The news that Kaito intended to expand his tea brand with physical storefronts naturally reached Chris, the Empress of the Arclesia Empire. Much like the other monarchs, she treated the matter with the utmost priority.
"I am quite looking forward to it, actually," Chris remarked. "Nifty's products are currently so popular that it has been difficult for someone like me—lacking the connections of a high-ranking noble—to acquire them. Knowing I'll have more opportunities to buy them makes my heart leap."
"You must be joking, Your Majesty," replied Alexandra, the Head Maid, as she served the tea. "I expect you have far more connections in various circles than I do."
"Hehe, I wonder," Chris said with a wry smile.
She knew full well that Alexandra was almost certainly the First Emperor herself, and a legendary Super Maid within the globally influential Maid World. The idea that she lacked connections was surely a jest. In fact, where Nifty was concerned, Alexandra had already managed to secure one of the Limited Edition Initial Lot Cups. Even now, she was regularly purchasing tea leaves, though Chris wasn't sure of her methods.
In truth, unbeknownst to Chris, Alexandra had become close friends with Kaito under her "Aria" persona. As a result, she belonged to Kaito's Friend Category and could place orders directly with Anima at Kaito's Home rather than going through a public shop.
"However," Chris continued, "this representative named Canaris is a complete enigma. I have inquired with many sources, but there is absolutely no information to be found. If she is being entrusted with the brand, she must be highly capable, yet the total lack of history is unsettling."
"Indeed," Alexandra agreed. "I have investigated the possibility of a pseudonym, but I found nothing—no records, no background, nothing. However, reports indicate that His Majesty Laguna was stunned upon reading Kaito-sama’s letter and immediately began re-evaluating potential sites for the store. It is rumored that His Majesty Laguna may know her."
"That suggests she is a prominent figure we simply don't recognize," Chris mused. "But for her history to be so thoroughly scrubbed... perhaps the Phantasm King-sama is engaging in some Information Manipulation?"
"If so, it will be nearly impossible for us to uncover anything further."
The reason they could find nothing on Canaris was simple: she was a being from the Otherworld. Naturally, it never occurred to them that she was an Almighty Class God who had just arrived and was immediately given a management position. Ultimately, Chris and Alexandra settled on the conclusion that Alice was behind the information blackout.
Meanwhile, in a vast white void, Canaris stood motionless. Sweat poured down her face as she looked at her close friend, a fellow World Creator.
"...Canaris... I want you to explain... in detail..." the goddess said, her voice strained. "Do it while I can still maintain my grip on reality."
"Y-yep..."
Canaris had come to explain that she was moving into Kaito's Home—the same place where Nebula lived—and that she’d be in charge of selling Nebula's products. However, an Aura of Jealousy radiated from the other Goddess so intensely that the word "ENVY" almost seemed visible in the air.
Ordinarily, Canaris would never have shared a report that was such a blatant landmine. But her friend was a Possessor of Omniscience; even if she tried to hide the truth, it would come out eventually. If she were caught later, a mere Galaxy Annihilation Punch wouldn't be enough to settle the score. It was better to be honest now.
"...I see," the Creator said. "So, you were granted the honor of living under the same roof as Nebula-sama. You were put in charge of her hand-crafted goods. And to top it all off, your room has a perfect view of Nebula-sama’s World Tree, you talk with her constantly, and she even invites you over for tea? T-That’s what you’re saying?"
"Exactly! Kaito-sama’s mercy is boundless. He's a total 'demon of thoughtfulness.' Knowing we were old acquaintances, he made sure I could be near her. Honestly, it makes my heart throb!"
"I am so jealous! I am still in the middle of negotiations with Shallow Vernal just to get permission to greet Nebula-sama, but you get to live in paradise?! Gaaah!"
"I mean, I'd feel the same if our positions were reversed," Canaris said, trying to pacify her. "But let's not do anything rash. Stay calm. We're reasonable beings, we can talk this out."
Canaris desperately tried to soothe the Goddess who was spiraling into a jealous rage, but the next question turned her face from pale to ghostly white.
"Fine... let's set that aside for a moment," the Creator whispered. "There’s something else I want to know. Did you really let Nebula-sama sit on your lap? And I heard something about you patting her head?"
"..................Um, I'm actually quite busy, so if you'll excuse me... I really should be going... No? I can't?"
Canaris had hoped that by being honest about everything else, she could avoid the most dangerous topic of all. Unfortunately, there was no escaping the All-Knowing. A few moments later, her scream echoed throughout the white space.
Serious-senpai: Since there are plenty of Omniscient and Omnipotent beings among the former subordinates of Nebula, it's impossible to keep secrets... My condolences, Canaris.
???: More importantly, isn't Alice-chan being blamed for something she didn't do? I mean, I understand why, but... Alice-chan had nothing to do with it this time, u-ssu!