There is a private dining room marked by a room divider and furnished with a round table and chairs for special guests to be served a meal.[4] Moreover, down a certain corridor is a private meeting room marked by a circular arch partition and furnished with ornate benches and a long table.[5]
In November, Lau and Ran-Mao rescue Ciel, Sebastian, Baldroy, Mey-Rin, Finnian, and Snake from Scotland Yard, which has been pursuing the group through the sewer system beneath Lark Photographic Studio. They bring them to the opium den, with the entrance to which guarded by two men. While leading them through the foyer, which is packed with intoxicated consumers and female attendants, Lau explains that he took advantage of the opportunity to place Ciel in his debt. When a nauseated Snake comments on the odor, Lau says that, thanks to such, the consumers there can have "sweet dreams."[6]
The female attendants flock to Lau, who orders them to accommodate his guests. After said guests receive a bath and a change of clothing into Chinese attire, they are served a luxurious meal consisting of Chinese dishes in the private dining room. Lau tells Sebastian not to stand on ceremony as he will call in the debt Ciel now owes him in the future with interest.[7]
After Lau asks how Ciel has gotten himself enmeshed in such a situation, Sebastian explains to him the incident with Sphere Music Hall, as well as the inauspicious return of "Ciel Phantomhive". When Sebastian states that, initially, they were planning to decamp to Diedrich in Germany, Lau suggests India or China, where they would be relatively unknown, adding that Soma Asman Kadar would likely support them at the former. He then offers them work at his own enterprise, should they choose China, and advises them to begin a new life, especially since they possess the skills to survive virtually anywhere.[8]
Ciel proceeds to vigorously gorge on the food to the astonishment of all. He then rages about the return of "Ciel" and the betrayal of others and declares himself the rightful Watchdog and Earl of Phantomhive, as he has fulfilled all the duties of such. Lau applauds him, stating that this earl is whom he has partnered with for business. Ciel asserts that he will fight "Ciel" and reclaim his estate, his manor, and the title of "Earl Ciel Phantomhive." Sebastian remarks that Ciel's table manners are a "travesty."[9]
Subsequently, Lau assigns them work at the den. Sebastian must attempt to secure more customers by persuading them to smoke opium. Ciel, on the other hand, must serve the customers, but he bungles the task and refuses to wear women's clothing. When Ciel says that he will not stay in the "cave" forever and Sebastian agrees that the den is unsuitable for an earl, Lau admits that he would also like for Ciel to regain his title, or else his business might suffer. They walk down a corridor into the private meeting room to discuss the situation.[10]
Lau reads the newspapers, which paint Ciel as the perpetrator of the Sphere Music Hall crimes and an impostor who stole "Ciel"'s inheritance. When Lau suggests that Ciel infiltrate the manor and kill "Ciel", Ciel reveals that "Ciel" has a "troublesome private warrior" protecting him. Ciel then states that he believes "Ciel" is an upgraded Bizarre Doll, to which Sebastian agrees. He also states that, taking into account the fact that Bizarre Dolls require copious amounts of blood in order to function, "Ciel" must require the same, but, with Sphere Music Hall forcibly shut down, "Ciel" must have arranged for alternative sources to obtain blood. Ciel proclaims that, to avoid the chances of running into Scotland Yard and further damaging his reputation, as well as the chances of "Ciel" and Undertaking escaping, he will first root out and eliminate "Ciel"'s lifelines before confronting "Ciel" himself. He orders Lau and Sebastian to gather information: Lau must look into reports of human trafficking and missing persons, and investigate underworld goings-on involving the masses, such as Campania; Sebastian must research new trends and establishments and so forth, and make a study of people in large numbers carrying out activities, such as Sphere Music Hall. When Lau says “Yes, my Lord” alongside Sebastian, both Ciel and Sebastian are surprised. Lau confesses that he has always wanted to say it at least once, and Ciel berates him.[11]
Later, Lau and Sebastian report their abundant findings to Ciel, but not a single one provides conclusive evidence. When Lau mentions Karnstein Hospital, Ciel recalls the Aurora Society and has Sebastian comb through the information collected and flag anything in which Aurora Society members play key roles. Sometime afterward, Sebastian presents his findings: Baron Heathfield's manor in North Yorkshire, which continues to advertise for maids despite already hiring plenty, and where several nurses from Karnstein Hospital are employed; a newly established orphanage in Norfolk, which accepts underage orphans from all over England and provides them with advanced education via unique methods, and which has received a princely donation from an Aurora Society noble; a sanatorium for ex-servicemen in Wiltshire, where, with the assistance of a nurse known as a miracle healer, soldiers who were physically and mentally wounded beyond recovery in colonial conflicts have been guided back to society, and where several doctors of Aurora Society are employed; and a new resort hotel in Brighton, where exemplary service is offered and many guests extend their stay, with some even taking up residence, and where the hotel manager is both a noble and an Aurora Society member; these four places cover the north, south, east, and west of England.[12]
Ciel determines that striking all the facilities for collecting blood at once while "Ciel" has not yet caught on to what he is planning to do would be the best option. After gathering the servants at Ciel's behest, Sebastian states that Mey-Rin and Ran-Mao will investigate Baron Heathfield's manor; Finnian and Snake will investigate the new orphanage; Baldroy and Lau will investigate the former servicemen's sanatorium; and he and Ciel will investigate the resort hotel. Ciel orders them to immediately retreat and return to the opium den if there is no evidence of blood collection; however, if the evidence exists, they must dismantle the operation.[13]
During their meeting, Ciel, Sebastian, and Lau conclude that they must immediately leave the opium den in the Limehouse District—as well as London in general—since Arthur is aware of the ties between Ciel and Lau; and that the most discreet method of escape would be via boat on the River Thames, after which they would travel by train.[14]
