No one knew why Crazy 'Ole knew these two languages. He was the oldest person here. He had lived here before anyone was born. It was said that he had traveled all over the continent when he was young. No one knew exactly how old he was, but he should be at least a hundred years old. In this age where people died young, longevity itself was an admirable miracle. It was seen as a gift from God.
After becoming a priest, Shog had the opportunity to learn another way to write these two languages. It was called the Holy Book, which was usually only used when praising God. Except for nobles and priests, ordinary people could not learn it. The Holy Book was basically the same as an ordinary language, but it had a special and strict writing style. People who had never learned it could not understand it easily. It was said that it had a mysterious power that could communicate with the gods.
In the eyes of civilians and slaves, any language was mysterious and represented some kind of awe-inspiring symbol or message. Duc needed a clerk, and so did the Shrines. Here, Shog was the only one in charge.
But things had changed in the last two years. Crazy 'Ole taught Amon how to write these two languages. When he was drunk, he told the mayor, "There are actually three clerical positions in our town. Unfortunately, there are too few people who know how to write. It's not suitable for the Shrines of Mourrin and Horus to have one person as a priest, let alone a clerk at the same time. Amon is a child blessed by God. He has learned how to write, both with a sword and with a pen. I can guarantee that he will be the best clerk in the future, and also an excellent priest. "
What displeased Shog the most was that Mayor Dusti did not object at that time. He even said with a smile, "Oh, then Amon is really a child blessed by God. When he grows up, he will be an excellent clerk."
Shog felt as if he was bitten by a poisonous snake. Every time he thought that one day, his power and wealth would be taken away by the son of a dirty drunkard, he could not sleep well. Today, there was another more important reason why he wanted to punish Amon in public. It made his teeth itch.
The legend of the Gods' Tear was not unique to the Empire of Eygut. In a faraway city, a noble lord had secretly sent him a message to pay attention to the parangons produced in Duc. If he could get the Gods' Tear, he would be rewarded handsomely. All the parangons produced in Duc were registered by Shog, which was the most convenient condition.
The Gods' Tear had really appeared, but he was too late to get it. Even if he wanted to get it, he couldn't compete with Rod-dick for it. This Lord Drick was really something. He actually happened to be waiting in Duc at this time. Who would have thought that?
When the Gods' Tear came last night, Shog sensed it too. He rushed to Amon's house and saw two heavily armed warriors guarding the door. Then he saw Lord Drick's clerk coming out of the house with a golden box in his hand and two other warriors. By the time Shog entered the house, Amon had already left the backyard. There was only one drunkard in the house. Under Shog's questioning, it was easy for him to find out what had just happened.
Shog could not and did not dare to question Rod-dick. But how could he let go of Amon? So early in the morning, he rang the bell in the Shrine of Mourrin to summon the residents. Mayor Dusti did not let him mention the Gods' Tear, but he mentioned something else. It was a disaster for Amon.
The residents were stunned for a moment, then whispered to each other. Amon had indeed disobeyed the ancient oracle, but it had never happened in Duc before. It took a lot of physical strength to learn the skills passed down from generation to generation. It was almost impossible for a child to learn it at such a young age. Even if something like this had happened in history, no one would say anything about it. Mining parangons was so difficult. It was not a bad thing to have a qualified miner. As long as the miner did not say anything, no one would pursue the issue.
But in front of the Shrine of Mourrin, under the solemn gaze of the Goddess, the problem was serious. No one could defend Amon. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to the Goddess. The oracle was equal to the decree.
Seeing that no one spoke loudly, Shog cleared his throat again and said loudly, "Mercy is a virtue, but piety and obedience to the Goddess is a virtue even more. Amon, are you ready to accept the punishment of the Goddess? … In the name of Mourin, how should we punish this child as mercifully as possible? "His last sentence was directed at everyone.
Dusti furrowed his brows again, looking very displeased. Shog, on the other hand, seemed prepared. A voice from the crowd shouted, "According to the oracle, cut off one of his fingers. The merciful Lord Priest can decide which finger to cut off."
Amon's body trembled. His face was pale, and the corner of his mouth was twitching. He clenched his teeth and said nothing. His father knelt down and begged in a trembling voice, "Please forgive Amon. He's still a child. He doesn't know what he's doing. I'm the one who taught him. I'm the one who disobeyed the oracle. I should be the one to be punished."
Many people in the crowd echoed in a low voice, "Yes, Lord Shog, please forgive that ignorant child! As atonement, let him mine more parangons and offer them to the Goddess. "
Shog did not seem to hear these voices. He raised his hands to calm the crowd down. Then he looked at Amon in a calm and indifferent tone and asked, "Amon, did you understand the oracle of the Patron when you were learning the mining skills? Although you are a child, as a resident of Duc, you should have understood it since you were a child. "
As he spoke, he thought to himself, "Which finger of Amon should I cut off?"
