A Killing Angel for Free

No matter what, since a duke had sent a letter of sympathy, Earl Phantomhive could not simply ignore it.

Whatever secrets or schemes lay behind it, the outward etiquette of the nobility was something every noble had to observe—unless Ciel no longer intended to keep the title of Earl Phantomhive.

The following evening, a carefully worded letter was delivered to Duke Joseph's estate and placed on Adam's desk.

"Good. They agreed."

Adam smiled faintly.

He knew this letter might cause the other side some trouble, but what did that matter...? After all, he was not the one being troubled.

He had always been an upright gentleman who treated others with sincerity and never lied. His letter had stated his request with complete honesty. It was only a pity that people always imagined him to be impossibly complicated and misunderstood him so deeply...

Sigh~

"Master, the investigation is complete."

The curtains stirred slightly as Claude flipped in through the window and adjusted his glasses.

"Remember to use the door next time... Go on."

Adam casually set down the reply and looked at Claude.

"That white butler named Ash Brown is indeed extraordinary."

Recalling that figure, a trace of gravity flashed through Claude's eyes.

"Oh? You fought him?"

"Yes. I originally intended to observe him from a distance for a while, but he noticed me. His skills were quite sharp."

"And then? Did you win?"

"I didn't... but I didn't lose either. When the other servants and guards heard the commotion and came over, I withdrew and returned."

"You seem rather proud of yourself."

Adam sighed.

"So sometimes, it really wasn't surprising that you ended up perishing together with Hannah while not a single person on the other side died. That brain of yours... Forget it. Go rest."

In a sense, Claude