Wads

Sales Manager Wads (ワッズ営業部長) is an influential member of Kleist & Co..
== Profile ==
=== Appearance ===
Wads is a middle aged man with medium-length hair that is neatly combed back, sepia eyes and glasses. He wears a smart white shirt, purple tie, grey sweater and jacket, complete with matching trousers.
=== Personality ===
Wads is a conniving and ambitious person, capable of feigning absolute manners and respect, but harbouring inner feelings of ineptitude and inadequacy when comparing himself to the prodigy of sales that is Hugo Kleist, his superior.
=== Background ===
Wads has been with Kleist & Co. since the company was founded.
=== ===
Wads was given a order to crush Riviera Court within six months. Riviera Court was a business rival to the newly opened Kleist Mall in Ordis. Rather than compete fairly, Wads started spreading malicious rumours about the quality of Riviera's products and had Herman sabotage deliveries of goods intended for Riviera Court. After being asked to help put a stop to the rumors, Class VII narrow the culprits down to Wads, and capture Herman who is genuinely remorseful. Wads had previously denied being behind the rumours but admits it when caught red-handed. Wads cites his frustration and tries to justify his actions, saying that he had had to attract customers, deal with nobles, suck up to corporate and make arrangements with the government. Hugo arrives soon after and Wads ties to appeal to him, thinking of ways to get their lawyers to dismiss the charges, but Hugo is having none of it. Hugo severely reprimands him for his actions, criticising Wads' abilities for having to rely on underhanded tactics. Hugo fires Wads, but reconsiders and gives them one last chance after hearing Ferris Florald's statement. He orders a report on how much it cost the company and a full restoration of proper business practises. Wads apologises and he and Herman make the rounds making amends.
Wads seems to regret his actions at the time, and come the Summer Festival, Wads apologises for his actions, stating his sanity had been restored after being too focused on work and the future profits.
Wads is one amongst the many seemingly influenced by the Erebonian Curse at the start of the Great Twilight
=== ===
Fueled by the power of the curse, Wads uses his position in the company to further the cause of the Great War and drive Kleist & Co.'s profits even further. The first of his major schemes that is foiled involves a scam where citizens of the Sutherland Province, most notably in Parm are convinced to donate valuables and heirlooms to help fund soldiers and the war effort, with Wads using this to gain profit. Class VII save a driver of the acquired goods and Wads comes to congratulate them, thinking his career was almost over until they saved the valuables. Altina identifies him and links him to the arson attack that made him a pariah amongst his colleagues. Wads claims his actions are part of Kleist's long term growth plans, and their expansion into the fine art and rare metal industries. He threatens to get the Imperial Defense Force involved if Class VII try to stop him. Hugo Kleist intervenes after Class VII discover Wads' plot and puts a stop to him once again. Hugo cautions him to cease the operation, and not interfere with Class VII as per the agreement his company has with the noble faction. Secretary Bilse wonders what has happened to him as Wads walks away thinking others in the company were jealous of his profits and ideas.
Wads feigns an apology but has in secret a much more nefarious scheme. Having fallen in league with the curse-afflicted Mayor Mathim of Alster, a situation is created where the villagers are forced to leave their homes. Wads intends to raze the village and build an 'Alster Distribution center' there, as it is prime ground for his enterprises. He is also revealed to be working with the IDF. Herman is called in, who says Wads had got him back on the right track in the past and now he seeks to repay the favour by stopping Wads from going too far. Machias Regnitz also reveals the inspectorate have questions for him, having been investigating him for some time.
When the combined efforts of Class VII and their allies are on the verge of stopping Wads, he tries a last ditch effort, pulling a gun out on a young boy of the village and unleashing Archaisms to raze Alster. Class VII defeat some, and the arriving Bracer Guild and Alster inhabitants Kai and Tilia take out the rest. Wads still doesn't give up, and it is revealed to him that the main office does not approve of his actions, and have disavowed him completely. Even after Hugo and Becky arrive to confront him, Wads states he has made the most profit regardless of morals. It eventually turns out Wads has a deep rooted inferiority complex that stems from his long successful history with the company being eclipsed by the skill of the younger Hugo, who even called him incompetent. Wad's desperation to prove his worth was the avenue the curse had to manipulating him. Hugo admits that while Wads' loyalty and results were commendable, he cannot condone his actions and places him on indefinite suspension, causing him to realize the extent of his machinations as he is taken away.
== Gallery ==
Wads Portrait (Sen IV).png|Portrait
Category:Trails of Cold Steel III Characters
Category:Trails of Cold Steel IV Characters
Category:NPCs