Chapter 177

Chapter 175 – Sun and Moon – 4

I was climbing the towering staircase of the Moon Cathedral, following Floretta and Luna, up to the massive spire.

As expected of a cathedral larger than most high-rise apartments, the height of the spire was incredible. It looked enormous from the outside, but looking down now, it was beyond imagination.

‘The game didn’t implement the spire.’

Of course, you couldn’t climb up in the game.

After the Pope boss battle, the only spaces the player could access were the Central Hall on the first floor and an additional area on the second floor.

The Imperial Palace was considered a field, richly detailed in every corner, unlike the spire.

It wasn’t that it was systemically blocked; it just hadn’t been implemented. Even if you hacked through the map into the spire, the inside would be completely empty.

‘It feels strange.’

But now, following the Popes, I was stepping into a space not implemented in the game, accompanied by an Inquisitor and an Inquisitor. For some reason, my body felt tingly.

“You look quite fascinated, Distinguished Guest.”

Floretta flashed a smile as she glanced at me. It was possible because she was walking slightly behind Luna, who was leading the way.

I nodded quietly. The type of fascination Floretta had in mind and the one I had were probably a bit different, but ultimately, they were similar concepts.

“Right.”

I responded casually. The Popes mentioned they’d correct me if I used formal speech, and since they truly corrected me, I couldn’t help it.

Anyway, Stella and Selene had already noticed the relationship between the Popes and me, and they seemed to think I should naturally look down on the Popes.

Moreover, they even asked me to use casual speech with them. They felt it was stranger to use formal speech with Inquisitors while addressing the Popes casually.

That wasn’t wrong.

“What has so deeply impressed you? As far as splendor goes, the Imperial Palace wouldn’t be outdone by this place, and the central sanctuary of the cathedral is even more magnificent than the interior of this tower.”

Curiosity sparkled in her emerald-like green eyes. She genuinely seemed curious.

I had to rack my brain to find a response to her question. Saying I was in a space not implemented in the game would be unreasonable.

After pondering various thoughts, I finally settled on a suitable answer.

“It’s the structure of this tower itself. While the Imperial Palace is splendid, it isn’t as tall as the cathedral, you know? Oh, and that blessing hanging here too.”

The spire towering between the Sun Cathedral and the Moon Cathedral felt higher than most high-rise apartments. I wasn’t sure of the exact height, but it must be around 40 to 50 floors.

Even a 50-floor building in the outside world would be classified as a skyscraper, yet here it stood proudly in a setting with technology no different from the medieval era, making it all the more remarkable.

‘And that blessing hanging here too.’

On the rotating staircase leading to the top of the spire, a blessing was said to be in effect. Without it, climbing 50 floors via stairs would feel unbearable.

From what I heard, every step felt like taking twenty. It was probably a type of spatial distortion.

‘Why not just install an elevator?’

They had air conditioning, fans, fluorescent lights, refrigerators, and even shampoo and body wash in the showers; so why would there be no elevators?

“It’s fascinating that such an all-powerful Distinguished Guest is amazed by our tall tower.”

Floretta chuckled, covering her mouth with the sleeve of her Sacred Robe as she heard my answer.

“Well, I’m not exactly all-powerful.”

If I had possessed cheats or a trainer, maybe that would be a different story.

The one who dropped me here, along with the easy mode designed for newbies and the outright cheating concept that was in play, made me wonder why none of that applied here.

Behind me, the compliments from Stella and Selene, centered around my endless humility, could be heard. I clenched my teeth and shut my ears. If it was praise coming from the Holy Kingdom, I was already sick of it.

“We have arrived, Distinguished Guest.”

It did not take long to reach the very top floor of the spire.

There was a slightly higher part above this, but it was too narrow for a person to enter, so this was practically the top floor.

‘It’s empty.’

In contrast to the lavish first-floor central hall adorned with marble and dark-colored jewels, decorated with pure silver, this place was quite plain.

The walls were made of ordinary stone, and the floor was wooden. The light source was merely a few candles rather than a chandelier, and not a single piece of furniture could be found.

It was a stark contrast to what one might believe was the pinnacle of splendor—the interior of the Moon Cathedral.

Considering the symbolic significance of this space, it must have been designed to appear this way on purpose.

I peeked down through a small window in the wall. The height was dizzying. It truly seemed to be 40-50 floors above. I quickly stepped back.

