End of the nineteenth century—as the social season was coming to a close…

… There occurred a serial murder case that shook Great Britain to its core.

The victims were all prostitutes. Every one of them was discovered chopped into pieces, their wombs stolen right out of their bodies

Because of the hideous state in which the victims were found, the killer became known as—

"Jack the Ripper."

~Ciel's POV~

Ciel and Sebastian leaned against the side of a closed-down building next to a prostitute's house. They were both in disguise, with Ciel dressed as an East End peasant boy, and Sebastian dressed in a long black trench coat. He shivered, the bitter cold penetrating his delicate skin.

"It's cold…" he muttered, wheezing ever so slightly.

Sebastian looked over at him, not at all affected by the freeze. "Though your usual garb would have stood out in the East End… You must be feeling chill in those clothes? It looks like it might rain as well."

Sebastian began unbuttoning his coat, but Ciel placed his hand on top of his. "Wearing that will make me stand out as much. So I'll pass. You're certain he'll make an appearance if we keep watch here, right?" Sebastian stopped, his slender fingers hesitating.

"Yes. That is the only entrance, and… This is the only path that leads to it."

"And you're positive the next target will be Mary Kelly, who lives in that tenement?"

"Yes. I think I have told you as much numerous times?" Sebastian sighed. "Though the two of us lying in wait here makes us stick out like sore thumbs…"

"Quite… In addition to the murdered prostitutes 'lacking internal organs'… There is still another 'commonality.'" Ciel lowered his head, looking down at his worn-out boots. "But… What makes killing them a necessity for him? Moreover, I…"

Ciel glanced over at Sebastian, and covered his mouth and nose instinctively. "… HEY, ARE YOU LISTENING TO A WORD I'M SAYING, SEBASTIAN?!"

Sebastian cuddled a striped tabby cat, looking completely at ease. "Ah, excuse me. I could not resist. As she is a rare beauty, I…"

"We're not keeping it! So put it back!"

"Very well…" Sebastian looked disappointed, making Ciel feel awful. It wasn't his fault that he was allergic to the devious creatures. "But she is so lovely…"

Ciel looked away, losing himself in thought…

"—so it was impossible for a person who was there?" Ciel had asked Sebastian.

"—Yes." He had replied. "It was impossible for a human being."

"Now I see… You…"

"I have spoken the truth many times from the very beginning. Likewise, I have not REMOTELY lied with respect to the results of our inquiry. 'Someone well-versed in medical science and anatomy.' 'Someone involved with a secret society or cult of black magic.' And 'someone with no alibi on the nights of the murders.' The only HUMAN BEING who fulfills these conditions is the Viscount of Druitt."

"Indeed, you were telling the truth. However… THE INQUIRY WAS BUT A FARCE!"

"I was simply following your orders, Sir… "My, my, are you taking your anger out on me? After what just occurred between us? Ciel, I thought you kept me by your side… Knowing full well what I am like."

"… Shut up! I am very well aware! Is he… The same as you?"

"Hmm… No, he is not. I daresay someone like him being in the Human World is unusual in and of itself, but—"

"He is neither a human… Nor a devil? Then what… Is he?"

"He is—"

"GUAAAAAH!"

~Sebastian's POV~

Sebastian and Ciel leaped into action upon hearing the scream. How was this possible?

Ciel ran ahead of Sebastian. "Wha-?! But no one entered the room-! Let us go!"

Ciel burst open the door, and Sebastian could instantly sense the metallic scent of blood. He ran behind Ciel, and covered his eyes. "You must not look!" He shouted, realizing how badly his mind would be affected. Ciel shook uncontrollably, even throwing up and sweating. He kept a firm hold, determined to protect his master.

"You have made… Quite a mess of things… 'Jack the Ripper,'" Sebastian shouted at the incoming dark figure. "—or should I say… Grelle Sutcliff."

Grelle Sutcliff, Madam Red's terrible butler, exited the house, covered head-to-toe in blood. "N-no, this is… I rushed in because I heard the screams, but she was already…"

"Already… What? We have been keeping an eye on the sole path here all night. How in the world did you manage to enter that room at the end of this blind alley and evade us? Do you really plan to feign innocence, looking as you do? Enough of this, Mister Grelle. –No. Even 'Grelle Sutcliff' is just an assumed identity, so… What say you cease you silly act… Mister 'Grelle'? This is my first time meeting 'someone of your ilk' in the Human World. You did a superb job acting like one of them."

Grelle smiled, looking demonic with his blood-soaked face, "TEE-HEE! IS THAT SOOOO?"

He pulled out his hair tie. "Hit the nail on the head, you did." He moved his round glasses. "I am an actress." He pulled out a comb, turning his hair bright red when he used it on his hair. "And a first rate one at that." He put long, girly lashes on his eyes. "But neither are you 'Sebastian,' yes?"

"The Young Master gave me that name… So yes, I am 'Sebastian'… For now."

