MFM | Chapter 3.6

Klaus met Gabriel’s eyes.c1fd414cd9dfa8b8

“What do you think?”037fdfc074edcbc3

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His heart began to e74ee61bf8 beat a little faster. Klaus was asking 99c4d654e6 a question that 04cac2732b had never belonged 102c3dde77 to Gabriel.4c928173481076ef

Gabriel always found out 0e3ef125bd when, where, how, and 982b540c94 with what someone died. Whether they died hours 69c07ee2d4 ago, if the place 0b2c2325cc of death matched the 9854b50b03 place they were found, 3318384579 whether it was natural c1c44ec06b causes, suicide, or murder, 34ac09ca58 and if it was bd353baa2f murder, what weapon was f91f2f5809 used.fb4d3edcc24dd0bc

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But the ‘why’ was the police’s job. Delving into remaining questions and pursuing the facts was the realm of investigation. Gabriel had never asked such questions. He thought he shouldn’t.2ad6050964e6b47d

But had he d48e34c80a never truly been 3cef36a3e6 curious?d35047b6bcdf8691

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“Shall we find out more about Thaum Brody?”54c5550eaafdfdc8

Gabriel straightened his bent back. Klaus caught the coat slipping off Gabriel’s back and draped it over him.b7f9032763d0d932

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“Let’s head out right now.”91bf875cbbe3587d

“Where to? Thaum Brody’s old address or workplace? Or…”2abba95c3379c29d

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Gabriel asked as 78bea2d87c he hurriedly stood a22157f659 up. Klaus lifted the corners b1a225e73d of his mouth.f05abbecb9802213

“To the place where the deceased died.”406ddb4b79d364cd

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***4cf4b1cab6d97cb6

The slum dea0175b30 in the 436cc48031 late evening 2f3fcc3f5e was silent 25704faf97 and devoid 1724c1a99d of any bf6b66daf2 liveliness. A broken gas lamp 6445d789e0 flickered and then went 5a59282966 out completely, plunging the 8854317583 surrounding few meters into 7fa0498731 complete darkness. The multi-family houses b5ca663801 clustered next to c3bca38700 it had their 375dbcdf17 windows boarded up, 21e0912fae so not even 639c124ef3 a faint light 28463a58e3 seeped out.74d367dcaea2d289

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However, the c92d8f08b6 Miser Church 98a9967f7f was different. As they entered 3b0ba04878 the courtyard, lit e3c0de13ba by lamps, children 546c61b106 around the age 2905f8bbff of six were 365fe69b1d gathered and playing. A child standing in 47160109ba the middle of two fcefa6f416 divided groups took a 7f0db40a9d deep breath and tossed 9a1d205ffb something like a bottle 66694d82d9 cap high into the bc6accb682 air. The child 2e909ce948 who saw c189a0d90f the bottle 3cd091e87b cap fall 55791b6f86 to the 2e39ea89de ground shouted 2612fc679f loudly.3e39fa3a5adb5ded

“Day!”d0941de9f0160380

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Then the 903e0bea9e children on d3dcbda7eb one side d8b7dcd1b3 rushed forward. The children on the 461055638f opposite side ran to ecef6df9fc catch them and eventually c2777dfc61 tagged one on the 7cf0858d63 back.c89a97ea8516ea80

“Priest, you’re on the night side now!”50271193c2d75175

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“Oh, dear. Kumin, you’re so fast? I wanted to win as the day this time.”bbc1c114f5f896bc

The one lamenting was 6697a176df Martin Becker, whom Gabriel 30e70a75ec had met at the 59bd9d97ef police station a few 05cb021d0f days ago. Unlike then, when cd368b4671 he wore gloves, 762a2dbc69 his bare hands 942391a573 now clearly showed 6be008261b burn marks on 028175b16f the back. Martin bent down and 00540cc7b8 picked up a child.3fca63a662445329

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“It can’t be helped. I guess I’ll have to join the night side now.”26b6578147301a28

As he made an exaggeratedly evil face, the child in his arms laughed joyfully, tilting their head back. The child’s lower jaw was covered with translucent skin, making the structure of the tongue and teeth clearly visible. Martin, holding the child’s hand, paused when he saw them.9310033c23839e1b

