Chapter 39: The Missing Case of Silver Blaze
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 39: The Missing Case of Silver Blaze
Only a few minutes had passed since Isaac Adler’s sudden appearance, which had both startled and blindsided Charlotte Holmes…
“…Why did you have to show up now of all times?”
Watson muttered under her breath as she entered the racetrack, casting a sharp glare back at Charlotte and Adler, who were following close behind.
“Because of him, Neville can’t come…”
Now that Isaac Adler had made his entrance, it was impossible for her fiancé, Neville, to join them. It was undoubtedly Adler’s fault that things had turned out this way.
Watson was in a foul mood. She’d had to scramble to send an urgent message to her fiancé via her portable typewriter, warning him to stay away to prevent him from crossing paths with that bastard.
“Holmes, do you really need to keep such a tight grip on him?”
“…Yes.”
Given the circumstances, it would have been better if Charlotte had simply dealt with Adler briefly and sent him on his way.
“Even with those unsightly handcuffs?”
“………”
Instead, she had conjured a pair of handcuffs from black mana, binding Adler’s wrist firmly to her own.
“Watson, this is a necessary precaution to prevent any ‘accidents.’”
Watson gave her a look of pure skepticism. Charlotte Holmes avoided her gaze, quickly pivoting to justify her actions.
“The fact that Adler appeared here means something is definitely about to happen. It is only logical to keep him under close watch.”
“Then why did you insist I come along as well?”
“Don’t you remember what I said earlier?”
Watson sighed, noting that Charlotte had returned to her usual, overly composed tone.
“…The three of us, together.”
“Precisely. The current situation might be an extension of the case I was already investigating.” Charlotte added softly, stealing a glance at Adler. “Perhaps you, my dear friend, are at the very center of this case as well.”
“What are you talking about?”
“…You don’t need to know.”
Charlotte maintained a deadpan, serious expression.
“In any case, what I am doing now is for your safety—and the safety of everyone else.”
“………”
Logically, Charlotte was right. At the very least, Watson couldn’t find a flaw in her reasoning.
“…Charlotte.”
“Yes?”
“Let me have another taste of your blood.”
However, the moment Adler leaned into Charlotte’s shoulder and began to nip at her neck, his eyes glowing a predatory red, Watson decided that logic no longer mattered.
“Ah.”
“Don’t make a sound.”
“…It hurts.”
For some reason—aside from the fact that Adler was being aggressive and Charlotte was acting far meeker than usual—they looked like a typical couple engaged in a public display of affection.
“…Your hair smells wonderful, Charlotte.”
“Don’t say such things out loud.”
“You’ve changed to a lighter perfume. And you’ve done your makeup quite well today.”
“Shut up.”
Despite the burning stares from the crowd, Adler continued to whisper sweet nothings. Charlotte pointedly looked away, though she did take a moment to stomp on his foot.
“You look beautiful when you dress up,” Adler whispered, a playful, excited smile dancing on his lips. “But tell me… who did you dress up for?”
“Adler, do not misunderstand.”
Charlotte, momentarily stunned into silence, turned her head back and spoke with icy detachment.
“I do not love you. It is simply…”
“Simply?”
She hesitated for a heartbeat.
“…I simply want to win.”
“Hmm.”
“I am merely using whatever means necessary to achieve victory. So, stop your delusions.”
Adler’s response was laced with amusement. “I’ve never been deluded.”
“…What?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes because I like you.”
“………”
“Unrequited love is a heavy burden, indeed.”
Adler leaned his head against her cheek.
“…Get away from me.”
“So, will you release me now?”
“Sigh.”
Charlotte tried to push him back with a cold expression, but Adler held up his handcuffed arm, clinging to her with even more intimacy.
“This is what it feels like to be hunted, Charlotte.”
“Be quiet.”
It looked like a scene where a persistent man was pressing his luck while the woman showed her distaste. But to Watson, watching from a distance, the reality was as clear as day.
Despite the obvious fact that Charlotte could easily shake Adler off if she truly wanted to, she was gritting her teeth and pretending she couldn't.
‘…She’s totally playing along.’
The faint blush on Charlotte’s cheeks was the final giveaway of her farce.
“Ugh.”
Watson couldn't fathom what Charlotte saw in such a trashy man. She would get goosebumps if he so much as touched a hair on her head, let alone her skin.
‘…Even his face is annoying.’
Deciding that Isaac Adler had no redeeming qualities beyond his looks, Watson let out a long sigh and turned her attention back to the racetrack.
‘I should just focus on the race.’
Seeing Charlotte and Adler mimicking the dynamic she usually shared with Neville made her feel inexplicably out of sorts. She needed a distraction.
