On the street, Charlotte watched the onlookers gather. She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her trench coat, lit one with a practiced hand, and felt what seemed like cold raindrops hitting her face. A sense of melancholy washed over her.
Strictly speaking, she had played a part in apprehending these criminals. But without Vill-V and Fu Li, forget about stopping the two of them, she might not have even discovered the person hidden under the car's hood.
After all, most of her detective skills came from her family, and it was normal for a family like hers to fall behind the times in certain aspects.
Even so, a loss was a loss.
"Alright, this time... I suppose you win."
"Hmph, hmph, of course."
Vill-V proudly lifted her head, revealing her smooth, fair chin.
She reached out and patted Charlotte's shoulder encouragingly.
"Wait until I finish my advanced mechanical dynamics course. I can build you some useful weapons. Let me think... how about an umbrella?"
How on earth is an umbrella related to a weapon?
A corner of Charlotte's mouth twitched, but then she remembered the watch that shot tranquilizer needles and felt a flicker of understanding.
"Yes, of course. Judging from what just happened, my combat skills are still lacking. I'll be counting on you then, Vill-V."
"No problem, it's a small matter. It's a bit embarrassing to always win against you by relying on gadgets, after all."
This girl... I've only lost once.
Charlotte found it amusing but didn't feel dejected. She simply pulled out a police badge that looked like a fake from her coat and began to disperse the surrounding crowd.
At the same time, Fu Li finished tying up the driver and the young man, leaving them on the ground.
After doing all this, he dusted himself off and looked at Vill-V.
"Alright, Vill-V, we should go."
"Huh? Go where?"
"Home, of course."
Fu Li smiled and gestured with his finger towards a few figures who were watching them with expressions of fear and curiosity.
"Don't forget our identities. People from the DA can't appear in the light of day."
"Tch, I know."
Vill-V's fine brows knitted together. Though she was annoyed, she followed Fu Li and slipped away from the scene without drawing attention.
As for saying goodbye to Charlotte, it was obviously not something they were in a position to do, and they were sure Charlotte would understand.
As they walked, Vill-V chattered on.
"But speaking of which, Li, those two are my prey, right? When are you going to hand them over to me?"
"Heh heh, don't be in such a hurry. They're not going anywhere. You can go see them tomorrow."
"Mm, that works."
Vill-V nodded, and a weight was lifted from her heart.
---o---
[That night, you and Vill-V enjoyed a sumptuous dinner together. Vill-V was full of praise for the Shenzhou cuisine you cooked and took the opportunity to complain about England's dark cuisine.]
[After Vill-V went to sleep, you received intelligence regarding the driver and the young man.]
[The driver's name is Hope, the murderer in the 'bloody-word case'. The young man is named Fred, also known as Moriarty's 'eyes', an expert on England's criminal intelligence network with formidable combat skills.]
[At the same time, you received a message from the 'Alan Institute', informing you that Moriarty has planted men inside the police station, preparing to break Fred out.]
---o---
"Heh, interesting..."
Fu Li crossed his legs, propping his head on one hand as he contentedly watched the beautiful woman kneeling before him.
Although Vill-V's progress had indeed exceeded his expectations—catching one of Moriarty's key figures in her very first case—he had promised her that he would take her to see her prey tomorrow.
As both an elder and a teacher, he had to keep his promises to a child.
Besides, Moriarty's underlings were by no means innocent.
"Take care of it. Don't let Fred escape," Fu Li said faintly.
"As you command, Boss."
The person on the floor nodded, then vanished from the window in a flash.
---o---
Three hours later.
"Ahhh... you... who the hell are you?!"
"Calm down, officer. I'm on your side."
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a purple formal dress and a matching hat, pressed a guard against the bars of a cell. Her emerald eyes flashed with indifference. Then, right in front of Fred, she slit the throat of his last inside man.
Blood bloomed like a rose, spattering across Fred's twisted face.
The woman ignored Fred's curses. She glanced at the other collapsed police officers, then at Inspector Gregson, who was rushing over with his gun drawn, and slowly took out her own credentials.
"DA organization. Chief Lycoris, Irene Adler. I am here under orders to deal with a threat to the Mu Continent. Therefore, I order you to lower your weapon now and cooperate with my work."
Looking at the shocked Inspector Gregson, Irene wiped the blood from her dagger and revealed a captivating smile.