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“…Mr. Valentin?”403bec9b99f385d0

He gestured 49e1528303 lightly to 3c35003d6f the children 698c9e6eea and then 2be8b4d856 approached the 7494f19a2b two with bbcb04fd85 a bright 3a612c0f86 smile.91f9ec7e7fc50cdb

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“What brings you here at this late hour? Could it be that you’ve thought about the teaching position I mentioned last time?”2f9fda2bb20aad57

Ah, there was 72a338d0f9 such a conversation. Gabriel forced a 8d333fd6e5 smile.4eaef81b9c2a65e0

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“I’m sorry. It’s not about that. We’re here for work.”9d4ac57ff9f83a6d

“Work?”135cfae650a2f529

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“We work as insurance investigators for Mid Insurance Company. Thaum Brody, who passed away recently, left a small insurance policy for his missing son, and we have some questions about it.”9cac331087df77b4

Klaus took out a business card holder and showed it to him. The light from the mirror reflected on Martin’s face. Eventually, Martin nodded slowly.a2de05361399eb09

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“Let’s talk inside. Kids, break time is over. Time to go inside and study.”3607fec995351e8e

“Already?”a6ff5238ef0dbd18

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“We could have won this time!”2ea400b2c32ab246

The child called Kumin pouted. Martin patted the child’s head.9e490d14267bd363

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“Let’s continue next time, okay?”95206aafb8dad7bd

The children, with disappointed expressions, entered a small building next to the church. After confirming that all the slowly walking children had gone inside, Martin led Gabriel and Klaus to the priest’s quarters. It was an old, shabby single-story brick building located behind the church. A spider scurried quickly between the reddish ivy vines covering the wall.bc626c7399bb7bd9

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As soon bc2624cd22 as they 7ba2217e5f entered the dc65e1b8c3 entrance, they 34ebb970f2 came into 9b276d8502 a space 57fb9bf712 that seemed 35cc36445b to serve df977877df as both 327b881ba4 an office 76a4a39584 and a bd5777d5c7 reception room. On the 448bd58af3 peeling wooden 5c99674581 desk were e0c84f7b63 a book 08872fe194 of prophecies, 8c5ac410c8 a prayer f40589171f book, and 1abce8e841 a lamp. The only df44cfbe65 decoration was c6bcf3e49c a crude 407ea16c1c statue that 2f7f346336 seemed to 909dd9bcb8 attempt to 3cea8c8a82 represent a e2c62ec0f1 bird. Martin gave a 1ee6321350 wry smile and 957ce3ff23 seated the two caa540b59c on an old 0cc6f38f1a sofa.dba72fd74f86d4f3

“I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you. I apologize.”4f90b4f51fcd5c6d

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“No, it’s fine. First, I’d like to ask about Thaum Brody’s son, Jack Brody. Did you know him?”b9d93f9574843abf

Klaus asked in a friendly tone. Martin’s expression quickly darkened.61f93d9df4aafe38

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“Not only did I know him, but we were quite close. He attended the night school we run here and played with the other children. He was a mischievous but good-hearted child. But…”ea75635acf3cc3b0

Martin made the 6b366b2eae sign of the b1a14532d1 cross on his 7abfd158be chest.6b177ba8ed8f6bfe

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“It’s not uncommon for children to run away from the slums. Some fall into a life of crime, while others leave for distant places and lose contact. They’re vulnerable to temptation because they find the current situation unbearable. I suspect Jack might have been one of those cases. He didn’t get along well with his father.”443cef52dd48c905

“Was it serious?”10ae37bfb65fad3d

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Gabriel asked, and 623b8cd7b0 Martin nodded slowly.5010a790c549e2f3

“Jack once showed me a scar on his calf. He said his father beat him like that when he said he missed his deceased mother. I tried to reason with Thaum, but the situation only got worse.”124b0de20684ad2f

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He seemed convinced that 5dcef96383 Jack had left home 0d7e70a6e9 on his own. Gabriel asked again.62c462866dbe70ff

