Black Butler season 4 episode 9: Ciel and Sebastian learn the Headmaster's actual identity and uncover Weston College's mystery

Black Butler season 4 episode 9, titled His Butler, Having a Laugh, was released on Saturday, June 8, 2024, on Tokyo MX, BS11, and other channels in Japan. The episode revealed the shocking fate of Derrick Arden and other members, who had gone missing at Weston College.

Additionally, the episode uncovered the mysterious identity of Weston College's headmaster. Once again, Cloverworks has done a fabulous job of bringing to life the iconic moments from the source material. Notably, Black Butler season 4 episode 9 adapted chapter 82 and half of chapter 83 from Yana Toboso's manga series.

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Black Butler season 4 episode 9 highlights: The biggest secret of Weston College is revealed

Picking up the events from the previous installment, Black Butler season 4 episode 9 begins with Derrick Arden suddenly appearing at the Midnight Tea Party. Not only Ciel Phantomhive, but the four Prefects are also shocked to see the boy emerging from the door on the vice principal's orders.

Herman Greenhill cannot believe he is seeing Derrick Arden. Interestingly, on closer inspection, he finds the boy repeating the same phrase about smelling the aroma of tea. Suddenly, Derrick charges at Herman and bites off the flesh from his right arm in Black Butler season 4 episode 9.

Derrick Arden, as seen in the episode (Image via Cloverworks)

Derrick's animalistic behavior creates chaos, as the Drudges come to save their Prefects. Meanwhile, Ciel Phantomhive observes a stitch mark on Derrick Arden's forehead and realizes it's akin to the creatures he saw aboard the Campania.

Without wasting time, Ciel summons Sebastian Michaelis and commands him to apprehend Derrick. The butler uses the tablecloth to subjugate Derrick in Black Butler season 4 episode 9. After apprehending him, Sebastian checks on Herman's wounds.

Sebastian, as seen in the episode (Image via CloverWorks)

Meanwhile, Ciel Phantomhive reveals to everyone the actual reason behind his arrival at Weston College and that Sebastian is his butler. However, after thoroughly observing and introspecting, Ciel realizes that Derrick Arden has been dead for a long time.

Even though his body moves, his behavior is similar to an undead animal. Black Butler season 4 episode 9 then shows Ciel Phantomhive asking the headmaster for answers. However, Herman Greenhill interrupts the boy and reveals the biggest secret of Weston College.

The Four Prefects, as seen in the episode (Image via Cloverworks)

According to Herman in Black Butler season 4 episode 9, the Four Prefects killed Derrick to protect the peace and order of the institution. A flashback scene shows the Prefects panicking after ending the boy's life. They feel Herman will be accused of murder if they don't do something.

As such, Redmond contacts the director of the Karnstein hospital, Rian Stoker, and makes a pact with his "research partner." Sebastian realizes the involvement of the Aurora Society, a secret organization that experiments with the revival of human bodies. He also figures out the identity of the headmaster, and it's none other than Undertaker.

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Black Butler season 4 episode 9: Undertaker's relationship with the Phantomhive is revealed, and the Prefects unveil the truth about Derrick

Black Butler season 4 episode 9 then delves into a flashback scene, revealing the identity of Undertaker. According to the episode, Undertaker was one of the Phantomhive family connections Ciel inherited from his predecessor.

He was also his informant, albeit, a troublesome one. However, Ciel and others realized that Undertaker is a Grim Reaper. Following a short flashback revealing Undertaker's connection with the Phantomhive family, Black Butler season 4 episode 9 returns to the present.

Undertaker, as seen in Black Butler season 4 episode 9 (Image via Cloverworks)

The Grim Reaper bursts into laughter and pities that his time as the headmaster is up. On the other hand, Sebastian holds the Prefects under fire for killing Derrick and then commissioning the Aurora Society to revive him. He demands an answer about what made them resort to such drastic measures.

The Prefects tell the butler that Derrick Arden was an individual who shouldn't have been to Weston College. Black Butler season 4 episode 9 then delves into a flashback, showing the events from a year ago.

Redmond and the other three Prefects (Image via Cloverworks)

After becoming Prefects, Gregory, Lawrence, Herman, and Redmond discover the instances of bullying at the institution. Derrick Arden, a dependable student, assures them that he will try to get to the bottom of the case.

One day, he hands over the Prefects a letter containing a poem addressed to them. Derrick reads the poem, which intrigues Redmond. He realizes it's a summon letter addressed to the Prefects, with the date, time, and location cleverly woven into the poem.

The Red House's Prefect decodes that someone wants them to come to the music room on Thursday night. However, he cannot understand what the final phrase, "robbed of his light," means.

Redmond notices Derrick's deeds (Image via Cloverworks)

Black Butler season 4 episode 9 then shows the Prefects approach the music room, and notice the light coming from the half-opened door. To their shock, they find Derrick and his friends bullying a couple of students in a distasteful manner.

Silence envelops the room, as Redmond finally figures out what "robbed of his light" truly means. The episode ends with the Prefects standing aghast seeing the dark side of Derrick Arden.

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