Visiting the Graves

Frank...

Mentioning this person made Neph's expression turn strange. She knew Frank was at least physically healthy for the time being, but his way of doing things was indeed easy to misunderstand.

He's more like an Outer Blessed than a true Outer Blessed... Neph took a breath and answered sincerely, "I assure you, at least for now, he's just exceptionally talented."

"Now?" Klein countered.

Neph reminded him, "You need to understand, given his condition, even if there really is a problem, you might not be able to tell..."

Welch, Naya, and the Nighthawks were not buried in the same cemetery. After their previous conversation, Klein first led Neph to Raphael Cemetery, where the Nighthawks were buried.

"I don't want to see you go in with the mindset of revering a historical site," he warned before entering.

"Not even at your grave?" Neph asked.

She held a large bunch of White Lily in her hands, at Neph's suggestion, because they couldn't find Chrysanthemum — Loen didn't seem to grow Chrysanthemum, and the locals didn't have the custom of using Chrysanthemum for grave sweeping.

According to Klein, the only flowers here that have any connection to Chrysanthemum are Chamomile and Daisy, but Neph rejected this option and suggested White Lily instead.

"This is the most versatile flower you can find of all flowers," she said, "At least that's how I remember it."

Klein wasn't completely ignorant about flowers, but he didn't know much either. He ultimately agreed to the option, and they led the White Lily to the grave. When Neph placed the flowers down, Klein noticed an unusual calmness and seriousness in Neph's expression.

She seemed oblivious to Klein's surprised gaze, so Klein half-squatted down beside her, took a bouquet of flowers, and asked:

"You look a little different than before?"

"Hmm..." Neph stared absentmindedly at the name on the Tombstone, "Because this is a cemetery..."

"What's wrong with the cemetery?" Klein looked at her, puzzled.

Neph didn't speak, but simply closed her eyes gently.

Loen is a country that has not yet implemented cremation. Although cremation is not entirely absent, most people do not use it, instead adhering to the more ancient belief that the body should be buried after a final burial Ritual.

This is actually quite interesting, because only the clergy of the Church of Evernight are actually authorized to perform the slumber Ritual. For the followers of the "Lord of Storms" and the "God of Steam and Machinery," if they don't want cremation, they have to choose between violating their faith and the risk of becoming a zombie.

Of course, most casual believers don't dwell on this. Unlike devout believers, their faith is closer to the pragmatic faith in Neph's memory. Although they usually have some understanding or agreement with the Doctrine, their faith doesn't affect their lives. Where there's no conflict, they don't even mind praying to other God.

Therefore, just as people often chant about the "Lord of Storms" and the "Sea God" when they are at the Sea, it is normal to briefly worship the Evernight Goddess after the death of a loved one or friend.

The faith of ordinary people is such a fickle thing; those truly bound by faith, besides devout believers, are only wealthy merchants and nobles with the means to donate.

For believers with the financial means to donate, the Church will not stand idly by and watch their faith change or even dwindle. It will certainly try its best to maintain the relationship between the believer and the Church, though of course, it also depends on whether it's worthwhile.

Therefore, for some wealthy merchants and nobles, their faith itself was not devout; for them, faith was a "business" of exchanging money for convenience and protection from the Church.

Raphael Cemetery is controlled by the Church of Evernight, and the bodies Rian undergo Requiem rituals, but for Neph, this felt rather strange.

The Requiem couldn't erase the corpses' existence. When she tried to sense them, every skeleton hidden Underground was clearly visible, but when she tried to glimpse their past, a thick black veil obscured everything.

Neph didn't like this experience; it was like a wordless book placed before her—no, this wasn't a wordless book, it was something forcibly blackened with ink. The one in my hand was the wordless book...

Neph pinched her brow, glanced at Klein, and shook her head, saying:

>p/<... Until I realized it was just me"

>p/<". Our sisters are really alike, in a certain sense."

>p/<". Only ' Ugly Little One ' has a chance to laugh at the funeral. It's impossible for her to be a funeral director, no matter what. "You know," she said, standing up and spreading her hands.

