The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 792

Chapter 791
Return to Avalon

Alistair wasn’t one for procrastination. In this regard, she was much sharper than “Eivass.” Once she determined her objective, she acted without hesitation and with great speed.

She directly returned to Leipzig with Leviathan, transformed back into Beyad, donned the black robe used only by professors of the Spirit Tower, and boarded the ship. Although she brought a terrifying monster with her, it wasn’t unusual for a necromancer to have monstrous servants. Even more terrifying monsters would be considered reasonable; the only issue was whether Avalon’s customs would allow it into the country. But that was none of the captain’s concern. Thus, the captain happily accepted the payment and offered no warnings.

The journey from Star Antinomy to Avalon was only half the distance from the Church to Star Antinomy. Leipzig even had a port that directly connected to Glass Island. By paying more for a faster, new-model alchemically-powered ship, Alistair could reach Glass Island in less than three hours, before nightfall.

These private express ships were built by nobles who maintained their own alchemist workshops. Not only were they extremely fast, but their built-in cannons were also more advanced. They could be used to transport urgent travelers at high prices, or to smuggle needed supplies to recoup costs. In times of war, they could be converted into warships for transporting private soldiers, or to ensure a safe escape overseas if the war turned unfavorable, without being controlled or kidnapped on someone else’s ship.

Of course, the first-class cabins on these express ships were not as luxurious as Alistair had previously experienced, and the space was much smaller. But at least it was clean.

Alistair lay with her eyes closed on the less-than-soft, but at least dry, bedding. She gently reached out and caressed Leviathan’s sharp, hard scales, feeling the gentle roll of the waves. She felt her mind gradually calming, the noisy and chaotic emotions smoothed over by the peaceful journey.

It was then that a thought suddenly struck her: she wanted to chat with Eivass. They were, after all, one being, and had long agreed to maintain contact. However, the urgent matters in Star Antinomy had made her feel too busy to contact Eivass, deeming it unnecessary. But now that she was gradually leaving Star Antinomy’s territory, she inexplicably felt a sense of leisure. Even if she did nothing, just chatting with Eivass would be nice.

So, Alistair excitedly contacted Eivass, intending to tell him all about her experiences these past few days. The moment they reconnected, Eivass’s warm concern and worry reached her. It was a comforting warmth, like sunlight on a cold winter’s day.

“…Are you alright over there, Alistair?” Eivass asked, sounding very worried. “It’s been a long time since we last connected.”

“Now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case…” Alistair finally realized. At some point, she had started to instinctively resist contacting Eivass, much like the myriad of distracting thoughts that had arisen in her mind. But she immediately responded rebelliously, “But you could have contacted me too? Our connection isn’t one-way.”

“Because I didn’t know if you were busy. If you were fighting or performing a ritual, I would have just been a bother, wouldn’t I?”

“…That sounds like a timid dog afraid to send a message, my dear.”

“Then did I get licked?”

“Naturally,” Alistair replied without hesitation. “But you don’t have to be. I am entirely yours.”

“We are each other, Al.” Eivass replied gently. That warm, bright radiance spread through their connection, nurturing Alistair’s withered soul.

“…Huh?” At this moment, Eivass let out an unexpected sound. “Did you sense it, Alistair? There’s something deep within your soul… something that shouldn’t be there.”

“What?” Alistair immediately became vigilant. Although she had helped someone successfully complete a resurrection ritual, neither Sin Scholar nor Child of the Moon had deeply researched souls. At least, not as profoundly as Eivass, who was currently in a soul state and possessed high-tier divine arts.

“It seems to be a Mark of Sin. Let me see…” Eivass’s voice grew serious. He deliberately probed deeper. In Alistair’s perception, that sun became increasingly scorching and bright, like a winter sun gradually turning into a summer sun, making one sweat uncontrollably. Soon, Eivass finished his examination, his tone immediately turning grave. “It is indeed a Mark of Sin—Arrogance, Envy, Lust, Wrath, Greed, Sloth. Apart from Gluttony, you’ve pretty much got them all. Except for the Mark of Arrogance, which is a side effect of transferring to Sin Scholar, I haven’t seen the other marks… What happened on your end these past two days?”

What are these? Suddenly branded out of nowhere? Hearing Eivass’s words, even Alistair was shocked. While the Marks of Sin were indeed abilities of the Transcendent Path and represented the attention and regard of a Fallen Heavenly Envoy, she didn’t want to be targeted by them! Alistair quickly reported everything she had encountered in the past few days to Eivass, detailing every single event. She even confessed the wicked thoughts that had flashed through her mind.

With his Path of Devotion, Eivass was undoubtedly a doctor for both the mind and psyche. Although Alistair was a new individual, she possessed Eivass’s memories. She understood that when facing a doctor, one shouldn’t withhold details to make them play a guessing game. Turning a medical consultation into a game of “What am I thinking” would be too foolish. Although these thoughts also included wicked notions about Eivass, which made Alistair feel ashamed. After all, the emotion of “shame” itself belonged to the Transcendent Path. As the saying goes, “One who knows shame can be brave,” intense shame could stimulate a person to change, regardless of whether the change was good or bad, it could at least lead to easier transformations. Fortunately, Eivass reacted to Alistair’s “crazy and forbidden” desires with neither desire nor ridicule, neither distance nor disgust. He simply reminded Alistair, like a truly experienced doctor, “The territory of Star Antinomy is not right. You need to be very careful.”

