On a warm morning in 1841, sunlight poured gently over the streets of London.
Having just returned from an urgent trip to the United States, James felt an overwhelming sense of peace as the familiar scenery of London came back into view.
No matter what people said, there was truly no place like home.
After a long journey, even the most ordinary sights felt strangely comforting.
Even the famously filthy waters of the Thames, which people joked could melt your skin on contact, looked almost charming to him now.
During his stay in London, he had already planned everything he intended to do.
This time, he would rest.
At least three full months of doing absolutely nothing.
He would stay at home, relax, and enjoy a proper vacation like a gentleman.
Looking back, the schedule he had endured over the past few years had been utterly insane.
He had established a detective agency on Killian's behalf and built it into the most powerful investigative organization in Britain.
At the same time, he had taken advantage of the American economic crisis to acquire coal companies, locomotive manufacturers, and even major British coal firms.
All of that had happened several years ago.
Killian's instincts in business were so sharp they almost resembled precognition.
For a businessman like James, that made the work enjoyable.
After all—
If you simply followed Killian's instructions, money practically printed itself.
How could that not be satisfying?
But lately…
Something felt strange.
It was as though he had fallen into a swamp he could never escape.
Every time he felt like he had finally achieved something—
Killian would throw another enormous task at him.
There was never any chance to rest.
Take the time when Killian left for Qing China.
James had assumed that while Killian was away, his role would simply be managing existing businesses and expanding their scale.
Instead, he was suddenly ordered to travel to the New World and gather information about a mysterious potato blight.
At first, James had wondered whether his young master had finally gone mad.
But the most ridiculous part was—
The potato blight actually existed.
And if it spread, it could devastate farmers.
As if that wasn't enough, Killian had also instructed him to cooperate with Guinness in Ireland to establish breweries in Canada and the United States.
And while he was at it—
Why not expand the detective agency into America as well?
Apparently the United States was a gold mine for private detectives.
Of course, Killian never simply threw out impossible tasks.
This time as well, he had introduced the perfect man to oversee operations in America.
A Scotsman named Allan Pinkerton.
Killian had somehow identified him as one of the most talented men in the detective business.
Once again, Killian's judgment proved flawless.
With the vast financial resources and organizational strength of the British agency behind him, the American branch would likely become the most powerful detective organization in the United States within five years.
And unlike Britain, America's law enforcement was far weaker.
Which meant armed private detectives could operate with far fewer restrictions.
In other words—
It was extremely profitable.
Clearly, young Master Killian intended to rake in even more money from the United States and use it to expand his own kingdom.
Still, that was Killian's business.
For now, James intended to relax in London and recover from years of exhausting labor.
Money was no longer an issue.
He had enough wealth to live extravagantly for several lifetimes.
Perhaps he would travel to a quiet resort—
Surround himself with the finest whisky, gourmet food, and beautiful women—
And enjoy a luxurious holiday—
"James. I have another task for you."
"…Oh."
His dream shattered instantly.
The devil's summons had arrived the moment he returned to London.
"My dear young master," James said with forced politeness.
"I have only just returned from America."
"Don't worry," Killian replied casually.
"I'm not sending you back to the New World immediately."
"That's reassuring."
"This time, a prominent American congressman has come to visit Britain."
"You just need to approach him as a generous supporter and help him along."
James nodded slowly.
"That's something I'm very familiar with."
"It's practically my specialty."
Years of experience made such work second nature.
Approach a politician.
Pretend to share his ideals.
Shower him with donations.
And quietly collect useful leverage along the way.
It was one of Killian's favorite methods.
And by now, James could perform it as easily as breathing.
Poor American fool.
Whoever he was, he would soon become a puppet dancing in Killian's palm.
"But this man is a very big figure," Killian continued.
"You'll need to put more effort into him than anyone before."
"And this time, you must genuinely help him achieve his goals."
James blinked.
"…Wait. We're not just exploiting him?"
"No," Killian replied calmly.
"If his ideals succeed, it benefits me as well."
"So we need to earn his trust."
"He's been in politics for decades, though, so it won't be easy."
James frowned.
"Who exactly is this man?"
When Killian revealed the name, the answer suddenly made sense.
John Quincy Adams.
Former President of the United States.
And even after leaving office, one of the most influential figures in the House of Representatives.
"I see," James muttered.
"So I build a relationship and fund his political efforts?"
"Exactly."
"And what persona should I use this time?"
Killian smiled faintly.
"That's the key to the plan."
"From this moment on, you are a businessman who has dedicated his life to Black civil rights."
"…Yes, of course. A businessman devoted to Black civil—"
James froze.
"…Wait. What did you just say?"
"You will believe that slavery is a barbaric institution that contradicts human civilization and must be abolished."
"That will be your absolute conviction."
James stared at him.
His brain refused to process what he had just heard.
"You're telling me I need to change careers again?"
"From businessman to abolitionist revolutionary?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Killian said.
"To gain Adams' trust, you must approach him through abolitionism."
"It will bring me enormous benefits."
"I never knew you cared so deeply about the suffering of enslaved people," James said dryly.
"Apparently abolishing slavery will be extremely profitable."
"It's not emotional profit," Killian replied.
"It's real profit."
"Slavery is an outdated system. It won't survive forever."
"So we might as well pursue both humanitarian values and practical benefits."
James chuckled.
