People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Seeing Ernst fall silent, the Grand Elder became smug and whispered:

"Don't you understand? If I say you're guilty, then you are guilty. From the moment you stepped onto this stage, you could never remain innocent."

But Ernst merely glanced at him and said dismissively:

“I am innocent. There is no law in Sherag that can judge me.”

To take it to an even more extreme point, Sherag doesn't even have laws. All existing rules for maintaining social order are merely customary laws and social morality; concrete, systematic, and rule-based laws simply don't exist.

There had never been any land sales or loans in Sherag before, so there was no law that could determine whether Ernst's actions constituted a crime.

But this sneer, a statement of fact, enraged the Grand Elder. His aged body trembled, and his wrinkled face was filled with arrogance:

"Heh, law? What's that?"

"Shelag has only divine pronouncements, not laws!"

After he finished speaking, his expression suddenly turned serious, reverting to its solemn and dignified state, and he asked again in a loud voice:

"You say you are innocent, then let me ask you, what were you planning to do by mortgaging the land of the great Yeragand to get money from the Colombians?"

What do I want to do after I get the money?

Ernst's mind raced with countless ideas: building roads, farming, establishing a civil service system, completely abolishing the political status of the Manju Academy, buying machinery, opening factories, modernizing Shelag, recruiting soldiers, importing weaponry, establishing a Shelag National Defense Army independent of any family, and so on...

He had so many things he wanted to do. But what he wanted to do most was education.

Build schools and educate children, so that at least the next generation will not be as ignorant as people are today.

Ultimately, however, these issues can be summarized in just two words.

"reform."

Ernst answered solemnly and firmly.

But this call for "reform" was met with sneers and ridicule from the Grand Elder.

"Reform, reform... I've heard this word far too many times over the years. I really don't understand why people like you would treat reform as a sacred principle?"

He turned to the crowd of thousands of Jeragandians gathered around the square and loudly retorted, "Fellow citizens, our sacred Jeragand has existed for thousands of years. Time has not harmed us, the people of Jeragand. Yet now, some people claim our nation is in peril, its lifespan is short. They say that reforms according to their own wishes are necessary for its revitalization. I ask you all, reforms? Reform what!"

The elder slammed his cane into the ground, his voice suddenly becoming stern, as if questioning Ernst, yet he deliberately cast his gaze toward Enciodes below the stage, and loudly proclaimed:

"You say you want to emulate Colombia, to emulate Victoria, but let me ask you, which of those countries has existed as long as my sacred mountain in Kalan, or my Manjushri Monastery?"

"Although I have never left Shelag, it does not mean that I have no understanding of the outside world."

He spoke loudly, listing each of the so-called facts:

"Columbia was once nothing more than a penal colony of slaves and commoners, and Victoria was a deformed product of the conquest by Sargon Pasha. How can they compare to me, Sherag?"

"You people keep talking about wanting reform, but don't you ever think about what has allowed Jeragund to survive to this day? Reform? You call that turmoil! Do you think you're as wise as our ancestors? Do you think you're as wise as the great god Jeragund who established all the rules that protect us and have allowed us to thrive to this day?!"

These words caused a brief, deathly silence to fall over the room.

Moments later, even louder cheers and shouts of support surged from all around the square, the waves of sound almost overturning the flagpoles fluttering in the cold wind, and could be clearly heard by the towns at the foot of the mountain!

A victorious smile appeared on the Grand Elder's lips, and he pressed his advantage by asking:

"Then, sinner Ernst Shivaish, the great Jeragandr, guardian of Sherag, has heard all your deeds clearly. Before the Holy Stone, do you dare accept Jeragandr's judgment?!"

Ernst turned his head and glanced across the Holy Stone Square.

Actos Perroch's expression was solemn, just like the crowd surrounding the square; his eyes were filled with disgust as he looked at Ernst. Latatos Blantau, on the other hand, kept her head down, making her expression unreadable. Enciodes Shivaesh met Ernst's gaze, his eyes filled with a composure that remained unmoved even in the face of a collapsing mountain. He glanced at his watch and then nodded slightly to Ernst.

There was a slight disturbance on the outskirts of the square, as if something had happened, but the crowd was so tightly packed that Ernst couldn't see anything clearly.

He could only look away.

Behind the Holy Stone, out of Ernst's sight, Enya Shivaish's expression changed repeatedly before she finally took a long, deep breath and revealed a resolute look.

Ernst slowly spoke, "If the great god Yeragand is watching all this, then I am certainly innocent."

"So, come on."

