Chapter 3: The Syllogism of Formal Logic Theology (Part 2)

Xiao Gu was puzzled, not knowing what this suddenly appearing young man wanted to ask him, nor understanding why this person would defend Amon and how he could do so. He saw Aristotle smiling and nodding at the mayor, then looking at Xiao Gu calmly asked: "Revered Priest, in the name of the goddess in the temple behind you, please answer me seriously. According to the prophecies passed down through the generations here, only with the approval and blessings of the Guardian Goddess can one learn the unique mining techniques of this place, correct?"

No one knows why the old madman understands these two languages. He is the oldest person in this place, having lived here long before anyone in the town was born. It is said that in his youth he traveled extensively across the continent, yet no one is clear about his exact age; he is at least a hundred years old. In an era where people are prone to early death, longevity itself is a remarkable miracle, regarded as a gift from the divine

Xiao Gu saw that no one was speaking loudly, and cleared his throat before saying in a loud voice: "Mercy is a virtue, but piety and obedience to the divine are even greater virtues. Amon, are you prepared to accept the punishment from the gods? ... ... In the name of Goddess Mu Yun, how should we administer the punishment to this child as mercifully as possible?" His last sentence was directed at everyone.

Dasti furrowed his brows again, appearing quite displeased. Meanwhile, Xiao Gu had evidently made prior arrangements, as a voice in the crowd immediately shouted: "According to the provisions of the divine oracle, one of his fingers shall be severed, and the merciful priest may decide which finger it shall be."

Xiao Gu took a step back and retorted, "How can it be proven?"

In the eyes of ordinary civilians and slaves, any written text is mysterious, representing some awe-inspiring symbolic information. Doke Town requires a scribe, and the temple also needs a scribe, and here, all these roles are fulfilled by Xiao Gu alone

This analogy made it very easy to understand, and many people showed expressions of sudden realization, nodding in agreement. However, some felt even more confused and perplexed, always sensing that there was something amiss in Aristotle's words, yet unable to pinpoint exactly what was wrong. Xiao Gu's face gradually turned a shade of liver color, while Mayor Dasti's expression was somewhat comical, as if he wanted to laugh but was holding it back.

This made Xiao Gu feel as if he were being bitten by a venomous snake, suffering greatly in his heart. Whenever he thought about a future day when his power and wealth would be shared and stripped away by the son of a filthy drunkard, he could hardly sleep. Today, he was to publicly deal with Amon, and there was another, even more important reason that made him grit his teeth in hatred.

The residents were momentarily stunned, then began to whisper softly among themselves. Amon had indeed violated the ancient oracle, but such an occurrence had never happened in Dook Town before. Learning the mining skills passed down through generations requires considerable physical strength, and it is nearly impossible for very young children to master them. Even if such incidents had occurred in history, it is likely that no one would openly speak of them. Extracting the divine stone is so arduous; what harm is there in having one more qualified craftsman? As long as the individual does not speak up, who would pursue the matter?

However, the situation has changed somewhat over the past two years. The old madman has taught Amon to write in these two scripts, and while drunk, he once told the town mayor: "Our town actually has three clerk positions, but unfortunately, there are too few people who can write. It is not suitable for one person to serve as a priest for both the Temple of Mu Yun and the Temple of Horus, and it is even less appropriate for them to also serve as a clerk. Amon is a child favored by the gods; he has also learned to write, and he excels in both carving and pen writing. I can guarantee that he will certainly become the most outstanding clerk in the future, and he can also become an excellent priest."

Dasti nodded politely and said, "Please feel free to ask, Mr. Aristotle"

Aristotle smiled and nodded, saying: "I have come to assist Lord Dick with some matters, and happened to witness this child's plight. Esteemed Lord of the Town and *Book* Master, may I ask this priest a few questions"

Xiao Gu was a bit confused and retorted loudly: "No, he violated the divine decree, which is why he must accept punishment"

The old madman is quite aged, with his hair and beard all gray and disheveled. He walks unsteadily, yet he does not appear weak; rather, he resembles a child learning to walk. His cane is dark brown, adorned with chaotic golden stripes, and it is not used to support his body on the ground, but rather waved about in his hand

After becoming a temple priest, Xiao Gu had the opportunity to learn another writing style of these two scripts, known as the Divine Script. This script is typically used in occasions that praise the gods and is generally not permitted for common people to learn, being reserved for nobles and priests. The Divine Script is fundamentally similar to ordinary writing but has special and strict regulations regarding its form. Those who have not studied it find it difficult to understand. It is said to possess mysterious powers that enable communication with the divine.

However, before the Temple of Mu Yun, under the solemn gaze of the goddess, the temple priest publicly announced that the nature of the issue had become serious. No one could defend Amon; otherwise, it would be considered disrespectful to the divine. The oracle was equivalent to a decree

Aristotle did not wait for him to say much more, and then exclaimed loudly: "So this child has already received the blessing and favor of the guardian spirit, has he not?"

Then he pointed at Amon and said: "Only by receiving the approval and blessings of the guardian deity can one learn the skills you speak of; this is the divine oracle, the major premise. It is evident that this child has learned the skills, which serves as the minor premise. Therefore, he has already received the approval and blessings of the guardian deity; this is the conclusion. Is there anything wrong with that? ... ... Do you all understand?" So he has already received the approval and blessings of the guardian deity; this is the conclusion. Is there anything wrong with that? ... ... Do you all understand?"

The legend of the Tears of the Gods is not unique to the Aiju Empire. Distant city-states have long had esteemed individuals quietly sending messages, advising to pay attention to the divine stones produced in Duke Town. If one can obtain the Tears of the Gods, a substantial reward will be given. All divine stones produced in Duke Town are registered by Xiao Gu, which is the most convenient condition.

