Chapter 232: The Final Problem (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 232: The Final Problem (7)
"Cough, hack..."
Stifling a sudden fit of coughing with my hands, I pressed forward, struck by a strange sense of irony.
...So, I ended up here after all.
It felt like only yesterday that I had woken up in a daze and proceeded to reveal Professor Moriarty’s entire life story to her, even though a year had already passed.
And now, I was climbing the famous Reichenbach Falls.
To use Miss System’s words, I was feeling quite overwhelmed.
I couldn't even give a proper farewell to so many of them...
A sharp pang of unbearable sadness constricted my heart.
Excluding Moran, who had been following me until just moments ago, there were my two loyal followers, Lady Clay and Silver Blaze. Then there was the inevitable parting with Miss Mycrony Holmes; I’d had to leave her under such unfortunate circumstances.
As for Lupin, whom I’d exploited to get all the way to America, I hadn’t even given her a proper thank you for everything she did for me... Well, I wasn’t actually that concerned about her. That bitch had already had her fill while disguised as Watson.
Jill the Ripper... It was actually a relief to be rid of her, so I’ll leave her out of it.
Nevertheless, the many connections I had forged over the past year flickered before my eyes as I plowed through the thick, heavy snow.
- Goooooo...
But now, there was no time to lose myself in reminiscence.
The murderous aura of Charlotte and Lestrade following behind me, along with the overwhelming killing intent of the Professor a little further back, was drawing closer with every passing second.
...It feels like I’m being hunted.
The three of them possessed the skill to have apprehended me long ago, especially in my weakened, near-death state.
However, the reason they were walking with enough leeway for me to escape was because of a truth they had realized in their hearts.
They knew that simply catching me wouldn't end anything. They realized that either Moriarty or Charlotte Holmes had to disappear from this world today for a conclusion to be reached.
...Surely the Inspector won't have a life-and-death duel with Charlotte, right?
No matter how the situation had turned out, it seemed unlikely that the Inspector would engage in a deadly struggle with Charlotte instead of Professor Moriarty.
That implied it would ultimately develop into a two-on-one fight: the Professor against the remaining pair of girls.
If so, who would emerge the victor?
If there had been no interference, I would have hesitated for only a moment before betting on Professor Moriarty.
However, from my secret investigation a few months ago, I discovered that a large number of unusual mana stones are embedded at the bottom of the Reichenbach Falls.
Due to the stones’ effects, ordinary people cannot move their bodies properly. Meanwhile, proper mana manipulation is impossible for mana users.
Therefore, if a fight were to break out, it would be impossible to accurately predict the winner.
Would it be the Professor, who cannot properly wield magic, or the alliance between Charlotte and Inspector Lestrade, who wouldn't be able to control their bodies normally?
The outcome could only be determined if the fight actually took place.
However, one thing was certain: if it came to that, someone would surely die.
That... I wouldn't be able to bear watching.
After all my efforts to ensure that no one would die, it would be ridiculous for me to facilitate someone’s death now.
Therefore, I devised a plan.
A way to ensure that no one would die, and even when everything was over, no one would have to sacrifice their life.
Warning!
Erosion Rate — 95%
[I’d urge you to hurry... but since I know what your plans are, I really can’t tell you to rush.]
At the same time, my plan would ensure the safety of this world, saving it from the ensuing destruction.
"......."
But when it really came down to it, as I prepared to implement the plan, a flood of emotions surged through me.
Of course, the predominant feelings were sadness and guilt.
...This is the best outcome I can reach.
Since there was no other solution—at least, not one that satisfied all the necessary requirements—I sighed quietly before walking forward with a resolute gait.
"Excuse me, Miss System."
[?]
The flood of emotions showed no signs of ceasing, so I spoke to Miss System to divert my attention from the gloom.
"I’ve been curious about something for a while."
[I expect another trivial and stupid question is incoming, but since it’s the last time, I’ll indulge you. What is it?]
Initially, Miss System would only provide necessary information in short, concise bursts, but her speech had become quite fluent and expressive along the way.
"...What is your name?"
While thinking about how much she had changed, I mustered the will to ask. Immediately, Miss System paused, staring blankly at me for a moment.
Technically, she was just a window floating in front of me, but for the sake of the moment, let’s assume she was staring.
[...Are you seriously asking that? It’s not a joke?]
"Of course."
[Do you seriously think a management system would have a name?]
