Sry for the late posts
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East Borough, a certain street.
"Excuse me, sir, may I have a moment of your time? I'd like to introduce you to my most devout faith, the ultimate salvation, the Creator who made all things."
"What? You talking to me?"
Old Kohler turned around in surprise, looking at the person who had initiated conversation with him.
"Yes, sir."
Behind him stood a middle-aged man.
Hearing Old Kohler's question, he smiled and replied, "Interested in learning more? Perhaps faith in divinity could free you from life's suffering."
Actually, I'm doing pretty well right now...
Old Kohler thought to himself.
He had to thank Detective Moriarty for everything.
That generous and compassionate gentleman had hired him as an informant, giving him a stable source of income.
In return, he needed to find valuable information for the detective.
It was precisely for this reason that Old Kohler was wandering the streets of East Borough in broad daylight on a workday.
That middle-aged man probably mistook him for someone who hadn't found work and was feeling dejected, making him suitable for missionary work.
Right, valuable intelligence!
He suddenly became alert.
"The deity you're referring to, it's not one of the Seven Gods?"
"Of course not. It's that great existence at the source, the Creator who made all things."
The middle-aged man answered.
As I thought...
Old Kohler had recently heard rumors that someone was spreading doctrine in East Borough, and the target of worship directly pointed to that being in mythology who created everything and transformed into all things.
I wonder if Detective Moriarty would be interested...
He hesitated, then asked, "What do you want to tell me?"
"It's like this. The people on this land each worship one of the Seven Gods.
Actually, this is wrong, incomplete..."
Seeing the other party interested, the man couldn't help but show a smile on his face.
Old Kohler was startled, feeling something was off. The middle-aged man smiled too happily.
This kind of smile was completely out of place in East Borough.
But before he could think more carefully, the other party's subsequent words followed closely:
"So why not directly worship the Creator who made everything, including the Seven Gods?
He hasn't disappeared but has divided into us, hidden in the deepest part of each person's body."
"As long as we pray to the great Creator, He will grant us salvation.
Not only will we enter His divine kingdom after death, but life before death will also become better.
We'll get less arduous work, and every day we can eat cream and meat..."
The man used easy-to-understand language to show Old Kohler a beautiful prospect.
Could such good things really happen?
Old Kohler didn't dare believe it, but to gather intelligence, he just nodded perfunctorily, cooperating with the other party.
"...Alright, I've covered some basic things. I won't waste any more of your time."
The man reluctantly stopped his preaching, then smiled at Old Kohler.
"We'll be holding missionary activities at No. 2 Louis Street tonight and will provide a free dinner for participants.
If you're interested, feel free to come by."
With that, he nodded in courtesy and left directly.
Old Kohler saw the middle-aged man walk forward a few steps, then stop another pedestrian and continue preaching.
That passerby refused without courtesy, but he wasn't discouraged and actively looked for the next missionary target.
His face was always filled with a happy smile.
————
Perhaps to help Detective Moriarty obtain intelligence, or perhaps lured by the free dinner, that evening Old Kohler really did go to No. 2 Louis Street.
"If anything feels wrong, run immediately."
He reminded himself, walking into this unremarkable house along with several others in twos and threes.
"Good evening."
Inside the house was a spacious area. Several hooded figures stood on a rather high platform.
The leading black-robed figure welcomed the visitors with a gentle voice.
Several candles emitted dim yellow light, faintly illuminating the people in front.
Their faces emerged from the darkness. Those faces were dirty and gaunt, showing exhaustion, numbness, and confusion...
Like a flock of lost lambs.
The black-robed figure slowly turned his head.
Though his face couldn't be seen clearly, one could feel his gaze sweeping over the people below the stage one by one.
"The Lord has sent us to save you."
He said, his voice vibrating the air.
"Those of you who have heard the Lord's teachings are blessed, are without sin..."
So many people came...
Old Kohler thought to himself.
He didn't listen to the preaching above but secretly observed the room.
Following the investigation techniques Detective Moriarty taught him, observing the details inside the room.
After all, he wasn't here to listen to sermons but to gather information as an informant.
The lighting is so dim, and I don't see any cooking pots or places to store food... This doesn't look like there are any separate rooms either.
Old Kohler was slightly confused. They said they'd provide food for participants, yet nothing was prepared.
Even if the preaching was very successful, wouldn't this cause dissatisfaction?
Thinking this, he suddenly felt something was wrong.
Why has it become so quiet...
There were clearly so many people in the room.
Until just now, there was the buzz of conversation, but now only the words of the person on stage could be heard.
What's going on?
Old Kohler looked at the person beside him, discovering they were staring at the stage with rapt attention, their eyes showing fanaticism.
He remembered that before coming in, this person still had a worried and miserable expression, but now, their face was occupied by a joyful smile, their body trembling constantly.
Not just them. The people below the stage were basically all dominated by similar emotions, all their attention attracted by the black-robed figure's words and actions.
Old Kohler, remaining clearheaded in the middle of the crowd, had become the anomaly instead.
Low murmurs gradually arose, as if echoing in the shadows within each person's body.
Something's wrong!
Old Kohler was frightened and instinctively covered his ears.
He guessed that perhaps these people had become strange because of that preaching, since only he hadn't seriously listened to what was being said above.
He really wanted to run, but at this moment, fanatical people blocked him in front and behind.
He didn't dare make too drastic movements that would lead to his discovery.
He could only cover his ears first, barely holding on, then try to slowly retreat.
But that strange murmuring grew louder, easily penetrating Old Kohler's hands covering his ears and echoing in his mind.
Old Kohler felt his head gradually becoming confused, as if his will was slowly melting.
Taking its place was a strong faith toward some great existence. As if His will was the standard for everything.
Under His gaze, he would obtain eternal happiness and peace of mind...
"The Lord's will shall be done on earth, until it echoes in the flesh and blood of every person."
Sensing the emotional resonance from the people below, the black-robed man's voice grew more excited. "He will eventually return..."
"He won't return."
At this moment, a calm voice suddenly interrupted his prayer.