Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 280 Preaching
On a street in the East District.

"Sir, may I have a moment? I would like to introduce to you my most devout faith, the ultimate salvation, the Creator who created everything."

"Huh? You're talking to me?"

Old Kohler turned around in surprise to look at the person who had taken the initiative to talk to him.

"Yes, sir."

Behind him stood a middle-aged man who, upon hearing old Kohler's question, smiled and replied, "Would you be interested in learning more? Perhaps faith in God can free you from the suffering of life."

Actually, I'm doing quite well now.
Old Kohler thought to himself.

All this is thanks to Detective Moriarty, the generous and compassionate gentleman who hired him as an informant, giving him a stable source of income. In return, he is obligated to find valuable information for the detective.

That's why old Kohler was wandering the streets of the East End during the daytime on a weekday. The middle-aged man probably mistook him for someone who hadn't found work and was feeling down, making him a good candidate for missionary work.

Yes, valuable intelligence!

He suddenly became alert.

"The gods you're referring to, aren't they the seven gods?"

"Of course not, but the great being of the source, the creator who created everything."

The middle-aged man replied.

really
Old Kohler had recently heard rumors that someone was spreading doctrines in the East End, and that the target of their faith was the God who created everything in mythology and became all things.

I wonder if Detective Moriarty would be interested.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What do you want to tell me?"

"That's right. The people of this land each worship one of the seven gods, but in reality, this is wrong and incomplete."

Seeing that the other person was interested, the man couldn't help but smile.

Old Kohler was taken aback, finding it somewhat strange. The middle-aged man's smile was too overly happy, a smile completely out of place in the East District. But before he could think further, the man continued speaking:

"So why not just believe in the Creator who created everything, including the Seven Gods? He did not disappear, but rather differentiated into us and is hidden deep within each of us."

"As long as we pray to the great Creator, He will grant us salvation. Not only will we enter His Kingdom after death, but our lives in this world will also be better; we will have less strenuous work and can eat butter and meat every day."

The man used simple, easy-to-understand language to present old Kohler with a bright future.

Is it really possible for something like this to happen?

Old Kohler couldn't believe it, but in order to gather intelligence, he simply nodded vaguely and cooperated with the other party.

"Alright, I've covered some basic information, so I won't waste your time any more."

The man paused his sermon with a hint of reluctance, then smiled at old Kohler and said, "We will be holding a missionary event at 2 Louis Street tonight, and will provide a free dinner for the participants. If you are interested, you can come and take a look."

After saying this, he nodded in acknowledgment and then left directly.

Old Kohler saw the middle-aged man take a few steps forward, then stop another pedestrian and continue preaching. The pedestrian refused without hesitation, but the man was not discouraged and actively sought out the next person to preach to.

His face was always beaming with a happy smile. ————

Perhaps to help Detective Moriarty gather intelligence, or perhaps lured by the free dinner, old Kohler did indeed go to 2 Louis Street that evening.

"If anything seems wrong, run!"

He reminded himself of this as he walked into the unremarkable house with a few other people.

"good evening."

Inside the house was a spacious area, where several hooded figures stood on a high platform. The leader, a man in a black robe, welcomed the visitors in a gentle voice.

A few candles cast a dim, yellowish light, faintly illuminating the people ahead, their faces peeking out from the darkness. Those faces were dirty and emaciated, revealing weariness, numbness, and confusion.
Like a flock of lost lambs.

The man in black robes slowly turned his head. Although his face was not clearly visible, one could feel his gaze sweeping over the people below the stage.

"The Lord sent us here to save you."

He said, his voice resonating through the air, “Blessed are you who have heard the Lord’s teachings; you are free from sin.”

A lot of people came.
Old Kohler thought to himself.

He didn't listen to the sermon; instead, he secretly surveyed the room, observing the details according to the investigative techniques Detective Moriarty had taught him. After all, he wasn't there to listen to a sermon, but to gather information as an informant.

The lighting was so dim, and there were no cooking pots or food storage facilities in sight. It didn't seem like there were any individual cubicles either. Old Kohler was slightly puzzled. They'd promised to provide food for the participants, but nothing had been prepared. Even if the sermon was incredibly successful, wouldn't this cause discontent?
As he was thinking this, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.

Why has it become so quiet?
There were clearly so many people in the room, and just a moment ago there was a buzzing of conversation, but now all that can be heard is the voice of the person on the stage.

what happened?

Old Kohler glanced at the man beside him and saw that the man was staring intently at the stage, his eyes filled with fervor. He remembered that before he came in, this man had looked worried and distressed, but now, his face was filled with a joyful smile, and his body was trembling.

Not only him, but almost everyone in the audience was dominated by similar emotions, their attention completely drawn to the words and actions of the man in the black robe. Old Kohler, standing soberly in the middle of the crowd, became the odd one out.

A low murmur gradually rose, seemingly echoing in the shadows of everyone's body.

Something is wrong!
Old Kohler was startled and instinctively covered his ears. He guessed that perhaps the group was behaving strangely because of the sermon, since he was the only one who hadn't been paying attention to what was being said.

He desperately wanted to escape, but he was blocked by the frenzied crowd in front of and behind him. He dared not make any sudden movements that might lead to his discovery. He could only cover his ears and try to hold on, while slowly backing away.

But the strange murmur grew louder, easily piercing through old Kohler's hands that were covering his ears, and echoed in his mind.

Old Kohler felt his mind gradually becoming hazy, as if his will was slowly melting away, replaced by a strong faith in some great being. It was as if His will was the standard of everything, and under His gaze, he would find eternal joy and peace.
"The Lord's will will be done on earth, and will resonate deep within the flesh of every man."

Sensing the emotional resonance among the audience, the man in black robes grew even more excited, "He will return."

"They're not coming back."

At that moment, a calm voice suddenly interrupted his prayer.

(End of this chapter)