Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

Why is the oracle blank in Volume 18, page 1242?

She hugged her knees, curled up on the low couch, her bright blue eyes still fixed on the "contest" opposite her, the curiosity and inquiry in them almost tangible. She looked at her sister's profile, gentle yet subtly assertive; at Lady Yela's calm, yet "outrageous" beautiful face; and then at her brother Suri, caught in the middle, looking utterly dejected yet undeniably "appetizing" due to his bodily reactions. The gossip fire within her burned ever brighter, even giving rise to a sense of "this trip was worthwhile." Seeing this scene, even if she were caught sneaking up the mountain and locked up by her brother, it would be worth it! (Of course, this was just a thought.)

In this eerie, tranquil atmosphere, interwoven with beauty and warmth, Enshia suddenly remembered something. She pulled herself out of her fascination with the "spectacle" before her, coughed lightly, and tried to steer the conversation back on track, or rather, to satisfy her almost exploding curiosity.

“Sister,” Ensia’s voice was slightly hoarse from her previous excitement and suppressed laughter, but it was still clear and melodious. “How have you been doing at the temple lately? Besides taking care of the flowers and plants, what else have you been doing? Are the people of Manju Court still respectful to you?” Although she wanted to ask more about what was going on between Lady Yera and Brother Suri, Ensia decided to start with the topic of “safety” first.

Enya's attention was slightly drawn back by her sister's question. Her fingers, which were stroking the tip of Suri's ear, paused slightly. She looked up at Enya, her eyes filled with a gentle smile again. However, deep within that smile, there seemed to be a trace of the satisfied glimmer from before, which had not completely dissipated.

“Sister is fine, Sia, don’t worry.” Enya’s voice was gentle, reassuring. “The temple is very quiet. Apart from daily prayers and necessary rituals, I spend most of my time tending to the flowers and plants. They are very obedient and growing very well.” She paused, her gaze seemingly drifting away for a moment, her voice lowering slightly, “The people of Manju Court… are very respectful to me. After all, I am a ‘Saintess’.” The last two words carried a barely perceptible, faint hint of sarcasm, but she quickly masked it, replacing it with a gentle smile. “But you, Sia, at the manor, SilverAsh… really didn’t neglect you because he was too busy with official duties? You seem to have lost a little weight since the last time we met.”

“No way!” Encia shook her head immediately, her blonde hair swaying gently with her movements. “Although my brother is very busy, he makes time to eat with me every day, asks me about my homework, and even has someone bring me the latest storybooks and snacks from Victoria! I haven’t lost weight, you’re mistaken, sister!” She puffed out her little chest, trying to prove that she was “very healthy,” but then, as if she had thought of something, a sly glint flashed in her blue eyes, and she changed the subject, “By the way, sister, the situation down the mountain seems to have calmed down a lot lately!”

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Yera and Suri out of the corner of her eye. Sure enough, when the "situation down the mountain" was mentioned, Lady Yera's usually calm and unwavering golden eyes seemed to subtly turn towards her. And Suri, whose face was still buried between Yera's legs, seemed to stiffen almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"Oh? Is that so?" Enya seemed to be drawn in by her sister's topic as well, temporarily stopping her kneading of Suri's ears, though her fingertips lingered on the fluffy ear tips, gently stroking them. "I'm up here on the mountain, where information is scarce. I only know that there seemed to be some turmoil recently. Was it SilverAsh...? Has he dealt with it?"

"It's not just my brother's doing!" Encia's tone carried a hint of pride and mystery. She deliberately lowered her voice, as if sharing some incredible secret, "It was Lord Yeragand! Lord Yeragand sent down a divine decree!"

"An oracle?" Enya paused slightly, her gaze instinctively shifting to Yeragand. Although she resided in the temple and was nominally the saint closest to Yeragand, she actually knew less about matters like "oracles"—things that directly reflected the will of the gods—than those outsiders, especially oracles concerning specific affairs down in the mountains. Those old fellows at Manjusaka wouldn't tell her everything.

Yera's golden eyes calmly met Enya's gaze, her face still expressionless, as if the "oracle" that Enya spoke of that caused the change in the situation down the mountain had nothing to do with her, "Yera Gand," herself.

“Yes! It’s the oracle!” Enshia nodded vigorously, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “Just a few days ago, the various families had another disagreement over some old issues concerning the allocation of mineral resources and trade routes. I heard they were arguing fiercely in the council hall, and even my brother was having a headache. Then, just when the atmosphere was at its most tense, the elder of the Manju Academy appeared with the latest oracle from Lord Yeragand!”

