Chapter 14: The Red Mana League (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: The Red Mana League (3)
“Well, look who it is.”
“Hmm. Oh, dear.”
A few hours before the plan was set to be executed—
Under Professor Moriarty’s orders, I had been investigating Princess Clay to uncover what she was hiding from us…
“If I’d known this request would end so anticlimactically, I would’ve charged Senior Wilson a much higher fee.”
By sheer coincidence, I ran into Charlotte Holmes. She had been commissioned by Diana Wilson to track me down.
“So, why were you lurking around a pawnshop owned by my client’s family?”
Judging by her appearance, it seemed she had only just begun her investigation into this new case.
…This is a perfect opportunity.
I couldn’t afford to let this slip away. It was a golden chance to accelerate Charlotte Holmes’s growth by giving her a little push.
Honestly, it was a bit ironic that I, of all people, was helping her, but given the circumstances, I had no choice.
In the original story, Holmes solved her first major case about three years after her current age. Twenty years after that, she used the prestige she’d accumulated over the decades to engage in a fierce battle of wits with Moriarty, narrowly securing a victory in their final confrontation.
But while this Charlotte possessed a brilliant mind and sharp deductive reasoning, she still lacked the experience and reputation of the original Holmes. Because of that, she had faced several failures in the game.
One of those failures was the game’s first major case: the "Red Mana League."
I have to help her.
Of course, that failure had contributed significantly to her mental growth in the original timeline, but in her current state of mind… there was a dangerously high chance of a "Game Over" if she lost this case.
It was far too early for her to face an enemy like Princess Joan Clay—an antagonist who ranked in the top tier for both intelligence and power. And for some reason I couldn't fathom, Dr. Rachel Watson, whose presence was usually crucial in such dangerous cases, wasn't accompanying her today.
…It’s a problem if I only focus on nurturing Moriarty.
Peace in London could only be maintained by balancing the opposing forces of these two geniuses. Right now, Professor Moriarty was growing at a terrifying rate thanks to my full support.
At this rate, the balance would be shattered. I had to intervene gradually to ensure the scales remained level.
Yes—if the last case served as Professor Moriarty’s introduction to crime, then this case would be the growth period for Charlotte Holmes.
“You’re awfully quiet. Taken aback, are we?”
“Miss Holmes.”
After gathering my thoughts, I spoke softly to the girl smirking confidently in front of me.
“What a coincidence. I was actually investigating this case as well.”
“You were investigating your own disappearance?”
“Miss Holmes, surely you’ve noticed by now? The intricate details lurking beneath the surface of this case.”
She tilted her head, a curious smile playing on her lips. “And why would someone who claims to be a criminal consultant be investigating those details?”
“It seems my client is hiding something from me. I decided to find out what it was.”
“Hmm…”
“It would be a problem if their secrets interfered with the case.”
Just as I was about to subtly suggest we team up, she furrowed her brows and tilted her head.
Clank!
I suddenly felt the cold bite of metal on my wrist.
“Alright then. Let’s investigate together, Mr. Adler.”
Charlotte had abruptly handcuffed my wrist to hers. She crossed her arms, looking quite pleased with herself.
“I’m officially hiring you as my assistant for the day.”
“…What is the meaning of this?”
While I was somewhat honored to receive the title of Assistant for the Day, I wasn't sure what to make of this sudden restraint.
“I’ve secured an accomplice in the case—or perhaps a crucial witness.”
“I wouldn’t have run away even if you hadn't ‘secured’ me. Besides, don’t detectives lack the authority to make arrests?”
“You never know. Just like last time, you might leave a note and escape without a care in the world.”
She smirked, playfully rattling the chain between our wrists.
“And as for the arrest, there’s no issue. If anyone asks, I’ll just testify that I was threatened by a mage and taken hostage.”
“That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Shall we begin our investigation, Mr. Assistant for the Day?”
And so, handcuffed together, Charlotte Holmes and I began walking down the busy street under the curious gazes of the public.
『Villain Maker』
– Description: Fulfilling the probability of Professor Moriarty's appearance.
