The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 104

Chapter 105
You’re drunk already?
This was a truth Eivass had never expected.
But he suddenly understood why his grandfather, despite knowing so many Extraordinary individuals and having such wide connections, chose to become an obscure, unprofitable, and poor poet in a remote village…
Grandfather was just trying to avoid trouble!
Eivass also suddenly understood why, with his biological parents following the Path of Devotion and the Path of Beauty respectively, and his foster father not on a Transcendent Path… he himself had inexplicably developed a strong obsession with Demonology back then.
That was a Path tendency imprinted in his bloodline.
For talented Extraordinary individuals, their children usually become Extraordinary beings of the same Path—in fact, this wasn’t inherited talent, but inherited desire, or rather, inherited “debt.”
If one’s talent was insufficient, it might be considered luck.
But if one’s level had already reached its limit, and they didn’t perform an Advancement Ritual… the call from the Path would only grow stronger. If they then had offspring, the overflowing “call” would be passed on to the next generation, and the parent would find release.
This was also the reason why ancient nobles tended to have more children.
Nobles were usually high-level Extraordinary individuals. But they either didn’t want to, or didn’t dare to, advance further. Thus, they needed to constantly birth offspring to cleanse themselves of the Path Power’s influence on their souls. However, if they suppressed themselves for too long, the first child born was often prone to mental illness.
This phenomenon, during the Hrasal Empire era, was called “the Firstborn’s Calamity” by royal scholars who hadn’t yet understood the underlying principle.
Imperial scholars viewed it as a curse inflicted by a Disciple, explaining why the eldest sons of various families, while most inclined to inherit the family business, were also most prone to mental illness.
Nobles who focused on their careers and hadn’t had children in their thirties or forties often had their firstborn child go insane; however, commoners were usually unaffected, and nobles who married very early also didn’t experience this.
The scholars’ solution to this curse was to encourage imperial nobles to marry and have children as early as possible.
If they married shortly after embarking on their Extraordinary path, after their Path advancement stalled, they would often have children without waiting too long. Although they didn’t understand the principle, they did manage to solve the problem.
After that, children prone to madness usually came from “illegitimate children.” Because early marriage could control childbirth within marriage, it couldn’t control the bloodlines of children born outside of it. If the cheating party was also an Extraordinary individual, it was very easy to conceive and give birth to a cursed child. Phantom Demon Eggs also tended to develop within these children.
Even among Knight families, not many knew this secret. Eivass’s grandfather, as an unofficial Extraordinary individual, could not have known about this. And he didn’t dare to advance, so his children inherited a part of the impulse to enter the Transcendent Path.
This was also one of the reasons why the extra-legal Transcendent Paths in Avalon were difficult to eradicate even now. Once an illegal Extraordinary individual was discovered, they faced lengthy detention or even the death penalty, yet they could never be completely eliminated.
Since Julio had not gone mad, he was very likely not the eldest son. This meant he should have older brothers or sisters… and thus, Eivass’s grandfather, Jacob, should be quite old.
“In the beginning, the Serpent Hand was a folk ritual society. Their profession at the time was not Demon Scholar, but ‘Ritualist,’ specializing in rituals and curses. They did not possess knowledge of Demonology—’Demonology,’ after all, is a discipline that requires accumulating a large number of sacrifices and materials through continuous trial and error.
“They secretly taught some ritualistic knowledge and used rituals to help others. They also cursed corrupt judges or officials, thus gaining considerable reputation among the populace.
“Later, the remnants of Arctos, under the sponsorship of the Star Antimony people, joined the Serpent Hand with the orthodox inheritance of Demonology and eventually rose to high positions.”
Sherlock continued, “In any case, they were all illegal Extraordinary individuals on the Transcendent Path, and their goal was to resist the royal family—most of the Serpent Hand members believed there wasn’t much difference. The essence of the Transcendent Path is rebellion by any means necessary; they didn’t care about morality or rules. After all, demons were much easier to learn about than rituals and curses…
“Later, the number of Demon Scholars in the organization gradually surpassed the Ritualists, and eventually, after a pure-blooded Giant took control of the Serpent Hand organization, the organization was renamed the Noble Red, and all high-ranking members were replaced with mixed-blooded Giants.
