Mount Fuji. Apparently the largest mountain in the country of Japan. Well, that much is obvious when you look at it up close like this, but what really surprises me is the fact that it's not the largest in the world. No, that title goes to our final destination, Mount Everest. Still, we've still got a long while before we have to depart for that place, so we have plenty of time to go sightseeing and experience the wonders of Japan.

"I believe it was Selzion who created this particular piece." Ouroboras smiled, "Truly, that God's artistic talent knows no bounds."

"Why're you talking about my national treasure like it's some abstract art piece?" Issei asked.

"So, the Gods actually have to make each individual bit of the world?" I asked.

"Like Minecraft?" Issei tilted his head as well.

"But of course. Did you seriously assume we just... poofed all of this into existence? Certainly, we can do that, but the best way to describe such a result would be, well, a half-baked world."

Looking back, it makes sense. If I was one of the Five Gods tasked with creating a brand new world every time, then I'd probably want to do it with my own hands. But how does that look like? How do you... create something of this scale? Is it like a large scale Materialize? Or perhaps another Iro Ability that's yet to be discovered? Does it even have anything to do with Iro Abilities at all? They're not part of this world, but I'm pretty sure Ouroboras used his White Iro in the past...

"So you're not all-powerful, after all." Issei pouted, "Even you guys have to work hard to make stuff out of thin air."

"You assume our job as Gods requires extensive manual labor, but in reality, it is more like programming software."

"What's that mean?" I asked.

"You are unfamiliar with the concept, Lune Grimheart, but I believe that is for the best that you will not understand what I am about to say." Ouroboras again turned to face Issei, "Issei Kaido, are you familiar with the definition of a bit?"

"A... Binary digit?" He raised both Eyebrows as if taking a shot in the dark with that answer.

"Indeed, a binary digit, in other word - Either a one or a zero. A boolean variable that, at its simplest form, defines whether something 'is' or 'is not'."

I'm completely lost.

"You lost me." Issei too admitted.

"Sigh, as to be expected..." Ouroboras clicked his tongue, "In any case, the world functions like this. A long, long line of binary code that defines each and every atom's position, trajectory over time. In other words..."

"Their fate!" I snapped my fingers.

"You actually understand this guy's manic explanations?!" Issei jumped.

"That is rather surprising, but congratulations nonetheless, Lune Grimheart." Ouroboras looked astonished as well, "Yes, you could say that each and every atomic particle has a 'fate', so to speak. And we code their fates from the beginning to the very end of the Universe Cycle."

"Eh~? You have to code all that? Making a world is hard..." Issei admired the Sun God's efforts, "So every time the Universe resets, you guys have to write all those ones and zeros from scratch again?"

"Indeed, but it would be a lie to say that it is difficult." Ouroboras revealed, "Nay, for each subsequent Universe Cycle only adds one bit of informational difference. Thus, we will continue to recreate countless Universes until we have gone from all zeros to all ones. That way we'll have assured that each and every possibility has been duly documented."

"So it IS just like Minecraft seeds!" Issei shouted, "You jackass, you made me actually show some respect for what you did after using all those big words, but in reality you guys are just an antisocial bunch of indie game developers!"

"Issei Kaido, did you know there exists a bit that defines whether or not you as an individual are alive?" He ominously remarked, "Speak any more against the Gods, and I will at any moment simply delete that very bit..."

"Gulp...!"

"Wait, but if you did that, then wouldn't this Universe Cycle go to waste because you changed the code?" I caught his bluff.

"Huh?" Issei glanced at me, "O-Oh, nice one, Lune! Yeah, you can't do squat to me, Ouri! You coded yourself into a corner, cause I got immunity!"

"...Tch, you are lucky to have Lune Grimheart as a friend, Issei Kaido..." Ouroboras grumbled, "I have revealed too much. Let us continue on with our sightseeing trip."

"What's that, Ouri~? Suddenly wanna switch topics after losing this one~?" Issei jeered.

Dude, will you shut up already? I just saved you from getting deleted once, don't go testing your luck. Just cause you technically got immunity from his code doesn't mean he can't break your legs with his body. Seriously, I have no clue how Issei managed to survive this long with such a suicidal mindset... Actually, y'know what?

"Ow! Lune, what was that for!?"

"Hit him again, Lune Grimheart."

"Ow, stop it! Oi, not the hair, come on man! Ugh, fine, I'll stop teasing Ouri! Stop!"

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After a less than ideal start to our Mount Fuji viewing trip on Lake Kawaguchiko, we finally decided to actually use our time here wisely and started walking along the lake. The serene winter path padded with a wonderful draft only further accentuated the beauty of the mountain standing before it. The added benefit of coming here later into the day allowed for us to bear witness to the sunset illuminating the snowy mountainside in a display that simply cannot be captured with words. At least I can't describe it.

"I wonder what happened to the tip." I muttered offhandedly.

"It exploded." Issei said nonchalantly.

"Eh?!"

"Indeed, Mount Fuji, in spite of its name, is a volcano." Ouroboras revealed, "Albeit not an active one, but a volcano nonetheless. Currently, it is the breathtaking national treasure of Japan you see before you, so do not worry about any harm befalling us."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"Oh, I see." I sighed in relief.

"Yeah, but y'know, we really are lucky to have come here in winter." Issei nodded along, "I think the snowy peaks only show up at around this time. It's still breathtaking to look at all year round though, don't get me wrong, but the air around this place is said to feel the best in winter."

