Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World - Chapter 39: Father Brown

The Father Brown series is a quite unique composition among mystery novels.

While most mystery novels are brain games and puzzles composed of ‘tricks’ and ‘twists’, the Father Brown series is a ‘profiling’ type novel that delves into the psychology of criminals.

This stems from the peculiar setting of the protagonist, Father Brown.

“Mr. Homer, have you ever been involved in the clergy?”

“No.”

“Ah, I see. Sorry for the strange question. It’s just that I could relate so much to the priest’s feelings in this Father Brown novel. He seems like a very devout clergyman.”

As can be inferred from the title, the Father Brown series features a priest as the main character.

Consequently, the process of his investigation was somewhat different from typical detective novels.

Father Brown, who regularly listened to the ‘confessions’ of sinners, was well-versed in the psychology and methods of criminals.

He understood the mental changes they underwent to commit crimes and their subsequent regrets, and perceived the scars within their hearts.

Based on this ‘understanding’, he traced the criminal’s ‘psychology’ to deduce the truth.

Hence, the ‘logic’ emphasized in general detective novels was often not as important here. Cardinal Garnier seemed to find Father Brown’s actions appropriate.

“Of course, there are parts that are difficult for me, as a cardinal, to speak on without caution─ but if our ‘Protestant’ friends read this story, they would surely enjoy it. They are as tolerant and generous as this Father Brown.”

“Protestants… you mean?”

“Yes. The Knights of the Church, under the direct control of the Holy See, who strive to spread the gospel, departing from traditional doctrines.”

“Such a group exists?”

“It was recently established. This too is thanks to Venerable Homer.”

“Really?”

The cardinal explained in detail how the ‘Protestant’ group was formed.

As a result, I was slightly stunned. I never imagined that the meeting at that time would lead to an internal religious reformation.

Cardinal Garnier continued as if it was not an unusual occurrence.

“The Savior told us that those we should reach out to are not saints but sinners. Those who are lost and wandering are the ones who truly need the gospel. However, if our doctrinal and prejudiced eyes cannot reach their souls, how can we heal them? A doctor who does not listen to the patient’s story cannot treat the illness. Thus, the Protestant group had to be created.”

“Ah….”

It was a bit surprising to hear a cardinal of the church admit to being ‘ensnared by doctrine and prejudice’.

This was ultimately an admission that the doctrine wasn’t perfect. Perhaps, since God existed in this world, there was a bit more tolerance for specific doctrines and methodologies.

“This ‘Father Brown’ also seems to be a priest of such tolerant nature. He doesn’t seem to fit with an old priest like me, who divides everything into black and white…”

“Aren’t you quite young, Cardinal Garnier?”

“Haha, indeed, I am the youngest among the cardinals. I’ve even been called the youngest cardinal. But─”

For a moment, the smile on Cardinal Garnier’s face was different from his usual gentle one. It was a bit more lukewarm, and also…

It was the smile of a person exhausted and worn out.

“Regardless of age, there are times when what you do makes you old, isn’t there?”

“…I see.”

“Therefore, I will introduce you to the friends of the Protestant group. They will be much more helpful than someone like me.”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

Thus, I was introduced to the Protestant group, a knightly order with a somehow familiar name.

* * *

“Hello! It is an honor to meet you, Venerable Homer!”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

“I have read all of your books with great impression! So, may I ask for your signature on this book?”

“Yes. Of course.”

The clergy of the Protestant group were somewhat different from what I had imagined. Expecting a solemn and serene atmosphere, they were instead more cheerful and light-hearted.

Yet, they maintained proper manners, making it clear why the cardinal had described them as ‘tolerant’.

“Thank you!”

“Yes, yes. By the way, I’ve heard a lot about you from Cardinal Garnier. He said you’re particularly tolerant and generous members of the church.”

“Did Cardinal Garnier say that about us?”

“Yes. He praised you a lot.”

“I see. We refer to Cardinal Garnier as the noble and meddlesome cardinal.”

“…Pardon?”

“It is only fair that if he assesses us, we also share how we assess him.”

…A rather peculiar person indeed. Seeing other priests nodding in agreement, it seemed they were all of similar temperament. I became curious about the criteria used to select members for this ‘Protestant’ group.

“I see…. The reason I wanted to meet the clergy of the Protestant group is that I am writing a novel featuring a priest as the protagonist and would like to seek your advice.”

“It is a lifelong honor to be able to assist Venerable Homer with his writing.”

