Übel Blatt/Characters

Koinzell /
The protagonist of the series, Koinzell is a mysterious half-breed swordsman from the Empire's distant frontier. He quickly makes it clear that his main goal is to kill the Seven Heroes of the Empire.


 * Anti-Hero: Played with. Koinzell himself fully admits that killing the Seven Heroes would bring chaos and confusion to the Empire, but presses on with it anyway . On the other hand, Koinzell always stops to help those in need, even when it interferes with his quest for revenge.
 * Back-to-Back Badasses: He invokes and lampshades this trope with Ato.
 * Badass
 * Berserk Button: Harming innocent people in front of him is a bad idea. So is mentioning how great the Seven Heroes are, or slandering the Lances of Betrayal.
 * Blessed With Suck:
 * The Chosen One: The Imperial astrologers predicted that a hero would arise in the frontiers and save the Empire from a dark catastrophe..
 * Chronic Hero Syndrome: For all his protests and claims that he's a bad person, Koinzell sure does help a lot of people.
 * Cute Shotaro Boy: He appears this way, despite actually being in his late thirties.
 * Dangerous Forbidden Technique: The Black Wing, a devastating sword strike that uses killing intent to strike a fatal blow. Using it takes a toll on Koinzell's body, however.
 * Determinator
 * The Dreaded: Koinzell eventually acquires the title of 'Hero-Killing Rebel' or simply 'Hero Killer'.
 * Emergency Transformation: Covering another person's wounds with his own blood can revive them, turning them into a hybrid in the process.
 * Mr. Fanservice
 * Eye Scream: Has a large scar over one of his eyes, though he still has both of them.
 * Healing Factor: Is shown to posess a very strong one late in the series, capable of regrowing lost limbs.
 * Heroic BSOD: Koinzell completely breaks down after his first attempt to kill the Seven ends in failure, especially when he realises how well-loved and protected by the people they are.
 * Hero-Killer: From the perspective of the Seven Heroes and the general population of the empire. 'Hero Killer' is what people eventually come to call him.
 * Hero With Bad Publicity: Played straight at first, but increasingly averted as the series continues.
 * Lightning Bruiser
 * Master Swordsman: Both before and after his transformation.
 * Mercy Kill: Sadly ends up doing this a lot.
 * Nice Job Breaking It, Hero:
 * Doubly invoked by the fact that
 * One-Man Army: Poor mooks should learn to just stay away.
 * One-Winged Angel: When things become dire and there is no option left, Koinzell can assume the form of a gigantic fairy with bladed wings. In this form he is essentially unstoppable, but using it takes an even bigger toll on his body than the Black Wing.
 * Rapunzel Hair: His long hair is tied into two braids. With daggers hanging from them.
 * Red Eyes, Take Warning
 * Red Right Hand: Under the light of the two moons, Koinzell can summon four massive prehensile black swords from his right arm.
 * Revenge Before Reason: Surprisingly averted. Although revenge is a big motivator for Koinzell, he never fails to help anyone who needs it and is perfectly fine from running from a battle with the Seven if things aren't going his way.
 * Roaring Rampage of Revenge: The entire series is Koinzell's.
 * Stealth Mentor: To Ikfes.
 * White-Haired Pretty Boy
 * Worthy Opponent: Again, to Ikfes.
 * Worthy Opponent: Again, to Ikfes.

Ato
The princess of a frontier barbarian tribe who initially pursued Koinzell out of revenge for him killing her brother. Eventually she learns the truth about why he did so and since then has become one of his most important allies.


