Black ButlerSeason 5 Episode 1His Butler, Doing Fieldwork
While investigating the troubling incidents in Germany, Ciel and his team uncovered local legends surrounding the dreaded Werewolf forest. Villagers claimed that each victim had ventured into the forest, only to succumb to what was termed the Witch’s curse. The team’s journey led them to a village exclusively inhabited by women and introduced them to Sieglinde Sullivan, the village’s liege lord.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Black Butler Season 5, Episode 1.
The Royal Request: Ciel and Sebastian’s Investigation
The opening scene of Black Butler Season 5 Episode 1 features two hunters named Reinald and Briegel as they chase after dogs that wandered into the foreboding woods. Despite Reinald’s fears rooted in local superstitions about a curse, Briegel’s dismissal of these tales leads them deeper into the forest.
Upon their intrusion, they encounter an elderly woman who warns them about the dangers that lie ahead. Disregarding her caution, they continue their search until their dogs start barking frantically. In a chilling moment, a werewolf-like figure emerges from the underbrush.
In a frantic escape back to their castle, the hunters tragically perish from mysterious injuries, their faces distorted in death. Following this grim introduction, the focus shifts to Ciel Phantomhive in the Phantomhive manor, where he studies German under the watchful eye of Sebastian Michaelis.
Ciel receives a royal summons from the Queen, directing him to investigate the mysterious deaths in Germany. Conflicted, he questions the need for such a journey, wondering why the Phantomhives, tasked with the management of London’s underground society, are being dispatched abroad.
The Queen, concerned for her relatives in Germany, instructs Ciel and Sebastian to ascertain if these deaths are the result of a wider epidemic, especially in light of the responses—or lack thereof—from the Kaiser and German authorities.
Recognizing the urgency of the matter, Ciel decides to leverage the Phantomhive information network to gather intelligence about the alarming situation across the border. He and Sebastian subsequently meet with Claus, who shares insights from his recent travels in Germany.
Claus recounts his visit to the villages where the deaths were reported, dismissing the epidemic theory and highlighting the locals’ claims of a Witch’s Curse, explicitly linking each victim to the haunting Werewolf forest. Skeptical of witchcraft, Ciel resolves to investigate the forest himself, intent on uncovering the truth.
Journey to Germany: Ciel and His Team’s Expedition
The narrative shifts to Ciel and Sebastian’s arrival on the outskirts of Nuremberg, where Ciel struggles to communicate due to the local dialect. His frustration peaks when a villager refuses to guide them into the cursed woods, preferring to stay alive than face the fabled dangers.
The villager details the grim fates of past visitors, describing pockmarked faces and lifeless skin as signs of impending doom, even mentioning a survivor who cried out warnings about werewolves. Undeterred, Ciel insists upon immediate exploration of the forest, prompting Sebastian to negotiate for a carriage to aid their journey.
As they forge ahead into the Werewolf forest, curious anomalies arise, such as Sebastian’s notes behaving oddly, which Ciel speculates may be due to mineral influences beneath the earth. The conversation turns to witches, with Ciel expressing doubt in their supernatural powers while Sebastian recalls dark rituals involving demonic summoning.
As they continue deeper, the group discovers a mysterious village nestled within the woods.
Encountering Sieglinde Sullivan
This village, though well-kept, appears deserted. Finnian calls out for assistance, prompting a sudden emergence of women wielding farming tools who surround the party, branding them as intruders. Ciel quickly realizes the village is exclusively female, igniting suspicions about their intentions given the perceived threats against their liege lord.
Just then, Sieglinde Sullivan, the village’s liege lord, arrives with her enigmatic butler, Wolfram Geizer. Sieglinde, ever poised, chastises Wolfram for his aggressive demeanor and invites Ciel and his entourage to stay for the night after a discreet word of guidance.
Despite their seemingly warm welcome, Ciel observes the village’s unsettling atmosphere, noting the presence of torture devices—a potential indicator of sinister happenings. As the episode concludes, the party arrives at the Emerald Castle, leaving viewers eager for the unfolding mystery.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
In its opening episode, Black Butler Season 5 beautifully sets the stage for a captivating new arc surrounding Ciel and Sebastian’s latest venture. With the introduction of Sieglinde Sullivan and the enigma of the Werewolf Forest, the groundwork for intrigue promises a thrilling continuation in the episodes to come.
How CloverWorks will adapt the Emerald Witch Arc remains a topic of great anticipation among fans, and this episode has left them clamoring for more.