Chapter 100: Peace in London
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 100: Peace in London
“He… hehehe…”
“Stop laughing and explain yourself, Adler.”
Isaac Adler, who had been frozen in place for some time, let out an awkward laugh at the sight before him. Opposite him, the Professor leaned in silently, her hands resting heavily on his shoulders.
“What, exactly, was the meaning of those actions you just took toward me?”
“……..”
“Honestly, if it were anyone but you, anyone who dared such a thing would have been torn to pieces by now.”
Her voice and expression were cheerful, even bright, but her eyes told a different story entirely.
“As you know, I am not a very patient woman.”
Creak…
“So, convince me. Quickly.”
Her pale hands migrated from his shoulders to his neck, gradually tightening. Her touch conveyed the raw emotions her face remained too composed to show.
“What was the reason? Hmm?”
Silence settled between them, heavy and suffocating.
Crackle…!
Adler gazed into Professor Moriarty’s eyes, his mind racing faster than it ever had before. In that split second, he caught a glimpse of an anomaly—a flicker of something wrong.
“…Hmm.”
Even as Jane Moriarty choked him, a sudden spark of grey and gold flashed from her body. She let out an abrupt groan, her brow furrowing in pain.
“It seems… you couldn’t completely escape my spell after all, Professor.”
Adler watched the phenomenon for a moment, confirming his suspicions. Once he was certain, he relaxed, a low murmur escaping his lips.
“You were able to withstand it at first, it seems. But as the mana continued to pour into you like an endless tide, you couldn't contain it all. It’s starting to leak.”
Fizz, crackle…
“After all, how could one person’s capacity exceed the collective mana of half the women in London? It’s absurd. Impossible, even.”
The Professor remained silent, staring at him as if in a daze. Encouraged, Isaac Adler’s tone grew more animated, almost excited.
“But still, you truly are amazing, Professor. Not only was your capacity vast enough to survive the initial onslaught, but you grasped the logic of the attack so quickly that you already devised a countermeasure.”
Crackle…
“Even a convincing bluff, to boot.”
He gently caressed the Professor’s cheek, leaning in to whisper into her ear with a bright smile.
“You do realize you’re exactly my type, don’t you, Professor?”
“Enough, Adler.”
“I’d rather not…”
With a chuckle, a sly smile played on Adler’s lips as he took hold of her arm.
“But alas, I suppose I must end the banter here.”
“Why?”
“As I mentioned, if I don’t correct the error that occurred in this case, things will become quite troublesome.”
Seeing her confused gaze, Adler stroked her head and added, “My curse is a phenomenon that can cause substantial havoc if the mystery isn't constructed perfectly. In a way, you see…”
“You didn’t even know what a curse was until recently, did you?”
“I still don’t, to be honest. But the curse on me is a bit different from the usual kind.”
The Professor accepted his touch quietly, her head bobbing slightly. Adler watched her characteristic habit with an amused expression before whispering in her ear again.
“If we continue like this, both Charlotte and you will be in danger.”
“…Hmm.”
“You understand, right? So, you need to behave yourself, okay?”
Adler finished his explanation, patting her head while standing on his tiptoes. He raised his hand to bind her once more.
Snap!
The sound of his fingers snapping echoed crisply through the silent hallway.
“…Huh?”
However, unlike a few minutes ago, no golden chains appeared. There wasn't even a hint of the magic manifesting to restrain her.
“Why isn’t it working…?”
The bright smile vanished from Adler’s face, replaced by a puzzled frown as he stared at his hand. He flicked his fingers again, but nothing happened.
“…Adler.”
The Professor, who had been watching him quietly, spoke with a chilly smile.
“That fascinating magic you used just now…”
“…Yes?”
“I suppose there is nothing in this world I am unable to do.”
Utter bewilderment washed over Adler’s face.
“…Impossible.”
“Why is that?”
“I only succeeded because I gathered the mana of nearly half the women in London. But you, Professor…”
“Are you implying that I do not possess such an immense amount of mana?”
The Professor’s lips curled into a wicked grin.
“Oh dear, Adler.”
“………”
“Do you really think I’m leaking mana because I can’t withstand your attack?”
“Could it be…”
Hearing her laugh—a sound laced with genuine amusement—Adler broke into a cold sweat.
“Have you been deflecting my attacks this whole time? Or rather… have you been pouring your own mana into me on top of it?”
“…And simultaneously into every vessel you have under your control, connected to the seal on your abdomen, to be exact. I am going to ensure you never attempt such a wicked deed again.”
She answered his hesitant question with a look of terrifying kindness in her eyes.
“Just… how large is your mana capacity?” Adler asked, his face turning pale with alarm.
Jane Moriarty gently stroked his collarbone and leaned in close.
“The sea does not overflow simply because a river flows into it, Adler…”
“……….”
“…Rather, the sea forces the river to flow backward until it overflows its own banks.”
In that moment, her eyes—looking down at her beloved assistant—flooded with the predatory aura of an apex hunter.
“…Eeek.”
