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After a moment of bewilderment, Klein shook his head, temporarily banishing the sorrow, pain, and sense of loss from before his eyes. He reached into his pocket and gripped the Glass Bottle, sensing Dunn's soul slumbering within. The familiar coolness gradually restored his composure.
I probably can't attend Talim's funeral. Edward knew Talim well too, so he'll very likely attend. If I go, it could very well turn into a mass funeral. Watching from a distance would be too suspicious. Perhaps I can only mourn him in my heart.
Sorrow was sorrow, but as long as he lived, there were still more things to do.
For instance, there was another equally imminent matter to resolve: today was Monday, and he had to hold the Tarot Club gathering that afternoon as usual.
Having to hold a meeting the very day after coming back from the dead-somehow, even that had been faithfully repeated.
Emlyn had yet to return. Mealtime arrived, and Klein's stomach growled a few times. A little later, Father Utravsky temporarily finished his prayers, turned toward the wall clock engraved with the Mother Goddess's emblem, and said as though waking from a dream, "It's already twelve."
The priest stood and looked at Klein. "I'm glad to see you again, my friend. You seem hungry. If you don't mind, you're welcome to use the private dining room at the back of the church."
Klein had been considering where to get lunch. Hearing the priest invite him to eat, he immediately smiled. He set the newspaper aside, stood, and straightened his clothes. "Thank you."
With Emlyn absent, the church could not be left unattended, so after giving him directions to the dining room, the priest sat back down and began quietly reciting the Earth Mother's Holy Bible.
The Harvest Church was