Chapter 196: Fire

"Please allow me to apologize for my previous indiscretion, but this is truly too..." Walking side by side with Professor Samuel inside the academy, Feiernan no longer wore the smile of a long-lost reunion; his expression was heavy and not feigned. "I don't know what to say."

"A fire occurred during an experiment, and Mo Lisen was present? Or is this a metaphor, a figure of speech, meaning he was unwilling to continue serving here, not a literal meaning?"

"And Kalman? Why would he return to Dunling?" Lin Deng similarly lacked a sense of reality; a former acquaintance mentioned just moments ago, and upon turning around, he received news of his death. Nothing in life is more impermanent than this.

They stopped before a half-length portrait in the gallery whose colors were brighter than the others. It depicted an elderly man with white beard and hair, neatly combed, wearing a red-collared black robe, his age similar to Feiernan's, seated against a background surrounded by bookshelves.

The painter's technique was superb, depicting the moment the figure set down his pen and turned, as if hearing a voice calling his name while writing, stopping to look up, his eyes bright and spirited, making eye contact with those outside the painting.

A line of small characters was signed in the bottom right corner of the canvas:

【Mo Lisen, formerly Professor of the Medical School at Dunling University】

Only when facing this portrait did Feiernan finally willing to completely believe that everything Professor Samuel had stated was fact, and not some excessive joke or metaphor. "I never thought such a thing would happen to Mo Lisen. I would rather believe he fell into eternal sleep in his dreams, or passed away while fighting some incurable disease."

"But a fire? A laboratory fire? He wasn't one of those alchemists. Even if he had been slightly more careful, or if it had happened a few months later..." His regret and sorrow overflowed in his words. It seemed "old friend" was indeed not a teasing remark, or perhaps decades of being both enemies and friends, secretly competing, had deepened their relationship to a point that could not be explained in a few words.

Coming to exchange with the highest achievement of his life, only to learn that the other party had passed away not long ago, victory or defeat, superiority or inferiority, all lost their meaning; both were defeated before an insurmountable obstacle.

"I apologize, I was rude." His appearance of old age seemed to have increased by several degrees out of nowhere, losing the enthusiasm that had fueled his spirit along the way. "This is a disaster for the entire academic world. Please accept my belated condolences."

"You need not blame yourself; no one could have foreseen such a thing. Death is an unavoidable, incurable disease. All we can do is delay its arrival as much as possible."

Samuel was not surprised by the Rivers delegation's expression of grief; he simply nodded in agreement, led them through the gallery into the interior of the academy, and scattered the extra petals from his hand back into the flowerbeds and greenery that were obviously torn.

The structure of the Medical School was similar to most designs pursuing independent spaces, forming a hollow "Hui" character shape. White stone buildings on four sides enclosed a large open garden, divided into axially symmetric sections by trimmed shrubs for teachers and students to relax or discuss academics in their leisure time. A straight main road in the center led directly to the main building with a spherical ceiling.

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Those who entered the courtyard should have a more intuitive impression of the term "ivory tower." The winding, unfolding wings resembled finely carved ivory embracing the garden. The calm, slight yellowing did not diminish its appearance; instead, it made the tone closer to a pair of ivory carvings supported by velvet cushions, full of ancient charm.

However, the good environment was not fully utilized. Several people, whose uniform colors were completely opposite to the unified uniforms inside the academy, passed shoulder to shoulder with the visiting delegation. A figure who should have been a priest passed with several armed men in white cloaks. The scabbards under the cloaks rhythmically slapped against the armor plates as they walked, disrupting the good academic atmosphere.

"The Inquisition has always been very concerned about the safety of the Medical School. Being able to spare personnel to help investigate the fire besides patrolling Dunling is truly an honor." Samuel spoke without looking aside, as if explaining to the guests, yet his voice was not lowered.

The leading priest appeared to be in his thirties or forties. He pretended not to understand the sting in the professor's words, made a circle on his chest with a conventional church gesture, and said, "It is our duty."

This matter-of-fact attitude made Samuel quite angry. Both sides seemed to be in a state of mutual helplessness, but every second the Inquisition existed was an interference with the normal order. "I don't know what here requires your esteemed presence. Do you think there are any secrets to be dug up on the body of an already deceased old man?"

"We have no such intention, Professor Samuel. We are simply following orders."

"Then please state your true purpose, or finish quickly. Remember, this is also part of the royal direct domain, not the Cathedral of the Holy Mother. I have the right at any time, in my capacity as a royal advisor, to present your actions to His Majesty the King."

"I have no obligation nor the power to explain anything to you. However, if you truly feel there is nothing suspicious about this matter, please." The priest pointed to the hemispherical dome. Only then did everyone notice a particularly dark patch in the shadows near the side-open skylight on the dark side of the hemisphere.

It was not difficult to imagine the scene at that time: tongues of fire several feet long leaped out from the window, burning and roasting, with thick smoke baking the white stone into the carbon-black color of scorched bones.

"Even if there were, I don't think progress would miraculously appear in a few months." Samuel, whose face was blacker than the fire scene, cut off the conversation and led the group into a side hall with a long table used for both dining and meetings.

The situation was special, but Dunling University had not lost some basic dignity. The table was covered with silk velvet cloths and decorated with flowers. Several large multi-branched candelabras were already ready for the night's activities.

"As you can see, the situation within the academy is currently special. Please forgive us if our hospitality is inadequate. The welcome banquet is being arranged. Everyone can exchange greetings first; after the dinner, someone will take everyone to the accommodation outside the school."

Although they could exchange greetings first, the terrible atmosphere during the short journey from the ship left everyone with no desire to talk. Once seated, they immediately fell into an awkward silence.

The Dunling side was suffering from the death of a core figure and months of interference from the Church Inquisition, leaving the interior in an unstable state. The Rivers visit was also thrown off balance by unexpected circumstances. If the originally relaxed and pleasant itinerary continued according to the original plan, it would be suspected of taking advantage of the situation to come and cause trouble; not only would victory be unbecoming, but it would also be meaningless.

"I feel something is not right." Professor Lin Deng, as the representative of the Surgical Society, sat next to Kraft. Leaning close, he whispered, "I have been to that laboratory. It used to be used as an anatomy classroom. The place is not small. What could have burned it like that?"

"Previously, when the ether preparation flask exploded and the oil was ignited, only half a room burned. Mo Lisen and the others wouldn't go so far as to splash oil around in the laboratory for fun, would they?"

【Not necessarily impossible】

The outside is blackened over a large area. Inside, besides charcoal and stone, there is probably nothing left.

"Indeed. Do you know anyone suitable to ask privately here?" He had to admit that Kraft's impression of the Church had improved rarely recently. If they investigated more strictly, perhaps he could reduce his burden by at least half.

Lin Deng was quite surprised by the gossip tendency Kraft displayed. "Ask what? This is their internal problem. Even if there really is a problem, it has nothing to do with us. Dunling is different from other places. If the Inquisition is so concerned, who knows if it will drag out a bunch of trouble?"

"True." With his current identity, it was not appropriate to actively ask about sensitive topics. He could only try to get familiar during the upcoming exchanges and then attempt it slowly. But looking at this situation, Professor Samuel, this temporary person in charge, hadn't even warmed the chair yet. Whether the exchange could proceed smoothly and how the progress would be after it started remained a question.

"It's difficult. Dealing with the dead is not easier than dealing with the living."