The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 724

Chapter 723
The City of Knowledge, Leipzig
As night fell, points of starlight illuminated the city of Leipzig, the City of Knowledge.
These were clusters of shimmering white ethereal spheres, suspended above the streets, emitting a bright yet not dazzling radiance.
“It’s quite beautiful.”
Alistair, holding a black umbrella on a rainless night, strolled through the streets.
She marveled at the sight before her, “Is this a Alchemical Product of Star Antimony?”
“Strictly speaking, it should be considered a by-product.”
Honey Badger evidently knew more about it.
There were no strangers around, so she didn’t need to pretend to be a subordinate and spoke directly, “The Royal Alchemical Association of Star Antimony developed a technology a few years ago that can shatter failed products and turn them into a pure form of energy.
“This energy is quite unstable and extremely mixed, but with the separation and refinement of Alchemical Circles, they can be blended in different proportions to power the entire city… much like the Giant Tree’s Blood in the Church. Goblin Merchants have offered exorbitant prices to purchase this technology, but Count Leipzig has refused to sell it externally.
“Even its energy efficiency is higher than that of electricity, which has been widely used in Star Antimony for decades… although Eagle Eye believes there might be issues with the experimental data. After all, Alchemists are in great need of widespread recycling devices to digest the large amounts of alchemical waste they hoard, so data falsification is also a Possibility.”
Honey Badger offered a relatively objective assessment.
But judging by her reaction, she clearly didn’t believe that the Star Antimony people could invent such a technology.
“This is truly a Miracle of mortal wisdom.”
Alistair, however, marveled, “What Elves can only achieve with Apostle’s Blood, the Star Antimony people have accomplished with mere waste. While the lighting efficiency might not be high, the heating efficiency and safety are far superior to previous technologies.”
“Not necessarily.”
Honey Badger shook her head. “To my knowledge, this energy can also be mixed into dangerous explosives. From this perspective, constructing such a ‘Golden Circuit’ within the city is tantamount to building the city on top of a Bomb, isn’t it?”
“If I’m not mistaken, your firm belief that this technology is problematic…”
Alistair glanced at her, a slight smile playing on her lips, “is actually because you don’t want it to exist… Am I right?”
As an Iris person, Honey Badger harbored a natural animosity and wariness towards Star Antimony. If this technology had no flaws, then it would be a huge deal – it meant that the energy problem of Star Antimony, which already relied heavily on energy imports, would be completely resolved. Therefore, it *had* to have flaws.
The widespread Alchemy was not the only change it brought to the lives of Leipzig residents.
At the Port, large Rune devices were efficiently loading and unloading cargo. Compared to the old fuel-powered cranes in Avalon, their precision and efficiency were far superior, and there was no black smoke rising throughout the process. Only Clay Giants, adorned with glowing runes all over their bodies and with several precisely modified arms, could be seen effortlessly grasping and transferring goods.
In the streets and alleys, there were “large television screens,” similar to the crystal screens on the Elf side.
Yes, although the picture quality wasn’t great – it looked like early color films with limited colors and a low refresh rate. With Alistair’s current Extraordinary sight, she could clearly see the scanning lines sweeping down the screen… looking at it for too long would make her eyes ache.
But it was indeed what Alistair remembered as “television,” and it was even in color.
Buildings that were at least twenty to thirty meters high had their entire walls made of these “screens.” One could also see GG signs flashing with various colored lights.
It was clear that after the widespread adoption of this convenient energy, the Star Antimony people had not completely abandoned electricity.
“Wow!”
Suddenly, Alistair heard the exclamations of a group of children.
Beneath her black umbrella, she subtly tilted her scarlet gaze.
There, at the street corner, was a street performer.
He appeared to be a young man in his late twenties, radiating a cheerful and lively aura.
With every gesture, flames were continuously shaped and gathered into balls, which he juggled like basketballs and threw like boomerangs, only for them to return to him.
From his hands, he would periodically spew a cascade of golden flames resembling fireworks, with golden stars scattering. His hands would constantly erupt in combustion and then extinguish, eliciting enthusiastic cheers, jumps, and applause from the children.
Beyond the children, a crowd of adults had also gathered. There were couples, the elderly, and passersby who had stopped to watch. They admired the wondrous magic performance, and from time to time, someone would toss a coin into the hat at his feet.
“What is that?”
Selene, hugging Alistair’s arm, couldn’t help but ask curiously, “An Extraordinary street performer?”
– She found it hard to comprehend how such a peculiar being could exist.
Selene’s personality and knowledge were derived from Lily, and in Lily’s perception, Extraordinary individuals were either dangerous criminals or official enforcers. Either way, they were beings far surpassing mortals… how could one perform on the street?
“That’s not an Extraordinary.”
Honey Badger took a look and said listlessly, “That’s called a ‘Magician’.”
“Magic?”
Selene murmured.
She knew about Magicians, of course – even Avalon had street magicians. However, they usually performed minor tricks, pretending to be Extraordinary, and this profession was essentially equivalent to being a con artist… and effective only on ordinary people who knew nothing.
But… the flames erupting from the Magician’s hands were real, scorching flames!
Those fireballs, controlled by him as if they were frisbees, would not be insignificant even against one or two second-tier Extraordinary individuals.
