Chapter 80: Order
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: Order
That night, outside the estate of Caroline Augustus Milverton…
“Hmm…”
“…What’s wrong?”
Watson, concealed within the nearby shrubbery, squinted as she whispered to Adler, who was crouching beside her.
“It’s just very strange, you know.”
“What is?”
“The moment I sent that message, a notification chime rang out in that quiet, secluded coffee house, didn’t it?”
“…Not this again.”
Chuckling softly, Adler replied in a low whisper. “Miss Watson, I’m not the only one capable of using communication magic. It’s practically a basic skill for any mage these days.”
“Hmm…”
“The moment you sent your message, a mage nearby could have coincidentally received one of their own. That’s likely what you heard.”
However, seeing Watson still eyeing him with suspicion and skepticism, Adler sighed and added, “Besides, you’ve tried sending me messages several times since then, haven’t you?”
“…That’s true.”
“And I haven’t received a single notification in this body. So, let’s put these strange misunderstandings to rest.”
Adler looked at her intently until Watson finally averted her gaze.
“Of course. That couldn’t be it.”
“Why? What were you thinking?”
“Let’s just move on. Look ahead.”
Adler turned his head back toward the mansion, letting out a small, odd sigh of relief.
“I thought the time had finally come to put this gun to use again…”
“Erm…”
The chilling words drifting from Watson’s mouth made Adler break into a cold sweat. He forced a smile to mask his nervousness.
“So, what’s the plan now?”
“What?”
Watson’s inquiry was sharp and dubious. Adler turned back to her, his mind racing with unnecessary apprehension.
“You spent days putting so much effort into seducing that maid, yet you left her behind to come here. You talked so grandly about breaking into Milverton’s house, but all we’re doing is loitering in the bushes.”
“There’s a reason for everything.”
“Could you at least explain that reason?”
At her stern demand, Adler regained his composure and began to explain. “I got close to the maid to learn the layout of the mansion and Caroline’s daily habits.”
“Really?”
“After spending the last few days with her, I’ve mapped out an infiltration route and determined when Caroline usually falls asleep.”
“Hmm.”
“As a bonus, I discovered that once Caroline falls asleep, she’s a heavy sleeper—nothing wakes her. The servants apparently have a nightmare of a time trying to rouse her.”
As he spoke with pride, Watson’s expression turned incredulous. “How on earth did you extract that information from a maid who seemed to be Milverton’s right hand?”
“Actually, she’s not just any maid. In the back alleys, she’s renowned as an incredibly dangerous assassin.”
“What?!”
“That’s why I made sure she didn’t follow us. It’s better to exclude such a dangerous variable entirely than to bring it along.”
“………”
“In the end, it worked out to our advantage. We’ve effectively removed a very dangerous gatekeeper, don’t you think?”
Watson’s mind went blank, shocked by his casual admission.
“We still have some time before Miss Caroline falls asleep. So…”
“…Let’s have a chat, then.” Her gaze suddenly sharpened.
“You’re the one initiating a conversation? That’s unexpected.”
“…I have many questions regarding you, Isaac Adler.” She leaned in closer, her voice a hushed whisper.
“And what might those be?”
“You are an enigma.” Her eyes seemed to glow in the dark. “Judging by your recent actions—which have deviated from your usual self—you appear to be a genuinely good person. The lady we met during the Blue Carbuncle incident testified to that. And your usual innocent, cheerful expression helps your case.”
“Thank you… I guess?”
“But there is a clear duality to you.” Watson’s face tensed. “Sometimes, you look like the most terrifying mastermind in the world. Especially when you smile with those eyes of yours.”
“…Like this?”
“Ugh.”
Seeing Adler deliberately flash that eye-smile, Watson shuddered in disgust. “Let’s just say you’re someone who wouldn’t hesitate to act immorally if the situation called for it.”
“…Have I ever done such a thing?”
“Honestly, the fact that you managed to get both Charlotte and the Professor involved in such an absurd bet speaks volumes about your methods, doesn’t it?”
At that remark, which pierced the heart of the matter, Adler’s smile faltered, and his lips thinned.
“It’s as if you’re seated perfectly in the center between good and evil—in absolute neutrality.”
“………”
“I’m still unsure which side of you is the real you.”
Silence fell between them.
“It seems, Miss Watson, that you have analytical powers not unlike Holmes himself. Perhaps it’s a trait acquired from your extensive experience with people.”
“Anyone could see it! It’s just that everyone else is too dazzled by your face to notice.”
