Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus

Sebastian prepares for a dinner party hosted for Cedric Brandel while Ciel faces unknown plans.

Sebastian Michaelis continues his duties as a butler, focusing on the preparations for a dinner party intended for Cedric Brandel. As the host ensures everything is in order, the narrative shifts to the guest of honor. Cedric Brandel has specific intentions regarding Ciel Phantomhive that are not immediately apparent. The event appears to be a standard social gathering, yet underlying tensions suggest a more complex agenda. The story explores the dynamic between the butler, his master, and the visitor, highlighting the potential dangers hidden beneath the surface of polite society.

Ciel and Sebastian Prepare for London While Ciel Receives a Letter from Queen Victoria

Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis make preparations to travel to London. Before departing, Ciel instructs Baldroy, Finnian, and Mey-Rin to maintain the Phantomhive Manor in his absence. During the carriage journey, Ciel reads a letter from Queen Victoria. The letter reveals that children are disappearing in every location visited by the Noah's Ark Circus. Queen Victoria urges Ciel to investigate these disappearances. This mission sets the stage for the upcoming events involving the circus and the missing children, requiring Ciel's attention and resources as he travels to the capital.

Ciel and Sebastian attend a circus audition while encountering William in disguise

Ciel and Sebastian participate in an audition process at a circus. During this event, they encounter the shinigami William, who is operating under an undercover identity. The pair interacts with the disguised deity amidst the circus activities. This encounter occurs while they are seeking employment or performance opportunities within the circus environment. The presence of William adds a supernatural element to their mundane search for work. The narrative focuses on the intersection of their human endeavors and the hidden presence of the shinigami. No other characters or events are detailed in this specific summary. The scene highlights the unusual meeting between the young master, his butler, and the undercover shinigami.

Ciel and Sebastian infiltrate a circus while investigating impending soul harvests

Ciel and Sebastian commence their undercover assignment at a circus. Sebastian confronts William regarding his motives, prompting the Grim Reaper to disclose that a massive collection of souls is scheduled for the location in the coming days. Ciel is paired with a recruit known as Freckles, whereas Sebastian is assigned to share a tent with William, a situation that displeases both parties. That night, the circus’s primary members abduct a young child from the city. Although police arrive to intervene, the officers are killed by the troupe. The harsh conditions of the circus environment take a physical toll on Ciel, yet he reaffirms his determination to uncover the truth behind the circus as quickly as possible.

Ciel Investigates Noah's Ark Circus Tents Alone While Sebastian Performs

During a Noah's Ark Circus performance, Ciel and Sebastian attempt to search the first-string members' tents for clues. Sebastian and William are summoned to replace trapeze artists, leaving Ciel alone. William refuses to cooperate, forcing Sebastian to improvise and return quickly before Ciel is discovered by Beast, who enters to replace damaged garments. Sebastian rejoins the stage, allowing Ciel to find a letter mentioning him. Outside, Doll saves Ciel from a snake, revealing she is his roommate Freckles. Ciel fabricates a story to dissuade her but suffers an asthma crisis and becomes bedridden. He instructs Sebastian to investigate the city further. Meanwhile, Snake discovers the spying and informs Joker, who decides to wait for consultation with their leader before taking action.

Sebastian seduces Beast to uncover the circus leader's identity while Ciel recovers from illness.

Ciel suffers nightmares regarding his parents' death, his meeting with Sebastian, and Madam Red, while William confronts Sebastian about wandering without his master. Beast urges Joker to flee, but he refuses and departs to see their leader. Sebastian targets Beast, exploiting her unrequited love for Joker to extract the leader's name, while Freckles sleeps beside Ciel. The following day, Sebastian and Ciel depart the circus with sufficient information. Upon returning to the town house, Soma and Agni discover Ciel is ill and insist he rest. The circus members realize Ciel, Sebastian, and William are missing and fear their plans are compromised. Doll leaves to warn Joker as the others prepare for an unknown mission.

Joker arranges a banquet for Ciel and Sebastian to meet Baron Kelvin.

Joker informs Baron Kelvin about Ciel and Sebastian, prompting the Baron to order a banquet. After recovering, Ciel and Sebastian travel to the Kelvin estate, where Joker guides them to the event. The Baron presents a brutal display involving brainwashed children, exciting him greatly. When a missing child from a report appears in the group, Ciel obtains sufficient evidence and kills the Baron. However, the Baron reveals he has one final surprise. He leads Ciel and Sebastian to a cellar, showing Ciel a room identical to the one where he was tortured after his parents' death and first met Sebastian years ago, leaving Ciel deeply distressed by the revelation.

Grell Returns and Kelvin’s Obsession Leads to His Execution by Ciel

Grell Sutcliff resumes duty after suspension, eager to see Sebastian. Kelvin tells Ciel he met the Phantomhive family as a child, becoming obsessed with their looks, which drove his wife away. He underwent surgery to resemble them, but recovery stalled upon hearing of their deaths. Learning Ciel survived, Kelvin sought him out, committing crimes solely for this meeting. Ciel executes the Baron upon hearing this motive. Joker attacks Ciel but loses his arm to Sebastian. Joker reveals circus members were sent to capture Ciel and will kill all residents if they fail. Ciel remains unconcerned, trusting his other servants. Mey-Rin, Baldroy, Finnian, and Tanaka eliminate the invaders one by one while Elizabeth sleeps inside, unaware of the conflict.

Grell discovers Sebastian's betrayal while Ciel orders the Kelvin estate burned down.

Grell arrives to collect souls but is disappointed not to find Sebastian, then becomes enraged after viewing Beast's cinematic record reveals Sebastian seduced her. Meanwhile, at the Kelvin estate, a circus doctor confronts Ciel and Sebastian, exposing that his prosthetic limbs are crafted from the bones of children kidnapped by Joker. Joker suffers a mental breakdown upon learning his own artificial limb was made this way. When the doctor kills a child before Ciel, the Earl experiences painful flashbacks. Defying the Queen's orders to rescue the children alive, Ciel commands Sebastian to kill the doctor and burn the entire mansion, resulting in the deaths of the captives.

William and Ronald collect souls as Doll attacks Ciel and Sebastian after discovering the truth about Joker and Kelvin.

Joker dies from blood loss, recalling his vow to serve the Baron for saving him and his friends from the slums. William arrives to collect souls from the mansion, assisted by Ronald Knox. Doll seeks Joker but encounters Ciel and Sebastian. Upon learning their identities and that they killed Joker and Kelvin, she attacks them but is killed by Sebastian under orders. Queen’s emissaries observe this, choosing not to report Ciel’s decision to sacrifice the captive children. The next day, Snake abandons the circus, leaving for unknown parts. Ciel explains he ordered the children's deaths out of pity, believing their minds could not be restored. At Kelvin’s orphanage, they discover it was abandoned years ago, revealing the Baron deceived the circus members. Ciel laments human worthlessness, while Sebastian finds their striving for a better future interesting.

His Butler, Largely Unknown

His Butler, Calling Out

His Butler, Submerged