Stop trying to control me, Miss Moriarty!

Chapter 13 Accomplices

The previously harmonious atmosphere between the two began to violently tremble and shatter, then fell into a suffocating silence.

Jessia stopped what she was doing.

Those eyes, once filled with burning passion, gradually cooled, revealing a deep darkness.

She coldly re-examined the boy before her.

Silver hair, red eyes, fifteen years old, very good-looking, a freshman at the Royal Academy.

After calming down, she realized that Erin Adler was nothing more than that.

...I shouldn't be so excited.

Recently, her emotions have indeed become somewhat unbalanced.

Perhaps it's because, in this world where even crime has become tiresome, for the first time, something has appeared that can still bring a sense of novelty.

Just like a traveler lost in the Sahara Desert who, upon seeing an oasis, would rush towards it without hesitation.

But she forgot the most basic thing: to distinguish whether it was a mirage.

"Adler".

Finally, Jessia broke the silence: "What do you think is my purpose in assisting you to control the Queen?"

After a moment's thought, Erin cautiously replied to the question, "Is this a test of my qualifications to travel with you?"

So I'm not qualified after all...

"That's just the most basic point." Jessia's tone returned to its usual calm: "Through these two crime consultations, you have indeed proven your abilities."

She changed the subject, "But I'm very disappointed."

Those purple eyes were now filled with nothing but pure, icy coldness.

"Having taken control of Bohemia, you now possess enough power to challenge me. You should stand against me, expose my crimes, and engage in a life-or-death, exhilarating battle!"

"Instead of—still thinking of joining my ranks."

Jessia's fingertips tapped erratically on the table. "Then, I'll ask again. Erin Adler, how will you satisfy this intense desire?"

Jessia stared intently at Erin, patiently awaiting his answer.

Depending on the boy's choice, this question may also be the last conversation between the two.

Since he cannot become my nemesis, I will personally extinguish this unexpected flame.

Centered on Jessia, a silent chill, like an Arctic current, instantly swept through the entire café, even causing the fireplace flames to flicker eerily.

All the customers and staff involuntarily shivered, looking around blankly, but unable to find the source of the cold, they could only wrap themselves tighter in their clothes.

Erin quietly wiped away the cold sweat.

Moriarty's murderous intent was direct and naked. He had no doubt that this guy would perfectly kill him in some elegant and cruel way in the next second.

What an unreasonable and crazy woman...

He pinched his thigh.

But this time, even the pain couldn't help him calm down completely.

Time slipped away silently, the clock on the wall growing louder and louder, like a time bomb counting down.

He knew he couldn't continue like this.

In short, let's try anything, even if it seems hopeless.

"I understand." Erin took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone steady: "Because of the existence of 'Apocalypse,' any crime you participate in will ultimately lead to a perfect ending that no one can uncover?"

"Yes."

He continued, "At first, you might find it fun, like you're playing the world in the palm of your hand. But over time, it's like a cheating game. No matter how perfect the ending is, the process itself has no meaning or challenge, only monotonous boredom."

"That's right." Jessia admitted again, a faint glimmer of expectation shining deep in her eyes.

Erin caught this subtle change, crossed his arms, and his red eyes shone brightly: "The solution is simple, just continue with the crime counseling."

The glimmer of light that had just appeared in Jessia's eyes quickly dimmed, and her original disappointment grew even heavier: "Royal scandals and the assassination of the prince—these two incidents are just exceptions."

"Even if I occasionally encounter similar crime consultations, I can handle them on my own. In that sense, your existence is completely meaningless."

Faced with the overwhelming pressure, Erin sat there, smiling calmly: "But I can find more interesting crime counseling."

"And—" he paused deliberately, "your destined, true nemesis."

"reason."

"No reason." Erin shrugged, his attitude almost shameless: "It's a promise, or rather, a gamble."

He met Moriarty's icy gaze head-on: "If I really can't do it, you can take my life then. Compared to the current 0%, even if the possibility I offer is only 0.01%, it should still have some appeal."

He concluded by adding, "Furthermore, just as detectives need assistants, don't you think crime consultants also need accomplices, Professor?"

"..."

Jessia remained silent.

The chill that had enveloped the entire café slowly dissipated.

Erin breathed a sigh of relief and took a sip of his coffee.

The bitterness of the inferior coffee beans assaulted his taste buds without reservation, and he frowned slightly.

"Can."

After a long while, Jessia's voice rang out again: "From now on, you are an accomplice of crime consultant Jessia Moriarty."

"But remember this: if I think you can't bring me any pleasure, I'll kill you at any time."

Erin replied compliantly, "It is my pleasure, Professor."

Jessia once again wore an amused expression: "So, how did the two crime consultations go?"

Erin was somewhat surprised: "You want me to give my evaluation?"

