Chapter 12: The Red Mana League
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 12: The Red Mana League
“Adler. Do you know what the easiest thing in the world to deduce is?”
It was the morning of the second day since we had taken on the very first request of our little "criminal consultation" charade.
“What is it?”
“It is simply whether someone likes or dislikes you…”
As I walked down the academy corridor with Professor Moriarty, she shared this observation with a playful smile.
“Why is that?”
“Take a look around.”
I doubted her for a moment, but as I followed her gaze and surveyed our surroundings, I immediately understood her reasoning.
“…You are certainly right.”
Most of the male students in the corridor and half of the female students passing by were looking at me as if I were some kind of vile insect. Meanwhile, the remaining half of the female students were blushing and pointedly avoiding my gaze.
“The reason you’re still alive is likely because you’ve won over half the women in London.”
“Does that even make sense?”
“Indeed. You are, after all, the greatest child actor to ever steal the hearts of women across Europe.”
At first, I thought she was just teasing and intended to ignore her, but her next words made me stop dead in my tracks.
“However, I’d like to think more highly of your acting skills than your physical appearance.”
“………”
“You kept that frightening true nature of yours hidden perfectly—right up until the moment you met me and let it surface.”
Professor Moriarty’s eyes shimmered with a dark, predatory light.
“Adler. Tell me, why did you reveal your true nature to that child, Charlotte?”
“…It’s a misunderstanding, Professor.”
Sensing an inexplicable hint of danger in her tone, I quickly shook my head.
“I have revealed my true nature only to you, Professor.”
“Then why is she so obsessed with you?”
“Because she is a genius, much like yourself. It seems she has caught the scent of the storm we are about to brew.”
At that, Professor Moriarty, who had been habitually tilting her head to the side, stopped and stared straight at me.
“I might need to double as Charlotte’s assistant as well. Of course, that’s only if she manages to uncover my true identity…”
I looked at her and tried to lighten the mood with a joke and a smile, but then—
『Villain Maker』
– Description: Fulfilling the probability of Professor Moriarty's appearance.
– Progress: 10% → 15%
A system message flickered before my eyes.
“…You know that was a joke, right, Professor?”
Seeing that Moriarty’s bright smile didn't reach her dark, cold eyes, I began to explain myself, breaking into a cold sweat.
“We have a contract. We even swore on mana. I am solely yours—”
“After this case is over, I’m planning to embark on a long-term research project.”
“What?”
Her words hit me like a bolt from the blue.
“It’s expected to be a very demanding project. Inevitably, you’ll have to sleep in my laboratory for the duration.”
“………”
“Well, isn’t that great? You’ll be safe from assassins. And you won’t be bothered by a certain mana-poisoned detective, either.”
Having unexpectedly been saddled with the workload of a graduate student slave just because of a slip of the tongue, I had no choice but to force a smile.
“I am truly delighted, Professor.”
“Ha ha.”
Note to self: Think before speaking next time.
“…By the way, our guest has arrived.”
Steeling my resolve, I quickened my pace. I spotted our client sitting in the lounge ahead and whispered to Moriarty in a hushed voice.
“As we discussed, you should lay out the overall plan, Professor. I will simply act according to your design.”
As I said this, the terrifying aura Moriarty had been projecting vanished instantly. She took on the excited expression of a child at an amusement park.
“My heart is actually racing. It feels like I’ve stepped into a theme park built just for me.”
“It is indeed an amusement park made for you, Professor.”
This rookie criminal consultant, currently wearing her heart on her sleeve, would someday become the Empress of London’s underworld even without my help. Was I the only one privileged enough to see her in such an innocent state?
Somehow, it feels like I’m playing a 'Princess Maker' game.
I entertained the frivolous thought for a moment before walking toward our client—Princess Clay—while mumbling to myself.
But how did that game end again?
I seemed to recall a lesson from it: the more diligently you raise a princess, the more careful you have to be when you reach the end of her path.
*
“Ah, h-hello… You’re a bit late…”
As Moriarty and Adler approached Princess Clay—who was currently maintaining the fake identity of Victoria Spaulding—she greeted them while fidgeting nervously.
“Th-that… about the story we discussed last time…”
“I’ve cast a cognitive dissonance barrier around us,” Adler interrupted. “You can speak freely.”
“…Tsk. You should have said that sooner.”
The moment Adler spoke, the girl’s demeanor shifted. She snatched off her glasses, crossed her legs, and adopted a cold, regal expression.
“Before you speak, you should first kiss my ring. Then, kneel and show proper respect to your better.”
“I’ll consider it once I’ve married into the royal family, Your Highness,” Adler replied smoothly.
