Chapter 100: Peace in London


    He hehehe


    Stopughing and exin yourself, Adler.


    Isaac Adler, frozen in ce for some time, startedughing awkwardly at the sight before him. On the other hand, the professor, her hands resting on his shoulders, silently leaned closer toward him.


    What was the meaning of the actions you just took towards me?


    ..


    Honestly, if it wasnt you, then anyone who dared to do such a thing would find their body shattered into pieces by now.


    Her voice and expression were cheerful and bright, but her eyes and gaze were anything but that.


    As you know, Im not a very patient person.


    <i> Creak</i>


    So, convince me quickly.


    Instead of her face, the professors pale hands, which had found their way up to his neck and were gradually tightening around it, conveyed the emotions she really felt deep down.


    What was the reason? Hmm?


    And with those words, silence settled between the two.


    <i> Crackle!</i>


    As Adler gazed at Professor Moriartys eyes, racking his brain faster than he had ever done before, he was able to catch a glimpse of an anomaly that shed for a split second.


    Hmm.


    Professor Jane Moriarty was busy choking him with her hands, however, a momentary spark of grey and gold emanated from her body at that very moment, making her frown and groan out loud abruptly.


    It seems that you couldntpletely escape from my spell, after all, Professor.


    Staying still for some time, Adler repeatedly confirmed the phenomenon transpiring in the professors body. Once he was able toe to a consensus, he rxed and began murmuring to her in a low voice.


    You were able to withstand it to some extent at first, it seems. However, as the mana continued pouring into your body like an endless tide, you were unable to hold it all in and had to leak some of it out.


    <i> Fizz, crackle</i>


    After all, how could a single persons mana capacity be more than thebined mana of half the women in the entirety of London? Thats simply absurd, impossible even.


    Nevertheless, as the professor remained silent and just gazed at him in a daze, Isaac Adler began to chatter with an even more excited tone in his voice.


    But still, the professor is truly amazing. Not only is your mana capacity vast enough to withstand the initial onught, but you also grasped the principle of the attack so quickly and came up with a countermeasure.


    <i> Crackleee</i>


    Even a convincing bluff too.


    He gently caressed the professors cheek and whispered into her ear with a bright smile on his face.


    You do realize that youre my ideal type, dont you, Professor?


    Enough with that, Adler.


    I dont want to though


    With a chuckle, a sly smile appeared on Adlers lips as he took hold of the professors arm.


    But s, I will have to stop this banter here.


    Why?


    As I have mentioned before, if I dont correct the error that has urred in this case, things will get quite a bit troublesome.


    Seeing the professor look at him with a confused gaze, Adler stroked her head and added,


    My curse is, in fact, a phenomenon that can cause a substantially sizeable havoc if a mystery isnt constructed perfectly, in a certain way, you see


    You didnt even know what a curse was until recently, did you?


    I still dont know, to be honest. But you see, the curse on me is a bit different from those curses.


    Quietly receiving his stroking, the professor bobbed her head and posed a question. In response, Adler, watching her characteristic bobbing with an amused expression, murmured in her ears.


    If we continue like this, both Charlotte and the professor will be in danger.


    Hmm.


    You understand, right? So you need to behave yourself, okay?


    Adler, who finished speaking while patting her head on his tiptoes, raised his hand to bind her once more.


    <i> Snap!</i>


    Just like before, the sound of fingers snapping echoed crisply throughout the silent hallway.


    Huh.


    However, if there was one difference from a few minutes ago, then it was the fact that the golden chains didnt so much as show a hint of being summoned to bind Professor Moriarty, let alone actually restraining her as they did before.


    Why isnt this working?


    Isaac Adler, who had been harboring a bright smile on his face till now, couldnt help but frown as he looked at his hand with a puzzled gaze. He started flicking his fingers again but


    Adler.


    The professor, watching him quietly, opened her mouth at that very moment with a chilly smile.


    That fascinating magic you used just then


    Yes?


    I suppose theres nothing in this world that I am unable to do.


    A look of utter bewilderment settled on Adlers face as he heard those words.


    Impossible.


    Why so?


    I only seeded because I could gather the mana of nearly half the women of the entirety of London. But you, professor


    Are you implying that I do not wield such an immense amount of mana?


    The professors lips curled into a wicked grin.


    Oh dear, Adler.


    Do you really think that Im releasing mana because I am unable to withstand your attacks?


    Could it be


    Hearing the professorsugh,ced with amusement and mirth, Adler couldnt help but break into a cold sweat.


    Have you been deflecting my attacks all this time, or rather, have you been pouring your own mana into me on top of that?


    And simultaneously into all the vessels of the women you have under your control, connected to you with the seal imprinted on your abdomen, to be exact. I am going to make sure that you are unable to even try to do such a wicked deed ever again.


    The professor answered his question, delivered in a low and hesitant voice, with a kind look in her eyes.


    So, just howrge is your mana capacity?


    Adler.


    As Adler turned pale and asked in rm, Jane Moriarty gently stroked his corbone and whispered in his ears.


    The sea doesnt overflow even if a river flows into it


    .


    Rather, it only makes the river flow backward and overflow instead.


    At that very moment, her eyes, looking down at her beloved assistant, started flooding with the aura of an apex predator.


    <i>Eeek</i>.


    Adler, his body trembling at her words, gazed up at the professor and abruptly grabbed her arms. Putting strength in his hands, he shoved her up against the wall, his gaze desperate.


    What are you doing?