Enshia mimicked the reverent and excited tone of the servant who had delivered the message, vividly recounting, "The contents of that oracle are said to be written on the oldest and most sacred scroll, and read aloud by the Grand Elder himself! But—" She deliberately dragged out her words, creating suspense. Seeing her sister's attention completely captivated, even Lady Yela's gaze seemed more focused on her (though still calm), and Brother Suri… though still with his face down, his ears seemed even more perked up? Enshia chuckled inwardly and continued:

"But the contents of that oracle were very strange! There wasn't a single word on it! It was blank!"

"Blank?" Enya frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. A wordless oracle? What did that mean?

“Yes! It was a blank parchment scroll, with nothing written on it!” Enshia nodded vigorously, her little face full of disbelief and excitement. “Everyone in the council hall was stunned, including my brother. Nobody knew what Lord Yeragand meant. Was the oracle misdelivered? Or… something else?”

She paused, observing her sister and Lady Yela's reactions, before cheerfully revealing the result: "And guess what? Those family representatives who were arguing fiercely, each refusing to back down, all quieted down after seeing the blank scroll! Then, not long after, they started negotiating on their own, each taking a step back, and quickly reached a new cooperation agreement! Even the Brown and Camley families, who had been arguing the most fiercely, shook hands and made peace! Now, the atmosphere down the mountain, at least on the surface, is much more peaceful; everyone is busy pushing forward with the cooperation!"

Volume 18, Chapter 1243: You still have the nerve to ask?

After Enshia finished speaking, she looked at Yeragand with bright blue eyes, her face full of undisguised curiosity and admiration: "Lord Yeragand, you are so amazing! A blank decree silenced them all! But... I'm still a little curious, what exactly does that decree with no content mean? Is it a warning against fighting? Or is it an indication that they can decide for themselves?"

This question had also been lingering in Enya's mind. The wordless oracle, this method full of symbolism and interpretive space, was indeed very much like Jeragund's consistent style—ancient, mysterious, and full of metaphors. But what it specifically meant, perhaps only the one who sent the oracle knew.

In an instant, everyone's gaze in the bedchamber (except for Suri, who was still "pretending to be dead") was focused on Yera.

Yera's golden eyes calmly swept over Ensia's curious face, then over Ensia's questioning eyes, and finally landed on the silver-haired boy who still buried his face between her legs, trying to isolate himself from the outside world.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on Su Rui's back, which was slightly stiffened by nervousness (and perhaps other factors). Then, almost imperceptibly, she curved her lips into a slight smile. It was an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible curve, yet it instantly added an indescribable, almost "vivid" quality to her exquisitely beautiful and cold face.

She did not answer Ensia's question directly.

Instead, he slowly withdrew the hand that had been "mischievously" pausing near Suri's tailbone. Just as Suri breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief at the disappearance of the annoying touch, thinking the "torture" was temporarily over—

Yela reached out, not to grab anything, nor to make any other gesture. Instead, he gently patted Suri's shoulder. The touch was light, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Su Rui froze, alarm bells ringing in his mind! He had a very bad feeling.

Sure enough, Yera's cold, emotionless voice rang out above him, not in response to Ensia, but... directed at him.

“Suri,” Yera’s voice was calm and even, as if she were asking about the weather, “what do you think that edict meant?”

Suri: "..."

His body stiffened even more. His cheek, buried between Yela's legs, seemed to burn even hotter. What kind of question was this? Why ask him? How could he possibly know what that damned, blank scroll meant?! Was Yela doing this on purpose? Absolutely! Wasn't being sandwiched between him humiliating enough? Did she have to drag him out for a public execution?!

A nameless anger, mixed with the shame and embarrassment that had just accumulated, suddenly surged into Su Rui's heart. He abruptly raised his head, pulling himself out of the cool folds of Yela's robe. In his haste, a few strands of silver hair even clung messily to his flushed cheeks and forehead. He opened his dark eyes, which were slightly misty from being closed for so long, and glared at Yela with a hint of annoyance and irritation.

That look seemed to say: How dare you ask?!

However, despite his clearly annoyed glare, Yela's golden eyes remained calm and unwavering; in fact, the almost imperceptible curve of her lips seemed to deepen slightly. She looked at Surina's face, which appeared exceptionally vivid (even somewhat "lively") with shame and anger, and at the mixture of tears, shame, and rage in his eyes, as if she were witnessing something amusing.

