Ch.9Chapter 9 – The Organization

A few days after moving to the dormitory of the Auguste Detective Academy.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

After rummaging through student files I’d obtained with Professor Moriarty’s help for quite some time, I quietly sighed and flopped face-down onto the bed.

‘Who on earth could that have been?’

The mysterious message that appeared on my hand a few days ago.

The sender was probably Adler’s fiancée from the original work, or someone he was seeing with the premise of engagement.

Because since I possessed this body, all communications from women had come through letters, but this person’s message came through a transmission spell engraved on Adler’s hand.

And the name Adler had saved for that transmission spell was precisely “Fiancée.”

‘I really have no idea.’

The problem is that I have absolutely no clue who this person might be.

Adler’s fiancé in the original work was an English lawyer named “Godfrey Norton.”

Of course, since character genders are reversed in this world, that person would be female as well.

But according to my investigation, there was no woman with the surname “Norton” working as a lawyer in London.

Just to be sure, I searched through all the female law students at the academy, but found no one matching that description.

As a last resort, I wrote letters to the mansion servants who were hospitalized, but judging by the butler who visited me recently seeming clueless, it doesn’t look promising.

‘It’ll be the 21st in a few days.’

Who on earth could be the person Issac Adler had registered as his only contact channel, who sent me a message asking to meet at some unknown location on the evening of the 21st?

The Issac Adler from the story I had reviewed was already deceased by the time of the original work, so there wasn’t much information available.

In other words, even with the possessed person’s knowledge, there were absolutely no clues—a truly troublesome situation with no way forward.

‘Actually, maybe it’s better not to meet at all.’

But thinking about it, perhaps it’s better not to contact this unknown woman.

It’s clear that the garbage-like Adler must have been trying to seduce her with dishonorable intentions.

And getting involved with me from now on would be quite dangerous for her.

“…Ugh.”

These burn marks that still throb madly are proof of that.

The arson incident at my mansion is currently being investigated by the police, but they haven’t found any leads yet.

And when the police can’t find clues to a case, there’s only one answer.

Intentional terrorism using mana.

Considering that none of the servants were magicians, it would mean someone from outside secretly infiltrated the mansion and prepared such a trap.

It seems there are people who hate Issac Adler enough to want him dead not only among London’s women but also among magicians.

I was right to move my residence here.

“Alright.”

After lying on the bed organizing my complicated thoughts, I eventually sighed and got up.

‘I should focus on the immediate issues first.’

If I keep dwelling on problems that won’t be solved by just thinking about them, I’ll get nowhere.

So, I should start with what I can do right now.

[Adler, my boy. Something urgent has come up.]

For example, meeting our professor who has been sending messages to my hand ever since I registered for the transmission spell.

[Come to my office.]

I can somehow clearly see the path of hardship ahead.

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“Ah, you’ve arrived, Adler.”

When I reached Professor Moriarty’s office with quick steps, Moriarty, sitting upright in her chair, quietly waved her hand.

“What’s the urgent matter, Professor?”

“Actually, there’s nothing urgent.”

When I asked the question while looking at her, the professor smiled slightly and replied.

“I just wanted to see you.”

“I see. Then I’ll be going back.”

“Entertaining a professor who feels like dying of boredom is one of a graduate student’s main duties, Adler.”

As she snapped her fingers, the office door automatically locked, just like before.

“I’ve been wondering about this—are you a mana user too, Professor?”

“Well, who knows?”

The “unidentified mana” she presumably used on the prince in the previous incident. The “curse” said to be placed on her. And so on.

There was so much I wanted to ask about her.

“Let’s talk about that later. Shall we continue our previous conversation?”

“Previous conversation?”

“About the criminal organization. The one that will devour London in the future.”

But judging by Professor Moriarty’s reaction, it seemed impossible for now.

“I was very much looking forward to organizing such a formidable group. But there hasn’t been any notable progress for days.”

“Such an organization can’t be created overnight.”

“Hmm…..”

Hearing my words, Moriarty rummaged through a bag of sugar cubes beside her desk with a slightly disappointed expression.

“Detectives have it good. Clients come to them on their own accord, and they can advertise legally.”

“……..”

“The criminal consultation back then was certainly fun, but it’s troublesome if the wait becomes this long.”

Now I noticed her shoulders were slumped, and her eyes lacked vitality.

It resembled the withdrawal symptoms the original Holmes would show when cases were scarce.

“Isn’t there some way?”

In fact, her concern was something I had been thinking about for the past few days as well.

Thanks to the binomial theorem paper published a few days ago, Professor Moriarty would soon become world-famous, but right now she’s just a first-year new professor.

And I, her assistant, am a person infamous in London.

To put it simply, we lack name value.