– Progress: 15% → 17%
What the hell?
Why did the main quest progress just for this?
“So, why did you come to the pawnshop?” I asked.
“Here?” Charlotte adjusted her pace to match mine. “I came to meet Miss Victoria Spaulding.”
“Why?”
“Perhaps because the last time I barged into the interview room, I happened to eavesdrop on your conversation through the gap in the door?”
“You caught the gist of it, then.”
“And she seemed quite familiar.”
She reached into her coat, pulled out a wanted poster, and waved it in front of me.
“Joan Clay. The last survivor of the Clay ducal family, which was annihilated a few years ago for treason against the state.”
“………”
“She is now known as the leader of the Red Mana League, a group planning the resurrection of vampires. A very dangerous individual.”
“And?”
“She is currently disguised as that naive country girl, Victoria Spaulding.”
I widened my eyes in feigned shock. “Indeed, you truly are the genius girl of London. Impressive.”
“Hehe.”
“How did you figure it out?”
Charlotte squared her shoulders with pride and began to explain.
“When you use disguises as often as I do to solve cases, you learn to recognize the tells. For instance, the discrepancy between natural hair color and a hue artificially altered with mana. Or the subtle awkwardness that arises when someone tries to hide their natural physique.”
“I see.”
“And hidden behind her hair, just below her forehead—doesn’t she have a white spot that looks like a burn scar?”
I nodded. Holmes continued, her tone certain.
“Why would someone like her work at a pawnshop for half the usual wage? It doesn’t make sense, does it?”
“It doesn’t.”
“If I had to guess, the reason is the bank right next door. Perhaps that’s where her organization’s funds are kept, or maybe it houses a relic the vampires have coveted for generations. It is the largest bank in London, after all. There are plenty of reasons to target it.”
Charlotte pulled a cane from her overcoat.
“I came here to investigate, but… the pawnshop is closed today. Well, it can’t be helped, I suppose.”
She lifted her cane high, her voice brimming with confidence.
“But there’s always a way.”
She began tapping the ground with the tip of her cane.
“Miss Holmes, what are you doing?”
“……..”
“Are you doing that because you’re listening for an echo from the floor?”
After a moment, Holmes tilted her head, looking puzzled. I asked the question softly, and she shot me a sharp glare before answering.
“Not at all.”
“In truth, simply tapping the ground with a cane wouldn’t produce an echo. If the space below were hollow enough to resonate from a mere tap, the road would have collapsed long ago.”
“It could have been stabilized with mana stones.”
“If that were the case, wouldn't your own mana stones have reacted by now, Miss Holmes?”
Holmes stared intently at me. “Mr. Adler, you seem to know quite a lot.”
“No, not really. As you know, I was busy guarding Miss Wilson, so I’m not well-versed in the specifics of this case.”
“…………”
As I continued walking, Holmes followed, lost in thought.
He’s not falling for it.
In truth, Holmes had tapped the ground specifically to bait a reaction out of me. Since she couldn't enter the locked pawnshop or access the bank’s security room without evidence, her only option was to observe my behavior.
“Well, what will you do now?” I asked, offering a sly smile. “Are you going to give up on verifying the existence of the underground passage?”
My expression was intentionally taunting.
“No.”
“Typical Charlotte Holmes. Even in this situation, you’ve already determined whether the passage exists.”
Holmes’s eyebrows twitched at my condescending gaze. She looked down, deep in thought.
“…I suppose I should prepare to face the vampires.”
Watching her, I murmured with a look of feigned admiration before clearing my throat.
“If our client really is up to something nefarious, we’ll need a way to counteract the red mana of the vampire race…”
“…Exactly!”
“Pardon?”
A spark ignited in Charlotte’s eyes.
“Vampire mana is several times more powerful than other types, but they lack fine control. That’s why crimes committed by vampires are so easy to identify.”
“And?”
“Joan Clay started her job here only a month ago. If an underground passage has been completed in that time, it must have been dug using magic.”
Her expression brightened as the pieces clicked together.
“However, the nature of their mana presents a problem. Excavation requires precision. Pouring that much raw mana into the earth would likely cause the entire area to collapse.”
