Iver did not Shepherd the Phantom Demon too deeply on the train.
It was not for safety reasons— in most areas of Avalon, even if Iver were unconscious, Lily and the Phantom Demon alone would have been enough to protect him.
The main reason was that the train was a public place, and many things were inconvenient to do there.
When one was in pain and afraid, yet had only compassion and kindness in one's heart, the element of "devotion" could be strengthened, thereby enhancing the effect of the Shepherding Method.
But if he got blood all over such a nice room, that would truly cause too much trouble for others.
Besides, if the commotion became too loud, it might bring in the attendant waiting outside the door. That could startle the other person, and might even expose the existence of the Shepherding Method.
With the need to remain quiet in mind, Iver tried abandoning the Ritual Knife for the first time—he directly bit through his wrist with his own teeth, almost biting it clean off. Since Iver could make the blood flow endlessly from his wrist, it meant he had already bitten through the blood vessels.
This fear of gradually approaching death, and the act of firmly biting himself despite his instinctive resistance, was far less painful than gripping the Ritual Knife and carving the blade into his bones. After all, "bone-deep pain" was not merely a figure of speech.
However, biting through his wrist with teeth that were much duller than the Ritual Knife undoubtedly required stronger willpower.
Then, if the Shepherding Method is activated with the same degree of compassion and benevolence, which method will work better?
By observing the Phantom Demon's reaction, Iver confirmed the answer.
This method was better.
Rather than "pain," using benevolent thoughts