204. The Butler, Escaping

The Butler, Escaping (その執事、逸走, Sono Shitsuji, Issō) is Chapter 204 of the Kuroshitsuji manga.
==Summary==
The chief says that Theodore is set to fledge next before she proceeds to lament over the fact that none of the newer students have a high aptitude; after all Ginny refused to ride horses, and Nick steals food from the other classes. A maid asks why those strict requirements are needed anyway, and the chief explains that F.O.L. Orphanage is a testing ground for the "stars": While the "stars" own advanced technology, they have no method to perfectly match aptitudes, so far. At the orphanage, the children are raised and educated to resemble the "stars," in body and soul, to test whether their "radiance" will become more appropriate as a result.
Susan cuts off the conversation by handing the maid the fledging garment and saying that the process and the testing are none of their business. She only works at the orphanage because the staff is paid higher wages here than senior servants at manor houses; she is saving money to open her own shop one day. The chief then instructs Susan and the maid to bring Canopus' radiance out as it "should improve things" for now, even if "things are taking longer this time." For that reason, they let Ginny fledge early.
When the staff finally leaves, Finnian and Snake are relieved, whereas the elder students are devastated by what they have learned. They cannot believe that the fledged children were turned into "material," they were made to approximate the "stars," and cultivated to be killed. Theodore is also terrified at the thought of being next and even throws up. Artie proposes to escape immediately, but Theodore reminds him of the other children; if they leave now, the staff will simply target their younger "siblings" next. Artie then suggests setting the building on fire, and Mabel objects as the younger children will not be able to escape.
After some consideration, Theodore suggests taking some of the jars and bringing them to a newspaper as evidence for the orphanage's crimes; adults will have to believe them then. While they grab jars from the shelves, Artie asks how they plan to escape. Finnian says Theodore pondered before that the underground tunnels might lead out of the orphanage too; Finnian himself believes that too, as the last evil facility he was in also had an escape route like that.
They make their way through the tunnels. When their lamp goes out, Snake tells everyone to hold hands; he and his snakes then guide the way. Eventually, Finnian, Snake, and the elder students see a light and walk toward it. It comes from within a room, and when they enter, they are horrified to see Doll receiving a blood transfusion.
==Characters in Order of Appearance==
*Theodore
*Susan
*Finnian
*Snake
*Mabel
*Artie
*Oliver
*Doll
==Navigation==
it:Capitolo 204
ru:Глава 204
Category:Chapters
Category:Blue Revenge Arc