Update coming up, a short one in preparation for tomorrow I'm afraid. Blame me and my eu3 game, but at least I'm updating everyday.
However, I'm saving the last bit of this chapter also because that I want to build up the reader's mood here.
BTW, since people asked. If I did not specifically specify the language, the dialogue between Rommel and others will be in French.
Text uploaded, a small image may be added later.
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Rommel eyed Holmes and Watson closely. Who might the two Englishmen be, and what are their objectives?
“Monsieur, I wish that you can understand that we meant no harm here, but only wish that you can cooperate with us here,” said Holmes.
Rommel ignored Holmes, rather preparing to melt away.
“It seems that you are still not willing to tell anything. I’m afraid I should take you down at this very spot to make you speak.”
Holmes got into his fighting stance of a boxer, swinging from side to side as he approached Rommel rapidly with his fist clenched tightly before his face.
Rommel realized that he had attracted more attention then he had wanted already, as a crowd was visbly gathering, and decided to put a quick end to the fight as he dodged Holmes fists. Holmes’ fists were swift and unforgiving, as if stinging hornets. However, they were not unpredictable.
It was not long before Rommel caught one Holmes’ left fist in mid-air and pulled it straight down, while instantly lifting his knee. The twin moves resulted in Rommel smashing Holmes’ wrist with his knee. Before Holmes could even react to Rommel’s sudden attack, Rommel pulled Holmes over through Holmes’ injured left hand, and extended his lifted leg to land his jackboot on Holmes’ ribs in another double motion attack.
“Something is…” said Rommel as he let go of Holmes and let him fall, feeling that his kick felt a little different on Holmes.
“Holmes!” cried Watson as he rushed to Holmes’ side.
“I’m alright,” said Holmes to Watson before he turned to Rommel again. His left wrist bone appeared to be shattered, and the shoulder joint were also to dislocated. However the kick that could have potentially broken one of Holmes’ ribs seemed to have no effect on Holmes.
“I was expecting a powerful opponent, so I prepared some protection for myself, but it seems I had underestimated you too much” said Holmes as he got up and patted his torso with his right. The sound revealing the existence of some sort of padding.
“However, I am not here for a fight. In fact, I happened to be working for the British Government on this occasion in an investigation with a certain degree of cooperation with the Italian Government,” continued Holmes. “There were many strange killings in Britain right now, and a month ago I also received news that there were similar killings done in the same fashion here in Italy and came to investigate the possible relationship between the killings that happened in the two repective countries. The killings that recently happened here showed more distinct resemblance between the murders.”
“I suppose you have something to do with the French Government, and you are related to all these events in varying degree,” remarked Holmes. “If it is so, is it possible for a cooperation to be formed? We do wish to request your help.”
Although surprised at who Holmes might actually be, and what he might know. However, Rommel kept quiet for a while before he finally spoke.
“I suppose you already expect me to reject, am I right?” said Rommel finally as he began to melt into the crowd that was forming around them.
“Don’t chase after him… ” said Holmes to Watson as he held his companion back. “He is too powerful for us to challenge at the moment. Anywyas, I have the feeling we will meet again… together with the one depicted in our strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” said Holmes quietly as he saw the shape of Rommel disappear behind the gathering crowd and hold out a photograph of a painting by blood. A painting of an angel… of death, Thanatos.
A while later, in front of Rachmaninoff’s residence
Rommel returned to Rachmaninoff’s residence a bit exhausted after a long day, especially because of the fight he got himself into. However Rommel concentrated his self on how to make Aria eat more during dinner.
Suddenly a frantic Rachmaninoff appeared and went straight for Rommel as soon as he saw his guest.
“Monsieur Rachmaninoff, what is the matter. Why do you appear…” begun Rommel.
“Never mind me, Major Rommel…” said Rachmaninoff out of breath. “Aria… aria is gone… We can’t find her anywhere.”
Rommel was stunned by Rachmaninoff’s words, as if they were part of a petrifying spell.
“How… how can that be…” muttered Rommel to himself. The next moment he was out of sight, dashing through the street in search of Aria.