Chapter 1654: Chapter 331: Geront’s Apology with a Birch Rod
At this moment, Aiwass was discussing the constitution of Wanning with Sherlock and Isabel.
Upon hearing the unexpected arrival of a guest, Aiwass looked up somewhat surprised.
“…Mr. Geront?”
Aiwass raised an eyebrow, curiosity glinting in his eyes: “At this time?”
He indeed wanted to know why Geront, whom he had just seen not long ago, would arrive here during the busiest time for Wanning.
There’s a saying — don’t disturb someone who is overwhelmed with work. Because at that moment, the person might wish nothing more than to push your head down your neck.
Based on Aiwass’s several interactions with Geront, this goblin merchant was undoubtedly a person with high emotional intelligence.
He couldn’t possibly be unaware that both Aiwass and Isabel would be anxious and annoyed by the sudden huge workload at this time — Wanning Country had just been established and must settle the rules before the people’s fervor fades, and it’s best not to alter them afterward… Hence, it’s best to get it right in one go. Even if it can’t be done perfectly, at least align as closely as possible.
After all, constant changes in policy are most disheartening.
And Wanning Country is indeed very valuable to Aiwass.
Aiwass lacks no mundane power. Whether in the previous Avalon, the current New Herasal, or the Eternal Theocracy, his opinions could directly influence the highest levels.
Therefore, this refers not to the value brought by mundane wealth and glory, but to the value in the sense of a “great enterprise.”
Only a few Celestial Marshals like the Butterfly Celestial Marshal, Winter Celestial, and Bear Celestial Marshal, could achieve a heavenly department position due to their inherent symbolic significance. Otherwise, to achieve a heavenly or pillar god position, one must first change or transform the Material Realm — miracles must be performed to achieve a divine position, not the other way around.
——This is the only [Miracle] in a hundred-thousand-year cycle!
Only when Aiwass walks this path could everything develop so naturally.
Only Aiwass can transform the desert into an oasis, and only Aiwass can free people from the tragic cycle of inevitably becoming slaves, offerings, and perpetrators. A miracle achieved only once in ten cycles of reincarnation… There’s no doubt about having such a miracle as an enterprise of the Miracle Pillar God.
And on a deeper level, Parthia’s tragedy comes precisely from the Void itself——
Sin Thorn is the proof of the world being devoured by the Void, the Abyssal Celestial Envoy is the “Taboo” devoured by the Void, and the ancestors of the Benevolent Lords — those mages of the Tower of Heaven were also forced to roam because the Great Sage thunderstruck the Tower. The Great Sage did so because of the Void’s infection…
From these reasons, we can say… without the Void, there could not be the current Parthia; or if not for the Void’s influence, Parthia would not be like this.
Aiwass changing Parthia and founding Wanning, symbolically also means challenging the Void——just like the past “Arthur” led the Knights of the Round Table to Avalon Island.
And at such a time, Geront suddenly requested an audience…
Aiwass slightly squinted his eyes.
Could it be because Sin Thorn was completely eradicated by Aiwass and the desert turned into an oasis, that he came specifically to confirm whether the underground waterway project was to continue?
Or did he plan to take over part of the infrastructure project amid the rise of Wanning Country? That could indeed help Aiwass a lot…
Or maybe…
Aiwass’s lips slightly curved upwards.
Seeing Aiwass’s expression, Isabel understood his attitude.
She turned around and instructed: “Bring him in.”
Sherlock, however, slightly furrowed his brows, instinctively suspicious of everything.
He tilted his head slightly, reminding Aiwass: “I can’t help but feel that our old friend may have come a bit too coincidentally…”
His thinking was simple — as a pure Avalonian, Sherlock actually quite disliked goblins. In his view, the consumer culture brought by these overly mercantile goblins was one of the roots of moral decay.
But from a rational standpoint, goblins indeed provided considerable help to Avalon. After integrating resources, the goblins could already lower costs to a level that could outcompete all peers.
If we try to bypass them, not only would we incur more costs, but the quality might not be as good, and the efficiency would surely be much slower. Thus, thinking from the nation’s standpoint, Sherlock knew he could only choose to cooperate with these goblins.
However, Sherlock always harbored concerns about the goblins.
His mind told him that these natural-born merchants were absolutely not to be trusted…
Just as Sherlock was speaking, Geront was brought in, prompting him to shut his mouth — this was not out of fear, but merely to give Geront some face. After all, given Geront’s capabilities, he surely could have heard all the conversations happening here while waiting outside.
Moreover, it was also a matter of respect towards Aiwass and Isabel.
No longer having anything to say in front of an official Sudanna and a future deity personally authorized by said Sudanna —as simply a prime minister— Sherlock knew he didn’t have much say here before the guest.
Thus, Sherlock slightly leaned back and quietly moved to a more sideways position, no longer obstructing Aiwass and Isabel’s sight.
Isabel rested her right arm on the table and, turning sideways, her face had already donned a queenly smile that was quite amicable yet lost none of its majesty: “Look, isn’t this our friend Geront? What brings Mr. Geront here at such a time…”
As she spoke, she glanced at Aiwass, hinting that he should be the focus of the upcoming conversation, not her.
Then she continued the second part of her sentence: “Could it be that there’s something urgent where you need your friends’ help?”
——The implication being, if there’s nothing major, don’t waste our time.
However, what Isabel didn’t expect.
Geront suddenly knelt down with a thud, bowing deeply towards Aiwass!
He used that deep and hoarse voice, respectfully intoning in standard Avalonian language: “In the name of the Sunrise, Fiery Fire, and Cinnabar, I pay my three respects to the Sinless. To see the great Face of Halo, Son of Si Zhu, Lord of Miracles…”
Hearing those words, Aiwass widened his eyes in surprise.
This was what Krokos and Ottolucus once told Aiwass, praising the Son of Si Zhu following the ancient elvish rituals. If this was spoken in Elvish Language, every line would rhyme, and each syllable would be of equal length, just like an ancient sacrificial ceremony.
After the Holy Nation was established, even modern elves no longer used this ritual — at most, in the name of the Pillar God, they would offer a blessing. But after the establishment of the Holy Nation, the Nine Pillars Divine Church changed the old traditions and rituals. Since then, the format of the laudatory words predominantly became “invoking the god’s name, pointing out the holy number, and offering praise and admiration.”
Obtaining a eulogy of this level, Geront surely went through some trouble.
Without waiting for Aiwass to inquire, Geront immediately stated the purpose of his visit, neither embellishing nor cushioning it:
“——I am guilty. For I once succumbed to greed and malice, committing numerous unforgivable great sins. Together with my clan and the Goblin Commerce Association, we all bear great sins…”
Geront meticulously listed each of the great sins he had committed, with utmost seriousness and sincerity.
This made Isabel frown, though on the other hand, Aiwass’s lips slightly curled upward.
He already understood what Geront was here to do.
“`