Kaito and Shiro were taking a break from the Hydra Kingdom Founding Anniversary Festival. They had bought ice cream from a stall and were now seated on a bench in a nearby plaza, enjoying their treats. Even though the festival grounds were packed, the bench remained unnaturally vacant—yet another instance of the heavy-handed support provided by the Gods.
"Kaito-san, since we're here, why don't you try some of this as well?"
"...But it’s the same flavor, isn’t it?"
"Since we're here, why don't you try some of this as well?"
"...Ah, right. Well then, thank you."
Kaito offered a wry smile as Shiro insisted on a taste-test despite having bought the exact same treat, but he was clearly enjoying himself. Shiro, too, had been in a wonderful mood all day, and their conversation flowed effortlessly even while they rested.
Perhaps it was because they had mentioned a hot spring inn earlier, or maybe it was just a passing whim, but Shiro turned to Kaito with a question.
"We spoke of hot springs earlier. You are quite fond of them, aren't you, Kaito-san? That being the case, I must ask... Putting aside whether it is actually reproducible for a moment, what would your ideal, ultimate hot spring be like?"
"Hmm. That’s a tough one. I like hot springs, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to distinguish between different types of mineral water. If I had to choose something to set it apart... it would be the scenery. Something with a view of vast nature... It might not click with you, Shiro-san, but soaking in a hot spring while looking at a massive landmark like Mount Fuji right in front of you—now that would be true luxury."
"I see. Mount Fuji, was it?"
"Yeah. Well, it's hard to explain, so if you could just read it from my memories... Not that I've ever seen it in person. My knowledge just comes from TV and things like that."
Intrigued by the mention of Mount Fuji, Shiro delved into Kaito’s thoughts and perfectly captured his mental image of the idealized landscape. To Kaito, this was nothing more than idle chatter in response to her question. He assumed she was merely curious since hot springs were a rarity in this world.
However, whenever Kaito fell into such an optimistic mindset, events invariably spiraled in a direction he never intended. While continuing her conversation with Kaito, Shiro reached out to Machina.
(Earth God, can you hear me?)
(Hmm? What is it, Shallow Vernal? Don't worry, I'm already working on the hot spring inn...)
(Please include Mount Fuji too.)
(Mount Fuji!? Wait, what? Where did that come from all of a sudden!?)
(I want to enjoy a luxurious view with Kaito-san, so I would like a hot spring with a view of Mount Fuji.)
(...N-No, I mean, creating Mount Fuji... that's impossible in the middle of a city, you know? It’s a mountain!)
(Then the hot spring inn can be outside the city.)
(I literally just went to the Royal Palace to clear the current plans!)
Machina immediately protested the demand to include Mount Fuji as a bonus feature. Anyone else hearing such a request would have surely looked as bewildered as a cat flung into the vacuum of space.
With her power, creating a mountain or two was a simple task for Machina. However, the sudden appearance of a mountain would cause a massive uproar, and she had no desire to return to that Royal Palace full of meat slabs.
But since she had been coerced into these chores from the beginning, Machina found herself in a vulnerable position.
(Do not forget that this entire arrangement began because you were acting in a way that could be considered a breach of contract—or at the very least, a gray area—without my permission. In exchange for my silence, the contract stipulates that you will fulfill my requests for this festival. I did not explicitly define the scope of those requests. Mount Fuji falls within it.)
(Guh...)
(Or perhaps we should discuss in more detail whether your interference in Kaito-san's dreams to pull out his consciousness constitutes a breach of contract?)
(Fuguu... F-Fine... I just have to build it, right!?)
(Yes. I am counting on you.)
Indeed, the reason Machina was so obediently following Shiro’s instructions was that she had been caught repeatedly intruding upon Kaito’s dreams to interact with him as Machina.
She had taken precautions, ensuring Kaito couldn't recall those nightly encounters, but Shiro had found her out anyway. With a resigned sigh, Machina accepted the additional demand.
The inevitable result would be the sudden manifestation of Mount Fuji within the Hydra Kingdom—a development that would undoubtedly inflict critical damage on the stomachs of Laguna and Lilia.
Natural God: "Add Mount Fuji as an inn option."
Mad God: "Wha!?"
Serious-senpai: "Machina is really being swung around, as expected of the Natural God... And as usual, the Stomach Pain Warriors are left exposed to the aftermath."