Hmm, I personally like ramen, but maybe it's because most people have a strong sense that noodles are associated with pasta, but they're not very popular.
Yeah, yeah. I mean, how many of them do you think you're going to eat...............................you're still a big eater.

　Alice took me to a ramen shop, which I didn't expect. I mean, I like ramen, so there's nothing wrong with that...but as a girl on a date, I don't know what to think.　No, no, I like it. The girl who eats ramen with me........as long as it's a sensible amount.......
　By the way, the ramen Alice is currently eating is the '43rd bowl'.

''.........Kite, that's not true.''
Yeah?
'I'm not a big eater, I just love 'food on other people's dime'!　Don't get me wrong there!
What's worse!

　And as a matter of course, I'm supposed to buy the drinks. A calculated binge that I'm not going to use my black rank privileges and that I can't shun them for whatever reason.......after all, Alice is Alice.
　In a sense, I'm dumbfounded by Alice as usual, and I nod my head as I look around the store.

'But then again, are we the only customers?'

　There is hardly any sign of people, let alone customers, in the restaurant. No, there are employees because the ramen that Alice had refilled will be brought to you... but I feel like there are too few people for the size of the restaurant.

''Oh no, I actually have a few thoughts, we're renting it out.
...you think?
'Yes, well, to be precise, I have a question for you, Kite. By the way, all of my employees are my alter ego as well.
"...you mean it's important to talk about...

　Alice's serious expression and mood indicated that the question she was about to utter was extremely important. That's why, isn't it?　My spine naturally straightens up too.
　After a few seconds ... a silence that feels awfully long, Alice opened her mouth while looking straight into my eyes.

''........Let me ask you straightforwardly. Kite-san, did something happen with Sharovanal-sama?
"...What?　Wh-What do you mean?

　Mr. White?　Why does White's name come up here?

Was there anything, if not a fight, at all?
You know, I'm not so sure...
'Yes, I suppose so. For example, have you been tested by Lord Shalovanal, or shown a challenge...?
....

　Could this possibly be ... that case?　The story of how White talked about himself as a rasher and said he was going to give me a test.
　I hadn't told anyone else about it, for various reasons. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that I don't really understand what White is trying to do, and I haven't been able to fully grasp the details.
　But what's more, it's probably because I'm feeling inexplicably uneasy about this matter.

　I don't know why Alice is aware of this and wants to know about it, but I wonder if it's okay to tell her?
　She's a goody-two-shoes, but she's not one to go around blowing up important topics and I trust her with all my heart, myself. Besides, maybe I'll find out by telling Alice.
　The true nature of the inexplicable anxiety that I somehow can't bring myself to tell anyone else about this is........

''........Actually, when I went to the God Realm before.......''

　So I decided to tell her about what happened between me and White before. Alice listened to me with a serious expression on her face, not trying to be a jerk.

　When she finished speaking, Alice put her hand to her chin and made a thoughtful expression.


What's the matter with you?
''........No, there's nothing particularly strange about it. Rather, he's just saying something like a token ordeal, and he might be planning to fulfill Kite-san's wish from the beginning.
I see...

　Alice's expression was not upset, but rather she seemed relieved. I had clearly thought that the price for this ordeal would be a large one, but according to Alice, that's not the case.
　Maybe I was overthinking things... True, Shiro-san is a kind person with a strange side, but he's also a kind person, and maybe the ordeal is easier than I thought.

　Dear Mom, Dad--I told Alice about the ordeal Shiro-san told me about before, and according to Alice, it won't be a reckless ordeal. I know it's okay to be relieved, but... why is that?　Still - the anxiety that remained in her mind was still there.








　While smiling at Kaijin, who resumed eating as if to regain his mind, Alice repeated her thoughts at high speed. She tried not to let Kaijin realize it, and the surface layer sensed by the sensory magic was also fixed with a false one, but her mind was not currently calm.



　Yes, she had the opposite impression of what she had told Kaito earlier.



　While thinking about this, Alice recalled a conversation with the being who caused her to ask this question to Kaito a while ago.......this time.








　The time goes back, a few days before the Sixth King Festival was held. An unexpected being visited the alter ego of Alice, who was working as a shop keeper in a grocery store.

'Coming, content, important.'
"...Mr. Eden?　I don't see Mr. Kite here today.　Also, could you stop talking to me in that complicated way?
I'm aware that my child is not here. I'm here, Alice I'm here to talk to you.
"....Seriously, what kind of wind you're talking about--?　Warding?　Does that mean you don't want anyone else to know about it?

　The words that Eden told her were surprising to Alice. Alice also thinks that she understands the existence of Eden to some extent. She doesn't understand why she would bother to visit Alice, as she only perceives the existence other than the one she calls her own child as trash.

''Even with this, I still think I have some appreciation for you. Although you are far less than my child, you are worthy enough to remember your name. It's better than the other talking lumps of meat.
Sure, why not... so what can I do for you?
"...watch out for Shalovanal's movements. If you don't want to 'lose' your beloved child....
'What?　What are you doing...?
'I cannot say more. It is against my contract with Shalovanal. I can't speak to my child directly, but I'm sure Shalovanal also thought that I only perceived all the inhabitants of this world as trash... there was a slight hole in the contract. That's what I'm telling you about it.
...a contract?
I can't tell you the details, but in the not-too-distant future, my dear child will face God.
What?

　Eden's words, spoken so matter-of-factly, were something that Alice could never ignore. However, she couldn't go into the details of it.
　Eden turned away, as if to say that she had told him what she needed to tell him, and moved towards the exit of the grocery store.

　Alice was looking away from that back in a daze, but suddenly Eden stopped in front of the door and muttered without turning around.

''........Interesting stuff. She was once called the 'God of Destruction of the Apocalypse', but now she's called the God of Creation. It's something I don't understand.''
....
'But does that still change the nature of it?　She still stands at the end of the story.
...What do you mean by that?
"...the 'end of the story (epilogue)' is the existence of Shalovanal. I don't know what it really means. But, yes the egg or the chicken, which do you think is it?
What was that for?
It would be interesting to find out who 'created' the magic circle for summoning the heroes...
....
Is it really 'a miraculous being who met by chance' or 'a being sought by someone who sees the future'... who is the real beginning?

　After telling everyone, Eden left the grocery store. Leaving a big question in Alice's mind....