Chapter 24: Grand Mass

Chapter 24: Grand Mass

After waiting outside the grand prayer hall for nearly ten minutes, Klein, together with the other believers attending Moon Mass, was led inside by a priest.

In the dim and tranquil atmosphere, what greeted them was a neat, ethereal chant:

“The crimson full moon rises, mirrored upon the earth;

“All people sink into sweet dreams, dreaming of themselves;

“Dreaming of fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, and children—this is eternity…” (Note 1)

As the holy, rhythmic voices echoed in layers, the believers inside the grand prayer hall involuntarily settled into peace. It was as if they had forgotten the troubles of life and no longer worried about the many hardships of the real world.

Led by several priests, they each found seats. Before the altar, Bishop Elektra, who was presiding over this grand Mass, held The Revelation of Evernight and began delivering a brief sermon.

When this segment neared its end, the priests took up clear water and bread and distributed them to Klein and the others. These were the blessings of the night, food shared between the living and the dead.

Klein, who had not yet had dinner, naturally did not waste the mediocre bread or the water in the cup. Then he saw candles lighting one after another upon the altar. Against the darkness, they were like stars in the night, radiating reassuring light and warmth.

At that moment, Bishop Elektra, together with the priests and the entire choir, once again chanted in unison:

“We shall lift our heads and gaze upon that night sky;

“Softly speak Her name: ‘Evernight Goddess!’

“Other than ‘Evernight Goddess,’ there are no more words;

“May the Goddess, between the singing of angels,

“Pluck them together with sweet silence

“And hold them in Her gentle right hand.

“‘Goddess!’ If She hears, She will surely answer;

“She will surely reveal a pure smile to the dead:

“‘Come, rest, sleep, My children!’” (Note 2)

The hollow, sacred voices entered every believer’s ears and seemed to resonate with every spirit present. Even Klein, a Sequence 5 Beyonder, felt at that moment as if his spirit body had been washed clean. His spirituality flowed outward naturally and soothingly.

Then, before his eyes, there seemed to appear a patch of tranquil darkness—a darkness without the slightest sound.

Within that darkness lay corpse after corpse, their faces pale yet peaceful, as if they had not died but merely fallen asleep.

With his mind calm and settled, Klein walked through that darkness. Suddenly, he stopped and looked diagonally ahead.

There, where moon flowers quietly bloomed, several people slept.

They were Dunn Smith, without his hat, covered by his trench coat; Old Neil, still wearing his black classical robe; and Kenley, short in stature, who had worked hard to save money.

Their eyes were relaxed and closed, the corners of their mouths seeming to carry the faintest of smiles. Around them stood tombstone after tombstone, each bearing the same word:

“Guardian.”

Klein closed his eyes at once. At his ears, the holy, ethereal voices rose again:

“Cross your hands

“And place them upon your chest;

“Make that wordless prayer,

“And cry out with your heart:

“The only home is serenity!” (Note 3)

Klein lowered his head, closed his eyes, raised his hands, crossed them over his chest, and silently repeated:

“The only home is serenity!”

“The only home is serenity!”

…

Again and again, until the grand prayer hall became utterly quiet, Klein finally opened his eyes and raised a hand to rub the corners of both eyes.

He slowly breathed out and glanced to either side. By the candlelight, he discovered that most of the believers’ faces were streaked with tears without them even realizing it. Even Richardson, his personal valet, had lost composure and was letting tears slide down his face without wiping them away.

Moon Mass is closer to a ritual—a ritual involving Beyonder power. Its purpose should be to resonate with every person’s spirit, allowing…