Ch.232Chapter 232 – The Final Case (7)

“Cough, cough…”

As I cover my mouth to suppress the coughing fits while continuing to walk forward, I feel a strange new sensation.

‘…So I’ve finally come here after all.’

It feels like just yesterday when I woke up in a daze about a year ago, spoiling her life in front of Professor Moriarty.

And now I’m climbing the famous “Reichenbach Falls.”

As System would say, it’s quite a momentous occasion.

‘I didn’t even get to say proper goodbyes to so many of them…’

But on the other hand, my heart is breaking.

My two loyal followers who were following me until just now, except for Moran—Lady Joanne Clay and Silver Blaze.

And Microny Holmes, with whom I had to part in such a manner at the end.

Arsène Lupin, whom I used until the end without properly thanking him, coming all the way from America… though that doesn’t matter since he already ambushed me disguised as Watson.

As for Gil the Reaper… I actually feel relieved to be parted from him, so let’s exclude him.

Nevertheless, in the span of about a year, the countless connections I’ve made flicker across my vision as I trudge through the thickly piled snow.

– Whoooosh…

But right now, I don’t have the luxury to fully focus on that.

Because I could feel the killing intent of Sharlotte and Lestrade closing in from behind, and the overwhelming killing intent of the Professor from a bit further back, all getting closer and closer.

‘…It feels like I’m being hunted.’

All three of them were skilled enough to have caught me long ago, considering my current state of wheezing at death’s door.

However, the reason they’re walking with enough distance to allow me to escape is because they also know well.

That this isn’t simply about catching me and ending it there, but that either Professor Moriarty or Sharlotte Holmes must disappear forever from this place today for this to be settled.

‘…Surely the Inspector won’t fight Sharlotte to the death?’

No matter how the situation has developed, it doesn’t seem likely that Sharlotte and the Inspector would engage in a life-or-death battle rather than facing Professor Moriarty.

In other words, it’s highly likely that this will turn into a 2-versus-1 fight between the Professor and the other two.

If that happens, who would be the winner?

If there were no interferences, I would have hesitated briefly before picking Professor Moriarty.

However, according to my secret investigation a few months ago, Reichenbach Falls has large amounts of unusual magic stones embedded in it.

Because of this, ordinary people cannot move their bodies properly, and mana users cannot properly cast magic.

Therefore, if a fight breaks out, it’s impossible to predict who would win.

Would it be the Professor who can’t properly use magic, or the alliance of the Inspector and Sharlotte who can’t properly control their bodies?

The result can only be known when the fight actually happens.

But one thing is certain: if that happens, someone will definitely die.

‘That… I simply can’t allow.’

After all my efforts to ensure no one dies, it would be ridiculous if I ended up allowing a death to occur.

That’s why I came up with a plan.

A way for no one to die, and for no one to sacrifice their life even after everything ends.

[Corruption Rate: 95%]

[I should tell you to hurry… but knowing what you’re planning to do, I can’t bring myself to say it.]

At the same time, it’s to realize the only method that can save this world.

“…….”

But now that I’m about to implement it, various emotions hit me all at once.

Of course, the strongest emotions are sadness and guilt.

‘…This is the best option.’

But since I couldn’t come up with a better solution, I quietly sighed and began to walk steadily.

“Excuse me, System.”

[?]

But since these emotions wouldn’t disappear just because of that, I spoke to System for a simple distraction.

“I’ve been curious about something for a while.”

[I feel like you’re about to say something frivolous again, but since it’s the last time, I’ll specially listen. What is it?]

By the way, at first she only gave short answers with necessary information, but System has become quite eloquent.

“…What’s your name?”

As I asked the question while thinking that, System stared at me silently without displaying anything.

Actually, she’s just floating in front of me, but I’ll consider it staring anyway.

[…Are you asking seriously? Not as a joke?]

“Of course.”

[Do you think a management system would have a name?]

As System asked with a rather incredulous tone, I was about to scratch my head and move on, thinking that was the case.

[…Though it’s not without precedent.]

“Oh?”

[Two-way communication systems like me are rare, you know.]

System, who had been slightly shifting in the air, answered again with slightly smaller font.

