"Father Yorkes!"
"..."
When York appeared, he immediately became the center of attention, drawing everyone's gaze.
The crowd turned their heads in unison, like groundhogs reacting to a sudden sound.
"Father Yorkes..."
York nodded, first glancing at the Baker couple and Jeffrey, then scanning the rest of the group. Without mentioning a word about the previous night's events, he smiled.
"Good morning, everyone. Are you all waiting for me to open the doors?"
Seeing the priest's demeanor, the crowd tactfully avoided bringing up last night and nodded instinctively.
York's smile remained unchanged as he made the sign of the cross. He had likely gained a new batch of believers.
"The Lord sees your efforts."
With that, York walked toward the peaceful church.
"Everyone, come inside."
"Yes, Father."
The crowd followed silently, with Baker and Jeffrey exchanging a glance before following behind.
As these people poured in, the church, which had always been quiet, gained a bit more life and human presence.
This feeling was different from before and quite pleasant. It made York consider whether he should hire some people to organize the church or clear the piles of fallen leaves outside.
Relying on believers to clean voluntarily every time wasn't a permanent solution, even if they were happy to do it for the sense of fulfillment.
"..."
"Father! Thank you for your help last night."
Another young couple came over to express their gratitude.
Standing by the altar, York maintained his composure and smiled warmly.
"It was the Lord's guidance."
The young couple looked at each other and smiled. After nodding in response, they took out some bills and stuffed them into the donation box in the center, then bowed to York before leaving. They decided they would definitely return in the future.
York's smile didn't waver as he made the sign of the cross and bowed his head in return.
"May the Lord bless you. Amen."
One person after another came forward, but the one who left the deepest impression on him was a daughter brought by a certain lady.
Wearing a red hoodie, her eyes darted around with great agility. She kept surreptitiously asking him questions, but it was her final question that truly caught his attention.
For instance, she asked if he, as a priest, would support her if she happened to encounter an extremely wicked, perverted man-eating demon who might have killed her best friend, but there was no evidence, yet she still wanted to personally execute the pervert.
Such a brutal question made York pause to observe the girl before him. She looked to be only in her teens, with short hair and a spirited, heroic aura.
"I think you should tell those two officers about this. If what you say is true, they will surely bring the killer to justice."
To his surprise, the girl named Hailey Julia glanced at the Baker couple and Jeffrey sitting on the pews, shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, and sighed like a weary adult.
"Father, he is very, very cunning. He's someone who has done many bad things but remains clean in the eyes of the law. Those dear officers might not believe me based on just a few words, and even if they did, they can't search his house without enough evidence."
As she spoke, the girl scratched her head as if troubled.
"He's a somewhat famous photographer; he must have taken photos of something. If they can't search his house, it's the same as finding no evidence at all..."
Hearing this, York's eyebrows twitched slightly. He could sense that this girl had likely been investigating for quite some time. Otherwise, based on her words alone, how could she know that such a seemingly innocent person was a perverted man-eating demon?
"Child, it seems you really need my help?"
Hearing this, Hailey looked up and took a serious look at the tall priest, whom even her strong-willed mother respected immensely.
Though she was young, she was no fool. From her mother's attitude toward the priest, combined with today's big news, she knew that the explosion might have something to do with him.
York saw the girl's brow furrow slightly as if she were thinking very seriously, so he smiled and said,
"If you need it, I will certainly help you. At the very least, I will ensure your safety."
It was nothing more than that; given her mother's donation just now and for the sake of a potential believer, he was willing to offer this help.
Unexpectedly, the girl nodded and then shook her head, saying very firmly,
"No! I can solve it myself. I just want to ask, do you support me?"
It was as if his support would give her more confidence and courage. York instinctively glanced at the people around them.
"Then you must first tell me how you confirmed that this 'clean' person is a pervert. For example, how did you find out?"
Hailey took a deep breath, scanned the hall to ensure no one was paying attention, and began to whisper her story.
"..."
"My best friend went missing. A few days later, she was found murdered and sexually assaulted. I know her personality; she wouldn't just disappear for no reason, so I started..."
"..."
The girl spoke very logically, and as York listened, he felt it was indeed possible.
At the same time, she had suddenly discovered that this photographer had taken photos of her friend. Most importantly, her friend had mysteriously disappeared on the very day those photos were taken, right after calling to say she was safe.
"I've only found this much," the young girl said, her eyes flashing with a fierce light and her teeth clenched.
"But I am absolutely certain that this perverted photographer is the killer!"
York pursed his lips, glanced at the people in the hall again, then looked at the Jesus Statue and made the sign of the cross on his chest.
"Child, if you have the ability and have confirmed that he is a perverted man-eating demon, then I certainly support you. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, blood for blood."
Just as he said this, he noticed the girl's eyes start to light up, so he couldn't help but pour a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm.
"But right now, you are still too young. For your safety, I think you must inform me before you take any action. Otherwise, I will tell your mother, Ms. Julia, and those two officers about this..."
Suddenly backstabbed by the priest, Hailey fell silent instantly, looking as if she already regretted telling him.
"Hmm?"
After a long moment, seeing someone approaching, York spoke up.
"Child, it seems you don't want to agree?"
Hailey finally couldn't help but sigh.
"Fine, Father. I'll let you know."
"Good. Your mother is coming over. We'll discuss the details of what to do later."
York smiled brightly. He felt that this matter was very likely to trigger a random quest.
Hailey stood up quickly and looked at her approaching mother.
Ms. Julia glanced at her daughter, then looked at York and bowed her head to signal their departure.
"Father Yorkes, we will come again next time."
With that, she gestured to her daughter. Hailey could only purse her lips and follow obediently by her mother's side, looking at the priest with a sullen expression.
York made the sign of the cross, glanced at the girl who had left such an impression on him, and smiled warmly.
"Alright."