That was exactly the kind of reasoning he expected from Killian.
He had no idea what advantage slavery's abolition would bring to a British minister—
But Killian's plans always made sense eventually.
And in any case—
Refusal was never an option.
So it was better to enjoy the ride and watch Killian's schemes unfold.
"Very well," James said.
"From this moment forward, I shall become a warrior for Black civil rights."
"Good," Killian replied.
"But Adams is no fool."
"If you appear insincere even once, he will see through you immediately."
"So from now on, I'll personally train you."
"You'll need to develop your sense of human rights."
James sighed.
"…Understood."
"Good."
"Now write this down."
Killian began dictating slowly.
"I have a dream…"
"One day the United States will accept as self-evident the truth that all men are created equal."
As James copied the words, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
Which would arrive sooner—
The abolition of slavery in America…
Or the vacation that Killian kept promising but never delivered?
I too have a dream, James thought.
A dream that one day my master will grant me an actual year-long vacation.
Strangely enough—
That thought filled him with unexpected empathy.
He felt genuine sympathy for the enslaved people suffering under oppression.
Perhaps his compassion had truly grown.
Thanks entirely to his young master.
After about a week of intensive training under my supervision, James had successfully transformed into a flawless champion of human rights.
To be honest, there were moments when even I was surprised.
When condemning the brutal conditions endured by slaves, he even managed to tear up convincingly.
Well.
They say that if a dog studies in a village school for three years, it eventually learns to recite poetry.
Apparently, years of acting had improved his performance.
At this level, even Adams would have no choice but to believe James was sincere.
And indeed—
When I first introduced them, Adams had looked somewhat skeptical.
But as James answered his questions fluently, that suspicion gradually faded.
"So you have succeeded not only in Britain, but also in the United States?" Adams asked.
"Yes," James replied calmly.
"I believed the United States would never collapse because of a mere economic downturn."
"That is why I boldly acquired coal mining and locomotive companies during the crisis."
"I continued investing aggressively, and now those investments are beginning to bear fruit."
Adams nodded approvingly.
"Indeed."
"The United States may still lag behind Britain economically, but our nation possesses immense potential."
"A temporary recession cannot destroy it."
"You have earned your fortune wisely."
"But tell me…"
Adams leaned forward.
"Why would a man who has earned such wealth care so passionately about abolishing slavery?"
James answered without hesitation.
"Because it is the right thing to do."
"Not every capitalist sells his soul for money."
"I believe those who accumulate great wealth also bear great responsibility to society."
He continued calmly.
"Why am I able to build a fortune greater than many noble families who inherited their wealth?"
"It is because society has moved beyond the barbaric past and allowed capitalism and meritocracy to flourish."
Adams smiled.
"So you believe that since society allowed you to succeed, you must help society progress further."
"That is a lesson many businessmen should learn."
James' argument would sound absurd to most industrialists of the era.
The concept of corporate social responsibility would not emerge for another century and a half.
But for politicians who relied on wealthy patrons—
It was irresistible rhetoric.
"I have visited the United States many times," James continued.
"I have always admired its immense potential."
"But that potential exists primarily in the North."
"In the South, the situation is entirely different."
"The cruelty of slavery—something Britain has already abolished—seems to me a serious obstacle to American progress."
"And if American progress stagnates…"
"My own business cannot grow either."
"That realization led me to study slavery more closely."
"And I concluded that this relic of a barbaric age must disappear."
Adams sighed.
"I agree."
"But achieving that goal will require overcoming many obstacles."
"The political interests involved are extremely complex."
"The South will never accept abolition."
"Even the courts are heavily influenced by pro-slavery interests."
"I know," James said.
"That is why the Amistad case occurred."
Adams looked startled.
"You know about that case?"
"The verdict was only delivered earlier this year."
"I would not expect a British citizen to be familiar with it."
"It seems your concern for this issue is genuine."
The Amistad case had been a major controversy in the United States.
A Spanish slave ship had been seized after enslaved Africans revolted and took control of the vessel.
Spain demanded their return as property.
But the Africans had originally been illegally kidnapped.
After a dramatic legal battle—
And a remarkable speech by Adams himself—
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the captives.
Adams was extremely proud of the case.
And understandably so.
When people across the Atlantic praised his efforts, it clearly pleased him.
I decided to reinforce the praise.
"I deeply admire Congressman Adams' courage," I said.
"You defended human dignity even while opposing the President."
Adams chuckled modestly.
"You give this old man too much credit."
"Not at all," I replied.
"Thanks to you, the United States has taken a meaningful step forward in history."
Adams had once said that if justice required it, he would accept even civil war.
Of course—
He had never imagined that such a war might actually happen.
Yet his legal victory had undeniably deepened the division between North and South.
Even now, the American Congress remained bitterly divided over the issue.
"I never expected to have such enlightening discussions here in Britain," Adams said happily.
"As expected of a minister from the nation that abolished slavery first."
"Well then," I replied,
"James here would very much like to assist you."
"And if it helps your cause, I will gather detailed records of the debates that occurred when Britain abolished slavery—"
"including the arguments of the opposition and how they were defeated."
The conflict over slavery was destined to explode sooner or later.
So what difference did it make when it happened?
After all—
There was an old saying.
Better to be struck by the whip sooner rather than later.
Of course…
Whether that was truly better—
Only time would tell.