Lazard Deusericus

Lazard Deusericus is a character in the Final Fantasy VII series, with a supporting role in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-. He is the union executive director of the SOLDIER program within the Shinra Electric Power Company.
Despite not being a fighter, he oversees SOLDIER's management with professional conduct, acting as a strategist and personally sending Zack Fair on important missions. He was a calm, collected, clever, and dedicated man seemingly loyal to Shinra. However, he holds an inconspicuous grudge toward the company relating to his past and shows concern for the people living in the slums of Midgar.
==History==
Lazard was born in the Midgar slums to an unnamed woman and illegitimately to President Shinra. He was raised by his mother and grew up in poverty, though he would eventually be hired by Shinra and quickly promoted to a union executive position. He did his duty, but sought vengeance over Shinra treating his mother poorly and therefore financed Hollander's research using embezzled money, with some SOLDIER members speculating he aimed to take the vice president's position.
In chapter 1, Lazard introduced himself as the director of SOLDIER to Zack, accompanied by Angeal Hewley. He informed Zack of Genesis Rhapsodos's disappearance during a mission in Wutai one month back and sent him to finish the assignment instead, feeling the war needed to finally end. Lazard would be joining them, asked if Zack's dream was to become a SOLDIER 1st Class, and responded lightheartedly when Zack answered he wanted to be a "hero", to which he would respond, "unattainable dreams are the best".
Lazard, Angeal, and Zack arrived at Fort Tamblin in Wutai and proceeded with the mission. Lazard acted as Zack's guide, advised him to be cautious, and provided intel on enemy troops and traps in the fortress. After Zack had finished the mission, a pleasantly surprised Lazard praised him, reported that Fort Tamblin had been occupied, and directed him to the next objective. Lazard regrouped with Angeal and Zack on the animal trail outside and apologized for being tardy, blaming his inexperience in the field, but insisting that he had to personally see the operation through since it signified the war's end. He evaluated Zack's combat performance, complimenting or criticizing him based on how many enemies were defeated. When mysterious enemies attacked shortly after, Angeal stayed behind and Lazard told Zack to contact Sephiroth before Zack escorted him to safety. Once safe, Lazard ordered him to backtrack and assist Angeal, but he was gone.
Since the war with Wutai was declared over, Lazard kept holed up in his office. A month later, during chapter 2, Lazard spoke to a concerned Zack about Genesis and Angeal's disappearance. The two had not contacted their parents in Banora and Lazard warned Zack to be wary of Genesis's parents before sending him and Tseng to investigate the village and look into the recently dispatched staff they had lost contact with.
In chapter 3, Lazard summoned Sephiroth and Zack to his office. He promoted Zack to SOLDIER 1st Class, showed understanding at his lack of happiness, mentioned another assignment, and sent him to change into his new uniform before elaborating further. Upon his return, Lazard informed the two that Shinra wanted to eliminate Genesis, his cohorts, and Angeal. The army would deal with it because they could not trust Zack, believing his emotions hampered his judgment. Lazard was alerted of a "massive compromise", directing Zack to defend the entrance and Sephiroth to protect the president.
Lazard recalled Zack to the Shinra Building in chapter 4 to defend against another attack launched by Genesis, his target being Professor Hojo. With Hojo saved, Zack checked in on a busy Lazard in chapter 5 who informed him that security had been hounding him with paperwork and hoped to quickly eliminate Genesis and Angeal despite the latter's aid, and because he was a "potential danger". A baffled Zack debated leaving Shinra and Lazard amusedly responded, "there's always a high price to pay for freedom". Zack asked if he had ever thought about leaving the company, but Lazard affirmed he would "never". He cryptically told Zack that "obstacles" and "difficulties" were meaningless when realizing a "worthy" goal, confusing him. An apologetic Lazard ended their chat and dismissed Zack.
Lazard abandoned his union director position by chapter 6 and though it was reported he was "killed in action", but he actually vanished. He was hounded by the Security Department and blamed for Genesis's attacks on the Shinra Building after it had been discovered he was secretly in league with Hollander, illegally using Shinra's money to fund his research, and even helping him escape Junon. His subordinates were shocked and hurt by his treachery and his absence caused SOLDIER's chain of command to become "shaky". Heidegger succeeded him, and operatives were dispatched to investigate Lazard's disappearance and uncover his whereabouts to no avail.
Lazard reunited with Zack during chapter 9 in Gongaga and revealed himself to be a degrading Angeal copy. After attempting to defend Cloud Strife from Hollander and the Genesis copies' advances, he acknowledged still being unable to fight like a 1st. He admitted to helping Hollander out of Junon to exact his revenge, but never dreamed of becoming an Angeal copy. As a copy, his lifelong "lust for vengeance" had dissipated, instead desiring to aid Zack, save Genesis, as well as the world. Zack consoled Lazard, attributed that Angeal lived inside him, and the two discussed Genesis's endgame, agreeing to team up and believing Angeal may "show them the way". Zack addressed an affable Lazard as "director", who asked what Zack's dream was again, and both repeated what they said upon first meeting before leaving to find Genesis.
