Chapter 47: Gia Lestrade
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47: Gia Lestrade
“Mr. Adler, it’s morning.”
“………”
“Time to get up.”
Even if it was only because the probability of my life ending had dropped from 99 percent to 1 percent, I had been genuinely moved by the professor’s vow to protect me. Her words had filled me with a sense of anticipation.
“…I know, Professor.”
“Is that so?”
But as the days passed, I began to realize that something was terribly wrong with that promise of hers.
“…You should get up first, Professor.”
“I’ll get up when you do.”
“But I’m still sleepy…”
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say the professor was taking her role as my protector very seriously. Ever since that day, she had moved my residence into her office, practically spending every waking—and sleeping—moment with me.
The problem was that the nature of her "protection" was becoming excessively intense.
“It’s almost time for your trip to the restroom, isn't it? You always start your morning routine at this hour.”
“………”
Studying, eating, using the bathroom, and even sleeping. For the past few days, I had been practically glued to the professor’s side.
“Adler, why the long face?”
“…Don't you think going to the restroom together and sharing the same bed is a bit much?”
Feeling that if I didn’t speak up now, I’d never get another chance, I asked the question while awkwardly scratching my head.
“Adler, if we sleep separately and you are suddenly attacked, my response would be delayed.”
Professor Moriarty, who was currently hugging me from behind as we lay in bed, answered with a slight, knowing smile.
“That may be true, but…”
“Our enemy can appear anywhere, at any time, lurking in the depths of the treacherous shadows. We must never let our guard down.”
Finishing her sentence, the professor pulled me a bit tighter and rested her small head on my shoulder.
“I said I would protect you, and I will do so by any means necessary.”
“………”
“You brought this upon yourself, so I won’t accept any objections.”
At this point, wasn't this just confinement in the name of protection?
“I want to go for a walk today, Professor.”
“It’s dangerous outside, Mr. Adler.”
“…Would it be alright if I’m with you, then?”
“…I will permit a walk around the academy grounds.”
Hmm, it seems this approach works. This was a clever way to exploit a loophole in her system of confinement.
It’s a bit dangerous, though…
In this world, being confined was a major flag that usually led directly to a Bad Ending. I felt the need to do something before the system officially recognized this situation as "imprisonment."
“Professor.”
“……?”
“You’ll be in trouble if we keep this up.”
With that thought in mind, I turned around and whispered to her, my expression turning serious.
“I am a man, after all.”
At that, the professor tilted her head to the side in her characteristically cute manner.
“If you keep touching me like this, I might end up making a move on you again.”
“Hmm.”
“I guess you haven’t thought about that, have you?”
As she stopped tilting her head and gazed deeply into my eyes, I tried to look as masculine as possible and pulled her into my arms.
“…From what I can see, you seem to have a tendency to invite trouble yourself.”
After maintaining her confident look for a moment, the professor quietly leaned closer.
“Is it because you aren’t normal, just like me?”
“Me? I’m perfectly average…”
“Average people don’t announce they’ve found a new riddle with a cheerful expression while they’re literally being stabbed and losing consciousness.”
Her unsettling smile, eerily similar to that of a sly lizard, was so chilling that it inadvertently chipped away at my bravado.
“Even when dying from a stomach wound, you only seemed saddened by the fact that there was an error in the riddle you conjured.”
“……….”
“You unconsciously say and do things that drive women crazy while maintaining that innocent look of yours…”
The professor began caressing my cheek.
“Actually, I’ve acted that way intentionally during cases a few times, but doing so unknowingly is quite another thing…”
“Mr. Adler, if you do that with anyone other than me, you might get into serious trouble.”
“………”
“People’s patience can be surprisingly limited.”
The professor’s gaze was different than usual—heavier. I quietly nodded and reverted to my usual role as her faithful assistant.
“To be honest, I’m still very curious about you.”
However, the professor wasn't finished.
