Chapter 42: Father Brown

According to the Bible, the soul of a beast does not persist but disperses with death.Knowing this fact, Grey had never prayed for heaven. He understood that the soul of a half-beast was ultimately no different from that of an animal.

“Lord of love, grant us the serenity to accept what we cannot change, the courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference—.”

He prayed simply for goodness. He prayed for the magnanimity to forgive unforgivable anger and the wisdom to discern right from wrong to avoid wounding the innocent with prejudice.

Love your neighbor, love your enemy, love yourself.

He sought to follow the teachings of the Savior. Not because of the noble soul granted by the Lord, but because the teachings were righteous, and he could not help but honor Him.

If someone speaks of loving your neighbor, wouldn’t you listen, even if they were a beggar at the gambling den instead of a god?

The wisdom of the teachings led him to study the Gospel. His heart was moved through study, leading him to faith. Through faith, unforgettable elements nourished his spirit.

A beastman always desired a master to hold their leash.

The Gospel became his leash, and the law became his muzzle.

Thus, Grey lived his life devoted to the Lord. The fact that he didn’t deem himself worthy of embracing the Lord’s presence was of little importance.

“But if I am not worthy to borrow Your wisdom—, just allow me to listen. Then I will know that You reside within me.”

That day was no different.

Grey prayed to the Savior, fervently hoping that the detestable ‘impulses’ of the beastman wouldn’t devour his soul.

In his pious embrace was a fairy tale book called “The Little Prince,” held like the Bible.

Reading this tale, he could easily forget the beastman’s impulses. To Grey, this tale felt like the grace of the Savior.

As he prayed in gratitude to the Lord, the Savior, and Homer.

His long-time friend and agent, who handled matters Grey could not manage in his beastman form, visited.

“Ah, Mr. Grey. Were you praying? I’ll come back another time.”

“No, it’s fine. Prayer can be done anytime. I can’t use prayer as an excuse to waste your time. What brings you here?”

“Author Homer is looking for Mr. Grey. He says there is something important to discuss.”

“Author Homer? I didn’t expect him to seek me out first.”

“He said if you came, you’d hear good news for sure.”

“If Author Homer is calling me, even if there’s no news, it’s a joyful occasion. Let’s prepare to leave immediately.”

“Yes. The carriage is ready.”

“Thank you, as always.”

“It is my pleasure.”

* * *

Grey, having been summoned by Homer, found himself facing the priests of the church.

Beneficiaries blessed by the Lord.

These arrogant individuals, who considered the noble mission given by the Lord as their own privilege, despised the half-beasts as ‘demons.’ They were waiting for Grey.

At that moment, Grey couldn’t help but understand what was happening. It was too familiar a situation not to recognize immediately.

It wasn’t uncommon for people who had used the hands of beastmen to be scorned as ‘recipients of the devil’s gold’ and judged. Grey, who had read ‘The Little Prince’ and sponsored children with the help of an agent and Homer’s wisdom, was clearly being sought out by the church’s priests for punishment.

Such experiences were common for a beastman.

The only curious point was that the priests remained silent as they looked at him. Some priests frowned as if displeased, but soon lowered their heads guiltily when other priests glanced at them.

“Ah, you’ve arrived. Thank you for coming so promptly despite the sudden call, Mr. Grey.”

“How could I not hurry out when Author Homer summoned me? The author is a benefactor to us beastmen.”

“I haven’t done much. More importantly, I called you today to introduce you to some people.”

“Are those ‘people you want to introduce’ the priests glaring at me from behind?”

“Haha… yes, that would be them. Priest Ignatius?”

“Yes, Venerable Homer. The other priests still seem confused, so I’ll ask the questions.”

The priest named Ignatius, unusually respectful for a priest, stood facing Grey.

He glanced briefly at the rosary hanging around Grey’s neck like a collar, then slowly opened his mouth to ask a question.

“Do you revere the Savior?”

“How could I not revere Him? I pray every day, every hour, every moment.”

“Are you married?”

“Beastmen cannot receive the sacrament of marriage, so I have not married. Since I haven’t married, I haven’t been with a woman either.”

“We are observing a time of mourning. Are you also in mourning, brother?”

“Brother….”

Grey stared blankly at the priest for a moment at the unfamiliar address.

Then, he smirked and responded.

