Canalis spoke up amidst the lingering silence of the void where the recent commotion had unfolded.
"Goodness, Electrone, your luck is truly something else. Winning enough rock-paper-scissors matches to secure the second spot was impressive enough, but to also grab one of the five slots Kaito-sama drew in the lottery? You could really call that destiny."
"It truly is," ∇∮◆￡ agreed. "Now that I think about it, you’ve always had a knack for these sorts of drawings. I’m actually quite envious."
『...Outputting dissatisfaction... [Hey! Before we start chatting so casually, shouldn't someone acknowledge the fact that this Cyber Angel's face is currently dented like a character from a gag manga?! It hurts, and it’s going to take forever to fix!] ...This is most regrettable.』
"Ah... no, I’m truly sorry about that. I completely lost control. I’m really, really sorry."
Facing the disgruntled Electrone, ∇∮◆￡ bowed her head in a sincere apology. While she possessed a Berserker Mode that transformed her into a violent force once her "switch" was flipped, she was otherwise known for her gentle and extremely kind nature.
Having landed her single punch, she had returned to her senses and immediately began offering profuse apologies for her impulsive behavior. It would have been ideal if she could have reached this rational state before resorting to violence, but ∇∮◆￡’s thought process in Berserker Mode inevitably funneled toward the singular goal of "punching." It was a state of pure, unstoppable momentum.
『...This unit also has points to reflect upon. Outputting emotion... [It’s hard to keep complaining when you apologize that sincerely. Besides, I provoked you first, so I suppose we both have something to think about.] ...This unit also displayed a lack of consideration for the Bipolar God's feelings.』
"Well, I can certainly understand how ∇∮◆￡ felt," Canalis noted. "Even if she was first in line, she hasn't actually met Nebula-sama or Kaito-sama yet. When you're waiting that impatiently, seeing Electrone—who was right behind you in the queue—win the right to give Kaito-sama a present is bound to trigger some jealousy. Anyway! I actually have some wonderful news for you, ∇∮◆￡!"
"...Good news?"
Electrone and ∇∮◆￡ shared a wry smile, both acknowledging their own faults in the earlier spat. It seemed their reconciliation was genuine, with no lingering resentment between them. However, they both tilted their heads in confusion at Canalis’s sudden announcement.
"You see, as expected of her, it seems Nebula-sama sensed that ∇∮◆￡ was feeling quite gloomy. She actually negotiated with Shallow Vernal on your behalf. According to the plan, your meeting with Kaito-sama will proceed as originally agreed... However, since Nebula-sama cannot participate in Kaito-sama's birthday party due to being unable to move more than a certain distance from the World Tree, she claimed she would be bored and wanted ∇∮◆￡ to be her conversation partner. Under that pretext, she secured permission for ∇∮◆￡ to temporarily enter Shallow Vernal's world!"
"Wait... really?! Is that true?! Then... then I can meet Nebula-sama! Yes! Oh, thank goodness!"
Indeed, Nebula had been mindful of ∇∮◆￡’s feelings and had negotiated with Shallow Vernal under the guise of finding a way to pass the time while she remained absent from the festivities. On the condition that she provide advice on the black tea Shallow Vernal was preparing as a gift for Kaito, she had obtained permission for ∇∮◆￡ to visit her temporarily for the duration of the birthday party.
Suddenly blessed with such overwhelming happiness, ∇∮◆￡ hopped and skipped with pure joy. Seeing this, Canalis nodded with a heartwarming look, though her physical expression remained technically unchanged.
However, a hand was quietly placed on Canalis’s shoulder.
『...Outputting anger... [Canalis? I’d like you to answer me while I’m still feeling rational. If you’d mentioned that earlier, I wouldn't have been punched by ∇∮◆￡, would I?] ...I demand an immediate response.』
"Ah... well... you see. It completely slipped my mind! Taha—my apologies for being such a clumsy girl!"
『...Outputting additional anger... [You did that on purpose. You held a grudge from when I hit you before, and you kept your mouth shut as a bit of petty revenge, didn't you? You've got quite the nerve.] ...Shifting to battle readiness.』
".........Ah, ahhh, I really should be getting back soon. Well then, see you both later—"
『Commencing purge.』
The moment Electrone shifted into battle readiness, Canalis took flight, and a battle that could be called Round Two began.
Watching the sudden shift from joy back to conflict, ∇∮◆￡ looked on, flustered.
"P-Please, both of you, calm down! Fighting is wrong! If you two fight for real, it will have a massive impact on the surrounding worlds... or rather, this world of Electrone's will take the brunt of it! Look, even space itself is screaming! Anyway, please calm down! Oh, what should I do... W-Well, if it looks like the world is about to take serious damage, I'll step in and stop them."
∇∮◆￡ tried to stop the fight, but unfortunately, her voice did not reach the ears of Canalis or Electrone. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she decided to watch the situation unfold, observing the duel between the two.
Their abilities were evenly matched, and the clash was well-contested.
...Though it goes without saying that the quarrel eventually ended with both Canalis and Electrone being punched into silence by ∇∮◆￡.
Comparative Strength (Limited to Quasi-Almighty Class and above):
Shallow Vernal (Anomalous) Nebula >>> Unattainable Wall >>> Bipolar God ∇∮◆￡ >>> Machine God Machina > God of Flux Canalis = Cyber God Electrone > Underworld King Kuromueina = Shallow Vernal (excluding Epilogue) > Phantasm King Alice > Earth God Eden > God of Fate Fate >>> Isis (Gradually awakening to Authority Class powers by accepting the Magic Power of Death, but not yet Quasi-Almighty Class)