Etienne de Vignolles

- Chapter 4 (minor)

**Etienne de Vignolles**, also known as *La Hire*, is a minor character in Puella Magi Persona. He is Melissa de Vignolles's father.

## Background

Etienne was born in a small village named Prechacq-les-Bains in the Gascony region of southwest France. He took up soldiering at an early age, and his nickname came from how quickly he could be riled to anger. True to his nickname, he earned a reputation far and wide for his severe fighting style. At the time he was dating a young woman named Milene. After arguing with Milene in regards to his dream, he left the village in approximately 1413 with Milene’s brother and his best friend Jean Poton de Xaintrailles to become mercenaries. They returned in 1418 only to discover that the village had been struck with plague in the previous year and that the majority of the villagers had fallen to the illness, including Milene and her parents. Despite this, Milene’s daughter was able to survive and had been taken in with the other orphans by the local priest. Etienne realizes that Milene’s daughter was also his own and that the reason Milene became upset with him was to drive him off and allow him to follow his dream without burdened by her or their soon-to-be-born daughter. Etienne then takes in Melissa and brings her with him everywhere thereafter. He was hired by the Dauphin in 1418 and fought for him from then on.

After Tart’s final capture and impending death by means of being burned at the stake, Etienne had not given up on trying to rescue Tart, and his attack on Rouen led to his capture. Later, he was captured again at Pontoise Trail, but was released in a prisoner exchange for John Talbot. Even after their release, they remained lifelong rivals, and Etienne would come to be known as one of the most gallant generals of the French army.

## Appearance

Etienne is a tall young man. He would often wear armor to enter the battlefield. His ears were always red when he was in a good mood or angry every day, which was inherited by Melissa.

## Personality

Etienne is a very boastful and self-assured person. Not only that, he also had great courage to face the deadly danger without fear, but he was prone to anger and arousal when he was upset. Despite his personality, he was a good father to Melissa, always ready to look after and protect her as he took her to the battlefield.

## Relationship

### Milene

Etienne's girlfriend. One day, he told her about his dreams and she had a disinterested look at Etienne before she scolded and kicked him out of her life which made him very dissatisfied. But he didn't know the feeling in her heart that she didn't want him to burden her and her unborn child. After Milene dies of a plague that spreads through the village leaving her daughter alone, Etienne later learns that the child is his daughter and Milene before he takes her and takes her everywhere.

### Melissa de Vignolles

Etienne's daughter. After Melissa's mother Milene dies of the plague, Etienne decides to adopt her and take her everywhere on the battlefield. Although he had the duty of a mercenary to fight on the battlefield, he still stood up to protect her so that she would not be in danger.

### Tart/Jeanne D'Arc

Etienne fought along with Tart with great courage, even when she faced danger, he would always protect and help her.

### Minato Arisato

Etienne meets Minato in the Witch's Labyrinth. Minato saved his life before Etienne stood up to brave the witch in the hopes of reuniting with Melissa.

## Trivia

* Etienne gave himself the nickname "La Hire".
* He's known for his brash temper, something Melissa inherited from him.
* In France he is associated with the Jack of Hearts in a deck of playing cards.

## Gallery

Introducing his daughter, MelissaLa Hire in the heat of battleEtienne's girlfriend and Melissa's mother, MileneMelissa meets her father for the first time