People in Terra, governing a weird little country

Seeing Ernst fall silent, the elder suddenly became proud and whispered:

"Don't you understand? If I say you are guilty, you are guilty. From the moment you step onto this stage, there is no way you can leave with a clean conscience."

But Ernst just glanced at him and said disdainfully:

"I am innocent. Kjerag has no law that can judge me."

To take it to the extreme, Kjerag doesn't even have laws. All the existing rules for maintaining social order are just simple customary laws and social morals. There is no substantive, systematic and regulated law at all.

There had never been any land purchase or sale in Kjerag before, let alone any loan or mortgage, so there was naturally no law that could define whether Ernst's behavior was a crime.

But this sneering statement of fact angered the Great Elder. His old body trembled, and his wrinkled face was filled with arrogance:

"Huh, law? What's that?"

"Shelagh has only oracles, not laws!"

After he finished speaking, his expression suddenly straightened up, returning to his solemn and dignified look, and he asked loudly again:

"You say you are innocent, so let me ask you, what did you want to do by mortgaging the land of the great Yelagunde and getting money from the Colombians?"

What do I want to do with the money?

Countless ideas emerged in Ernst's mind. Building roads, farming, establishing a civil service system, completely abolishing the political status of Manjuyuan, buying machines, opening factories, promoting the modernization of Kjerag, recruiting soldiers, importing weapons, establishing the Kjerag National Defense Force that does not belong to any family, and so on and so forth...

He has so many things he wants to do, but what he wants to do most is education.

Build schools, educate children, and at least ensure that the next generation does not have to be as ignorant as people today.

But in the final analysis, these things can be summed up in two words.

"reform."

Ernst replied solemnly and firmly.

But this call for "reform" was met with sneers and ridicule from the great elder.

"Reform, reform... I have heard this word too many times over the years. I really don't understand why people like you would take the word reform as your guiding principle."

He turned sideways and looked at the audience, the tens of thousands of Kjerag people surrounding the square, and asked loudly: "Everyone, our sacred Kjerag has existed for thousands of years, and the long time has not been able to harm us as the people of Yelagund. But now, some people keep saying that our country has reached a critical moment and will not last long. They say that according to their wishes, what reforms must be carried out to revive it? I want to ask everyone, reform? What to change!"

The great elder stabbed the cane in his hand into the ground fiercely, and his voice suddenly became stern, as if he was questioning Ernst, but he deliberately cast his eyes towards Enthiotis in the audience and said loudly:

"You said you wanted to emulate Colombia and Victoria. Let me ask you, which country has existed as long as my Holy Mountain of Kalan and my Manzhuyuan?"

"Although I have never left Kjerag, it doesn't mean that I have no knowledge of the outside world."

He said loudly, listing the so-called facts one by one:

"Columbia was once a penal colony of slaves and civilians, and Victoria was a deformed product of the conquest by Sargon Pasha. How can they compare to me, Sherag?"

"You people keep saying you want reform, but don't you think about what Kjerag has relied on to survive until now? Reform, you are just causing chaos! Can you be as smart as our ancestors? Can you be as smart as the great god Yelagund who set the current rules and protected us until now!?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience fell into a brief silence.

A moment later, even louder cheers and voices of support surged from all around the square. The sound waves almost overturned the flagpoles fluttering in the cold wind, and even the town at the foot of the mountain could hear them clearly!

A triumphant smile appeared on the corner of the Great Elder's mouth, and he asked while the iron was hot:

"Well, sinner Ernst Shivaash, Kjerag's patron saint, the great Yelagund, has heard everything you did clearly. Do you dare to accept Yelagund's judgment on you in front of the Holy Stone?!"

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

Actor Perlochi had a solemn expression, just like the people surrounding the square, and his eyes were full of disgust when he looked at Ernst. Latatos Brontao lowered her head, making it difficult to see her expression. Ensiodis Shivaash met Ernst's gaze, his eyes full of calmness and composure, he glanced at the watch on his wrist, and then nodded slightly to Ernst.

There was some commotion outside the square, and it seemed that something had happened, but the crowd was so crowded that Ernst couldn't see clearly.

He could only look away.

Behind the holy stone, where Ernst couldn't see, Enya Shivaash's face changed again and again, and finally she took a long, deep breath and showed a determined look.

Ernst said slowly, "If the great god Yelagund is watching all this, then I am definitely innocent."

"So, come on."

