The main hall of Harvest Church was as deserted as ever, with only a handful of believers listening to Bishop Utravsky's sermon.
After all, there were not many believers of the Mother Goddess in Backlund. Most had joined after receiving treatment from Emlyn's potions during the Great Smog, and their families were not well-off. They had to work during the day, so aside from coming to collect Communion at mealtimes, they rarely visited the church.
Those who lived a little farther away did not even come at mealtimes.
Thus, devout believers like Mrs. Fassin, who came every day to listen to the Mother Goddess's teachings, were truly rare. There were only three or four of them, and half were wealthy ladies who had come for Emlyn.
Ever since he had appeared in the Backlund Impressions film series, he had become famous within their circles and attracted quite a few undesirable admirers.
When he saw Abner enter, Emlyn, who had been thoroughly annoyed by the harassment, seemed to spot a savior. He hurried over and sat beside him.
That lady did not dare act improperly before Abner, so she could only turn her attention back to the Mother Goddess's teachings.
Anyone who came to Harvest Church to pursue Emlyn had, at least on the surface, converted to the Earth Mother Goddess.
"Hazel isn't here today?" Abner asked after looking around.
Usually, Hazel was the one who helped Emlyn shake off those persistent women.
"She's been investigating Sherlock with that student of hers recently. She should be visiting his former neighbors now," Emlyn replied casually.
It seemed Hazel had taken my joking remark—"As long as you can unravel Sherlock's Secret, the Mystery Pryer's potion can be fully digested"—seriously...
Still, that was fine. Although I still couldn't divert the Fate of her encounter