 * Action Girl
 * A Cup Angst: Is very sensitive about her lack of assets.
 * Artifact of Doom: The crown of vengeance she wears in her fight against Koinzell increases her strength but supresses her mind. Smashing it is the key to winning the battle.
 * Back-to-Back Badasses: With Koinzell, later on in the series after
 * Dual-Wielding
 * Wyvern Rider
 * Emergency Transformation: Koinzell turns Ato into a hybrid like himself after she is nearly killed by shrapnel during Barestar's invasion.
 * Fatal Flaw: Develops a desire for Koinzell's approval later in the series that nearly gets her killed when she rushes into a fight with a much stronger opponent.
 * Magic Knight: Ato is proficient with lances, swords and explosive magical tags.
 * Purple Eyes: Used to actually be blue prior to her Emergency Transformation, but now is just on this side of Violet.
 * Samus Is a Girl: She was mistaken for a boy in early chapters.
 * Stripperiffic
 * White-Haired Pretty Girl: After the aforementioned Emergency Transformation.
 * The Worf Effect: Sadly seems to succumb to this, usually losing her fights to show off how strong the next enemy is.
 * You Killed My Brother: Goes after Koinzell after he gives her brother a much-needed Mercy Kill. Once everything is explained she gives up trying to kill him.
 * You Killed My Brother: Goes after Koinzell after he gives her brother a much-needed Mercy Kill. Once everything is explained she gives up trying to kill him.

Peepi
A small child who tried to smuggle herself into the central Empire to escape the wartorn frontier. The attempt fails but she is rescued by Koinzell and spends most of the series following after him.


 * The Load: Sadly she's just a normal child caught up in a war-torn world.
 * Not anymore after Barestar’s invasion of Jullas-Abllas when she begins to learn some summoning magic.
 * My Name Is Not Durwood: 'Peepi' isn't her real name, but one Koinzell made up on the spot so that he could pose as her brother and save her from some corrupt guards. The name sticks and she is often heard complaining about it.
 * Your Princess Is in Another Castle: Peepi's made it into the Empire, met people of her own race, is preparing to be relocated to a new settlement with a surrogate family and is just about to part ways with Koinzell peacefully. Then Pago murders her adoptive parents out of pure spite and everything goes to hell again. Luckily Koinzell was there to save her.
 * Plucky Girl: Surprisingly, despite all the death and suffering she's seen.
 * Pointy Ears: As a member of the Miruel Mirael race, this is expected.
 * Stripperiffic: Peepi often ends up in revealing outfits, much to her chagrin.
 * Tagalong Kid
 * Token Mini-Moe

Vid
A man from the border town of Rielde-Venem, Vid is heavily involved in the smuggling trade. As such, he knows how to cross the border into the Empire and ends up aiding both Peepi and Koinzell in doing so. However, his motives for helping go much deeper than they first appear...


 * Badass: Was able to hold his own against a subterranean giant that even Koinzell had trouble with.
 * The Bodyguard: Is one to Ato's sister, Princess Sharon. Her kidnapping at the hands of Pago led him to cross the border in an attempt to rescue her.
 * Eyepatch of Power
 * Improbable Weapon User: Vid uses wire chakrams anchored to his bracers.
 * Put On a Bus: He leaves the group after rescuing Sharon, but promises to return at some point in the future.

Altea
The head of the smuggling operation in Rielde-Venem, who arranges for people to cross the border for a price. At first she is reluctant to help Koinzell and his group, but a crackdown on smugglers endangers her position and forces her hand.


 * Action Girl: Not on Ato's level, but as the siege of the city of Jullas-Abllas showed Altea can more than just handle herself in a fight.
 * Boobs of Steel: Altea is really well-stacked.
 * In Its Hour of Need: Rallies the people of Jullas-Abllas when it comes under seige from Barestar. Particularly moving since many of the people there were those she smuggled over the border and owed her their gratitude.
 * Purple Eyes
 * Put On a Bus: Stays behind in Jullas-Abllas, and becomes the leader of the civilian militia there.
 * Scarpia Ultimatum: Altea offers to help Koinzell across the border if he agrees to pay the fee with his body. Amusingly it turns out that Altea is actually a virgin and it's the first time she's asked it of anyone.
 * Shotacon: See above.
 * Team Mom: Particularly to Peepi.

Geranpen
A former bandit who was recruited by Pago many years ago to serve as his lieutenant. Witnessing his superior's atrocities firsthand forces him to re-evaluate his loyalties, however.


