearly wanted something from Alice.
"In the end, what am I supposed to do to comfort you?"
"……Make me takoyaki."
"……Hah."
When Alice let out another heavy sigh at the request, the ingredients for takoyaki and specialized cooking equipment appeared before her eyes instantly. Alice thought to herself that she should have just manifested the finished product if she wanted to eat, but she picked up the tools anyway.
"……I want plenty of dried green seaweed."
"This girl and her endless specific orders……"
Despite her annoyed expression, Alice used time acceleration to finish the cooking in an instant. She placed the freshly made takoyaki in a container and held it out.
"Here, it's done."
Hearing her voice, Machina turned around, sat up…… and opened her mouth.
"Ahhhnnn."
"……"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhnnn."
"……Haaaaahhh."
Machina held her mouth open like a fledgling bird begging for food. Seeing her in full-blown spoiling mode, Alice let out her loudest sigh yet as she tossed a takoyaki into Machina’s mouth.
Machina ate it with relish, swallowed, and opened her mouth again. Alice tossed in another. After repeating this three times, Machina stood up and pumped her fist.
"Alright, I'm energized!"
"……Your mood is as cheap to mend as ever."
As Alice looked on in disbelief at Machina, who had completely recovered after eating just three takoyaki, the goddess took the container from her and tilted her head.
"So, Alice. What was it you wanted to ask?"
"Ah—it’s about the Ultimate God Nebula I asked about a while ago."
"……The same reason I was exhausted……"
"Which means, as I suspected, that Nebula is the real deal……"
Though the start of the encounter had been a tedious mess, the conversation moved quickly once Machina regained her composure. Machina confirmed Alice's hypotheses while explaining the circumstances from her perspective. When they finished, Alice placed a hand on her chin, lost in thought.
"……Even though I expected it, that Epilogue (The End of the Story) is as nonsensical a power as ever."
"Truly."
"But if that's the case, then her 'good person' persona isn't an act?"
"No. I was curious about that too, so I checked with my omniscience and asked some gods I know…… and it seems she’s been like that since the beginning. The title 'Almighty-killer' is intense, but in reality, if someone picked a fight with her and lost, she’d almost always let them go, telling them to come back whenever they wanted a rematch."
"I see."
"It seems she was merciless toward anyone who harmed those under her protection, but otherwise, she was a truly broad-minded and kind being. She was apparently quite beloved by her subordinates too."
"I see…… I considered the slight possibility that she was an actress so skilled I couldn't see through her, but I guess she really is a good person to the core……"
After nodding as if satisfied by Machina’s words, Alice asked a few more questions before leaving the space.
Late that night, when the moon hung high in the sky, Nebula was sitting on a branch of the World Tree. As she shifted her gaze, she saw Alice beckoning to her from the roof. Nebula tilted her head and leapt from the branch, approaching her.
"……Alice-san? Is something the matter?"
"Yes, a little…… I’ll ask you point-blank. You are…… without a doubt, the Ultimate God Nebula, aren't you?"
"……"
At those quietly spoken words, Nebula’s face filled with pure shock.
Serious-senpai: "Finally! A serious development!!"
???: "……You’ve got to be kidding, Serious-senpai…… After everything that's happened, you still haven't given up? ……Your refusal to quit might be your most impressive trait."