""We've found that when humans possess power similar to that of the gods, they too will feel fear, will also be afraid—Cohen told me this. Since gods and humans are differentiated only by power, as long as we have power, naturally there's nothing to be afraid of."
"Of course, they also gifted life to humans, but after the great flood, we had returned life back to them."
"What about The Temple, then? What deity is worshipped there? Does he not need your worship?"
Seizing what seemed like a loophole, Hecate pointed at the temple shrouded in light and spoke.
"That is the temple of the Lord, and indeed He does not need the worship of mortals, or rather, if it were not for the miracles of the angels, perhaps the Lord would not care about our faith. But if we really speak of it, perhaps the Lord also has expectations of humans."
Smiling, Nuo expressed his deepest feelings.
"The Lord's need for humanity is not for someone specific, nor is it for us to do something. He simply needs us to 'exist'. He does not care about life or death, nor good or bad. As long as humanity has existed in the past, exists now, and continues to exist into the future, that is enough. The very existence of humans is what the Lord hopes for."
"God loves all people. This is the only explanation I have for it. However, His love stands at the end of time, a greatness mortals cannot understand."
Not knowing what to say, even with Hecate's usually lively nature, she fell silent for a moment.
Not needing faith, not needing sacrifice, just letting life flourish and eternally exist in the world—this is not so much a demand of the gods as it is a need of the world itself. Even the Magic Net, at the very least, needs people to use it so Hecate can draw strength from it.
If there truly is such an existence in this world, then it must prove that He Himself is one of the cornerstones of the world's existence. The power that He has would be unimaginable beyond any god's expectations.
To draw strength from the 'existence' of a living being, this is a realm far beyond the understanding of even the strongest divine power.
Thus, the journey continued in silence. The sea breeze blew gently, bringing a slight moistness to the air. Soon, when they arrived in front of a wooden house, Nuo broke the silence.
"The city has just been founded, and this is the only kind of place to stay. If Your Highnesses need anything, you can tell me."
"It doesn't matter. I've lived in places not much different from this for many years."
Returning from her thoughts, Hecate touched the book hanging at her waist. She took a few steps forward and pushed open the wooden house.
"We will stay here. But Mr. Priest, that gift you mentioned before, what is it?"
As her words ended, Selene also looked toward Nuo, intrigued, since the so-called gift seemed to be for the 'Moon Goddess'.
And this gift seemed to come from a prophecy, which is what Nuo had mentioned before, the 'Lord' they worshipped. Although Selene did not know how she had caught His attention, curiosity inevitably arose within her.
After all, staying with Hecate, she was unlikely to encounter any insurmountable trouble in the mortal world.
"This is it, please take good care of it."
Not surprised by Hecate's question, Nuo took a small box out from his bosom. The box opened to reveal two sparkling, translucent crystals.
He picked up one of them and handed it to Selene, who hesitated for a moment before accepting it.
The moment her palm touched it, Selene felt a familiar yet strange sensation. This aura was calm and gentle, resonating deeply with her.
Across from her, Nuo spoke slowly, as naturally as if he were talking about an apple.
"The best gift for the Moon Goddess is, of course, a 'real' moon."
"—Spirit Realm's Seventh Moon!"
Initially a bit puzzled, but with Nuo's explanation, Selene immediately recognized the source of this special aura. The foundation of the Seven Phases Meditation Method is the contemplation of Spirit Realm's Seventh Moon, something she knew all too well.
This was indeed the key to the Second Crescent Moon of the seven moons, or rather, it was a special Godhood that had been 'materialized' into substance, which the True God could contain. In the past, the Moon Goddess had never seen what a Spirit Realm divine nature looked like, but she still managed to deduce its purpose.
If she were to contain it, she would become the True God who presides over the Second Layer of Spirit Realm's Crescent Moon.
For a deity like her, born with Godhood, this was indeed an enhancement, but for territorial gods, this was an inimaginably precious treasure. Yet, when Selene actually held this tangible Godhood, she felt some fear. More than the sudden gift, she believed in a saying from the Divination Field after being with Hecate for so long.
"Every gift you receive unearned, fate has already marked its price in the shadows."
Looking at the shining crystal, Selene suddenly said.
"Of course, it's just a gift. Since it is a gift, there's no reasoning in forcing someone to accept it. So, Your Highness, are you sure you want to give it up?"
Nodding, Nuo immediately asked.
The angel who had delivered the prophecy had already provided an answer. The other party could refuse, and what happened afterward would no longer concern mortals.
"Of course we'll take it."
Grabbing the hand that Selene held the crystal with, Hecate quickly agreed.
The two goddesses looked at each other, and Selene also nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Nuo bowed slightly, as if to show them respect.