Mayor Dusti coughed softly. He felt that he should say something. But at this moment, a voice from outside the crowd shouted, "Whose ignorance is it? Priest, you have forgotten the oracle. This lucky child did not violate it! "
Everyone was startled. Shog looked up and saw a young man walking through the crowd. He was in his early twenties, wearing a clean white robe and a crown of fresh twigs on his head. Shog had seen this man before. He was not a resident of Duc. He came here with Rod-dick a few days ago. He was one of Lord Drick's most respected advisors. It was said that he was a wandering sage from far away on the continent. His name was Aristotle.
Mayor Dusti asked, "Mr. Aristotle, what brings you here? What is Lord Drick's order?"
Aristotle smiled and nodded, "I'm here to do something for Lord Drick. I happened to see what happened to this child. May I ask this priest a few questions, dear mayor?"
Dusti nodded politely, "Go ahead, Mr. Aristotle."
Shog was puzzled. He did not know what this young man wanted to ask him. He did not know why this man was defending Amon, and how. Aristotle nodded to the mayor with a smile, then turned to Shog and asked calmly, "Lord Priest, in the name of the goddess in the temple behind you, answer me seriously. According to the oracle passed down from generation to generation, only with the approval and blessing of the guardian goddess can one learn the unique mining skills of this place. Am I right?"
Shog nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir. I answer you in the name of the Goddess. It is absolutely true."
Aristotle nodded again and asked, "This child has learned the skill you mentioned. Is it true?"
Shog nodded subconsciously, "Yes, it is true."
Aristotle did not wait for him to say more. He continued loudly, "Then this child has received the approval and blessing of the Goddess, hasn't he?"
Shog was a little confused. He retorted loudly, "No, he has violated the oracle. That's why he has to be punished!"
Aristotle snorted coldly and still retorted loudly, "No, the one who has forgotten the true spirit of the oracle is you, Lord Priest! Only with the approval and blessing of the Goddess can one learn this skill. This is the oracle. Without the approval and blessing of the Goddess, one cannot learn it. But this child has learned it. This is enough to prove that he has the approval and blessing of the Goddess. … If you want to deny this, Lord Priest, you are denying the oracle! "
This time, not only Shog was confused, but all the onlookers were also confused. The miners of Duc had been working with sledgehammers and stoves for generations. How could they have seen the debating skills of a sage from the distant continent?
Shog was speechless. He did not know how to answer. Some people said that the shrine was the most unreasonable place, because the oracle was the law and could not be refuted. But at the same time, under the gaze of the gods, it was also the most important place to be reasonable. One had to be respectful and careful. Every word had to express faith and respect for the gods.
Aristotle saw the puzzled faces of the onlookers. He smiled and raised his hand to point at Shog. He said, "All men have life and death. This is the will of God. This is the major premise. Obviously, he is a man. This is the minor premise. So he will die. This is the conclusion. Don't you understand? "
Then he pointed at Amon and said, "Only with the approval and blessing of the Goddess can one learn the skill you mentioned. This is the oracle. This is the major premise. Obviously, this child has learned the skill. This is the minor premise. So he has already received the approval and blessing of the Goddess. This is the conclusion. Is there anything wrong with it? … Do you understand? "
With such an explanation, it was very easy to understand. Many people showed an expression of sudden realization and nodded their heads one after another. Some were even more confused. They felt that there was something wrong with Aristotle's words, but they could not tell what it was. Shog's face gradually turned the color of pig liver. Mayor Dusti's expression was a bit funny. He seemed to want to laugh but was holding it back.
"But he has not experienced the ceremony of approval and blessing of the gods. This is against the rules!" Shog finally shouted out, but there was a trace of weakness in his voice.
"No, Amon has received the approval and blessing of Mourin. The one who is detested and warned by the goddess is the priest of this town, Lord Shog! … This, I can prove. " As he spoke, Crazy 'Ole waved his staff in front of him and walked to the front of the crowd.
Crazy 'Ole was very old. His hair and beard were gray and messy. He walked unsteadily, but he did not look weak. Instead, he looked like a child learning to walk. His staff was dark brown with messy golden stripes. He did not lean on the ground to support his body, but waved it in his hand.
Nietzsche passed by Aristotle and looked back at the young sage with a complicated look of admiration, scrutiny and interrogation. Then he turned to stand in front of Shog, side by side with Amon. He pointed with his staff and said, "Three years ago, I received an oracle from Mourin in a dream. She blessed Amon and allowed him to learn the skills of Duc. This child's skill was not taught by his father, but by me."
Shog took a step back and asked, "How can you prove it?"
Crazy 'Ole laughed and pointed at Shog's nose with his staff, "Lord Priest, what has blinded your soul? Please pray and repent before the goddess, because God has proved it! Didn't you hear what this gentleman said? "
**
P: First of all, I would like to thank all my readers for your support!
Every time I start a new book, it's like going through a new cycle. Another Monday morning has come. Once again, I want to rush to the new book list. Here, I sincerely ask for your help.
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