MFM | Chapter 2.5

He tapped Gabriel’s shoulder a couple of times, then hopped out of the doorway to the outside. Despite his size, his steps were light and weightless. Gabriel, half-frozen, couldn’t help but frown as he watched him board the carriage.

He was truly a strange person. Impossible to understand with common sense.

When he followed him out, he saw another carriage in front of the house. Ann, who hadn’t left yet, waved with a smile. Her attitude was the opposite of Eugene, who didn’t even look this way.

When Gabriel returned the greeting, Ann looked back at Eugene. Then she forcefully jabbed the parasol she was holding downward. Judging by Eugene’s fiercely grimacing expression, it seemed she had jabbed his foot rather than the carriage floor.

After Ann said something sharply, Eugene reluctantly got off the carriage. He walked over with heavy steps and glared up at Gabriel. His expression was like a snake filled with venom.

“Whether it’s luck or skill, you better have something for sure. This isn’t a place for empty-headed people to play sword fights or pretend to be cops. If you want to hear an apology from me, do your job properly from now on.”

Ann must have said quite a bit. Gabriel, who usually would have just laughed it off, remembered Klaus’s words and stiffened his lips. At the same time, the feelings he had suppressed burst out.

“I don’t particularly want an apology. Just don’t make unnecessary comments while working.”

Before Eugene could say anything more, Gabriel turned around and got into the carriage. The carriage started immediately. Klaus, sitting opposite, rested his chin on his hand and asked contentedly.

“You look happy. Did you get a love confession or something?”

“Are you crazy?”

The words came out almost reflexively. There was no time to think that it wasn’t something to say to a boss he had known for less than 48 hours.

It was all because Klaus had been spouting strange things. Gabriel felt even more uncomfortable, thinking he had inadvertently fulfilled what Klaus wanted. Klaus was grinning as if he was in a good mood.

“No need to apologize. I like you a lot right now.”

Gabriel, who was about to apologize, dismissed the thought entirely.

“Let’s talk about work. Do you think Mrs. Krem is the culprit?”

Her son and husband had died in succession, and ominous traces were hidden in the basement. Although both deaths were said to be from illness, such things could easily be fabricated or concealed.

Was she a survivor of misfortune or a criminal hiding a conspiracy?

“I don’t have any thoughts yet.”

Klaus replied. It was a frustrating answer. As Gabriel stared at him, he shrugged.

“The file says the Krem family was harmonious, and the wife was well-regarded by those around her. Even after her husband’s death, she continued her charitable activities. On the other hand, it also says she dismissed all the employees and cut off contact with acquaintances after her son’s death. Do you think you can judge her based on these words?”

“…No.”

“We’ll find out when we get there.”

Klaus lightly lifted the corners of his mouth. Gabriel realized that Klaus was more cautious than he had thought. He seemed to make assumptions about people he met but withheld judgment about those he hadn’t met directly.

“She won’t open up easily. Whether she’s innocent or not, she’ll be upset and angry.”

“Can’t we use a relic to find out?”

Didn’t they use a relic to determine the truth of his statements when he joined the Dark Guard? Klaus nodded.

“Good point, Gabriel. But taking relics outside the Dark Guard usually requires going through procedures. In these cases, it’s important to push quickly.”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“The strategy is simple. You find fault and attack. I’ll handle the coaxing.”

Gabriel didn’t bother to say that he had never conducted an investigation or interrogation. Saying so wouldn’t change what he had to do.

Gabriel opened the file Klaus handed him. The first thing that caught his eye was a few photographs. The black-and-white contrast captured the basement’s scenery, the shape of the body, and even the face of the body.

As he flipped through the photos, he saw information about the Krem family’s medical history. Both Albert Krem and his son, William Krem, had congenital heart conditions. Albert’s wife, Arlene Krem, who had nursing experience, took care of them.

“Cause of death: cardiac arrest, manner of death: natural causes…”

Of course, the heart would stop if they were dead. That was the result, not the cause. It was laughable to call this an autopsy, but there was plenty to delve into. As Gabriel focused on the name of the heart medication, he looked up.

“Is it okay to accuse Mrs. Krem of being a murderer?”

“Don’t like it?”

“I never said I didn’t like it.”

If it’s work, it must be done. As Gabriel read through the text, he looked at the photos again. The clear gap in the lower front teeth of the body kept catching his eye.

“Do these rituals actually work?”

“They might, or they might not. The important thing is, why did they try to do something like this?”

Just as he answered, the carriage stopped. Klaus jumped out first. Gabriel dusted off his coat and followed him out of the carriage.

In front of the dull gray building, the house number was clearly engraved. A black ribbon indicating mourning was attached to the front door.

