Becoming Professor Moriarty's Probability

Chapter 82: Trophy

"Is it true?"

"Is it really true, Master?"

Moran and Silver Blaze, attached to the collapsed Adler, opened their eyes wide and spoke simultaneously.

"Is it really true that your life isn't in danger?"

"... Yes."

"I don't understand."

Adler, having given up on pretending to be mortally wounded, tilted his head to the side in response to Moran's baffled reaction.

"People die when they are shot, right?"

"... Usually, yes."

"Children, the elderly, it's always been that way. Everyone I've shot has died one way or the other."

Adler's eyes flickered surreptitiously at her slightly chilling statement.

"But why isn't Mr. Adler dying then?"

"... Miss Moran."

Adler gazed deeply at Moran – her eyes filled with the innocence of the little girl she was, a stark contrast to the brutality of her previous statement – for a moment before extending his hand to the front.

"Look at that person over there."

"Uh, uhhh..."

"She was shot by Miss Moran's gunfire, did she not? But, as you can see, she didn't die."

And then, Adler, still speaking in a gentle tone, pointed his outstretched hand to the groaning Caroline who remained sprawled on the ground even now.

"I was told not to kill that person, so I deliberately avoided vital points when shooting her. But Mr. Adler, you were shot through the heart. There's a distinct difference here."

"Do you think I'm dying because of that?"

"Yes, I believe the essence of a person is the heart. Mana accumulates in that organ, and it's the heart that moves a person, so..."

"Are you certain about that?"

"... Gasp."

Moran, muttering uncertainly, soon gasped in fear.

"Could it be wrong?"

Then, she asked in a crawling voice, filled to the brim with apprehension.

"The essence of a person is actually the brain. Of course, the heart is also a critical spot, but in this strange era where all sorts of laws are twisted due to the influence of mana, targeting the heart is not as definite a weakness as attacking the head."

"Then, could all the people I've shot come back to life and come after me?"

"That's not the case. The people Miss Moran has sniped until now are certainly dead."

"... Phew."

She, who had been trembling quietly with those thoughts that paralleled that of a naive child, let out a sigh of relief at Adler's firm answer.

"But I am different. I will not die unless my head is blown off. And as a bonus, I don't feel pain either."

"Why?"

"Because I am a terrifying vampire."

"Eek."

As Adler made a hissing sound and showed his fangs, Moran, once again frightened, clung to Silver Blaze seated beside her.

"... And, I've already died once at the hands of my dearest professor."

""...........?""

"Anyway, except for my head, physical attacks don't harm me, so please don't worry."