The Shepherds Are Dense

Chapter 85: Edward's Revelation

Sherlock's words hung suspended in the air, and his cramped room was plunged into a charged silence.There was only the rhythmic crunch of Edward slowly chewing his sandwich.

In a few seconds, Sherlock grinned and remarked,

"Of course, that's impossible.".

"If the professor was the mastermind, he wouldn't have taken such an elementary move. He's friends with Minister Droste and has influential connections in the kingdom. He could have done what he wanted without moving a single finger or showing himself."

Edward said nothing, and Sherlock pulled out a box of matches and a cigar, turning it slowly to warm it up evenly.

With his chin resting low and his tone relaxed, Sherlock went on,

"But whoever is responsible for this case—their intentions are. unfinished.

"The scheme itself is masterful. Kill Secretary Raph, and then strike at Princess Isabel, thus inevitably revealing Minister Droste's role in alchemical smuggling. The scheme guarantees the event to cause a huge public uproar, compelling Droste to move—yet it's plainly not about dethroning him, pilfering information, or ending the smuggling.

"The perpetrator did not intend to plunge Avalon into turmoil, nor to serve justice.".

"It's like their only goal was to Droste. That was their ultimate objective.

"Such detail in planning and implementation suggests that they were being told what to do—by someone with little clout in Avalon's higher circles. That's why they needed public sentiment to get them to their target.

"——Say, an overseas spy. Since Fleur-de-lis and Star Antimony are at odds with each other, my guess is the spy is from Fleur-de-lis."

Sherlock stuffed the now-burning cigar into his mouth and puffed hard.

Moving his eyes up, his eyes were bright and clear as he gazed at Edward.

"Since you didn't murder me a few seconds ago… I suppose my deduction was accurate?"

Edward continued to chew silently, still speechless.

"You've been masticating that one bite for damn near a minute, my dear fellow," Sherlock drawled, crossing one leg over the other and blowing smoke in Edward's direction with a smirking grin.

"It looks like I struck pay dirt. The Moriarty family enterprise… isn't so squeaky clean, is it?"

"—You'd do well to leave things alone, Sherlock."

Edward finally swallowed, his tone serious.

"Consider this a request. From me to you."

".I'm glad to hear that, Edward. It means you consider me a real friend."

Sherlock's smile relaxed under the mist of smoke.

"Out of regard for our friendship, I'll halt temporary digging into 'Moriarty.' All my discoveries up to now are in the file entitled 'M' on your left bookshelf. There is a blue envelope inscribed 'Moriarty' within it."

Edward stood up at once and approached him, taking the envelope out of the folder.

"Have you got a copy, Sherlock?" he asked.

"You know I never make backups, my friend. But I highly recommend you don't so much as burn it—read it at least."

Sherlock's voice was measured.

"Isn't there something you want to know when I began suspecting the professor? Or why I had the courage to accuse you here?"

Edward was not unintelligent. His pinched face went ice-cold and unreadable.

".Was it when Father suddenly departed Glass Island?"

"That was part of it. But the crucial clue was the warehouse explosion."

Sherlock answered,

"You were surprisingly committed to that case—but then you abandoned it entirely. No press report, no mention to me. I believe you were afraid I'd investigate further. But your silence only invited my notice.".

"I quickly discovered that the following day, while I was bringing Aiwass to university, you went to see Dr. William Wayne Westcott. He just so happened to be the examiner who analyzed the 'fire elemental' substance from the crime scene."

"And what does that prove?"

Edward snapped back,

"Did Westcott say something?"

He didn't sit but remained standing next to the bookshelf as he opened the envelope.

To his astonishment, it had nothing in it but a blank sheet of paper.

"Actually, I have no evidence. But your response indicates I'm correct."

Sherlock got up from his rocking chair and fetched a glass of cold water.

Glass and cigar in hand, he downed the liquid. Apparently, he had been tense too.

"The fact of the matter is, it was I did not find any evidence that connected Professor Moriarty to any crime that I became suspicious.".

"A distinguished family so well rooted in the capital establishment—how could they be so clean? None of you, nor Aiwass, nor Yulia has anything to dispute in your adoption files.

"And the professor—no family, no wife, no indication that his parents passed away.

"You yourself used to encourage me to get married and settle down. So would not somebody have done that to the professor?

"Foster children and friends alone—nothing more. Not even a death certificate."

Sherlock breathed out and gently replaced the cigar in his mouth.

