The sailing ship cut through the wind and waves for a full eight days and seven nights, finally docking at a harborside of one of the Ajia Kingdom’s city-states on the morning of the eighth day.
The Hermit Naya descended from the sailing ship first, using his walking stick, watching the Stone Slaves, who were heavy lifters and ship haulers, bustling back and forth along the harbor.
In the distance, the Kagawus Temple stood on high ground. The Hermit Naya knelt down, facing the temple, and kissed the damp ground of the harborside.
Seeing this act, the Priests were deeply moved by the Hermit’s devotion.
Naya rose from the ground, looking expressionlessly at the Priests disembarking from the sailing ship.
The High Priest Ora, wanting to please him, led by example by kneeling on the ground, facing the distant Kagawus Temple, recited a prayer, and kissed the ground.
The other Priests followed High Priest Ora, kneeling down in imitation, offering kisses to the earth, then uncomfortably wiped their lips afterwards.
Then, High Priest Ora approached and said,
"Let us now go to Ajia Royal City."
Naya did not nod; his gaze was fixed on sothing in the distance that had caught his attention.
Ora followed the Hermit’s gaze and saw a small alley where a Stone Slave stood surrounded by other Stone Slaves taking a break from their labor.
"Everyone, let’s put aside Kagawus for a mont. In the land where the Elves gather, those long-lived Elves serve a God you have never known about."
The Stone Slaves listening to him spoke, each holding a rough piece of roasted bread. It was evident that he was a proclair from the New Rule Garden.
High Priest Ora glanced at the Stone Slave and then at the Hermit, feeling a bit hesitant.
But Naya, with his walking stick, walked straight up.
High Priest Ora was taken aback, about to follow, but saw the Hermit raising his hand to stop him.
Naya entered the alley where the Stone Slaves had gathered. The preaching Stone Slave, seeing a Three-eyed Ape-Man approach, fell silent at once.
"Please continue,"
Naya brought his hands together in a prayer gesture,
"I’d like to listen."
The Stone Slave hesitated, both surprised and delighted. Could it be that a Noble wanted to convert?
"I am Ankagaw,"
the Stone Slave introduced himself.
He was the one who had attended the Great Council prior.
The Hermit Naya, as the other Stone Slaves did, sat down on the ground, and Ankagaw passed him a piece of roasted bread.
Then, Ankagaw continued his sermon, but this ti, with the arrival of a Noble, his preaching was filled with even greater enthusiasm.
Ankagaw spoke of a creator who existed before all other gods, who opened up the heavens and the earth.
Afterward, Ankagaw began to expound the history of the three parts of the Holy Scripture, narrating stories of two Prophets, and spoke about the Angels’ divine descent and death.
The surrounding Stone Slaves kept asking questions, which Ankagaw answered one by one.
And the Hermit Naya listened silently from beginning to end, regardless of what Ankagaw said.
Ankagaw said,
"Prophet Noen heeded God’s call and departed, leaving the New Rule Garden to us. And God descended miracles, striking down an invincible tyrant. Since then, no eclipse ca again, and relying on God, we achieved victory."
Then Ankagaw continued,
"The Prophet’s follower—Priest Xilan ca down from the high mountains, bringing us news of the Heavenly City, the gospel from God. Every soulful being, upon death, shall be judged for their final destination based on their good and evil deeds."
At that mont, after listening for so long, the Hermit Naya suddenly said,
"Ankagaw, please allow to ask a question."
Ankagaw nodded and said,
"Go ahead."
"You said, ’Every soulful being shall be judged for their final destination based on their good and evil deeds.’
So I must ask you, if that is so, why should I abandon Kagawus to convert to your God?"
"Even if I believed in Kagawus, wouldn’t I still be judged by my deeds after I die?"
Hermit Naya’s tone at this mont was earnest, like soone who had long admired faith.
However, his question left Ankagaw completely dumbfounded.
Ankagaw searched his mory hard and then explained:
"Because our Prophet Noen went to the Lord, and we must follow his path to ensure that we head towards the Heavenly City."
After finishing, Ankagaw was very satisfied with his own answer.
Hermit Naya then asked:
"So, how does your God judge what is good and what is evil?"
Ankagaw stiffened, and after a long ti, he struggled to say:
"God transcends our reason; He has His ways of judging good and evil."
"Ah, you are so wise, almost like a sage."
Hermit Naya had no sooner completed his flattery than, without waiting for Ankagaw to rejoice, he questioned again:
"If that’s the case, then how can you be certain that God’s definition of good and evil is the sa as ours?
What if, in the eyes of that God who transcends reason, being murderous by nature and plundering property is as good as saving the world?"
As these words reached his ears, Ankagaw froze, his lips moving but unable to speak.
After a while, he rembered the Prophet and forcefully explained:
"The path that the Prophets have walked,
That is the path to the Heavenly City, and that path is what is good in the eyes of God.
As long as you follow that path, you will be able to head towards that descending Kingdom after death."
Naya nodded repeatedly, then said:
"I see; you are truly learned.
But I have another question... would you answer it for ?"
His voice was filled with earnestness.
And the other Stone Slaves listening to the preaching looked curiously at Ankagaw.
Ankagaw found himself in a difficult position and could only say:
"Ask."
Hermit Naya then slowly began to ask:
"Then, how narrow is the path the Prophet walked, the road to the Heavenly City? How much deviation does it allow?
If we were to stray slightly, such as if the Prophet stepped out of the Temple with his left foot and we with our right, could we not head to God like the Prophet?"
Ankagaw was completely astounded, his brain whirring.
In all his ti preaching, he had never encountered soone like this.
And Hermit Naya’s face still wore a look of sincerity:
"You know, I am rely asking questions.
I know nothing,
You urge us to convert, you should understand much more than us.
If you don’t understand, how can you urge us to convert, yet you do understand, don’t you?"
That praise effectively killed the Q&A session.
Ankagaw’s previously most potent weapon was reduced to nothing in the face of the hermit’s relentless questioning,
He could only stand there, pained and silent, unable to give an answer.
Until Hermit Naya stood up, disappointed, and said:
"Since you cannot answer, then I only wish to continue believing in Kagawus."
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