Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Undertaker - Black Butler Collab - Main Story
Chapter 1 - He's the Undertaker
Kingdom of Poison, Telsot*... In this kingdom that has people that deal with various kinds of poison on a daily basis, I was searching for a certain man.
T/N: Raith's kingdom
Undertaker-san... After being engulfed by a thick fog on a luxurious cruise, he ended up in the Dream World before he knew it...
(Who would've thought that there'd be others from other worlds besides me... How unsettling.)
Thinking that I may be meddling, I headed to where he was staying at. After walking through the forest while pushing through plants, I found an old building.
(Somehow, I'm getting a bad feeling...)
As I approached it nervously, the door squeaked as it opened just as I thought it would...
Undertaker: Heehee... Welcome.
Along with a creepy smile... Undertaker-san appeared from within the dark room.
MC: Undertaker-san...
Undertaker: How can I serve you?
Undertaker-san slowly approached me.
MC: Um... I was thinking of helping you out to find a way to get you back to your former world.
Undertaker: Go back, huh...
Stifling a laugh, Undertaker-san looked around.
Undertaker: This place. It seems to be a dangerous kingdom.
True, the Kingdom of Poison was filled with lots of dangerous poisons and because of that, it doesn't have any good relations with any of the other kingdoms. The activities of each of the 4 kingdoms in the Kingdom of Poison are being watched*...
T/N: The other poison princes are Apis, Forma and Sakia
Undertaker: If I stay here, I'll meet a lot of guests... Don't you think?
(Guests...? What does Undertaker-san mean by that... Don't tell me!?)
Undertaker: That's right... I'm talking about corpses. Heehee.
Getting a chill, I hugged my own body.
Undertaker: Oh? I didn't mean to scare you.
MC: Just who are you...
Undertaker: Didn't I tell you? I'm the Undertaker.
MC: Undertaker... Which means...
(He'll meet with corpses, is what he's saying...)
Feeling unusually scared, I asked him a question.
MC: Um... Don't you want to find a way to go back home?
Undertaker: I guess so... Heehee.
As he smiled a little, he looked like he was looking forward to being in this world.
(What a strange person...)
MC: You mentioned corpses just now, but what do you do with them? Just who are-
Undertaker: Oh dear, you're asking a lot of questions. Let's~ see~ I guess I can tell you, but... You have to give me that in return.
MC: That?
Undertaker: That's right...
Just as Undertaker-san grinned, he suddenly approached me.
Undertaker: You have to give me the choicest "laughter"~!!
MC: Eh...?
Surprised by his demand that mismatches with his appearance, I became speechless. As Undertaker-san was breathing roughly, he made a tranced expression...
Chapter 2 - The Choicest Laughter
When I asked a bunch of questions, what Undertaker-san demanded was the choicest "laughter"...
(What did he mean by "laughter"...?)
Unable to understand the merit in that, I became unable to respond back. Paying no mind to me, Undertaker-san became even more excited...
Undertaker: Heeheehee... Now... Show me the choicest laughter. On~ce you do, I'll tell you anything you want.
MC: U-Um...
Undertaker: Kufufu... The laughter from another world... I can't wait.
(Laughter... How do I do that...)
Ignoring my worries, Undertaker-san continued to chuckle softly.
(What should I do...)
At that moment, I heard the rustling of swaying plants.
(What's that?)
Someone's voice and footsteps were gradually getting closer.
Undertaker: Oh? Someone's here.
??: What's this? Was there ever a building this deep in the forest...?
From the shadow of a tree, two armed men appeared.
(The castle soldiers...?)
Undertaker: Heehee... May I help you?
Soldier 1: Who are you?
Undertaker: I'm the Undertaker.
Soldier 2: There was an undertaker in a place like this? You look suspicious... Hey, let's talk for a bit.
MC: Um, did something happen?
Soldier 2: You don't need to know. We just want him to answer some questions.
Ignoring me, the soldiers glared at Undertaker-san... Their words that were filled with impatience, I can tell that something must've happened.
(What happened...?)
As I tried to calm my fast heartbeat down, Undertaker-san lightly jumped in front of me.
Undertaker: What a greeting.
The soldiers glared at Undertaker-san in annoyance.
