Chapter 192

Babel has been erased from human memory. The few chosen Harmonizers have died with the passage of time, and the gods did not select a new one.

Spaces that have lost their purpose tend to drift away from attention. The tower was abandoned, and humans ultimately lost their only path to reach the gods.

Seojin read through the content of the newly added episode calmly, absorbing every detail.

Yet, Babel was not bound by any one location. Anyone, anywhere, at any time, could build a structure tall enough that could serve as a new Babel.

The Staff of Faith, Harry, erected such a tower. It was the Pantheon, built to house all gods. It became the highest structure permitted to humans, ultimately taking on the role of the new Babel.

The hidden story unveiled itself before Seojin. However, the story was so obvious and Seojin had expected everything.

Midgard continued on from the story of Asgard.

The achievements obtained by the players in Asgard continued on as myths in this realm.

‘The Pantheon is the only window to the gods, and the qualification to gain entrance is being recognized as a Harmonizer. How ironic.’

The constraints once set by the players now ironically restrained themselves.

Seojin chuckled and looked around.

At some point, the tower had vanished from sight. The staircase of light had long since disappeared, leaving only a space filled with blue.

“Always the same staging.”

It was the same in the Tower of Choice and the Tower of Qualification.

Always, upon entering a tower, the surroundings would change in this manner - a monochromatic space, seemingly cut off from the outside world.

Now, Seojin realized why all those towers shared this similarity.

‘It was the color representing gods.’

Each god had their unique color.

For instance, white symbolized pure divinity, red represented the god of fire, Celione, and dark yellow was the symbol of the god of plague, Halkar.

And now, the pervasive blue around him was the color of Luna, the Moon God.

“So Luna was the one who gave power to Harry,” Seojin murmured to himself.

Despite knowing full well the counterpart was just an NPC in the game, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia wash over him. After all, at least in the game, she was the one he stayed closest to.

Of course, Seojin knew that the Luna of then and now were different. She was merely a meticulous transfer of data from that time.

But while his mind could reason this coldly, his heart didn’t necessarily follow the same logic.

Many gods disapprove of the Pantheon. Only temples dedicated to a single god can enjoy their favor. This place is a temple of all gods, but only one god shows interest here.

That god was undoubtedly Luna.

She was a goddess with a heart warmer than any human, yearning for peace on earth more than anyone. A girl who would lose sleep when she had to punish humans, and happiest when she was helping them.

Only she took interest in this Pantheon, bestowed the prestigious title of the Staff of Faith upon Harry, and generously shared her power.

And now.

A blurry human figure flickered before Seojin.

“I can’t see clearly.”

He couldn’t make it out properly. This figure wasn’t Luna’s true form but rather a kind of avatar.

Yet, the gap between humans and gods made it impossible to see her form clearly.

Except for the Harmonizer, that is.

Achievement — The Harmonizer comes into effect

*Harmonizer’s Authority.

*Harmonizer’s Duty.

Finally, the girl’s form became visible to Seojin.

Her hair, as blue as the sky, cascaded down to her waist. Her eyes were as clear as a lake, and a gentle smile graced her lips.

Luna looked at him as if seeing a praiseworthy child and spoke.

“I have waited for a long time.”

Her delicate voice filled the space, laden with an irresistible sense of authority.

Something pressed gently against Seojin’s entire body. It wasn’t a heavy pressure, but a warm drowsiness, as if wrapped in a cozy blanket.

Harmonizer’s Authority aids in understanding the divine language

Proficiency in divine language increases significantly

Under normal circumstances, understanding her language would be impossible.

But as The Harmonizer, Seojin could “understand” Luna’s words, and the natural senses trait of his class didn’t let this opportunity slip.

“I feel the same.”

Harmonizer’s Authority aids in speaking the divine language perfectly

Proficiency in divine language increases significantly

“It has truly been a long time, god of humans.”

“God of humans...”

“May there be glory under the moonlight. I did not expect Luna herself to come.”

“Did you say it has been a long time?”

Luna’s face filled with confusion. Unlike other gods, she did not hide her emotions in front of humans.

“This foolish human has misunderstood. When I first set foot on this land, I saw you your figure. Ah... I mean, I saw the statue of Luna in the temple.”

“...And why did you call me the god of humans?”

“I am aware of the many graces you have bestowed upon us humans. Not just material ones, but also filling our deficiencies.”

“I cherish the humans of this land.”

“None can deny that.”