His body trembling, Adler abruptly grabbed her arms. Using every ounce of his strength, he shoved her against the wall, his gaze desperate.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice casual, as if his struggle was merely a curiosity.
“…If you’re pouring all your mana into me, then you can’t use magic either, right?”
Adler’s voice trembled with fear and a last-ditch hope.
“Then I have no choice but to use my body to fight you.”
“………”
“Even if you’re the strongest mage to ever live, you must be physically weaker than me, right?”
A final glimmer of hope shone in his eyes amidst the despair.
“I’m still a red-blooded teenager, Miss Moriarty.”
“Is that so…?”
“I’m confident I can overpower a wicked professor who’s done nothing but research behind locked doors for years.”
But even that shred of hope was doomed to vanish.
Squeeze…
“Uh…”
With effortless ease, Professor Moriarty shook off Adler’s grip and pinned him against the wall instead.
“T-This is absurd…”
“Nothing absurd about it, Adler.”
As Adler began a desperate, horrified struggle, the Professor increased the pressure of her grip just enough to subdue him.
“You’re not a vigorous teenager, Adler. You’re a patient on his deathbed.”
“…Ah.”
“And even if you weren't, do you really believe you could challenge me in a physical brawl?”
She leaned in, her face alight with mischief.
“Before I met you, I kept the fact that I was a mage hidden.”
“………”
“…How many people do you think I’ve killed with my bare hands instead of magic?”
Her eyes darkened into an ominous void as she whispered the question like a chant.
“…Obscene little fox.”
As her hot breath brushed his ear, Adler—his head buried against her chest due to the height difference—swallowed hard and looked up at his supervisor.
“I’m a vampire, Professor.”
For a long time after those words, the only sound echoing through the silent hallway was a wet, rhythmic squelching.
.
.
.
.
.
“…Lift your head, Adler.”
Several minutes later.
“…Adler.”
Adler walked down the corridor with his head hung low. He sported a fresh bite mark on his lower abdomen, one near his ear, and several more on his neck. He wiped his swollen, moist lips and turned his gaze away.
“Are you upset because I was too forceful?”
Professor Moriarty, also wiping her damp mouth, tilted her head.
“But you enticed me with your antics first, Adler. Didn’t you?”
“………”
“I am only human, Adler. Regretfully, I could no longer resist the temptation.”
She whispered softly, gently stroking the marks on his neck.
“We can save the rest for later—once this case is finally resolved.”
Brrrr…
“…And then, we’ll live together. Forever.”
A violent shudder ran through Adler’s body at her wistful words. He finally found his voice.
“Were you disappointed?”
“What do you mean?”
“…A moment ago, I attacked you, Professor.”
Her response was calm and immediate.
“I realized that your actions always have unavoidable intentions behind them.”
“That is…”
“…You mentioned a curse, didn’t you?”
She murmured the words, her gaze drifting to the empty space where Adler usually looked when he was startled.
“Does it compel you to create these mysteries and riddles?”
“……….”
“Then, could our relationship also be…?”
After a long silence, Adler responded in a voice that was barely audible.
“…I believe we’ve gone too far to use that as an excuse now.”
A fleeting expression of relief crossed the Professor’s face.
“Professor, I…”
“…Wait a moment.”
Just as Adler was about to say something serious, she cut him off.
“Where is she?”
“Pardon?”
“…Miss Neria Garrideb. Where is she?”
She halted her stride, her voice turning sharp.
“When you were interrogating me earlier, she seemed entranced. She went somewhere.”
“And?”
“I had sprinkled powdered magic stone on her back earlier. I was following the trail she left behind, but…”
Adler cocked his head, confused by the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
Chiiiik…!
Suddenly, thick smoke began billowing from the end of the corridor.
“Adler, be careful!”
The Professor watched warily as the smoke rapidly enveloped the hallway, resembling the ethereal fog that often choked the streets of London at dawn. She began to retreat, pulling Adler by the hand.
“I’m immortal, Professor. I’ll be fine.”
“Be silent, Adler. Just get behind me.”
“No, you should get behind me. You can’t use magic right now; you’re vulnerable.”
Even as they retreated, a minor quarrel broke out as Adler tried to shield her.
“Adler, before I get any angrier, plea—”
Swoosh…
“……!”
In the midst of their bickering, the Professor was a second too late in sensing the presence within the fog. Her eyes widened in alarm as she turned toward the threat.
Bang…!!!
The deafening roar of a gunshot filled the mansion.
“”……….””
A dreary, heavy silence followed.
.
.
.
.
.
“Professor…?”
As the smoke dissipated, Adler stood frozen. He was met with a scene he never thought he would witness in his life.
“That was a close call… Adler.”
Adler stared in disbelief as a familiar, unusually faint voice reached his ears.
“You almost… got hit by a silver bullet…”
There, before him, lay Professor Moriarty. A silver bullet was lodged deep in her chest, having crushed her heart. She coughed up a fountain of blood before collapsing at his feet.
“It’s fortunate… truly so fortu…”
Adler’s rationality snapped as he gazed down at her immobile figure.
Ending 10 (Conclusive)
Peace in London
“…This… can’t be…”