Becoming Professor Moriarty's Probability-Chapter 232: The Final Problem (7)

“Kulluk, kullu...”

Stifling the sudden burst of coughs with my hands, I moved forward, feeling an unexpected sense of novelty at the moment.

... 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 overwhelmed.

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 me until just moments ago, the two loyal followers, Lady Clay and Silver Blaze.

And the inevitable farewell with Miss Mycrony Holmes, I had to part with her with such unfortunate circumstances.

Lupin who I exploited to go all the way to America, I didn’t even give her a proper thank you for everything she did for me... 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...

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But now, there really was no time to fully immerse myself in reminiscence.

The murderous aura of Charlotte and Lestrade following behind me, 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 me long ago, during my weakened, near-death state.

However, the reason they are walking with enough leeway for me to escape is because of a truth they have realised in their hearts.

They know that just catching me won’t end anything. They have realised that either Moriarty or Charlotte Holmes 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 seemed unlikely to me 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 emerge the victor in such a fight?

If there had been no interference, I would have been tentative for just a moment 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. Meanwhile, 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 outcome could only be determined if a fight actually took place.

However, one thing was certain: if it came to that, someone would surely die.

That’s... I won’t be able to bear watching something like that.

After all the efforts to ensure that no one would die, it would be ridiculous for me to facilitate someone’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 same time, it would also ensure the safety of this world, saving it from its ensuing destruction.

“.......”

But when it really came down to it, to implement such a plan, various emotions overwhelmingly surged through me.

Of course, the predominant feelings were sadness and guilt.

... This is the best outcome I can reach.

Yet since there was no other solution, at least a solution that would satisfy all the necessary requirements, I sighed quietly before walking with a resolute gait.

“Excuse me, Miss System.”

?

However, the flood of emotions showed no signs of ceasing anytime soon. So, I started speaking to Miss System to divert my attention from the negative feelings.

“I’ve been curious about something for a while.”

I expect another trivial and stupid question incoming, but since it’s the last time, I’ll indulge you. What is it?

Initially, Miss System would only provide the necessary information in short and concise words, but her speech became quite fluent and expressive along the way.

“... What is your name?”

While having such thoughts about the system, I mustered the will to ask the question. Immediately, Miss System paused, staring blankly at me for a moment.

Technically, she was just floating in front of me, but for the sake of it, let’s assume she was staring blankly at me right now.

... Are you seriously asking that? It’s not a joke?

“Of course.”

Do you seriously think a management system would have a name?

Nevertheless, Miss System threw the question back at me 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?”

Management 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 name you?”

... You?

As I whispered softly to the system, a font that seemed to convey clear hesitation manifested before my eyes.

Do whatever you wish, I guess

Eventually, Miss System replied and spun her body around, prompting me to finally voice the name I had been holding back all along.

“Irene Adler. What do you think?”

........

It was half a joke when I mentioned it, but the system did not respond.

“Haha, just kidding...”

I had already forgotten about it.

“... Pardon?”

At that moment, I wondered if her response had been a bug, but then a somewhat chilling font manifested before me.

Don’t you remember the comment you attached to my executable file?

“Ah...”

Following her question, I finally remembered.

“... Right.”

Instead of the Adler that didn’t appear in the main game, I had designated the system’s name as Irene Adler.

It was just dummy data in the comments, but it was definitely something 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 me use the return ticket, right?

It was time to face the pursuers who had doggedly followed me, at the very edge of the waterfall where everything would reach its conclusion.

The finale of the Final Problem.

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A few minutes later, at the edge of the Reichenbach Falls,

- Thud, thud...

“..........”

As the last footsteps echoed and ceased, two women 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 game 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 become almost like those of ordinary people, making this a somewhat fair fight.”

“.........”

“Of course, I assume both of you will team up against me, 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 assume a ready stance.

“... Before we start, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

In such a tense moment, 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 emerged 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 come at me, 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.

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“... What did you say?”

Meanwhile,

“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 come.

“No!!!”