“…Yes, I sensed it. Ever since I left that ship and stepped onto land, I’ve clearly felt the restlessness…” Alistair fell into thought. “Is it some kind of curse or a Ritual Array? Like a nationwide geomancy array, perhaps…?”

“It’s probably not targeting you. I tend to think it’s the power of the Path of Love being activated… After all, Star Antinomy has a large-scale faith in the Banquet Master, which undoubtedly forms a potential Ritual Array, possibly assimilating other Children of the Moon into becoming believers of the Banquet Master. Perhaps the Marks of Sin appearing on you are, as you previously thought, a counterbalance to the Path’s impulse, like ‘Amber.'” Eivass reminded her, “Your impulse from the Path of Love is already Sixth Tier. To suppress such power… If you tell me it wasn’t a Fallen Heavenly Envoy, I’d have a hard time believing it.”

“What?” Alistair was stunned. How did it become Sixth Tier? Wasn’t she a Fourth Tier Child of the Moon? Sensing Alistair’s confusion, Eivass opened his own consciousness to her, sharing his information and thoughts without reservation.

“The Tenth Origin River…” After a brief period of digestion, Alistair recalled the secret Fenrir had mentioned and frowned unconsciously. Even now, lying on the bed with her eyes closed, her small face seemed to grow serious. “So it really exists.”

They did not know the true name of that Origin River, that Path. Eivass called it Void because he himself had nearly fallen into a state of hollow emptiness, so he temporarily gave it that name.

“Be careful, Eivass,” Alistair said with some concern. “I will try my best to overcome the instincts of the Child of the Moon. You also be careful not to be voided.” Compared to the escalating plot on her end, Eivass’s situation was becoming increasingly tranquil. If Alistair’s situation was a headache, Eivass was nearly asleep. But he couldn’t truly fall asleep, as that would likely lead to a loss of Path balance. Alistair’s Power of Transcendence had been significantly activated to suppress the instincts of the Child of the Moon. She even felt that she had completely mastered Fourth Tier power and was steadily advancing towards Fifth Tier. If she continued to gain strength at this rate, she could perform her Ascension Ritual by the middle of next month at the latest.

“—My progress is quite a bit faster than yours,” Eivass’s expression was serene, his voice calm yet imbued with a hint of divinity. “I am now a genuine Fifth Tier.”

“…Supreme Holy Crown?” Alistair immediately realized—this was clearly the ‘Level +1’ effect of the Supreme Holy Crown. At level 49, the Supreme Holy Crown could directly force someone to level 50, the threshold of Sixth Tier. Similarly, at level 39, it could help one cross into Fifth Tier. This meant Eivass could participate in an Ascension Ritual. —How long had it been! This was the experience bar for advancing from Fourth to Fifth Tier; many people were stuck here for their entire lives!

“Want to do it together!” Alistair suddenly became excited. “There’s the New Moon Ritual in a week, and I feel like I might have a chance if I try hard! Let’s two siblings tackle it at the same time—”

“No. Don’t be too rushed. Remember to lay a good foundation. Prioritize resolving the issues on your end… The chaos in Star Antinomy is worsening. In the worst-case scenario… the Ouroboros Ring Ritual on May 5th might even be brought forward. At least be mentally prepared for that, ready to escape at any time.” Eivass calmly refused Alistair. “Even setting that aside, you need to resolve Lily’s issue first. Since the Principal is willing to help… I plan to send Lily to you. Let her rendezvous with Little Lamb first.”

“…No. Your attitude is wrong.” Alistair suddenly became suspicious. After transforming into this state, she seemed to have acquired a bit of “woman’s intuition.” “That’s not the entire reason. You don’t want to ascend so quickly… Why?” If Eivass only intended to slow down Alistair’s advancement, he could still complete his Ascension Ritual at the end of this month. That way, he could at least reach Fifth Tier and slowly accumulate experience. The Supreme Holy Crown was like an automatic experience generator. Even if Eivass’s Path of Devotion didn’t actively counteract the Tenth Path, he would still grow stronger rapidly. And now this experience was overflowing—it made Alistair feel heartbroken.

However, Eivass seemed to have no intention of “ascending separately.” Alistair desperately wanted to ascend together because she wanted to see Eivass again. But Alistair knew very well that Eivass had no such desire for her… He felt he had reached a state of “form is emptiness, emptiness is form,” and was on the verge of becoming a Buddha. So, what was he saying by following Alistair’s lead? But Eivass was clearly not good at lying. With just a slight push from Alistair, Eivass directly and honestly replied, “Because of your promise with Isabel.”

“…Promise?” Alistair was stunned. She racked her brain for a long time, only then recalling the words that might be related to a “promise”: —If Eivass and I have a child, the firstborn, regardless of gender, I will name it Alistair. (End of Chapter)