“Kulluk, kullu...”
Stifling the sudden burst of coughs with my hands, I moved forward, feeling an unexpected sense of novelty at the mont.
... So I ended up coming here after all.
It feels like only yesterday I woke up in a daze and proceeded to reveal her entire life story to Professor Moriarty, even though it was about a year ago.
And now, I’m climbing the famous Reichenbach Falls.
To quote Miss System, I was genuinely feeling overwheld.
I couldn’t even give proper farewells to so many of them...
Yet, on the other hand, my heart constricts with a sense of unbearable sadness.
Excluding Moran who had been following until just monts ago, the two loyal followers, Lady Clay and Silver Blaze.
And the inevitable farewell with Miss Mycrony Hols, I had to part with her with such unfortunate circumstances.
Lupin who I exploited to go all the way to Arica, I didn’t even give her a proper thank you for everything she did for ... Well, I am not much concerned about her as the bitch already had her fill while being disguised as Watson.
Jill the Ripper... It’s rather a relief to part with her, so let’s exclude her from consideration.
Nevertheless, the many connections I had made over about a year flicker in my sight as I ploughed through the thickly piled snow.
- Goooooo...
But now, there really was no ti to fully imrse myself in reminiscence.
The murderous aura of Charlotte and Lestrade following behind , along with the overwhelming killing intent of the professor a little further back, was getting closer with each passing second.
... It feels like I’m being hunted.
The three of them possessed the skills to have apprehended long ago, during my weakened, near-death state.
However, the reason they are walking with enough leeway for to escape is because of a truth they have realised in their hearts.
They know that just catching won’t end anything. They have realised that either Moriarty or Charlotte Hols must disappear from this place today for a conclusion to be reached.
... Surely the inspector won’t have a life-and-death duel with Charlotte, right?
No matter how the situation had turned out, it genuinely seed unlikely to that the inspector would engage in a deadly struggle with Charlotte instead of Professor Moriarty.
That implied that it would ultimately develop into a one-on-two fight between the professor and the remaining pair of girls.
If so, who would erge the victor in such a fight?
If there had been no interference, I would have been tentative for just a mont before betting on Professor Moriarty.
However, from my secret investigation a few months ago, I discovered that there are a large number of unusual mana stones embedded at the bottom of the Reichenbach Falls.
Due to the stones’ effects, ordinary people couldn’t function their bodies properly. anwhile, appropriate mana operation was impossible for mana users.
Therefore, if a fight were to break out, it would be impossible to accurately predict the victor.
Would it be the professor who cannot properly wield magic, or the alliance between Charlotte and Inspector Lestrade who won’t be able to control her body normally?
The outco could only be determined if a fight actually took place.
However, one thing was certain: if it ca to that, soone would surely die.
That’s... I won’t be able to bear watching sothing like that.
After all the efforts to ensure that no one would die, it would be ridiculous for to facilitate soone’s death.
Therefore, I devised a plan.
A way to ensure that no one would die, and even when everything was over, no one would have to sacrifice their life.
Warning! Erosion Rate — 95%
I’d urge you to hurry... but since I know what your plans are, I really can’t tell you to rush.
At the sa ti, it would also ensure the safety of this world, saving it from its ensuing destruction.
“.......”
But when it really ca down to it, to implent such a plan, various emotions overwhelmingly surged through .
Of course, the predominant feelings were sadness and guilt.
... This is the best outco I can reach.
Yet since there was no other solution, at least a solution that would satisfy all the necessary requirents, I sighed quietly before walking with a resolute gait.
“Excuse , Miss System.”
?
However, the flood of emotions showed no signs of ceasing anyti soon. So, I started speaking to Miss System to divert my attention from the negative feelings.
“I’ve been curious about sothing for a while.”
I expect another trivial and stupid question incoming, but since it’s the last ti, I’ll indulge you. What is it?
Initially, Miss System would only provide the necessary information in short and concise words, but her speech beca quite fluent and expressive along the way.
“... What is your na?”
While having such thoughts about the system, I mustered the will to ask the question. Imdiately, Miss System paused, staring blankly at for a mont.
Technically, she was just floating in front of , but for the sake of it, let’s assu she was staring blankly at right now.
... Are you seriously asking that? It’s not a joke?
“Of course.”
Do you seriously think a managent system would have a na?
Nevertheless, Miss System threw the question back at with a tone that suggested she found it quite absurd, and I, thinking that made sense, scratched my head and decided to move on.