“Then can I give you a name?”

[…You?]

As I whispered in a low voice to the system, I saw what seemed like hesitant text appearing before my eyes.

[Do whatever you want.]

Eventually, System answered and spun her body around, so I spoke the name I had been holding back.

“Irene Adler. How about that?”

[……..]

I had said it half-jokingly, but there was no response from System.

“Haha, I’m just kidding…”

[You really forgot.]

“…What?”

Just when I thought there might be a bug, System’s somewhat cold text appeared before my eyes again.

[Don’t you remember the comment you added to my execution file?]

“Ah…”

At her question, I finally remembered.

“…That’s right.”

The fact that I had designated the system’s name as Irene Adler to substitute for Adler who doesn’t appear in the main game.

Of course, it was just dummy data in the form of a comment, but it was definitely something I had done.

[I’m disappointed.]

“Uh, well…”

So I was about to apologize while sweating nervously, but System left just that one sentence and disappeared from in front of me.

“………”

And then came the silence.

“Hmm…”

As I awkwardly scratched my head in that silence, I sighed and stopped walking when I saw my destination appearing before me.

‘…Surely she won’t refuse to use the return ticket because she’s upset?’

It was time to face my pursuers who had persistently followed me, at the edge of the waterfall where everything would be concluded.

.

.

.

.

.

A few minutes later. At the edge of Reichenbach Falls.

– Step, step…

“”……….””

As the last footsteps echoed and stopped, the two women who had already arrived at the destination quietly turned their gaze backward.

“You’re late.”

“Doesn’t this automatically disqualify you?”

“…Well, well. You both know.”

Professor Moriarty opened her mouth with a cold voice, meeting their gaze.

“This isn’t some childish game of tag where the first person to catch Adler wins.”

“”……….””

“It’s a battle where the victor is the one who completely captures him, ensuring he cannot escape under any circumstances.”

The eyes of Sharlotte and Inspector Lestrade grew colder upon hearing those words.

“Well, I agree.”

“I concur as well.”

“In that sense, this waterfall is quite suitable for ending this tiresome battle.”

Despite this, Professor Moriarty’s voice flowed with composure, matching her relaxed expression.

“Our abilities have been reduced to nearly that of ordinary people, so it will be a fairly even fight.”

“”……….””

“Of course, you two will team up against me, right? That’s fine by me. I’m quite confident in my physical combat skills as well.”

As she emitted a level of killing intent that couldn’t be ignored despite the waterfall’s effect nearly eliminating her mana, Sharlotte and Inspector Lestrade, with their backs to the waterfall, broke into cold sweats and assumed ready stances.

“By the way, before we begin, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

In this tense situation, Professor Moriarty suddenly spoke with a smile on her lips.

“Adler… no, Isaac.”

“Cough, cough…”

“Did you already foresee all of this?”

Her sharp gaze turned behind Sharlotte and Lestrade.

“If so, let me show you directly.”

More precisely, toward Adler who was sitting at the edge of the waterfall, coughing as the fierce water sprayed around him.

“That your prediction was wrong.”

As Adler looked at her with a wistful smile.

“This place will not be my grave, but the grave of these two.”

As Professor Moriarty finished speaking, she pulled out a self-defense cane from her coat.

– Swish…

Simultaneously, a hunting whip emerged from Sharlotte’s possession, and a police baton from Lestrade’s.

“I’m surprised neither of you is using a gun.”

“…Do you think we’re fools?”

“The magic stones embedded here cause guns to malfunction. In this situation, hand-to-hand combat is best.”

“Good, then come at me together.”

And just a few seconds later.

“I’m already prepared.”

“”……….””

The final duel for ownership of London’s greatest treasure began at the edge of Reichenbach Falls.

.

.

.

.

.

“…What did you say?”

Meanwhile, at that time.

“There’s no such address…?”

Watson, who had staggered drunkenly but managed to find the location from the note Sharlotte had given her, opened her eyes wide at the advice of a passerby.

“…No way!”

Finally, as anxiety began to surge through her body, she sobered up instantly and started sprinting in the opposite direction from which she had come.

“No!!!”