>p/<. I cursed you until you felt me," he got up and followed Enlake"???

>p/<"... I was born to know this person, and I was able to participate in the funeral rites of the legendary monks, even though I was alive at the time," I searched for that piece of Enlake's belongings, walking through the tombstones of Funerina, "I have no..."

>p/<...

"... Is he a rich second-generation heir? Are you sure you're buried here with your classmate?" He frowned slightly, looking at the new tombstone standing in the forest, "... Ah, it's quite..."

>p/<. He stepped forward, lifted his leg, and nodded to Enlake. "Confirmed."

>p/<: Thinking of everything, the surrounding environment before the tomb of Funa, the tombstone of "Wengermay Chilway" was engraved, and they found a spiritual feeling, relying on Enlake, as they walked through the inner garden of the cemetery.

>p/<". People often come to sweep the graves here, it seems like you and I have similar experiences. Hmm... it's very clean."

"... Who will come to sweep my grave? I thought Sally and Senban were still alive, but it's strange," Enlake sighed softly, placing flowers on Enlake's grave. "Will his father come?"

>p/<. Go down and put the flowers down, said Funa. "Denaren, ask if you can, the meaning of the words is not what you want."

>p/<. He stopped standing there, a shadowy figure beside him. No one spoke again. They stood there in unison, then suddenly stopped, their mouths Enlake. "... He doesn't know either."

He was puzzled by this, and his face was already showing many wrinkles. This was the first white-haired gentleman of the Enru standard.

He then eyed the two of them warily and asked:

Who are you?

Klein stepped forward and introduced himself:

"Uncle, I'm a friend of Welch's. I just happened to be passing by and thought I'd drop in to see him."

"This is mine..."

"I'm his mother," Neph interjected.

Klein, who had intended to use a friend's identity to take her there, suddenly stopped, abruptly turning to look at Neph, with an expression that said, "I misjudged you."

Welch's father looked at them, the wariness in his eyes fading, and gently shook his head.

"This young lady doesn't look very old."

This statement has two meanings. Firstly, Neph's age is clearly insufficient for Klein's motherhood. Secondly, Klein immediately followed up with:

"Yes, she's my friend, and she has a rather... lively personality."

He tactfully chose a more neutral adjective.

However, Neph's attention wasn't on those words; she was sizing up the gentleman before her, who looked much older than he actually was, and a strange sense of melancholy welled up within her.

Neph doesn't often think about her former family; their thoughts only flash through her mind occasionally when she sees related scenes. For example, now, seeing her aging father, she can't help but think of her original parents.

Will they receive news of their own death? Or perhaps they've disappeared? And if they find out they're missing, and their bodies can't be found, how will they react?

Neph lowered her eyes, and quite naturally raised the corners of her lips into a smile.

Welch's father didn't notice the expression on his face. He stood before Welch's grave, his voice low and somber:

"That's normal. Kids this age are always like that... lively and sociable. Welch used to be very sociable too; I only know some of them."

He glanced at Klein, Neph glanced at the two of them, understanding that this was an explanation for why Klein hadn't been invited to the funeral.

But then again, he was actually a victim himself...

Neph's thoughts drifted, and Klein looked around, thought for a moment, and simply asked:

"Is there anything I can help you with, or is there anything you wish to do? I hope I can offer my assistance."

Welch's father looked around and said with a bitter smile, "Can you bring all the dead here back to life?"

Neph really wanted to tell him that Klein could absolutely do it, but Klein seemed to have anticipated this, and as Welch's father finished speaking, he tugged at her Spirit Body Threads.

So Neph had to change her story.

"Sir, I think everyone grieves the death of a loved one. I've experienced it myself. When my mother died, I was extremely saddened, and even almost... well, anyway."

She glared at Klein, who was pulling on her Spirit Body Threads, before continuing:

"... Although our mindsets may not be exactly the same, the sadness is always the same. Perhaps I can try to offer you a few words of comfort."

"I think if your child saw your current situation, he wouldn't be happy either. He would definitely wish that his father could live well without him."

