The Shepherds Are Dense

Chapter 65: Dracula and the Hyena

At Royal Law University, Theological and Legal Department, First Seminary Building.Sitting in the crowded lecture hall, Aiden stared blankly at the old professor who was slowly rambling on about the history of the Star Antimony Kingdom, unable to stop himself from yawning. He was sitting in the seventh row on the left side, and several students in front of him had already dozed off, their heads resting on their desks.

...Seriously, why do we, the apprentice priests who are graduating to join the church, have to learn history?

The young man with brown curly hair and freckles propped his chin up, squinting his tired eyes, thinking to himself.

He didn’t hate history... it was just that Professor Bard's lectures were so boring.

Moreover, Aiden didn’t need to leave the country, and he would likely never meet anyone from the Star Antimony Kingdom. What was the point of learning about its history? What does it matter what the Star Antimony Kingdom was called before?

Not only that, but they had to learn the complex, twisted Star Antimony language—was there really a Star Antimony person who would come to the Avalon church to pray? Even if they did, they would probably go to the Kingdom of Prayer.

If there were Star Antimony people in Avalon, they would likely be under constant surveillance. They wouldn’t need to speak Avalonian—just shout in Star Antimony, and people would immediately rush over to interrogate them. The inspectors, with their helmet-like black hats, responded faster than the waiters in restaurants.

Aiden looked at the podium and began to miss the encounter with that lady at the White Dance Shoes Club last night.

Forget about her graceful figure, elegant dance moves, and her knowledge of literature and art… just the book she recommended and lent him, Bram Stoker’s new book, was quite interesting.

—

A book written in letters, diaries, telegrams, and newspapers, documenting the secret of the death of the Duke of the now-vanished Narcissus Duchy.

Last night, Aiden just wanted to read the beginning and end—so he would have something in common to talk about with the mysterious lady in the white dress. But after reading just the beginning, he couldn’t help but finish the entire book. This led to him waking up today feeling slightly tired.

—

Because the book was so realistic. It didn’t seem fake.

People say that Bram Stoker is a dream monk who extracts hidden “alternate histories” from the dream realm. And now, this seemed possible.

And if what the book describes is true… then the recent invasion of the Narcissus Duchy by the Star Antimony Kingdom was to purify the transformed Narcissus Duke into a vampire.

But the book’s conclusion, “the Narcissus Duke was beheaded by an unnamed knight from Avalon with the Holy Sword,” was a bit too abrupt. It could be artistic embellishment or perhaps Stoker saw this “alternate history” in the dream realm.

In real history, if there wasn’t the unnamed knight who wielded Lancelot I’s Holy Sword—how would the immortal Narcissus Duke be killed by the Star Antimony people?

But these things weren’t taught in history class.

Because they might not have become history yet, or they could still be secrets.

Perhaps the Star Antimony people didn’t kill him at all, but were instead assimilated by him! Maybe he has already corrupted more high-ranking individuals and secretly turned them into vampires!

If that’s the case, the Narcissus Duke might be reborn from Star Antimony...

Aiden focused on the professor at the podium, but his thoughts were drifting elsewhere.

Just then, he suddenly heard loud voices coming from near the door, getting louder and louder.

The noise broke Aiden's train of thought.

Curious, he looked over and saw someone passing by the window.

He instantly recognized who it was—

Aiden’s eyes lit up, and he straightened his posture immediately.

—It was Haina-senpai!

Haina Dane was undoubtedly a rising star at Royal Law University.

She wasn’t only gracious and approachable, with excellent academic performance and good looks, but she was always sincere toward others and almost never angry. When there were conflicts or arguments between students, she was the first to step in to mediate. If anyone was harmed or treated unfairly, she would stand up and protect them, seeking justice.

Not only did Haina have high regard among the female students, but also among the male students. She had a fantastic figure, with a thick head of long hair—though usually tied in a ponytail, she occasionally let it down. Unlike those delicate, often gasping "capital city girls," Haina didn’t understand such “fragile fashion.”

She didn’t distance herself from the guys, and often hung out with them, chatting and drinking.

Moreover, she liked to play sports. The key point was, she was good at it.

Among the six departments of Royal Law University, five had their own rugby teams, and the team from the Individual Tactics Department even had the chance to play against professional teams.

Though theoretically, rugby teams weren’t only for men, the high physical contact and intensity of the sport meant few women wanted to play. Female enthusiasts couldn’t even form a full team.

Haina was the only female on the rugby team from the Individual Tactics Department, but she wasn’t a burden—she was a valuable asset. She was an excellent flank forward, and even the coach praised her, saying, “Haina is the core of your team.” She had led her team to win many crucial matches.

In any sport, the boys’ attitude was very clear: if someone could lead their favorite team to victory and perform excellently, they were an idol.

And if that “idol” was also a beautiful, gracious, and well-endowed girl, her fame was terrifying.

Haina was like the “big sister,” a star without a doubt. Even though she was just the senior representative for female students in her year, responsible for managing the fourth-year female students’ affairs, younger students from other years would still prioritize asking for her help when they had problems.

But Haina had also faced criticism for often mingling with the boys. Some jealous students, envious of her beauty and reputation, even spread rumors that she didn’t like boys, but preferred girls. This was why she was so kind and gentle toward her younger female students.

And such rumors couldn’t be disproven.

Because, despite being so outstanding and so popular with the boys, Haina had never had a boyfriend.

Arlen, the third son of the Minister of Justice and a student one year younger than Haina, had once pursued her. But he hadn’t succeeded.

Haina was from a rural background. A handsome and well-educated son of a minister, who was well-versed in literature and art, was clearly a high-quality romantic partner. But Haina never even gave him a chance to date her… What was more mysterious was that her rejection didn’t make Arlen angry, but instead made him a loyal follower of hers.

But today, Aiden realized that this rumor might end today...

—

Because behind Haina, there was a young man in a wheelchair being pushed by a maid with a gentle appearance.

He had platinum blonde, smooth hair, with deep and defined facial features. Just by looking at Haina, his eyes exuded a tender focus. His deep blue eyes always seemed full of warmth.

And Haina, walking ahead, wasn’t her usual carefree self. She walked three steps, then turned around to check on the young man behind her, as if she were afraid of losing him.

When their gazes occasionally met, they both exchanged knowing smiles.

No matter how one looked at it, Haina seemed to care a lot about him.

“—Aiwasi?!”

Aiden instinctively said his name.

(End of Chapter)