“What’s next?”

The space we were in did not exist in the game, and what we were about to do was an entirely unexplored scenario within the game. Thus, it was a completely unknown situation for me.

“I will pray to the Moon.”

Luna said that simply and moved calmly to the center of the room. In the middle of the room was a pattern resembling a magic circle, but with a completely different atmosphere—a calm silver design etched onto the floor.

Luna knelt right in the center of the design, clasping her hands in front of her chest.

“Merciful Moon, your lamb has bravely approached you.”

Words of prayer flowed from between her rose-colored lips.

“……?”

Suddenly, the surroundings began to darken.

Gloomy shadows enveloped everywhere. The room transformed into nighttime in an instant. And then, moonlight seeped in through the window, shining down upon Luna.

I glanced outside the window. The sky was still bright with the sun up, and it remained clear. It seemed the darkness that settled, with the moonlight shining down, was confined only to the interior of this spire.

‘……It’s similar to a 1st Phase gimmick.’

When you reduce the 1st Phase Pope’s health to below 50%, the sunlight or moonlight would follow the Pope in that manner. This felt quite similar.

When entering 2nd Phase, it would vanish, but it was safe to say the 2nd Phase Pope was a completely different boss than the 1st Phase.

“This lamb seeks to ask you one answer.”

Luna’s voice rose slightly. At the same time, the moonlight shining down strengthened further.

“Merciful Moon, have you granted a blessing? Have you granted a blessing to the benefactor who purified the monster that mocked the authority of God, obscured the moonlight, and devoured the souls?”

After finishing her question, Luna waited quietly for a response. Selene looked tense, and Stella appeared similar. Only Floretta maintained her usual smile.

“……Oh?”

Then, the moonlight vanished.

As Luna’s voice turned despairing, the dim shadows receded. The sunlight slowly began to seep back through the window, reminding us it was morning.

“What, what is this……?”

A huge crack appeared on her face. The tiny crack soon grew enormous, shattering her usually blunt and cold expression, leaving it filled with confusion.

Floretta, standing beside me, and Stella, Selene, seemed equally taken aback. Floretta, especially, looked like the shock had wiped her smile clean away.

“What happened, Luna?”

Luna, who had been gathering her hands before her chest and murmuring prayer, finally gave up as the moonlight ceased to shine, her shoulders slumping as she slowly stood up.

“The Moon has refused to answer.”

“What? Is that even possible?”

“……I don’t know either, Distinguished Guest…… This is the first time something like this has happened……”

Her usual demeanor was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a look close to tears. Floretta was equally restless. Stella and Selene wore blank expressions as if they had lost their minds.

“……For now.”

The one who first regained their composure was Floretta. Her eyes, filled with determined emotion, turned towards me.

“For now, I will ask the Sun once more.”

As a result, Floretta too received no response.

“How, how could this……?”

Floretta, struggling to even stand, tightly embraced me, followed by Luna. Had I not been there to support them, they would have surely collapsed to the floor.

Even Stella wiped away her usual smile. Selene, whose expression generally held no emotion, looked slightly drained, though she appeared to have turned out well enough.

Floretta, who was shuddering while embracing me, found her way deeper inside, as did Luna.

“I am sorry. I am sorry, Distinguished Guest…… I never expected the Sun would refuse to answer……”

“Floretta, you have nothing to be sorry for, so why apologize?”

The ones refusing to answer were the Sun and Moon up above. The Popes had no reason to feel apologetic. I tightened the arm that embraced the two of them.

‘Now, it seems the only way is for me to find out for myself…… Wait a minute.’

Since the Popes were refused, I wondered if I should be satisfied with just a test, when a plausible idea flashed through my mind. I turned the arm that was holding them toward the front.

Floretta and Luna, now facing me, looked up.

“Floretta, Luna.”

“……Yes, Distinguished Guest.”

“……What is it?”

“Could I possibly converse directly?”

Though I didn’t say it outright, it was clear who I was referring to in context. The transparent liquid in the eyes of the Pope sisters widened.

“You wish to speak directly, Distinguished Guest?”

“Yeah. Who knows.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure it was possible.

All that was happening here was beyond my knowledge, and there had never been a single time in the game where a player attempted to converse directly with the Sun or Moon.