Miss System threw the question back at me with a tone that suggested she found the idea absurd. Thinking that made sense, I scratched my head and prepared to move on.
[...Of course, I can’t deny that there have been precedents.]
"Oh?"
[Management systems that allow for this kind of bidirectional communication are quite rare, you see.]
Miss System fluttered slightly in the air, then responded in a slightly smaller font.
"Then, may I name you?"
[...You?]
As I whispered softly to the system, a font that conveyed clear hesitation manifested before my eyes.
[Do whatever you wish, I guess.]
Eventually, Miss System replied and spun around, prompting me to finally voice the name I had been holding back all along.
"Irene Adler. What do you think?"
[........]
It was half a joke when I mentioned it, but the system did not respond.
"Haha, just kidding..."
[I had already forgotten about it.]
"...Pardon?"
At first, I wondered if her response was a bug, but then a somewhat chilling font manifested before me.
[Don’t you remember the comment you attached to my executable file?]
"Ah..."
Following her question, I finally remembered.
"...Right."
Instead of the Adler that didn't appear in the main game, I had designated the system’s name as Irene Adler. It was just dummy data in the comments, but it was definitely something I had done.
[I’m disappointed.]
"Uh, well..."
I was about to apologize, sweating coldly, but Miss System simply left with those words and disappeared from my vision.
"........."
And then, there was finally silence.
"Uh..."
In that silence, awkwardly scratching my head, I stopped walking as I finally glimpsed my destination.
...Surely, she wouldn't get so upset that she’d refuse to let me use the return ticket, right?
It was time to face the pursuers who had doggedly followed me, at the very edge of the waterfall where everything would reach its conclusion.
The finale of the Final Problem.
*
A few minutes later, at the edge of the Reichenbach Falls.
- Thud, thud...
".........."
As the last footsteps echoed and ceased, the two women who had already reached the destination quietly turned their gazes back.
"You’re late."
"Does this automatically disqualify you?"
"...Oh dear. Don’t you know?"
Receiving their gazes, Professor Moriarty spoke with a cold voice.
"This isn't just a childish game of catching Adler first."
".........."
"It’s a fight where the winner is the one who completely secures him, ensuring Adler cannot escape under any circumstances."
Upon hearing those words, both Charlotte and Inspector Lestrade’s expressions turned chillier than arctic frost.
"Well, I agree."
"I acknowledge that as well."
"In that sense, this waterfall is quite a fitting place to end this tedious battle."
Despite the circumstances, a composed voice emanated from Professor Moriarty, her serene expression matching her tone.
"Our abilities have become almost like those of ordinary people, making this a somewhat fair fight."
".........."
"Of course, I assume both of you will team up against me, right? That’s fine. I’m quite confident in my hand-to-hand combat skills."
Despite the waterfall’s influence nearly dissipating her mana, she emitted an undeniable killing intent. Charlotte and Inspector Lestrade, standing with their backs to the waterfall, broke out in a cold sweat and assumed their fighting stances.
"...Before we start, there’s one thing I’d like to ask."
In that tense moment, Professor Moriarty suddenly smiled.
"Adler... no, Isaac, my boy."
"Cough, hack..."
"You foresaw all of this, didn't you?"
Her sharp gaze shifted behind Charlotte and Lestrade.
"If so, I’ll show it to you myself."
She looked specifically at Adler, who was sitting at the edge of the waterfall, coughing violently.
"That your prediction was wrong."
Hearing her declaration, a distant smile touched Adler’s lips.
"This place will be their grave, not mine."
Professor Moriarty then drew a sword-cane from her side.
- Swish...
Simultaneously, a hunting whip emerged from Charlotte’s grip and a police baton from Inspector Lestrade’s.
"I’m surprised to see that neither of you are using firearms."
"...Do you think we’re fools?"
"The mana stones embedded here cause firearms to malfunction. In such a situation, hand-to-hand combat is the best option."
"Alright, then come at me together."
And just a few seconds later...
"I am already prepared."
".........."
The final duel for the ownership of London’s greatest treasure began at the edge of the Reichenbach Falls.
*
"...What did you say?"
Meanwhile...
"This address... doesn't exist?"
Watson, though staggering from intoxication, had managed to find the location written on the note she received from Charlotte. However, her eyes widened in shock when she heard the words of a passerby.
"...Surely not!"
As a wave of anxiety began to overwhelm her, the alcohol instantly wore off. She turned and started to sprint back in the opposite direction.
"No!!!"