The Shepherds Are Dense-Chapter 13: You Heard Her, She Told Me to Shoot

### Chapter 13: You Heard Her, She Told Me to Shoot
As soon as the fight erupted upstairs, Veronica was already in the process of casting multiple rituals downstairs to buff herself:
—[Bullet Ward], [Minor Breach Natural Resistance], [Slash Ward], [Stable Casting], [Weakness Reinforcement].
Buffed and ready with her best attack, she stepped out to face them.
While chatting with Aiwass, her attention was on Haina.
If Haina lost focus, Veronica would throw the "Cursed Infant." It would target the heart, boring in to rip apart organs with ice damage.
It killed by causing excruciating pain while freezing blood vessels around the heart. Even if the victim could survive, violent movement would burst organs, resulting in gigantic internal hemorrhage. Even a bishop couldn't cure such injuries.
…But if the spell failed, and the battle prolonged, even with her buffs, she was not certain that she could overcome this young inspector.
She could feel Haina possessed third-tier power.
Though she did not know Haina's Path features, Veronica was sure a head-on confrontation would be impossible to win.
—She had only one attempt!
Watching Aiwass raise his gun, she concluded her strategy.
She'd strengthened her defenses just for this.
A high-caliber gun could frighten her, but the Lady's Grip was feeble.
It couldn't even penetrate a heavy, liquor-filled oak barrel. That lady knight could probably deflect a shot using her muscles only.
A bullet like that, even striking a vulnerable spot like her eyes or throat, would not inflict severe harm.
Being a transcendent, Veronica could feel Aiwass's strength—or lack of strength. Even if he was a transcendent vocation, he was at least one level lower than her.
She was not intimidated by him.
He braved to shoot Ademar because the bartender was already out of commission—a sitting duck.
Inspecting Ademar's corpse, the bullet's impact was ordinary, unaffected by any craftsman's touch-ups.
Because Aiwass had no idea if she could evade, he'd probably shoot for her body to guarantee that he hit her.
Her wards would readily deflect such a bullet.
She intended to fake a mortal wound, tricking the young knight into relaxing her vigilance, then strike.
“Wanna bet?” she laughed boldly, as if fearless. “You’ve got one shot!”
Veronica knew a hit to her eyes or throat could disrupt her spell. But Aiwass likely wouldn’t risk it—he had one chance.
By pressuring him, he’d aim for safety!
If the shot missed her critical weak points, she’d block it safely.
Worst case, her incantation would be broken. His pathetic gun still could not hurt her, giving her an opportunity to ambush the knight.
—Either way, I won't lose.
Hurry up, shoot!
"Come on, give me a shot—" she taunted, not moving.
"What a laughable, pathetic boy. Failed to kill you last time, but you won't be leaving here. You think that thing can kill me like it did that fool?"
—*Bang!*
The following instant, a shot boomed.
A black line bisected Veronica's skull.
Her shaved head exploded like a watermelon.
Her magic collapsed, an arctic blast through the bar. Haina stumbled back a half step, and Aiwass's wheelchair wheeled back, crashing into the wall.
No second shot was necessary.
She died too fast, too utterly, for the "shadow" and "corrosion" effects to even take hold.
White flecks of light welled out of her body, pouring into Aiwass.
[Defeated Second-Tier Transcendent, Gained 16 Free Experience]
—This was the easiest cheese strategy.
Her wards wouldn't resist "cutting," "piercing," or "blunt" physical damage, but only "slashing" and "shooting." Her low-tier rituals weren't effective on transcendent weapons.
With a transcendent weapon having "cutting," "piercing," or "blunt" characteristics, hitting her weak point prior to combat would ignore all resistances, giving at least a third of her health and stunning her.
Then, a single round of attacks would kill her.
In truth, without the three-times health bonus of a four-player instance boss, one shot to the head instantly killed her.
