Chapter 165: The Devil's Foot (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 165: The Devil's Foot (3)
“...Adler, are you alright?”
“........”
Shaking off both the maid and the officer who had lunged at him, Adler hastily retreated from the mansion alongside Professor Moriarty.
“Adler...”
“I’m fine, Professor.”
“Well, that’s a relief, but...”
As they hurried through the tranquil streets in silence, Adler finally spoke, his voice a mere murmur. His reply prompted the watchful Professor to press further.
“Your palms are far too clammy.”
“…….”
“Is something troubling you?”
Silence settled between the duo as they walked.
“I suppose I’m just feeling a bit tense after what happened earlier, haha...”
“Really? You, who has navigated so many bizarre incidents... flustered by a few people jumping you?”
“Professor, the human heart is a matter of perspective, not an absolute.”
“Indeed. If such insignificant creatures... no, lower lifeforms were to rush me, I might have reacted the same way.”
“What?”
The calm in Adler’s voice vanished, replaced by a note of bewilderment as he shot a confused look at Professor Moriarty.
“...Aren’t you an immortal devil?”
“Y-Yeah, I suppose?”
“Unless the Vatican itself intervenes, you aren't going to die.”
Gently stroking his cheek after seeing the confusion in his eyes, Professor Moriarty explained her stance.
“So, from your perspective, a human being with such a finite life can only be a lower lifeform, right?”
“...Is that how it works?”
“Of course. From my perspective, humans are an inferior species as well. After all, there is no difference between you and me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Seeking his agreement with a knowing look, Professor Moriarty fell silent when she saw only confusion and uncertainty flash across Adler’s face.
“You can be rather... slow at times.”
“....?”
“Sometimes you appear omniscient, as if you can predict every path leading to a definite future. Yet at other times, you act like a fool lacking even basic common sense...”
She began to tilt her head from side to side.
“...It’s endearing.”
“Professor.”
Still walking, Adler spoke up as he felt her lean her head against his shoulder.
“Why are you suddenly leaning on me?”
Hearing his words, she blinked, a hint of regret creeping onto her face.
“Sorry...”
“Do you wish to be disciplined?”
“...Just let it go this once.”
As she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, acting coy, Adler sighed before coming to a halt.
“Professor.”
“……?”
“If I were to say that I am far more insignificant and inferior than you believe me to be, how would you feel?”
Professor Moriarty merely tilted her head, a contemplative look in her eyes.
“You are not inferior—not by species, intelligence, or strategic depth...”
“...And what if I said my time is coming to an end?”
“Stop talking such nonsense. Why even pose such a hypothesis?”
Her complexion darkened instantly.
“As someone possessing the power of both a devil and a pure-blooded vampire, I know better than anyone that you cannot die.”
“……..”
“Death is something only inferior species experience. Beings like us... like you, transcendental beings, need not worry about such trifling things.”
“Is that so?”
At her words, which carried such absolute certainty, a smirk played on Adler’s lips.
“Then let me change the question. What if I were to disappear suddenly one day—”
- Rumble...
“...Oh.”
As he fired off his persistent questions, a sudden crack of thunder erupted from the heavens.
“……..”
Only moments ago, sunny skies had watched over Cornwall. Now, the sky was overcast with thick, oppressive clouds.
“Is it because of that entity you encountered last time...?”
“……..”
“If so, don’t worry. I can handle it.”
In the now-darkened street, Professor Moriarty whispered in a dangerously low voice.
“They are indeed troublesome creatures, but I can suppress them on my own. You don't need to worry about it...”
“...If my guess is correct, even you might be in danger, Professor.”
“What nonsense are you spouting now?”
“If the identity of the entity we encountered is what I suspect it to be...”
As his words trailed off, the Professor’s expression grew increasingly grim.
“Then, I will protect you.”
“…….?”
“I have a way.”
With those cheerful whispers, Adler began to walk away from her at a leisurely pace.
“...Ugh.”
“So cheer up and follow me.”
Watching his departing figure, Professor Moriarty felt a sudden tug at her collar and followed him.
“You’re going to protect me?”
“Who else but me would be willing to protect our adorable Professor?”
“…….?”
“I suppose only I am worthy of protecting you, right?”
At his blatant remark, Moriarty’s eyes grew hazy, her mind falling into a daze.
“...It’s the first time anyone has ever said they would protect me.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“Yes... Actually, I’ve never once received help from anyone.”
Small murmurs leaked from her lips.
“I’ve always been alone, after all.”
“…….”
“I hardly knew anyone. There were even fewer people I could truly confide in.”
Listening to her while maintaining his silence, Adler suddenly stood on his tiptoes and reached for her cheek, caressing it.
“Even a sullen professor looks cute.”
“……”
“But I prefer the professor who can proudly call herself the Queen of Crimes.”
