"Tap, tap, tap."
Julian's hard-soled leather shoes struck the floor of the Moretti House in a steady rhythm.
To Klein, however, each of those otherwise ordinary sounds rang like an explosion.
Under his tense gaze, Julian walked over to the fireplace and sniffed hard.
The next second, the assistant professor reached for the closed window and pushed it open.
Julian took a deep breath, and his brows relaxed:
"That's much better."
Everyone looked at him with puzzlement at this series of actions. Even Klein's gaze turned somewhat vacant.
Seemingly noticing their odd looks, Julian explained:
"The incomplete combustion of coal in the fireplace probably produced some carbon monoxide. This gas is colorless and odorless, but it's harmful to the human body."
With that, he turned toward Beech Mountbatten and the others:
"Gentlemen, do you know how carbon monoxide harms the human body?"
"...?"
The confusion on their faces deepened, but before they could answer, Klein's voice came from the side:
"Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, reducing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. This can deprive humans and animals of oxygen, or even kill them.
"That's why households that use coal and gas for cooking and heating should open their windows regularly for ventilation."
Everyone turned in surprise to see the history graduate from Khoy University with his hand half-raised. He continued explaining:
"...You handed out a popular science booklet on molecular physics to the students at the Student-Teacher Social. It mentioned this."
"Bingo."
Julian leaned to one side and pointed both index fingers at Klein before continuing:
"Gentlemen, that's the beauty of physics. It isn't merely a cold, impersonal academic discipline. It concerns our health as well."
What a lunatic... Aren't we investigating a case? How did this turn into a physics lesson?
The others silently grumbled to themselves.
Beech Mountbatten was about to say something when Leonard tugged at his coat.
The Midnight Poet said quietly:
"He's from Lenburg..."
At that, understanding immediately dawned on Mountbatten's face.
There was no denying that Julian's behavior fit their stereotype of Lenburgers perfectly.
"Professor, I have a question."
Wilford, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke:
"If that carbon-whatever you mentioned has no smell, how did you smell it?"
Julian's words seemed to have reminded Wilford of the earlier incident with the perfume, prompting his question.
"Good question."
Julian clapped his hands:
"I actually saw it."
"Saw it?"
Wilford looked even more doubtful:
"If I remember correctly, you also said it was colorless."
Julian nodded:
"That's right, but it's colorless to you... Not to me.
"Even if it leaves no traces in the air, they're everywhere else."
With that, he picked up Klein's notebook in one hand and swung the Agarwood Cane in the other, heading outside without waiting for anyone:
"I have no more questions here. Please carry on, gentlemen."
"Uh, my notebook..."
Klein immediately grew anxious. He still didn't know whether the notebook contained any important or sensitive information he was unaware of.
But under the circumstances, he couldn't chase after Julian and demand it back. That would only make him look more suspicious.
Afterward, Dunn briefly explained the current state of the case to Klein. Some of the details made Klein's scalp prickle.
Only then did he suddenly realize that what he had become involved in was nowhere near as simple as he had imagined.
"...In short, that concludes today's investigation."
Finally, Dunn said to Klein:
"All right, Mr. Klein. Thank you for your cooperation.
"You'd best not leave Tingen over the next few days. If you must, please inform Officer Mountbatten. Otherwise, you will become a fugitive."
"No problem."
Klein nodded.
"An expert will arrive in a couple of days. Trust me, he should be able to help you recover your lost memories."
With that, Dunn nodded to Klein and signaled for the police officers to leave.
Klein let out a slight breath of relief, but kept a solemn expression as he watched the group step through the door.
Leonard brought up the rear, but was in no hurry to leave.
The young man with black hair and green eyes turned and patted Klein on the shoulder:
"This is good. Very fortunate."
"What?"
At Klein's bewildered question, Leonard smiled slightly:
"Generally speaking, when something like this happens, everyone involved dies.
"We're very glad-and fortunate-to see you still alive."
With that, he left the room, politely closing the door behind him.
Klein was left standing alone, chilled to the bone.
It took a long time before he finally collected himself.
Klein walked over to the fireplace, cleared away the lumps of coal and cinders, and retrieved the revolver.
"Carbon monoxide... What a joke."
He looked at the cold gleam reflected off the gun and shook his head slightly.
Although the body's original owner had been a history graduate, Klein had received a systematic education in the natural sciences before transmigrating. His knowledge in this area surpassed that of ninety percent of Loen's population.
As such, he knew perfectly well that his home had no "carbon monoxide problem caused by incomplete coal combustion." Not only had they last lit a coal fire the previous evening, but both Benson and Melissa also habitually opened the windows several times a day to air the place out.
"Professor Albrecht must have discovered that something was hidden in the fireplace. He pointed it out in a way only I could understand, without revealing it to the other police officers.
"Was that a gesture of goodwill, or a warning?
"Or did he intend to use it as leverage... No, probably not. After all, if I disposed of the gun afterward, he wouldn't have any solid evidence.
"...And why did he take my notebook?"
The more Klein thought about it, the more his head began to throb.
Finally, he forcibly drove the tangled thoughts from his mind:
"Forget it. Things have come to this, and there's nothing much I can do.
"Rather than dwell on this, I should think about how to become one of the Beyonders Mr. Hanged Man mentioned. Only then will I be able to protect myself.
"And... if I want to go home, this may also be an essential step."
Shortly after waking up, he had already performed the ritual for the Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings and successfully convened the first Tarot Club gathering. Through it, he had learned a few things about Beyonders.
Meanwhile, in the police carriage.
"Julian... You seem very interested in this young man, Klein Moretti?"
On the way back, Dunn watched Julian Albrecht leaf through the notebook again with a thoughtful expression and posed the question.
"I'd call it appreciation. I like students who are eager to learn."
Julian shook his head.
"Are you sure?"
Dunn smiled:
"If it's merely appreciation, why take his notebook?"
Julian didn't answer, instead changing the subject:
"By the way, Dunn, there's something I wanted to ask.
"As your outside expert consultant, would I be allowed to borrow some things from the Nighthawks?"