Chapter 471

Alice's eyes suddenly flickered, and she touched the three hidden Command Spell on the Back of the Left Hand with her other hand.

She had no intention of conforming to others, nor did she intend for others to submit to her. To Witch, everything in the world was only a matter of whether it could be turned into a tool. This was the kind of teaching that Aoko Aozaki received...

She even thought that since Erice needed it so much, she might as well find a time to terminate the contract.

However, Alice felt that this was not a good idea. Since Servant are supposed to assist their Master, shouldn't the release from service require mutual agreement?

Little by little, little by little...

"I saw the Great Gate was open and came in, solved the Shinjuku Murder Case, returned the culprit Louis XVII to his seat, and Frankenstein."

Just then, Manazuru Chitose appeared from the doorway with loud footsteps.

Even in Akihabara, she still wore a very traditional Black Sailor Uniform, exuding a refined sense of Nostalgia, and had long, flowing silver hair.

"Half an hour ago, London asked us to return the artifacts we borrowed before the war, which were once housed in the British Museum."

Then Chitose's gaze fell on the silver-haired Erice, her eyes like those of a White Snake eyeing its prey, but she quickly smiled as if joking.

"Since this is the first official public visit to major City since the beginning of the New Era, could you please serve as our escorts for this journey?"

Chapter 489 The Death of the Detective

The chill of the cold rain had not yet dissipated when a crack appeared in the leaden clouds, letting in sparse sunlight.

Rain, a rain in my hometown that I haven't been able to return to for many years, is so different from the familiar City of Japan.

Although the Sun was high in the sky, it could not hide the gloomy weather. Even with a hat on, you could still feel the rain dripping down your body. The people coming and going seemed to have gotten used to the rain and gloom, all dressed in slightly old-fashioned Detective Outfit, chatting and laughing as they walked by, holding their Monocle.

In the distance stand exaggerated modern high-rise buildings, a complex array of 21st-century architecture resembling a giant Labyrinth.

Nevertheless, numerous food stalls offering tea are clustered on both sides of the road, and the surrounding area is plastered with wanted posters for all unsolved cases from 1900 to 2020. The facial features of the portraits recombine as raindrops fall, and the wanted posters are written in English, Chinese, French, Russian, Spain, and Arab. The languages heard from the surrounding area are just as diverse as those on the wanted posters.

It's a city that seems to breed an atmosphere where disagreements can easily escalate into heated arguments, but overall it's a very vibrant and energetic place.

London, the capital of the British Empire, is a city known to the world as the City of Fog.

But that was a thing of the past. Although London remains the capital of England in the New Era, its nickname is now the Detective City.

Just like nostalgic Shinjuku and touristy Akihabara, their nicknames are naturally based on the common interests and hobbies of the local people. Therefore, at this moment, humans and Servant in London are generally accustomed to dressing up as detectives and assistants to satisfy their own needs.

In that sense, London has actually changed a long time ago.

Aoko Aozaki couldn't help but think that even though she had lived here since childhood, she would still be an outsider after the change.

"There's not a single person in London to greet us. Do these guys even want our stuff anymore?"

Right next to Aoko Aozaki Erice, Erise, carrying a backpack, was walking in step with her.

According to Manazuru Chitose, London hopes to return several Egypt artifacts from the British Museum. One of them is a stele inscription discovered at the Tanis Ruins in the Nile Delta of Egypt, dating back to around the 13th century AD, during the reign of Ramesses II. It depicts a deity wearing Double Crown of Egypt and holding Lightning Was Scepter, but the style of his beard and the decoration of his belt have Canaan characteristics. The inscription is written in both Egypt hieroglyphs and Canaan cuneiform and is called 'Baal-Set'.

Secondly, it came from Jaffa, a coastal city-state in Canaan, and was later stored as a war trophy in the Karnak Temple Sacrificial Altar Egypt.

Given that the establishment of the New Era has led to near-isolation of various regions for almost a decade, and the proliferation of Drone at sea has resulted in a ban on sea voyages, it is understandable that the Chitose was puzzled by London's sudden request. However, since these artifacts were originally borrowed for exhibition before the start of the war, it is only natural that they should be returned now that they are being asked to be returned.

