Moriarty the Patriot (憂国のモリアーティ)

It is the end of the 19th century.

Amidst the turmoil and development of the Industrial Revolution,

Britain steadily expands its colonization,

until its territories extend to one quarter of the world,

becoming the empire on which the sun never sets.

This, the greatest empire in all of history,

is ruled by a privileged class that makes up less than 3% of its population.

In contrast with the advancement of technology,

an age-old class system remains rooted throughout the land.

This system, which divides people amongst rigid boundaries,

and assigns the relative merits of a life based on birth,

inevitably creates discrimination between people.

You seem to enjoy horse racing.

You have been reading the racing sheet quite intently, after all.

Oh, how embarrassing. I suppose I am more of a dabbler.

My wife tells me that if I have money to give to the horses,

I should replace the wallpaper first.

Well then, could I offer you some assistance?

I may be able to afford you the means

to acquire your new wallpaper, as well as a bouquet of flowers for your wife.

You aren't saying you know which horses will win, are you?

Horse racing is a game that can usually be won if one analyses the data at hand.

The Scarlet Eyes, Act 1

What about the upcoming Wessex Cup?

Which horse should I bet on?

Why, the winning horse.

Well, it wouldn't be sporting if I knew which one it was.

John Striker's horse.

The horse belonging to John Striker, the trainer, will win.

Y-You're sure about that?

I cannot be certain, but the odds are favourable.

Come to think of it, the young master predicted the last race, too.

You can't, by any chance, see into the future, can you?

Of course not. I just analysed the data.

Horse racing is a game that you can win about 80% of the time by doing so.

Analyse the data? And you can tell from doing so?

Search me.

Well, unlike us, folks in the upper class have their fancy learning.

Young master!

Please, I need your wisdom.

The flowers I sell wither up in no time when I keep them at home.

Put a little vinegar into the pail in which you store your water.

Vinegar? That's all I have to do?

Yes. But only a little bit.

Young master!

Thanks so much for your help!

I set out some strychnine and the rats disappeared entirely.

These are by way of thanks.

They are?

Then I gladly accept.

Brother...

Out and about, I see.

Yeah. I had some business to take care of.

Care to hop in? We can go home together.

Right.

Quite the smartly-dressed lad, but who is he?

Those are the Moriarty family's sons.

Oh...

The oldest, Mr Albert, and the second son, Master William.

Hmm, but the young master there-- was that the way he looked?

You seem to be as popular as ever.

Did you get asked for your advice about something again?

Today it was flowers, and a little nudging in a gambling matter.

You're everyone's adviser, or consultant, out here, too.

That knowledge palace of yours will be a world treasure someday.

You should keep on helping people the way you are.

Yes, I am endeavouring to do so.

Come to think of it,

I received these from a gentleman whom I advised about a rat extermination matter the other day.

Then those are your just desserts.

I won't say anything to the others, so you can eat them with Louis.

Thank you very much.

No...

There will be hell to pay if by some chance they find out...

...so I'll be your partner in crime.

Louis!

Welcome back, Brother.

What are you doing? You should still be in bed.

His limbs still work. He can help out a little, can't he?

But never mind him. On whose permission did you ride in the family carriage?

Mine.

Mr Albert!

Welcome home, sir--

I let him ride in the carriage.

Is that good enough?

I know that you are quite generous, Mr Albert,

but you need to maintain an appropriate distance from these two,

or I will receive a reprimand from her ladyship.

Louis, take these.

Right.

Take off that coat at once.

Although they may be Mr Albert's hand-me-downs, they are still too good for you.

You dare to clothe yourself in such costly attire and stroll around town.

One could scarcely believe that not so long ago,

you were a child who was scrounging for scraps of food in back alleys.

Imagine, me ending up serving someone of far lower class than myself.

How low I have fallen.

Simon!

You speak too freely.

B-But, Mr Albert...

What's all the commotion?

I am ever so sorry...

...Master William.

You're going out, Brother?

Yes. Today is the day I go to the ragged school.

You really are a curious one.

Even if you are doing this for the Charity Organization Society,

I don't know how you can always look in on a school for poor children.

And deliberately going out to where the grimy underclass is?

It's not something we nobles do.

I bet you caught that cold you had last week from them.

I hate it.

I hate this whole world.

And this nation, where the curse of social standing

places its mark upon the soul by birth...

...I especially hate.

Forgive me for not being able to come by last week.

I caught a bit of a cold.

That is quite all right, Lord Moriarty.

The sentiment alone is enough to please the children.

But frankly, should you not be at home resting?

No, I do not much wish to stay home right now.

Oh?

Hey, come read this book with us!

Sure, I'll be right there--

Here, it's the new book that Mr Moriarty gave us earlier!

I do not believe I have seen those two before.

Ah, yes, we took those two brothers in last week.

The younger one is so frail, the poor thing.

However, they both know how to read, and even know Latin.

Moreover, the older one is knowledgeable enough to leave the adults speechless,

and is interested in maths and chemistry.

I understand that before coming here,

they would go into the reading room of the British Museum unattended.

Their head librarian asked if we would take charge of them.

An orphan... with the knowledge to leave adults speechless?

At first, I simply regarded him as being unusual. That was all.