“But what if they used mana stones to prevent a collapse, as we mentioned?”
“Then the ground would have resonated when I tapped it.”
Charlotte finished her sentence with a triumphant look on her youthful face.
“There is no underground passage, Mr. Adler.”
“Well done, Miss Holmes.”
As she puffed out her chest, I suppressed a chuckle and patted her head, whispering gently, “Shall we move to our next destination?”
“Yes, Mr. Adler.”
Charlotte followed me, her heart fluttering in a way she hadn't felt before.
…Wait a moment.
She suddenly realized I had just been patting her head.
He claimed he didn't know the details of the case.
And yet, he had tantalizingly dropped hints right after provoking her.
…It’s likely that what he said was true.
According to Wilson’s testimony, Adler had been by her side almost all day. If that was the case, how did he know there was no tunnel even before she did?
Could he have deduced it before her?
“Miss Holmes?”
With a flustered expression, she stared at my retreating back. My voice reached her ears again.
“Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you coming?”
“………….”
“The next riddle awaits us.”
I flashed a teasing smile at her.
Thump…
At that moment, Charlotte’s heart began to race.
Is he… like me?
The way Isaac Adler referred to the case as a riddle was filled with genuine joy and anticipation. That look was strikingly similar to the excited gleam reflecting off the bank’s window—her own reflection.
Even if their purposes differed, they belonged to the same species at their core.
“Excuse me?”
Someone she had never met before, someone she believed didn't exist in this world—a true counterpart. A prime candidate for that role was smiling right in front of her.
And he seems to be on par with my skills.
This counterpart had bested her at least once.
…Perhaps even more.
No, it might be beyond that. If she wasn't mistaken, he—just like her elder sister—had swiftly deduced the answer and subtly handed her a clue to reach it herself. Yet, unlike her insufferable sister, his approach was incredibly gentle…
Thump, thump…
Charlotte’s heart beat even faster. It wasn't certain yet. It could be a coincidence. She might find his next deduction unimpressive, leading to inevitable disappointment…
But if her hunch was correct, numerous riddles would unfold before her in the future. Riddles that might finally free her from the curse of the terrible boredom and aimlessness that had tormented her since childhood.
Riddles meant exclusively for her, the detective.
…But why is he a criminal consultant?
With her head bowed to hide her expression, Charlotte followed me. A sudden thought struck her.
He seems to have a kind nature.
Her gaze rested on my burned left hand—a mystery she had yet to solve.
…No.
She shook her head.
Of course he’s not doing it for me.
Only her sister and Watson knew about her curse. There was no way Isaac Adler could know, and even if he did, there was no reason for him to go to such lengths for her.
…Was it Professor Moriarty?
The image of the young female professor sitting next to Adler in the office popped into Charlotte’s mind.
I should look into her background.
Recalling the professor’s name with a frown, Charlotte murmured silently to herself.
『Villain Maker』
– Description: Fulfilling the probability of Professor Moriarty's appearance.
– Progress: 17% → 20%
“This is driving me mad, seriously…”
“What was that?”
“…Nothing.”
A solid narrative was forming, interlocking the stories of Charlotte and Jane in a web spun unknowingly by a blonde-haired philanderer.
.
.
.
.
.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes, I just felt a bit dizzy for a moment.”
I stopped walking, wiping away a sudden cold sweat as I gazed into the air. I responded to Charlotte’s question with a strained smile.
“That’s strange,” she murmured, her doubts growing as she watched my uneasy demeanor.
“…….Ah.”
She remembered the events from a few hours ago and quietly slipped her hand into her pocket.
“………..”
The hourglass she pulled out was nearing its end; only a tiny amount of sand remained.
“Um, I need to use the restroom,” I said suddenly, scratching my head with an innocent look. “Can you undo the handcuff for a moment?”
Holmes stared intently at my pale face for a long beat before finally speaking.
“…Let’s go together.”
“Pardon?”
“I need to stop by as well.”
And that was the moment Charlotte Holmes’s long obsession with Isaac Adler truly began.