Not only is establishing an organization far-fetched, but finding clients seeking criminal consultation seems distant.

If this situation continues for a few weeks, or even days, Moriarty’s interest in criminal consultation will inevitably wane.

Even now, she’s wearing a gloomy expression like Holmes without a case, chewing on sugar cubes.

“There is a way.”

“…What did you say?”

Fortunately, after racking my brains for days, I was able to come up with quite a good idea.

“There’s a way to both lay the foundation for an organization to back us up and find our first client at the same time.”

“………”

“And we can do it right now.”

At the mention of this idea, Professor Moriarty, who had been listlessly munching on sugar, stopped and her eyes began to shine.

“Adler, you always show me something new.”

“You flatter me.”

“So, what is this method?”

To her, I handed over a document from my chest and answered.

“You just need to stamp this.”

“Oh, are you finally going to make me your sex slave?”

“Please stop with the sexual harassment.”

Professor Moriarty, who took the document I handed over with an excited expression, quietly tilted her head.

“This is the method?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Hmm…”

Her reaction was understandable.

“Mock Criminal Consultation Club. Supervising professor: me, Vice president: you. It’s interesting, but…”

The document I just handed her was none other than a club establishment permit.

“How does this become ‘the method’?”

“Don’t you understand?”

“To be honest, I don’t.”

Looking down at the permit while tapping her desk with her hand, Moriarty began to speak.

“Are you trying to use this approach to scout talent needed for the organization, since we currently lack reputation?”

“That’s roughly it.”

“But you know. Even so, posting such an announcement at this academy full of detectives seems like a rather poor strategy.”

Her point was certainly valid.

If a “Mock Criminal Club” were established at Europe’s finest detective academy, naturally only curious or idle detectives would gather.

“Even if by chance a student genuinely interested in crime comes along, it would be impossible to distinguish them. Taking on requests would be even more difficult.”

“…….”

“And logically, a student with such intentions wouldn’t be at a detective academy in the first place.”

Looking at Professor Moriarty, who had refuted my proposal with quite sensible logic.

“…Haha.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What’s so funny, Adler?”

Because that sensible logic wouldn’t apply at this academy.

“It’s nothing, Professor.”

Auguste Detective Academy.

The main stage of the game and where Holmes, the protagonist, will enroll a year later, is also home to the culprits of serial cases that will occur around the same time.

And I am certain.

Although I can’t attract all their attention, I can definitely pique the interest of at least one student in this club.

And if it’s her—the true culprit of the original “Red-Headed League” and the fourth smartest woman in London.

While she might not be Colonel Moran, the original Moriarty’s right-hand whose whereabouts are impossible to track, she would be sufficient as a member of the organization we’re creating.

“Please stamp it already.”

“Even after all I’ve said?”

“If you’re not satisfied with this endeavor, you can kill me, Professor.”

When I looked at her after saying that, Moriarty began to tilt her head side to side with a subtle smile.

A habit she often shows when thinking deeply about something or seeing something interesting.

I wonder what she thinks of me as she stares directly into my eyes without hiding this habit.

“So rest assured.”

Although I felt a slight chill down my spine, I was able to maintain my composure.

The event I’m about to precipitate would surely be quite satisfying for Professor Moriarty.

“From now on, I’ll turn London into a paradise exclusively for you.”

Though I said that, it was only half true.

Because the genius girl residing at 212B Baker Street would also be given an entry ticket to that paradise.

“Is this the entry ticket, Adler?”

Of course, the first to enter would be Professor Moriarty, who stamped her seal on the permit with upturned corners of her mouth.

“Thank you, Professor.”

It’s time to recruit subordinates who will join this precarious tightrope walk between two geniuses.

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That evening. In the lobby of the Auguste Detective Academy.

“What’s going on? Why are there so many people over there?”

“Is it the new transfer student they mentioned?”

“No, everyone seems to be gathered by the wall.”

Students who had finished their classes began to whisper as they noticed the crowd gathered around the bulletin board.

“…Ignore it. It’s probably just aspiring detectives with nothing better to do getting excited about something.”

“But seeing so many people makes me curious.”

“Then go check it out.”

And behind those people.

“………”

A girl was glaring at the bulletin board with a cold expression.

[Mock Criminal Consultation Club]

[Our Mock Criminal Consultation Club aims to have members become criminals themselves and construct crimes. The interview location is Professor Moriarty’s office on the third floor…]

More specifically, she was looking at the part written in large red letters at the very bottom of the bulletin board.

[※ Students who can use red mana will pass without an interview. All activity fees waived]

“…Is this a coincidence?”

The girl who muttered in a low voice began to make her way to the interview location on the third floor while touching the mark on her forehead.

“There are people who think like me.”