Garden-Master

Garden-Master (ガーデンマスター) is a character introduced in as the main antagonist.
== Profile ==
=== Appearance ===
Garden-master takes the form of a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes, although these are concealed behind a blindfold-esque piece of headwear with zippers. Garden-Master wears a long white coat with a hood attachment over a black uniform with dark brown boots. Garden-master has several A-shaped buckles on his belts and straps and also wears black steel-plated gloves.
Garden-Master carries two large special greatswords that can combine to form one larger weapon. They split down the centre, giving him two single edged weapons. the combined blade is very wide and resembles an 'A'. He carries it over his shoulder on his back.
=== Personality ===
Although somewhat arrogant and self-absorbed with his own actions, he is highly skilled with the two special greatswords he wields.https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/the-legend-of-heroes-kuro-no-kiseki-ii-crimson-sin-details-ixs-jolda-garden-master-towa-sherid-zita-and-naje Garden-Master is deeply convinced of his ideology to change the world and is both manipulative and conniving.
=== Background ===
Garden-Master acts as the leader of the remnants of Garden following its demise. He seems to have come in to power after Swin and Nadia left Garden, and neither of them were told of his existence. He seems to have some connection to Grendel-Zolga and Holo Core AI Altera, which appear to be the cause behind the bizarre murders in Edith.https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/the-legend-of-heroes-kuro-no-kiseki-ii-crimson-sin-details-ixs-jolda-garden-master-towa-sherid-zita-and-naje
Despite the identical voice and appearance, the Garden-Master is not Ace Rayne. 100 years prior, a man named Auguste Ardant, a Calvardian revolutionary who worked alongside Sheena Dirke, was executed after the revolution following ideological disagreements. Thanks to an unspecified Artifact possessed by the D∴G Cult, Ardante's soul was preserved in the world, and it spent the next century as a parasite listening to the grudges and grievances of those wronged throughout history.
After the cult was destroyed, the artifact was passed down to its successor, the Garden. Prior to his death, Garden member Melchior used technologies originating from the cult to form a clone body of Ace Rayne, as combat data indicated his strength. After the Garden was destroyed, Ardante's soul, using the 8th Oct-Genesis given to him by Gerard Dantes, was able to take possession of Ace's body, also borrowing his memories and combat skills.
=== ===
In Ace's AI-reconstructed body, Ardante declared himself the Garden-Master, and using the 8th Oct-Genesis, constructed Grendel-Zolga from the preserved-in-AI soul of Dingo Brad, and also constructed the Holo Core AI Altera which was in reality a corruption of Lapis Rosenberg. He set out on a campaign to gain the other Oct-Genesis, rewrite history to avenge the grudges of him and those who were wronged by history. He and Zolga have the ability to create "erosions" that alter people's memories and perceptions.
However, his plans were foiled thanks to Dingo's original personality gradually gaining control over Zolga (causing him to assist Van's group at several points using the moniker of <C>), as well as the capacity for the other Oct-Genesis to rewind time with memories preserved to give Van Arkride's group further attempts to stop him. On Nemeth Island, he used his appearance as Ace to convince his former partner, Swin Abel, to change sides via the erosion. He later uses the erosion to incite a coup'd'teat attempt in Edith, which is ultimately foiled. However, he is later able to spread the erosion throughout the capital, ultimately rendering his plan successful before a time rewind foils it again.
When Van's team confronts him in his territory, the Vanity Garden, inside the Marchen Garten, he attempts to kill Nadia Rayne (the true Ace's younger sister). Swin seeing this proves that he is not actually Ace, causing the erosion to wear off and he returns to Van and Nadia's side. He then reveals his true identity and history to the party, before fighting them as Auguste in a demonic form once again, before finally being defeated and destroyed. Through his body, the spirit of the true Ace is able to spend a moment with Swin and Nadia afterwards.
== Gallery ==
=== ===
Garden-Master (Kuro II).webp|Official render
Garden-Master Hooded - Finalized Concept Art.png|Finalized concept artwork
Garden Master - Finalized Concept Art.png|Finalized Concept artwork (no hood)
Garden-Master Face - Finalized Concept Art.png|Unmasked
Garden-Master - Concept Art 1.png|Concept art
Garden-Master - Concept Art 2 (Kuro II).png|Concept art
Garden-Master - Concept Art 3 (Kuro II).png|Concept art
Garden-Master Concept Art 4 (Kuro II).png|Concept art
Garden-Master's Swords - Finalized Concept Art.png|Garden-Master's Dual Swords
Garden-Master Masked Combat Icon (Kuro II).png|Combat icon
Garden-Master Unmasked Combat Icon (Kuro II).png|Combat icon (Unmasked)
Garden-Master OP (Daybreak II).png|Opening screenshot
Swin & Garden-Master OP (Daybreak II).png|Opening screenshot
Garden-Master - Promotional Screenshot 1 (Kuro II).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Garden-Master - Promotional Screenshot 2 (Kuro II).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Garden-Master - Promotional Screenshot 3 (Kuro II).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Auguste Dogma Introduction (Kuro II).png|Introduction
Auguste Dogma (Kuro II).png
Auguste Dogma - Finalized Concept Art (Kuro II).png|Auguste Dogma finalized concept artwork
Auguste Dogma Dual Swords - Finalized Concept Art (Kuro II).png|Auguste Dogma finalized concept artwork (With Dual Swords)
Auguste Dogma - Concept Art (Kuro II).png|Auguste Dogma concept art
Auguse Dogma Combat Icon (Kuro II).png|Auguste Dogma combat icon
== References ==
Sources
Category:Characters
Category:Kuro no Kiseki II Characters
Category:Swordsmen
Category:Garden Members
Category:Deceased Characters