The Girl in the Church

Neph did not answer Danitz's question. She merely gave him a meaningful smile, then caught up with the group.

After standing there in a daze for two seconds, Danitz hurried after her and asked again:

"-You're joking, right?"

Neph glanced at him without saying anything. She merely raised a hand and patted his shoulder, as if to reassure him.

Danitz's eyes widened, but Neph had already decided to ignore him. He followed behind the group until the next wave of monsters appeared,

without finding a chance to speak.

The road to the telegraph office was not long. Even with the time spent clearing out monsters, the journey only took seven or eight minutes.

Cleves stepped forward of his own accord and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A calm female voice came from inside.

"We're looking for Mr. Elland, captain of the White Agate," Cleves answered through the door.

In the quiet night, the woman's voice replied at an unhurried pace, "He and, his first mate, went to the, church next door."

Klein frowned. Instinctively, he was about to toss the gold coin in his hand when an ice-cold hand reached over from beside him and stopped him. Turning his head, he discovered that Neph had somehow come to stand nearby.

Klein relaxed. He asked Neph what had happened with his eyes, but she merely shook her head, cast a grave glance toward the telegraph office, and silently mouthed:

Don't alert them.

Klein paused briefly, then his gaze grew solemn, but he said nothing.

Having received the answer he wanted, Cleves was about to retreat when the woman spoke again, sounding slightly hesitant:

"Could you, help me, keep an eye out, for someone?

"He's my, colleague. He went out before the wind picked up tonight, and never came back.