27 – Do not introduce a Chinese (3)
Moran didn’t expect a good reaction, but she laughed at Moriarty’s words as if they were ridiculous.
“Pssh! You’re a weakling, Visily. Weaker than me. Which means, I won’t be heeding your words.”
“Really? Then why did you let yourself be captured by me, Moran?”
At Visily’s question, Moran’s eyes narrowed. Despite the provocation and her snide laughter, her opponent asked her nonchalantly.
No, he questioned her as if it was obvious that he was superior, as if she was naive.
Moran, who had never been taught by a teacher or attended a school in her 10 years of life, didn’t know this was the attitude of a professor.
But the girl, who instinctively disliked someone taking superiority, answered his question, while revealing her discontent.
“I didn’t give myself up to you, idiot. I just did as Fu Manchu commanded. So even if I don’t like it, I have to follow you for now. Because I’m weaker.”
“In that case, isn’t it contradictory, Moran? According to your words, Fu Manchu must have ordered me to follow. Why don’t you simply obey?”
“I’m not Moran, I hate that name. And just because I’m weak now, doesn’t mean I won’t become stronger one day.”
Pleased by the defiant girl’s words, Moriarty nodded his head with a smile, just like a professor would at a student’s wrong answer.
Nevertheless, nobody knew that this expression was one he wore when he chose to tutor a student who, despite giving incorrect answers, showed potential and could be guided into a doctoral degree program. No one else was as academically advanced as Moriarty.
She had given a satisfying answer. If Moran had hesitated to answer or decided to obey Fu Manchu’s command, realizing her stupidity, he would have had to lower his evaluation of Moran.
But that wasn’t the case.
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Even though she wasn’t born as a complete werewolf and couldn’t transform into one, and was considered physically weaker than the others, the girl had aspirations and ambitions to climb higher.
Of course, Moriarty had no intention of letting Moran reach his level. However, he was willing to let her rise just below him, allowing it as her master and ruler, depending on her effort.
“Looks like I’ve got more than one or two things to teach you then. Starting with how to be a person, not a beast.”
“I won’t learn from you, Visily.”
“You don’t have the right to refuse, Moran. I’m the one who decides.”
“Grrr!”
The girl bared her teeth again. Yet she didn’t attempt to step forward any more. Even a slight change like this confused her. It felt as if she was scurrying away, intimidated by Visily’s gaze.
But that was strange. She shouldn’t feel this way towards someone so visibly weak. It would have made sense if it were her brothers who often abused her for their amusement, or the strong Fu Manchu whom even those brothers obeyed.
However, to a young, naive girl who had only ever understood the law of the jungle, the man in front of her was a perplexing entity.
So she thought differently. She couldn’t pinpoint why, but Visily had a crowd of subordinates around him who were strong unlike her, and unlike him.
I’m just feeling intimidated by his underlings, Moran convinced herself. She didn’t like her name, but the girl had taken to thinking of herself as Moran at some point.
Of course, that didn’t mean she would respond when Visily mockingly called her by that ridiculous name.
There was a moment of silence. The one who first approached Moran was Moriarty.
Go ahead, try hitting me, Moran taunted Moriarty, thinking that way. She was well aware of how the weak Visily, even in East End, had sprained his hand trying to hit her.
Even though she was still on the weaker side, she was stronger than the man in front of her. That was an obvious fact to Moran.
To survive the harsh life on the streets, she had to be strong. That’s how she could live. If she was weak, she either died or had to follow the stronger one.
Ever since she was born as the illegitimate daughter of a prostitute in East End, Moran had endured fear, curses, scorn from her half-brothers who bullied her and were disappointed by Fu Manchu considering her worth no more than half a penny – she survived, all because she was strong.
Yet, she was beaten for not begging or pickpocketing properly according to Fu Manchu’s gang or for starving – all because she was weak.
But this place was different. This wasn’t East End, and there was no Fu Manchu. At first, Moran simply pretended to follow Fu Manchu’s orders while waiting for an opportunity to escape.
So, she was surprised at Moriarty’s unexpected words after a moment of observing her.
“So, you’re not going to follow me?”
“I’ve told you, you’re weak. I don’t follow the weak.”
“A true wolf pup. Well, fine. Do as you please, Moran. Go out and live however you want.”
“…What? A trick?”
“I’m serious. As libertarians, we should respect human freedom and choice. Of course, Moran, you’re not yet completely human, so you might not understand this.”
Having lived on the streets, she naturally developed the skill to be perceptive. Therefore, Moran could tell that the man in front of her was sincere. But having lived on the streets, she couldn’t help but be suspicious, even if it was the truth. So, she strived to decipher any hidden trick in the man’s gaze.
Moran, with her wolf-like pupils, locked eyes with Moriarty, whose cold gaze mirrored the freezing glaciers. For a moment, Moran involuntarily shivered. He looked like an average person, but she felt bound by an alien sensation that was simultaneously familiar but distinct.
