Chapter 97: The Three Garridebs (4)


    What on earth are you doing?


    Charlotte, walking quietly down the corridor after slipping out of the drawing room with Adler in tow, couldnt help but furrow her brows and speak


    Look here, Mr. Adler. Dont pretend like you didnt hear me.


    .


    No matter how you look at it, isnt this a bit too much?


    Muttering to herself, Charlotte looked up at Adler, who was moving forward in silence while holding her in his arms; her body bound tightly in the vestiges of his outer coat.


    Its suffocating, really


    <i> Kooo-oogh</i>


    <i>Ugh</i>


    But Adler, paying no heed to her words, held her even tighter, and Charlotte, pretending to be defeated, closed her eyes and spat out in a sulky voice.


    You usually act so nonchnt, why are you suddenly being so assertive today?


    .


    Just act as you normally do. Its annoying


    Despite her words, Isaac Adler said nothing, not a single thing. Simply, he gazed down at Charlotte with an intense light in his eyes as she stood there, tucked inside his tight embrace.


    Why are you really doing this?


    Charlotte, staring at his eyes  which were dyed a dull ck, the same shade as her hair color  soon averted her gaze and started murmuring under her breath.


    Do you think Id be pleased if you suddenly act like this?


    .


    Im not like those foolish women bewitched by you, whose hearts flutter at your merest touch.


    The faint blush coloring her cheeks was a direct contrast to her blunt words, however.


    So let go of me


    <i> Kooo-oogh</i>


    Its interfering with the investigation, Mr. Prospective Criminal.


    An uncredible im, considering her own eyes were dyed in the same hue as Adlers golden blonde hair.


    Let me go


    <i> Badump, badump</i>


    Add to that Charlottes rapidly beating heart that could be easily felt by Adler as she struggled against him, and what little credibility she had left was shattered in its entirety.


    . <i>Ugh</i>.


    Knowing these facts all too well herself, Charlotte eventually gave up resisting and quietly surrendered her body to him.


    Why did I end up falling in love with this odd man?


    She sighed quietly and murmured under her breath, her voice low.


    Somehow, it feels like I am far crazier than when I was living buried under the side effects of drugs and magic stones 24/7


    Miss Holmes.


    Finally, Isaac Adler started speaking, his voice low, heavy, and utterly solemn.


    Shall we pretend this case never happened?


    What?


    If you get hurt, I think my heart wont be able to take it.


    Hearing his voice filled with sincerity, Charlotte looked into Adlers eyes, which were now trained at her with an unusually possessive gaze; a gaze far different than the usual one he would direct at her.


    Whats your ulterior motive? Werent you the one who called me here?


    Thats true. However, upon some introspection, I realized that this case is just too dangerous. It was a misjudgment on my part.


    What do you mean


    I dont want to see Miss Holmes get hurt. So, lets just step back this time.


    Caught by his intense gaze, Charlotte unknowingly swallowed hard.


    If you turn away in the face of danger, can you even call yourself a detective any longer?


    I may not die even if Im shed to pieces, but you arent like that, Charlotte.


    Now youre even speaking informally?


    As he stroked the small scar on Charlottes cheek, a remnant from herst encounter with Jill the Ripper, she couldnt help but twist her body in difort, feeling ticklish inside. Soon, Charlotte posed a question with an oddly calm expression, different from the one she had been showing.


    Do I mean something to you?


    Of course, I love you.


    Your professor would be quite upset if she were to hear that.


    Youre not as strong as her.


    I can tolerate a lot of things, but I cant let that remark slide


    Charlotte!


    Abruptly, she looked at Adler with a slight shock on her face as he subconsciously raised his voice and pushed her against the wall of the corridor.


    Listen. To. Me.


    Adler, holding Charlottes arms and leaning in close, whispered in a low and dangerous voice, his breath ragged and emotional.


    This case is too dangerous!


    And with that remark, total silence ensued.


    Im sorry.


    After seeing Charlottes wavering eyes staring nkly at his face, Adler regained hisposure, returning to his usual demeanor, and loosened his grip on her arms.


    Ive been unable to control my emotionstely, might be due to all the stress catching up. I apologize if I startled you.


    It almost felt like a yful dog, always wagging its tail excitedly, suddenly bared its fangs and jumped to bite my neck for a second there


    Thats quite the extreme analogy


    Is that your true nature?


    Quietly observing the handprints on her arms, she tilted her head as she posed the question.


    Quite the opposite actually.


    Opposite?


    Only with you or the professor no, only when I look at you, do I be like this. Its quite odd.


    Charlotte gave Adler a frosty stare for a second, prompting him to correct his statement. Soon, she narrowed her eyes and whispered in his ears.


    Do you prefer me, or the professor?


    Its you, Miss Holmes.


    Why did you pause at the start?


    You must be mistaken Probably.


    Even though Adler was quick to exin, Charlottes eyes remained narrowed as she nodded her head in understanding.