“Have you ever considered the possibility that Jack was kidnapped?”99f18bc93c713ff2

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“No, not at all. If he were a rich kid, maybe, but who would kidnap a child from a poor family that can’t even pay a ransom? If they wanted cheap labor, there are plenty of kids lining up to work in factories.”50cc01fbf1b0f403

Martin looked puzzled. Was this reaction natural if he didn’t know about relics or rituals? While Gabriel was lost in thought, Klaus asked a question.5fa4193a02169fc3

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“Then do you have any idea where Jack might have gone? Did he contact you or anyone else after he disappeared?”8727bf904224a78f

Martin sighed.867786cdd216584a

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“I don’t know. I’ve never received any contact. If I had, I would have told Thaum. He was deeply regretful and troubled.”85ec59caced8e44e

“But with Thaum passing away like that, it must have been hard for you.”3dec76c863f30d08

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Klaus spoke c5978e221f in a e5e77c1dbb sympathetic tone. Martin gave a d83ada9571 bitter smile.92a5574d3b6e1b31

“Yes, it was. In fact, Thaum came to see me a few days before he died.”2afa0f8b65fe60c1

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Gabriel felt a subtle 4f1a309747 tension run through his e0c3d5318e body.5a031e3722dc93c2

“What did he say?”69199ca781800705

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“He said he heard somewhere that the child might be dead. So I told him that we couldn’t be sure and to hold onto hope, but he wouldn’t listen. Maybe he harbored some resentment towards me. He thought I had worsened his relationship with his child.”c7e41b7e50b7fb65

Martin gave 697b979cd0 a rueful b0a5d65dbe smile.4c4ff5057e03e015

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“That’s probably why he ended his life at the church. I just feel sorry that I couldn’t save him due to my lack of ability.”b364b9fe05762b37

A moment of bd86001475 silence lingered in c613a82c30 the small room. Martin, with his head 36d2fefc18 bowed, rubbed the burn c437b9b3cd marks on the back 82eca72856 of his hand. Klaus stood up 5877f3526e first and extended 9fd263da2c his hand to 15855e7a0c him.7249ae2f1e454847

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“Thank you for your precious time. If we find Jack, we’ll let you know.”07048f9ba41455d8

“I would be very grateful if you did.”cf4d34fb03f8d249

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Martin clasped Klaus’s outstretched hand with both of his. He did the same for Gabriel, who extended his hand afterward. As they were leaving the priest’s quarters, Klaus suddenly asked Martin.f833b9fa43d5bb04

“Could we take a look at the bell tower?”75ad8def0dd25666

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Access to the bell tower was readily granted. An elderly bell ringer guided Gabriel and Klaus. Unlike Gabriel, who was starting to get out of breath, Klaus climbed the stairs effortlessly and praised the bell ringer’s dedication.fa96566240e4a731

“You’re doing such a meaningful job.”8e9c21c950b13531

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“It’s not a difficult task. But I’ve never been lazy, not even for a day. I’ve never been late by even a minute. I wake up at 5 a.m. and go to bed at midnight, and I’ve never done it half-heartedly.”a18c3cc3170572c8

He pounded 581987dcee his chest 249f910bda and repeated 73aa137f6b the same 7857888562 words several 9dc891e526 times. Then his b3c0cec2c3 brow furrowed.d28ef2110a93912a

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“This isn’t a place just anyone can come up to. It’s a sacred place. But ever since the priest started that school or whatever, pesky kids keep trying to come up, and some strange folks too… Anyway, I have to ring the bell in 30 minutes, so make sure you’re down by then.”51820e96d13ed11d

He repeatedly urged 79a0be7c75 them before descending ecdc92a4b5 to his quarters c253698d99 below. Gabriel followed Klaus and c5a618d476 looked around the bell adcfec77db tower.864a385d39972cf0

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The inside of the bell tower was structured with only the bell and arched pillars. There wasn’t even a speck of dust, let alone any clutter, so there was nowhere to hide.8d364b980cd50950

However, it didn’t seem difficult for someone who snuck up to jump off if they were determined. There were no glass or bars except for a ledge that barely reached knee height.64d574fad422573c