 * Badass Mustache
 * Bald of Awesome
 * Bait the Dog: Inverted. When first introduced he acts suspiciously and makes some potentially threatening remarks and facial expressions, but it later turns out that he's a really nice guy.
 * Berserk Button: Calling him 'Octopus Head' or any variation of 'Octopus'.
 * Defector From Decadence
 * Face of a Thug
 * Facial Markings: The tattoos on his head, which look vaguely like an octopus. Don't say it to his face, though.
 * Gentle Giant
 * Good Is Dumb: Genuinely believed that the girls who he took the castle (and who never came out again) were living in paradise rather than.
 * Never Found the Body: Which ultimately leads to...
 * Not Quite Dead
 * Not Quite Dead

The Seven Heroes
During the war with Wischtech twenty years ago, fourteen heroes were sent to the Forest of Death to seal the route used by the invading armies. Three died along the way, becoming known as the 'Precious Departed.' Four betrayed the group and were killed, earning the title of 'Lances of Betrayal'. The remaining seven completed their mission and returned home, where they were hailed as heroes and given everything they could possibly desire by the grateful empire. Or so the story goes.

In reality, things were more complicated. The truth is that those known as the Seven Heroes were dirty cowards who never ventured into the Forest of Death. The other four who would become known as the 'Lances of Betrayal' pressed on and completed their mission, but were ambushed by the seven on their way back. The four were killed and the seven returned home, claiming that they were the true heroes.

Lord Glenn
The son of the current Emperor, Glenn studied swordsmanship at the same school as Ascherit, though he was never any better than average at swordplay. Twenty years ago he was selected as one of the fourteen heroes. The plan to ambush and kill the four real heroes was mainly his idea.


 * Anticlimax Boss: See Disc One Final Boss below.
 * The Atoner: Does his best to hold the realm together to atone for his past crimes.
 * Dirty Coward: In the past. Nowadays, not so much.
 * Disc One Final Boss: As the man who masterminded the plot to kill Ascherit, you'd expect him to be among the final villains, but his death occurs less than halfway through the story.
 * Fake Ultimate Hero: Is fully aware of this and hasn't bought into his own propaganda like some of the other heroes have. Despite his constant sword practice he's still only above average.
 * Green-Eyed Monster: Towards Ascherit, due to him being so much better at swordfighting despite Glenn training for longer than him.
 * My God, What Have I Done?: Presumably had a moment like this off-screen. He sincerely regrets murdering Ascherit and the others and fully admits it was the result of his own selfish envy, to the extent that he built four monuments to them as atonement.
 * Reasonable Authority Figure
 * Seven Deadly Sins: Most likely Envy. However, the fact that he is pretty much the most powerful man in the series bar the emperor himself politically means that his envy just may not have had much of a setting in which to express itself in the present. In the past though, it was a completely different matter.
 * Tragic Villain

Regional Count Schtemwolech
A former thief who was pardoned by the Emperor in exchange for becoming one of the fourteen heroes. After returning to the Empire Schtemwolech became obsessed with obtaining eternal life, conducting numerous horrific experiments as a result.


 * Amazon Brigade: His personal guard, which consists of several Mind Raped elven girls who are trapped in a state of constant agony.
 * Bishonen: He used to be one twenty years ago during the war with Wisstech.
 * Fake Ultimate Hero: Unlike Glenn, he did buy into his own hype and believed he could act however he liked.
 * Fatal Flaw: His desire for eternal life ends up doing him in. Trying to use Koinzell as a blood sacrifice rather than just killing him wasn't such a great idea.
 * Genre Savvy: Had the good sense to have his subordinates summon his Amazon Brigade just in case his fight with Koinzell ended poorly.
 * Immortality Immorality: See above.
 * Powered By a Forsaken Child: His method of immortality, which requires regularly injecting himself with the blood of elven maidens.
 * Seven Deadly Sins: Lust, specifically his all-consuming lust for eternal life.

Fort Chief Barestar
The son of a merchant who joined the fourteen heroes partially out of a desire to help his father's business. As such he's not really much of a fighter. The appearance of Koinzell and the realisation that his life is in danger severely unnerves him, eventually affecting his sanity.


