Chapter 93: The Battle Intensifies (3)


    The setting sun painted the evening sky in the shades of dusk. Under such a beautiful sky, in the hideout located in the depths of the back alleys


    Mr. Adler.


    Yes?


    Professor Moriarty, entering the hideout with Adler in tow, turned to her beloved assistant, a smile stretching her lips, and spoke.


    This ce remains as cozy as ever.


    Is that so?


    I particrly like the subtle aroma of tea. It seems to be a rather fine product; do you perhaps have a hobby of enjoying tea, Mr. Adler?


    I usually have a cup every day, but I wouldnt say its a hobby.


    Adler deflected her inquiry, trying his best to not reveal that the tea, in fact, was a gift from the group of noblewomen with whom he had recently reconnected.


    Well, I prefer having tea myself.


    Wasnt it coffee that you preferred, professor?


    To be exact, I prefer sweetened milk tea. Keep that in mind when you serve me any beverage in the future.


    Moriarty whispered, her gaze never leaving him, and then surveyed the surroundings for a brief instance before continuing the talk.


    By the way, will you continue to use this ce as your hideout?


    Is there something you dont like about the ce?


    No, quite the opposite, in fact. I am really fond of this ce. To the extent that, I would prefer turning this into my office.


    This humble ce doesnt seem fitting for someone of your stature to call home, Professor.


    Mr. Adler, have you be so prickly that even a light jest elicits such a sharp response?


    Professor Moriarty tilted her head while delivering those words to him, prompting Isaac Adler to avoid her gaze; his mouth shut.


    So, whats the problem?


    My concern is that the location of this hideout has been exposed to that deranged murderer.


    Professor Moriarty murmured as she looked at the sofa where Jill the Ripper was previously seated during her visit. Immediately, her eyes darkened at the thought of the psychotic killer.


    Hence, if we keep using this ce as our base, wont we be continuously exposed to danger?


    That wont be a problem.


    With a calm voice, mirroring the expression on his face, Adler began exining his viewpoint on the matter.


    After all, this region is always exposed to danger.


    Isnt there too stark a difference in the risk posed by the riffraff of the backstreets and a psychotic serial killer who is after your life 24/7?


    During the time she visited, I had deliberately dismissed my henchmen to make way for her.


    Why would you do that?


    Instantly, Professor Moriartys gaze turned frigid.


    Because even if Im shed to pieces, I wont die. Plus, I wanted to meet her at least once to have a little private chat.


    ..


    Why are you looking at me like that?


    Seeing the intensity in her gaze as her head turned toward him, Adler couldnt help but awkwardly scratch his head


    Didnt you think that after failing to kill you, she might, in a fit of rage, dismember your entire body and then kidnap you?


    That Honestly, I hadnt really considered such a scenario.


    A sly smile appeared on his face for the first time in a while.


    But in the end, wouldnt you havee to save me, Professor?


    Now thats more like the Isaac Adler I know.


    Silently, Professor Moriartys gaze rested on Adler for some time before being directed away as she murmured under her breath.


    But I wont always be there to rescue you.


    I know that. But its all right. Ive already taken a few new precautions


    So, why dont you use this opportunity ande live with me?


    Pardon?


    The sly smile etched on Adlers face instantly wavered at her casually voiced suggestion.


    Im thinking of getting a house in the suburbs. Its not feasible for me to sleep at my office all the time, and now that I no longer need to travel pretty much every year to satisfy this needy curse of mine, I believe its time for me to settle down.


    Ah


    So you might as well just live at my house.


    Stepping right in front of him in an abrupt instant, the professor whispered in his ears; her voice gentle and persuasive.


    I wont even charge you for lodging.


    Ill provide meals, clothes, and a ce to sleep. You just need to bring your body.


    And I assume that the reason for your proposition is not this very body you speak of, right?


    Adlers sharp question only brought a smile to the professors lips.


    Are you still thinking about the proposal I made earlier?


    Personally, I cant see what there is to ponder about.


    Leaning slightly forward, she whispered into Adlers ear in a soft, lustrous voice.


    No matter how much you rack your brains, the only possible events youll encounter are either seduction or rape.


    Adlers face paled at her ominous words.


    Ah ha, ahahaha Im joking, jokingggg.


    So, cheer up, Mr. Adler.


    Amidst the cheerfulughter, Professor Moriarty patted his shoulder in a consoling gesture.


    You wouldnt want to be raped instead of having a mutually agreed-upon rtionship now, would you? All you need to do is just choose.


    Well


    Lets put aside this discussion for now.


    Leaving Adler behind, as he wiped the cold sweat from his brow with a faint tremble in his hand, Professor Moriarty headed for thefy armchair ced in the center of the hideout.


    Well need to wrap up this case quickly, that way I will have the time to dye your eyes in my color.