“Some Ritualists from the old era severed ties with the Noble Red Society and chose to go into hiding, including your grandfather, Jacob. The Ritualist profession’s inheritance originally came from those Demon Scholars who considered demons despicable, dangerous, and uncontrollable. Their understanding of the Transcendent Path differed from that of the Demon Scholars—they believed demons were a ‘power that is easily obtained and easily lost.’ Transcendence achieved through Contract Demons was not pure and not safe.”
Sherlock said this, then sneered, “And according to my investigation… all the Ritualists who withdrew from the Noble Red Society have, to this day, not survived—their entire families died from curses. Then there is only one obvious truth.”
“So that’s how it is…”
Eivass sighed.
He admired Sherlock’s investigative abilities. “When did you start investigating?”
“Last Sunday.”
Sherlock took a sip of his drink, a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth, revealing a self-satisfied chuckle. “They first entered my field of vision when Edward and I were investigating the Sweater Brotherhood.
“At that time, Mr. Edward, in order to satisfy my fatal curiosity, chose to lure me with other puzzles. But he didn’t realize that I had studied psychology—the ‘second topic’ a person subconsciously associates in such a situation often has a connection to the matter itself.
“The bait he used to divert my attention was a case the Inspection Department was currently investigating, codenamed ‘Red Stone’: a batch of high-powered, small-sized portable Alchemical Bombs, smuggled from the Pelican Bar into Avalon.
“As far as I know, Avalon does not have the conditions to manufacture portable Alchemical Bombs. Alchemy in Avalon started too late; even explosives for mining and demolition have to be imported. Such Alchemical Bombs can only be new creations produced by Star Antimony alchemists. Moreover, the Pelican Bar was publicly investigated and seized as a ‘smuggling den,’ which validated my view.
“So, I made a bold guess: perhaps the Noble Red Society, a folk organization composed of Avalonians, was a sponsored organization by the Star Antimony Kingdom from the very beginning.”
“Indeed,” Eivass nodded in agreement.
“Not only that, Eivass. Following this lead, I investigated the early history of the Noble Red Society’s founding, only to find that I couldn’t find anything. So, I realized something—the Noble Red Society had most likely changed its name.”
As Sherlock spoke, he crossed his legs and tapped the table rhythmically, his cheeks flushed. Under the gaze of the four, he leaned back proudly. “Under what circumstances would an illegal Extraordinary organization suddenly change its name? Of course, it’s not impossible that they suddenly went mad. But considering the scale of the Noble Red Society, I lean towards the name change having a purpose… such as a change of ownership.
“So, I turned my attention to investigating Transcendent Path Extraordinary organizations other than the Noble Red Society, and I found the ‘Serpent Hand,’ which gradually disappeared fifty years ago—after my confirmation, they were the same organization. While investigating the Serpent Hand, I noticed the name of one of its founders: Jacob Alexander, who died of Typhoid fever fourteen years ago… Before that, I had just investigated you, Eivass. At that time, I was very sensitive to ‘Alexander’ and ‘fourteen years ago.’
“Yes, Eivass… he was your grandfather. When I reached this point, the truth easily connected in my mind.”
Sherlock put down his half-empty glass, looked at Bishop Mathers, and spoke slightly louder than usual: “So, I don’t quite agree with your previous statement. I lean towards the explanation provided by the Inspection Bureau being true, with only some facts concealed.
“Jacob Alexander, it is entirely possible, hid a secret in an unpublished poem. Because at that time, his eldest son was already dead, and his second son, Julio, had embarked on the Path of Devotion. The Noble Red had become Avalon’s largest, and only, Transcendent Path folk organization, and the inheritance of the Ritualist profession had effectively been severed.
“In other words, he had a motive to leave behind a secret. However, I suspect he realized that ‘Alexander’ was cursed, and thus wanted to leave some evidence and clues. But ultimately, someone tracked the curse and erased the evidence.
“Hooked Demon Jack can teleport by following curses—if he hid his location through some means, yet was cursed through blood relation, it would explain why old Jacob, living in a remote village, was attacked and all his manuscripts were stolen.”
At this point, Sherlock, with his slightly flushed face, looked at Eivass with his bright, piercing eyes and said firmly, “I’m right, aren’t I… Mr. Fox.”
Hearing this, Eivass blinked and remained noncommittal.
He simply retorted, “How did you guess?”
“It’s simple, because I guessed you had already advanced to the Second Tier. I matched the timelines and figured it out—when I came to the Silver and Tin Hall to pick you up, Her Highness the Princess told me, ‘We can put the matter of Mr. Fox aside for now.’ Looking back now, she must have recognized your identity at that time.