A sarcastic smile flashed across the Great Elder's lips, and he and Ernst turned their gazes to the tall holy stone.

Ten minutes, this is the time to wait for the great god Yelagund to make the decision.

Ten minutes later, everything will be clear!

Chapter 18: Tit-for-tat at Manzhuyuan

Lord Yelagund will not perform miracles for just one person.

This is common knowledge known to every clergyman, and as the Saint of Kalan, Enya knows this even better.

From the time she became the Holy Maiden of Kalan until today, no matter how devoutly she chanted scriptures and worshipped the gods, or how hard she prayed and practiced, Yelagund never responded to her. Perhaps in the eyes of the great god, only the human beings of Kjerag were meaningful, and any individual human being was just a drop in the ocean, leaving no trace in His long life.

So, the Holy Stone Trial was a scam from the beginning.

After ten minutes, the holy stone will not change at all. Its gray surface will remain gray, and its cold shell will remain cold. It will not show Yelagund's power, nor will it convey Yelagund's will.

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

Not expressing an opinion is also a kind of expression. The experienced elder has a hundred ways to interpret an oracle that does not exist at all and distort it into words that are unfavorable to Ernst.

And then, Ernst will face the worst outcome.

He could be whipped, exiled, hung on a mountain peak and frozen to death, or imprisoned on a cliff to be eaten by feathered beasts. Kjerag had no specific criminal law, so how to deal with the criminals depended entirely on the imagination of the judge.

Only I can save him!

Enya had never been so nervous before. She never liked her identity. Saint Kalan was a shackle on her and proof of Enthiodis' indifference. But she was extremely grateful now because Saint Kalan undoubtedly had the final right of interpretation on any issue involving Yelagund.

Although the Great Elder could use various reasons to prevaricate, deceive, or even refuse her to exercise this power, that would be based on the fact that Enya herself was unaware. And now, she was already standing on the scene.

As long as she is present, the right to interpret the Holy Stone Oracle is in her hands. If she wants to stand up and interpret the "Oracle", even the Great Elder cannot stop her!

"come on."

There seemed to be a faint sound in her ears. Enya turned her head, but there was no one beside her.

Maybe I was too nervous.

Enya comforted herself, calmed down, and waited for time to pass.

And under the Holy Stone Judgment Platform, Enthiotis was also ready.

He lowered his head and glanced at the watch on his wrist. The hour hand was about to reach nine o'clock, and the ten-minute waiting time was about to end.

If nothing unexpected happens, the Holy Stone of Yelagund will not change at all, and the gods will not cast any glances here. The Great Elder will be impatient to stand in front of the stage and announce to everyone that he has been inspired by Yelagund, and then declare Ernst guilty.

By that time, the Sacred Stone Square will be in a state of turmoil.

Boiling means chaos.

Ensiodis had already ambushed the Snow Ghosts on the cliffs of the hillside, covering their bodies with snow. When the chaos started, they would rush out and suppress the guards of the Perlochi family. The Black Knight Mace, who followed him as a bodyguard, would rush to the stage, take away Ernst, and send him to the messenger who would meet him at the foot of the mountain, and he would send Ernst out of Kjerag.

The plan was simple enough that it was not likely to go wrong. The only variable was Ernst himself.

But Jian is not a good-tempered girl. If Ernst is unwilling to follow her, it is possible that she will knock him out and carry him away. At least, Enciodis has authorized Jian to temporarily incapacitate Ernst when necessary.

Next, just wait quietly for the time to arrive.

At the foot of the Holy Mountain.

Luther Magnus and "Bridge Cliff" Cliff, who did not have the right to climb the Holy Mountain to watch the trial, were waiting for the result of the trial.

Before the hour hand on the clock pointed to nine o'clock, Cliff's phone rang first. Old man Sakota gave Luther an apologetic look, then took out his phone and answered:

"yes?"

"Boss, this is Team Razer. We have discovered a special situation." A capable female voice came from the microphone.

Cliff raised his eyebrows, turned on the hands-free mode of his phone, placed it on the table in front of him, and replied:

"explain."

Razer's voice sounded: "Our people have found many armed men in hiding on the cliffs of Mount Kalan. It is roughly estimated that there are nearly a hundred of them. They have surrounded the Holy Stone Square. What should we do?"

"Armed personnel?" Luther Magnus smacked his lips and looked at Cliff. "It seems that we are not the only ones who want to do something in this trial."