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Despite being open on all sides, it didn’t feel refreshing. The height was similar to the surrounding buildings, so instead of offering a wide view, it gave a confined impression.c885a67437dfb204

After looking outside for a moment, Gabriel turned his gaze to the large bell, which was bigger than himself. He didn’t know how long it had been there, but there wasn’t a single rust spot or scratch on the bell. Its smooth golden surface seemed to visually affirm the sacredness it symbolized.ec0ebb7a2199fd20

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However, Gabriel found a8f9b78e1d that perfection rather 270bdce7f2 unsettling. An inexplicable physiological 3cd82cc196 discomfort seemed to ee17886bd4 poke at his f519c0c41a chest.2e57720e53d6db31

‘It’s probably because someone died here.’5a0fbc0c64a2e38e

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Gabriel turned eab868c2e2 his gaze ed1b0e10e7 to Klaus. He was febcd8ba05 staring intently f94f396b53 at the 0d2b363121 church building 580d4edab5 opposite. Klaus muttered to eef4ea253c himself.78688e04cb61cc04

“Why did it have to be here?”56df2dc0ee0d47a4

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Gabriel noticed that he had dropped his gaze to the small priest’s quarters.d3a93894808a090f

“Do you suspect Martin Becker?”83408cf6b4fd16f3

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“It’s suspicious. Thaum came to see him before he died, and he was the first to handle Thaum’s body after he died here.”6b6d9c7812c1e71c

“…And when he examined the body, all the church windows were closed.”b9ac77d569fbf7fb

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So none of the 7de6240a01 congregants witnessed exactly what cb287ad1c9 Martin did. His words seemed plausible, a6d20526de but it was the c8b7e68ea4 same with Madam Krem. Whether he was truly 4da93061f4 innocent or if there 29770befab was a hidden truth 9efefe7631 between the lines was 5b0e55a05a unknown. Klaus furrowed his brow.a43ba79c3a321d4e

“Thaum didn’t die in the middle of the night. It would have been easier to sneak in when the bell ringer was asleep, but he chose a time when the sun was up and during a service. He wanted to appeal to the people gathered at the church.”287e8e5ce8a4f1c9

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“Did he try to convey his message through death alone, or…”220c77c032f08942

Gabriel hesitated a7e7237afa for a e0fc6534ac moment.746ba228d4bdc535

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“Did the priest hide a will?”026da553f4b7c0b9

Klaus touched a1e724674e the cracked c3159cae50 wall.ab2ce8661e9aa75f

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“First, we need to find out more about Martin Becker.”de6078b5a7830fa8

He took 282557d05d out a 0593855b2f silver whistle 7360335a60 and blew 1e95585ceb it. A crow flew 2c79152f9f in shortly after. It was Paul. Paul, perched 0f1aeef8b8 next to bb5f6acf44 a pillar, 2ec3550e17 tilted his 0150cbad61 head.340fc9935bf4d699

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“Need me? Need me?”926a7ba4357b8f3d

“Go to the headquarters investigation department and tell them. Investigate Martin Becker, the head priest of Miser Church. Where he was born, his childhood, the school he attended, his relationships, everything if possible. If there were any crimes or incidents nearby, include those too.”32ce30f49aed9f72

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“Got it. Got it.”6b428748a2e9e17f

Paul spread his wings 464ff3674b wide and flew away, bfc2a02f2b descending. Gabriel ran 70e8e190ef his hands d1e17ffaee over his bb0cdce01a face.eeac0a886c9db231

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“Is there anywhere else we need to visit today?”b26aefe6c26a5c26

“I was planning to stop by Thaum’s old house, but it’s too late for that. We’ll have to go tomorrow.”4270e96ff895bb4d

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“I can go now.”d884bf78b2330e55

Gabriel quickly said, and a07f9205eb Klaus chuckled.9c2715db10ba45f1

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“The people living there wouldn’t be okay with that.”c0a2024212cad06a

Ah. Gabriel groaned softly to b810c76080 himself. Just as he was c34044941f about to grab his 945385d376 bag and turn around, 4132c6b26d he stopped in his 71251113ab tracks.49a967c62cde06c6

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