Jared Osborne is a priest of the Laurentian Order who is sent to Germany by Fr. Bernard Lulfre to investigate claims that Charles Atterley is the Antichrist. After being directed to the Der Bau, Jared listens to B speak for the first time and is struck with his own stupidity. He follows B to Radenau and, after B's second lecture, to Little Bohemia where Jared and B discuss B's message and his need to find someone with whom to share his secret teachings. Jared continues to attend B's lectures, reporting back to Fr. Lulfre afterwards, but he also meets privately with B and becomes a sort of disciple.