The "Enchantment Card" system originated in the Great Sin Scholar's skills. In 1.0, purple transcendent equipment was scarce, but two versions later, it was norm. The "transcendent" attribute was used lavishly on Phantom Demon Cards.
Without it, card-summoned weapons couldn't deal damage to subsequent enemies, who all possessed non-transcendent resistance, making regular weapons and consumables null and void.
Unlike today, when even blue-white equipment could kill.
This was the strength of version updates.
"You heard her—she told me to shoot. I was just trying to scare her," Aiwass said naively, shrugging at Haina's gaping, bewildered stare. "Not my fault."
"…I understand. Don't worry, Mr. Aiwass. You're absolutely innocent—she threatened you with her life and you had to shoot. I'll testify for you," Haina said after a moment, slowly nodding.
She looked at the sorceress's body, still silent for a moment.
"…But why was she so arrogant?" she thought, attempting to explain it. "Perhaps she believed you'd miss…"
"—Wait, she said 'failed to kill you last time.' She must be one of the demonologists who kidnapped you! That's why she underestimated you, not expecting a priest with deductive skills to have the courage to fight her!"
Haina's rationale smoothed out, sure she'd worked it out.
Aiwass shook his head over and over.
Charmed by me, she'll believe anything… Just admit you're into me.
Her reasoning was so ridiculous he didn't know what to say.
"One body, we can bring. Two, no chance," said Aiwass, avoiding her arguments. "I think we should call in the local Inspectorate. Let them cordon the area and lock this building. The Pelican Bar is certainly involved in these demonologists.
"Go down into the basement—there'll be equipment enough."
"Ideal!" cried Haina, excited. "Case closed!"
Then she stopped, remembering something. "How did you know the bartender's name?"
"I've been here," Aiwass confessed freely. "The day I was assaulted and kidnapped.
"Actually, I wasn't telling the complete truth previously. Or quite the contrary… I didn't realize they were demonologists at that point."
"They?"
"Yes. In addition to this woman, there was a middle-aged man. Prior to the attack, they took me out for drinks… I had assumed they were good people, so I bought them a meal.".
But shortly after I left the bar, I fainted. In a trance, I beheld an enormous stone arch. I must have been brought to Stone Arch Park. I never knew they were the people who spiked my drinks—probably something in the food.
"That's why I tested the bartender. I thought he poisoned me and identified me to myself.".
"So, we can't let our guard down. There's probably another, more powerful demonologist still out there. A man, around forty, brown eyes, bald, slight Star Antimony accent. He claimed to be a stone merchant, moving between Star Antimony and Avalon."
Aiwass blended truth and fiction.
His day's itinerary was easily trackable. His vivid presence wasn't just memorable to the wild elf bartender but to the entire bar crowd.
He couldn't deny that.
And he needed to keep his viewpoint in mind.
As an "innocent" victim, he should be unaware of the pair's true nature. Failure to them in the first place was understandable—in his view at the time, he'd gone out, enjoyed himself, and got attacked on the way home.
Now that the Pelican Bar was in question, he had to come clean on this, since his visit would be revealed.
Similarly, he could not know the guy was already dead. He was not supposed to hear a wanted felon died at the ritual location.
Sure enough, Haina explained, "Don't worry, he's most likely dead. I've put together the entire story.
"They were probably hiding at this bar. Observing you alone, they took you as a sacrifice for their demon conjuration.
"The bartender was an accomplice, poisoning you so you would not put up a fight.".
"She said 'failed to kill you last time,' and a man died at the ritual site… He was probably killed by the demon he conjured, and his apprentice ran away. The demon killed its summoner first, allowing you to survive."
"I see," Aiwass nodded seriously. "If the man's dead… that fits my guess.
"In which case, Senior, we don't have to inform the Inspectorate immediately."
With Haina required once more, he had returned to addressing her as "Senior."
"Why not?" Haina inquired, confused. "The more people, the better, right?"
