MFM | Chapter 1.8

“Human skin is tougher than you think and doesn’t tear easily. But the impact is transmitted directly inside the body, so the bones shattered and the organs burst like this. It’s a typical symptom seen in fall deaths.”

“Is there a possibility someone knocked him out and pushed him from the bell tower?”

“There were no signs of assault or drugs.”

“Ah, why the hell would someone commit suicide in a church on a Sunday morning?”

Gabriel remained silent. He had no right to question death. The officer, seemingly glad the autopsy was over, continued to chatter on his own.

“Do you know how many worshippers fainted and were taken to the charity hospital? They’re all old ladies, so one of them might end up here soon.”

He chuckled and laughed. Gabriel quietly replaced the worn scalpel blade. The officer, holding the autopsy report, glanced at Gabriel.

“Anyway, it’s definitely a suicide, right?”

“Yes.”

“If he had left a note, this wouldn’t be such a hassle. But then again, he was probably illiterate. Anyway, there’s no need for further investigation. You’ll handle the rest, right?”

“Yes. I’ll just go have a cigarette.”

“Give me one too. Is it in your coat?”

Gabriel hesitated for a moment.

“I’ll get it for you.”

“A cigarette touched by those hands? No thanks, I feel like throwing up. Just go have your smoke and wash your hands thoroughly.”

The officer shuddered and left. It was a good thing.

Gabriel did have regular cigarettes. There had been a time when he was caught off guard by an officer’s request for a cigarette and had to refuse, causing a disruption. They were cheap cigarettes, but even those were precious.

As the door briefly opened and closed, Gabriel heard the officer greeting someone with enthusiasm. Judging by the groveling, it seemed to be the chief.

“Then he won’t meddle here.”

He would probably head straight to the chief’s office to drink. Whenever he came to work on a Sunday, his breath always smelled of fine whiskey.

Gabriel removed his blood-soaked gloves and apron. He took off the stifling mask and scrubbed his hands with disinfectant. As he grabbed his cigarette pack and opened the autopsy room door, he saw someone sitting on the metal chair next to the door. As soon as Gabriel appeared, the person stood up. He looked to be in his early thirties and was dressed in a black priest’s robe. Gabriel shoved the cigarette pack into his pocket.

“Father.”

“May the goddess be with you. I am Martin Becker, the head priest of the Miser Church. Are you Mr. Valentin, who conducted the autopsy?”

“Yes, I’m Gabriel Valentin. I heard you’ve already given your statement, so is there a reason you’re waiting here?”

“Because poor Thaum has no family. I intend to accompany him to the crematorium.”

He smiled bitterly, his face pale and gentle. Gabriel nodded.

“You’re kind.”

“Not as much as the late Mr. Valentin. Thanks to the charity hospital he established, many poor people have been able to survive. Especially the children.”

When he spoke the last words, his face shone with undeniable joy. Despite the unwelcome topic, Gabriel had no choice but to continue the conversation.

“You must love children very much.”

“Of course, watching them teaches me so much more. The goddess’s breath, which has faded in adults, remains intact in children.”

He smiled softly.

“It would be nice if you could visit our church sometime, Mr. Valentin. We have a small school every evening at 8. We’re always short of teachers.”

Were his previous words a prelude to inviting him to volunteer? Gabriel habitually lifted the corners of his mouth.

“If they find out I’m a coroner, the children will be scared of me. Other worshippers might avoid me too.”

“No one is unwelcome in the goddess’s embrace.”

Martin extended his hands. Gabriel instinctively stepped back, but Martin placed his hands over Gabriel’s. Unlike Gabriel, who was barehanded, Martin wore gloves, but it was still uncomfortable. Gabriel awkwardly looked at him, unable to shake him off.

“The smell of disinfectant lingers. Other smells might transfer too.”

Martin maintained a serene smile, undeterred by the indirect refusal.

“The reason the priest’s robe is black is so it can be dirtied as much as needed. I hope the goddess’s blessing will be with you, Mr. Valentin.”

“…May peace be with you too, Father.”

As soon as his hands were released, Gabriel ended the brief greeting and passed by him.

It had been a while since he last encountered a priest. Time spent in worship equated to money, and offerings were expenses. He would rather work all Sunday than think of visiting a church.

Moreover, Gabriel’s workplace was not a place where he would easily cross paths with a priest. Ordinary priests wouldn’t set foot in a busy and messy place like a police station. Even if their own worshipper fell and died from the church bell tower, they would shudder but not come to collect the body.

Martin Becker was a rare kind of person. Not that it meant Gabriel would ever visit the Miser Church.

Gabriel quickly left the police station. The wall next to the station was a familiar smoking spot. The alley, littered with cigarette butts, was dark and silent even during the day.

Initially, he hadn’t decided on an inhalation method for the medication. Back then, he simply swallowed pills. However, since he was living in society, taking pills inevitably caught someone’s eye, drawing unnecessary attention.

So by the time he graduated from university, Gabriel outwardly became a smoker. He realized for the first time that no desire was as widely accepted and understood socially as the desire to smoke.

Even that grumpy officer let Gabriel go without a fuss under the pretext of smoking. In many ways, cigarettes were more convenient and plausible than pills.

