The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 929

Chapter 928
Returning Home in Glory
Eivass did not conceal his identity when he returned to Avalon this time.
The elegantly designed and brilliantly radiant Elf Warship, as it sailed into the Glass Island port, sparkled under the scorching sun, drawing crowds of onlookers. Its large ruby armor made it look like a moving treasure.
Reporters, who had received the news in advance, were waiting and continuously filming it.
Ordinary people, however, couldn’t help but express their admiration—they were certainly unaware of the warship’s immense power or the scale of demon hordes it had so easily crushed.
—Just by looking at its elven style and its noble, magnificent artistic design, one could tell that a truly significant figure was aboard.
The Gryphon Legion had already assembled nearby.
The Arbiters, clad in shining elven silver armor and carrying great rune swords on their backs, stood in formation beside their gryphon partners, leaving a wide path. Bystanders were required to stay outside this path.
—Such a high-level authority figure on this scale, simply by standing here, could exert enough order power to distort the world’s rules.
The path between the two rows of Arbiters emanated a misty, silvery white light.
Although the path was not frozen or frosted, a peculiar white mist, as if from an enchanted realm, swirled around their feet.
It wasn’t until a simple “carriage,” devoid of any family crest, slowly rolled down the path that the onlookers understood the stature of this important figure—
Though the carriage appeared small, not particularly lavishly decorated, and even looked somewhat ancient… it was being pulled by a pure-blooded white-feathered gryphon.
And though the carriage bore no family crest, its doors featured two silver triangles, one nested within the other. A small green eye was set within the smaller, inner triangle.
Undoubtedly.
This was indeed Avalon’s national emblem!
Throughout Avalon, only one person could display the national emblem on their carriage without any other adornments. That person was Queen Isabel, who, at the young age of nineteen, had governed a chaotic and nearly fractured Avalon with perfect order upon her ascension!
The people began to murmur amongst themselves:
—What kind of important figure would warrant the Queen’s personal welcome?
As the “carriage” came to a halt, Queen Isabel, dressed in a white gown, elegantly stepped out.
It was a soft, layered gauze dress, reminiscent of a seashell. The inside of the hem subtly revealed a blue-purple landscape akin to a starry sky. She wore crystal shoes adorned with shell patterns, numerous pearl decorations, and an emerald gemstone pendant around her neck.
Upon Isabel’s head sat an intricately carved elven-style silver crown.
Since Queen Isabel had not yet completed her coronation ceremony, she could not wear the true crown befitting the Monarch of Avalon in public. This crown, in addition to being an exquisite ornament, was also a protective artifact crafted by Avalon’s elven artisans.
Near Isabel’s slightly elongated elven ears, several blue-purple flowers were pinning delicate white veils.
Her exquisite and beautiful features left the onlookers in stunned admiration.
—Queen Isabel was exquisitely flawless, surpassing even elves!
More than an outfit for meeting important guests, this skirt dress, never before seen by the public, resembled a wedding gown—
The public’s questions were soon answered.
—Emerging from the ship crafted from gold, rubies, and white jade was none other than their proud Prince Eivass!
He wore the black robes of a Cardinal, with a large, faceted emerald set in the hollowed-out area of his chest. He descended from the dazzling Elf Warship, smiling and waving to the crowd.
The only difference from his departure was… Eivass now sported a pair of prominent antlers. The bases were a jade white, while the tips were a crystal clear bright red.
But without a doubt, these were the marks of the great Candlemaster.
The people felt no fear or dread; instead, their excitement grew even more fervent!
Realizing that Eivass had returned home, the crowd erupted—
“Your Holiness! Please look at me!”
“You’ve returned, Lord Moriarty!”
“Will you be returning to the Church?”
“Eivass, I’m your classmate, do you remember me!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty the Pope! You saved me and my family…”
“Esteemed Prince Eivass, I am Edward Hilton, your admirer…”
As a sort of overseas territory of the Church, the people of Avalon held a strong reverence for elves. To most Avalonians, elven culture represented a higher form of culture. Many even fervently sought elven traces, sometimes even pursuing wild elves abandoned by the elves.
Eivass, however, had shattered the unspoken rule at the Church’s founding, achieving the status of Eternal Pope as a human!
Furthermore, he had served as Pope commendably, without impeachment by Cardinals or any significant missteps—and had now successfully retired!
This alone propelled Eivass’s popularity within Avalon to the highest level.
Undoubtedly, Eivass’s presence would further and permanently deepen the relationship between Avalon and the Church—such a profound change to the nation’s destiny was even more significant than the efforts of several generations of monarchs!
Among them were even some Star Antimony people, who had been brought back by Prince Eivass’s personal command.
Were it not for the Arbiters maintaining order, the zealous crowd would have likely rushed Eivass.
Eivass possessed a bright, sun-like aura; simply being close to him could bring a sense of exhilaration. Even being gazed upon by Eivass seemed to make his pain begin to heal.
Legends claimed that true Eternal Popes could cure terminal illnesses with a mere touch, turn fatal wounds into nothingness with a glance, and resurrect the dead by chanting prayers day and night…
The people of Avalon had too shallow an understanding of extraordinary power; what many extraordinary individuals could do seemed like legend to them.
Yet, even so, their understanding of the Eternal Pope’s abilities was surprisingly accurate—for Eivass could indeed accomplish these feats with ease.
The instant Eivass stepped onto the silver path, he was momentarily… as if he had heard them amidst the voices, a fleeting chorus of prayers.
Countless voices intertwined.
Fervor, admiration, longing, respect, worship, envy, greed, astonishment…
The illusion lasted only an instant—Eivass felt as if he had become a god. The entire world fell silent, and only the sound of people’s prayers echoed in Eivass’s heart.
As Eivass took another step, the illusion vanished.
Isabel smiled brilliantly and rushed into Eivass’s arms with quick steps.
Eivass unreservedly embraced Isabel, lowering his head to kiss her forehead.
Isabel boldly stood on her tiptoes in front of everyone, tilting her small face up, her eyes closed. Eivass, with a smile, leaned forward and captured Isabel’s lips.
Isabel’s body curved backward softly, completely trusting Eivass’s embrace, her weight supported by his arms holding her from behind. Her backward-curving neck and spine formed a beautiful, silvery white crescent moon.
“I’m back,”
Eivass whispered. “You’ve worked hard.”
At that moment, a few tears welled up in Isabel’s eyes.
But her smile was so radiant that the tears instantly disappeared.
“It’s quite something, isn’t it!”
She slightly moved her lips, replying by moult.
Eivass deepened the kiss once more, silencing her remaining words.
(End of Chapter)