Kuro Shitsuji ep 9
TL By Pada
His Butler,
-ED-
His Butler,
A Phan
tasm
So then, what was this matter you wanted to discuss with us?
There is a job I want you three to do.
J-o-b?
What a relief!
Being called up to the young master, I thought we were going to be fired for sure!
This is one of the items that Talbot is said to have collected; a camera with a past.
I heard this long-lost item had suddenly come up at auction,
and I went to quite some trouble to acquire it.
Talcum?
William Henry Fox Talbot.
He was an English scientist, and one of the inventors of photographic technology.
William Henry Fox Talbot.
There is a strange rumour surrounding the final camera he used.
It says that if you take a picture of someone with the camera,
then the being most treasured by that person may also be revealed in the photograph.
The thing most important to that person?
And this is that nifty camera?
Let’s take one as a test.
Don’t move. This camera takes ten seconds for the negative exposure.
What’s negative exposure?
Put simply, it reflects and burns Finny’s image.
If you don’t stay still for ten seconds, it will blur and won’t come out properly.
Eight. Nine. Ten.
All right.
It was fine to breathe, though…
Ah! That’s my little bird!
Huh? You had a little bird?
How cute!
I gave it food every day and eventually it would come to eat from my hand.
I was so happy, and when I went to pet it nicely…
It stopped moving.
Y—You mean it…
Ah, I forgot to mention something.
The precious thing that is reflected is something which does not belong in this world.
In other words, only the dead.
Th—The dead?
By that, you mean…
The most precious thing to that person which is not of this world.
In other words, it means the dead will be transposed to the photograph.
Do occult stories like that really exist in this 19th Century world?
How amazing! What an exceptional camera!
Ah, my little birdie!
Take a picture of Sebastian with this camera.
However, do it without him realising.
A sneak photo?
Yeah.
Wh—Who is the one that Sebastian cares most for?
I’d kind of like to know.
That bastard is always finding flaws in my artistic cooking!
He’s human, too!
He must have a weak point or two!
This is our chance!
You’ll do it, right?
Yes, my Lord!
Ah, I’ve always wanted to say that!
I said it!
If a picture was taken of “that thing” with this camera,
I really do wonder what would come up.
This will be something to see.
At this time of day, Sebastian is normally in the library.
Stay still!
I—It’s ten seconds!
Ten seconds.
So fast!
He’s so fast I’m having trouble keeping track of him with my eyes!
Damn it! There’s no way we can snap him like this.
Ah. He stopped!
Great. Now’s our chance!
I forgot to take it.
How wonderful.
Next up is the cleaning of various rooms.
Watch out!
Then come his daily duties in the butler room.
Come in.
Was there something you wanted?
It’s untied.
Understood.
Sebastian, your face looks wonderful in profile as well.
All right! Now, just like that!
Four. Five. Six…
Let’s let some air in.
Why do we have to go to all this trouble just to take a single photo?
There is a job I’d like to ask all of you to do.
Wh—What is it?
That.
What’s up with the pooch?
In the afternoon, we shall be receiving a guest.
Please move that somewhere out of sight before then, that it will not offend our guest’s eyes.
Somewhere out of sight being…
I will leave that up to you.
Hey, we have our own jobs to do as well.
You can do it in between your other jobs. Just make sure it is done before our guest arrives.
Now I should be able to concentrate on my own work for a while.
Plu Plu, come here!
Here, now!
W—Wow! Plu can breathe fire, too!
That’s a Devil Dog for you.
Wait. This is no time to be dawdling!
For Heaven’s sake. What are they doing?
Is something the matter?
No. Nothing. I will take dinner in here today as well.
Understood.
-mid-
Good grief. Those three…
It would probably be better if they were just eaten by him.
Oh, my.
What a supple body, and soft paws.
Ah. Cats are so sublime.
Why does something always interrupt?
I’m sorry, Young Master.
But Bard has thought up a cunning plan!
It came to me after seeing the pooch breathe fire.
Don’t go using any flame-throwers.
How depressing.
Earl!
Master Lau!
What did you come here for?
I heard something interesting was going on.
Go home.
Don’t say such cold things.
Leave this to me.
The spider’s web has already been woven.
The more you struggle, the harder it becomes to escape from those bonds.
Whatever the prey, once they get involved with me, catching them is only a matter of time.
All right. However, I will not tolerate failure.
No matter what.
But of course.
If I sullied the Phantomhive name, I’d be ejected from this country, after all.
So, what are we doing?
Welcome.
I am Paul Jones of the Brit Business Company.
Mr. Jones, we have been awaiting your arrival.
This way, please.
And so it begins.
What is with that?
Oh, how strange.
I thought that would definitely make that butler stop and look for a second.
I am an idiot for believing in you for even a moment.
It’s too early to give up yet.
Wow!
Wait. That’s not the right target!