Soldier 1: You... What's your name? Are you a resident of this kingdom? Just what are you doing here?
Undertaker: Oh my, you guys are asking a lot of questions too.
Just as Undertaker-san shrugged his shoulders on purpose...
Undertaker: I'll answer a~~~nything. As long as you pay me.
Soldier 1: Pay you? You... You trying to demand money from us, the royal soldiers!?
MC: Undertaker-san...!
The soldier grabbed his sword's handle.
Undertaker: The currency of this kingdom isn't what I want at all. Just hurry and give me that... Give the choicest laughter~!!
Soldier 2: You...! Are you mocking us!?
The soldiers quickly pulled out their swords.
MC: ...!
///Choices///
- Speak (☽)
MC: Look out!
I said that without thinking. Although, Undertaker-san nimbly dodged the soldier's sword.
Undertaker: Oh? Is this some kind of skit from a lazy soldier? It's nothing to laugh about... Heehee.
(He's so fast...!)
- Close your eyes (☼)
MC: ...!
The moment the soldiers pulled their swords out, I closed my eyes. Although...
Undertaker: Heehee...
(Eh...!)
When I slowly opened my eyes... Undertaker-san suddenly jumped up to the top of a nearby rock.
///Choices///
Soldier 2: You...!!
They swung their swords down many times, but Undertaker-san continued to dodge their attacks easily with a calm look on his face.
Undertaker: Pfft... That weak-kneed dance is a little amusing, but it's far from being the choicest laughter.
Soldier 1: W-What's with this guy...!
Just as the soldiers were out of breath as they lowered their swords, I stood in front of them.
MC: U-Um...!
Soldier 1: What?
The soldier glared at me sharply, but his eyes widened slowly...
Soldier 1: You, could you be...!
MC: Yes... I'm MC of Traumerei.
Soldier 2: O-Our deepest apologies!
The soldiers put away their swords in their sheaths in a panic.
Undertaker: Heeheehee...
As if he found it funny, Undertaker-san seemed to have enjoyed himself the whole time...
(Just who is Undertaker-san... More importantly, I wonder what happened.)
With all kinds of questions rising, I looked at him as he continued to smile...
Chapter 3 - The Phoenix of Life and Death
As the faint sunlight was shining through the gaps of the verdantly thick trees...
MC: An unidentified poison...!?
Soldier 1: It seems to be going around town suddenly and we're trying to locate it's original whereabouts. It makes the body go numb and unable to move, it's a strong poison that leads you straight to death...
MC: Such a poison...
While they were going around investigating, they ended up encountering us.
Soldier 2: It could be the work of a rival kingdom, which is why we're investigating, but... They're not so easy to catch.
Undertaker: Kufufu...
As Undertaker-san was sitting on a rock, he moved his body around merrily.
(Undertaker-san... I don't think it's possible, but does he know something?)
Soldier 1: If you know something, please let us know.
MC: Okay...
When the soldiers politely bowed, they left. After seeing them off from behind...
Undertaker: Huh? They left? How disappointing.
Lightly jumping off from the rock, Undertaker-san approached me.
MC: Um, Undertaker-san... Could it be that you know something?
When Undertaker-san smiled proudly, I asked him that.
Undertaker: Who knows, I wonder.
His grin made it look like he was saying that he knows everything...
(...What should I do?)
Undertaker: I don't know if I'll find something amusing. So... Give me the choicest laughter~!!
He wiped the corners of his mouth with the large ring on his finger.
(How can I make Undertaker-san laugh...)
///Choices///
- Try it (☼)
MC: I-I'll try it...
I turned towards Undertaker-san, but...
(What should I do...)
I didn't move from that spot.
- What can I do... (☽)
MC: What can I do...
I said what I was thinking.
Undertaker: Heehee... Then, how about we end this story?
Undertaker-san's words made my chest tighten.
///Choices///
MC: ...
It felt like his eyes that were hidden behind his bangs were looking at me.
(...If Undertaker-san has a strong piece of information, then it might be of some quick help.)
I thought of the smile of the prince of this kingdom, Raith-san.
(If I leave things as is, who knows what'll happy. I want to save everyone...)
MC: If I make you laugh, will you tell me what you know?
