Black Butler (黒執事)

Damn it again.

We almost got that one.

The hunt is only as worthwhile

as the fox is clever.

You coming?

What, in there?

You know where we are.

That's the haunted wood.

We can't go in.

Don't tell me you believe in that fairytale nonsense?

I didn't say that!

- Trespassers! -

Turn back!

Werewolves guard these woods.

A wretched curse upon any soul they find here!

My God!

- Who is that old crone? - Bah!

I've no idea. Let's just carry on.

- Ja. All right. - Fools Naught

but death awaits you!

What did you find, boys?

- - I don't see the fox.

Then why are they barking?

What the hell was that?

How would I know?

That thing.

Was that...?

A werewolf?

Impossible.

- Herr Reinald. -

- Huh? - Allow me to welcome you back.

A rather startling welcome.

May I ask you how you fared on the hunt?

Goodness, did something happen?

- Your nose is bleeding. -

Herr Reinald?

What's wrong, Reinald? Please, speak to me!

What's going on?

Reinald, no! Stay with me!

Herr Breegel, you...

I, what?

"A pleasure to meet you."

Come now, my lord.

That was an act of phoneticide.

Now try again.

Correctly, this time.

EMERALD WITCH ARC

I can't learn and ride.

It makes me sick.

We can't have that, now can we?

Why must I learn how to speak German?

It should be enough that I can read it.

Did you say...

Germany?

Yes.

Her Majesty is curious about some recent deaths there.

"Suspicious," she called them.

I shall leave soon to investigate.

She wishes for you to handle this in person?

Yes, though I cannot pretend

to understand her reasoning.

A Phantomhive's role is to manage

England's underworld, not Germany's.

"Woe is me, my dear boy..."

"I fear a series of suspicious deaths

has plagued the south of Germany."

"I'm told the victims were of good health

before suddenly being blighted by this

unknown malady, warping their flesh

and stealing their lives."

"As you know, my mother and late husband

once called Germany home, and my grandson, William,

now rules there as Emperor."

"I sent word to Willy,

asking if he was in need of medical aid.

However, neither he nor his government

seem capable of providing a clear answer."

"I can only fear the worst."

So Germany's committed to keeping mum, eh?

Thus impeding any official action from the crown.

Seems that's reason enough for this task to fall to you.

So she implies.

The request isn't odd,

as duty has taken us abroad before,

but I fail to understand

why it's necessary in this case.

Why not ask her for a clearer explanation?

Because she wouldn't give one.

That's beside the point.

A dog's place is chasing bones,

not asking why they've been thrown.

Perhaps it's not just you

but the Phantomhive underground information network

that she's entrusting to resolve this?

It does extend well across Europe

and the Asian continent.

I did inherit you-know-who from my father,

and he is in Germany.

I think Chlaus should pay him a visit.

See to it.

At once.

It's been far too long, Chlaus.

Apologies for the sudden invitation.

Nonsense. It's quite all right.

If anything, it serves to match

the suddenness of your butler's appearance.

Enough steam for you, sir?

I must admit, he gave me quite a shock,

considering that the sauna was in Finland.

I do hope that you'll forgive my intrusion, sir.

Well, I'm just glad your holiday didn't take you

too far away this time.

Unlike when you had wandered off

to the other side of the world.

Ja, travel is the only pastime left

for old men like me.

Now then...

why don't we shift our conversation

to the German souvenir you requested?

I called upon him as soon as I arrived in this country,

but he was "too busy" and turned me away.

Oh?

And so, I was forced to follow up

on the incidents myself.

Which, in turn,

sent me into the middle of nowhere.

I visited several villages and estates

at which the deaths had occurred.

Yet, there were no signs of an epidemic

amongst the population.

I also confirmed the victims

had otherwise been in good health.

I tried asking about the cause of death

but always received the same answer.

"It was the witch's curse."

How daft.

Whatever it was it didn't discriminate

by age or gender.

In fact, I found only one commonality.

The victims had all visited the same forest

before their deaths.

It's called the "Werewolves' Forest."

So, locals consider it to be forbidden ground.

It was all very occultic.

I should say so.

The Werewolves' Forest.

Interesting.

Ja, well, from the 14th

to the 17th centuries,

Southern Germany was the site of many a brutal witch hunt.

Legend has it the surviving witches fled to the forest

and settled there.

Then, they unleashed their werewolf familiars

to protect their place of refuge from intruders.

Ever since then, it's been called

the "Werewolves' Forest,"

and it's said that anyone who sets foot inside

its bounds shall be cursed.

So, people are dying of witchcraft?

What poppycock.

Exactly the response I expected.

Still, that was all the information I could gather.

Sad to say.

No, it's fine.

You did more than I asked.

It would seem I'm fated to go in person.

Now, onto a new subject.

I have another request for you.

Undertaker has disappeared.

Really?

That's quite strange.

Having known him since my father's time as earl,

I'd hoped you'd grace me with some of your insight.

Anything at all.

No detail is too small.

Hm.

I'm afraid he and I make it a point