“The blood of the British royalty flows through my veins. A lowly creature like you has no right to refuse.”
“It’s always fun to be rebellious when the stakes are unknown. It makes the eventual submission that much sweeter, don’t you think, Your Highness?”
Princess Clay curled her lip. “That comment felt strangely directed at me.”
“Why would it be? In any case, shall we stop bickering and get to the point?”
“Haa.”
As Adler made the suggestion, glancing at Moriarty—who stood by with an inscrutable smile—the princess sighed and straightened her posture.
“First, you need to know the target.”
She pointed to the window behind them.
“The target I want is right there.”
A massive bank, fortified with heavy security, loomed in the distance.
“The City & Suburban Bank.”
“Yes. As I mentioned yesterday, it is the top bank in London.”
“So,” Moriarty chimed in, “is the student planning to rob that bank?”
“Robbing? Such an inelegant way to put it.”
Clay bristled for a moment before correcting the Professor in a stern tone.
“…I am simply retrieving a certain item located in the underground vault.”
“And what is this item?”
At that question, Princess Clay’s eyes flashed crimson.
“That is none of your business.”
She glared at the duo, making it clear she wouldn't tolerate further questioning, then continued in a subdued tone.
“But I can assure you: if I get my hands on it, the era of vampires will return to all of Europe.”
“Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine,” Adler remarked sarcastically.
“Enough. Now, tell me.” Clay narrowed her eyes, interrogating them. “Why do you think my plan will fail?”
“Before we explain that, why don’t you share your plan with us?”
“People are so annoying.”
With an exasperated huff, Clay pulled a map from her bag and spread it on the table, pointing with confidence.
“According to this map, the building closest to the bank is right here.”
She tapped a circled location.
“A pawnshop in Covent Garden?”
“They are almost back-to-back. I am already working there part-time under the alias Victoria Spaulding.”
Moriarty smiled. “And while working there, do you plan to secretly dig a tunnel from the basement?”
“…Not bad.”
“It’s hard to picture a noble young duchess covered in dirt, digging like a common laborer.”
“It’s simple, but it’s the most surefire method,” Clay responded, her face flushing slightly. “I work diligently for half the normal pay, so the owner trusts me completely. Plus, I can use disintegration magic.”
“………”
“I figure if I keep at it alone, I’ll be finished in a few months. The only thing you two could possibly help with is speeding up the digging process.”
Having finished her explanation, she lifted her chin haughtily.
“So? Start talking. What is the flaw in my 'perfect' plan?”
A lopsided smirk appeared on Clay’s lips as she looked between the two.
“If you can't find one, you’ll have to fulfill the contract right here and now.”
Assuming she had already won, she extended her ring-adorned finger toward Adler, her tone arrogant.
“Kiss my hand.”
However, Adler merely sat there with a calm smile.
“What are you doing? Swear your obedience.”
Just as Clay, infuriated by his attitude, started to rise from her seat—
“If you break the contract, I won’t stay idle—”
“There is a fatal flaw in your plan, as I stated before.”
Professor Moriarty spoke up, tilting her head as her voice turned slow and deep.
“First of all, there is a high likelihood that someone will discover your suspiciously dug passage before the work is even finished.”
“What?”
“Were you planning to create a massive hole using disintegration magic and then reinforce the soil with magic stones to prevent a collapse?”
“H-How did you…?”
“Anyone could deduce that by checking your first-year grades and your supply applications,” Moriarty whispered, tapping the table. “However, due to the nature of the Red Mana possessed by vampires, you won't be able to perfectly control its output.”
“………”
“If you create a large void without proper acoustic dampening, even a single tap of your wand will echo through the tunnel, notifying everyone of your presence.”
Clay lowered her gaze, her brow furrowing.
“If a heavy carriage happens to pass by just as you're finishing, your 'perfect' plan will literally collapse, Princess. And then, several suspicious individuals will likely appear to finish the job for you.”
“T-That’s absurd. I considered that, but not many people pass through that area.”
Clay bit her lip, trying to counter the argument.
“And if it comes to that, I can just reduce the size of the tunnel. It will take more time to modify the plan, but still—”
“There is another critical issue.”
Moriarty’s next point silenced her completely.
“Have you ever seen Mrs. Wilson, the owner of the pawnshop, leave the building?”
“Well, that…”
“Try to recall. I believe she has never once left the premises.”
Clay looked incredulous. “Come on, surely… everyone goes out at least once.”
“According to the neighbors, she hasn't stepped outside in three years.”