"You Remembrance him so vividly; as long as you live, and keep living, how can he not live on forever? Even if he only lives on in your memory."

Klein gave him an approving look, while Welch's father showed a hint of pity, sighing:

"I never knew you had such an experience... It's truly rare to see someone so lively."

"I think your parents will be very happy with you now."

After a moment of silence, Neph lowered her head and smiled, "I hope so too."

Welch's father glanced at her again, nodded, and said, "Anyway, thank you for your comfort, and thank you for coming to see him."

As he spoke, he bent down and placed the bouquet of white flowers in his hand. Klein reached out and tugged at Neph, leading her away from the cemetery.

>p/<: Dao Wen Fu Nai stared, Ding Zhen and Wen just started to put away Enlake, their eyes almost completely separated.

>p/<"? What did you say you just now?"

>p/<: He asked again, but Enlake didn't respond. He stared at her with a face full of innocence, and then blinked.

>p/<"? What did you say you just now?"

>p/<"? This time, once you've confirmed it, what else do you want?", Funa put down her pouch. "? You already know it's clearly not you."

"... It's alright, is it? If you really like this, then... okay, let's just have a laugh," she glanced at Enlake, who seemed powerless. "... Fennen..."

>p/<. Enlake looked at the ground in surprise, and then there was something about Funa. "...?"

>p/<: Dao Xin frowned, sighed, and Enlake

>p/<... In reality, there's too much meaning to it, and it's not really two-fold. You won't listen to me. I mean, I already know a lot, and I don't know what I should or shouldn't know. Haha... On the contrary, I can't possibly say this kind of thing to you every time."

>p/<". You shouldn't be laughing like this, Funa, but"

>p/<. The bag of hair fell slightly, Enlake stared at her, and came down to Jing'an Funai.

>p/<. "That child is going to die, that's me, that situation just happened," Enlake reminded her, "Maybe you don't realize it."

>p/<: continued speaking, then Funa, paused for a breath, Enlake

>p/<. I can only imagine how difficult it will be for them. I can't tell them what will happen, but I know we'll never see each other again. I know they will definitely have a hard time."

>p/<... Chu Qing should also think of me, the one born first is foolish and"

>p/<". People's comfort associations are not all from me"

>p/<: He sighed, speechless, Enlake.

It's possible that the actors playing comfort women might also be involved in such roles. You're genuinely afraid of experiencing similar feelings yourself, especially since you're good at acting for the audience. But isn't that just how it is...? Actually, you're even better at gloating over others' misfortunes... I know that...

.

"But at least you..."

"I didn't say it," Neph said, staring at him.

Klein shook his head, glanced at Neph, and frowned slightly.

No, actually... I didn't mean to blame you.

"Neph, I meant to say..."

Even as Spectator, it's okay to cry when you see a scene that moves you.

"You don't need to..."

He paused, then smiled and said, "Perhaps you're more used to this way of expressing yourself... Um, Miss ' Pure White,' please rest assured, no matter how much you cry, I won't tell anyone."

"... Thank you," Neph rolled her eyes, "I don't want to cry at all now."

She shook her head and continued speaking to Klein:

"... In short."

"I think I know where the problem lies... Hmm, this is definitely not something I should ask Miss ' Justice ' about. I'll talk to my Lord when My Lord wakes up..."

>p/<"? Will the king's envoy and I, the third time, talk back and forth"

>p/<". The guess is that I can add more, but of course--He asked you maybe", then a twitch appeared on Enlake's lips", "Question hello..."

>p/<. Funa blinked her eyes. "What?"

>p/<: earnest words, she looked at Enlake

>p/<"... Healing and treating the heart, talking to people, how about it? What other purpose does he have? Besides those reasons, you know that, perhaps, he can be separated from others and his thoughts can be 'empty' and 'single-minded' can be taken out.

>p/<. The path of the image is consistent with the 'home's empty space', which suits me perfectly. I rolled my eyes at Funa. Controlling my mind is what I believe in, and my will is even stronger...