The Canpania, a luxury cruise liner from Great Britain that suddenly appeared in the Dream World…-.
The ship was packed full with creatures called the Walking Dead, and it was an unusual situation when the Dream Eaters were given chase.
Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his butler Sebastien had also arrived from this other world and assisted OO in gathering information and handling the situation.
…
……
Hourai, Land of Four Seasons…-.
As if celebrating the end of the Walking Dead, the sun shone bright and warm.
Oka: “Earl Ciel Phantomhive, I would like to once again offer my thanks for your help in protecting this country. If you hadn’t been here, who knows what would have happened.”
Toya: “Truly, thank you. I apologize that our hospitality is so meager since it was rushed…-.”
The following day, Ciel was to give chase after the Walking Dead to the Land of Koubai.
Ciel: “No thanks is necessary. These are originally monsters from my world after all. And there was no need for you to put yourselves out like this.”
To unravel the mysteries of the Walking Dead, Ciel needed to a potent power to return to his own world…
Ciel had thought to gather the royal families, who had both influence and information, for a tea party to assess if there was anything he might obtain, but…-.
Hikage: “Anyway, it’s so warm you’d never know that we’re in the middle of winter right now! I wanna go swimming!”
Kaede: “As you might imagine, that’s not possible. Well, still, I doubt you’ll catch a cold, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”*
Hikage: “What did you say!?”
Oka: “Come now you two, don’t fight in front of our guests! Plus you need to regulate yourselves so you don’t inadvertently make Toya laugh…-.”
Toya: “Oka’s mad again… haha.”
As Ciel watched, he saw the peaceful, normal days of the princes unfold.
Sebastien: “Your tea, my lord.”
Sebastien expertly prepared and served the tea.
The high quality tea leaves that were the pride of Hourai gave off a pleasant fragrance, yet Ciel’s expression seemed downcast.
Hikage: “But man, your butler is something else! It was… Sebastien, right? I can’t believe how strong you are, plus you’re crazy good at serving tea!”
Kaede: “My servants were surprised as well. They were debating how you could prepare the tea to taste so delicious.”
Sebastien: “You flatter me.”
Oka: “I was a bit ashamed seeing as we’re the ones acting as hosts…”
Ciel: “Pay it no mind. He is my butler after all. He simply acts according to my orders. …such a waste.”
Toya: “What’s wrong?”
Ciel: “It’s nothing, never mind.”
Time continued to pass in peace, and Ciel let out another sigh.
Hikage: “Hey, is OO not here yet?”
Oka: “One of my attendants just told me she is a bit delayed getting dressed in her kimono.”
Kaede: “Ah, so that’s it. I can already imagine her running around in a panic.”
Oka: “Haha, that is very much like her.”
Toya: “Yeah. The Walking Dead were a disaster for sure… but I’m glad we could see OO.”
Ciel: “…”
Ciel still had trouble with the fact that OO was the one person who stood at the summit of power in the Dream World.
She didn’t conduct herself like nobility at all, and she acted like a regular person wherever she went…
If he hadn’t seen the mysterious power she possessed with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it at all.
Ciel: “You all think very highly of the Princess of Traumere.”
Hikage: “Hmmm… I guess that’s true. I think she’s a super amazing person.”
Ciel: “…?”
Hikage: “Oh, it’s just OO is always putting others ahead of herself.”
Oka: “True. But she tends to sympathize with people too much, and that leads to her getting hurt often.”
Kaede: “…you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at her though.”
Toya: “When I couldn’t smile… she really worried about me.”
Oka: “But she’s always showing us just how important that kindness is.”
Hikage: “Yeah! That’s why everyone always smiles when they’re around her!”
Ciel: “…”
Ciel was beyond shocked and instead felt the hint of irritation stir in his heart.
Ciel: “No one puts themselves before everyone else.”
This was why Ciel hoped he could utilize the princes.
Ciel: “No matter how beautiful, or how average looking, when you dig deep enough, everyone is out for themselves… that’s just how people are.”
Sebastien: “…”
Sebastien smiled slightly as he watched the conversation develop.
Yet even as the tension seemed to rise, in the space of an instant…-.
Hikage: “Yeah, that’s why she’s so amazing!”
Hikage’s projected voice echoed up to the sky.
Ciel: “What…?”
Hikage: “Because that’s how she is, it’s fun to be with her, and she’s always there to help!”
Oka: “Haha, I feel the same as Hikage.”
Kaede: “She always says how she loves to see everyone smile… with a bottomless amount of innocence.”
Toya: “But in that, we’re the same… everyone here wants to see OO smile.”
Ciel: “Like I said, that’s just how…-.”
Hikage: “Anyway, Ciel! You wanna go for a walk over there? The scenery around here is gorgeous! Since you’re here, I want you to enjoy yourself to the fullest!”
Ciel felt only exhaustion, unable to find a way to reply to Hikage.
Ciel: “…Sebastien. You’re certain it’s winter, right?”
Sebastien: “Yes. In this world, in this country… it is currently winter.”
Ciel: “I see… their world truly is on a whole other level. It’s no wonder then that it’s so warm even though it’s winter.”
Ciel looked up to the warm sun that shone down, and smiled slightly.
END
Translator Note: There’s a Japanese saying that idiots can’t catch colds, so Kaede is calling Hikage out here.