    If youre pouring all your mana into me, then you cant use magic either, right?


    The professor, observing Adler with curiosity brimming in her eyes, posed the question in a casual voice as though unperturbed by his actions. And her question prompted Adler to speak in a voice trembling with fear and desperation.


    Then I have no choice but to use my body to fight against you.


    Even if you are the strongest mage to ever exist, you must be physically weaker than me, correct?


    In his eyes, thest glimmer of hope shone amid the crippling despair.


    Im still a vigorous teenager, Miss Moriarty.


    Is that so?


    Im confident of being able to overpower a wicked professor whos only been doing research behind locked doors all these years.


    However, even thatst shred of hope was doomed to fade into darkness.


    <i> Squeeze</i>


    Uh


    Abruptly, Professor Moriarty shook off Adlers grip on her arms and immediately pushed him against the wall instead.


    T-This is a-absurd


    Nothing absurd about it, Adler.


    As Adler began his desperate struggle with a confused, horrified look, the professor added just a bit more strength in her grip, just enough to subdue him, and whispered in a low voice.


    Youre not a vigorous teenager, Adler. Just a patient on his deathbed.


    Ah.


    And even if that wasnt the case, do you really believe that you could challenge me to a physical brawl?


    She leaned in close, her face colored with amusement and mischief.


    Before I met you, I had been hiding the fact that I was a mage.


    Then, how many people do you think Ive killed with my body alone instead of magic?


    Her eyes darkening into an ominous void, Professor Moriarty posed the question in a whispery chant.


    Obscene little fox.


    As her hot breath touched his ears, Adler  his head buried in her sizeable breasts due to the clear height difference  swallowed dryly and looked up at his supervising professor.


    Im a vampire, Professor.


    With those words, for some time, a squelching sound began to echo throughout the previously silent hallway instead of human speech.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Lift your head, Adler.


    Several minutester


    Adler.


    Walking down the corridor with his head hung low  sporting a bite mark on his lower abdomen, one near his ear, and several on his neck  Adler proceeded to wipe his moist and puffy lips as he quietly turned his gaze to the side.


    Are you upset because I was too forceful?


    Professor Moriarty, wiping her damp mouth likewise, posed the question to him


    But you enticed me with your antics first, Adler, didnt you?


    I am but a human Adler. Regretfully, I was no longer able to resist the temptation.


    She whispered in a subdued voice as she gently stroked Adlers neck.


    The rest, lets save it forter; when this case is finally resolved.


    <i> Brrrr</i>


    And then, well live together. Forever.


    Hearing her wistful words, a violent shudder ran through Adlers body, leading him to open his mouth.


    Were you disappointed?


    What do you mean?


    Just a moment ago, I attacked you, Professor.


    Only a calm voice could be heard as Professor Moriarty responded to his words.


    I realized that your actions always have unavoidable intentions behind them.


    That is


    You mentioned a curse, didnt you?


    Her voice was a murmur as she gazed at the empty space where Adler would usually look with a startled look in his eyes.


    Could it be that itpels you to create these mysteries and riddles?


    .


    Then, could our rtionship also be?


    After a long silence, Adler finally responded in a barely audible voice.


    I believe we have already gone too far to use that excuse now.


    A fleeting expression of relief crossed the professors face at his words.


    Professor, I


    Wait a moment.


    Just as Adler was about to say something with a hint of seriousness in his face,


    Where is she?


    Pardon?


    Miss Neria Garrideb, where is she?


    Halting her stride, she posed the question in a sharp voice.


    When you were interrogating me earlier, she seemed entranced and headed somewhere.


    And?


    I had sprinkled a bit of powdered magic stone on her back earlier, so I was just following the trail she left behind


    Adler couldnt help but cock his head in confusion at the sudden shift of atmosphere.


    <i> Chiiiik!</i>


    Abruptly, thick smoke began billowing out from the end of the corridor ahead of them.


    Adler, be careful!


    The professor  looking warily at the smoke that rapidly enveloped the whole corridor, akin to the ethereal fog that often engulfed the streets of London at dawn  started retreating to the back while pulling Adler by the hand.


    Im immortal, so Ill be fine, Professor.


    Be silent, Adler. Juste behind me quickly.


    Rather, you shoulde behind me instead, Professor. You cant use magic right now, so youre vulnerable.


    However, amid their retreat, a minor quarrel arose as Adler tried to ce the professor behind him instead.


    Adler, before I get any angrier, ple


    <i> Swoosh</i>


    !


    In the midst of their dispute, the professor was toote in sensing the presence that appeared suddenly in the fog. Her eyes widened in rm as she turned her attention toward the ominous presence when


    <i> Bang!!!</i>


    The resounding noise of a gunshot filled the mansion.


    .


    And with that a dreary silence engulfed the scene.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Professor?


    As the smoke filling the corridor dissipated in a puff, Adler, frozen in ce, was met with a scene he didnt believe he would ever see in his life.


    That was a close call Adler.


    With disbelief in his eyes as he stared at the shocking scene, Adler heard a familiar yet unusually faint voice entering his ears.


    You almost got hit by a silver bullet for a second there


    There, before his eyes,y Professor Moriarty; With a silver bullet lodged deep in her chest, crushing her heart, she coughed up a fountain of blood before copsing right in front of him.


    Its fortunate, truly so fortu


    Adlers rationality snapped as he gazed down at her immobile figure for a long, long time.


    <b>Ending 10 (Conclusive)</b>


    Peace in London


    This cant be