Undertaker: Of course. I'll te~~~ll you everything that I know~
Undertaker-san sat down on top of the rock again.
(...I'll try my best.)
As I looked at Undertaker-san, I clenched my hand...
......
The red sunlight shined on Undertaker-san's pale cheek. Since then, I've tried to make him laugh somehow, but...
MC: H-How was that?
Undertaker: Hm~~mm...
Time only went by as I was unable to make him laugh at all.
Undertaker: You've been trying your best, but... It's still not enough.
(I can't get him to laugh at all... What do I do?)
I told him stories and funny things as much as I could, but I was already at my limit.
(What'll make Undertaker-san laugh... What'll make him laugh...)
The moment I thought about it desperately...
MC: Ah...
From the back of my mind, I recalled what I heard from Sebastian-san, who also came to this world like Undertaker-san. Before coming to this world, they seemed to have made Undertaker-san laugh, but...
(But, that's...!)
When my cheeks instantly became hot, I held them with my hands.
Undertaker: Oh? Do you still have something?
I...
///Choices///
- Do it (☼)
MC: ...I'll do it.
(It's really embarrassing, but...)
Undertaker: Heehee...
When Undertaker-san chuckled softly, it seemed like he knew what I was thinking.
- No... (☽)
MC: No...
(Doing that, it'd be too embarrassing...)
Undertaker: You're already done? Really?
When he said that to me pressingly, my heartbeat started going fast.
///Choices///
(Do I... have to do it...?)
When Sebastian-san had to get into that organization, they had to use a password... Also, along with the password, they had to do an unbelievable pose.
(But, he might laugh if I do it.)
Once I've made up my mind, I spoke a little, but...
MC: ...The-
I closed my mouth just as I said that.
(It's too embarrassing...!)
Undertaker: ...The eternal flame in this breast?
MC: !
When Undertaker-san said that invitingly, I spoke again.
MC: C-Cannot be quenched by anyone...
Undertaker: We are...
(I've just got to do it...!)
I raised one leg up and spread both of my hands out. Once I moved my wrists as if I was shaking them...
MC: The Phoenix!
When I shouted that, the birds flew off from the branches.
Undertaker: ...
MC: ...
(...Huh? He's not... reacting...?)
It felt as if time had completely stopped.
(...S-So embarrassing...!)
Unable to take it, I felt like running away and at that moment...
Undertaker: AHAHAHA!!!
Undertaker-san's laughter got sucked into the dusk sky that was approaching the forest. As my cheeks were burning hot, I endured it as my hands have gone limp...
Chapter 4 - Undertaker's Advice
-Flashback-
Undertaker: ...The eternal flame in this breast?
MC: C-Cannot be quenched by anyone...
Undertaker: We are...
MC: The Phoenix!
-Flashback-
I gently touched my burning cheeks. Once I've gave him what he wanted, we sat across from each other at the table in the building.
Undertaker: Heehee... Who would've thought that you would do that~
When Undertaker-san sat down on top of a coffin, his shoulders trembled happily. He didn't seem to mind taking a cookie out of a cremation urn or drinking tea from a beaker.
(I'm so embarrassed that I feel like disappearing...)
MC: U-Um, about what you know about the poison...
Undertaker: Now, now, no need to rush... Before that, let me ask you something. Even I want to help out ju~st a little.
MC: ...
(True. Despite that Undertaker-san was the one who started it...)
After taking a deep breath, I looked at him.
MC: ...I'll answer to anything if I can.
Undertaker: I see. Then...
Undertaker-san smiled.
Undertaker: Why are you working so hard?
MC: Eh...?
Unable to understand the relevance of that question, I became silent for a while.
(Why...)
MC: ...Because I want to help them.
Undertaker: ...
MC: When I came to this world, I met so many people up till now... So, I want to help them.
Undertaker: You have a mysterious power to wake up people that have fallen to slumber, right?
MC: Yes...
Undertaker: So, the reason you're working so hard is to save the world?
MC: Yes.
Undertaker: ...Despite the dangerous risks?
MC: I've been in dangerous situations... At first, all I could think of was how I wanted to go back to my former world. But... This power made me bond with so many people. That's why I want to save the people that I've met.
Undertaker: ...
His closed lips turned into a smile.