“Because magic is also an extension of Alchemy.”
Alistair chuckled, “It’s also based on the technology of ‘Bewitchment Dispelling’… but it’s used in reverse, a technique of ‘Enchantment.’
“Magicians use various products and technologies developed through Alchemy to achieve the purpose of ‘using some abilities of Extraordinary individuals.’ In a sense, ‘firearms’ are also a replication of hunter’s shooting techniques. However, normal Alchemists strongly oppose and even detest this behavior… They believe it is the opposite of the essence of Alchemy, returning the mysteries they have analyzed back to their original state.”
“Normal… Alchemists?”
“Precisely. The principles of Star Antimony Alchemists differ from those of Alchemists in other countries. They emphasize pragmatism while neglecting philosophical pursuits, and due to funding shortages, they have to accept sponsorship from capital… This often results in their inventions having a distinct ‘practical purpose.’
“Among these, ‘magical items’ are a unique product of Star Antimony Alchemy.”
Alistair looked at the cheerful Magician, her lips curving slightly, “However, generally speaking… these Magicians rarely perform on the streets. That’s why those children are so happy.”
“He’s probably practicing.”
Honey Badger whispered, “The face that person is wearing is fake; he’s using another magical technique for disguise. The face beneath the disguise belongs to ‘Clever Harry,’ a very famous Magician… He’s an Iris person.”
“He’s not an Extraordinary?”
Selene seemed puzzled, “Someone with such brilliant intelligence should be able to become an Extraordinary, shouldn’t they?”
“He can become an Extraordinary at any time, as this is also considered The Path of Beauty.”
Honey Badger replied, “But he chooses to ‘exhaust all possibilities as a mortal first, and then witness the truth,’ in order to preserve his ‘innocent imagination.'”
“– This person is destined for greatness.”
Alistair said with absolute certainty.
It was as if she had seen through the future and witnessed the individual’s end.
As if hearing Alistair’s voice, or perhaps sensing something.
“Clever Harry” suddenly turned his head, smiled, and drew an arc in the air with his flaming right hand, moving it horizontally to his left palm upwards, performing an elegant, Iris-person-exclusive salute.
Then he turned back and bowed again to his audience with his left hand. He then clasped his hands together, causing a dazzling burst of flame, further exciting the audience’s astonishment.
By the time the flames subsided, he and his top hat had vanished from their spot.
Alistair and the others could clearly see – after the burst of flame, he immediately lowered his head and bent over, pulling a cloak from behind him to cover himself. He remained in a crouched position, using all three limbs to rapidly crawl into a corner. His left hand held the hat filled with coins, making him appear like a bizarre creature.
He stood up and smiled somewhat sheepishly at Alistair. Then he emptied the coins from his hat into his pocket, turned his coat inside out and put it on, changed into a gentleman’s attire, and leisurely walked away, leaning on his walking stick.
“Quite interesting.”
Alistair smiled, offering him a gentle smile.
What caught her attention even more was a parent behind those children.
While admiring the magic, someone suddenly looked back and saw Alistair’s red eyes beneath her black umbrella – the woman, startled, immediately grabbed her child and quietly left.
She was heading towards the building at the end of the street. This was also Alistair’s destination.
– The White Dove Opera House.
Compared to an opera house, its architectural style resembled an amusement park more. Colorful light pillars, like spotlights on a dance floor, shot straight into the sky, occasionally converging and separating. Through the open-air opera house, a melodious song could faintly be heard from within.
From a great distance, a large, glowing sign could be seen floating in the air. It was a q-version of a white dove LOGO, holding a microphone and singing with its eyes closed.
At the same time, a long, flashing mobile light strip, as long as a roller coaster, wrapped around the opera house, emitting sparks as it sped by, with text that read: “White Dove Opera House, your best friend for leisure time! May’s special guests in Leipzig: Alanis Pourgar, Luthicia Norton, and the Nightmare Troupe. Perhaps a wonderful performance only happens once, don’t miss the opportunity!”
Only upon approaching could one see that it was indeed a roller coaster – a driver was operating a train of dark carriages, adorned with illuminated letters, on a similarly dark track. The closest point was less than half a meter from the ground, while the highest point circled around the “singing white dove.”
It was so eye-catching that if one happened to see a few letters, they would feel compelled to stop and read the entire message. Two of the letters appeared damaged and no longer illuminated, but by connecting the context, one could understand their intended meaning.
As Alistair entered the White Dove Opera House, two alluring Bunny Girls, wearing high heels and fishnet stockings, approached her with smiles.
“…Why are there Bunny Girls at an opera house?”
Selene voiced her confusion.
What puzzled her even more was that the Bunny Girls, disregarding their gender, directly approached them as a matter of course.
“Sister, you’re so beautiful!”
One of them, a little girl who looked no older than sixteen, dressed as a Bunny Girl, hugged Alistair’s other arm, her eyes shining with admiration. Only Selene was left without anyone.
She looked at the girl with jealousy, baring her teeth like a dog protecting its food. Alistair gently patted her head, and she quietly settled down, feeling wronged.
“I’m looking for your manager.”
Alistair gently stroked the girl’s head. “Can you take me there?”
(End of Chapter)