She felt as if she was facing a venomous snake head-on. The confidence of the man who she internally belittled as weak was unimaginable.
Therefore, even as the man softly comforted her like a doting father to his daughter, bending over to pat her shoulders, the girl was left helpless.
“As I said, everything is your freedom, Ms. Moran. But it would be wise to remember that this world belongs to people. Your choices, regrets, they are all yours.”
“What…What are you saying…?”
“I’m simply relaying truths about your future if you leave. You can’t return to East End. After all, you were the prize that Fu Manchu promised. It’s not a big deal. You can continue to live like you used to, as a petty thief in the streets.
“But how long do you think that can last, Moran? Wolves are strongest in a pack. A lone wolf is eventually hunted down. As you said, that is a weaker existence. As you grow, it will become difficult to live as a petty thief. You do know there are hierarchies and organizations even among pickpockets and beggars, don’t you? You can’t overthrow that alone. You know that. So you’ll have to work. Of course, there are plenty of jobs.
“Here in England, Moran, it’s a beautiful place where everyone works. There are children cleaning chimneys as young as three. Of course, most of them die before they even turn five, but there are always others to replace them. You can find a factory to work anywhere. Plenty of workers, and plenty of factories.”
“So… and then?”
Having little education and solely surviving on the streets, she honestly couldn’t fully understand the man’s words and intentions. But the girl found herself being sucked into the man’s sermon-like speech.
“If you think factory girls are only meant for factory work, you’re an ignorant but blissful wolf, Moran. Most sell their bodies as a side job. You’ll probably have to do the same. Of course, people might say you’re half beast, but there must be benefactors with such unusual preferences, right?
“Then, you’ll have to spend most of your nights with factory owners, who mostly prefer virgins. And you need to be lucky, Moran, for if someone rapes you or you find someone you like and sleep with them first, the factory owners will certainly be angry.
“These noble English gentlemen always complain about how their precious virgins are captured by men with no roots when they should be comforting them. And then the pub owner will beat you for deceiving him, he will incur a debt on you. The cycle continues. If you’re lucky, you’ll die before you turn thirty. Or else, as the weaker being, you’ll continue to live such a life until death. You have the freedom to choose such a life, Moran. So do as you please.”
I’ll make it so.
The girl felt as though she was hearing unspoken words from the man.
That’s why Moran didn’t answer. Maybe it was out of fear.
At least for now, Moriarty was sure he managed to quell Moran’s desperation to escape. Satisfied, he reassured her by patting her shoulder, even as he stroked her head, the girl did not resist.
Of course, it was a temporary measure. But hereafter, he intended to tame the wolf by demonstrating his strength right next to her.
Raising his head, Moriarty glanced at his subordinates who were watching him and Moran. Each time their eyes met, they guiltily avoided his gaze, but that was fine.
While he didn’t particularly enjoy such an act, his ignorant henchmen admired theatrical exaggeration. For his future plans, he felt the need to declare and inform them partially in advance.
“My dear gentlemen and ladies, we will have to keep busy for a while again. I’ve always kept my promises, and I will this time as well. But like I said when I started this, I’m not content with just staying here. Mac.”
“Yes, boss!”
“Keep all the men, except the necessary ones, ready and armed. It will end within two months, so absolutely keep it a secret. If it leaks, I’m going to throw that person to the snake pit after cutting off their limbs. Dozer.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Utilise all resources to observe and report all those coming into the West End. Especially keep an eye on those coming from East End, follow their trail, and remove them if necessary.”
When the head commands, the body obeys. It was a universal rule.
Having issued the necessary orders, Moriarty began to speak again.
“There’s no need to be too tense. You all know how to play chess, right? Just like the game ends when the king is captured, we’ll capture the King of the East End first.”
“…But he’s Fu Manchu. Can it really be that simple, boss?”
Most of them never asked Moriarty for reasons. Even if they did, most of them couldn’t understand, and shared a belief that if they followed the professor, everything would somehow work out. Some weren’t even allowed to ask.
Porlock was an exception who dared to cast such doubts, to which Moriarty smiled.
“Haven’t I said, Porlock? Whether it’s a massive empire or a gang, they collapse from the inside. Soon, our client will revisit us from East End.”
The likes of Porlock nodded at this. Of course, not one truly understood, but they had no choice, as the Professor’s lectures were rarely kind.
As she watched Moriarty narrate, Moran unknowingly bit her dry lips. With her understanding, it seemed like something unimaginable was about to happen. Even though it seemed like the man was simply rambling, what would happen if he was actually right? The girl couldn’t help but feel lost. She might not have realised it, but the wolf was slowly being tamed.
The eldest son of Fu Manchu returned to M as a client a week later.