Considering that stacking Faith or Divine Power stats provides abilities according to the amount, it seemed like they existed, but there was no way to meet them, so I wasn’t holding much hope.

There was no loss in trying anyway. I mean, would they unleash heavenly punishment just for attempting to converse, knowing Floretta and Luna were beside me?

“……We have never tried it ourselves. Reaching out to God is an act of faith. That has only been permitted to the Popes in the history of the Holy Kingdom……”

“But, if we assist you, Distinguished Guest…… and given that you are the Distinguished Guest…… perhaps you could reach out directly to God.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Floretta and Luna offered a rather positive response. I nodded in agreement.

“Got it. What’s the method?”

“We will guide you, Distinguished Guest.”

The Popes took one of my hands each and led me to the very spot Floretta had just been sitting. It was right in the center of the pattern etched into the floor, essentially the exact center of the cathedral.

I knelt down onto the design. Floretta and Luna stepped closer to me.

‘……?’

Then, they took hold of my hands and buried them between their breasts. Due to their significant size, my hands were fully engulfed, sharing with me a warm and soft sensation.

Instinctively, I flinched. It was clear that it wasn’t due to some personal desire. After all, the Popes weren’t the type to confuse public and personal matters.

Besides, I was about to attempt to converse directly with the Sun and Moon. There was no way I would harbor such feelings in a moment like this.

“We will recite the Prayer Inscription. Distinguished Guest, you need only hold a desire to meet God.”

With their upper arms securing my hands in place, Floretta and Luna began to recite the Prayer Inscription.

“Merciful Moon……”

“Compassionate Sun……”

As they recited the prayer, sunlight and moonlight began to pour down upon us. Darkness blossomed where Luna stood, while light illuminated the space around Floretta. Stella and Selene’s expressions brightened at this sight.

By the way, the light shining down on me was exactly half and half.

On my left, nestled among Luna’s breast, moonlight poured in; on my right, amidst Floretta’s, sunlight beamed down.

Staring blankly at the beam of light dividing me in half, I ceased to focus on the warm, squishy feeling in my hands and closed my eyes.

‘Sun…… Moon……? It doesn’t matter which. I just need anyone to respond.’

I iterated the question in my mind. It was a bit rude, but if they were a God, they could surely read my true intentions; thus, I decided to be lenient.

If they couldn’t read that, what kind of God would they be?

‘Was it you who set restrictions on Nix? And, is it You who granted me that…… blessing? I mean, was it You who bestowed me that power?’

I wondered if I had failed as I received no response. I opened my eyes for a peek.

But upon observing that sunlight and moonlight still radiated down upon us, I remained silent and waited. In fact, it wasn’t just shining but growing significantly stronger.

‘…….’

How long did I remain in that state? Just as I was about to give up on the silence and reopen my eyes, the voice echoed in my mind.

—Indeed.

“Huh?!”

Startled, I jumped to my feet. Floretta and Luna, who had been reciting the prayer, also stood up in surprise.

The chest that had just held my hands swayed vigorously.

“Distinguished Guest, you heard…… the voice of God, did you not?”

Luna asked with a trembling voice. Four pairs of green and blue eyes were solely focused on me.

“Um…… I think so? Was that not you guys just now?”

“Of course not.”

God, Floretta muttered softly. Whether it was a reflexive thought or an expression of disbelief, I heard every word.

“Indeed, Distinguished Guest…….”

Then it was Luna’s turn. With a blank expression and a distant voice, she appeared completely different from her usual self.

“……This isn’t the time for dawdling, Distinguished Guest.”

“You must ask God again.”

Prompted by the Popes, I knelt once more. Floretta and Luna inserted my hands between their breasts again. I was unsure what that meant, but it seemed to have some effect.

With my eyes closed, feeling the sensation of my hands nestled against their breasts, I began to silently pose my questions as before.

This time, however, I altered the content.

‘What is the reason behind the restrictions? What are you trying to conceal? And what exactly is Nix? Why did you bestow me with such power?’

Since I had just heard a voice, whether it was the Sun or the Moon, if a real God was answering, I would need to naturally extract as much information as possible in this situation.

As I thought about that, more questions continued to form in my mind.

—Not yet, it is not the time.

The voice I had just heard echoed once again.

“Distinguished Guest?”

“Distinguished Guest?”

My consciousness faded.