“……Hmm?”
A moment later, Rachel Watson tilted her head in confusion.
“Why hasn’t it started yet?”
A significant amount of time had passed, yet there was no sign of the horses taking their marks.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Why hasn’t the race started?”
She flagged down a staff member who looked more than a little panicked.
“Well, you see…”
The staff member’s explanation made the situation clear instantly.
“Silver Blaze was scheduled to race today, but she has suddenly gone missing…”
Adler’s eyes gleamed. He was still casually holding the back of Charlotte’s hand behind his back as the news broke.
“…Please, stop it.”
Reflected in his eyes was Charlotte’s young face. She was pinching his hand in protest, yet she didn't pull her own hand away from his grasp.
*
“…Charlotte.”
“………?”
Her face still flushed, Charlotte Holmes slowly lifted her head at the faint voice.
“Did you enjoy that brief moment of pleasure?”
“What are you talking about?”
She stared intently into Adler’s eyes for a moment, but soon found herself looking away almost involuntarily.
“It seems you enjoyed it quite a bit.”
“……..”
It was strange. Just a few days ago, she had felt completely indifferent toward him. Now, she instinctively averted her eyes every time their gazes met.
“If you’re going to keep spouting nonsense—”
“But you’re not the type to be satisfied with such childish games, are you?” Adler interrupted, looking down at her with an affectionate gaze. “…So, it’s time for another riddle.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit’s.
“A riddle…”
Unbidden, her heart began to race.
“…You had a reason for coming here, even after your disguise was blown, didn't you?”
“Who knows?”
“What is the case this time? Kidnapping? Murder? Sexual assault?”
As Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with a mix of morbid excitement and anticipation, Adler reached out, seemingly impressed by her enthusiasm.
“You’re getting too excited.”
He gently stroked her head with light, rhythmic motions.
“If you don’t want to be completely devoured by me, keep that fire burning.”
“…Huh.”
Caught in a swirl of peculiar emotions, Charlotte quietly accepted his touch, her expression turning slightly embarrassed.
“What… did you do?”
For some reason, she felt like she had lost control of her own body.
“It’s no fun if you know the answer from the start, right?” Adler whispered with a teasing glint in his eyes.
“…Wait right there.”
Suddenly, the handcuffs on his wrist snapped. They fell away, left dangling uselessly from Charlotte’s arm.
“My dear detective…”
“Hold on—”
Just like that, Isaac Adler vanished gracefully into the crowd. Charlotte reached out, but he was gone.
“……….”
She stared blankly at the spot where he had disappeared until his silhouette faded completely. Only then did she slowly lower her hand.
“I feel like a dog salivating at the sound of a bell,” she murmured with a self-mocking smile.
“…This is the worst.”
But contrary to her words, her heart continued to pound violently against her ribs.
*
If one were to name the most popular form of entertainment in London recently, most would point to the unique races where demi-humans participated instead of horses.
And if asked who was responsible for the massive success of this venture, everyone would name a single athlete.
That individual was the demi-human girl from Wessex: Silver Blaze.
With the innate speed and stamina of her race, a physique specialized for the track, and skills honed through blood, sweat, and tears, she truly deserved her title as the best. She was currently the hottest topic in London.
With her long, salt-and-pepper hair, the robust physique unique to demi-humans, and a striking beauty that tied it all together, she was as much a public obsession as the city’s greatest villain—Isaac Adler.
“Ah…”
However, despite her usual dedication, she had failed to appear for her scheduled race.
“No…”
She was currently in a secluded warehouse near the stables, clutching her head in utter despair.
– Drip…
Silver Blaze’s personal trainer, John Straker, lay on the floor before her, blood pooling from a head wound.
“I didn’t mean to… kill him…”
“……..”
“I just… it hurt so much that I pushed him without thinking…”
Silver Blaze looked down at herself with hollow eyes. Her body was a map of abuse—covered in whip marks and various festering wounds.
“…And yet.”
Her head slumped forward weakly.
“……….”
Tears like heavy beads began to fall from her empty eyes.
“Sob… hic… h…”
Everything she had achieved, driven by the singular hope of improving the treatment of her race, was crumbling in an instant.
– Swoosh…
After trembling for a long while, she forced her bloodied body to rise and began to limp toward the window.
“Found you.”
Suddenly, a hand gripped her shoulder.
“……..!!!”
Startled, Silver Blaze whipped her head around and froze.
“A new riddle…”
“Who… who are you?”
Isaac Adler gazed at her with shimmering eyes. He gently embraced the trembling girl and whispered the answer into her ear.
“…Just a passing crime consultant.”
The following day, the disappearance of Silver Blaze shook the entirety of London to its core.