    Then, resting her chin on her hand as she sat on the armchair, she began bobbing her head from side to side.


    So, where is the client?


    They should be arriving shortly.


    As soon as her words ended, the sounds of approaching steps began to echo from outside the hideout.


    Wait a moment. Youre going to meet them like this!?


    And what of it?


    Do you intend to reveal your appearance to the client?


    Of course not.


    At Adlers slightly flustered voice, she silently shook her head.


    Ive always enjoyed concealing my identity, be it in the past or present.


    Then


    Do you know the time the criminals of London prefer the most?


    As Adler tilted his head in confusion, the professor gently raised her hand and her eyes began to shimmer with power.


    Dawn.


    Simultaneously, dense gray mana began gushing out of her hand and spreading everywhere ones eye could witness.


    Simr to that hour of the day, the streets should have be shrouded in a blinding fog by now.


    <i> Tzzzzzz</i>


    The only difference is that the mist is not made of condensed water vapor but rather unidentifiable energies.


    Within the fog that spread thickly throughout the hideout, obscuring everyones view, the professors voice resonated loudly.


    The client is at a nearby pub. Bring her here.


    Pardon? Werent they just about toe in?


    Thats just the sound of my direct subordinates encircling the back alleys as we speak. You must have misunderstood, Mr. Adler.


    At her words, a slightly vacant look took over Adlers eyes.


    Its the first time a client has sought us out on their own; you never know what might happen.


    Well, Im counting on you, Mr. Adler.


    Silently biting his lips at those words, Adler rose from his seat.


    No, it is I who should be thanking you for counting on me. Im always at your service, professor.


    Speaking those words, Adler quietly began heading towards the exit; his head lowered.


    .. This cant go on.


    Right before stepping out, he murmured those meaningful words into the silent room, but Professor Moriarty simply smiled and looked ahead, remaining silent.


    .


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    Several minutester


    <i>Cough, cough</i>.


    A young woman in a ck suit entered through the shabby door of the hideout, which Adler had left open for her. No sooner had she entered, she began coughing at the pungent smoke drifting out of the hideout.


    What the this ce


    Come in.


    A slightly eerie female voice sounded right in front of her, in the midst of the pungent fog.


    Are you ying me for a fool?


    Its not a y. Merely taking a precaution to protect our identities.


    With a wary look, the woman peered into the foggy depths of the hideout and then quietly stepped forward.


    For the sake of protecting your identity, this smoke seems a bit too noxious.


    Is that so? Im ustomed to it. My apologies for theck of consideration.


    Well, never mind that. I havente to this godforsaken ce in search of kindness.


    At her dissatisfied grumbles, eerie chuckles began resonating from the fog.


    You do design crimes for the right price, correct?


    As a frigid chill spread through the room, the woman flinched for a moment. However, she soon recovered and asked in a confident tone.


    Indeed.


    The voice that returned was shadowy, with a hint of misty splendor. Illusory, yet real. Aplex paradox.


    As long as you dont attempt to uncover our identities, betray us, or fail to pay our due wages, we guarantee a perfect crime.


    So, as long as I strictly adhere to our business arrangement, therell be no loss on my end, I assume?


    Lastly, if you wish to conclude the matter with your own hands, were not responsible for any mistakes that may arise. Keep that in mind before youmission us.


    Hearing the voice, clearly indicating an intent not to reveal the identity of its owner, the client nodded in response.


    I perfectly understand.


    Good, I appreciate the straightforwardness.


    ustomed to the stuffy grey mist by now, the clients eyes were able to make out a blurry figure seated in the armchair.


    Then, exin your request to me and my assistant in detail.


    What?


    We need to know what the job is before we can get started, dont we?


    Well, yes, but


    She began, looking at the figure with a mix of tension and confusion in her face.


    Theres no one here but you and me though


    Hmm?


    Wheres the assistant you have mentioned?


    Silence flowed through the fog for a moment after the clients answer.


    The person who brought you here from the pub didnt you see them?


    That person gave me the address and took my seat at the bar


    As a slightly frosty voice emerged from the silence, the client responded with a puzzled tilt of her head.


    When I left, I saw him ordering every type of drink at the bar


    From the seated, blurred figures forehead, a bead of cold sweat began trickling down at the response.


    Busy day at work, I suppose?


    Oh dear <i>Haa</i>


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    .


    Hey, look


    Having sent the client from the pub to the hideout in a huff, I now faced an array of colorful bottles of liquor lined up in front of the table.


    Excessive drinking is harmful to your health.


    Im already a mess, whats it to you?


    Ignoring the system message that popped up before my eyes, I began uncapping the bottles one by one.


    Its bad for your body.


    I feel like Ill be worse off if I dont drink.


    Let me be, fucking damn it!