Episode 87 Iliad (3)
Ahheman was in a panic.
This is because Balak’s plan to become a hero after releasing the antidote as soon as he came out after the ceremony was over and curing everyone was shattered from the beginning.
He tried to earn everyone’s respect, but the result was completely different.
Most of Balak’s warriors looked upon Ahheman with contempt.
“……?”
But Ahheman was still puzzled.
I don’t know how the red death was cured, but should the shaman’s sacrifice be so hostile because it didn’t work?
It wasn’t particularly helpful, but the reactions that came back were too cold for that kind of thing.
but.
Ahhemman’s question was answered by Aquila’s next words.
“I don’t need them all. I want to see what’s in the sack at your waist.”
In an instant, my heart sinks.
Ahheman managed to hold on to the spirit that was trying to get farther away.
What is it? Why did the chief ask to see the hilt of the loincloth? Is that even at this timing?
It’s hard to say if you don’t know something.
‘……Did he notice?’
As the person responsible for spreading the red death in the flood, of course, it was inevitable.
Aquila urged Ahhemman who hesitated.
“What are you doing? Don’t drag the sack right away.”
The patriarch’s authority is absolute. Once the order is given, there is no protest.
But the old shaman was so flustered that he denied the chieftain’s authority.
“I can’t show you this!”
Ahheman was so flustered that he didn’t even know what he was talking about.
However, the responsibility for the result was heavy.
As soon as Ahhemman finished speaking, all the warriors’ expressions hardened.
The young warriors sighed and shook their heads, and the old warriors had a deep gap between their foreheads.
The respect and loyalty of warriors to the chieftain is deep regardless of generation, so Ahheman has no reason to look pretty.
“That old man, what the heck?
The moment when the hot-headed Iyen tries to step forward.
“Open that sack now!”
There was someone who stepped forward before her.
Ahhun. He, the grandson of Ahheman, took the lead and spread his palms in front of Ahhemam.
While Ayen hesitated at the unexpected sight, Ahhun spoke strongly to Ahheman.
“You can’t disobey the chief’s words. If you don’t open the hilt right away…”
Ahhun said as he pulled out an arrow from his waistband and loaded it.
Then Ahheman’s thick eyebrows curled up.
“You impertinent bastard!”
“…”
However, there is no shaking in Ahhun’s eyes.
It seems that he had many changes of heart while helplessly watching his younger sister Ahyul die from the red death.
Soon, countless warriors booed Ahheman.
“Gimme the sack now!”
“Show me what’s inside!”
“This traitor! Are you the culprit!?”
Seeing the accusations pouring in, Ahhemman’s expression became more and more miserable.
yet.
“Come on. Look! What’s inside!”
Ahhemman pulled the hilt of his waistband.
Then, he threw it at the river flowing next to it.
Numerous warriors pause for a moment.
strange silence.
Ahhemman turned to Aquila with a triumphant smile.
“Oops! This old man had tremor, so he dropped his sack into the river…?”
He paused for a moment while making an excuse.
There was a feeling that things were going strangely.
Sure enough, the warriors whispered among themselves and turned to one side.
There was Bikir, his arms crossed and his mouth shut.
Aquila looked back at Bikir and said.
“Indeed. It’s as you said. You really throw the sack into the river.”
“……what?”
Ahheman opens his mouth with an absurd expression.
Right then.
“Chief! I found it!”
Suddenly, someone raises his head above the surface of the river.
A warrior of Balak, who was hiding in the water in the first place, quickly retrieved the leather bag that Ahheman had thrown away.
Although the bag was soaked with water, about half of the contents remained.
“Ugh!? No!”
Ahhemman moved in surprise, but the already wet sack passed into Aquila’s hand.
“…”
Aquila peered into the sack.
It is half dissolved in water but full of white powder.
Aquila asked Ahheman.
“This is the antidote to the red death.”
“…”
“Why does this come out of your hands?”
At Aquila’s words, Ahhemman only opened his mouth but did not respond.
Then Aquila nodded again.
“I see. You were right again.”
This time, he said it looking back at Bikir.
As Ahheman tilted his head, Aquila smashed the white powder onto the ground.
“This powder is just flour with no effect.”
“What!?”
“I heard you believe this to be an antidote. Seeing how surprised you are, you’re right.”
Hearing that the powder he was holding was just flour, Ahheman’s expression turned into astonishment.
“That can’t be the case? Surely that’s the antidote…”
“You’ve been tricked by the Leviathan family.”
said Bikir, stepping forward.
The Leviathan family spread a plague without an antidote through stupid native spies.
Seeing through his lust for power and ambition.
As everything Bikir had said in advance came true, the atmosphere of the warriors became more and more threatening.
Ahhemman protested desperately.
“I don’t know! As he said, this is just flour!”
“Then why did you hesitate when I asked to see the sack earlier? And why did you come to the water source here, where the Red Death first began?”
“Shut up! Why should I tell you that!”
As Bikir questioned each item, Ahheman writhed with blood in his neck.
But the situation was not in his favor at all.
Because Bikir gave more and more incomprehensible evidence.
What came out of Bikir’s arms were two letters.
