The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 244

**Chapter 245**
**The Eternal Pope’s Speculation**
**Eternal Holy Kingdom.**
In contrast to what most Avalonians imagine, the Eternal Pope does not reside within a bright, resplendent pure white palace. White has never been the representative color of the Holy Kingdom; it is merely an Avalonian fantasy of order and divinity. Some may know a little more—they understand that Elves actually live atop a giant tree, which leads them to envision Elves embracing nature and living among lush forests. However, green is not the representative color of the Holy Kingdom either. Green symbolizes adaptability and beauty; it belongs to the Iris people. The only color held in reverence by the Holy Kingdom is red.
Blood and flames. Hearts and candles.
These are symbols of sacrifice and devotion.
In terms of landmass, the Holy Kingdom occupies less than one-seventh of Avalon, yet its population exceeds one-fifth of Avalon’s. Despite this, the Holy Kingdom does not feel crowded.
It’s simple.
The Holy Kingdom is not a “flat” nation. A towering giant tree grows on the island, taking up nearly seventy percent of its area.
Legends say this giant tree willingly offered its heartwood to accommodate the small beings living within it; it sacrificed its trunk to protect those fragile lives that are easily withered compared to it; it devoted all its sap, granting a part of its people the blood of the immortals. These chosen immortals are the Elves.
He is the father of the Elf tribe, their progenitor.
Because of this great deed, the giant tree also became one of the most cherished Discs of the Candlemaster.
—from this perspective, the Eternal Holy Kingdom is essentially a nation built within a Disc.
This is why the Elves hold the Candlemaster in such high regard.
Even though His spirit has long gone to the Dream Realm, the massive shell he left in the Material Realm still remains, constantly growing and bursting with vitality. This reddish-brown bark and trunk have become the foundation of the Eternal Holy Kingdom.
Around this towering giant tree, the Holy Kingdom has constructed twenty-two concentric rings. All buildings are, strictly speaking, “grown.” They are warm in winter and cool in summer, resistant to decay or dampness, bearing endless fruits for sustenance.
Even the candlelight that the Elves light daily comes from the giant tree—they grind the sacred bark into powder, which becomes an essential raw material for the candles used in the priests’ holy crowns. As long as these sacred candles are lit, wherever they may be, it feels as though they are home.
Each layer of the giant tree is a vast circular city, with slightly different environments on each level. Elves have lifespans that stretch for hundreds of years, and many spend their entire lives without ever leaving the Eternal Holy Kingdom. This is because the kingdom already has enough resources for their lives.
At this moment, on the twenty-second layer of the Eternal Holy Kingdom.
A girl dressed in a pure white robe slowly opened her eyes and rose from her bed.
She wore a white knee-length robe, white knee-high boots, and white silk gloves. Her hair was pure white, and her pupils were likewise a silvery white. She shimmered in the candlelight, as if a vision or a ghost.
Without saying a word, she removed the garments on her body. As she stood and walked, her white robe, gloves, and stockings fell to the ground by themselves. When she removed all her clothes, a heavy crimson-black robe appeared on her body.
The robe displayed intricate patterns—some resembling deer heads, while others looked like thorns.
Immediately afterward, black thorns began to spread from the robe, climbing and embedding themselves in her collarbone, neck, ears, and forehead. The areas hidden by the robe—her back, chest, abdomen, as well as her legs and arms—were also entangled and pierced by the thorns.
The thorns seemed to grow within her, harmonizing seamlessly with her appearance.
But even so, it was impossible for her not to feel pain—as she walked, blood dripped down, falling to the ground or staining the robe.
Yet she remained oblivious to it, calmly heading towards her alabaster throne.
As she seated herself upon the throne, the black thorns began to spread outward. Once they climbed onto the throne, they finally quieted down.
Her will synchronized with the entire Holy Kingdom.
She gazed forward, yet it seemed as if she penetrated the void.
“What do you think of Eivass, Matilda?”
She spoke.
At this moment, the blue-haired Elf on the thirteenth layer casually removed her disguise while replying, “I think… for a human, he’s quite impressive. But it’s just that… it is what it is. Perhaps this is because we know and see so little. Since the Candlemaster is satisfied with him, we just need to execute the orders.”
“Not just the Candlemaster. Earlier, the Great Philosopher was within me, Hengwo also made a visit, and Amber even took a look through my eyes… Surprisingly, the Crown Lord hasn’t visited, which caught me a bit off guard.”
“…Amber? Why would he come?”
Matilda, disguised as Wisteria, paused slightly in her actions. “Does Mr. Eivass still have adaptability to the Twilight Path?”
She seemed surprised that a Pillar God would take an interest in a mortal.
Amber hadn’t made any moves for a long time—nowadays, the only matters that could garner his attention typically involve humans researching the secrets of immortality or the Extraordinary who use various means to prolong their lives.
“It seems he has used some sacred technique to extend someone’s lifespan, breaking the destined death without violating the Hourglass principles. Amber was curious and came to take a look. If all goes well, it may be related to the Heavenly Envoy. Generally, the Pillar Gods only show such concern over matters related to the Heavenly Envoys.
“I suspect he might be a descendant of a Heavenly Envoy, or perhaps even a reincarnation.”
“Do you know which Heavenly Envoy?”
“I suspect it’s the Butterfly Heavenly Envoy; after all, she specializes in death and rebirth. I noticed he commands a type of fire butterfly—an unknown Phantom Demon of a high rank, very likely a descendant or avatar of the Butterfly Heavenly Envoy.”
“…Indeed a young man with strong adaptability. If that’s the case, how about I personally teach him High-Tier Divine Art?”
Matilda rubbed her face and transformed from a middle-aged human woman into the visage of a young Elf in her twenties. “Also, Mr. Oswald has returned. It’s rare for you to have time; would you like to see him?”
“No. Let my knight rest properly; I have little time left.”
The Elf girl refused, saying, “Also… let Grey teach Eivass the divine art.”
The Eternal Pope softly replied, “I have a premonition that he might be able to solve the issues Grey has.”
“Your sacred will, Your Majesty. But you’d better let Lady Grey know first… after all, you’ve borrowed her identity.”
“Then you go, Matilda… relay everything that happened in the dream to Grey, so she doesn’t slip up… She must adequately play the identity of ‘Pure White.’ Just in case, also mention it to Top… I won’t go seek him out…”
As the Pope spoke, her voice grew lighter and a bit weary, “I’m a little tired, Matilda… I’ll be sleeping again.”
“Good night, Your Majesty.”
Matilda’s voice was gentle, “Call for me whenever you wake.”
“Mm…”
She murmured, “In March next year, if I haven’t woken up, wake me…”
Before she could finish, the appearance of the Eternal Pope tilted slightly, losing consciousness and slowly falling back into a deep slumber on the throne.
Her blood was being steadily and surely absorbed by the Sin Thorns on the throne above.
This individual, the strongest in the world, appeared to be just a tender fifteen or sixteen-year-old, yet her visage was gradually transforming—reversing to a younger age of around thirteen or fourteen.