Chapter 122: The Hound of the Baskervilles (10)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 122: The Hound of the Baskervilles (10)
“…Haa, haa.”
Charlotte Holmes panted, chasing the bizarre monster through the heart of the raging storm. Despite the early hour, the wilderness remained a dim, oppressive void.
—Grrrrrrgrgr…
“…Good boy.”
She paused to catch her breath, then began to slowly approach the massive hound. It had stopped in its tracks, glaring at her with eerie, glowing eyes.
“H-Holmes…!”
A trembling voice drifted from behind her.
“No…!”
Watson, just as breathless as Charlotte, whispered through a face pale with terror.
—Thud, clump…
Ignoring the plea, Charlotte spared her friend only the briefest glance before continuing her walk toward the hound.
“Are you out of your mind…?”
“It’s okay, Watson.”
Charlotte stood directly in front of the massive beast. She stared into its fierce blue eyes and murmured in a low voice, “This fellow won’t hurt me.”
“What?”
“Shh. Stand still and watch.”
Watson looked on, bewildered. Beside her, Inspector Lestrade watched the creature with a threatening gaze, whispering sharply, “It doesn’t seem like it will attack immediately.”
—Grrr…
True to Charlotte’s words, the monstrous creature lowered its posture and growled, but it showed no sign of pouncing.
—Swoosh…
After staring at the bizarre being for a moment, Charlotte carefully extended her hand. Silence enveloped the moor.
—Grrr…
“Eh…?”
Watson, who had been sweating with her eyes squeezed shut, peeked open one eye. She froze in a daze, unable to process the incredulous scene before her.
—Purrr…
“Wh-What…”
“What a good boy. Very good.”
The monstrous creature, which looked ready to tear a throat out seconds ago, was now purring as Charlotte stroked its cheek.
“…How? How did you… Holmes?”
“I told you, didn’t I? This beast cannot harm me.” Charlotte looked down, as if she had expected this outcome all along. “This fellow belongs to Isaac Adler.”
“What!?”
“I’ll explain later. We’re in a hurry.” She whispered to the creature rubbing its cheek against her hand, “Lead us to Isaac Adler.”
“…Woof.”
The creature nodded, its expression turning dull and obedient, and began trotting in a specific direction.
“I think I understand what this creature is now.” Lestrade narrowed her eyes as she watched the beast’s back.
“What is it?” Watson asked.
“The truth is, this isn't some legendary demonic hound. It’s just an oversized hunting dog.”
“Oh, really…?”
“The glowing blue eyes are likely due to fluorescent material applied to the fur. If not that, then perhaps a powdered magic crystal that absorbs sunlight.”
Watson nodded, finding Lestrade’s explanation plausible.
“If Isaac Adler has been secretly training the beast since it was young, that would explain its behavior. Even a fierce predator will remain loyal if raised from a cub.”
“That does sound possible…”
“The dog is likely a gentle creature focused on scouting and surveillance rather than hunting. Isn’t that right, Miss Holmes?”
Lestrade gave an ambiguous shrug, not entirely sure of her own conjecture, and cleared her throat while seeking Charlotte’s agreement.
“…No.”
“What?”
“It is clearly the demonic hound of legend,” Charlotte immediately negated the deduction. “It isn't an ordinary hunting dog; it can only be classified as a monster. This beast uses high-level magic.”
“………”
“Just moments ago, it was salivating while looking at Watson. It wouldn't be this docile without Adler’s direct orders.”
The atmosphere, which had briefly relaxed, suddenly froze.
—Shiver…
“Then… how is Isaac Adler able to command such a terrifying creature like a domestic pet?” Lestrade asked, trembling slightly beside a literally vibrating Watson.
“We are about to uncover the reason very soon,” Charlotte replied in a low voice. “That is the crux of the counterargument Adler presented, and the final key to ending this bizarre case.”
She paused. As they rounded a bend, a new landscape, previously obscured by the storm, came into view.
““………..””
Not far from the valley where the demonic hound had first appeared, there was a cave. A faint light seeped from within.
“…Is everyone prepared?”
As the bizarre beast watched them from the cave entrance before disappearing inside, Charlotte whispered one last time and stepped forward with a composed expression.
“I really, really hate this…”
“Would you prefer to stay here?”
“I hate that even more!”
Watson and Lestrade, faces pale with fright, followed Charlotte into the depths. Silence returned to the deserted wilderness for a long, long time.
—Stomp…
It wasn't until a new figure arrived in front of the cave, trudging through the storm and stepping heavily onto the sticky ground, that the silence was finally broken.
.
.
.
.
.
“Ha, huff…”
“What a pity.”
Isaac Adler discreetly pulled away from Helen Baskerville. She lay there, writhing and exhaling heated breaths, her body still reacting to the lingering tension. Adler muttered with a hint of disappointment as he gazed toward the entrance.
“Is it already this late…?”
—Grrrrr…
His eyes caught sight of the monstrous creature. It had successfully completed its task and returned to his side.
“Well done.”
—Purr…
As Adler stroked the creature’s head, the corners of his mouth curled upward.
“You all did well, too. It must have been terrifying in the dark, but you managed to find your way here.”
“””………..”””
Three women emerged from the darkness.
“Isaac Adler.”
“So, Miss Holmes, have you given any thought to the message I sent you?”
Charlotte, standing at the forefront, called out his name with an expression colder than arctic snow. Adler merely smiled with his eyes and threw the question back at her.
“Message or not, there’s no need for it. In fact, I have no intention of hearing anything you have to say.”
