The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 34

Chapter 34
Codename: Fox

Sherlock clearly did not recognize Eivass.
But seeing Eivass staring at him, he chuckled and said with interest, “I guess you’ve recognized me already.
“With your getup… I’m guessing you’re a student from the Seminary of the Royal Academy of Law, right.”
“How did you know I’m from Avalon?” Eivass retorted, “Mr. Sherlock Hermes?”

He had no need to hide his identity. In fact, this identity didn’t require concealment. However, there was also no need to proactively reveal it.

“I could elaborate on many details, but that would be pretentious. The real reason is—we’ve only just arrived. The ritual hasn’t started searching farther out yet. So, you must be on Glass Island, and most likely in the White Queen District. With your attire, you’re either a student from the Seminary or a priest after graduation.
“But a priest after graduation wouldn’t be this unskilled. So I assume you’re a sophomore, preparing for your first Ascension.”

Without waiting for Eivass to reply, Sherlock slowly added, “I think both of you are newcomers. Just in case… human hearts are unfathomable. My advice is, don’t reveal your real-world identities.”
As he spoke, a petite young girl in a white dress suddenly materialized on the chair beside Eivass. As if startled awake, she leaned back abruptly, only to relax slightly when she realized she was against the back of the chair.
Eivass also couldn’t see her face clearly. But just from her posture and outline, he could discern her graceful beauty.
He easily concluded that she must be a young lady from a wealthy family. The ritual was still searching within Glass Island.
Sherlock paused for a moment, then continued:

“…In the Dream Realm, we can’t see each other’s faces or remember each other’s appearances, and the voices we hear are different from reality. But the ritual reveals one’s Path category and depth, as well as each person’s unique minor abilities. If this information leaks into the real world, it could cause some trouble.
“For example, illegal Extraordinarys…”
At this point, Sherlock glanced at the young man with the knight helmet beside him, “could be caught by the Inspection Bureau because of it.”
“…Uh.”
The young man wearing the helmet chuckled awkwardly, “I haven’t entered the Inspection Bureau yet, Mr. Sherlock—I’ve read your newspaper! You’re my idol!”

“Ninety-nine out of a hundred students at the Royal Academy of Law would say that, but they usually don’t admire my wisdom and analytical skills. They admire the fact that I often make headlines in the newspaper,” Sherlock scoffed, his tone unchanging. “You’ll know when you Ascend next time—in the Dream Realm, you don’t need to wear your helmet specifically. Because no one can remember your face. Rather, your naive and reckless personality might be recognized.”

“…Thank you, Mr. Sherlock.”
The knight student, after being sharply critiqued, showed no sign of resentment. He just nodded sincerely in agreement.
“Then, how should we address each other?” Eivass interrupted at an opportune moment.
While redirecting the conversation, he also gave Sherlock some space.

“—Codename.”
At this moment, the first elder suddenly spoke, “You can choose a codename for yourself and stick with it. Your codename and deeds will also be passed down in the world of the Extraordinary… When there’s nothing else to talk about, two Extraordinarys meeting usually chat about their experiences in the Dream Realm.
“But if you walk multiple Paths, be sure not to pick the same codename.”

“Not necessarily…” Sherlock explained, habitually reaching for his cigar case in his chest, only to realize this was the Dream Realm.
In the Dream Realm, clothes were merely decorations—even pockets had no function for storing items. Only Extraordinary items crafted with Mystical Arts corresponding to one’s own Path could be brought in. For instance, Eivass, who Ascended through the Path of Devotion, couldn’t use the Illusion Cards he made himself.

“…Like me, my codename is ‘Detective’,” Sherlock replied. “Because on Glass Island, everyone knows who I am, so I don’t bother hiding. It’s like a Clown performing a solo act, which is too comical for those who know.
“Of course, newcomers like yourselves should remember to pick a codename. And don’t leak it in reality.
“…Also, this elder left out one thing,” the youth tapped the armrest and emphasized, “You can talk about your experiences in the Dream Realm, but don’t be too detailed. Otherwise, if someone hears different versions of the story from others and compares it to yours, they’ll know roughly who you are. They might even pinpoint your location directly.”

