“Furutsu-san, it will be fine. Listen to the rest of my story,” God said.
What do you mean by “fine?!” At this rate, this girl’s going to...!
“The higher-ups did indeed suggest destroying the World Tree, but I was able to postpone that plan for now,” God explained.
Huh?
“I told them that the owner of the storage card is an apple.”
“Oh!” Gridarvol and I exclaimed together.
That’s right! Ha ha, of course! I’m an apple! It’s not like I could take her out of storage!
“Yes, so there’s no need to worry yourselves. Gridarvol will not be destroyed. As long as you’re unable to take things out freely, the higher-ups won’t do anything.”
Ahh, I’m so glad! I’m so wonderfully glad!
“Yeah, thank you, Furutsu!” Gridarvol shouted.
“That’s why you shouldn’t stand out so much. Such as, say, by moving autonomously or slaying monsters,” God added.
“Oh,” Gridarvol and I muttered.
Well, that’s not good. Since I’m able to move around freely now, there’s a slight possibility that I would be able to take things out of the storage. If the gods find out...the World Tree would be in danger.
“Ahem, Furutsu-san?” God said.
Y-Yes?!
“I understand that you can now roll around freely.”
Y-Yeah. You’re right. Yeah.
“However, that’s all you can do. I haven’t seen you do anything else, nor have I heard of anything of the sort.”
R-Right! That’s right! I can barely roll, even! I’m just an apple, right?!
“You haven’t done anything to that woman over there, or to that dead monster. Is that correct?”
Huh? Oh, yeah, right! That’s right! I wonder what happened over there!
“So for a few more days, I’ll be watching over you, but you’re just an apple. A normal apple with no other powers. All you can do is roll, and nothing else, correct?”
Oh yeah, for sure! B-But is that okay with you? You’re a god and all...
God chuckled. “Do you remember why my subordinates accidentally let you die?”
Of course I do. There’s no way I could forget! It definitely left a lasting impression on me. It’s because they fell asleep—oh! I get it!
“Wait, what? I don’t,” Gridarvol said.
Uh, well, gods can get tired, sleepy, or distracted too. It could mean that God isn’t constantly watching over all of us.
“I’ll refrain from commenting on that statement,” God said. After a brief silence, she spoke in a softer, more monotonic voice. “I think I shall muse aloud for a brief while.”
Okay. I won’t eavesdrop.
“Gods oversee not only humans, but all living animals. As such, we clearly don’t have enough personnel. Furthermore, the fates of animals that are below a certain soul rank, as well as those of plants, are all pushed upon the World Tree.”
I see. Makes sense.
“So in this vast world, there isn’t a god that would specifically watch over ‘an apple with free will’ or ‘a branch that can’t come out of storage,’ should they even exist at all.”
“Uh, Furutsu, is she talking about—?”
Ahem ahem ahem! La la la! I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you! World Tree, God’s talking to herself right now. Do you understand?
“Huh? Oh...right! Yeah! I-I can’t hear anything!” she stammered.
Good girl.
“We especially don’t pay attention to plants and the like. As long as said plant doesn’t stand out too much or do anything egregious like, say, destroy multiple worlds, they should escape our notice,” God said.
In other words, God’s putting her trust in us.
“Thank you, God!” Gridarvol said.
Thank you, God.
God laughed again. “I hear all sorts of odd voices today. I wonder if it’s just my imagination.”
All right, World Tree! We should do our best! We can’t make any problems for God!
“Right! But what should I do?” the Tree asked.
Well, we should be fine for now, since I still can’t take you out of the box. But one day, I’d like to, and I’d like to use other things that are in there too.
“But if you take me out, the world would be in danger.”
All right, then I’ve decided! World Tree, we’ll find a way to safely take you outside!
“Huh?! Can you do that?”
No idea!
“Why do you sound so confident?!”
I really have no idea. But if an apple like me can move around on my own, a whole lot of miracles could happen in this world.
“Ha ha, you’re right! You’re so right! I want to go outside! And I want to go on a bunch of adventures with you!”
All right! Then let’s do it! Leave it to me!
“Since you all seem to be talking to yourselves, I do have one more thing I’d like to ponder aloud,” God said.
Hm? What is it? I’m not listening at all. Spit it out, God!
“Perhaps the World Tree of this world might be able to help.”
“The one for this world?” Gridarvol asked.
Huh, right. We can just talk about World Tree matters with the World Tree. Thanks, God! I mean, thanks for thinking out loud!
“Of course. Good luck, Furutsu-san. That will be all from me for now,” God replied.
Thanks! I’ll do my best! That’s it from me too! I paused for a bit. Hey, World Tree, I’ve been thinking...
“Is something wrong?” Gridarvol replied.
Is there something else I could call you by, other than “you” or “World Tree”?
“I have the name given to me when I was a staff.”
Gridarvol, right? It sounds like I’m treating you like a thing. I don’t like it.
“You’re a kind person, Furutsu.”
Ha ha, you think? I just don’t really like it much, is all. Hmm... How about I call you ‘Grida’ instead? I just shortened it a little.
“Grida? I like it! I’d really like that! It sounds so cute!”
All right! Grida it is! Hope we can get along!
Clack.
“Sure! Thank you, Furutsu!”
Clack.
Hm? Did you hear something weird just now?
“I did. What was that?” Grida replied.
I don’t know. There’s nothing around here. It sounded metallic, but I don’t see anything like that.
“Furutsu-san, Furutsu-san, look!” God piped in.
Is something wrong, God?
“The woman that you have nothing to do with—who you absolutely did not save—is waking up!”
You’re right! I’ve never seen that woman in my life! I don’t know why she was unconscious, but she’s glancing around at her surroundings now.
Grida giggled. “You two are so funny! We don’t know her, then?”
That’s right. Why are you laughing, Grida? She’s a stranger. Nothing funny about that.
“Ha ha, right, of course! But Furutsu, she’s trying to grab you!”
Well, I do look delicious. Anyone would want to pick me up. Wait! Stop! Ahhhh! Why is she picking me up?!
“Probably because you look so delicious, right?”