The routes are naturally Underground Routes. How should I put it? Although they are generally not supported on the surface, City administrators turn a blind eye. After all, as long as it doesn't affect the City's Bounded Field like the Ahasuerus and Dutchman duo, they won't be too strict with them.

Therefore, the three who were asked by Chitose, along with the Demon King, naturally embarked on the route from Akihabara to London.

The ship he was on was on a route with extremely strict regulations established by Bartholomew Roberts. It was very expensive, but since it was reimbursed by the City, it wasn't a big problem. Of course, it was a huge ordeal for Fran.

Behind Alice, Fran, who had already changed out of his swimsuit and into normal clothes, was looking down with a pained expression. This was understandable, since Bartholomew was obsessed with covering up things, and seeing Fran's appearance would naturally give him 24/7 attention, which was why Fran didn't want to ride on his boat.

"After all, these artifacts are just collectibles, and they don't fit the current style of London anymore. I guess hardly anyone visits the British Museum these days."

"Erice's hair has turned silver," said the Demon King Novia, using her body.

"Ugh, compared to that wretched London with its constant cold rain, I'd much rather wear a swimsuit in the height of summer in Akihabara..."

Fran muttered, "That place is still better, Fran thinks."

Then.

"Wow! We haven't been back in so long, Miss Alice."

The cry came from near the right shoulder of the Alice.

"Robin."

Although Alice called the Robin's name to alert it, Robin's personality suggests he'll likely continue nagging.

"Speaking of Erice and I buy an umbrella?"

I would be very happy if you could do that.

Alice her umbrella raised, Erice, sighing softly as she tilted the umbrella slightly.

Actually, when Chitose first invited Alice to London, the Witch refused. Chitose generously said, "Since Kuonji doesn't want to go, there's nothing we can do. Let the Demon King and Erice go instead." At that time, Alice didn't agree, which led to an awkward silence.

An awkward silence.

"Sorry, let me go too."

Finally, Alice left with these words, her tone containing a hint of anger that she herself was unaware of.

Although it hasn't possessed anyone, it is now my Servant.

"On another note--"

"Erice," she said.

In this subtle, somewhat awkward atmosphere, Novia, standing next to Alice, coughed softly and extended her hand.

That slightly clenched fist left a deep impression on Alice. During the Louis XVII incident, the Demon King had used a similar hand to stroke Louis XVII, causing him to utter his final words.

"Since we've run into each other, how about we have some tea?"

The food stalls were bustling with people.

It was as if this were a normal part of daily life for the local residents.

The three silver -Erice and her companions each held a cup of Black Tea and savored Orange-flavored Sponge Cake. The music playing at the stall sounded like it came from various Detective Drama, and the humans and Servant dressed as detectives and Assistant Outfit seemed to laugh along with the Melody.

"The Crowd in the White Tower District is still the same as before."

Fran spun the cake around with a spoon, saying, "All you do all day is research detective cases or participate in Detective Activities."

The Detective City of London is structured by dividing areas. For example, the White Tower District, where all Od conflicts are prohibited, is also the most prominent central area of City. The underground Ruined District is where most of the Old Humanity who do not like Detective Activities live. However, this is just a division and does not have much impact on the living environment.

"By the way, how's Moriarty?"

Hearing Erice Se's question, Fran sighed and said cautiously, "Dad has been imprisoned for seven years for trying to damage London's Bounded Field. Ugh, he's such a worry..."

"If it's Moriarty, then that's perfectly normal."

Silver- Erice smiled and continued the conversation, "After all, with so many detective enthusiasts, he must be under a lot of pressure as Sherlock Holmes's rival."

"The pressure... is immense?"

Fran couldn't imagine Moriarty's unreliable behavior at all.

"If Dad didn't follow Fran around so much and monitor my friendships so much, he probably wouldn't be under so much pressure."

"... As Servant, we ended up as father and daughter."

Even in her hometown, which she hadn't returned to in a long time, Alice's expression remained indifferent as she spoke, "It's quite a strange relationship, isn't it?"