Mayor Dasti opened his mouth to ask: "Mr. Aristotle, what brings you here, and what instructions does Lord Dick have for you?"

Xiao Gu was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. Some say that the temple is the place where reasoning is least required, for the oracle is a decree that brooks no argument. Yet, at the same time, under the gaze of the divine, it is also the place where reasoning is most essential, requiring utmost respect and caution, with every word needing to convey faith and reverence towards the deities

Aristotle snorted coldly and retorted loudly: "No, it is you, esteemed priest, who has forgotten the true spirit of the oracle! Only with the approval and blessing of the guardian deity can one learn this skill; this is the oracle. Without the approval and blessing of the guardian deity, it cannot be learned, yet this child has mastered it, which is sufficient proof that he has received the approval and blessing of the guardian deity... If you wish to deny this, esteemed priest, you are denying the oracle!"

What displeased Xiao Gu the most was that Mayor Dasti did not express any opposition at the time, and even smiled as he said, "Oh, then Amon is truly a child favored by the gods. When he grows up, he should be able to become an outstanding scribe."

Nietzsche brushed past Aristotle and glanced back at the young sage, his expression a complex mix of admiration, scrutiny, and inquiry. Then he turned and stood before Xiao Gu, standing shoulder to shoulder with Amon, and gestured with his cane as he spoke: "Three years ago, I received a revelation from the goddess Mu Yun in a dream, blessing Amon and granting him permission to learn the mining skills passed down through generations in Duket Town. This child's skills were not taught by his father; they were taught by me"

At this moment, not only was Xiao Gu confused, but everyone watching was also bewildered. The miners in Ke Town, who had dealt with the hammer and furnace for generations, had never encountered the eloquence of a sage from a distant continent.

The old madman laughed and pointed his cane at Xiao Gu's nose, saying: "My lord priest, what kind of diagram or book has blinded your soul? Please pray and repent before the goddess, for the divine has already proven! Did you not hear what this gentleman said?"

No, Amon has received the grace and blessing of the goddess Mu Yun, while the one who has been rejected and warned by the goddess is precisely the priest of this town, Lord Xiao Gu! ... I can prove this. " As he spoke, the old madman Nietzsche waved a staff in front of him, parting the crowd as he moved to the front.

The mayor of Dasti, standing to the side, gently cleared his throat, feeling that he should say something. However, at that moment, a voice from the crowd shouted, "Whose ignorance is this? Priest, have you forgotten the oracle? This fortunate child has not violated it!"

Xiao Gu naturally could not and did not dare to question Rod-Dick, but how could he let the opportunity slip by to confront Amon? Therefore, early in the morning, he rang the bell at the Mu Yun Temple to summon the residents. Although Mayor Dasti forbade him from mentioning the Tears of the Gods, he brought up another matter, which was a sudden disaster for Amon

Amon's body trembled slightly, his face pale, and the corners of his mouth twitched gently, tightly clenching his teeth without speaking. However, his father knelt down and pleaded with a trembling voice: "Please spare Amon; he is still a child and does not understand what he is doing. It is I who taught him; the one who has violated the divine decree is me, and I should be the one to accept such punishment."

As he spoke, he secretly pondered in his heart—just which finger of Amon should he cut off

Everyone was taken aback. Xiao Gu looked up and saw a young man making his way through the crowd. He appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a very clean white robe, and wearing a crown woven from fresh branches. Xiao Gu recognized this person; he was not a resident of Duke Town. A few days ago, he had arrived here with Lord Dick and was a highly respected advisor to Lord Dick. It was said that he was a wandering sage from a distant part of the continent, named Aristotle.

Xiao Gu and the *picture* book nodded in agreement, saying: "Yes, that is correct"

The Tears of the Gods have truly appeared, yet he arrived too late to obtain them. Even if he wished to take them, he could not compete with Lord Dick. This Lord Dick is quite remarkable, as he happened to be waiting in Duke Town at this very moment, something no one could have anticipated

Among the crowd, several voices quietly echoed: "Indeed, Lord Xiao Gu, spare that ignorant child! As atonement, let him mine more divine stones to offer to the goddess"

Xiao Gu nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, sir, I answer you in the name of the goddess, it is absolutely true, this is the case"

However, he has not undergone the ceremony of divine approval and blessing, which is a violation of the regulations! Xiao Gu finally shouted out unwillingly, but there was a hint of weakness in his voice that lacked confidence

Aristotle, seeing the puzzled expressions on the faces of the crowd, smiled and raised his hand to point at Xiao Gu, saying: "All people experience life and death; this is the will of the divine, the major premise. It is evident that he is human, which is the minor premise. Therefore, he will die, which is the conclusion. Do you not understand?"

Last night, when the Tears of the Gods descended, Xiao Gu also sensed it. He hurried to the vicinity of Amon's house, only to see two fully armed soldiers guarding the entrance. Later, he saw Lord Dick's secretary carrying a golden box, accompanied by two other soldiers, emerging from the house. By the time Xiao Gu entered, Amon had already left through the backyard, and the only person left in the house was a drunken man. Under Xiao Gu's questioning, it was easy to find out what had just happened.

Xiao Gu seemed not to hear these voices, extending his hands downward to gesture for the crowd to quiet down. Then, with a calm and indifferent tone, he looked at Amon and asked: "Amon, when you were learning the skills of a miner, did you understand the messages of the guardian deity? Although you are a child, as a resident of Doke Town, you should have known this since you were little"

Aristotle nodded again and then asked, "Has this child learned the kind of skill you mentioned?"