Grelle put on a new pair of crimson glasses, and his matching hair grew long with choppy bangs. "Oh my, his faithful dog, are you? That type of stud makes me weak in the knees too, he does! Now then, once again, Sebastian… No… Bassy! I am the butler of the Burnett House… Grelle Sutcliff, at your service! My dearest fellow butler, I am in your hands! Oooh! I finally get to show you my true colours! It was utterly mortifying to be seen in front of a stud such as yourself with no makeup on! Little old me's never run into a devil posing as a butler before… So at first, I was just as shocked as shocked can be!"

"Allow me… To echo those sentiments, hm?" Sebastian held Ciel tighter, who was still shaking. "For I too have been living for quite some time, but… I have never heard of 'someone of your ilk' being a 'butler.' One who is supposed to stand neutral between God and humans…? A GRIM REAPER! Why did you, a 'god' of sorts… Become a butler?"

"Don't be such a stuffed shirt, Sweetie. But… Very well… I suppose you could say I fell head over heels for a woman."

"And that woman is—"

"Whether you hear him out or not, I think you already know." A new voice came, and revealed itself behind Grelle. Ciel recognized the voice, and twitched under Sebastian's grip. "… Sebastian."

Ciel removed Sebastian's hand from his face, and stared at Madam Red straight in the eye. "… Madam…" His voice had no emotion, and he wheezed a bit louder.

Madam Red looked away, destroying the eye contact. "I miscalculated. I never imagined there would be someone by Ciel's side who could see through Grelle's disguise."

Ciel wiped off his face with his sleeve, rain soaking the four of them. "… Madam was, of course, on our initial list of suspect. But… Your alibi was flawless."

Madan Red towered over him. "How could you, Ciel? You went so far as to doubt me, your dear aunt?"

"If the possibility of one being Jack exists—Kin or acquaintance—It matters not. No human on the list of suspects could have committed all the murders. Of course, that includes you, Madam. But it is a different story with a reaper as your accomplice. If he can enter Mary's room in an instant without us noticing… He would also be capable of instantly transporting himself over lengthy distance between the West End and the East End. And if a servant were to disappear from the party for a matter of minutes… no one would pay any heed… Therefore, only the two of you… Can be Jack the Ripper. Madam Red… And… Grelle Sutcliff! The victims in the Jack the Ripper case… Had something else in common, on top of 'being prostitutes' and 'missing their wombs.' All of them underwent a 'certain procedure' at the Royal London Hospital, where Madam is employed." Ciel pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. "This lists those patients… In the order of their surgery dates. The order in which the victims were killed corresponds perfectly to the order in which they went under the knife. Only Mary Kelly, who resided in that tenement, was on that list and 'still alive.' I thought you two wold show up if we kept watch here."

Ciel looked down, the rain running down his face and soaking his hair mirroring tears. "But still…" he continued. "… I was unable to save her…"

"How sad, Ciel. My lovely nephew… My… Elder sister's son… If you hadn't insisted on getting to the bottom of all this, we might've played chess again. However…" Madam Red clenched her fists, and her face transformed into a look of pure anger and hatred. "… I WILL NOT YIELD THIS TIME!"

Ciel froze in shock, and Sebastian ran in front of him just in time. Grelle had pulled out a chainsaw-like item, which Sebastian caught between his palms before it hit Ciel. Grelle jumped back, still gripping the item.

"Wha…?! Wh-! What is that?!" Ciel shouted.

"All reapers possess a tool for hunting souls. It is known as… The 'death scythe.' Though this is my first time seeing one that looks like that…" Sebastian said, placing is arm in front of Ciel. "The 'death scythe' is rather troublesome."

Grelle smiled. "Something as unbecoming as a scythe wouldn't suit me in the least, don't you agree?... So I customized it to my specifications! A 'death scythe' juuust for me, which plays the grandest harmony with the death throes of a soul! Of course, its sharpness is guaranteed. A tool that only a god like me can wield to chop anyone and anything into itty bitty pieces! My body's gotten all stiff 'cos I've been a good little Grelle this whole time! Now I sooo want to work up a sweat with y-o-u!"

Sebastian stared at him. "Would you mind refraining from such sickening displays? Furthermore, I am on duty at present."

"AHHHHN. YOU'RE SO STOIC! I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS SIDE OF YOU EITHER, BASSY!" He calmed down, looking serious yet again. "Let me tell you a little something, Dearest—the colour red makes me swoon. I just love red for my hair, clothes, and lipstick. That's why I adore making over ugly women with the red of their blood. The more glamourous the woman, the more alluring she becomes, just like a beautiful, poisonous flower, right? And I'll bet a fine stud like you fitted up in rose colours will be the absolute best! I'll cut you open deep, splatter you with all the many shades of crimson… And mess you up most glamourously, Bassy!"

"A reaper is one who quietly hunts the souls of the dying. A butler is one who accompanies his master like a shadow. Your poor taste goes against the aesthetics of both… And fair raises my bile."

"I worked hard as a butler for my master! I didn't wear makeup or dress pretty or anything when I was at work!"

"I am appalled… How can you call yourself a butler?"

Grelle leered, sticking out his tongue. "EVEN SO, I AM STILL A BUTLER… FOR DEATH!"

Ciel took off his eye patch, not looking at either of the opponents. "—In the name of the Queen and mine own evil title… I command you! HUNT THEM DOWN!"

Sebastian bit the end of his glove, ready to fight. "Yes. My Lord."