Lazard and Zack traveled to Banora and investigated its ruins during chapter 10. Lazard enlightened Zack about dumbapples and how they only grow in Banora due to its soil properties. Zack asked Lazard to watch over a mako-poisoned Cloud. Lazard reflected on his time cooped up in his office, now feeling like he could "go out" and "face danger" because of all the trouble he endured while searching for Zack, and also because Angeal lived within him. He added that Zack was the only one left to stop Genesis since Sephiroth and Angeal were gone.
Lazard and Zack's search for Genesis led them back to Gongaga. Lazard stayed behind to protect Cloud while Zack went to confront Genesis. As the two battled, Lazard and a winged hound fended off a Shinra attack, the former being seriously injured in the process. With Genesis defeated and pacified, Zack returned to find a dying Lazard and the corpse of the winged hound lying before a still-catatonic Cloud. Zack rushed to Lazard's side and told him to "save his strength", but in his last moments, he accredited and pointed to the winged hound—the other last surviving copy of Angeal—that helped them before dying. A tearful Zack thanked his director who faded into the lifestream and left behind two white feathers that floated away.
==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
Lazard is a young man with an average build. He has fair skin, coiffed medium-length blond hair, and blue eyes. He wears a dark striped blazer over a white dress shirt with a lavender ascot tie, light gray dress pants held up by a chain belt with a buckle in the shape of a horse's head, and black dress boots with a silver buckle. His accessories include a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, white gloves, and silver stud earrings.
As an Angeal copy , Lazard inherits Angeal's appearance and degrades to the point where his skin, hair, and clothes fade in color. He bears a white wing on his right side, similar to Angeal.
===Personality===
Lazard is calm and collected, formal, dutiful, and just. He is friendly, courteous, encouraging, values integrity, and is professional with his operatives, who know him as a "good man" that spends a lot of time in his office. As such, when he became vengeful and betrayed Shinra, many questioned his motivation, especially considering he had previously stated he would never once thought about leaving. Though not skilled in the ways of combat, he compensates for it with his strategizing, creating precise guidelines and providing enemy intel for the missions he assigns.
Lazard admires, occasionally teases, and looks out for Zack. He initially observed his progress as a SOLDIER to see if it would interfere with his plans of revenge and also felt skeptical about him, believing him to only be good at squats. However, he comes to appreciate Zack's skill and quality of service, sending him on important missions and personally giving him a congratulatory promotion to SOLDIER 1st Class. Lazard and Zack have a mutual respect, and despite Lazard forsaking Shinra, Zack continues addressing him as "director". When Lazard reunites with Zack after disappearing, he admits to no longer feeling vengeful, instead wanting to help Zack see his dreams come true. Zack asks him to watch over Cloud and he agrees. Lazard dies protecting Cloud and a tearful Zack thanks his director one last time.
Despite appearing loyal to Shinra, Lazard harbors a grudge toward the company due to the poor treatment his mother received when he was growing up in the slums. His personal feelings are incorporated into the mail he sends out, often referencing familial issues, such as a lack of respect and appreciation can lead to ill blood leading to tragedy, while also addressing topics like "distortions" made out of Shinra's "meteoric rise to glory", injustice and "shadows" within the company that the president and vice president must confront, as well as showing concern for the "children of the slums" living in harsh environments and forming gangs. He betrays Shinra and allies with Hollander to exact revenge on the company, as well as his disdainful father and older half-brother, even becoming an Angeal copy to do it.
==Gameplay==
Lazard appears in one of the Digital Mind Wave scenes, praising Sephiroth and Zack for excelling at their mission and asking where Angeal is.
Lazard-ccvii-angeal.png|Model (Angeal Copy).
Lazard in Sephiroth DMW scene from Crisis Core Reunion.png|Lazard in a Sephiroth DMW scene.
==Behind the scenes==
Lazard is the only known human Angeal Copy. There are several hints about Lazard being President Shinra's son. If Zack speaks to a woman outside Aerith's church until Chapter 6, she will gossip about the president's affair with Lazard's mother. Also, during Chapter 6, the Shinra guard outside Lazard's office says Lazard reminds him of the V.P. (Rufus Shinra).
During a certain part of the game, Zack can talk to Lazard, and he will tell him that "There's always a high price to pay for freedom". This implies Zack echoes both Lazard and Angeal during his last stand.
===Voice===
In the English releases of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, Lazard is voiced by Stefan Marks and in the remaster Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion, he is voiced by Francis Ausley. He is voiced by Junpei Morita in the Japanese releases.
==Etymology==
Lazard's surname was added to the game's English version. In the Japanese version one of the MPs working on the investigation surrounding Lazard mentions that some of his personal and family records may have been falsified. This may include his surname.
==Notes==
===Annotations===
===Citations===
==References==
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Category:Characters in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-
de:Lazard Deusericus
pt-br:Lazard Deusericus
ru:Лазард Дойсерикус