“What exactly are you? A good person, or a bad one?”
“Well…”
“What did you do before becoming a student that makes you so unfazed by such incidents?”
As I was being pressed by her intense questioning, breaking into a cold sweat, a sound interrupted us.
—Knock, knock, knock.
Someone was knocking on the office door.
“I’d like to delve deeper, but it seems we have a visitor. We’ll continue this later…”
Professor Moriarty gently released me from her embrace and sat me down beside her.
“Come in.”
—Creak.
Sitting on the makeshift bed, I felt my face flush and lowered my head as the door opened.
“…..Huh?”
Upon seeing the people who entered, my eyes widened in shock.
“It’s been a while~”
“Hmm.”
A figure I never expected to see here—Mycrony Holmes—stood before us, accompanied by her younger sister, Charlotte Holmes.
“…Who are you?” Moriarty asked coldly.
“Oh my, pretending not to know?”
As I stared blankly, Professor Moriarty and Mycrony Holmes began their conversation in earnest, locking eyes with chilling glares.
“Even a professor of the renowned August Academy couldn't possibly recognize someone they’ve never met in their life, could they?”
“If you insist on playing the fool… let’s just say I’m the person who has been tormenting you for the past month.”
“So you were the one behind Miss Charlotte Holmes?”
At the prospect of two of the most powerful beings in the world clashing—a catastrophic scenario that should never occur—I felt a shiver run down my spine.
“…Huh?”
However, at that moment, a new face emerged from behind the siblings.
“You seem to have come fully prepared.”
Recognizing the newcomer, Professor Moriarty chuckled darkly.
“Seeing that you brought that child, it seems you mean business.”
“…I truly apologize.”
The newcomer was someone who had followed closely behind me every single day for the past month—the most powerful individual at the August Detective Academy.
“You’ll have to cooperate, Professor.”
Gia Lestrade had finally made her appearance.
.
.
.
.
.
“So, what is the reason you’ve barged into my office with such heavy reinforcements?”
“It’s simple, really…”
After a long pause, Professor Moriarty tilted her head and posed the question. Mycrony Holmes, looking tired from the walking, took a seat on the office sofa and replied in a languid voice.
“You need to assist us in the investigation of the most notorious case in England right now.”
“…Are you talking about the case of Jill the Ripper?”
“Her Majesty the Queen has decreed that she must be captured, no matter the cost.”
“But what does that have to do with me?” the professor asked, her gaze darkening.
“Well, because Jill the Ripper’s primary interest is your assistant.”
“…Are you saying you intend to use my assistant as bait?”
A murderous chill settled over the office.
“Bait? That’s a harsh term. Mr. Isaac Adler will simply be our partner in this investigation.”
“I fail to see how that’s any different from using him as bait.”
In that foreboding atmosphere, the two continued their verbal sparring, each emanating a sharp, overwhelming aura.
“Bait is used once and discarded after it fulfills its purpose. A partner is protected to the very end. That is the difference, Professor.”
“If you are talking about protection, then I see no difference at all.”
Professor Moriarty responded with a chilling smile on her otherwise expressionless face.
“Is there anyone else in all of England capable of dealing with that shadowy being other than me?”
“Coincidentally, Miss Lestrade, who is adept at managing such situations, was looking for a high-paying part-time job. So, I considered bringing her on as Isaac Adler’s bodyguard.”
“…That’s true.”
Lestrade, who had been standing quietly between the siblings, finally spoke up.
“I was just posting a notice for a part-time job on a nearby board when I was brought here without knowing why.”
“…Posting unauthorized notices is against school regulations, Miss Lestrade.”
“I apologize for my conduct. However, I understand the situation now…”
As Lestrade replied with a neutral expression, Mycrony smiled lazily and turned back to Professor Moriarty.
“I hope you will understand as well, Professor.”
“And if I refuse?”
