The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 946

Chapter 945
Two Vines.

Guided by the escort, Landon entered the depths of the Silver and Tin Hall without any obstruction.
—This was because the two who guided him were female elves clad in silver armor, looking valiant and solemn.
They were the Pope’s Guard.

“It’s just ahead,” one of the elves suddenly spoke, her clear, youthful voice like a flowing spring. “Show some respect for Lord Eivass—although he is no longer the true Pope, his status is even more exalted than before.”
She was referring to his status as the Child of the Candlemaster. However, Landon was clearly unaware of this.
The handsome young man with golden hair could only nod forcefully.
—Don’t worry, I’ll kneel when I go in.
Landon thought.
He clenched and unclenched his fists, finally gathering the courage to push open the great door and enter.
He finally saw his benefactor, the first Eternal Pope who originated from humanity—
Eivass Moriarty.

At this moment, Eivass was drinking milk and flipping through a novel with an unreadable title, his interest piqued.
This “former Pope of even greater status” was not wearing the robes of the clergy. Instead, he wore a diagonally striped checkered shirt. He looked less like a noble clergyman and more like a university student… The oppressive aura of divine authority was thus greatly diminished.

His platinum blonde hair cascaded down to his waist, and from the side, he resembled a tall, beautiful woman. His refined and handsome face was captivating, his smooth, fair skin even seemed to radiate a glow. Only those Extraordinary with spiritual vision could vaguely see a divine halo behind his head.
Holiness that was evident at a glance. Perhaps due to the influence of that sacred aura, Landon was even certain—this was the most beautiful, flawless person he had ever seen in his life.

Without a second thought, Landon dropped to his knees with a swift movement.
“Under the blessing of the great Candlemaster—Landon Viness von Beyad, pays his respects to the Holy Chief, the Eternal Radiance.”
He first knelt on both knees out of habit, but then suddenly remembered that Avalon seemed to favor the knightly bow, so he subtly rose his right leg, reciting words of praise that flowed out like a spring: “My kind benefactor who rescued me from peril! Enemy of demons, savior of the innocent! May the Candlemaster bless your flame three times, and may your radiance ascend to the heavens! And I shall become your most faithful adherent—”

These were not conventional courtesies but were improvised by him—or more accurately, rehearsed on his way here.

“…Huh? Hahahaha…”
This sincere yet somewhat fearful flattery even amused Eivass.

Eivass chuckled and said gently, “Please rise first… Mr. Beyad.
“If I were to say, ‘I am not a noble person, I am just a mortal’—you would probably find me too hypocritical. Right, Baron.”

Eivass smiled, his eyes bright and clear, his voice gentle and soft: “Then feel free to regard me as a noble.
True nobility should come from responsibility and virtue, qualities that stem from the heart… And my heart tells me that saving you is what I ought to do. It’s not for any reason, but rather out of my own will. So, there’s no need for thanks or flattery—as long as you don’t stab me in the back, you can do whatever you wish.
If you absolutely must do something, then do more good deeds in the future. Pass on the ‘luck’ I’ve brought you to others, so that luck flows among people and eventually becomes aggregated happiness.”

—His voice was as warm and bright as the sun.
It was a strange metaphor, but Landon truly felt that way.
When Eivass first opened his mouth, his heart rejoiced, realizing that the situation he feared most did not exist; when he heard the part about “ungratefulness,” his heart fluttered; after hearing the final words, Landon felt his heart become calm instead… It was like basking in the sun for a long time, a lazy sense of tranquility.

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Landon rose, found a nearby chair, sat down, and said with his head lowered.

“There’s no need to call me Your Majesty, for I am no longer the Pope.”
Eivass chuckled. “If I am no longer the Elven King, from where comes the title of Your Majesty?”

“Then… Lord Eivass.”
Landon placed his right hand on his chest, leaned forward, and said earnestly, “I am still very grateful to you.
Perhaps saving us was merely a thought, an idea for you. But for us, who were already in despair at the time… I felt it was the first ray of light in my darkness. I felt the entire world brightened because of it… It was more than just living or dying. I even felt that the pressure I bore from surviving was greater than dying, and I once fantasized, ‘A demon should just come and kill me already.’
When I finally reached Avalon… the first thought that came to my mind was not ‘I survived,’ or ‘I don’t have to die,’ but ‘I no longer have to live in fear,’ and ‘I can finally sleep soundly.’ To me at that time, ‘survival’ itself no longer represented happiness… Hope was happiness instead.
It may be just a ray of light to the sun… but to us, it can illuminate the entire world.”

…As expected of the Iris people.
Such eloquence, words flowing out so naturally.
This is truly a talent!
Eivass marveled inwardly—although the Beyad family had declined, and even their hair color had changed, the excellent genetic inheritance of their ancestors had not entirely vanished.