“Just in case, I did keep emergency pills.”

He had sewn hidden pockets into every pair of pants. Gabriel, feeling the outline of the pills that had never diminished, lit a cigarette. Just as he was about to take a puff, something flapped and flew in front of him.

It was a crow. A common crow that could be seen anywhere in Arkham.

The crow, fearlessly approaching with small steps, tilted its head at Gabriel. It seemed puzzled that there was a living person despite the smell of a corpse. As he tried to step aside, the crow opened its beak.

“Gabriel Valentin? Valentin?”

What came out was undoubtedly a cheerful boy’s voice. Gabriel’s hand, holding the cigarette, froze. What the…?

“I’ll contact you again tomorrow.”

Was this how it was supposed to happen? It was utterly bewildering.

“Is it my fault for not asking?”

A talking crow—how far would his common sense be twisted? His head throbbed, making the cigarette pointless. Gabriel met the crow’s gaze.

“Yes, I’m Gabriel Valentin.”

“I’m Paul!”

The crow, spreading its wings wide, continued confidently.

“Monday, 9 a.m., Rockwell Street No. 221, Mid Insurance Company, 1st floor, special recruitment.”

The crow nodded its head from side to side with each word.

“Monday, 9 a.m….”

“You don’t have to say it twice. I got it.”

Even as he spoke, he couldn’t tell if the crow understood him or was just outputting pre-programmed content. Judging by how it clammed up after chattering, it seemed like the former. The crow looked directly at Gabriel.

“If you forget, you’re a fool.”

“…”

“1st floor, Pablo, find Pablo. Guide.”

“What about Klaus Rapendell?”

Gabriel asked without realizing it. The crow pecked the ground once.

“Busy. Bye!”

The crow flapped its wings and quickly disappeared from Gabriel’s sight. Gabriel stared blankly at the sky, stained gray. He couldn’t even imagine what kind of events awaited him from tomorrow.

Of course, before heading to unimaginable places, he would have to stop by the most ordinary and mundane place first.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

“I quit.”

On Monday morning, Gabriel fluttered his resignation letter onto the desk in the boss’s office. He didn’t feel like adding any explanations. No one in this company had ever explained anything to him, so why should he say more?

Moreover, Gabriel was somewhat exhausted from the move he had just completed before coming to work. The reason for the move was simple. Even though he was under the protection of the Dark Guard, it seemed too careless to continue living in the same house with a suspicious pursuer on his tail.

The new place was on the same street, so there wasn’t much difference. It was just a bit older, a bit dirtier, and a bit more expensive.

Leaving behind all the furniture that wasn’t his, he packed his few belongings, and the cat quickly clung to his leg, climbed up his back, and dangled from his shoulder like a scarf, making strange noises.

Gabriel had to walk to his new home with the black cat draped around his neck like a scarf. Even though it was a chilly dawn, he felt a trickle of sweat running down his neck.

Having come straight to the company without time to tidy up, his pants and even his outer coat were likely covered in fur. As he brushed off the collar of his coat and reached for the doorknob of the boss’s office, a shout came from behind.

“Gabriel Valentin!”

Gabriel turned around.

“Do you think you can find another job besides being a notorious coroner? How can you be so ungrateful and reckless?”

Lunggen, his face flushed red, was glaring at him. Gabriel replied to his former employer.

“Yes.”

And with no regrets, he walked out of the boss’s office. Ignoring the words about how he wouldn’t be taken back even if he returned, and how he’d have to beg on his knees, he closed the door and walked out. Various gazes and whispers poked at his back.

As he descended the stairs, he faintly heard several shouts. Once outside the building, Gabriel heard a voice calling him.

“Gabriel!”

Turning around, he saw Ethan, panting as if out of breath, standing there.

“How can you leave without a word? We never even got to have a meal together… You promised me.”

He spoke with a disappointed expression.

“Where’s your new job? When did you decide to change jobs? Or are you planning to work only as a coroner from now on? Are you leaving Sumnerus altogether?”

Urgent questions poured out nonstop. Was it Lunggen who sent him, or someone else? It didn’t matter either way.

Instead of smiling as usual, Gabriel just stared at him. Then Ethan, looking desperate, pulled out a business card from his pocket, scribbled something with a pen, and thrust it at him.

“It’s my home address. If you need help, come here, okay? I’ll help with whatever I can. Or if it’s hard to come, just send a telegram.”

He repeatedly pushed the business card toward him. His furrowed face looked almost pleading.

If he went to his house, how much would Ethan earn from the bet? Gabriel dismissed the meaningless question and took the card.

“Alright.”

“Promise me.”

Gabriel didn’t reply and turned away. Carriages were bustling around. Most were wagons carrying materials for the reconstruction of the city center’s Blawin Church, clattering as if they would crush the paved roads. The piece of paper in Gabriel’s hand was torn and crushed under the wheels, disappearing without a trace.

“Gentleman, a fresh bouquet for just 1 penny! Gift it to your loved one!”

“Tonight, ‘Star of Sumnerus’ is on stage! Get a preview of the performance!”

“Shoe shine! Shoe shine!”

The children’s loud shouts drowned out the sound of the paper tearing, treating it as mere noise.