“It’s not that significant…”

“I’m serious. For us clergy of the Protestant group, your novels are no different from the Bible.”

“Pardon?”

“The words of the Savior make us holy, and the words of Homer intoxicate us. This is a saying that has been circulating among the young clergy members lately. It means that many have been helped by your books, Mr. Homer.”

“Ah, I see…”

“Therefore, I sincerely wish to assist you with your writing, Venerable Homer.”

“Yes, thank you…”

This person was praising me with an extremely serious tone! I had seen people get excited and raise their voices out of fan enthusiasm, but it was a bit refreshing to see a clergyman do this. It wasn’t just about tolerance, it was something more.

“This is the manuscript. Father Brown… It’s a good name. May I pray to the Lord before reading it?”

“What? Yes, of course.”

“O Lord of wisdom─.”

Was he perhaps overly immersed in religion in a peculiar way? I wasn’t sure.

“Thank you. Now, let’s read the manuscript.”

“Yes…”

* * *

Thus, with the advice of ‘Cardinal Garnier’ and the ‘Protestant Order’, the ‘Father Brown’ series was published.

The news that ‘Homer’ had written a detective novel spread rapidly throughout the empire.

Even though it was in the form of a short story collection rather than a magazine serialization, the Father Brown series sold like hotcakes.

Even the ‘pulp fiction’ readers, familiar with traditional detective novels, didn’t hesitate to buy Father Brown.

This was due to a somewhat unique characteristic of detective novel readers.

The more they read detective novels, the more they crave new and more interesting detective novels!

Although this might be true for most genres, detective novel readers were particularly inclined towards this trait.

This is because detective novels are a genre with strong ‘genre-specific’ elements, yet they simultaneously demand extreme originality in each work.

Simply put, reading a novel with a recycled trick or case becomes uninteresting.

“A detective novel by Homer! A detective novel by the author of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’? I’m eager to see how great it will be!”

“I prefer Herodotus’ novels over Homer’s… but I still can’t resist a detective novel.”

The response to the Father Brown series was positive. Critics and existing ‘detective novel’ readers alike gave it high praise.

“The Father Brown series is filled with a sincere attitude towards truth and humility! When you think about it, no matter how thick a curtain of darkness hides the truth, it always comes to light in broad daylight, doesn’t it?”

“A detective doesn’t need to be a machine solving puzzles. A deep interest in people is what truly gives one the wisdom to uncover the right truth.”

However─.

People inevitably compare novels of a similar genre, just as they compare ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Arsène Lupin.’

“Hmm, it’s new, but… it feels a bit bland. It’s not hitting me with that stimulating punch.”

“Stop reading so many crime novels. I’ve never seen a novel that pierces the soul so sharply. What do you mean by a lack of stimulation? You can’t appreciate the delicate psychology because you read novels so lightly.”

“What? You’ve lost your masculinity from reading too many romance novels!”

“Hah! How could you understand the fun of this novel when you don’t know the nobility of the soul?”

“You bastard?!”

“Am I wrong?!”

“Duel!”

“Duel!”

The problem was, externally, these works seemed like they were by ‘different authors’ rather than the ‘same author.’ This made it easy for ‘fandom wars’ to erupt. It was also a matter of pride among fans deeply interested in the genre of ‘mystery novels.’

“Homer is the god of literature! The way Father Brown tracks the criminal’s psychology shows how deeply he cares about the human soul! How can you not understand this fun?!”

“Herodotus is the god of mystery novels! Cold reason and rationality are the values that mystery novels should pursue! In terms of mystery novels, Herodotus is a step above!”

“Think about it, the start of mystery novels was Homer’s ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,’ wasn’t it?”

“But it was Herodotus who perfected the detective novel genre! The Father Brown series is ultimately just an offshoot of ‘Sherlock Holmes!’”

“I can’t talk to you!”

“That’s my line!”

“In that case, let’s settle who understands mystery novels better with a duel─, no, a competition!”

“Bring it on!”

“The contest will be the ‘Sherlock Holmes X Arsène Lupin Fanfiction Competition!’”

“What.”

And then.

Due to the timely overlap with the [Sherlock Holmes X Arsène Lupin Fanfiction Competition], mystery novel enthusiasts found themselves compelled to participate to prove their ‘sincerity.’

* * *

“Did you predict all this, my lord?”

“Sort of…? I discussed it with the publisher to guide the atmosphere a bit, but it worked better than expected.”

In other words, every reader was ultimately a potential writer.

What ‘Herodotus’ did was give a nudge to these ‘potential writers.’

That was all.