The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 89

Chapter 90
The Principle of the Transcendent Path

Today, the White Dance Shoe Club was arranged differently than usual.
All the tables on the first floor had been pushed to the corners, and the counter where Allen and the bartender usually worked was empty. Chairs were divided into three groups, neatly arranged in front of the stage and on both sides.

Several groups of reporters gathered in twos and threes amidst the gaps between the chairs, conversing in hushed tones. Flashes stood nearby. The largest camera was almost as tall as a person, standing on the ground and shaped like a giant accordion; there were also small, handheld cameras mounted on tripods.

Not many guests were seated yet. In the very center, in the front row, sat a fully armored Silver Armored Knight, helmet included. No one was beside him, and all the chairs in a circle around him were empty. Even so, he sat perfectly still and upright.

The knight occupied two seats by himself. On the seat to his right lay a silver-white two-handed sword. Its hilt was long, accounting for more than a third of its length. The blade in front was long and narrow, yet quite thick. The blade was not a flat line but a thin, hexagonal shape—more like a sharpened lance than a sword.
It was a weapon that emphasized thrusting over slashing, clearly unsuitable for use within the city… It was one of the weapons most commonly used by airborne cavalry who fought mounted on gryphons.
It was sheathed in a heavy, hard leather scabbard with a silvery-gray plating on its surface. Inlaid with numerous tiny diamonds, the scabbard spelled out the word “Honor” in an ornate script using the small diamonds. It shimmered under the light.
This was the “Sword of Honor,” temporarily granted to retired airborne cavalry who had participated in wars and achieved at least three major victories. The word “Honor” was personally designed and written by Queen Sophia, and the small diamonds were embedded one by one by royal artisans.

This sword, personally awarded by the Queen, contained a powerful authority. If its descendant did not become airborne cavalry, it would be reclaimed after seventy years of inheritance. If the descendant was willing to join the army, they could directly join the Avalon Royal Air Academy with this sword—a symbol of generational honor.

Although his face could not be seen from behind, the sword indicated the identity of the Silver Armored Knight. He was Director Gordon, who had just been transferred.

At Eivass’s signal, Lily slowly pushed Eivass’s wheelchair forward.
Eivass merely gazed at Gordon from afar—even before he approached, Gordon sensed his gaze and turned his head.
Upon noticing that the gaze came from Eivass, the old knight slowly nodded. It seemed to be a gesture of friendliness, or perhaps approval.
But he then noticed Princess Isabel beside Eivass. The old knight immediately stood up, removed his helmet, and knelt down with a clang.
“By the Silver Crown Dragon. Greetings, Your Highness.”
Gordon’s aged, deep voice rang out, exceptionally clear even amidst the noisy club.
Those who hadn’t noticed Eivass immediately due to the crowd and noise were drawn by Gordon’s voice.
Realizing Eivass had arrived, the reporters instinctively moved to take photos.
But before their cameras could be set up, they noticed Princess Isabel, who was close behind Eivass, and were startled.
It was one thing to take unauthorized photos of Eivass. Although he was an adopted son of the Moriarty Family, he had not inherited the family armor after all.
In Avalon, armor itself was a symbol of authority—wearers of armor were respected, but even knights who could enter the Round Table Hall, if they left without armor, meant they were traveling as ordinary people. They could be photographed or painted, touched, and no special greetings or deference were required.
But Isabel’s situation was different.
Although Isabel had abandoned Avalon’s sacred traditions and walked the Path of Beauty, she was not as widely accepted as her brothers. However, she was, after all, a true princess.
If they dared to take surreptitious photos of Isabel, they might not live to see tomorrow… they would have men in black suits from the White Glove arrive to knock on their doors tonight.
Those present either bowed with a hand over their chest in a knightly manner or bowed towards Isabel. The sounds of their uncoordinated greetings arose one after another.
In the past, Isabel would have become so nervous that her brain would have shut down.
But now, she merely mustered her courage and took a light breath.
She showed the crowd a gentle smile emulating Eivass and elegantly waved her hand. “Good afternoon, everyone. Please rise. May the Silver Crown Dragon bless you.
“After the ceremony begins, you may take photos.”
Isabel’s clear, melodious voice sounded, and the people finally finished their greetings.
A rather strange thought crossed their minds.
It seemed that this princess, who rarely went out, was not as shy and taciturn as the legends suggested?
She was quite composed, wasn’t she?

