Thinking back, I believe it was shortly after Nebula had become part of our household. I had just finished brushing Bell and was relaxing in the shade of the World Tree with Nebula sitting on my lap when she suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, by the way, Master."
"Yeah?"
"It isn’t a particularly big deal, but I used to be a god."
"…A god? You mean a god like Shiro-san or Eden-san?"
"Yes. Well, I wasn’t a God of World Creation since I never made a world of my own, but my position was fairly similar. After meeting my end through Shallow Vernal’s Epilogue (The End of the Story), I was reborn as the Spirit of the World Tree… I suppose you could think of it as a reincarnation."
"I-I see…"
I was taken aback by such a sudden revelation, but I knew Nebula wasn’t the type to joke about something like that, and there was already a precedent with Isis-san. Besides, considering the World Tree mutation that even Lilliwood-san found hard to believe, and the fact that a spirit now lived in a tree where they weren't supposed to dwell—if Shiro-san had a hand in it, then it all actually made a certain kind of sense.
"Well, it truly isn't that important. The past is the past. It doesn't change the fact that I am now Master’s Spirit of the World Tree, nor does it change who I am. Wherever I am, I am an Absolute One, and that fact is unchanging!"
"Haha, I guess so… certainly, even after hearing that, you're still just Nebula. I suppose it doesn't change much."
"Exactly!"
"But why bring it up so suddenly?"
Nebula spoke as if her past divinity really didn't matter. It felt like she was just sharing "what my previous life was like" as casual small talk. Since her past didn't change who she was now, and she would always be a precious member of the family to me regardless of what she used to be, I agreed that it wasn't really a problem. Still, the timing piqued my curiosity.
"Oh, no particular reason. There is nothing an Absolute One like myself needs to hide. I just felt that if I told you the moment I arrived, it might be a bit too much information to process at once, so I waited a while. There wasn't a specific reason to tell you now, either, but I figured you might be surprised if you found out later through some other circumstance, so I thought it best to let you know beforehand."
"I see. Thanks for looking out for me… But do you ever wish you could go back to the way things were? Back to being a god?"
"No, not at all. While my power has diminished significantly since then—I believe the term is 'rank-lowered'—and there are times I'd like to have my strength back, I have no desire to return to my old position. Part of it is because I've made my peace with being reborn, but more importantly, I quite like my life here… with you and the others."
"I’m glad to hear that."
Seeing Nebula’s happy smile, I could tell those words came straight from her heart. As I gently stroked her head, she narrowed her eyes contentedly. Yeah, regardless of her past, Nebula was still Nebula. Since she didn't mind, there was no reason for me to worry about it.
I spent a while longer enjoying my peaceful chat with her.
"…Ah, also, it’s possible that some of my past acquaintances might visit this world. They are all well-versed in etiquette, so I’m sure it will be fine."
"Are they… also gods?"
"Yes. Most will likely be Gods of World Creation, but I don't think they'll come in large numbers. If I notice them, I’ll speak with them myself. If they ever visit you, Master, just call for me. I can handle the introductions."
"Understood. I’ll count on you then."
"Yes! Please leave it to me! After all, I am an Absolute One!"
Recalling that conversation from a while back, I turned my attention to Canaris-san, who was standing before me. Her expression remained as wooden as ever, but she was clearly bewildered. After a brief silence, she finally spoke.
"…Um, Kaito-san, where on earth did you hear that story?"
"Well, I heard it from the person herself."
"I… I see…"
"Actually, if you'd like, shall I call Nebula? I feel like the conversation would go more smoothly if she were here."
Since she seemed to be one of the acquaintances Nebula had mentioned, I figured calling her would be the quickest way to get things moving. Nebula did say I should call her if any old friends showed up, after all.
Serious-senpai: "Ah, I see. Since there was already a similar precedent like Isis, and since the person herself is so nonchalant about it, it was easy for Kaito to accept… though he does seem to have a bit of a 'doting parent' blind spot when it comes to his standards for her."
???: "Actually, she told him this right after she made that first batch of black tea. Around that time, Kaito was still surprised by things like her 'crafted sugar' or the way she renovated the garden in no time. But ever since he found out she was a former god, his internal logic shifted to, 'Well, she's a goddess, so she can probably do that,' which explains why his standards for her became so lenient."
Serious-senpai: "…I just thought his doting father instincts had hit hyperdrive."