Krafft's Notes on Anomalies

"Please allow me to apologize for my previous gaffe, but this is too much." Walking side by side with Professor Samuel in the college, Fernand never showed the smile of reunion after a long separation, and his expression was heavy and did not seem to be fake, "I don't know what to say. How to say."

"A fire occurred during the experiment, or was it in the presence of Morrison? Or was this a metaphor, a description, referring to his unwillingness to continue serving here, not a literal meaning?"

"And Kalman? Why did he come back to Dunling?" Linden also lacked a real understanding of this. The old acquaintance he just mentioned was turned around and received the news of his death. Nothing in life is like this.

They stopped in front of a bust that was brighter than the others in the gallery. It was an old man with white hair and beard, neatly combed, wearing a red collar and black robe. He was about the same age as Fernand, sitting in the background surrounded by bookshelves.

The artist's skills are superb. He depicts a moment when the character puts down the pen and turns around, as if he heard a voice calling his name while writing. When he stops writing, his eyes are full of energy and he looks at the person outside the painting.

A line of small words is signed in the lower right corner of the canvas:

[Morrison, former professor at Dunling University School of Medicine]

It wasn't until he faced this portrait that Fernand was finally willing to completely believe that what Professor Samuel said was the truth and not some exaggerated joke or metaphor. "I never thought that this kind of thing would happen to Morrison. I would rather believe that he died in his sleep or died fighting an incurable disease."

"But a fire, a laboratory fire? He is not one of those alchemists. Even if he had been a little more careful, he would have been a few months late." His regret was palpable. It seemed that "old friend" was indeed not a joke. , or perhaps the secret rivalry between enemies and friends for decades has already deepened the relationship to the point where it cannot be explained clearly in a few words.

He came to communicate with the highest achievements he had ever seen in his life, only to learn that the other party had passed away not long ago. Victory, defeat, and superiority were all meaningless, and both fell in front of an insurmountable obstacle.

"I'm sorry, I'm rude." His old-fashioned attitude seemed to have increased out of thin air, and he lost the interest that fueled his spirit along the way. "This is a disaster for the entire academic world. Please accept my belated condolences."

"You don't need to blame yourself, no one could have imagined such a thing. Death is an inevitable and incurable disease, and all we can do is postpone its arrival as much as possible."

Samuel was not surprised by the expressions of sadness from Rivers' visitors, but simply nodded in agreement and led them through the gallery into the interior of the college, scattering the extra petals in his hands back into the greenery of the flowerbeds that had obviously been torn.

The structure of the medical school is similar to most designs that pursue independent space. It is in the shape of a hollow "back". The white stone buildings on the four sides surround a large open-air garden, and are divided into axially symmetrical blocks with pruned shrubs for teachers and students to relax. Or for academic purposes, the Zhongzhong Avenue leads directly to the main building with a spherical zenith.

Those who walk into the courtyard should have a more intuitive impression of the word "ivory tower". The unfurling wings surround the garden like finely carved ivory. The calm and slightly yellowish color does not make it lose its color, but makes its color tone closer to that of the garden. The pairs of ivory carvings held up by velvet cushions are full of ancient charm.

However, the good environment has not been fully utilized. Several people whose colors were completely opposite to the uniforms in the college passed by the visiting team. A figure who should be a priest passed by with several armed men in white robes. The scabbards under the robes flapped rhythmically on their armor as they moved around. film, destroying a good academic atmosphere.

"Everyone in the Tribunal has always been very concerned about the safety of the medical school. It is a great honor to be able to spare manpower to help investigate the fire in addition to patrolling Dunling." Samuel said without squinting, as if explaining to the guests, but his voice did not restrain.

The leading priest looked about thirty or forty years old. He didn't understand the thorny meaning of the professor's words. He drew a circle on his chest as a regular church ritual and said, "It's your duty."

This business-like attitude made Samuel quite annoyed. Both sides seemed to be in a state of helplessness, but every second of the Tribunal's existence was an interference with normal order. "I don't know what to do here." Gentlemen, do you think there are any secrets that can be discovered in a deceased old man?"

"There is no such intention, Professor Samuel, we are just following orders."

"Then please explain your true purpose of coming, or get it done as soon as possible. Remember that this is also part of the royal territory, not Notre Dame Cathedral. I have the right to present your actions to His Majesty the King at any time as a royal advisor. "

"I have no obligation or authority to explain anything to you, but if you really think there is nothing strange about this matter, please do so." The priest pointed to the hemispheric dome, and everyone then noticed the side-opening skylight on the dark side of the hemisphere. Nearby, a particularly dark patch of shadow.

It is not difficult to imagine the scene at that time. A tongue of fire several feet long burst out from the window, burning and baking. The thick smoke baked the white stone into the black carbon of charred bones.

"Even if there is, I don't think progress will miraculously appear in a few months." Samuel, whose face was darker than the fire scene, blocked the conversation and led the team into the long table side hall that is used for both dinner parties and meetings. .

The situation is special, but Dunling University has not lost some basic dignity. The tabletops were covered with velvet doilies, decorated with flowers, and several large multi-branch candlesticks were ready for the night.

"As you can see, the current situation in the college is special. Please forgive me if the reception is not good. The welcome banquet has been arranged. You can communicate first. After the banquet, someone will take you to your off-campus accommodation."

Although they could communicate first, the bad atmosphere on the short journey off the boat made it hard for everyone to talk about sex, and they fell into a cold mood immediately after sitting down.

Dun Ling Fang was in a state of internal instability due to the death of a core figure and months of interference from the Church Tribunal's investigations. And Rivers' visit was disrupted by unexpected circumstances. If the originally relaxing and pleasant trip continued as planned, it would be suspected of taking advantage of others' danger to come and cause trouble. Not only would it not be possible to win, but it would also be meaningless.

"I don't feel right." Professor Linden, as a representative of the Surgical Society, sat next to Kraft and whispered close to him, "I have been to that laboratory. It used to be used as an anatomy classroom. The place is not small. What could burn like that?”

"The flask used to make ether exploded, and when the oil was ignited, it only burned down half the room. Morrison and the others wouldn't just throw oil in the laboratory for fun, right?"

【Not necessarily impossible】

The outside was completely blackened, and there was probably nothing left inside except carbon and stone.

"Indeed, do you know anyone here who is suitable to ask privately?" I have to admit that Kraft's impression of the church has rarely improved recently. If they check more carefully, they may not be able to alleviate at least the recent Half a burden.

Linden was very surprised by Kraft's tendency to gossip, "What are you asking? This is their internal problem. Even if there is any problem, it is none of our business. Dunling is not as concerned as other places, and the Inquisition is not so concerned. Who cares about it?" Do you know if it will cause a lot of trouble?"

"Yes." With my current status, I am not suitable to take the initiative to ask about sensitive topics. I can only try it slowly after getting familiar with it in the following exchanges. However, it seems that Professor Samuel, the temporary interlocutor, has not yet taken the hot seat. Whether the exchange can be carried out smoothly and what the progress will be after it is carried out is still a question.

"It's difficult to deal with. The dead are no easier to deal with than the living."