Where is he?
Mr. Jones?
Oh. Oh, yes!
Ah, how strange.
What a waste of time.
There is the Executive Director of the Phantom Company, Mr. Tanaka.
Well then, I shall begin my questions immediately.
I wonder what the earl is doing all on his own.
Is he sulking?
He said he wanted to think on his own for a while, but…
The young master is pretty serious this time.
To stop that thing for ten seconds…
This was the last thing I wanted to resort to,
but I guess I have no choice but to make that move.
Next, can you please tell me what the Phantom Company’s business strategy is from here on out?
Huh?
Currently, our company specialises in toy manufacturing and confectionery as its principal business.
However, from here on out, we will expand into other areas as well.
At the present moment, our company…
Yes?
is proceeding with its plan to widen its business within Europe.
To begin with, we will expand with new branches in Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam and Athens.
In addition, within the next five years, including those in North America, we plan to have a presence in 30 countries.
Also, in Provence, in the south of France, we plan to have a sweet factory, and in Salzburg, in Austria, we will build a toy factory.
We are working very hard to ensure there are ample quantities of all our products.
The Phantom Company is always striving to maintain and improve the quality of all products under our brand!
Phantomhive
Using stale materials or reusing unsold products is blasphemy!
Only products that have gone through rigorous testing, multiple times, are allowed to be part of the
Phantom line and released into the cities.
Also, our company motto is: “The customer is always right”.
No matter what remote land they hail from, we shall be there to assist them with our products at a moment’s notice!
We deliver our flawless products, through a flawless delivery system, right to our customer’s door.
That is the Phantomhive way.
Right?
That is all.
Th—Thank you very much.
The last thing I need now is a single picture.
A picture?
If possible, with you included as well.
I must decline.
I am just one hell of a butler, after all.
Today, I have prepared the Devil Dog Cake from our trip to Houndsworth.
Devil Dog Cake
Why is there something like this…
It seems that Bard and the others bought an insane quantity of it.
How did the article go?
Tanaka showed his formidable strengths as company president.
I see. Well, it’s not like I can be the face of the company at present.
Yes. There was a photograph taken at the end as well.
A photograph?
Yes. Lately, it seems that having a photographic portrait accompany an article is the fashion.
I see.
Young Master, how about having one taken as well?
Nonsense.
It’s about time.
Is this really all right?
Yeah.
But…
It’s fine. Just do it!
Yes!
Young Master!
Isn’t this a wonderful scene?
You’re late.
I’m sorry.
I was making preparations for tonight’s dinner.
Today’s main dish is a Rouen-style roast duck.
I see.
You should have just ordered me to let you take it.
What?
Whatever you order me to do, I will do right away.
What are you talking about?
We finally took one!
The fruits of a day’s hard labour!
That’s the young master for you.
All right. I’m beginning to see it.
Plu Plu?
Plu?
Aren’t you going to go and see, Earl?
Good.
He has once again concocted a most elaborate prank.
Sleep outside at night.
Excuse me. It is time for bed.
Sleeping out here like this… How sloppy.
That aside, it would seem that the number of unnecessary jobs has increased again.
Sebastian got transposed!
So then, the one the who is most important to the young master is Sebastian?
So, that’s how it is.
They’re really close friends!
The young master is my rival.
What should I do?
Ah! Plu Plu!
Which means…
So, the one Sebastian cares for the most is Plu?
Is that true?
Or is it really the young master?
Which is it?
I’m honoured.
Shut up.
It is your own fault for leaving yourself defenceless while asleep.
You bastard.
The image reflected in a picture is but an illusion.
However, even if it is an illusion, wishing to hold onto it is one of the hollow dreams humans have.
But wait. Wasn’t that camera only supposed to transpose things like my little birdie?
Why is Sebastian transposed?
Well, whatever!
Nothing I say comes out right.
I can't love without a fight.
No one ever knows my name.
When I pray for sun, it rains.
I'm so sick of wasting time,
but nothing's moving in my mind.
Inspiration can't be found.
I get up and fall, but...
I'm alive!
Oh yeah!
Between the good and bad is where you'll find me,
reaching for Heaven!
I will fight!
And I'll sleep when I die!
I live my life!
I'm alive!
Oh yeah!
Between the good and bad is where you'll find me,
reaching for Heaven!
I will fight!
And I'll sleep when I die!
I live my hard life!
I live my life! I'm alive!
-Preview-
The season of the Frost Fayre Market, which takes place atop the frozen river, has arrived.
The young master ends up enjoying himself while visiting the place.
Your heart will melt seeing such a pure and innocent child’s face
as it gives you a sense of warmth.
Next time on Kuroshitsuji:
Next
His Butler, On Ice
His Butler, On Ice.
His Butler, On Ice
Preview
After all, I am one hell of a butler.
We shall await you next time…