“You don’t need to remind them of this, Sherlock,” the elder said calmly, pausing his cane. “You need to suffer such a loss yourself to leave a deep impression.”
Sherlock’s gaze suddenly focused on the elder’s cane, and he stared at it silently for a moment.
But he didn’t bring up the matter, nor did he object to the elder’s words.
He merely looked at the young man with the knight helmet and Eivass, barely glancing at the young lady. “You all report the Path you’re about to Ascend and the codename you’ve chosen. This is also the basis of our cooperation… If you’re willing, you can also report your Extraordinary Profession, but you don’t have to tell the truth, and you don’t have to believe everything others say.
“I’ll start—I am ‘Detective,’ and my Path is ‘Wisdom’.”

“I am… uh, call me ‘Knight’.” The young man with the knight helmet touched his helmet helplessly. “I’m already wearing it, so not calling me that would seem like I care too much about it. My Profession is ‘Light Cavalry’ of the Path of Authority, and I’m preparing to Ascend to ‘Sky Cavalry’.”

“Obviously, I’m a priest. By the grace of the Candlemaster, I walk the Path of Devotion.” Eivass then said with a smile, “You can call me ‘Fox’.”
Soon it was the young girl’s turn. She cleared her throat nervously.
“Hello, seniors. I am ‘Prodigy’ of the Path of Beauty, my codename is ‘Lulu’… Is that okay?” She said with some trepidation, unsure if her codename would be accepted.
No one responded, only Eivass nodded gently at her.
“Hello, Lulu.”
“…Hello, Mr. Fox,” ‘Lulu’ said softly.
So that’s why the codename is from “Lulu’s Magic Flute”… Eivass thought to himself.
‘Prodigy’…
This is a rare Profession in the Path of Beauty, requiring at least five artistic talents to qualify.
This girl completely unaware that her real-world identity had already been largely exposed. A quick reverse check of who likes the opera “Lulu’s Magic Flute” would essentially reveal her identity.
Tsk, tsk.

While they were introducing themselves, the other four people also gradually appeared.
Eivass enthusiastically repeated Sherlock’s advice to them and reiterated the codenames and Paths from ‘Detective’ to ‘Lulu’.
Then the remaining four also introduced themselves:
“I’m Basil, from the Path of Adaptation,” said a middle-aged woman who looked slightly older, around her thirties.

“I’m Cheese from the Path of Love! Because I like eating cheese!” said a little girl who looked only about eight or nine years old.
She was clearly not from Avalon, as children her age were not allowed to be Extraordinarys in the Avalon Kingdom.

“I am ‘King’ from the Path of Balance, a ‘Botanist’,” a seemingly down-on-his-luck middle-aged man quickly replied, “If you need alchemical incense or essential oils, you can buy them from me. I’ll give my brothers and sisters a 10% discount off market price! Delivery to your home within 20 kilometers of Mainz is available! Custom potions can also be made… as long as I can make them, they’ll be delivered within 20 days of receiving the deposit!”
Eivass narrowed his eyes slightly.
He remembered that Mainz was a city in the Star Antimony Kingdom… It made sense, as Star Antimony was founded on Alchemy. Their country’s name itself came from alchemy.

“I’m from the Transcendent Path, but I’m not a Demon Scholar,” a young woman in her early twenties said gently, “You can call me ‘Coco’.”
Similarly, she did not reveal her Profession.
At this point, all eyes turned to the elder.
“Isn’t it obvious?” the elder said calmly, tapping his cane. “Only the Twilight Path is left.
“You can call me ‘Bone Sculpture’… it’s considered my hobby.”
Upon hearing this, Lulu seemed to want to say something.
But just then, the stone hourglass suddenly regained its color. It emitted a radiant golden light, and a beautiful rainbow light like a ring of stars emanated from it.
[Sorry everyone, I’m late] A reverberating female voice suddenly echoed in the vast dark space.
[Have you finished introducing yourselves? Then it’s my turn.]
[I am presiding over this ritual. I am an Apostle of Lord Hourglass… you can call me Elini.]
The next moment, the pitch-black world suddenly brightened.

Update complete! Requesting follow-up reads, rewards, and monthly tickets for the new week~
And now, a chapter recommendation for another cat:
“Reincarnated as a Lamia, Saving the World with a Reborn Noble Daughter”
I left the prosperous and modernized alchemical capital for a place of beautiful scenery but where the only daily entertainment was baring fangs at dragons.
All because of a letter from my senior.
“Hello, Transmigrator, I’ve been reborn.”