At this moment, Aiden, who was close behind Eivass, ran forward under everyone’s gaze and proudly removed the chair to Director Gordon’s left.
Lily pushed Eivass’s wheelchair, performing an elegant reverse maneuver to park it in the empty space. Isabel then sat to Eivass’s left. This deterred those who had wanted to sit closer to Eivass to make their acquaintance.
As a result, the seats in the front row, middle group, from Isabel to the left, were all empty.
So, Eivass took the initiative to arrange for his classmates to sit there. Even so, the seat to Isabel’s left remained empty, followed by Angela.
As Eivass took his seat, people who had been standing and chatting in various corners of the club consciously found their seats and sat down. To Gordon’s right, with a seat between them, sat a middle-aged man in a white suit with neat, short blonde hair.
Wearing a white suit indicated he had graduated from the First Faculty and was engaged in legal work. He was either a judge in civilian clothes or a lawyer.
He shook hands with Gordon and exchanged a few hushed words before sitting down.
Further to his right, the attendees became more mixed, with people wearing various types of clothing. Eivass’s elder brother, Edward, sat in the left group of seats, nodding at Eivass from afar without specially approaching to greet him.
Gordon placed his helmet on the chair beside him, leaning against the sword.
He hesitatingly turned his head and softly greeted, “Mr. Eivass.”
“Director Gordon.”
Eivass nodded at him and chuckled softly, “Or should I address you as Inspector Gordon now?”
“Either is fine. It’s just a job,” the old knight clearly didn’t care about his promotion. “Supervisors have their duties, and Inspectors have theirs. Both are for the protection of Avalon; the work content is just slightly different.
“However, I do have a question, Mr. Eivass. I hope you can enlighten me. May I ask, what is Princess Isabel’s relationship with you…?”
“Ah, she’s a friend,” Eivass replied with a smile.
After speaking, he turned to make eye contact with Isabel.
Isabel, having overheard the topic, leaned forward to emphasize, “We are very good friends, Mr. Gordon.”
Eivass gently patted her arm, signaling Isabel to return to her seat.
For some reason, Isabel seemed to be in a very good mood. Not only was she bolder than usual, but she even looked somewhat cheerful—if it weren’t for the crowd, she might have started humming.
“Yes, Your Highness, I understand,” the old man with dark blue pupils replied without hesitation.
He looked at Isabel, who had her hand on Eivass’s wheelchair, his resolute and weathered face filled with unspoken words.
But in the end, he swallowed his words and looked down, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

The club, which had been lively and even boisterous, quickly quieted down after Eivass—or rather, Princess Isabel—appeared. In less than ten minutes, everyone had taken their seats.
Soon, except for the still-standing reporters and photographers, and the supervisors and inspectors standing in the corners, no one was left standing in the first-floor hall. The doors then closed, and blue-white runes appeared on the walls.
The only person present in armor was Gordon. There weren’t even many people in black suits. Those in white suits accounted for about one-fifth of the attendees, with the rest wearing suits of other colors or other clothing altogether.
Most of them were officials—besides civil servants and administrators, there were also scholars, priests, professors, and senior executives of large corporations. Eivass also saw his mentor, Professor Bard.
And on the second floor, even more people were gathered.
They were spectators, who did not need special invitations; anyone adult with presentable formal wear could attend.
Earlier, Aiden had found his father on the second floor of the club and waved excitedly at him, pointing him out to Eivass. His father was a portly, pale, and plump merchant with small eyes and a gentle demeanor. The middle-aged man hastily waved, mouthing for him to be quiet.

At this moment, Eivass suddenly felt a stir in his heart.
Because just now, the Shadow Demon had awakened.
“My master…”
A hoarse and malicious voice echoed from the depths of Eivass’s mind.
“I sense it, the petty thief who stole shadow power is nearby—”
…That assassin?
Eivass narrowed his eyes slightly.
—You actually dare to come?
“Eagle Eye” the assassin had quite the nerve.
This time was completely different from Monday—there were quite a few high-level Extraordinary individuals present. And having learned from the last time, they had specifically had the Law Masters present apply seals when closing the doors.
Or was she just here to monitor me?
Eivass touched the heavy key hanging from his waist, his mood calm.
This time, Eivass was not afraid of her at all.
Rather, he was even somewhat eager—
…If you don’t make a move, wouldn’t this key I’m carrying be useless?
“My master… can I act this time? I mean, if you are in mortal danger…”
The Shadow Demon’s voice became anxious and frantic.
“First, tell me, where is she?”
Eivass retorted in his mind.
And so, the Shadow Demon marked her target—
It shared a portion of its power with Eivass. Even Shadow Affinity of Level One could slightly accommodate some of the Shadow Demon’s traits.
Thus, Eivass gained the ability of temporary “Shadow Vision”:
Eivass’s pupils darkened slightly, as if covered by a thin, transparent black veil.
In his vision, the entire space dimmed. The originally black shadows turned into transparent gray, and people hidden in the shadows became deeper in color.
Eivass clearly saw that the female assassin was hiding directly beneath the largest camera, which was like a pushcart in the first-floor hall, quietly concealed in the shadows.
“No need.”
Eivass calmly withdrew his gaze and replied inwardly, “You won’t be needed this time, Shadow Demon. Just watch what I do.”
“…Alright, Master.”
The Shadow Demon’s voice gradually became calm and cold. Yet, her hoarse and mature female voice became clearer, more like a human voice.
“Then I shall lurk here in silence… and await developments.”
Her implication was that if Eivass found himself unable to defeat the enemy and called for her, she might not obey.
Although she coveted the willingly offered sacred flesh and blood, demons were arrogant after all.
Since he said he didn’t need her, she wouldn’t condescend to help.
“Of course.”
Eivass’s lips curved upward. “I won’t disappoint you.”
He knew that if he could handle the situation now, for instance, by defeating an enemy stronger than him, or even just surviving—the Shadow Demon would respect him even more. Being able to solve problems without relying on the Shadow Demon’s power proved his strong will and outstanding talent.
That was a true demonic recognition, different from the almost irresistible allure and control that the “Shepherd’s Method” brought.
Just as Eivass was willing to challenge the vicious sorceress Veronica in his weak state.
Through careful and meticulous planning and conspiracy, ultimately facing a stronger opponent in a weak state and winning perfectly, or severely tearing off a piece of their flesh… this was the core principle of the Transcendent Path.
And this required him to have sufficient “talent” and “courage.”
—The principle of the Transcendent Path is rebellion and victory.