 * Anticlimax Boss
 * Fake Ultimate Hero
 * Properly Paranoid: Barestar is terrified by and is utterly convinced that he is next. And he's absolutely right.
 * Rape, Pillage and Burn: His army is infamous for this.
 * Sanity Slippage: Barestar slowly goes more and more insane as his plans implode and his armies collapse around him. The knowledge that someone was gunning for him pushed him off the deep end.
 * Seven Deadly Sins: Greed, which was the main motivator for his attack on Jullas-Abllas.
 * Villainous Breakdown: Has a truly epic one when Koinzell finally confronts him.

Marquis Lebellond
The son of a noble who joined the fourteen heroes at the Emperor's request. Along with Glenn, Lebellond was the other mastermind behind the murder of the four real heroes. Over the last twenty years Lebellont has become increasingly prideful and warlike, though Glenn's influence with the Emperor managed to keep his ambitions in check.


 * Ambition Is Evil
 * Fake Ultimate Hero: Like Schtemwolech, the fact that he cowered in fear at the thought of entering the Forest of Death seems to have slipped his mind
 * Foil: To Glenn.
 * Glory Hound
 * Green-Eyed Monster: To Glenn, to the point of attempting to take everything he held after death.
 * Hoist By His Own Petard: Whilst he currently has great support, Lebellond has also made a lot of enemies since . It remains to be seen how this will come back to bite him.
 * Oh Crap: Has a truly epic moment when he recieves word that.
 * Seven Deadly Sins: Pride. Everything Lebellond does is to satisfy his own ego.
 * Too Dumb to Live:
 * Villainous Valor: Despite his many, many flaws, intentionally using himself as bait so his massive army could smash Koinzell was pretty ballsy.
 * Villainous Valor: Despite his many, many flaws, intentionally using himself as bait so his massive army could smash Koinzell was pretty ballsy.

Dragon Chief Ischudien
The Lord who rules over the Dragon Earldom and a strong supporter of Lord Glenn. Ischudien appears to be a level-headed planner with similar views on the Empire as Glenn. He deeply disapproves of Lebellond's current warmongering attitude.


 * The Atoner: If his support of Glenn is anything to go by.
 * Badass Beard
 * Badass Mustache
 * Fake Ultimate Hero
 * Reasonable Authority Figure: So far.
 * Seven Deadly Sins: Presumably Wrath, by process of elimination, though he has not shown too many signs of it so far. However, dragons are creatures that are often associated with wrath, so it is quite possible that he has a hidden side to him.
 * Xanatos Gambit:

The Lances of Betrayal
The four real heroes who pushed on through the Forest of Death and succeeded in stopping Wischtech's invasion. Their names were later blackened and used as scapegoats so the seven deserters could paint themselves as the real heroes. Keeping with the symbolism of the Seven Deadly Sins with the Seven Heroes, each one of them represents one of the Four Cardinal Virtues

Ascherit
The young master swordsman who earned the title of Blatt Maester at an unprecedented young age. Ascherit was a true prodigy and turned the tide of many battles. .


 * Awesomeness By Analysis: Ascheit's main power is in imitation. This extends to non-martial abilities like blacksmithing.
 * Bishonen
 * Cute Shotaro Boy: Is noticeably younger than the other heroes, being in his mid-teens at the latest.
 * Door Step Baby
 * Four Cardinal Virtues: He represents Justice,.
 * Infinity+1 Sword: Weilded the Fairy Stone Sword, a blade he forged himself.
 * Master Swordsman
 * Red Eyes, Take Warning: Subverted, he's the nicest person you could hope to meet.
 * This Is Unforgivable!: What he screams as the seven cut him to pieces.
 * Wide Eyed Idealist
 * Wide Eyed Idealist

Kfer
The son of the Noble House of Jebnares, Kfer was Ascherit's closest friend, always capable of reeling him in whenever he tried to do something foolish.


 * Determinator: Constantly challenged Ascherit to fights, despite being totally outmatched.
 * Master Swordsman: Though not to the same degree as Ascherit.
 * Nice Hat
 * Posthumous Character
 * Four Cardinal Virtues: Presumably represents Courage or Fortitude, as shown by how he is described by the people in Jebr who knew him personally.
 * The Rival: To Ascherit, in a friendly manner.