“Please don’t look at me like that, Bishop. I wasn’t eavesdropping on your conversation. I deduced it.
The detective, who was somewhat drunk after only half a glass of wine, hummed a tuneless melody happily.
Without waiting for others to ask, he explained: “You gave the key to the small chapel to Eivass; I knew that. You led Eivass onto the Extraordinary path. When he returned home that day, I saw Eivass once and saw the key on his wheelchair. I remembered it then.
“And when you saw the news, you weren’t shocked or surprised by Eivass, but clearly angry. It was as if you had been betrayed. I guessed you thought Eivass couldn’t wield this sword, so you suspected he was hiding another Extraordinary Profession.
“But when I came down, I saw you chatting happily, even discussing some hidden past. This could only mean that you had confirmed Eivass had indeed embarked on the Second Tier.”
Sherlock laughed. “What I want to say is… you worried unnecessarily. I can confirm that Mr. Eivass is a newcomer to the Extraordinary path. He participated in his first Advancement Ritual a week ago, the same ritual as my advancement on the Path of Wisdom. He is a true genius, a genius of the Path of Devotion… this is not a bad thing. It’s much better than him being a genius of the Transcendent Path.”
—What if I am all of them?
Eivass raised an eyebrow and retorted in his heart.
After recognizing Eivass, Sherlock’s wariness and resistance towards “Fox” immediately vanished. He didn’t feel ashamed for not recognizing him earlier; instead, he admired Eivass’s disguise.
Sherlock sighed, “Thinking about it carefully, you actually left many loopholes. Your understanding of poetry and songs, and that playboy demeanor… coupled with the Princess’s clear favor towards you, I should have recognized you long ago. Not recognizing you was due to my arrogance—being too certain of my initial deductions and dismissing other possibilities. My mind has also been influenced by the Transcendent Path.”
After drinking, Sherlock became even more clearly cheerful and enthusiastic, completely different from his usual reserved demeanor. He enthusiastically invited, “I have an idea, Eivass! You will definitely enjoy that kind of adventure… When you and Haina are on vacation, it will be almost New Year’s Eve, and she will definitely go home. Why don’t we go back with her and investigate the true cause of your grandfather’s death together?”
“Don’t you already know the truth?” Eivass retorted.
“That’s just secondhand information, Mr. Fox. You’re still not rigorous enough; you’ve overlooked some details.”
Sherlock was full of childlike curiosity and boasted about his own talents. “After all, only Hooked Demon Jack could teleport, not a real Demon Scholar. I think your grandfather must have left behind other clues that weren’t completely destroyed by the demons… He knew those Demon Scholars, so he should have understood their methods.
“—What, aren’t you interested in this?”
“I am indeed interested… but there is one problem, Sherlock.”
Eivass shook his head. “What about Yulia?”
“Then let’s bring her along. You are a Second Tier Priest. And your vacation will be around the middle of the month, you might even advance again—investigating this complex case has greatly accelerated the progress of my Path of Wisdom. I feel I will touch the threshold of the Third Tier by the middle of next month. You’re so brilliant, completing your advancement in one day… it’s impossible for you to be slower than me, right?”
Sherlock excitedly spurred Eivass on, his face completely flushed. “A Third Tier Priest, what are you afraid of? Aren’t you curious about your grandfather’s secret?”
—You’re not drunk, are you?
Eivass finally realized something was wrong.
This young man, who was twenty-six years old, was now pure and happy like a teenager who had discovered a fun game.
If he hadn’t stepped onto the Path of Authority back then, perhaps Sherlock would have been like this now.
Eivass finally understood why he said he didn’t drink—he really couldn’t touch alcohol.
Although Brandy is about forty percent alcohol, the cup of hot apple brandy had at least two-thirds apple juice added, and it was only about the size of a slightly larger teacup.
Sherlock had only drunk half of that cup… Could it even be a hundred milliliters?
With this alcohol tolerance, it was equivalent to passing out after half a bottle of beer.
How could an adult have such an absurd alcohol tolerance? Aren’t you an Extraordinary individual?
“…You really shouldn’t drink next time, Sherlock.”
Eivass earnestly advised, “As for going to Eagle Cape Village… I think we should ask Senior Haina, shouldn’t we?”
An update of over seven thousand words, meow~