A mocking smile flashed across the Elder's lips as he and Ernst turned their gazes toward the towering sacred stone.

Ten minutes—this is the time to await the judgment of the great god Jeragund.

In ten minutes, everything will be clear!

Chapter Eighteen: The Showdown at Manju Academy

The great god Jeragund will not perform miracles for any one person.

This is common knowledge that every clergyman knows, and as the Holy Maiden of Kalan, Enya understands this principle even more deeply.

From the moment she became a saint of Khalkha until this day, no matter how devoutly she chants scriptures and worships the gods, no matter how diligently she prays and practices, Jeragand has never responded to her. Perhaps in the eyes of the great god, only the humans of Khalkha have meaning, and every individual human being is but a drop in the ocean, leaving no trace in His long life.

Therefore, the Trial of the Holy Stone was a hoax from the very beginning.

Ten minutes later, the Holy Stone will not change at all. Its grayish-white surface will remain grayish-white, and its cold outer shell will remain cold. It will not display the power of Jeragand, nor will it convey the will of Jeragand.

But Enya knew that this was enough for the Grand Elder.

Silence is also a form of expression. The experienced elder has a hundred ways to interpret a non-existent oracle and twist it into words that are detrimental to Ernst.

At that time, Ernst will face the worst possible outcome.

He would be whipped, exiled, hung on a mountain peak to freeze to death, or imprisoned on a cliff to be eaten by winged beasts. Sherag had no specific laws of punishment, so how to deal with the sinner depended entirely on the imagination of the judge.

Only I can save him!

Enya had never been so nervous. She had never liked her identity; the Saintess of Kalan was a shackle on her body, proof of Ensiodes's indifference. But now she was incredibly grateful, because the Saintess of Kalan undoubtedly had the final say on any issue involving Yeragand.

Although the Grand Elder could use various excuses to evade, deceive, or even refuse her from exercising this power, that was only on the premise that Enya herself was unaware of it. But now, she was already standing there.

As long as she is present, the right to interpret the Holy Stone Oracle is in her hands. She can stand up and interpret the "Oracle" without being stopped by even the Grand Elder!

"come on."

A faint sound seemed to reach her ears. Enya turned her head, but there was no one beside her.

I guess I was just too nervous.

Enya comforted herself with a word of self-consolation, calmed herself down, and waited for time to pass.

Meanwhile, Ensiodis was already prepared in the audience at the Holy Stone Trial.

He looked down at his wristwatch; the hour hand was about to reach nine o'clock, and the ten-minute wait was about to end.

If nothing unexpected happens, the Jeragund Stone will not change, and the gods will not cast any glance here. The Grand Elders will eagerly step forward to announce to everyone that they have received Jeragund's call, and then declare Ernst guilty.

At that time, Sacred Stone Square will be in an uproar.

Boiling over means chaos.

Ensiodis had already ambushed the Snow Demons on the mountainside cliffs, covering their bodies with snow. Once the chaos erupted, they would immediately rush out and suppress the Perroch family guards. Meanwhile, the Black Knight Mace, who served as his bodyguard, would rush onto the platform, take Ernst away, and hand him over to the messenger waiting down the mountain, who would then escort Ernst out of Sherag.

The plan was very simple, so it was unlikely to go wrong. The only variable was Ernst himself.

But Jian isn't exactly a good-natured girl. If Ernst refuses to go with her, there's a possibility she might knock him unconscious and carry him away. At the very least, Ensiodis has authorized Jian to temporarily incapacitate Ernst if necessary.

Next, just wait quietly for the time to arrive.

At the foot of the sacred mountain.

Luther Magnus and "Bridge Cliff," who were not entitled to ascend the sacred mountain to witness the trial, awaited the outcome of the trial.

Before the clock struck nine, Cliff's phone rang. Old man Sakota gave Luther an apologetic look, then took out his phone and answered:

"Yes?"

"Boss, this is Razer Team. We've discovered something unusual." A capable female voice came through the microphone.

Cliff raised an eyebrow, put his phone on speakerphone, placed it on the table in front of him, and replied:

"explain."

Razer's voice rang out: "Our men have discovered a large number of armed personnel lying in ambush on the cliffs of Mount Kalan. We estimate there are nearly a hundred of them. They have surrounded Holy Stone Square. What should we do?"

“Armed personnel?” Luther Magnus clicked his tongue and looked at Cliff. “It seems we’re not the only ones who want to do something about this trial.”

Cliff smiled slightly and gave the order:

"Ignore them, prioritize the safety of the target. The target must not be threatened under any circumstances; everything else is irrelevant."