The Beyad family was known for its black hair, yet this Baron Beyad had now turned blonde.

“I have high hopes for you, Baron Beyad,” Eivass said with a smile. “Once we purge this Star Antinomy calamity… would you be willing to stay in Avalon?”
“…Calamity purge? Demons? Fallen Heavenly Envoys?”
Landon was shocked.
He had never considered the possibility that this calamity could be purged—those were Heavenly Envoys, true gods!
Even the Eternal Pope could not contend with them, let alone the near-endless demon legions.
Ever since he learned in Avalon that the Star Antinomy’s calamity was caused by the advent of Fallen Heavenly Envoys, Landon had already accepted that Star Antinomy would be permanently controlled by them.
—Mortals couldn’t possibly contend for territory with gods, could they?
But if Lord Eivass were telling the truth…

He hesitated for a moment before cautiously replying, “I am actually… a Curse Master, my lord.”

“Second Tier, right?”
Eivass smiled. “I can see that. After this trial, you’ve already touched the edge of Third Tier, and you’ll surely be able to pass the Ascension Ritual soon.”

…You could see that?
Landon blinked, then his eyes widened.
Does that mean—

“My grandfather was also a ritual mage… even a Great Shaman,” Eivass said with a smile. “And I myself am a Transcendent, so this is nothing.
Avalon will open its Path restrictions. Of course, this won’t happen overnight, and the prejudices in people’s hearts will take time to dissolve… but at least on a national level, we will not put any pressure on you.
If you are willing to stay here, I will offer you a good job—if you are willing to work.”

“I am willing!”
Landon said without hesitation.

He was not of noble birth. The Beyad family, as a Curse Master family in Iris, had close ties with gangs, assassins, and criminals, but they were ultimately not of any great importance and could not be brought to the table. Their status was probably equivalent to families or inheritances like “poison-making families” or “assassin families.”
Born into such a family, it was impossible for him to find a legitimate job.
—Because the surname “Beyad” had already locked him out of all possibilities.
He would be discriminated against, and his father would not allow him to abandon the family inheritance.

“…But, Lord Eivass,” Landon said with renewed worry, “why me…?”
“Because you are surnamed Beyad,” Eivass stated calmly, without deception. “And there is something I need a ‘Beyad’ to do for me.”

“…The Beyad family?”
Landon murmured. “Such a family really exists…”

Landon’s father often mentioned that their ancestors were very great.
During the Hrasal Empire era, the Beyad family was a colossal power that controlled immense influence and wealth… and they always dreamed of restoring the family to its former glory. It was precisely for this reason that his playboy behavior was fully supported by his father.
His father harbored dreams of a great family, hoping to have many descendants.
…However, Landon did not believe these words carried much weight.
Although he would parrot his father’s words when boasting while chasing girls, he didn’t actually believe them himself—if they were truly a thousand-year-old great family, why would they have declined to the point where only one branch remained?

“I might… be the last of the Beyads,” Landon said somewhat hesitantly, but then quickly explained, “This is not meant to raise my status—my lord, to be honest, I don’t actually know what inheritance the family has… My father didn’t have time to tell me before he…”

“Your territory, I mean… Baron Beyad’s territory in Star Antinomy,” Eivass asked, “If I’m not mistaken, it should be a location designated by your father, right?”
“That’s right… you mean?”
“Hundreds of years ago, the Moriarty family pawned an important sword to the Beyad family,” Eivass said. “As a result, the Beyad family became fragmented… Now that the contract has ended, we need to retrieve the sword and terminate the curse.”

“…But, but I don’t know where that thing is?”
“You will know.”
Suddenly, a crow in the room spoke, “Once we reach that land, I can let you know—because you carry the blood of Beyad. Territory is a hidden treasure, and blood is the key—this kind of sealing technique is the most traditional curse.”
Although it was a pleasant and somewhat familiar female voice, it startled Landon.
“Who, who are you…?” His voice trembled.
And what she said next stunned him!

“I am Viness Emil Zola Beyad. The Viness in your given name refers to me.”
The crow said softly, “You should be a descendant of my uncle’s nephew. After all, my father, mother, brothers, and sisters were all killed. When I was killed, I also left no descendants. The true blood of Emil has long been severed… but the blood of Beyad may still remain.
Your father gave you the baptismal name ‘Viness’… it was precisely this name that saved you. Because of the pull of fate, you were rescued by the Master.
Rejoice. The decline of the Beyad family began with ‘Viness,’ and it will also end with ‘Viness.’ This is a gift from the Master… The Master seems to like you very much.”

The crow with scarlet eyes said word by word, “Sign the contract, ‘Viness.’ The Beyad family cannot be perfidious.”
(End of Chapter)