Chapter 88: Gate Of Buckingham (1)
People tend to judge others based on what they can see as a whole.
In other words, the leader of the Murim Union only needs to continuously accumulate power and gather masters to maintain the influence of the union.
Thus, these outward appearances influence the evaluations within the martial world.
–Niccolò Machiavelli, <The Prince of the Alliance>
Time passed quickly.
It had been three weeks and five days since the visit to Savile Row, leaving only two days until the Buckingham Palace ball.
The day that once seemed distant was now just around the corner.
Listing everything that happened in the little over a month would be cumbersome.
However, I had discovered a new fact about this world.
During the past 26 days, I took on several minor cases that I had solved in the world I lived in before regression. These included finding thieves or catching con artists, simple crimes that Watson had prioritized in her manuscripts but had not submitted.
The problem was, according to my memory, the clients were the same, but the timing of the incidents was completely different from what I had experienced before regression.
Some past incidents occurred during this month, while future incidents that shouldn’t have happened yet were brought forward, creating an unpredictable situation.
I had a guess as to why.
It seemed that the existence of Kung-Fu in this world, unlike the one I originally lived in, had the greatest influence.
In the world I lived in before, people who should have died and been buried long ago were living longer due to their training.
It was also plausible for unfortunate geniuses who died in accidents to survive thanks to the power of Kung-Fu.
In this world, the training of the body and internal energy is valued beyond imagination.
The fact that France’s sports newspaper L’Auto is renowned as a Kung-Fu newspaper in this world is one of many differences created by the altered history.
The year the Tour De France was first held being about 30 years earlier than in the world I originally lived in is also an event that occurred in the same context.
Given the tradition of jousting remains, it’s understandable that Riding Duels became popular.
With so many incalculable variables filling the world and influencing the future, predicting what will happen next felt meaningless.
Of course, this was a very positive thing for me.
Facing the same case in the same order, even with different details, would be unbearable.
Meanwhile, as for the Kung-Fu attire ordered from Savile Row, there was no worry as it was being made by the best craftsmen in England.
I visited Henry Poole & Co. again five days ago for a fitting, and now all that was left was to pick up the completed outfit.
At this point, what mattered wasn’t the clothes.
It was the people attending the ball, not the clothes walking on their own.
Watson and I have been diligently performing our main jobs while also putting immense effort into preparing for the ball in our spare time over the past month.
Of course, I focused on Kung-Fu training to ensure that Watson wouldn’t be looked down upon by other attendees at the dance. But the most important thing was teaching Watson the intricate court etiquette, table manners, and the noble Kung-Fu principles needed to uphold them.
As a result, I had to teach Watson new knowledge for the entire four weeks.
Considering the time it takes to prepare for a major ceremony in the life of a martial artist, a month isn’t particularly long.
In the martial world, it’s commonplace for disciples of clans or scions of prestigious families to spend their entire lives preparing for the day when they can elevate the honor of their clan or family.
Moreover, in terms of preparation alone, this ball was less demanding than when I trained Watson for the Debutante Ball.
The main reason is that, unlike the Debutante Ball, Watson didn’t have to participate directly in a duel at the Royal Ball.
On the other hand, in terms of sheer pressure, the Royal Ball was twice as intense as the Debutante Ball.
The invitation I received allowed me to be within seven steps of Her Majesty.
And Watson received an invitation allowing her to be within fifty steps.
In other words, ignoring the arrogant nobles, we were inevitably going to catch the eye of the royal family and even Her Highness.
Historically, the Buckingham Royal Ball has been considered the pinnacle of social gatherings where various strict etiquettes are enforced.
Making a mistake in such a setting could irreparably damage the honor of both Watson and myself.
To avoid making mistakes, rigorous training was essential.
Fortunately, the way I taught Watson was the same method my master used to teach me.
Its efficiency was unparalleled, a supreme educational method that could take an orphan from the workhouse, dress them properly, and allow them to stay in the palace for over five hours without being dragged out by the Etiquette Enforcement Special Maid Corps.
Of course, every achievement in this world comes with a price.
My master’s teaching method involved completely controlling the disciple’s life, so Watson had to endure harsh training with barely any sleep for the past three weeks.
As a result, as feared, within a few days, several minor troubles arose, such as Watson attempting to run away to a nearby pub to enjoy gambling.
Of course, it took less than three minutes to apprehend her and bring her home.
“Whew.”
Looking back, it was a challenging month.
I leaned against the window, pipe in mouth, lost in thought.
The current time is 8 a.m.
This short time of smoking before breakfast was the only rest I could enjoy recently.
That’s how busy Watson and I have been.
The remaining two days will probably be the same.
However, the sigh that just escaped my lips wasn’t rooted in fatigue or worry.
‘It’s a relief that Watson’s training ended on time…’
I was relieved.