... Of course, I can’t deny that there have been precedents.
“Oh?”
Managent systems that allow for this kind of bidirectional communication are quite rare, you see.
Miss System fluttered slightly in the air, then responded in a slightly smaller font.
“Then, may I na you?”
... You?
As I whispered softly to the system, a font that seed to convey clear hesitation manifested before my eyes.
Do whatever you wish, I guess
Eventually, Miss System replied and spun her body around, prompting to finally voice the na I had been holding back all along.
“Irene Adler. What do you think?”
........
It was half a joke when I ntioned it, but the system did not respond.
“Haha, just kidding...”
I had already forgotten about it.
“... Pardon?”
At that mont, I wondered if her response had been a bug, but then a sowhat chilling font manifested before .
Don’t you rember the comnt you attached to my executable file?
“Ah...”
Following her question, I finally rembered.
“... Right.”
Instead of the Adler that didn’t appear in the main ga, I had designated the system’s na as Irene Adler.
It was just dummy data in the comnts, but it was definitely sothing I had done.
I’m disappointed.
“Uh, well...”
I was about to apologize, sweating coldly, but Miss System just left with those words and disappeared from my vision.
“.........”
And then, there was finally silence.
“Uh...”
In that silence, awkwardly scratching my head, I stopped walking as I finally glimpsed at my destination.
... Surely, she wouldn’t get so upset that she would not let use the return ticket, right?
It was ti to face the pursuers who had doggedly followed , at the very edge of the waterfall where everything would reach its conclusion.
The finale of the Final Problem.
.
.
.
.
.
A few minutes later, at the edge of the Reichenbach Falls,
- Thud, thud...
“..........”
As the last footsteps echoed and ceased, two won who had already reached their destination quietly turned their gazes back.
“You’re late.”
“Does this automatically disqualify you?”
“... Oh dear. Don’t you know?”
Then, receiving that gaze, Professor Moriarty spoke with a cold voice.
“This isn’t just a childish ga of catching Adler first.”
“..........”
“It’s a fight where the winner is the one who completely secures him, ensuring Adler cannot escape under any circumstances.”
Upon hearing those words, both Charlotte and Inspector Lestrade’s expressions turned chillier than arctic frost.
“Well, I agree.”
“I acknowledge that as well.”
“In that sense, this waterfall is quite a fitting place to end this tedious battle.”
Despite the circumstances, a composed voice emanated from Professor Moriarty, a serene expression on her face that matched her voice.
“Our abilities have beco almost like those of ordinary people, making this a sowhat fair fight.”
“.........”
“Of course, I assu both of you will team up against , right? That’s fine. I’m quite confident in my hand-to-hand combat skills.”
Despite the waterfall’s influence nearly dissipating her mana, she emitted undeniable killing intent, causing Charlotte and Inspector Lestrade, standing with their backs to the waterfall, to break out in cold sweat and assu a ready stance.
“... Before we start, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
In such a tense mont, Professor Moriarty suddenly smiled and spoke.
“Adler... no, Isaac, my boy.”
“Kulluk, kullu...”
“You foresaw all of this, didn’t you?”
Her sharp gaze then shifted behind Charlotte and Lestrade.
“If so, I’ll show it to you myself.”
Specifically, to Adler, who was sitting at the edge of the waterfall, coughing violently.
“That your prediction was wrong.”
Hearing her declaration, a distant smile touched Adler’s lips.
“This place will be their grave, not mine.”
Professor Moriarty then drew a self-defence cane from her possession.
- Swish...
Simultaneously, a hunting whip erged from Charlotte’s possession and a police baton from Inspector Lestrade’s.
“I’m surprised to see that neither of you are using firearms.”
“... Do you think we’re fools?”
“The mana stones embedded here cause a malfunction in firearms. In such a situation, hand-to-hand combat is the best option.”
“Alright, then co at , together.”
And just a few seconds later,
“I am already prepared.”
“..........”
The final duel for the ownership of London’s greatest treasure began at the edge of the Reichenbach Falls.
.
.
.
.
.
“... What did you say?”
anwhile,
“This address... doesn’t exist?”
Watson, though staggering from intoxication, had managed to find the location written on the note she received from Charlotte. However, her eyes widened in shock when she heard the words of the passerby.
“... Surely not!”
As a wave of anxiety began to overwhelm her, the alcohol instantly wore off, and she started to sprint back in the opposite direction from which she had co.
“No!!!”
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