Black Butler, Vol 14

Toboso, Yana. Black Butler, Vol 14. 2013. 192p. ISBN 978-0-3162-4430-5. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

With the Campania sinking, Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian are locked in a battle with three Death Scythes and an innumerable army of soulless revived bodies. During the battle in Black Butler, Vol. 13, Sebastian was struck by the Undertaker’s reaper scythe, and his life record is absorbed by the Undertaker, including Ciel’s summoning of Sebastian and how they returned to Phantomhive Manor.

With Sebastian injured, two Juniors Death Scythes out of commission and the Undertaker leaving a necklace with Ciel before departing, the Campania breaks in half. Sebastian and Ciel find themselves in a lifeboat surrounded by the revived, who attempt to swarm the boat. Wishing to keep them away from the other survivors, Ciel orders Sebastian to attack and kill them all, something he does but at great cost.

A month later, having returned to Phantomhive Manor, Ciel finds himself visited by Elizabeth, who wishes to celebrate Easter the way they always did, with an Easter egg hunt. To increase the stakes, Elizabeth announces that the person who finds her favorite egg first will earn a favor. Victoria’s butlers choose this moment to break through the window. Disappointed that Sebastian is still alive (see Black Butler, Vol. 9), they nonetheless are excited to participate in the egg hunt. Sebastian comes up with the brilliant idea to pair groups, with each having to carry an egg in a ladle. If the egg breaks, the group is out of the running.

With the race on, who will find Elizabeth’s egg? And why are the Queen’s butlers here? The story continues in Black Butler, Vol. 15.