Adler broke the silence with a forced smile, but Watson merely bared her teeth with a low, animalistic growl.
“You’re too suspicious. Even your personal life and your past are completely obscure.”
“Have you been investigating my background?”
“Not me, but my poor partner who fell head over heels for you. Surprisingly, even Holmes is still struggling to gather information on you.”
“That is a bit frightening…” Adler wrapped his arms around himself, feeling a genuine chill.
“Tell me honestly, do you even have any friends?”
“…Excuse me?”
Watson glanced at him sideways, a mocking smirk playing on her lips. “Even Charlotte has at least one friend—me. But you don’t seem to have even that basic level of connection.”
“I have a girlfriend.”
“Not that. I mean a platonic relationship. A friendship.”
Adler’s smile vanished completely. He scratched his head awkwardly.
“It doesn’t seem like you have any…”
“…I do have them. Three, actually.”
“What kind of people are they?”
“Fellows I used to hang out with during my school days.”
“…School days? You’ve barely attended August Academy since you enrolled.”
“I went to primary school before August Academy.” At Watson’s puzzled look, he quickly pivoted. “Do you really want to know about them?”
“…One of them enjoyed giving counsel to others.”
“Counseling? That’s nice. Although I’m not well-versed in psychiatry, for patients…”
“He liked murder games a bit too much, though. That was the problem.”
“…What?”
Watson nodded slowly at first, but her expression shifted to confusion as he continued.
“And there was a guy obsessed with a strange, hardcore game that offered neither dreams nor hope.”
“……..”
“Moreover—and this might surprise you—I was friends with a girl who had absolutely no romantic interest in me.”
“Really?”
“Would you believe me if I said it was because she was madly in love with characters from superhero comics?”
Watson stared blankly, her brow furrowed in utter confusion. “Hardcore… murder games… and superhero comics? What are you even talking about?”
“…Ah.”
“Using terms that nobody understands is a telltale sign of a delusional disorder.” Watson looked at him with pity and muttered under her breath, “…I thought I was about to unearth some secret information that even Holmes couldn't find, but I’ve just realized you might be slightly cracked in the head.”
Adler gazed at her for a long moment, then whispered softly, “Do you want to know?”
“About what?”
“My past.”
Watson’s eyes widened.
“Not that expression again…” As Adler’s eyes crinkled into a smile once more, Watson turned away in disgust. But she paused, glancing back at him tentatively.
“………”
There was a faint, unmistakable trace of melancholy lingering behind that smile.
“Well, I’m not exactly dying to hear it, but…”
“Is that so…”
Watson watched him for a moment longer, then lowered her gaze. “…Since we have nothing to do while we wait, I suppose I’ll listen.”
“Ah.” Adler’s expression brightened visibly. “Then, where should I start…”
…He really does remind me of Neville, Watson thought as she watched him tilt his head with an expression of genuine excitement. Could it be…
“Alright then,” Adler said, his voice cheerful. “Let’s start with the love square I created at the neighborhood playground when I was five years old.”
…Yeah, no.
Watson’s gaze went dull. That thing can’t be Neville…
The moon in the night sky grew steadily brighter.
*
“So, that’s when I started getting interested in programming… no, magic.”
“……..”
“Fortunately, I had an aptitude for it and became proficient quickly. I managed to scrape by until I stumbled upon the company that led to all this… I mean, until I was admitted to August Academy.”
An unknown amount of time had passed since Adler began his story.
“That’s the unremarkable tale of my life.”
“Uh, um…”
“…Why do you look so perplexed?”
Adler asked with genuine curiosity. Watson replied with a look of deep contemplation.
“You… just what kind of life have you lived?”
“Well? To be honest, I don’t really understand it myself.”
“Now I think I’m beginning to understand, just a little, why you treat women the way you do…”
“Hmm, I used to have a phobia of women, you know? Haha…”
She observed his calm expression for a moment before murmuring, “Still, I can’t understand such shameless behavior.”
With a gaze as cold as ice, Watson pulled back her clothing to reveal her lower abdomen, muttering indignantly.
“…I did what I did because I wanted to have a normal relationship with you.”
“What did you say?”
An awkward smile formed on Adler’s face as he looked at the seal glowing softly in the darkness of the bushes. He scrambled for an excuse. “Aside from the fact that you have a severe thrill addiction—enough to make you follow me here tonight—you are the most normal person I know, Miss Watson.”
“What… what the hell are you saying?”
“Your fondness for gambling is a slight flaw, sure, but that’s a vice anyone could have. Let’s just accept it.”
