Episode 20

Just as martial talent flows through one’s veins, so does the ability to take life.
–George Henry Lewes¹

Every movement of her facial muscles and detailed gestures revealed the truth to me.
A fabricated voice. The kind of expression one might make when discovering a fun toy rather than expressing admiration.
She was as excited as a child on a picnic.

Her ordinary aura was unimaginable from the intense martial power shown in the recent duel.
She must be a master who has achieved Social Facade.

I deduced her identity just by the animal fur on her clothes earlier, but decided to respond in a gentlemanly manner, pretending to know nothing.

“My intention was solely to escort the lady with respect, but I regret that it resulted in the offense of another. I must, however, speak on behalf of all the gentlemen present. When it comes to dealing with ruffians, it is not a silver tongue that’s required, but a cane. This is precisely why all gentlemen of the British Empire must hone their martial skills.”

Knowing her status, I had to be doubly courteous, and Watson was looking at me as if I were a bizarre type of jellyfish.

“I don’t know if you two have promised a future together or if you are disciples learning martial arts from the same master, but to the girl’s eyes, the young knight appears exceptionally composed and gallant.”
“You flatter me.”
“Though it is embarrassing to say, I recently received the overly flattering title of Lady Sunshine from my clan leader. It is like climbing a tree to catch a fish for me to dare compare my martial arts with yours, but if you could teach me one move, I would cherish it as a lifelong lesson.”

I was dying trying to suppress my laughter.
It’s amusing how people from the past would speak in such a roundabout way.
Lady Sunshine, really, does she even intend to conceal her identity?

Well, considering the recent big events, I can somewhat understand her acting so whimsically.

At any rate, given the situation, there’s no choice but to follow the rhythm.

“Very well. I will see you in Ring 2.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”

We wrote our monikers on each other’s cards.
I couldn’t even imagine how strong this woman was, but there was no need to confront her head-on.
I have a clever trick that can let me win without wasting energy.

“Watson, come this way.”

I chose an opponent for Watson that she could likely defeat, then headed to the ring.

“In the east corner, Little Heavenly Demon. In the west corner, Lady Sunshine.”

Thirty-two contestants had made it through the first round.
Including the finals, I would have to fight five more times.
I’ll finish this match quickly and then go cheer for Watson.

“Duel standby, duel!”

The music started, but Lady Sunshine showed no sign of attacking.
I looked her straight in the eyes and lightly tapped the handle of the Heavenly Demon Cane with my finger infused with internal energy.
Even if it wasn’t a sound transmission sent over an energy wave to a permitted opponent, someone of her level would understand.

[You must really care for animals.]

The Morse code I sent.

“…?!”

The startled Lady Sunshine’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s and looked this way.

[What I can confirm for now is two Border Collies and an Angora cat. I too love animals very much.]

I decided against mentioning that I had raised lab mice or fruit flies for experiments (releasing them unharmed) or that I was nurturing a Worm from the Chenzhou Yan Clan, as it might be offensive.

[Unlike typical specimens, they seem to be in excellent nutritional condition.]
[…I do not understand what you are saying.]

Hesitant, Lady Sunshine eventually tapped her iron fan to reply in Morse code.

[When you were performing the Quadrille earlier, I took the opportunity to brush off some dust from your dress and checked.]
[Should I be expressing my gratitude for this?]
[There’s no need for that. Rather, it seems prestigious families have an abundance of elixirs these days?]

At the word “elixir”, Lady Sunshine couldn’t hide her agitation and widened her eyes.

[When infusing ordinary dog and cat fur with internal energy, it should crumble, but instead, it repelled my energy.]

Though I couldn’t see her eyes and cheeks hidden by the mask, I could see the skin of her lower face and neck turning increasingly pale.

[This phenomenon only occurs with the fur of spiritual creatures. And, there aren’t many places in the British Empire capable of raising Border Collies and cats to become spiritual creatures.]
[There seems to be some misunderstanding.]
[Sharp, Noble, White Heather. A name that I seem to have heard somewhere before… Where was it again?]

Lady Sunshine bowed her head deeply and remained still.
It seems my threat had indeed taken effect.

[I humbly acknowledge that our duel may appear less than trivial. However, it is inappropriate for adults to intervene in a children’s playground.]

After deciphering my final Morse code, Lady Sunshine silently raised her hand to call the referee.

“For this duel, I will concede.”
“…Concession cannot be reversed, are you certain, My Lady?”
“Yes.”

Watching the dejected figure of Lady Sunshine, I felt a twinge of unease and guilt.
I hope I haven’t overstepped.
It would be nice if she isn’t one to hold grudges.

I wonder if I’ve ruined the mood of someone who just came out for some fun.
If I had played along, she might have withdrawn after enjoying herself without revealing her skill.
However, my internal energy would have been heavily depleted in the process.

Given the imminent confrontation with the Drake family’s troublemaker, I don’t wish to take unnecessary risks.
To prevent Watson’s early demise, I must secure the inner core of the Unicorn Salamander.

But what if that guy challenges Watson to a duel again?

Honestly, I don’t want to advise Watson to concede. However, I dislike the thought of Watson getting hurt even more.

