The Shepherds Are Dense-Chapter 8: Haina Wants to Hear Secrets

### Chapter 8: Haina Wants to Hear Secrets
Aiwass relaxed in his wheelchair, being slowly rolled by Haina from the back.
It was a nice feeling—especially because Aiwass's legs were perfectly fine, so it was that much nicer.
He even relaxed his eyes, soaking up the early winter sun, feeling sleepy.
He pretended, for one moment, that he was old and retired, being wheeled out by his daughter to bask in the sun.
Hooded in his dark cloak, half his chin covered, Aiwass observed in silence.
He saw a curious thing: around Moriarty Manor, people on the street eyed Haina in her inspector's uniform without fear.
They just peeked and continued on.
But as they passed the White Queen District and moved southeast into Lloyd District, things took a turn.
People's eyes in Inspector Haina's direction became fearful.
They went out of their way to avoid her route, backing off from a distance, carefully relinquishing the path.
When Haina pushed into a crowded fresh market, a tangible tension rolled before her.
As people became aware an inspector was shepherding someone special, the packed crowd parted like the Red Sea.
It was a miracle similar to Moses splitting the sea—despite the boisterous, shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, Aiwass's wheelchair never did cease.
No one had the courage to block his way, approach, or speak out, lest they disturb the figure in the cloak.
Even the mid-negotiation hagglers stopped haggling.
Aiwass watched as curious and fearful eyes followed him until he disappeared from the marketplace.
"See that, Haina?"
Later, Aiwass sat back, eyes closed, and whispered.
"People are afraid of you."
"I don't know why."
Haina's voice was raw, unflinching.
"Rule-breakers. They have no cause to be afraid of.
"Everybody understands in Avalon, 'rules' are important—no secret, everyone's common sense.
Don't break the rules or the law, that's all.
I don't know. What do they fear about?"
She had spoken. Her chest was held high, her eyes burning.
Aiwass was taken aback.
Rule-breakers were expected to sympathize with them, thought Aiwass.
"Why?"
Rule-breakers retorted.
"Did I do something bad? Or is it just because I come from a poor background?"
…She was a bit too sensitive about where she came from.
Aiwass noticed Haina didn't want to discuss this matter further.
But she did not put an end to the unpleasant conversation.
"Yes, my family are poor.
But my parents did teach me to be righteous—behave according to the law, remain faithful to the Queen, and show respect for my teachers.".
I don't possess money, but never have I committed even the slightest theft.
Her voice was full of fierce confidence.
"I don't want others to live as I do, for not everyone lives the Authority Path.
But I try to maintain my behavior—not because I am compelled to, but because I want to.
"Now, I obediently perform my superior's legal directives.".
But if someday I surpass him, he'll have to do what I say.
"That's the 'Authority' Path.
Avalon's rules."
Aiwass got it.
This was the cornerstone of Haina's self-esteem and self-confidence in the Royal Law University.
Her initial understanding of the Authority Path's fundamental principles enabled her to step onto it.
Maybe her parents, consciously or unconsciously, steered her toward this path since she was a child.
She was born for it.
In this universe, transcendent careers were projections of "thoughts," "ideals," and "personalities"—smidges of power from the nine Great Paths.
Even the exalted, deathless gods were only pathbreakers of these Paths.
To take on a Path, one needed to comprehensively understand and dedicate oneself to its ideals.
One who was unaware of or was not attuned to the idea of "Devotion" couldn't walk its Path; one who was unaware of art or beauty couldn't walk the Path of Beauty.
Although Avalon was "rule"-oriented and enforced "law," it wasn't really about the Path of Justice.
Law was simply a tool of the Authority Path.
Yet, the innocent Haina intuitively understood this fundamental principle without deviation.
"Not bad, Senior."
Aiwass's lips twitched slightly, his voice warm.
"Didn't expect you to have such ambition."
"…What ambition?"
Haina hadn't known what she'd just let slip.
"To become your superior's superior, or go even higher…"
Aiwass drewlled.
"That's not an idea of the Authority Path.
"—Didn't think you'd be a believer in the Transcendence Path."
Haina stopped, her hands hesitating on the wheelchair.
"…W-what?"
"Didn't you know it yourself?"
Aiwass inquired.
His fingers knitted under his coat, his voice low and tempting.
"But it's very natural.
"Senior, I don't know how you learned in school.
But we're all human.".
No one can remain ideally aligned with their Path… like the Path of Love, Wisdom, or Devotion.
"Don't you ever fall in love?
Savage, primal, reproductive impulses… that's the touch of the Love Path.
All teenagers experience it.
"Similarly, the Wisdom Path includes practical thinking or searching for the truth.".
If you’d sacrifice your life for another, you’ve stepped into the Devotion Path, watched by the Candlekeeper.
The nine Paths are humanity’s inevitable thought patterns—everyone leans toward one, and every action aligns with at least one.
“Besides fanatics, who can never stray from their Path?
“—So, what’s so scary about deviating?”
Aiwass’s voice was low but clear in Haina’s ears.
"Have you ever considered it, Senior? Why Avalon takes the Authority Path?"
Her ears pulsed, her back crawled, and warmth rushed through, even her earlobes.
Not with embarrassment, but fear and excitement.
"Please, quieter, Mr. Aiwass—"
She spoke softly in desperation.
She was afraid others would hear such heretic words… but a part of her wanted to know.
Her heart scratched to hear more.
These were things no one at home or school would say—or that she’d dismiss if they did.
Yet now, she felt a sense of “I’ve always thought this.”
Caught in this contradiction, she instinctively called the younger Aiwass “Mr.”
So, she said “please, quieter,” not “stop talking.”
But then, Aiwass closed his mouth, chuckling like a villain.
Hearing his soft laugh, Haina’s ears, neck, and back stopped itching—now her teeth itched.
Why cut it short? What's the idea!?
Back in her mind was the faintest glimmer of dissent on Maddy's face.
She wouldn't confess to wanting to hear more—it was all wrong.
—Can't you just carry on?
I'd try to shut you up, but if you wouldn't shut up, I'd turn a blind eye!
"When the time's right," said Aiwass, "I'll tell you."
"So when's the right time—"
"Simple."
Aiwass answered.
"After we close this case, after we see each other again at school… I'll say it where it's quiet.".
"You know this type of secret isn't made for the streets."
"—Deal!"
Haina asserted firmly.
"I'll assist you in capturing the offender, no need to request.
"Then I wish to know the remainder of this tale!"
Subconsciously, she no longer concerned herself if she had wandered from the Authority Path.
Maybe she'd always realized she'd deviated, only now embracing it.
And she hadn't even realized one thing—
Her motivation for apprehending the culprit had changed from "Inspectorate orders" to "helping Aiwass."
But she was absolutely unaware.
(End of Chapter)