Fran wanted to say that it was already true while she was alive, but after thinking about it, she decided against it. Explaining things to this Grandma would be too complicated, so she'd just let her think that way for now.

"It's hard to say. After all, there are some rumors that Alexandre Dumas, Mary Shelley, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Robert Steven knew each other."

Silver- Erice took a sip of her Black Tea. "Perhaps this is the deeper relationship between Fran and Moriarty."

"Hmm..."

Alice covered her mouth in thought, "Are you Priest Faria?"

The name Faria appears not only in "The Count of Monte Cristo," but also in "Frankenstein," "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," and "Dr. Hyde." This leads to the conjecture that "these people live in different eras and are of different ages, but they might find a place to discuss and exchange ideas together."

Fran's heart skipped a beat when he heard Alice pronounce the name.

"While I was alive, I would often hear all sorts of rumors about my grandfather, Priest Faria."

"Hmm, so this inexplicable conjecture is actually correct?"

Alice's eyes narrowed slightly.

They probably found it unbelievable, considering that people of such a large age gap would continue to exchange ideas about their work in private.

However, when I was acting together with the Demon King during Erice's slumber, that counts too, even though it might just be my misunderstanding.

Thinking of this, Alice sighed deeply.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it just feels like it's been a long time since I've explored the sky."

"It's only been a week, and the sky in Akihabara is the same as the sky in London, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it's the same here and there."

Although she said that, Alice actually felt a little embarrassed inside.

After all, her words just now sounded like a complaint, which wasn't good... Putting aside that this wasn't her personality, Erice was also there.

"..."

Alice wanted to say sorry, but the words stuck in her throat, and naturally, she fell silent again.

Suddenly, in the silence, a silver-haired figure walked over and casually patted Fran on the shoulder.

"Fran, what are you doing here?"

"Whoa!"

Fran jumped up like a frightened kitten, staring tremblingly at the fierce-looking silver-haired youth before him, "Young man, young father..."

"I've already told you, don't call me that. You're nothing special to me. I'm asking you to fight. If anything else gets mixed in, our relationship will become murky, and that won't be good for either of us."

Young James Moriarty frowned. "Although I liked you a lot when I was older, I have no feelings for you now, at least not at this stage."

The young James Moriarty, whose Class is Ruler, is the same image Novia first saw in the Château d'If.

"Understood..."

"You're so boring it's unbelievable. But making the boring interesting is what life is all about. Study, take action, and even Homunculus won't easily fall into depravity if you do that."

James paused, "As for me, Sherlock Holmes wants me to go to the British Museum, so please excuse me—"

As he spoke, James glanced at Fran and the other man. When he saw the silver- Erice, he was momentarily stunned. Suddenly, he looked at Erice with a gaze more serious than ever before, almost piercing through her.

James Moriarty understood.

Since being forced to confront his mature self seven years ago, several years have passed, but in fact, he has never given up his former desire to become Mediator of Evil.

Or.

If he has other ideas, perhaps he can give up.

Perhaps, as the elderly Moriarty said, one can accept the inability to reach one's ideal self and commit crimes with a sense of entitlement.

Ignorant, shameless— James never imagined he would become that kind of person; in other words, it was something he couldn't help but accept.

That could also be considered a kind of seduction, giving someone with a strong will such expectations, at that time, and with that feeling.

But he couldn't help thinking about it.

Hopefully, Faria will be rewarded.

May Faria find redemption.

He couldn't help but hope that the man trapped in the Château d'If would receive a definite reward that was rightfully his.

Even knowing it was a selfish and biased emotion, James Moriarty was determined to pursue that ideal and show Faria what he was made of.

Ultimately, the young James Moriarty felt he couldn't find 'him' in the silver-haired Erice.

Silver- Erice reached out her hand to him, stopping just before touching his shoulder, and asked a question.

Does your lower back hurt now?

"That was a flaw of mine when I was older; I don't have that."

"But if your back has gotten that bad, then you shouldn't keep putting on airs on your Throne. It would be better to start exercising as soon as possible."