Gustav
The only female in the group, and also one of the oldest by a fair margin. Not much is known about her other than Kfer's claim that she had more experience of war than anyone else.


 * Gender Blender Name
 * Lady of War
 * Posthumous Character
 * Four Cardinal Virtues: Presumably represents either Temperance or Prudence.
 * White-Haired Pretty Girl

Klentel
A young boy who appears to be even younger than Ascherit. As with Gustav, not much is known about him apart from Kfer's statement that he had supreme knowledge of magic.


 * Black Mage
 * Cute Shotaro Boy
 * Facial Markings
 * Posthumous Character
 * Four Cardinal Virtues: Presumably represents either Temperance or Prudence.

The Precious Departed
The three Lances who died on the journey to Wisstech. Presumably, each of them represents one of the Three Theological Virtues.

Elgunaha
Elgunaha was a close friend of Ascherit, and was the first of the fourteen Lances to be sacrificed. He cast a spell that creates a gigantic wall separating part of the world from the other. However, the spell's side effect turned him into stone. The wall, called the "Heaven's Lance" was eventually destroyed by Koinzell, after he made his final peace with Elgunaha.


 * Heroic Sacrifice
 * Three Theological Virtues: He represents charity.

Rozen
The leader of the 'Seven Lances', an elite force who serve directly under Glenn. At the beginning of the story Rozen is sent to the frontiers to retrieve the prophecised hero who was predicted to arise there.


 * Apologetic Attacker
 * Badass: Although nowhere near Koinzell's level.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * My Master, Right or Wrong: Whilst at first Rozen completely opposes Koinzell's plans to kill all Seven Heroes, as their corruption and cowardice becomes abundantly clear he finds himself becoming increasingly torn.
 * This Is Unforgivable!: His reaction when.
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: Tries to kill Koinzell when he finds out that he intends to harm the Seven Heroes, since doing so would throw the Empire into chaos.

Elsaria Rahnclave
A member of the 'Seven Lances' who leads her own division of knights. Elsaria is also the daughter of an imperial elector and thus carries enormous political clout equalling that of the Seven Heroes.


 * Action Girl
 * Badass Princess: She is the daughter of an imperial elector, so it's essentially a straight example.
 * Black and White Morality: Believes that the Seven Heroes are absolutely good, and that Koinzell is absolutely evil for trying to kill them.
 * Heroic BSOD: After being forced to watch whilst Barestar's army pillaged Jullas-Abllas with impunity.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * Raven Hair, Ivory Skin
 * The Rival: She ends up fighting Ato a lot.
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something
 * To Be Lawful or Good: She faces this dilemma during the attack on Jullas-Abllas
 * Tsundere: Towards Koinzell, particularly after she is forced to re-evaluate her ideals.
 * Wide Eyed Idealist: Played straight at first, but all her preconceptions are mercilessly destroyed in the face of Barestar's invasion. Her idealism was also the reason she was sent after Koinzell in the first place, since it made her less likely to listen to anything he said.

Ikfes
A slave knight who was originally in Glenn's service. Ikfes is the son of Kfer, one of the Lances of Betrayal, and seeks to throw off the stigma of his father and become the next Blatt Maester, Ascherit's former title.


 * Arrogant Kung Fu Guy: Starts off this way, but slowly grows out of it after his battles with Koinzell reveal how far he still has to go.
 * Character Development: At first Ikfes believes that he could easily defeat the 'Hero Killing Rebel'. Koinzell beating him in combat causes him to realise how inexperienced he truly is.
 * Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Played with. After, Ikfes jumps ship to Lebellond suspiciously quickly. He also claims not to care whether or not Koinzell kills all the heroes, as long as he can accomplish his own goals of restoring his family honour.
 * Don't You Dare Pity Me!: His reaction to Koinzell sparing his life after their first battle.
 * Generation Xerox: To Ascherit more than to his own father. To list the ways: he
 * Infinity+1 Sword: The Fairy Stone Sword, which used to belong to Ascherit.
 * Master Swordsman: He has the skill, but not the experience.
 * My Master, Right or Wrong: Towards Lebellond's planned invasion of Wischtech.
 * Order Reborn: His main motivation is to restore the prestige of both his own family and that of the title of 'Blatt Maester', both of which are seen as tainted by the common people.
 * Worthy Opponent: Koinzell, to the extent that after he finally manages to perform the Black Wing he asks Koinzell to become his mentor.