Undertaker: You're... a strong girl.
MC: No, that's not true...
Undertaker: Heehee...
When Undertaker-san slowly got up, he approached me. His long fingers touched my cheek as his cold hand softly held it...
MC: ...
Undertaker: But, I'm not that impressed by how you don't take yourself into consideration. Because...
His long silver hair in front lightly swayed.
Undertaker: Even in this world, you only have one soul, right? You must cherish it.
(Eh...?)
///Choices///
- Don't say anything (☽)
MC: ...
As I wasn't saying anything, I looked at the scar across his cheek.
Undertaker: Heehee...
As Undertaker-san smiled, he removed his fingers from my cheek.
- What do you mean? (☼)
MC: What do you mean?
Undertaker: What, you say, that's what I mean exactly.
As Undertaker-san's fingers slowly slid against my cheek, he removed them.
///Choices///
(Only one soul...)
I thought of those words repeatedly in my head...
Chapter 5 - The Beauty of Life and Death
After I gave Undertaker-san the choicest "laughter" somehow, he called for those guards...
(He said that it'd be best if I don't listen... What did he mean by that?)
While feeling uneasy, I waited outside until Undertaker-san was done talking with the soldiers. Then...
Soldier 1: We need to inform His Majesty immediately...! Thank you for the information!
The soldiers ran out of the building in a panic.
Soldier 2: Traumerei Princess, please excuse us!
After bowing to me, the guards ran into the forest like crazy.
(What happened...?)
When I nervously looked inside the building...
Undertaker: Heehee...
Sitting on the table, Undertaker-san smiled ominously.
MC: Um...
Undertaker: Sorry to keep you waiting.
MC: Just what did you tell them?
Undertaker: ...I guess I should tell you, but just like I said, it'd be best if you didn't hear it.
Undertaker-san smiled deeply at me.
///Choices///
- Please tell me (☼)
MC: ...Undertaker-san. Please tell me.
Undertaker: Kufufu... Very well then. You did pay the price by making me laugh.
As Undertaker-san grinned, he looked at my face.
- Don't listen (☽)
Getting a bad feeling from what he said, I thought that I shouldn't listen anymore, but...
(I really want to know...)
While looking at me, Undertaker-san spoke.
Undertaker: You sure are honest.
///Choices///
After smiling for a while, Undertaker-san slowly took a deep breath.
Undertaker: I told them based on the information I got from my first guest in this world.
MC: A guest...?
Undertaker: Heehee. If it's the Undertaker's guest... Do you know what that means?
MC: You mean...
(A... corpse?)
Undertaker-san's laugh made a chill go down my spine.
Undertaker: A guest must be cleaned before sleeping in a coffin, right? At that time, I gave them a little autopsy since it's my hobby...
Undertaker-san's joyful voice echoed within the dark room.
Undertaker: I told them the state of the guest at that time. They said that those were the symptoms of the poison.
MC: State...?
Undertaker: That's right. Once the poison takes effect, the body changes... Ah, it'd really be best if I don't tell you anymore than this. Anyway... What I told them was relevant. So, they ran off in a panic. Heehee...
MC: ...
As Undertaker-san's finger traced the table meaningfully, he muffled a laugh. At that moment, I heard the sound of a church bell from slightly afar.
Undertaker: Ah... Could it be someone's funeral?
When that sad sound made my chest tighten painfully, I took a deep breath.
Undertaker: Once life comes to an end, it becomes the greatest ceremony.
MC: It's sad when people die. So, I wouldn't call it great...
At a loss for words, I held in my thoughts.
Undertaker: Don't say anything, just stay silent... Don't you think it's beautiful?
MC: ...I don't.
Undertaker: ...
MC: I think it's beautiful how people live life to their fullest.
Undertaker: ...What about you?
MC: Eh...?
Undertaker: Your own beauty... Have you thought about it?
For a moment, I became troubled on how to answer that.
(But...)
When I came to this world, I was saved by everyone many times... I didn't want to disappoint them.
MC: I don't know about my own beauty now... But. I want to live beautifully... That's what I think.
Undertaker: Heehee... I see.
As Undertaker-san was thinking about something, he softly rested his chin in his hand. As we were buried in silence, the dark sound of the bell echoed for a long time...
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