Watson tried to retort, but Adler didn’t give her an opening.
“You’re perfect as a friend. It’s sad, but I have to be lovers with Miss Gia Lestrade, even though she hates me far more than you do.”
“……….”
“If I had approached you normally, I’m afraid things would have gotten twisted, as they always do with me.”
“What are you even talking about—”
“I want a normal friend, too, Miss Watson. You’ve heard my past, so you know why I don’t like getting close to men.”
Hearing the genuine note of sadness in his voice, Watson’s eyes softened. “…So, you did all this for that reason?”
“It ensures you hate me—at least from a rational perspective, right?”
“You really are the worst.”
“I’ve heard that plenty of times.” Adler responded with a toothy grin. “Miss Watson.”
“…Yes?”
“You’re the only one who knows about my past.”
As he slowly leaned in, Watson flustered and stepped back.
“Not even Charlotte knows. Not Professor Jane Moriarty. Even Miss Gia Lestrade, my official girlfriend, is unaware of my past.”
“Excuse me…?”
Adler continued to lean forward, a teasing smile on his lips. “Only you…”
“Stop!”
Watson’s voice rose instinctively. She immediately covered her mouth and looked around to ensure no one had heard her.
“…Now I see. You’re not pitiable at all. I understand why you’ve lived such an accursed life.”
“What?”
“Everyone loses their mind because you act so overly friendly and unrestrained without a second thought.” Watson sighed, her tone icy.
“What did I even do?”
“…Don’t you remember the expression you just made? Or the words you said while leaning in without any sense of personal space?”
“Why does that matter?”
“I’m going to lose my mind, I swear.” Frustrated by his lack of awareness, Watson held her head. She was reaching her limit. “Anyway, please be mindful of that behavior.”
“………..”
“…Just, go away.”
When Adler casually reached out toward her, Watson swatted his hand away with a sour look. “You’ll just blindside me at the last minute like you did before, thinking nobody will know. Who do you think you’re fooling?”
“Haha…”
“I almost fell for it again…” Watson murmured. Her voice trailed off when she saw Adler’s awkward smile fade into a sulk, his shoulders slumping.
“I’ve said it many times, but I have Neville. Moreover, Charlotte—who harbors feelings for you—is my best friend.”
“…I see.”
Once again, her voice turned to ice. “So… let’s draw the line at being friends.”
“……!”
The sullen look on Adler’s face vanished instantly.
“I don’t have any other intentions. I’m only doing this because I feel sorry for you…”
“Hehehe.”
“Please, don’t smile like that.”
As Adler flashed a carefree grin, Watson turned away, mumbling, “It’s so annoying.”
“I think it’s nice, though.”
“Hmph.”
Just as a strange atmosphere began to settle between them…
“Ah, it’s time.” Adler stood up, his eyes sparkling. “Time to head inside.”
“Uh-huh.” Watson began fidgeting with the gun she had pulled from her pocket.
“Miss Watson, I’ve been thinking,” Adler said, his expression turning serious.
“……?”
“I think it’s time for me to stop being so indecisive.”
“What are you on about now?”
“If I don’t act more manly, my ownership might fall to one side, and that will surely start a war in London.”
“That is insanely arrogant…” Watson frowned, about to argue, but then she paused, ruminating on his words. “…No, now that I think about it, you’re not wrong.”
She nodded slowly, acknowledging the fact.
“That’s why I’ve made that decision.” Adler spoke with a look of relief.
“What decision?”
“Joining the wager.” Adler began rummaging through his belongings.
“Now that you mention it, why did you join the bet?”
“Because it seemed like the right time to put things in order.” He pulled out a small bottle of liquor, his eyes shining in the dark. “I’ll also charm Caroline while I’m at it.”
“…….”
“Just watch. My perfect solution.”
With that, he opened the bottle and downed the contents in one go.
“The worst friend ever,” Watson muttered, shaking her head as she checked her gun. “Is being handsome everything?” A slight blush crept onto her face as she whispered, “…I still prefer Neville, after all.”
*
About ten minutes later…
—Bang!
A gunshot echoed through the mansion of Caroline Augustus Milverton.
“…Cough.”
The sound of someone choking for breath followed.
“You… what are you doing here?”
Caroline, bleeding from a leg wound and collapsed on the floor, looked toward the source of the coughing. Her face was pale, her voice trembling.
“…Putting things in order.”
Isaac Adler, who had intercepted the intruder, lay on the floor nearby. A cheerful voice escaped his lips, even as blood pooled from a bullet hole in his chest.