"Part of the escaping patrons must have ed to the Inspectorate. My two shots would've been heard outside. Inspectors will come soon—we just wait here."
Aiwass's expression demonstrated obvious hesitation, even for Haina.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Actually," Aiwass spoke softly, "I may have left a book here.".
"I was drowsy when I left, leaving it behind."
"What book?"
"A banned book."
"Banned?!" Haina cried out.
"Yes," Aiwass nodded solemnly. "*Alchemical Cipher*. The bartender likely stashed it in the basement.
"I dared not recover it before. But as we don't have to inform the Inspectorate right away, I want to take it back. It's precious… and I fear if it's discovered, it could be traced to the Moriarty family."
"…You," Haina huffed, exasperated.
Even disregarding his appearance, she liked her junior after the first day.
Intelligent, conscientious, well-educated. A Devotion Path member who battled at her side, effectively saving her life by dealing with the demonologist.
She wasn't exactly ungrateful.
But how to deal with this….
After a pause, Haina drew in her sword, the glint in her eyes dissipating.
Just this once," she said firmly, dropping her voice. "I know there are some high-ups who secretly learn forbidden books. Didn't think you'd do it, though…
"I won't tell on you, but don't take it out publicly—it's risky!
"Even if patrolling examiners don't inspect your bag, criminals may act against you. You might not be aware, but occult books sell for a lot on the black market!
I know.
It's because they're valuable, and you, Senior, fear poverty, that I mentioned it…
"Right, Senior is correct," Aiwass agreed with a mock meekness. "Can you assist me to locate it? If it's illegal, it would most likely be at the basement; if it's worth something, likely to be in a treasure box."
".I wager you were targeted due to that book!" Haina reprimanded.
However, looking at his sorry face, she ceded.
Sighing, she handed Aiwass her Inspectorate badge and sword. “Stay here, don’t leave. If inspectors arrive before I’m back, show them this. Tell them someone’s already investigating and to wait.
“—Also, about alchemy. Per standard procedure, your gun needs to be tested for illegal modifications.”
“I understand. It’s only right,” Aiwass agreed readily.
Haina hesitated. "Be frank—any changes? Its power was powerful. If there are, I can manipulate the body to cover tracks—alchemical weapon mods are banned as well."
"None, actually," Aiwass promised firmly. "They can verify. Don't fiddle with the body—if anyone detects it, you'll be in trouble."
It was not just enchantment, not modification, but Phantom Demon Card effects would never be found by the Inspectorate's apprentice technicians, level-capped at 40.
Ever heard of an industry tech barrier?
Haina felt warmed.
Though she offered help, she somehow felt helped.
“Be careful, I’ll be quick,” she said, opening and closing the basement door behind her.
Once she left, Aiwass sighed softly.
His guilty puppy expression vanished, replaced by a blank stare.
—He stood up from the wheelchair.
His movements were fluid, without a hint of hesitation.
As he stepped out of the chair, his shadow came alive like something, creeping across his flesh and radiating over the ground like an amorphous creature.
The destroyed bar darkened, as if evening with the lights out, shutting off all light from outside.
Splash, splash…
Treading on his shadow, it was like rainwater boots. His shadow was a viscous fluid, like flowing black blood.
Overlooking the anomaly, Aiwass moved towards Veronica's body, frisking her in the darkness.
During the previous night, Veronica had revealed to him—she had a bulk of letters concealed inside her garments.
He had seen distinctly: his last letter to them was there.
Unless she burned it after believing he perished with the shadow demon, or stored it on purpose…
Her unexpected demise could render it as proof linking him to this case.
Swaying Haina away was to steal this deadly evidence quietly.
As anticipated, Aiwass discovered a pile of differently sized letters inside Veronica's attire.
His letter was there.
"Hmph."
Aiwass sneered, holding it tight.
As anticipated.
—This was the final evidence.
(End of Chapter)