"No need to be anxious, my friend. As soon as I knew that Aiwass truly wished to keep Princess Isabel safe, all of this was irrelevant.

"The Queen rescued my father's life. I am in her debt. That's why I work for Mr. Kent. Not Avalon, not the Round Table—I am a servant of the crown. Or rather, I am devoted to Queen Sophia.".

"I'm not a naive idealist, Edward, and you're well aware of that. I don't like justice or order. I just want to know the truth. As long as your actions are not evil, I can even assist you.

"So why hide this from me?"

".Because it's good for you."

Edward spoke finally, his tone sincere.

"The only thing I can say to you is that my father does not harbor any ill will against the royal family. That's all I can tell you. Stop investigating, please."

Sherlock persevered,

"So we're not enemies."

"—This isn't a threat, Sherlock. It's advice."

Edward was imposing in his black funeral suit, voice low and compelling.

"Moths get caught in spiderwebs. The best option is to steer clear of the web. The less you know, the better off you'll be."

".Very well. I believe you, my friend. Until you say otherwise, I won't dig any further."

Sherlock huffed, disappointed he hadn't revealed Edward's real concerns.

But at least they'd gotten some of the air cleared out.

In spite of the danger, their friendship hadn't been ruptured—indeed, it seemed all the stronger.

Sherlock spoke with a bit of sadness,

"I had initially suspected you to be merely another manipulated pawn—such as Aiwass, seeking to escape your foster father.".

"But now I notice you've taken the other side."

".Wait. You said, ?"

Edward echoed, aghast.

"Yes. Master Yanis had already picked him as companion to Princess Isabel. And after he saved her life, I hear even the Queen might call for him in person.

"That's probably his way of freeing himself from destiny. If, as you claim, the professor means no ill to the crown, he may finally leave Aiwass alone."

Sherlock went on,

"If my theory holds water, and the killer was from Fleur-de-lis, then Princess Isabel was never the intended target. To them, she's the best leader Avalon can have. They'd have no motivation to kill her.".

"So the killer ducking into the Princess's shadow was probably an attempt at evading Director Gordon's detection. She overheard Gordon's advisory and knew you were coming. In the company of high-grade transcendents, an individual on the Adaptation Path would do everything possible to conceal themselves.

"She must've picked someone who was bound to leave the building—someone with a steady shadow."

He was Aiwass, who sat in a wheelchair. That was why Aiwass had killed his own shadow first.

While how Aiwass was aware of shadow-stealth tactics was a secret—his motives weren't.

Sherlock thought,

"Aiwass shot twice because he didn't know precisely where the killer was. Taking a shot at Isabel's shadow was horribly dangerous.

"If he missed and injured the Princess afterwards, he'd be blamed.

"A plotter would attempt to look innocent—not gamble everything on a wild shot.

"That second shot made me believe Aiwass truly had the best intentions to save her.".

"From there, it was obvious he had Director Gordon search the second floor to your arrival, to flush out the perpetrator downstairs—where the defense was weaker.

"She would have known that, and heard Gordon's words, and only have moments to react.

"With Gordon's methodical search providing tension, her safest options were the two individuals certain to remain immobile and unguessed: Aiwass and Isabel.

"The newspaper's 'deductions' were complete rubbish.".

"Aiwass did not solve a mystery—he set a .

"He wasn't researching the past. He was shaping the future.

"He didn't know where she was—he coaxed her into walking into his web."

Aiwass was merely nineteen, with no history of shadow technique training.

There was only one way he could've learned it.

From the professor.".

"His only period out of the public eye was from the close of middle school until mid-November. He must have learned from the professor then, acquired his methods—and eventually abandoned his ideology.

"In a sense, Aiwass may be even nearer to the professor than you."

Sherlock avoided, quite deliberately, using the term "conspiracy"—he still had some fondness for the professor.

With assurance, he stated,

"That's how I learned to trust Aiwass, and why I'm convinced the professor isn't who he pretends to be.

"And why I've chosen to be truthful with you—before I really start my investigation.

"If Aiwass was in on the scheme too, I wouldn't have penetrated the case so quickly. That in itself is proof he's on a different track from the professor.".

"If you can't speak to me—or your father—perhaps you should speak with your little brother, Aiwass.

"He's much brighter than you imagine.

"Or perhaps. brighter than ."

It was a cold but good-humored recommendation from Sherlock.