She didn't speak, but just looked at him quietly, waiting for his answer.

Enya, standing nearby, was also slightly taken aback by Yera's sudden "question." Looking at Suri's embarrassed and annoyed expression, the subtle displeasure she felt seemed to be replaced by a sense of amusement. She was also somewhat curious about how Suri would answer.

Enxia, ​​on the other hand, widened her eyes in excitement and leaned forward unconsciously, afraid of missing a single word or expression from her brother Su Rui.

Suri felt like he was being stared at by the three people (especially Yera's calm yet oppressive gaze). He wanted to bury his head in his sand again and become a proper ostrich, but Yera's gentle pat earlier and her calm gaze now seemed to be telling him: escape was futile.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say "How would I know," or simply not answer. But the words caught in his throat. He knew that, given Yera's personality, once she asked, she probably wouldn't let him get away with it so easily. Besides, Enya and Enshia were watching...

Suri took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging embarrassment and awkwardness within him. He looked away, avoiding Yera's all-seeing golden eyes, Enya's gentle, smiling brown eyes, and Enshia's gossipy blue eyes. He stared at the leaping flames in the fireplace and said quickly and in a dry, impatient tone:

"It's probably...it means they can do whatever they want, peaceful cooperation, I guess." He paused, then couldn't help but mutter to himself in a low voice, so low that only he could hear it, "...Anyway, you didn't write it down, so they can interpret it however they want."

This answer carried a clear sense of perfunctoriness and a hint of defiance. But it was indeed the most "reasonable" explanation he could think of. A blank scroll meant no specific instructions, which meant no constraints, and at the same time, it was a silent warning and tacit approval—a warning to them to stop while acquiescing to them negotiating on their own.

Upon hearing Suri's answer, a barely perceptible smile, like a ripple on a frozen lake, seemed to flicker in Yera's calm, golden eyes. She offered no comment on Suri's answer, neither affirming nor denying it.

But her actions once again surprised everyone.

Just as Suri finished speaking and was about to lower his head again to try to make himself less noticeable, Yelana's hand, which had been lightly resting on his shoulder, suddenly moved.

One of her hands remained lightly resting on Su Rui's shoulder, as if it were just casually placed. Her other hand, however, went around Su Rui's armpit and moved to his chest.

Then, before Suri could even react or exclaim in surprise—

With a slight, irresistible yet incredibly gentle force, Yela lifted Suri, who was lying on her and Enya's laps, gently yet firmly... into her arms.

It wasn't a simple helping hand; rather, it was like picking up a large, soft doll, "pulling" him off Enya's lap, and then adjusting his position so that he... sat facing her on her lap.

Volume 18, Chapter 1244: It's practically a public execution.

Suri: "!!!"

He was completely stunned. His mind went blank from this series of overly "stimulating" changes. One second he was lying on his side on the laps of two women, enduring being "sandwiched" from both sides, and the next second, Yela was holding him face-to-face on her lap in an almost "baby-holding" position?!

He could clearly feel the cool, supple touch of Yera's legs, pressed against his thighs and buttocks through the thin fabric. He could feel the steady, cool strength of Yera's arms around his waist and back. He could smell the icy, vast aura emanating from Yera, like that of an ancient glacier, so close, enveloping his entire being.

This position, compared to lying on his side earlier, was more... intimate, more imbued with an indescribable sense of control and possession. Moreover, it forced him to face Enya and Enshia directly!

A wave of overwhelming shame washed over Suri like a tsunami. He felt all the blood rush to his head, his cheeks, ears, neck, and even below his collarbone burning hot. He instinctively tried to struggle, to jump off Yela's legs, but Yela's arms around his waist, though seemingly casual, possessed an undeniable, icy, unbreakable strength that made it impossible for him to escape.

"You... let go!" Suri finally found his voice, his voice low and trembling with embarrassment and anger. He tried to push Yera's shoulder, but his strength was like an ant trying to shake a tree in front of her.

Yera seemed oblivious to his struggles and growls. She merely adjusted her grip on him slightly, making him more stable (and harder to break free). Then, she raised her eyes, her golden eyes calmly looking across at Enya, who was equally stunned by Yera's sudden action, her expression a mixture of surprise and complexity, and Enshia, who was already covering her mouth in astonishment, her eyes wide with even greater excitement.