"Understood," Razer replied, then hung up the call.

Cliff then looked at Luther and said calmly, "Don't worry, you can completely trust my professionalism."

"Prime Minister Ernst will have no problems; he will remain firmly in his position. You don't need to worry about it. Because you chose Blacksteel International."

“Of course.” Luther nodded in satisfaction, watching the clock hand slowly slide toward nine o’clock.

.............

On the Holy Stone Square, after silently counting to 600 in his mind, the Grand Elder suddenly opened his eyes.

He turned and looked at the sacred stone of Yeragand. Just as he had expected, the white sacred stone stood steadily on the mountain peak, without emitting light, without generating heat, and without floating or breaking.

No miracles occurred.

He cast a mocking glance at Ernst, who stood tall and proud, his eyes seeming to say: Ha, see, everything is under my control.

Since you keep claiming to be innocent and speaking of the future of all of Sherag, why does the great god Yeragand not care about your life or death and not send down any revelation?

He hoped to see a trace of regret or fear on Ernst's face, but to his dismay, Ernst didn't even glance in his direction. Instead, he calmly and firmly fixed his gaze on the Holy Stone of Yeragand, a strange smile inexplicably playing on his lips.

How can you still laugh?

The elder's anger was reignited. He snorted coldly, withdrew his gaze, and took a step forward, about to walk to the sacred stone to announce his "divine decree." But the next second, a silver-gray figure stepped past him and took the place he was supposed to be.

"The Holy Maiden?" The Grand Elder stared in astonishment at the girl standing before the Holy Stone, a terrifying guess suddenly appearing in his blank mind.

Wait, she wouldn't be going to...

He quickened his pace, trying to stop Enya from speaking, but the girl's gentle yet firm voice had already resounded throughout the entire square:

"Ten minutes have passed, and the merciful god Jeragand has made his judgment."

"The holy stone, as pure and flawless as a sacred mountain, has reflected Ernst Shivaish's heart. Its surface is untouched by darkness or filth, which proves Ernst Shivaish's innocence! Jeragand has protected this child of God and restored his most important innocence!"

Enya's voice echoed among the mountains, and the entire Sacred Stone Plaza suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

The crowd was stunned. They hadn't yet grasped how Ernst, who had just been almost branded a "sinner" by the High Elder, could suddenly receive Jeragund's forgiveness. Yet, they dared not question it. Even though Enya Shivaish was Ernst Shivaish's sister, she was also the Kalan Saint, serving the great god Jeragund. She shouldn't and dared not lie, for deception and distorting divine pronouncements were grave offenses, punishable by divine retribution!

Enshiodis was also shocked. He never expected that Enya would choose to stand up for Ernst at this time and on this occasion, and even fabricate the oracle of Yeragand to declare Ernst innocent!

He knew, of course, that the oracle was fabricated, because the sacred stone had not actually changed at all. Both she and the Grand Elder were simply lying through their teeth.

But how could she dare? When did her younger sister develop such courage?

The black knight beside him, Mace, also looked down at Ensiodis sitting down with surprise, his expression as if asking, "The plan has been disrupted, am I still going to get on?"

Ensiodis's expression changed several times. Finally, he gritted his teeth, opened his right fist, and pressed down.

This action means that the plan is suspended, but the evacuation will not take place.

His intuition told him that the Grand Elder wouldn't let this go so easily.

On the stage, the Grand Elder stood frozen in shock and anger, caught in a dilemma.

His words had practically branded Ernst as a traitor and a criminal, sealing his fate. Hadn't he spent so much time building up this for the final verdict, both to intimidate the reformists and to significantly enhance his own authority as the Grand Elder of the Manju Academy?

Now, because of Enya's words, all the plans have been disrupted!

He was now in a precarious position. If Ernst was innocent, and he found a legitimate reason after the trial, how could he possibly let him go?

Even if he lets him off the hook, he had just given a long and impassioned speech on stage, only to have it all negated with a single sentence. Wouldn't all his previous actions have amounted to nothing? What authority would he, as the Grand Elder, have left then?

This is no longer a minor act of willfulness; Enya's actions have genuinely threatened his physical and political life!

How could he possibly admit defeat and wait to die?

A fierce glint flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes. Enya had only been a Saintess for a little over ten years, while he had been the Grand Elder for decades. What kind of people had they seen? What kind of Saintess hadn't he dealt with?

The entire Manju Academy is situated on a single mountain. Let's inquire around and find out who's in charge. Is it the Holy Maiden? Or the Grand Elder?

If you dare to betray me, then be prepared for a fight to the death!