    Looking at you now, your right iris seems to have be a bit pale somehow?


    It appears to be slowly turning grey, doesnt it?


    At that very moment, as her voice grew ominously dark while speaking to Adler and caressing his iris with her hands


    Is this also a figment of my imagination, Mr. Adler


    Of course, its not a figment of your imagination.


    From behind the duo, came a voiceced with mockery.


    Oh, really.


    That eye of his is being tainted in color.


    Charlotte Holmes, turning around, frowned heavily and muttered as she saw the personing in through the end of the corridor.


    Isnt that so, Isaac Adler?


    Professor Moriarty, hands sped behind her back and her head bobbing from side to side, had finally revealed herself Her eyes shone with a mysterious gleam as she watched the scene unfold.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Ive been smelling the scent of an old maid around here for a while now


    No matter how much you spread false information, the fact remains that the color of Adlers eyes is gradually changing to my color.


    Mr. Adler, lets just leave. If were not careful, the smell will cling to us too.


    Charlotte Holmes, looking at the newly appeared Professor Moriarty with a sickened gaze, quietly grasped Adlers sleeve and stepped forward.


    Mr. Adler?


    However, for some reason, Isaac Adler stood there motionless no matter how much she pulled.


    What are you doing?


    Miss Holmes.


    As Charlotte Holmes looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked, Isaac Adler, still motionless, opened his mouth and spoke in a whispery voice.


    In fact, the one who called Professor Moriarty here is me.


    What?


    Isnt that right, Professor?


    Jane Moriarty, who was looking at her assistant with a puzzled look on her face, quickly agreed with his words.


    Thats right.


    And do you know why?


    As she nodded quietly in affirmation, Adler threw another question.


    Im not entirely sure about that.


    Come here, then.


    Taking her hand, Adler pulled her to where he was standing.


    Hold hands and do a handshake.


    ..?


    As he grabbed the hands of Charlotte and the professor and made them do a handshake, both women couldnt help but look at Adler with unconcealed incredulity in their eyes.


    This is a temporary alliance.


    What do you mean


    This mansion is really, really dangerous.


    However, Isaac Adler, ignoring their gazes, continued to speak with a grin on his face.


    There are many hidden secrets. So, since itse to this, lets not fight among ourselves and instead uncover the secrets hidden within the case together


    Mr. Adler


    Adler, thats


    <i>Shh~</i>


    He covered the mouths of Charlotte and the professor with his hand, smiling slyly with his eyes.


    Wont you do it? For me?


    ..


    For a moment, both of them gazed at each other, a frigid, hostile look in their eyes, before eventually muttering in a cold voice.


    Sorry, but I dont see how a greenhorn way below my level would be of any help in uncovering secrets.


    Im also reluctant to have the smell of an old maid cling to my coat


    Rather than an ursed body that cant even nurse a baby properly, a slight age difference is preferable, I would say.


    A baby would want fresher milk rather than that from someone slightly older, dont you think?


    Just as their verbal fight was about to intensify


    I was going to offer you both a wish each if you helped. though


    Isaac Adler suddenly mumbled to himself, twirling his foot on the ground, eyes cast downward.


    About a minuteter, the two women dramatically came to a temporary agreement and started walking down the corridor of the mansion. With Adler in the middle, they walked side by side, coursing through the winding mansion.


    Ladies?


    And soon, Adler found himself being wrapped in chains of grey and ck even as they continued their silent march.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Pardon me, bu


    Endure it. Given the abrupt actions youve taken thus far, this is an extremely lenient treatment inparison.


    Be thankful I have not incapacitated you yet and carried you around in a bag.


    Even though I had been stripped of my physical freedom, bound by these magical chains as I am, and nked on both sides by these dangerous women, I still believed the situation had improved, even if a little.


    With Charlotte and me, it might have been uncertain, but with Professor Moriarty joining us, I was sure that literally nothing could threaten us.


    Hey You may want to take a look at this.


    However, I came to learn that it was just my delusion.


    <strong>Warning!</strong>


    <strong>Probability of a Sacrifice instead of the Protagonist, Isaac Adler </strong> 99.99%


    The terrible probability which had, by some unknown and incredulous means, increased further  appeared before my eyes, starkly visible amidst the mana of the two women binding me tightly. An absolute sense of dread surged through my whole body at such a sight.


    <i> Creeeak</i>


    Huh?


    With a faint creaking noise, the door of the room, which we had been informed of being unupied, had opened. And from within the room, I was able to see a faint glow leaking out.


    Wait a minute


    The unidentifiable glow seemed to be visible only to me, which only added to the dread and uncertainty I felt.


    <strong>Warning!</strong>


    <strong>Probability of being Devoured </strong> 100%


    Ill try to figure something out, so just hang on till I do.


    <i>Eeek</i>.


    It was good that I called up the system every night for entertainment.