When Professor Moriarty asked with a hint of amusement, Mycrony Holmes’ eyes grew serious for the first time.
“There are more than a hundred ways to destroy a mere professor like you.”
“Is this how you treat an ordinary, righteous citizen?”
“A righteous citizen who has Isaac Adler in the palm of her hand? That’s an interesting concept.”
She stared piercingly at Professor Moriarty.
“Please don’t make me take an interest in you, Professor.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“I don’t particularly want to turn England, which I’ve carefully managed until now, into a battlefield.”
“It’s best to avoid battles where there are no clear winners.”
Their verbal duel continued for a long while.
“…I will cooperate with the investigation, Professor.”
“Mr. Adler.”
The one who ended the silent confrontation was Isaac Adler, who stood up with a determined look.
“Our goal is the same, isn’t it?”
“………”
“I don’t want to see everything ruined because of some psychopathic killer.”
Professor Moriarty watched him intently, a cold light flickering in her eyes.
“…I also don’t want to continue being a burden to you, Professor.”
As Adler blinked at the faint hint of resentment in her gaze, he realized he might have misspoken and quickly strode toward the door.
“Whew, that’s over~”
Mycrony Holmes stood up, clapping her hands.
“I’m bored now, so I’ll be leaving.”
“…Already?”
“Our little sister was in such a hurry. She even begged me for help.”
She looked at Charlotte with amusement.
“It’s quite surprising, sister… You’ve never agreed to such a request before.”
“Well then, enjoy your time with the rescued prince, Charlotte.”
“…Shut up, you piece of flesh.”
“Hehe…”
Mycrony passed by Charlotte, laughing at the curse hurled her way. Stopping next to Adler, who was waiting outside the office, she whispered in a deathly quiet voice.
“…..Please come to my house this weekend.”
Isaac Adler flinched, his face flushing as he nodded.
“Let’s go, Mr. Adler.”
“…Miss Holmes.”
“You should thank me for saving you, shouldn't you?”
As Mycrony Holmes walked down the corridor with a satisfied expression, her face was a mix of guilt and mischief.
…I can never let go of this now… I can never let go of him…
Hidden under her slightly shifted clothing were the clearly preserved bite marks from Isaac Adler that had accumulated over the past month.
.
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.
.
.
…Perfect.
Though there had been some hitches, Charlotte Holmes had successfully rescued the nearly imprisoned Isaac Adler from Professor Moriarty’s grasp.
It really is a flawless plan, no matter how I think about it.
Sitting in the coffee shop Adler often visited, accompanied by her reliable assistant Lestrade, Charlotte wore a triumphant smile.
With Gia Lestrade, I know Adler is in good hands.
Who was Gia Lestrade?
She was universally recognized as the most physically gifted student in the history of August Detective Academy. Despite being a student, she had been granted the rank of Chief Inspector by the Queen’s own command—a talent seen once in a millennium.
Furthermore, due to her cold, knight-like appearance, countless men had confessed their feelings to her, but she had never accepted a single one, earning her a reputation as an impenetrable wall of heartbreak.
She never tolerated injustice and possessed an innate sense of duty that despised anything evil.
Even Isaac Adler couldn't possibly seduce her. She was known by the nickname The Holy Knight of England.
In other words, she was the perfect choice to protect and simultaneously watch over Isaac Adler.
“Mr. Adler.”
…But what if she refuses because she dislikes him too much?
While Charlotte Holmes wore her satisfied smile, she began to listen intently, worried that the cold-faced Lestrade might reject the duty.
Lestrade opened her mouth.
“I like you.”
“……..?”
Charlotte began to doubt her own ears.
“Let’s date.”
“…Excuse me?”
Isaac Adler, sitting beside Charlotte in a daze, looked just as stunned.
『Freeze!』
– Description: Receive a confession from Inspector Lestrade.
– Progress: 0% → 100%
“Why?”
『Freeze!』
Chapter 1 – Complete