It's as if to say: Look, he answered. The answer wasn't great, but it was still somewhat interesting. Now, he's my "prize," or perhaps just another way to continue the "interrogation"?

Suri was being held on Yela's lap in this extremely humiliating position, facing Enya and Enshia. He felt like a snow leopard with its fur standing on end, placed under a spotlight for everyone to see (even though he was in human form now). He could clearly see the complex expression on Enya's face—a mixture of astonishment, helplessness, and what seemed to be a very subtle hint of...disapproval—and he could also see Enshia's eyes, practically sparkling with excitement, filled with the thought, "I saw it! I saw everything!"

Overwhelmed by embarrassment and a feeling of having nowhere to escape, he wished he could disappear into the ground or simply pass out on the spot. He lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with Enya and Enshia, his silver hair falling down to try and hide his cheeks, which were already flushed red.

Yera, however, seemed to think that wasn't enough. She even used one hand to gently lift Suri's chin, forcing him to raise his head slightly, even though Suri still kept his eyes tightly closed and refused to look at them.

Then, Yera's cold voice rang out again, this time addressed to Ensia, but the content of her words made Suri even more ashamed and indignant.

“What he said is pretty much true.” Yera’s voice was calm and even, as if stating a simple fact. “Blank space means infinite possibilities. It also means that the choice is in their own hands. Peace or conflict, cooperation or division, it’s all up to them. I only need to provide a ‘blank’ framework.”

She paused, her golden eyes lowering slightly to rest on Su Rui's face, which was tightly shut in shame and indignation, her eyelashes trembling violently. Then, in that still calm tone, yet with a hint of almost imperceptible mockery, she added:

"Of course, if they misunderstand or make the wrong choice..."

She didn't finish her sentence. But the indifferent and majestic meaning that belonged to an ancient deity made the air in the bedchamber seem to freeze for a moment.

Both Enya and Enshia were slightly taken aback by the profound meaning hidden beneath Yera's calm words. Emptiness signifies infinite possibilities, but also...infinite warnings. The gods had presented a scroll of "emptiness," seemingly saying nothing, yet in reality, saying everything. Peaceful cooperation is one interpretation of "emptiness"; if the fighting continues, then "emptiness" might take on another meaning—the silence of the gods is sometimes more terrifying than thunderous wrath.

When Suri heard Yera's almost affirmative answer to his perfunctory reply, and the chilling undertone of her unfinished words, his body stiffened almost imperceptibly. His eyes remained closed, but his tightly clenched lower lip betrayed his inner turmoil. What was this? Affirmation of his answer, and then continuing to treat him like a human-shaped body pillow (facing the audience, no less)?!

Just then, Yera's fingers, which were lifting his chin, moved slightly. Her fingertips, with a slightly cool touch, brushed across his tightly bitten lower lip, gently rubbing the part of his lower lip that had turned slightly white from being bitten, with a tone that was almost soothing yet teasing.

"Relax." Yera's voice, almost a whisper, rang in his ear, carrying the scent of ice and snow, yet strangely, it soothed the churning embarrassment and anger in Su Rui's heart. "Your answer wasn't too bad."

Suri: "..." He suddenly opened his eyes and glared fiercely at Yella. Was this a compliment?! This was clearly mockery! It was a paltry "charity" after a public execution!

However, his dark eyes, which shone brightly with shame and indignation, and his pale lips, which were slightly glistening with moisture from being kneaded, fell into Yera's calm, golden eyes at such close range, and it was as if a pebble thrown into an icy lake stirred up a barely perceptible, almost pleasurable ripple.

Yera subtly curved her lips into a smile again. Then, she removed her fingers from Suri's chin and gently rubbed the tips of Suri's still red and burning animal ears, which were trembling slightly with anger.

“Now,” Yela’s gaze returned to Enya and Enshia, as if the scene full of “interaction” had never happened, and she said in her still calm tone, “you two can continue talking.”

It was as if to say: My "interrogation" and "teasing" have come to a temporary end. Now, I'm returning the "toy" (Suri) to you (even though she's still on my lap). You sisters can continue catching up.

Volume 18, page 1245: Is it just about the same?

Held in Yera's arms, Suri was forced to face Enya and Enshia directly. He felt Yera's cool fingers teasing his sensitive earlobe and listened to her calm, almost weather-discussing words. A surge of heat rushed to his head, and he felt so ashamed and angry that he almost exploded on the spot. He closed his eyes tightly, trying again to be a proper ostrich, but this time, he couldn't even bury his face in his hands.