“…What?” Clay was visibly shocked. “How can a person… Wait, hold on. How do you know so much about Mrs. Wilson?”
“Your plan was impressive for a student, but to me, it is nothing more than child’s play.”
“What the hell are you talking about…?”
“Your entire plan was exposed to me in my office yesterday. And I didn't have to take a single step outside to figure it out.”
Clay clenched her jaw in fury, her eyes squeezed shut.
“But you are fortunate,” Moriarty continued. “Because you met me.”
“………”
“From now on, we are taking charge of your plan. Any objections?”
Clay nodded quietly and rose from her seat.
“In that case, I will be in touch soon.”
As she turned to leave, Moriarty’s composed voice followed her.
“If this fails, you’ll have to take responsibility, Professor.”
A bitter smile spread across Clay’s lips.
“Keep that in mind.”
*
“So, what’s the real plan?”
After Lady Clay left, Professor Moriarty remained deep in thought, tapping her finger on her knee.
“Don’t worry. After pondering it all night, I found a way to infiltrate the bank without using that pawnshop.”
In this state, she bore a striking resemblance to Charlotte Holmes. Moriarty’s lips curled into a smile as she began to explain.
“Quite coincidentally, there is one other place in London that perfectly matches the elevation coordinates of the bank’s vault.”
“Where?”
“The basement of the Auguste Academy dormitory. Specifically, a room where a student who can’t afford the fees is staying with special permission.”
Moriarty produced a document from her bag.
“Coincidentally, she is the daughter of Mrs. Wilson, the owner of the pawnshop where our client works.”
Behind the document, which showed a sullen-looking student with exotic orange hair, Moriarty’s eyes shone with a cold light.
“An astonishing coincidence, isn't it?”
“…Indeed.”
I already knew the reason for this "coincidence," but seeing the Professor so delighted, I kept quiet. For her to grow, she needed to solve the puzzles the clients were hiding on her own.
“Since the coordinates match, we can set up a teleportation circle quickly if we calculate it correctly. The academy is overflowing with the magic stones we need. It should take… two weeks at most.”
“In other words, it’s the perfect staging ground.”
“But right now, it is the worst possible location.”
“Why is that?”
Moriarty gestured for me to turn the page.
“As the document states, Diana Wilson, who resides in that basement, suffers from severe social phobia and communication disorders.”
“Hmm.”
“I tried to talk to her once out of curiosity. She was so startled she ran back into her room. Can you believe it? She’s an odd one—sometimes she skips classes for days just to hide in there.”
“Then drawing a magic circle there will be just as difficult as working in the pawnshop.”
Moriarty shook her head slowly. “Nothing is impossible, Adler.”
“That sounds like something you would say, Professor…”
“And it will be possible, as long as you are there.”
“…What?”
I was about to nod in agreement, but Moriarty pointed at me and leaned in close.
“Diana Wilson is a female student, isn't she?”
“Wait a minute.”
“And you are London’s foremost expert on female students, aren't you, Adler?” she said with a grin.
“Hold on just a second.”
This was absurd. I had agreed to follow her lead, but this was crossing a line.
“Start immediately. Today.”
I’ve been a workaholic my whole life; I’ve never even been on a date. How was I supposed to "charm" someone? Especially a recluse with severe social anxiety.
“Adler, didn't you say you would follow my directions to a T?”
“Professor, isn't there any other way…?”
“We need to work hard to uncover the secrets our client is hiding.”
I couldn't refuse. I didn't want to lose the trust I’d built, nor did I want to become a permanent fixture in her office as a research slave.
“Ah, and one more thing.”
I gritted my teeth and nodded. Moriarty’s eyes darkened as she whispered one final instruction.
“Needless to say… don’t give her your heart.”
“………”
“Graduate students have no right to be in a relationship.”
At that joke, I nodded again and stood up, letting out a heavy sigh.
Maybe I should just join Clay’s family instead.
Charm a reclusive student in two weeks? No matter how I racked my brain, I couldn't see a solution.
*
Exactly two weeks later—
“Pl-please help me…!”
A girl burst into the lodgings at 221B Baker Street without warning, pleading desperately with Charlotte Holmes.
“Yes, first, please calm down. Would you like a smoke…?”
“Adler is in danger!”
“…What?”
Charlotte, who had been leaning back on the sofa with a relaxed expression, felt her face contort the moment she heard that name.
“I’ll—I’ll give you anything. I have nothing, but I’ll give my life if I have to…”
Diana Wilson, a second-year at Auguste Academy, continued to sob, her tears showing no sign of stopping.
“Please, save him…”
The curtain was rising on what would later be known as the Red Mana League case.