I need to come up with a good solution.
If Drake or another rising prodigy takes the runner-up spot, we’ll lose one of the elixirs we plan to take, and frankly, I want to secure both.

“Winner, Little Heavenly Demon. The next debutante, please proceed to Ring 2.”
“…I have learned something.”
“I have learned something.”

Lady Sunshine and I turned our backs on each other and descended from the ring.
I should think slowly about the method, but first, I need to go cheer for Watson.

-Puhong!

However, as I turned to head to where Watson was in the middle of a duel, a loud explosion erupted from Ring 7 on the opposite side.

-Thud!

Something warm flew and splattered on my cheek.
I took out a handkerchief and wiped my face, only to find something unexpected on it.

“……”

Flesh and red blood.
Looking up again, I saw two post-fight participants standing idly in Ring 7.

One was a woman holding a spear, without any notable features, and looking terrified.
The other was the eldest son of the Drake family who had picked a fight with me earlier.

The spoiled heir of the naval family stood confidently on the ring with his legs spread shoulder-width apart, as if he had done something praiseworthy.

“To display such deadly skills at the Debutante Ball. A bit excessive with the hand, I must say.”

The issue was the fact that his upper body was missing, and his lower body was continuously spewing blood like a fountain.

“…Kyaaa!!!!”

Ladies who witnessed the horror screamed.
Even the members of The Royal Combat Society, possessing strong martial skills, could not hide their dismay.

To dare commit such an act without fear, right in front of London’s one and only consulting detective.

I removed my mask and shouted.

“Nobody move, this is a murder case!”

Whoever the perpetrator is, they will pay dearly for ruining the ball.

A murder case.
The concise and shocking term that everyone could understand captured the attention of all gathered at the ballroom.

“Holmes…”

Watson, standing below the ring, looked up at me with worried eyes.

“Rest assured. I’ll solve it quickly.”

A murder case had occurred right before my eyes.

In none other than the U-35 Invitational, a meeting of martial arts and chivalry experts.

The deceased is
the eldest son of the prestigious Drake family, renowned for producing countless excellent naval officers since the Tudor dynasty.
He died not only in the presence of the rising prodigies of the new wave but also under the watchful eyes of The Royal Combat Society’s experts and sharp-eyed chaperones.
There is no witness to the method or perpetrator of the murder, leaving everyone in confusion.

It’s an undeniably complex case at a glance.

In other words, it’s the type of work I most eagerly desire.

-Swoosh!

I took out my pipe and lit it.
The elixir mixed in the tobacco leaves turned into fragrant smoke that was inhaled into my lungs.
The murmuring martial artists. All eyes were upon me, yet I remained silent, observing them carefully.
After about three puffs, the commotion indoors had subsided a bit.

“I regret that I must greet the Ladies and Gentlemen gathered here in such an unexpected manner.”

The withdrawal symptoms from the elixir that had chronically plagued me vanished completely, and I felt my cerebral cortex awakening and warming up.

“My name is Sherlock Holmes. I am a consulting detective based in Baker St. As you have just witnessed, a pride of the navy, a member of the Drake family, has been murdered. I aim to capture the vile fiend who violated the rules of the Debutante Ball and tarnished the honor of London Murim. I assure you that I will uncover the truth of this case, and I ask for your cooperation in the investigation.”

The people reacted in various ways.
Those who knew whose mask I was wearing remained silent, while those who did not know the owner of the mask and other minor figures scoffed.
The former probably realized that what I am saying isn’t nonsense, as they heard earlier that my nickname is the Little Heavenly Demon.
The latter might react like that because, in this world, Watson hasn’t woven my exploits into writing.

In fact, Watson had been persistently seeking my permission to write about such matters for some time, but I had been decisively refusing each time.

There was a reason I didn’t allow Watson to contribute my achievements to magazines, unlike before my return.
It was to ensure that Moriarty, who would still be alive in this world, would notice my existence as late as possible, giving me a chance to strike first.
To eradicate him, I can tolerate being treated like cold porridge to any extent.

“What right does a mere detective have to conduct an investigation…?”
“Haha. Don’t be too harsh. He’s not just any detective, he’s a ‘consulting detective’, isn’t he?”
“……”

Still, I can’t stand listening to such nonsense.
There’s no choice. With a lack of recognition, I have to rely on the power of authority.

“Edmund Henderson, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police! I know you’re on the second floor!”

As I shouted, a small commotion erupted in the VIP section on the second floor.

Soon, a masked man emerged, pushing through the people gathered at the railing, looking down at us.

-Whish!

He immediately performed a skillful Air Walk, descending to the first floor.
His attitude, as he landed silently on the ring like a feather, clearly displayed annoyance.

“…How did you know?”

The man and I were meeting for the first time, but due to the previous Dead Man incident, he surely knew who I was.

“I met your daughter in a duel at Ring 6.”

Meanwhile, I had gathered much more information about him than what Commissioner Edmund Henderson knew about me.

“To participate in the Debutante Ball at such a young age of twenty. Truly a remarkable talent.”

He was the Chief Commissioner responsible for the Metropolitan Police of London and was famously known for having four daughters.

“Well, she takes after me, so naturally…”
“……”
“No, that’s not it, um…”

A doting father, a true Princess Maker, if ever there was one.