There were two handwritings there, but one was so badly handwritten that it was hard to see, and the other was quite neat.
Bikir opened his mouth and said.
“This is the letter you exchanged with the Leviathan family.”
Conclusive evidence emerged.
One of the two letters was apparently written in Ahhemman’s handwriting.
All the warriors’ eyes alternated between the letter and Ahhem.
Ahhemman jumped up and down and shouted in injustice.
“It’s a lie! I’ve never written a letter like that!”
But nobody believed it.
This is because some old elders testified that what was written in the letter was Ahheman’s handwriting.
“Aaaaaaaa! It’s true! I’m innocent! He’s slandering me!”
Ahhemman pointed at Bikir and jumped up and down.
But Bikir, who is the target of pointing, just laughs quietly inwardly.
because? Because the mothership is right.
‘To see the virtues of the Chihuahua office manager here.’
Bikir recalled what happened two years ago.
‘Chihuahua’s office manager writes really well.’
‘Nothing. Since I was born, I haven’t seen anyone who handles handwriting better than me. Every time the consuls ask me to sign it, so I’m good at imitating other people’s handwriting…’ ‘
Can’t I learn it too?’
‘Nothing! Of course we can teach you! It is an honour!’
‘Thank you. Then whenever I have time, I’ll ask for it.’
It was rewarding to learn the art of handwriting counterfeiting diligently from him when he was the sub-consul of the city of Underdog.
It was a really useful skill when doing agitation like this.
‘Originally, agitation is easy and explanation is difficult.’
Bikir looked at Ahheman, who was really upset and was jumping.
Meanwhile, Aquila said.
“I’ll have to find out if there’s someone in the Leviathan family with this type of handwriting.”
But in reality it is difficult. How could you investigate one of the seven great families of the Empire?
So, naturally, the atmosphere inside Balak flowed toward the condemnation of Ahheman.
“traitor!”
“My wife almost died because of you!”
“My children too!”
“Kill it! Hang it!”
Public opinion was going very badly.
Even Ahhun, his grandson, was sending his eyes with a light horse, and now there was not a single person on Ahhemman’s side.
Ahheman gritted his teeth.
There is no evidence anyway.
As long as the white powder in the sack turned out to be just flour, there was no justification for executing himself if he insisted that it was no until the end.
Even if it was dirty and lethal, it was the only way to survive.
“……Enough. Everyone is overreacting.”
That was the atmosphere before Chief Aquila spoke.
All the warriors turned their heads and looked at Aquila. It was the same with Aheman.
Aquila cleared her throat a few times before opening her mouth.
“If you look closely, there is no evidence. Everyone, I hope you don’t damage the shaman’s reputation anymore with this. He’s a public servant who has been devoted to the tribe for a long time.”
Then, a murmur was heard everywhere.
Iyen said as if he was full of energy.
“Mom!
“Stop it! Respect the authority of the shaman! He’s older and has spent much more time dedicated to him than you! Be polite!”
At Aquila’s strong words, Iyen kept her mouth shut.
Many warriors looked dissatisfied, but the chieftain’s word was absolute, so everyone was silent.
Ahheman, who was the target of the defense, had a puzzled expression.
Why does the chief who considered himself a thorn in the eye take sides?
However, since this was the only hole through which he could escape, he had no choice but to lie flat against Aquila.
“I just admire the generosity and wisdom of the chieftain.”
“It’s no big deal. It’s only natural if you respect the tradition passed down by your ancestors.”
Ahhemman nodded as if he was moved.
Just then, Aquila’s eyes shone deeply once more.
“How dare you let ignorant little ones tarnish your high honor?”
“Yes, thank you chief.”
“There’s nothing to be thankful for. You’re not only a member of our tribe, but your reputation is high throughout the sea.”
“Yes. Well…”
“Of course, the honor and pride you carry on your shoulders must be very heavy. Cancer.”
“yes……?”
“So, since you were framed for something without evidence today, you must have suffered a great deal of heartache. It’s only natural. That supreme pride has been damaged.”
“…?”
Ahheman felt a little uneasy about the gilt that was applied too thickly. Sure
enough , Aquila shouted at Ahhemman.
My friend and precious colleague who has been with me for many years now! Confess your innocence to Ahheman, the spiritual teacher of all the young people gathered here! your own honor! We want to give you a chance to defend your pride! Are there any dissatisfied people!”
“No!”
Everyone who guessed Aquila’s intentions shouted at once.
And Bikir, who had heard the whole story in advance, took a step forward with a calm expression.
“…?
” Heman stepped backwards as he saw Bikir approaching him, with an expression
that
he couldn’t understand what the situation was
. If you are truly innocent, take this opportunity to protect the highest honor and pride you have built up over the years. I’m sure you won’t miss out on providing a place like this, right?
”
Uneasiness gleamed in his eyes.
Then Aquila said,
“I order the Iliad.”
“Iliad” means that when there is no sign of resolution between disagreements, the use of force is used to decide in the direction the winner wants. “It was Balak’s unique solution to making a story.
Ahheman’s face turned white when he heard that.
On the other hand, Bikir laughed quietly.
Whether it was evidence or proof, it was actually meaningless.
Everything was laid out for this edition. .
