Chapter 80: Searching For John Watson
Rivers and lakes1without a friend is no different from a desert.
–Francis Bacon, <Essays and Secrets>2
“Why do you think so?”
“Well, unless you’re indifferent to losing your head, you can’t just skip the Royal Ball after receiving an invitation.”
Even though it was an obvious statement, Watson was impressed as if she’d heard some remarkable deduction.
“We can’t cause a commotion concerning Her Majesty’s safety, so I don’t intend to attempt an arrest at the palace, but once the dance is over, they must pay for their prank.”
“Isn’t there an option to apprehend them before that? Didn’t you say you knew their identity?”
“Oh, Watson. Don’t be hasty.
The one who ordered the theft of the royal decree doesn’t know that I’ve realized their identity. I believe it’s better to let them remain complacent for now.”
I’m already eager to see how that person will react when they see me at the dance. “Hmm… If you say so, then it must be so.”
Watson couldn’t hide her unease.
Earlier,
I should finish the story I was telling before the royal decree was stolen to lighten the mood.
“Come to think of it, I was about to talk about the invitations earlier.”
“Was it about the different types of invitations?”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll check it right away.”
Watson immediately tore open the two envelopes to check the contents.
“Ah, so that’s what you meant. It seems the invitations determine
how close you can get to Her Majesty.”
Contrary to my concerns, Watson didn’t show much reaction.
“Fifty steps should be enough.”
“Isn’t it a distance where you can
see Her Majesty’s visage? I’m quite satisfied.
Of course, I’m envious that you can hear the royal voice from a mere seven steps away.”
“Watson, this is merely-”
“I know. You’re going to play a match of chess with Her Majesty.”
Watson was smiling as if she was content.
I felt sorry for her because the type of invitation was different even though we were attending the ball together, but Watson did not raise any complaints about it.
“This time, I’m looking forward to not having to do something strenuous like a duel and being able to tour Buckingham and enjoy some delicious food.”
“Watson…”
“You don’t have to feel sorry or grateful.
You’re the one who has to play a chess match with Her Majesty, so you’re the one who has it tough.”
Tough indeed.
Considering the opponent, I couldn’t deny it.
I wasn’t entirely without confidence, but duel chess wasn’t my specialty.
If I ended up losing miserably,
I would disappoint Her Majesty.
On the other hand, if I won overwhelmingly, it would cause bigger problems.
Martial artists, regardless of their status, are inherently competitive.
Since Her Majesty suffered a painful defeat to my master, she has been eager to defeat me, his disciple, in a chess match.
“Facing someone of high status is never easy.”
“Seeing as how you handled the Home Secretary and the Postmaster General last time, it didn’t seem that way.”
“Though that may be so,
Her Majesty is on a different level.”
“I’m surprised you can feel pressure. It’s unexpected.”
“Well, I’m human too, with red blood flowing.”
As I spoke, Watson chuckled softly and nodded.
“As always, I feel guilty for monopolizing such thrilling experiences by your side. If the opportunity arises, I’d like to share this joy with others as well. Although he’s gone now, my brother also used to enjoy these tales of adventure-”
“Wait, what did you just say?”
It seemed like an unmissable word was spoken.
“I was saying that I’d like to write about your achievements and serialize them in a magazine.”
“No, I mean what you said after that.”
“Oh. You mean that my brother greatly enjoyed tales of adventure.”
“…!!”
At that moment, a lightning-like realization pierced through my brain.
I took a step closer to Watson and looked her straight in the eyes.
“Listen carefully, Watson. I’ve thought of a way to find your missing twin brother.”
“Really?!”
I nodded with conviction.
If we use this method, it might take some time, but the missing John Watson will definitely respond.
“If I can find my brother, I’m willing to do anything. Please, Holmes. What exactly is this method?”
Watson asked me with a noticeably uplifted expression.
She, too, missed her twin brother John Watson as much as I did.
“Ten years ago, right after my brother disappeared, I distributed photos and descriptions everywhere. But the last I heard was a sighting near the outskirts of London. After that, even while attending university in London, I tried to find him but had no luck.”
“You’ve been through a lot during that time. Don’t worry anymore. If you do exactly as I say, it might take some time, but we might be able to make your brother come to us.”
Of course, as planned, I continued trying to contact the Afternoon Tea Party to seek information on Watson and Moriarty.
However, this is only possible if we can find out where they are hiding.
Before that, if there’s anything Watson and I can try together, there’s no reason not to start.
“So, what exactly is this brilliant method you mentioned, Holmes?”