Gabriel paused on the steps leading to the entrance and looked back at Klaus. The one undone button bothered him. The loosely hanging tie as well.

However, Klaus showed no sign of fixing his attire. He wore a brazen and confident expression as if his outfit was the epitome of gentlemanly fashion.

‘…It must be fine if he’s like that.’

Gabriel had no intention of saying whatever came to mind. He felt his neck stiffen as he knocked on the front door.

Before long, a maid, about ten years old, appeared. They said all the previous employees were dismissed, so she must have been hired after the move.

“Who are you?”

The maid, clutching her apron, looked up at Klaus. Her eyes were a mix of fear and curiosity.

Klaus smiled rather kindly and took something out of his pocket. It was a silver card case. When he opened the hinge, a mirror attached to the top of the stacked cards was visible.

“We’re from Mid Insurance Company. We urgently need to see Mrs. Krem. Is she home? It’s really important for her.”

“I’m sorry, but the madam isn’t seeing anyone right now…”

The maid’s attempt at a polite refusal was cut short. It happened as soon as she looked into the mirror.

An inexplicable reflection flickered across the maid’s face. Her pupils slowly dilated as if she were dying, and soon a bright smile, as if greeting a dear friend, appeared on her lips.

“If it’s important, of course, the madam should know. Please come in and have a seat. I’ll tell the madam to come down.”

The maid opened the door and led them into the parlor. Although the house was similar in age and structure to Gabriel’s, the floor was polished to a shine. The furniture, though old, didn’t feel shabby at all.

Once the maid left, Gabriel turned to Klaus.

“What exactly is that mirror?”

“It’s a relic given by the headquarters if you’re as capable as me. When you use it, the other person believes whatever we say about our identity. They can’t remember it properly. If they try to recall it forcibly, they become dazed like you saw earlier.”

Hearing that, Gabriel thought Ann must have used a mirror too. Klaus rubbed the surface of the mirror with his fingertips. The mirror, rubbed against his leather gloves, remained spotless and shining.

“There are dozens of these, and they’re very useful in the Dark Guard. Of course, there’s a price to pay for using them. At worst, you might end up vomiting for a few hours, but if you use it too much, you might get confused about who you are.”

“Is there no way to avoid being deceived by a relic?”

“Knowing it’s a relic helps a bit. The variance is all over the place, but that’s generally how mental-type relics are. Now, prepare yourself to be cold-hearted. It’s much easier than being gentle, right?”

It seemed better than being told he looked ugly when he smiled. Klaus looked excited, like he was about to unwrap a gift, rubbing his hands together.

“I’m curious to see how you’ll do.”

Gabriel wanted to retort that of course he’d do well. But could he dissect a person’s psyche like he did with a body during an autopsy? He was skilled at the latter, but the former was utterly unfamiliar. Gabriel hesitated before asking.

“What will you do if I make a mistake I can’t fix?”

“You’re pessimistic. Shall we set a signal then?”

Klaus lightly grasped Gabriel’s left hand.

“When I grab your wrist, start talking. If I pull at the end of your glove, it means to continue. If I scratch your palm, stop.”

“…And?”

“That’s it. What, should I kiss the back of your hand too? I don’t have a hobby of kissing men’s hands.”

Gabriel didn’t have such a hobby either. He pulled his hand away from Klaus in disgust.

“No, thank you.”

Klaus seemed more amused than embarrassed by his empty hand. He sank into the sofa, tapping the table with his fingers. The rhythm matched the slow footsteps coming from the stairs.

Soon, Mrs. Krem appeared before them. Dressed in black mourning clothes that covered her neck, she wore only a silver locket necklace as an accessory.

Her complexion was dark, and she was so thin that her facial bones were prominent. Yet she maintained a straight posture, alternating her gaze between the two.

“I’m Arlene Krem. I don’t recall subscribing to your insurance. What brings you here?”

Klaus grabbed Gabriel’s wrist. That marked the beginning of the interrogation. Gabriel looked directly at Mrs. Krem and began to speak.

“I’m Gabriel Valentin, an insurance investigator from Mid Insurance Company. Until two years ago, you lived at Arve Street No. 12, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct, but…”

“A child’s body, deceased for two years, was found in the basement there.”

Gabriel stared intently at Mrs. Krem. Her eyelashes trembled. Mrs. Krem staggered for a moment before collapsing onto the sofa, clutching her forehead. Her face was even paler than before.

“That… that can’t be. There must be some mistake. Perhaps the time of death was misestimated.”

“Two doctors reached the same conclusion. There’s no mistake.”

Mrs. Krem let out a weak moan. She buried her face in her hands. Her trembling voice seeped through.