That Watson and my training ended on schedule.
“…I wondered how it would turn out, but fortunately, she has remarkable talent and insight.”
Watson, having stayed up all night engrossed in the assignment I gave her, finally succeeded and is now in her room, snoring softly.
Achieving the goal I had set, a full two days ahead of schedule, was largely thanks to Watson’s own efforts.
I couldn’t help but admire the resilient spirit of a veteran who had survived the battlefield.
If the teacher does not show the right path, the learner cannot grasp it.
It means that if the instructor doesn’t guide properly, the student cannot truly understand.
However, Watson followed my teachings so well that such words seemed irrelevant.
This was possible because she possessed a level of wisdom that allowed her to grasp two or three things from learning one.
Even if not as much as me, who can see one and understand ten, her learning pace far surpassed that of an average person in the Midfield.
Once her meridian blockage disorder and leg heal, Watson will be able to unleash even more potential.
Yes, the meridian blockage disorder.
Fixing this is the key.
‘…To acquire a new elixir, you need more than just money.’
Things like connections or social reputation, for instance.
And the Ball is a place where you can gain all three.
“I should go right after breakfast.”
Since Watson is still asleep, it’s better if I go to Savile Row alone.
I wonder what expression she’ll make when I return with a gift.
“……”
I am the type of person who can’t resist curiosity.
My cursed nature of being unable to rest until I check what’s intriguing me constantly torments me.
“Mr. Holmes? What about breakfast?”
As I put my coat on and headed downstairs, Mrs. Hudson called out urgently.
“I’ll eat when I return.”
With that reply, I quickly opened the door and dashed out onto Baker Street.
Why was it, despite skipping breakfast and catching a carriage, my steps felt endlessly buoyant.
A rare sky without clouds.
The air is warm and the humidity just right.
Now, under the pouring clear sunlight, everything grows in this season.
I don’t want to admit it, but turning a blind eye to objective facts is cowardly, so I’ll say it myself.
“…Now I’m even influenced by the weather.”
May 17, 1881.
The season, was spring.
While Holmes was out, Watson woke up leisurely and finished a simple breakfast with Mrs. Hudson.
“Has he gone out to fetch his clothes already? He seems to be busy every day, that Holmes.”
Returning to the second floor, she carefully checked the first manuscript she had organized over the past month and then put it into an envelope before heading out.
A manuscript written with all her heart to inform the public of Holmes’s unrecognized achievements.
Even though all the troublesome details were verified with Holmes and other fictions were added, it was undoubtedly a masterpiece with soul.
…When she recently tried to show part of the manuscript to a large magazine or newspaper, she was shown the door, but Watson was convinced there must be someone who would recognize the value of this manuscript.
“Excuse me. I’m Watson, the military doctor who scheduled a visit by telegraph.”
Entering the old, shabby magazine building she had contacted a week ago, Watson spoke to the nearest employee.
“Just a moment. Ah, yes… Mr. Watson. What brings you here?”
“I’d like to submit a novel manuscript based on true events.”
“I see. Just leave it there since I’m busy.”
Without asking for an address or contact information, the magazine’s employee responded perfunctorily and returned to their work.
“……”
Watson felt offended but held it in, placed the envelope down, pulled out a pen, and wrote a few large letters on it before leaving the magazine office.
<John H. Watson
221B Baker St, 2nd Floor>
Unaware of what future this manuscript might bring.
~Two days later~
The date was May 19th.
The weather was clear.
Between the seasons of Lixia1 and Mangzhong, on the day just before the Sun passes through the constellation Gemini, the day before the Lesser Fullness.
The wind carrying the immense Yang Qi between the earth and sky was breathing its warm breath even into the great metropolis of London, one of the foremost cities of the martial world.
As its name suggests, the Lesser Fullness marks the beginning of abundance, where all things grow to fill the heavens and earth.
On this unusually clear day for London, with not a cloud in the sky,
over a hundred carriages were lined up in front of the Sword Queen’s residence.
Some called it Buckingham Palace, others the Royal Palace, the heart of London and the residence of the supreme ruler.
Young nobles and martial artists alighted from carriages with invitations in hand and were guided by the Queen’s Guard, wearing black bearskin hats, to proceed with the palace entry procedures.
The reason they visited the palace today was solely for one purpose.
The Buckingham Royal Ball.
To partake in this gathering, held under the blessings of the Trinity and the Virgin Mary, and to enjoy the honor of attending this event wishing for a year of abundance.
Those invited by the Queen of England were all renowned masters and promising talents from London and Europe.
Most of them were martial artists from the Debutante Ball and the Noblesse, whose luxurious attire and accessories alone hinted at their high status.
However, in any gathering, there’s always a guest who stands out.
A single carriage that entered among the lined-up visitors drew everyone’s attention.
- TL/N: The start of summer ️