"Right, it's winter now." I looked puzzled, "Even though when we left my world, it was the beginning of summer..."

"Time does not have to align for each Universe Cycle, Lune Grimheart." Ouroboras added, "In fact, some Universe Cycles do not even use 4 seasons in a year. Actually, some do not even use years, but other measurements instead."

"That's so confusing though. That's like not using meters to measure distance."

"Boy, you're gonna love America, in that case." Issei snickered.

America, the western continent. Yes, I believe I saw it on the map of the world somewhere in a gift shop. It's pretty large - Large enough to take up practically half the world map. If we were to put my map and Issei's next to one another and compare them, then America would be where Cardina is. That being the case, Japan is also just around where Simpleton is, so does that mean that wherever on the map you travel to from one world, it translates you to that exact point in the other world? I wonder, would then the best way to return home be to go to America after visiting all the World Wonders? I'll have to discuss the matter further with Ouroboras, in that case.

"Hey, what's that heavy machinery over there?" I pointed to a somewhat crowded area in front of us.

"Ooh, a ropeway! I didn't know this place had one!" Issei looked stoked, "Guys, we GOTTA go up there! I bet the view is tight from high up!"

"Eh? So my Eyes weren't deceiving me?" I jolted, "Those people really are sitting on it and getting whisked away?"

"Yes, it is a very famous attraction of Kawaguchiko." Ouroboras commented, "It offers a top down view of not only the lake, but also an eagle-Eye view of the mountain in front. If you wish to go, then I do not mind."

"Hell yeah! I love you, Ouri!" Issei repeatedly and excitedly patted tired looking Sun God's back as he jumped up and down in place, "Lune, let's go quickly! It's evening right now, so they might close it up if we don't hurry!"

A-Ah, I dunno... It seems pretty high up to me. And where does it even end? I can't see exactly where the end point is, so what if something breaks? It looks like it's held on by a thin line, so what if it snaps and we fall to our deaths? Ugh, just thinking about dying in another world away from my family is making me sick... Dammit, me and my curiosity! But wait, what if I just wait for them to come back while I sit at the bottom? Ohh, but then again, separating would be a huge issue. Plus, I wouldn't be able to do jack squat without them if they died. Hey, now that I think about it, Ouroboras is a God, so he probably can't die. Argh...

"Yo, you look like you're about to shit bricks." Issei snapped me out of it.

"Fuah? Ah, i-it's nothing." I shook my head, "Just kinda surprised that people actually willingly do something as dangerous as this."

"Are you perhaps referring to the ropeway?" Ouroboras raised an Eyebrow, "Though the cables holding up the cart look thin in comparison to it, Lune Grimheart, they are in fact made of pure steel."

"Eh? A rope made out of steel?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's more durable than any human could hold up, that's for sure." Issei nudged me, "Don't underestimate modern technology. Though, cable carts existed for a long time now, so even calling it modern is a bit weird."

"So it's primitive...!?" I gulped.

"Do not scare him more with your offhanded comments, Issei Kaido." Ouroboras then turned to me with a smile as we finally made it to the end of the line, "Do not fret, it will be fun. Just-"

「申し訳ございませんが、ロープウェイは閉鎖されております。明日も就業時間内にお越しください。」The person working there closed the line just as we were about to pass through.

"What'd he say?" I turned to the peeved Issei and Ouroboras, "Guys...?"

"Sigh." Issei pouted as he checked his phone, "Yeah, it's 4pm alright."

"A shame, I should have seen this outcome coming with Omniscience, but I was negligent in the heat of the moment." Ouroboras also didn't look all too pleased as he turned around, "I apologize for the inconvenience."

"What? It's closed?" I glanced behind me as I struggled to match their sped up pace, "Wait, so what now? Guys!?"

"Ouri." Issei tiredly pointed in front of him to the shore, "Can I?"

"Only if I join you, Issei Kaido."

O-Oi! Don't drown yourselves just because of this, isn't that like a major overreaction!? Guys, you can just come tomorrow when they're open, it's not that big of a deal! H-Hey, don't go towards the lake, dammit! How am I supposed to get back home without you two!?

"You guys-!" I shouted before staring dumbfounded at the contraption before me, "Eh? Is that... a boat?"

"A paddleboat." Issei grinned, "Shaped like a swan. Pretty snazzy, innit?"

"You used the same word to describe Mount Fuji just a few hours ago, Issei Kaido." Ouroboras commented, "Have you no shame?"

"What, so snazzy is all of a sudden reserved exclusively for Mount Fuji now!?"

Thank goodness, it was just another attraction. I thought they were gonna go swim with the fishies, but it looks like they're just interested in the swans. After Ouroboras made sure to check with the person working there if we have enough time to use the vehicle, we got the go ahead and were instructed to sit inside. I figure one of us would have to stay behind and we'd take turns or something, but thankfully these paddle boats allow for three people at a time. How lucky, we're three people!

"So this thing, it uses our legs to move?" I sat down as we sailed to the center of the lake, "I gotta remember this. It could revolutionize sea travel!"

"I sorta wish I could see you try and conquer the sea with a paddle boat." Issei lightly mocked.

"Well, I did swim from Lichtenstelle to Cardina once."

"Eh!?" Issei jolted so hard the paddleboat stopped dead in its track, "You did what!?"