“Actually, it’s nothing special. I just thought that if we serialized our story in a magazine, it would naturally catch John Watson’s interest.”
“Hmm? How is that related to my missing brother?”
Watson still seemed unconvinced, tilting her head in confusion.
“It’s related to your pen name.”
“Pen name?”
“The name you plan to use when submitting your writing. Surely, you’re not thinking of using your real name, Jane Watson?”
“Oh. Now that you mention it, I haven’t thought about what name to use yet.”
“There’s no need to worry. Just use the name you normally go by.”
“Normally, you mean…?”
Trailing off, Watson stared at me with a blank expression for a moment before clapping her hands in realization.
“That’s it! If we continue the serialization under the name John Watson, eventually-”
“Your brother might take an interest and try to find out who the author is. The name John Watson isn’t rare, but if he sees the content and thinks of himself, it might be different.”
“Indeed, with that method, my brother might come looking for us first.”
Unless Moriarty is openly parading around London as a priest with followers, now that he is in hiding, it’s worth a try.
Initially, preventing Watson’s works, which were a significant aid to my client acquisition and investigative activities before my regression, from being published in this world, was to gain even a slight advantage when cornering Moriarty.
However, after confirming the skills of his right-hand man, Sebastian Moran, and the possibility that Moriarty himself might have attained Rejuvenation, the situation has completely changed.
Simply not having my stories serialized in magazines can’t bridge the power gap between him and me.
In other words, if there is a benefit to be gained from Watson serializing our stories in magazines, it is only right to seize it.
“But is it okay to write your name as Sherlock Holmes?”
“Of course. Sensitive information, like the client’s name, should obviously be concealed or altered.”
“So, a little fiction mixed with reality.”
“Exactly.”
Watson, eyes sparkling, nodded repeatedly and immediately pulled out a notebook to start writing.
“Are you already starting?”
“The inspiration won’t stop. I’ve never felt like this even at the university. Ah, I can’t help it. I must procure a typewriter tomorrow.”
Her excited expression as she scribbled reminded me of someone.
‘No matter where you are, I will find you. Then we can be friends again.’
I watched Watson engrossed in her writing before heading to bed.
That night, I dreamt for the first time in a long while.
In my dream, a face I longed to see was smiling at me.
The next morning.
After finishing my Breath Control as usual, I stepped out of the bedroom to find Watson clutching a notebook in the living room.
Perhaps because Mrs. Hudson had already discovered her true gender, she had undone the Face-Changing Technique and wasn’t donning the fake mustache either.
“Ah, Holmes. You’re up now. Good morning.”
“It seems you haven’t slept a wink.”
Watson looked up at me with bloodshot eyes, and long dark circles were visible on her face.
As expected, she had stayed up all night, pondering how to write about my stories.
“I heard you’re going to work later; are you going to be okay?”
“I’m planning to sleep until the evening. There’s no problem.”
Seeing her more animated than usual, I couldn’t help but think of her twin brother.
Both siblings enjoy writing about cases, so it’s clear that the Watson family has a literary streak in their blood.
‘They do resemble each other.’
Before I regressed, I had often commented on John’s use of emotional descriptions when writing about my exploits.
Looking back now, I regret being overly harsh with him.
In this world, it’s best to let Watson describe me as she sees fit, respecting her adaptations without interference.
However, there are a few things that need to be addressed.
“It’s good to be passionate about your manuscript, but don’t forget that you’re still suffering from the meridian blockage disorder.”
I advised Watson with a rather serious expression.
I’m glad she’s engrossed in what she loves, but if her health deteriorates, I won’t have the face to meet John later.
It’s important to maintain moderation in everything.
“Thank you for your concern. By the way, there’s something I need to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m thinking of writing about the first case we encountered after moving in together for the first manuscript, so if there are parts that need to be fictionalized, let me know in advance.”
“Ah, I was thinking that we need to discuss that part anyway.”
I explained to Watson about some information that must be written differently from the actual case.
For example, we need to change the real names of Hope, who was tricked by Frankenstein and became a Dead Man, and his lover.
If it’s revealed that the Dead Man used Kung-Fu, several people, including the Home Secretary, would be in trouble, so this fact must be kept secret.
Watson took out a notebook and began meticulously jotting down every cautionary note I mentioned.
- TL/N: Rivers and Lakes, which is the translation for the Sino-Korean word Gangho, refers to the martial world ️
- TL/N: The original quote is as follows—A crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures; but conversation and a friend is a help ️