Jessia nodded gently: "That's right. Although you are the second person to receive a consultation, this is the first time you've been evaluated."

Yes, Anna, the previous client, should be sitting in Scotland Yard sewing by now.

Erin thought for a moment: "Before that, I also have a question. How did you obtain that document?"

From the moment I contacted Moriarty in the early morning until she delivered the documents, only a mere ten minutes or so passed.

He was very curious about how Moriarty had obtained this document, which played a decisive role in breaking down the Queen's psychological defenses.

Jessia countered, "What do you think?"

"..." Erin really wanted to throw her coffee at him and yell, "Didn't your mother tell you not to answer questions with questions?!"

However, for the sake of his life, he did not choose to do so.

"Millverton, the 'Queen of Threats'?"

In the original novel, Milverton is a notorious villain who keeps over eight thousand secret letters to blackmail his victims for exorbitant profits.

Of course, in this world, he couldn't escape the fate of becoming her either.

Jessia tilted her head, a hint of curiosity in her voice: "You even know her? But unfortunately, the answer is wrong."

wrong?

If we exclude this off-field factor, Erin really can't think of anything...

Wait, there is indeed another possibility, which is more in line with Moriarty's style of doing things.

"The evidence in the documents was all fabricated by you." He spoke slowly, his tone gradually becoming more certain: "And this evidence is now considered fact, because the dead cannot speak to refute it."

A sense of respect rose in Erin's heart.

Within ten minutes of receiving his request, Moriarty not only grasped the Queen's thoughts but also devised a plan to smear the second prince, making his "suicide" seem perfectly reasonable.

"That's right." Jessia nodded with some satisfaction, but quickly added with a hint of regret, "Are you really not considering making me your enemy?"

Erin pretended not to hear and returned to the original topic: "So, regarding the evaluation of this crime consultation—I'm sorry, Professor, I can only give you 60 out of 100."

Jessia's eyes widened, clearly dissatisfied with the grade: "Just a passing grade? Why? Where is there a flaw in the plan?"

Erin deliberately countered with, "What do you think?"

Jessia frowned her beautiful brows and began to think seriously.

A few seconds later, a look of realization flashed in her eyes, followed by some annoyance: "Because I actively intervened in the case, 'Apocalypse' had an impact on it?"

"That's right."

Erin roughly figured out the origin of "Apocalypse".

This is definitely a cheating plot device that the screenwriter forcibly added to cover up certain plot holes.

Those hapless guys are capable of doing something like this.

Many things can now be explained, such as the students' ridiculously stupid reactions, which were probably caused by Moriarty's influence.

"I see, you're right." Jessia showed an understanding expression. "It seems we need to recruit some subordinates. A true crime consultant really can't get involved in the actual operations."

She seemed lost in thought, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table.

Then, those purple eyes flashed with an evil yet creative light: "When we get back to London, let's build a dark organization that will drag all of Britain into hell."

"..."

Erin regretted his earlier words. Was it too late to change his mind and give Moriarty a perfect score?

"As for now..." Jessia suddenly stood up, moved a chair next to Erin, and then lay down on his lap.

"Professor, what are you doing?"

"Obviously, I need to rest for a while." Jescia adjusted to a comfortable position and yawned. "Even for me, an hour's drive from London to Stockholm is exhausting."

Erin pointed to the corner: "There's a deck chair over there."

Jessia's voice was already tinged with sleepiness: "You're already my property. Isn't it only natural to be used as a temporary pillow by your master? Complaining is unacceptable."

"I don't remember when I signed the slave contract, and slavery was abolished by George III," Erin argued.

Jessia's voice grew softer and softer, as if she were talking in her sleep: "Modern slavery is also called the graduate student system."

"...Sweet dreams."

Erin gave up struggling.

Jessia's breathing quickly became even and long, her golden eyelashes casting shadows in the dim light, her chest rising and falling slightly with her breath, curled up like a kitten.

At this moment, she lost her sharp edges and deep darkness, becoming quiet and harmless, like a rare work of art in the Louvre.

It must be said that Moriarty in this appearance is indeed indescribably cute.

It would be great if it were like this when I was awake.

Just then, text reappeared at the edge of Erin's field of vision.

[The Napoleon and Lannes of the Criminal World: Giving Meaning to Jessia Moriarty's Existence]

[Progress: 8% → 25%]

Main quest now available: Assist Jessia Moriarty in building a criminal empire.

Progress: 1.37%

[Phase-based reward: 10% (not yet unlocked)]

It was still shockingly rudimentary, but at least they gave us a small reward as a reward.

Come to think of it, it's okay if I don't do this task, I just want to be a good person...

Suddenly, a familiar vibration came from his wrist. Erin rolled up his sleeve and looked down.

Girlfriend: See you at the usual place tomorrow night at 7 pm.

"..."

No, then who are you?

Where is the usual place?!