“Weren’t it you who locked us beastmen away so we couldn’t mourn the Savior’s death? However, yes. I am mourning.”

“…Have you carried the cross?”

“He bore it. We simply carry it with Him as best we can.”

“That is all of my questions.”

The priest named Ignatius nodded and looked at the other priests.

Then, with cold, steady eyes, he stared at them.

“I have judged Venerable Homer’s wisdom to be impeccable. What do the rest of the brothers think?”

“…Thank you, Lord.”

“With no objections, I will spread the gospel. Brother Grey.”

“Speak. I’m listening.”

“Do you prefer immersion or pouring?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ve heard beastmen often dislike water. If you have a reluctance towards immersion, we can accommodate pouring.”

“Wait a moment, what are you talking about─.”

“You will be baptized.”

The priest named Ignatius spoke with a resolute voice, shedding all doubt and hesitation.

Then, in a voice tinged with a smile, he added.

“If there are other beastmen who believe in the Lord and revere the Savior, bring them as well. We will help them receive baptism too.”

Only then did Grey realize what was happening. He blinked rapidly, blankly.

He wondered if this was real, if the priests were playing some prank, or if he had finally gone mad. But reality defied everything he knew.

So, what the priests were saying was.

“You mean to give us beastmen baptism…?”

Baptism, that’s what they meant?

“If there are people who seek the Lord’s blessed voice and true will, how could the merciful Lord not cleanse their sins?”

“Haha….”

“We have been overcomplicating things…. The truth is so clear and simple….”

“Ha, haha! Ha! Hahaha─!”

At the moment Grey comprehended this unbelievable reality, he laughed.

He laughed with joy, receiving the grace he had longed for.

“Haha…. Kk, kkrr… Kkrrk….”

And then he cried.

He cried with joy, receiving a grace he dared not even hope for.

“Thank you…. Truly… thank you….”

“Thank the Lord and Venerable Homer, not us.”

The miracle of the Savior was moving people’s hearts.

In Grey’s tear-filled eyes, sunlight sparkled brightly like a dazzling light.

Behind the priests, the faint smile of the ‘Savior’ watching him was reflected.

The name of that savior was Homer.

[“But, what on earth would make him pull such an absurd trick?”]

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* * *

The brief but somewhat fruitful meeting with the ‘New Religion’ came to an end.

The day of the results announcement for the [Sherlock Holmes X Arsène Lupin Fanfiction Contest] was approaching. Personally, this ‘contest’ felt more significant than the meeting with the New Religion.

There were many fascinating and novel stories.

Most were mystery novels, but there were also a few romance novels that focused on the relationships between the characters. (The novel dealing with the forbidden love between Sherlock Holmes and Arsène Lupin did not win any award due to blatantly ignoring the original characters’ personalities.)

Anyway, that was the reason I found myself in the small auditorium where the awards ceremony was being held.

President Kindersley, who had arrived early for the opening speech, was surprised to see me. It seemed she had not heard anything from President Ryan.

“Oh, author! Are you planning to attend the ceremony in person?!”

“Pardon? Yes. Wasn’t that the original plan?”

“Well, yes, but I thought you might use some magic to change your appearance or hire a proxy again….”

“Since President Ryan of ‘Half and Half’ already knows this appearance, I thought it wouldn’t matter much.”

Back when I was publishing ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,’ I looked undeniably like a boy who still had a youthful appearance….

Now, I barely passed as a ‘young man.’ Of course, if you calculate my age based on when I started serializing the ‘Conan Saga,’ the only conclusion would be that I’m an absurd genius─.

I was prepared for that level of fame anyway.

In fact, this ‘young genius’ appearance would help protect me from rumors that I was ‘Homer.’

“It feels, it feels like I’ve lost….”

“Sorry?”

“It’s just that you started your first serialization with our publishing company, but you’re revealing your ‘true self’ at ‘Half and Half’s’ contest… it’s not fair! I feel like ruining the speech!”

“Please don’t….”

“I’m not going to! I’m just saying it feels unfair!”

“Alright….”

President Dorling let out a groan, clutching her head.

Then, after letting out a sigh, she smiled helplessly, as if she couldn’t help it, and showed concern for me.

“If anything happens to you, it would be a big problem….”

“If that time comes, I’ll have my attendant send all my hidden manuscripts to President Kindersley, so don’t worry.”

“Saying that makes me want to attack you myself…?”

“Haha….”