Enya, watching Suri, blushing and mortified, held intimately (and with a sense of control) on Yera's lap, yet powerless to resist, and then looking at Yera's calm, beautiful face, as if everything were perfectly natural, felt a surge of complex emotions welling up within her once more. But seeing Suri's pitiful yet adorable appearance, her displeasure seemed to be replaced by a sense of helplessness and amusement.

She sighed softly, her gaze softening again as she looked at her younger sister, Encia, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes were shining from the overly "stimulating" scene before her. She tried to steer the conversation back on track: "Encia, stop talking about what's going on outside. Tell your sister what interesting storybooks you've been reading at the manor lately? Or, is there any new gardening knowledge you'd like to learn?"

Enxia was only able to snap out of her daze at the sight of "Lady Yera hugging Brother Suri" when her sister asked her a question, but her gaze still couldn't help but drift to Brother Suri's flushed face and trembling (from being rubbed) ears. She tried to compose herself and began to answer her sister's question, but her voice still carried an undisguised excitement and curiosity.

Suri, on the other hand, was like a human sculpture (the kind that blushes and trembles), "fixed" to Yela's lap and forced to "participate" in this sisterly reunion. He could only close his eyes tightly, pretending that he didn't exist, while in his heart, he cursed countless times a certain "disrespectful old man" (although Yela didn't look old at all), "capricious," and "enjoying toying with him" "ancient will."

Yera held her face-to-face on her lap in a way that was almost like "holding a child," a gesture full of control and possession. She was forced to face Enya and Enshia, and she also had to endure Yera's cool fingers slowly and gently kneading the tips of her sensitive animal ears, as if teasing a pet. Suri (the person forced to participate in the discussion) felt that her last bit of rationality and patience was being worn away bit by bit, mercilessly.

Shame, embarrassment, inescapable anger, and a deeper, indescribable sense of humiliation stemming from being "treated" this way, surged within him like molten lava. He could clearly feel the cool, supple touch of Yera's legs, and smell the vast, icy aura emanating from her, like that of an ancient glacier, enveloping and permeating his entire being. He could see the complex (helpless, amused, and perhaps even slightly heartbroken?) gaze of Enya opposite him, and the sparkling blue eyes of Enshia, almost radiating stars, filled with excitement and curiosity.

All of this made him feel extremely uneasy, and he wished he could escape from this terrible and suffocating situation immediately.

However, Yera's arms around his waist, seemingly casual, seemed to carry an invisible, oppressive force originating from her divine status, rendering all his struggles futile and like stones sinking into the sea. He could even feel that with each attempt to exert force, the binding force would increase accordingly, like the most precise shackles, firmly "locking" him to this warm yet shameful "throne" (Yera's legs).

However, Yela continued to "evaluate" his extremely perfunctory answer in a calm and even tone, as if she were discussing what to eat today.

“What he said is pretty much true. Blank space means infinite possibilities. It also means that the choice is in their own hands…” Yera’s voice was as cold as ice and snow, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, yet every word was clear, striking the already turbulent lake of Su Rui’s heart.

Almost? Just almost? The nameless anger in Suri's heart burned even brighter because of Yella's nonchalant "affirmation." What did he mean by "almost"? He was just saying it casually to brush off her questions, and she actually took it so seriously and started "interpreting" it? "Infinite possibilities," "the choice is in their hands"? It was as if that blank scroll truly contained some profound divine oracle!

In Su Rui's view, that was nothing but a charade! It was a blatant threat and intimidation!

Those powerful families entrenched in Sherag, wielding authority and harboring their own agendas, are all shrewd and suspicious. When they receive a "divine oracle" from the holy mountain, from the ancient and mysterious Jeragand, yet without a single word, what will their first reaction be? Will they ponder the "infinite possibilities" within? Will they reflect on their own "right to choose"?

No! Suri was almost certain that their first reaction was one of unease, suspicion, and fear! They were worried that their previous actions might have angered the gods, and that the gods were using this "silence" to express their displeasure and warn them! They were afraid that behind this "emptiness" lay an unbearable divine punishment that could descend at any moment!

Under immense, unknown fear and pressure, those who were originally arguing over interests would naturally and instinctively choose the "safest" way, the way that could "appease the gods' possible anger"—compromise, back down, and seek peace and cooperation! Because none of them dared to gamble that this "blank" divine oracle was the gods' final ultimatum to their fighting.