“But you are not one of the children I cherish. Alas, an outsider is the one to soothe my wait.”

Luna’s smile was bittersweet.

She cherished humans more than any other god, yet the first to arrive was an adventurer.

It had been less than a year and a half since the first adventurer set foot on this land.

A reward waited for thousands of years, brought by an outsider who didn’t even know of its existence. Her reaction was natural.

But Seojin thought differently.

“We are humans too.”

“I have bestowed nothing upon you.”

“Are you saying you don’t know the adventurers who serve you, Luna?”

“You are the ones to reach out first.”

Meaning she had no choice but to give them strength when they came bowing, wanting to serve. Seojin shook his head to Luna’s self-deprecating voice.

“There are countless temples serving the Moon God in this land. Many humans feel the grace you have bestowed. We willingly stepped forward as such.”

“That is not true. I am aware that you outsiders possess no faith.”

A point-blank statement, implying they sought power, not faith. Priests and paladins, the clergy classes in general, served gods merely to level up.

But Seojin denied it again.

“Nevertheless, you have extended a kind hand to them. We are fundamentally incapable of faith, but we are capable of gratitude.”

Luna did not get angry at being contradicted twice.

That was who she was.

Seojin knew Luna better than anyone, so he knew exactly what to say.

“Thank you, kind god, for not abandoning us. It is because of you that I can stand here.”

A human showing gratitude for a god’s small favor.

Luna loved when that happened, and couldn’t hide her joy.

“Why are you so happy?”

“He said thank you! Look! He’s greeting me!”

“It’s only natural to be grateful when helped.”

“But so many humans aren’t! If only I could do more... Could I reopen Babel?”

That was how Luna reacted to Seojin’s questions.

Feeling happiness even in the expected and struggling to reopen the Tower of Babel against the opposition of players.

Even after thousands of years,

“...You are a human who knows gratitude.”

Luna was just as Seojin remembered her.

“It’s the minimum virtue a human should possess.”

As soon as Seojin recognized Luna’s expression, he respectfully bowed.

The corners of the girl’s mouth quivered. She was suppressing a smile of joy. To her, a few years of waiting were but a moment.

‘She hasn’t changed at all.’

He thought, smiling, probably relieved at this moment. He stayed bowed until he thought it appropriate. Seojin then raised his head.

“...Ah.”

Too soon. He caught Luna’s pleased smile and tried to look away, but she wasn’t embarrassed.

‘...So she has changed?’

It seemed the passage of time was not entirely meaningless. Luna gazed at Seojin for a moment, then spoke.

“Harmonizer, speak your wish.”

She was telling him to exercise his duty and authority as a Harmonizer, essentially asking him to make a wish, aligning the wills of humans and gods. Of course, one couldn’t ask for something against a god’s will.

But if it were a request to overthrow the emperor.

‘...No, that won’t do. She won’t accept it.’

Tempted for a moment, Seojin let go of that thought. Luna’s essence remained the same. She helped humans but did not interfere unilaterally in human affairs. And the emperor was human too.

Ultimately, Seojin proposed. “I wish for humans to be able to leave this land.”

A compromise.

“To leave Salevania, you mean.”

“To explore the unknown. Whatever we gain will be wholly for the benefit of humans. I don’t have to lead, and anyone who pursues the interests of humans is welcome.”

“A rare child indeed.”

“Humans who know gratitude have not forgotten to repay their favors.”

“For me?”

“For us, which ultimately is for you.”

“Impressive indeed. But I cannot accept that wish.”

“...May I ask why?”

This rejection was unexpected. Luna looked at Seojin with a seemingly regretful gaze.

“Because I know that is not for the benefit of humans. It is still too soon.”

“Adventurers do not fear danger.”

“It’s not just adventurers who live on this land.”

A warning of danger.

The players might resurrect, but regular NPCs could suffer fatal consequences.

“I understand we are not yet ready.”

“Wise child.”

“I ask for guidance. What must we, limited humans, do to venture there?”

“You have been given sufficient opportunities.”

Luna said they had sufficient opportunities. Meaning they were given something, but failed to capitalize on it.

“I will consider it a chance granted by the grace you have already bestowed. But I am too ignorant to recognize what it is.”

“My physical form is on this land, and I have imbued my power into it. You have failed to fully acquire it. It is a pity.”

At that moment, a word surfaced in Seojin’s mind.

‘...Could it be?’

Moonstone - the ore that could only be mined in the Camilton Empire’s Moonstone Village.