Mr. Rat of the Steam World

Chapter 90 Another purpose
"Occult?"

Professor Al was slightly surprised, but instead of answering directly, he asked with interest, "Why ask a historian such a question?"

The lean, muscular man remained silent for a few seconds. He closed his eyes slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, and when he spoke again, his voice carried a strained calmness:

“Seven months ago,” he almost choked on his words, “my wife… she… died in an accident. Someone called the police, but by the time I got there and arrived…”

His fists clenched unconsciously on his knees, his knuckles turning white and making a slight cracking sound.

"The police have cleaned up the scene! They've washed away every last trace of blood! It's like...like nothing ever happened there!"

His breathing became heavy, and his gaze swept over everyone present.

"They said that in order to protect the evidence at the scene and to appease the public, the area needed to be cleared as soon as possible..." He took a deep breath. "In the end, all that was delivered to me was a small box of ashes of dubious authenticity... Just because they say so doesn't mean it is! But who knows! Who can prove it?"

The wiry man suddenly asked a question.

"Shouldn't the normal procedure, even regarding the disposal of a body, be left to us, the family members, to make the decisions?"

The lively atmosphere of the gathering froze slightly. Several women, captivated by what the man was saying, unconsciously clenched their fists.

Perez's face still wore the same formulaic smile, and Professor Al casually pushed up his slipped glasses.

“But that’s not all!” The burly man’s voice suddenly grew louder. “Just last month! Right here in Baker City! I saw her clearly! Wearing her favorite blue dress, right around the corner of Oak Street! She disappeared in the blink of an eye.”

He suddenly stood up and slammed his hands heavily on the white tablecloth-covered surface! The cups, plates, and bowls jumped violently, making a crisp clattering sound.

"But this doesn't make sense. The police told me very seriously that the person was dead, that they burned the body themselves, and even the deceased's clothes and appearance were clearly described to me. Who is lying here?"

Mattia gasped briefly in fright and shrank back into her chair. Perez immediately reached out to soothe her, his smile vanishing as he frowned slightly at the man before him.

The burly man suddenly fixed his gaze on Afra's face: "So, just like Professor El mentioned earlier, I also want to ask what the government is covering up."
"Shouldn't people of your illustrious family know more than us commoners? For example, you, Miss Afra Biden, aren't you the daughter of an earl? Tell me! Are you really utterly ignorant in this pretentious discussion?"

The candlelight on the oak table flickered violently at the question, leaving Afra somewhat bewildered.

Lu Ran wasn't nervous. He didn't think this man had any ability to do anything extreme. Instead, he secretly glanced at Perez beside him.

But before Perez could even make a move, the wiry man gave a nonchalant laugh.

"Of course, my question was an extension of Professor El's question, and I hope it didn't scare anyone."

After speaking, he looked at Professor El with a serious expression, who had a strange look on his face.

"That's why I asked if there's any occultism. It's also because after I realized that the police were consciously covering up some things, I tried to investigate some things... Well, I did find some rather subtle things, and I hope to get some answers from this gathering."

The group looked at each other, but also breathed a sigh of relief.

Professor Al paused, thought for a moment, and then suddenly laughed: "As I said before, I am just a historian and may not be able to give you an answer in this regard. I am deeply saddened by your wife's situation, but based on what you have said, I am more inclined to believe that... sir, you have mistaken someone who looks very much like your wife."

The muscular man seemed about to ask something else. Perez finally spoke up at this moment.

"Alright, it seems this gentleman is a bit too agitated. Someone, take him to rest and prepare some calming black tea for him."

He paused briefly, his gaze lingering on Mattia's pale face and Afra's still-shaken expression, before his tone softened further. "I imagine you've all come a long way and are quite exhausted, especially after what just happened. In my opinion, perhaps we should conclude today's salon here?"

Perez gave a slight bow to Professor Al: "Professor, thank you for your insightful sharing and inspiration today. The historical contradictions you raised are truly thought-provoking. Perhaps we can discuss them further privately tomorrow if we have some free time?"

Professor Al, a man who had weathered many storms, quickly composed himself, stroked his beard, and nodded: "Of course, of course, Mr. Perez, please make the arrangements. Everyone really needs to get some rest."

Perez nodded with satisfaction, his face once again beaming with the hospitality of a host: "Rooms have been prepared for you all. Servants will lead you there to freshen up and settle in. Please make sure you get some rest."

He added, seemingly out of particular concern, his gaze sweeping over the still somewhat shaken ladies once more.

"Of course, I would also welcome any other friends who still have a strong interest in some of Professor El's views to make an appointment with him privately when your energy permits, since he will be staying here for a few more days."

Everyone rose and, amidst silence or hushed pleasantries, left the restaurant with their respective servants.

Afra breathed a sigh of relief. As she left with the others, she first refused the waiter's offer to help carry her bag, then subtly covered her handbag, but suddenly paused.

Wait, why does the bag feel lighter?

Because my attention was completely drawn to the wiry man, I didn't notice the change in the weight of my handbag at all.

At this moment, Afra sensed something was wrong and quickly opened her handbag. Sure enough, the gray squirrel that should have been inside was gone.

"Eh?"

……

Lu Ran certainly didn't go with that muscular man.

The other person appeared to be just an ordinary person who had stumbled upon some supernatural events, learned some of Professor El's theories, and wanted to see if they could uncover some of the truth. Despite their loud and boisterous demeanor, they were actually just an insignificant individual.

He was followed by Mattia.

Judging from the situation of the salon members, Perez doesn't seem to care much about who invited him. After all, whether it's the casually traded invitation or the nonchalant couple, it's clear that this wasn't a salon where participants were seriously selected based on the so-called knowledge-sharing criteria.

Rather, it was a purposeful arrangement, orchestrated for a specific individual.

Perhaps it was to pursue Mattia, or for some other reason, Lu Ran had no idea.

But he was clear on one thing: compared to directly tracking Perez, especially in such bright light where shadow magic was difficult to use.

It might be easier to just wait patiently in Mattia.

After being startled, offering words of comfort is a natural course of action... For a man with a purpose, whatever his real purpose may be, it seems like the perfect excuse.

A waiter picked up Mattia's handbag: "Miss, this way."

Lu Ran peeked out a pair of small, black eyes through the gap in the bag.

Observing in secret—

(End of this chapter)