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I had woken up again. How many times now, I couldn’t even begin to remember. I liked this hazy moment, and at the same time, I hated it. That drowsy, woolly stretch of time felt good, but waking up meant I had to work. Since I was a higher-order being from the perspective of those conveniently called “gods,” I didn’t actually need sleep in the first place, so talking about this never earned any sympathy.

“Good morning, Fini.”
“Good morning. I didn’t want to wake up.”
“That’s not something you should complain to me about. Do you want me to ask a god to wake you up?”
“If that’s the case, I’d still prefer you or Lullus.”

Seeing a god’s face the instant I woke up was something I’d really rather avoid. Emotionally, it was no different from being shaken awake by your boss. I was grateful that Fumitsuki acted as my request desk, the gods got something out of it too, and I did appreciate being given a body that could sleep even though it was unnecessary… but still. That was one thing, and this was another.

“I’ll go see the god for now.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

As soon as Fumitsuki said that, her gaze shifted elsewhere. Toward an unmistakably ordinary table and chairs. On the table were sweets and tea, and seated on one of the chairs was Lullus. It was good that the two of them got along. Thinking that, I headed off to see the god.

◇◇◇

Going to see the god was fine and all, but apparently, the request this time had come from the God of Chaos, so I ended up being sent there immediately.

“So what exactly is the request, Chaos?”
“Don’t rush me like that, End.”

As always, he was a suspicious god with an unclear personality. And I had a very bad feeling about this. Though, honestly, the moment you heard the phrase “request from the God of Chaos,” a bad feeling rose.

“Recently, one of my children, your sister, has gone missing.”
“So the World Eater disappeared. Wait… you really do keep track of her movements.”
“Well, I am her creator, after all. But now I don’t know where she’s gone. I was just thinking it was about time to recover her energy. Terrible timing, really.”

I wished he’d at least match his facial expression to what he was saying.

“You look like you want to say something.”
“At the very least, I’d like your words and expressions to line up.”
“Ahh, sorry, sorry. I’m just having too much fun. On an unprecedented scale, you could say.”

What exactly was he plotting? If possible, I’d really like it to have nothing to do with my job.

“Just so you know, I do intend to get involved, but the root cause lies elsewhere.”
“So World Eater is involved, but she isn’t the mastermind?”
“You get it?”
“No, I don’t.”

I simply didn’t want to think about it. In any case, it seems that something unbelievably entertaining was about to occur, something even the God of Chaos himself has never experienced before. And on top of that, it wasn’t something he was orchestrating.

“And as for my request to you, End, I want you to go to the world where the World Eater last appeared…”

◆◆◆

A storm with no warning. Snow falling in the middle of summer. Constant earthquakes. A world where anyone living there would have more than enough reason to believe something terribly wrong was happening.

In that world, collapsing slowly by human reckoning, yet with terrifying speed from the world’s own perspective, a single girl was born. Her parents rejoiced at her birth, even as anxiety about her future crept in when they considered the increasingly abnormal state of the world.

And yet, from the moment she was born, the world began to settle. Sudden storms grew rarer, and earthquakes decreased in frequency. It wasn’t a complete return to normal, but it was enough to convince people that the world was undeniably reverting toward its former state.

The gloom that had hung over the people lifted, and by the time the girl turned five, it became clear that she possessed immense energy. One equal to the world’s energy itself.

Combined with the fact that the world had begun improving after her birth, the nation enshrined her as a child sent by the gods.

When the king first stood face-to-face with the girl, she showed not a trace of nervousness. Moreover, in a clear, confident voice unimaginable for a five-year-old, she declared, “My name is Viatrix. I was sent by the gods, and within this body resides the power to guide the world toward peace.”

Some scoffed, dismissing her words as childish fantasy, but the girl appeared unconcerned and instead gazed outside, as though waiting for something. Suddenly, rain began to fall. The wind strengthened, pelting the windows with sheets of rain. Beyond the water cascading down the glass like a waterfall, a gentle light could be seen pouring down in the distance.

The girl turned a meaningful smile toward the king. The king ordered those who had mocked her to apologize, and the girl accepted their apologies. Gradually, the wind died down, and the rain ceased. Those who witnessed it felt overwhelming relief, mixed with a faint sense of awe.

Amidst this, the king addressed the girl in a solemn voice utterly unsuited for someone so young.

“Does your birth mean this world is now safe?”
“That was my belief as well. However, it seems I alone am not enough. I can promise a period of peace, but I cannot guarantee what lies beyond it.”
“Then what is to be done?”
“My power is roughly equivalent to that of a world on the brink of collapse. Therefore…”
“Are you saying we must seek out a being with even greater power?”

There could scarcely be anyone capable of defeating the girl standing before him, let alone searching for someone stronger. Sensing the king’s distrust, the girl shook her head, rejecting his words.

“No. This is not something one can find by searching. I will have them come to this world.”

At the girl’s words, spoken with absolute confidence, no one present could find anything to say.