The False Lances of Betrayal
The main villains from Volume 0. The false Lances are actually minor frontier nobles who fought on the side of Wischtech to protect their own lands during the great war, since the Empire could not spare the resources to aid them. After the war ended the frontiers were thrown into chaos and civil war, prompting the four to take up the names of the 'Lances of Betrayal' to rally their cause and unify the frontiers once again.


 * Axe Crazy: The fake Kfer, and also the fake Gustav once her Berserk Button is pushed.
 * Berserk Button: The fake Gustav goes absolutely insane with rage when Koinzell cuts her face.
 * Black Magic: Their powers come from the use of Wischtech magic, which could be why they perform so many monstrous actions despite claiming to have good intentions.
 * Body Horror: The fake Gustav enjoys making 'modifications' to her slaves.
 * The Caligula: The fake Kfer. Right down to his rather disturbing love for his horse.
 * The Evil Genius: The fake Klentel has shades of this.
 * Fate Worse Than Death: What inevitably happens to anyone who is captured by the fake Gustav.
 * Hellish Horse: The fake Kfer's horse, Xylus, which shares his rider's penchant for rape.
 * Karmic Death: All four of them.
 * Rape, Pillage and Burn: Their main MO.
 * Shotacon: The fake Gustav. Played for Squick rather than arousal though.
 * Villain With Good Publicity: Invoked. The main reason they took up the names of the Lances of Betrayal was to boost their own influence and give the people of the frontier names to fear and/or rally around.
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: What they claimed to be. In light of their actions it's very difficult to swallow.

Chief Warrior Monk Lacheb
The head of the warrior-monks at the fortress monastery of Rielde-Venem. Both he and the monastery are corrupt and demand extortionate donations from anyone wishing to cross the 'Thousand Lances' mountains into the Empire proper. Lacheb's main task is the capture and execution of smugglers and their human cargo, a task he performs with relish.


 * Catch Phrase: "This is so very, very regrettable!"
 * Corrupt Church: Occupies a high position within one.
 * Dirty Coward
 * Hanging Judge
 * Humiliation Conga:
 * Hypocrite: Lacheb himself regularly collects bribes from smugglers.
 * Knight Templar
 * Smug Snake

Vice Admiral Pago
Pago is Schtemwolech's main vassal and chief supporter. Along with an unwitting Geranpen he was responsible for kidnapping multiple young girls for use in Schtemwolech's immortality experiments. He is also shown to be proficient in Wichtech magic.


 * Body Horror: After losing his arm to Koinzell, Schtemwolech powers him up
 * Combat Tentacles
 * Evil Is Petty: The only reason he killed Zeppy's parents was because he was the one who discovered the kidnapped girls.
 * For the Evulz: Why he brought back Zeppy's parents as zombies and ordered them to kill him.
 * Karmic Death
 * Lovecraftian Superpower
 * Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Nice job snapping Koinzell out of his Heroic BSOD, Pago.
 * Night of the Living Mooks: His Wischtech magic is essentially high-powered necromancy.
 * Used to Be A Sweet Kid: According to Geranpen's flashback.

Gerold
One of Lebellond's sons who is in charge of the detatchment of airships sent to subjugate the castle of the Imperial Elector.


 * Attack! Attack! Attack!: He really should have listened to his subordinates instead of trying to act tough.
 * Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain
 * Sanity Slippage: Gerold doesn't take having half his fleet destroyed and then being ordered to retreat very well at all.
 * Villainous Breakdown
 * "Well Done, Son" Guy: His attempts to impress his father by taking down Koinzell wound up getting him killed.