"The principle of magical reflection, a required course for first-year students at the Clock Tower."
"Establish a connection between A and B. If A changes, B changes along with it.
"You used Chaldeas to simulate the soul of Earth, so when the fabric on Chaldeas's surface was wiped clean, Earth's actual surface became a blank sheet as well."
Kenneth continued explaining,
"But that was only the first step...
"Chaldeas was not merely an observer. It contained an unactivated hidden function.
"You were implanting new laws into it.
"A brand-new underlying logic, distinct from Earth's own physical laws.
"That was the cosmos..."
At those words, Marisbury's pupils contracted, but he said nothing.
"This was an utterly mad concept."
Kenneth sighed.
"You intended to forcibly cram the concept of the universe into the vessel of Earth, then output it in reverse.
"Once that process was complete, Earth's surface would be covered by the laws of the cosmos.
"From a macroscopic perspective, Earth would be excluded from the existing universe and become an independent singularity containing the concept of a universe."
"And the benefits of doing so were obvious."
"The pruning phenomenon of Proper Human History.
"That was the Sword of Damocles hanging over all humanity's heads.
"When a timeline lost its potential for development, the will of the universe would mercilessly prune it away.
"But what if Earth itself became a universe?"
Kenneth spread his hands.
"It could continuously draw nourishment from the universe, perfectly avoiding the pruning mechanism.
"It would endure forever, until the end of the universe.
"And you, Marisbury Animusphere, would become the creator of this eternal closed loop.
"The Animusphere Family's long-cherished wish—the so-called Grand Order to 'ensure humanity's survival'—would be fulfilled by you in a manner bordering on cheating."
Only the hiss of leaking steam remained in