Cliff smiled slightly and ordered:

"Don't worry about them. Prioritize protecting the target's safety. Don't let the target be threatened. Don't worry about the rest."

"Understood." Razer replied and immediately hung up the call.

Cliff then looked at Luther and said calmly: "Don't worry, you can fully trust the professionalism of my people."

"Prime Minister Ernst will not have any problems. He will always sit in his position safely. You don't need to worry about it. Because you chose Black Steel International."

"Of course." Luther nodded with satisfaction, watching the hour hand slowly slide towards nine o'clock.

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

On the Holy Stone Square, the Great Elder counted 600 times in his heart, then suddenly opened his eyes.

He turned around and looked at the holy stone of Yelagund. Just as he expected, the white holy stone stood steadily on the mountain peak. It did not glow, did not generate heat, and did not float or break.

No miracles happened.

He cast a mocking look at Ernst, who was holding his head high, as if saying: Ha, see, everything is under my control.

Since you keep saying that you are innocent and that you are doing this for the future of the entire Kjerag, why doesn't the great god Yelagund care about your life or death and doesn't give you any revelations?

He expected to see a hint of regret or fear on Ernst's face, but unfortunately, Ernst did not even look in his direction. Instead, he calmly and firmly cast his gaze towards the Holy Stone of Yelagund, with an inexplicable smile on the corner of his mouth.

Can you still laugh?

The anger in the heart of the Great Elder was ignited once again. He snorted coldly, retracted his gaze, took a step forward, and was about to walk to the Holy Stone to announce his "oracle", but the next second, a silver-gray figure passed him and stood where he should be.

"Saint?" The Great Elder looked at the girl standing in front of the holy stone in astonishment. A terrible guess suddenly emerged in his blank mind.

Wait, she's not going to...

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

"The ten minutes are up, and the merciful Lord Yelagund has made his judgment."

"The holy stone, as pure and flawless as a holy mountain, has reflected the heart of Ernst Shivaash. Its surface is not stained with any darkness or filth, which proves Ernst Shivaash's innocence! Yelagund has protected this child of God and restored his most important innocence!"

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

The crowd was in shock. They still didn't understand how Ernst, who had almost been labeled a "sinner" by the Great Elder, could suddenly be forgiven by Yelagund. But they didn't dare to question it. Even though Enya Shivaash was Ernst Shivaash's sister, she was also the Holy Maiden of Kalan who served the great god Yelagund. She shouldn't and shouldn't lie, because deceiving and distorting the oracle was a taboo! It would be punished by God!

Enthiotis was also shocked. He had never expected that Enya would choose to stand up at this time and on this occasion to speak for Ernst, and even fabricate the oracle of Yelagund to declare Ernst not guilty!

Of course he knew that this oracle must have been fabricated, because the Holy Stone had not actually changed at all. Both she and the Great Elder were just lying with open eyes.

But how dare she do that? When did her younger sister have such courage?

The Black Knight Mace beside him also looked down at Enchiodis in surprise, as if asking, "The plan has been disrupted, can I still go up?"

Enthiotis's expression changed again and again, and finally he gritted his teeth, loosened his right fist into a palm, and pressed down.

This action means that the plan is suspended but not evacuated.

His intuition told him that the Great Elder would not let it go so easily.

On the stage, the Great Elder froze in place in shock and anger, caught in a dilemma.

His words just now had almost nailed Ernst to the label of treason and guilt, and his words were final. And he had been laying the groundwork for so long, wasn't it just to finally convict him of guilt, to give the reformists a warning and greatly enhance his authority as the chief elder of Manzhuyuan?

As a result, now, all plans have been disrupted because of Enya's words!

I have been put on the fire. If Ernst is innocent, how can he let me go after the trial when he finds a legitimate reason?

Even if he let him go, he had just been passionately inciting for so long on the stage, but now he was negated by a single sentence. Wouldn't everything he had done before be regarded as clownish behavior? At that time, what prestige would he have as the great elder?

This is no longer just a small act of willfulness. Enya's action has already posed a real threat to his physical and political life!

How could he just give up and wait for death?

A fierce light flashed in the eyes of the Great Elder. Enya had only been a saint for more than ten years, but he had been the Great Elder for decades. What kind of people had they seen, and what kind of saints had he not dealt with?

Manzhuyuan went up and down the mountain to ask who was in charge? Was it the Saint? Or the Great Elder?

If you dare to stab me in the back, then be prepared, we will fight to the death!