This is not about "providing a framework" or "giving choices" at all; it is the most direct and effective form of deterrence and intimidation! It uses people's most primal fear of the unknown, especially of the will of the gods, to force them to comply!

A surge of anger mixed with being mocked and disdain for Yera's "feigned divine" behavior (even though she was indeed a "god") rushed to Suri's head. Driven by extreme shame and a certain "go-for-all" mentality, he suddenly opened his eyes again.

This time, he did not avoid Yela's calm, golden eyes. Instead, he went straight to meet them with a hint of barely suppressed annoyance and mockery.

Then, under the gaze of Yela's almost imperceptible golden eyes, which seemed to flicker slightly because of his "eye contact," and amidst the somewhat astonished looks of Enya and Enshia—

Suri raised his hand, not to push Yera away, nor to struggle. Instead, with a vengeful, annoyed force, he slapped the back of Yera's hand, which was gently kneading the sensitive tip of his ear like dough...

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound, neither too loud nor too soft, rang out in the warm bedroom, sounding particularly abrupt.

Volume 18, Chapter 1246: Purely a scare tactic

Yela's hand, which was kneading his ear, paused abruptly at the sudden slap. Her hand, white and delicate like the finest jade, bore faint, quickly fading red marks from Su Rui's touch. Yet, Yela's face remained expressionless; her golden eyes calmly gazed at Su Rui, as if awaiting his next move, or perhaps simply… somewhat "surprised"?

Both Enya and Enshia were stunned by Suri's sudden, utterly "outrageous" act (hitting Yeragand?!). Enya even instinctively sat up straight, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but seeing Yeragand's still calm (or rather, unresponsive) face, she swallowed her words. Enshia covered her mouth in astonishment, her blue eyes wide with surprise. She looked at Suri's annoyed profile, then at Yeragand's seemingly unaffected hand, her heart filled with shock and... a stronger sense of excitement—Suri actually dared to hit Yeragand's hand?! Even if it was just a slap, it was still too... too brave (or rather, too reckless)!

After swatting Yera's hand away, Suri seemed taken aback, as if he hadn't expected to actually do it. But the die was cast. He suppressed the slight guilt that rose within him for "offending a deity" (although he thought this "deity" was rather frivolous), and, meeting Yera's calm gaze, quickly said in a slightly hoarse but unusually clear and impatient tone:

"What infinite possibilities, what choices... I think it's just to scare them!"

His voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet bedchamber, it echoed clearly like a pebble thrown into a lake.

“A blank scroll, with nothing written on it, sent to those guys who spend their days scheming and fearing to make a mistake,” Su Rui’s tone was filled with undisguised sarcasm and disdain. “The first thing they would think of is definitely not ‘the gods have given me the freedom to choose’! They would only think that they have done something wrong and angered the high and mighty gods, so the gods are using this method to warn them that if they continue to cause trouble, divine punishment will be sent down!”

He paused, looking into Yera's still calm, unwavering golden eyes, as if listening to an insignificant story. His annoyance intensified, and he decided to pour out his thoughts: "Under the pressure of fear and uncertainty, they will naturally choose the most 'safe' way, the way that can 'appease the god's potential anger'—stop fighting and seek cooperation. Because no one dares to gamble on whether there are truly unbearable consequences behind this 'blank space.' This is not 'giving them a choice,' this is the most direct intimidation and coercion! Exploiting their fear of the unknown, especially of you, their 'god,' to force them to go in the direction you want!"

Suri finished speaking in one breath, his chest heaving slightly with excitement and a strange sense of "exhilaration" (finally, he'd said it!). He stared intently at Yera, awaiting her reaction. Was it fury? Displeasure? Or... something else?

However, Yela's reaction once again surprised everyone.

After Surina finished speaking, her words laced with obvious accusation and sarcasm, Yelan's calm, golden eyes gazed at him silently for a few seconds. Then, almost imperceptibly... she nodded.

The movements were very subtle, yet exceptionally clear.

It's as if to say: Hmm, what you said makes sense.

Suri: "...?"

His prepared response to Yera's "anger" or "rebuttal" caught in his throat because of Yera's sudden, calm "nod." He looked at Yera in bewilderment, not understanding what she meant. Was it an admission? Or... a disdain for rebuttal?