With a bright smile, he directed a look full of intent at her.
“It’s so lovely that such an unapproachable professor is only affectionate with me when we’re alone.”
“……..”
“Professor.”
Then, leaning in closer to her face, Adler whispered.
“Stick out your tongue.”
“Suddenly... what?”
“Quickly.”
The professor hesitated for a moment, her eyes widening.
“Adler. There... people are coming...”
“That’s exactly why I’m doing this.”
A low whisper echoed in her ear.
“I realized that training you when it’s just the two of us is ultimately pointless.”
“What on earth are you talking about...”
“To truly call it training, shouldn’t I show everyone that you belong to me?”
At his bold statement, the observant professor began to whisper in a retreating voice.
“But, but... Didn’t you just say you preferred it when it was just the two of us?”
“...Shut up and stick out your tongue, Jane.”
With a cold gaze, Adler dropped all formalities, commanding her in a dark, authoritative voice.
“...Alright.”
“No, you’re doing it wrong.”
The professor, her face flushed as she fidgeted, replied in a barely audible voice. However, Adler shook his head, unsatisfied.
“...Okay.”
The professor corrected herself, yet Adler’s expression remained as frigid as ever.
“...Woof.”
“Good girl.”
Finally giving in, Professor Moriarty made a puppy-like sound as she timidly knelt toward the ground. Satisfied, Adler promptly squatted in front of her.
“...Hmpph.”
Stroking her chin, Adler abruptly bit the tongue she had extended.
- Brrrr...
As passersby began to stare at the scandalous display, Adler’s lips twitched upward. He began to toy with the edges of Professor Moriarty’s clothing, making a show of it while she trembled in shame.
“...Haaah.”
“Stay still.”
His sudden actions, which discarded any semblance of modesty, caused her to startle in shock. However, her frantic movements ceased the moment Adler bit her tongue harshly again.
- Swish, swish...
As Adler began to stroke her hair, a resigned look crept onto the professor’s face, and she let him do as he wished.
“...Phew.”
Neither knew how much time had passed.
“Do you know, Professor?”
“……..”
“The passersby might not see your naked body, but the act we just performed was clearly visible.”
Rising from his spot, Adler whispered to her as she remained on the ground.
“...It’s time to get up.”
- Swish...
“We need to get out of here. I know we’re here to fulfill a client’s request, but something feels off. Let’s regroup first...”
Grabbing the collar attached to the professor’s neck, Adler urged her to walk once more.
“...Eh?”
However, his momentum didn't last long.
“Something’s wrong...”
No matter how far they walked down the road, the scenery refused to change.
“...Could it be?”
Cold sweat beaded on Adler’s forehead as he realized they should have been out of Cornwall by now, given their pace.
“Professor, I think I need your help for a moment...”
“I... I suddenly feel dizzy...”
“……?”
He turned around, but the Professor, who had been following quietly, suddenly staggered with a pale face.
“It seems my mana has become unstable again...”
“……..”
“I might not be able to use magic for a while...”
For a fleeting moment, she shot a chilling glance at the passersby who were cowering behind Adler for some reason.
“Damn it. No matter how much we walk, the end isn’t in sight.”
“It’s a strange phenomenon that often occurs in Cornwall. How about we take a break?”
“There happens to be an inn nearby.”
Then, the passersby—who were actually her loyal followers in disguise—began reciting their prepared lines as if reading from a textbook.
“...Hmm.”
Hearing them, Adler turned his gaze to the inn that had suddenly appeared beside them.
“We have no choice, then.”
- Thump, thump...
“Let’s rest there for a bit.”
The professor’s face flushed like a young girl's upon hearing that. Pretending she was unable to use magic, she bowed her head to hide the frantic pounding of her heart.
“Well, I dislike such unclean places, but there’s no helping it.”
“It’s just a minor anomaly. It should end soon.”
“It should. Probably...”
.
.
.
.
.
That evening at 221B Baker Street.
“...I beg your pardon?”
Charlotte Holmes, who had been grinding magic crystals with a haggard expression, responded incredulously to the urgent news.
“Cornwall has been separated from Britain?”
“Yes, Detective. You are needed...”
“...It is indeed surprising, but I am extremely busy at the moment.”
“Just a moment—”
She muttered indifferently, attempting to end the conversation.
- Crack...
“...Ah!?”
At that exact moment, her hand began to burn with an intense gray light.
“……..”
Furrowing her brow at the sudden sensation, Charlotte’s expression hardened as she stared at her hand.
｢Oh dear, Miss Holmes. You poor child.｣
Although the sender and the purpose remained unclear, the unpleasant gray mana emanating along with the message was enough for the quick-witted detective to grasp the situation.
“Bloody hell...”
Just three minutes later, a carriage departed from Baker Street, speeding toward Cornwall at full throttle.