Before he could continue, Gia Lestrade stepped forward with a resolute expression.
“Isaac Adler, you are under arrest.”
“…On what charge?”
“The charges are numerous. For starters, we are investigating the kidnapping of Miss Helen Baskerville and conspiracy with Gloria Mortimer.”
“Heh…” Adler let out a mischievous chuckle and turned his gaze toward Charlotte. “Do you agree with the inspector’s opinion, Miss Holmes?”
“…No.”
“Miss Holmes! This is a legal matter; personal feelings must not interfere,” Lestrade argued solemnly. “Isaac Adler will face trial. Since he isn't directly charged with murder, he will likely face ten to twenty years at most—”
“…That’s not it.” Charlotte shook her head quietly, her eyes locked onto Adler. “The charges against Isaac Adler are not limited to this incident.”
“…Then?”
“Not only this case, but every incident that has occurred so far—and those yet to come—he is directly or indirectly involved in every single one of them.”
Lestrade’s eyes glazed over in confusion. “We have been dealing with an abstract entity this entire time, after all.”
“What are you—”
“Adler, I’ve realized your true identity.”
Leaving a dazed Lestrade behind, Charlotte began walking toward Adler, a sinister smile stretching across her lips.
“…Is that so?”
“………”
“Then, please enlighten me.” Adler’s sweet voice reached her ears. “As you know, you only have one chance to satisfy me.”
“…Ha.”
As Adler’s eyes began to glow with a deep, bloody red, Charlotte Holmes sighed and stopped in her tracks.
“I never imagined the joke I muttered in jest would become reality.”
“……..”
“…But I know it better than anyone else.”
She was about to utter the phrase that would become her most famous line.
“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
“…It is truly an honor to hear those words from your own lips.”
A heavy silence settled between them.
“Isaac Adler.” Charlotte’s frigid voice echoed through the cavern. “The mage of contracts who loves pacts more than anyone else, yet only conjures unfair deals that benefit himself.”
“…I’ve been backstabbed a few times, you know. By people like you, or the professor.”
“The mischievous nature of fulfilling wishes through consultation, albeit in a twisted manner.”
“It’s not like I do it because I want to…” Adler made a half-hearted excuse, looking slightly disheartened.
“The tail you carelessly reveal when transforming into a vampire—a tail that has nothing to do with vampires.”
“………”
“The abnormal charm that can bewitch half the women in London.”
“…That’s irrelevant, isn’t it?” Adler murmured with an awkward smile, though he had gone momentarily speechless at the mention of the tail.
“And, most crucially…” Charlotte ignored him, looking instead at the otherworldly monster sitting at his feet, rubbing its cheek against his leg. “The legendary demonic hound that exudes unconditional loyalty…”
“…….”
“Even as a vampire, I should have noticed your overreaction the moment you saw the silver cross. But now, it’s all too clear.” Her eyes trembled slightly as she reached the conclusion. “The devil who vanished from the earth during the Crusades, marking the end of magic and myth. Yet, according to legend, he has occasionally revealed himself to the world since his disappearance.”
Her voice remained steady and clear.
“Much like the devil that appeared in the legend of the Baskerville family.”
“………”
“…That is your true identity, isn't it? The Devil.”
Adler gave a captivating smile. His tail, which he had nonchalantly revealed, wagged from side to side as he nodded in acknowledgment. He affirmed her bone-chilling words. He was The Devil.
“You are indeed correct.”
As his voice filled the air, a silence colder than the grave enveloped the cavern.
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『Love-Hate Relationship (Episode 2)』
– Description: Earn Charlotte Holmes’ hatred.
– Progress: 20% → 100%
『Twists and Turns of Love』
– Description: Earn Inspector Gia Lestrade’s hatred.
– Progress: 20% → 100%
『Lady of London』
– Description: Complete one sham marriage with Watson.
– Progress: ???
As I observed the messages appearing before my eyes, I let out a quiet sigh of relief upon seeing the reward at the bottom.
Rewards
– Return to the Original World Ticket x1 (Single Use Non-Recurring Item)
“It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I only realized it myself recently.”
True to my expectations, Charlotte Holmes had swiftly arrived at the truth.
“The instigator who summoned the Ancient Ones back to an age where magic and mystery were extinct; the culprit behind the recent surge of bizarre incidents, and the mastermind still drawing oddities to this world as we speak…”
Even I, the developer, hadn't been fully aware of this body’s true identity.
“That is precisely who I am, Miss Holmes. I am… The Devil. In the flesh.”
“……..”
“If you’ve deduced this much, perhaps you’ve also deduced what I’m about to do next?”
With this reward, I finally had a way out. There was only one thing left to do.
“…I must decline your proposal.”
With that whisper, I took the marriage certificates of the ladies from my pocket.
—Rip…
I tore them in half before their eyes.
“I am the darkness that must fade away, purified by your light.”
“””………..”””
“…A transient life of happiness does not suit a vile creature like me.”
The women began to stare at me with an intensity I had never experienced—far beyond anything I could put into words.
“Nevertheless, I love you, Miss Holmes.”
Just then, system messages I never anticipated began to flood my vision.
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Warning!
– Probability of Imprisonment — 100%
– Probability of Kidnapping — 100%
– Probability of being Tamed — 100%
– Probability of Deprivation of Physical Freedom — 100%
“…What the hell…!”
I was startled, but I tried to convince myself it was just a bug—the system failing to anticipate this development. Since I had the ticket back to my world, these things could never happen to me.
Warning!
– Probability of ??? — 100%
This was just blatant intimidation. Fucking bitch of a system.