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 soone 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 elents nourished his spirit.
A beastman always desired a master to hold their leash.
The Gospel beca his leash, and the law beca 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 to listen. Then I will know that You reside within .”
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 Hor.
His long-ti friend and agent, who handled matters Grey could not manage in his beastman form, visited.
“Ah, Mr. Grey. Were you praying? I’ll co back another ti.”
“No, it’s fine. Prayer can be done anyti. I can’t use prayer as an excuse to waste your ti. What brings you here?”
“Author Hor is looking for Mr. Grey. He says there is sothing important to discuss.”
“Author Hor? I didn’t expect him to seek out first.”
“He said if you ca, you’d hear good news for sure.”
“If Author Hor is calling , even if there’s no news, it’s a joyful occasion. Let’s prepare to leave imdiately.”
“Yes. The carriage is ready.”
“Thank you, as always.”
“It is my pleasure.”
* * *
Grey, having been summoned by Hor, 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 mont, Grey couldn’t help but understand what was happening. It was too familiar a situation not to recognize imdiately.
It wasn’t uncommon for people who had used the hands of beastn 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 Hor’s wisdom, was clearly being sought out by the church’s priests for punishnt.
Such experiences were common for a beastman.
The only curious point was that the priests remained silent as they looked at him. So 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 Hor summoned ? The author is a benefactor to us beastn.”
“I haven’t done much. More importantly, I called you today to introduce you to so people.”
“Are those ‘people you want to introduce’ the priests glaring at from behind?”
“Haha… yes, that would be them. Priest Ignatius?”
“Yes, Venerable Hor. The other priests still seem confused, so I’ll ask the questions.”
The priest nad 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 mont.”
“Are you married?”
“Beastn cannot receive the sacrant of marriage, so I have not married. Since I haven’t married, I haven’t been with a woman either.”
“We are observing a ti of mourning. Are you also in mourning, brother?”
“Brother….”
Grey stared blankly at the priest for a mont at the unfamiliar address.
Then, he smirked and responded.
“Weren’t it you who locked us beastn 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 nad Ignatius nodded and looked at the other priests.
Then, with cold, steady eyes, he stared at them.
“I have judged Venerable Hor’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 imrsion or pouring?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’ve heard beastn often dislike water. If you have a reluctance towards imrsion, we can accommodate pouring.”
“Wait a mont, what are you talking about─.”
“You will be baptized.”
The priest nad 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 beastn 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 so prank, or if he had finally gone mad. But reality defied everything he knew.
So, what the priests were saying was.
“You an to give us beastn baptism…?”
Baptism, that’s what they ant?
“If there are people who seek the Lord’s blessed voice and true will, how could the rciful Lord not cleanse their sins?”
“Haha….”
“We have been overcomplicating things…. The truth is so clear and simple….”
“Ha, haha! Ha! Hahaha─!”
At the mont 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 Hor, 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 na of that savior was Hor.
[“But, what on earth would make him pull such an absurd trick?”]
[“Because you never once tried to truly see him.”]
* * *
The brief but sowhat fruitful eting with the ‘New Religion’ ca to an end.
The day of the results announcent for the [Sherlock Hols X Arsène Lupin Fanfiction Contest] was approaching. Personally, this ‘contest’ felt more significant than the eting 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 Hols 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 . It seed 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 so 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 fa anyway.
In fact, this ‘young genius’ appearance would help protect from rumors that I was ‘Hor.’
“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 .
“If anything happens to you, it would be a big problem….”
“If that ti cos, I’ll have my attendant send all my hidden manuscripts to President Kindersley, so don’t worry.”
“Saying that makes want to attack you myself…?”
“Haha….”
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