Germaine Marlon

"*I decide who I am. That's what I've always thought, but... that hasn't really panned out that well.*"
―Germaine Marlon
**Germaine Marlon** was the Queen of the Kingdom of Marlon and the daughter of Queen Dowager Prim. After falling in love with Clarith and rejecting her betrothed, Prince Alexiel, Germaine unwittingly sparked the Lucifenia-Elphegort War. Having lost her beloved to Alexiel, Germaine secretly supported the Lucifenian Resistance, annexing Lucifenia as a Marlon territory in the wake of its revolution. Possessed by the Demon of Pride, Germaine threatened to expand an imperialist Marlon regime across all of Evillious.

## History

### Early Life

"*Although, well, those dreams were crushed at my mother's instigation. In secret she made preparations with art dealers and critics, and had me completely excluded from the art world. To the point where I can no longer go back.*"
―Germaine regarding her childhood
Germaine was born on February 17, EC 474 as a member of the Marlon Royal Family. Fifth in line to the Kingdom of Marlon's crown, she dreamed of becoming a brave warrior who would go on adventures instead of being Queen. Sometime during her youth, her mother Prim began relating to her stories of Gallerian Clockworker's wartime heroics, Germaine learning that Prim had been mentored by him. Forbidden to learn swordplay or naval tactics by her mother, Germaine lost interest in heroics and decided to become a painter under the pen name "Lukana Octo"; during that period, she began learning about famous artists, idolizing the contemporary works of Nikolay Tolle. Around this time, Germaine encountered her mother Prim's close friend, an unknown mage.

In EC 484, Germaine met Mikina Sfarz at one of the royal banquets. In EC 488, at fourteen, Germaine moved into the city with relatives and received tutoring in painting from Margaret. Struck by Margaret's intelligent demeanor and kindness, Germaine developed a crush on her, although later learning she was already married to a noble. That same year, her mother brought a young relative, really Kyle Marlon, to visit, and Germaine unwittingly painted a portrait of her own little sister.

After Margaret's apparent suicide via poison while imprisoned in EC 489, Germaine grew suspicious of the circumstances; after meeting and hiring Keel Freezis to investigate her death, she learned Prim handed the poison off to a guard who gave it to Margaret. Afterwards, Germaine became fully devoted to becoming an artist and became close friends with Keel. After being harshly criticized by several art dealers and critics bribed by her mother, including her idol Nikolay Tolle, Germaine was demoralized; after her father's death in EC 490, she destroyed all of her paintings except the portrait of Kyle. It was later purchased by Keel for safekeeping.

Around that time, Germaine received a hand mirror from her mother. She also began learning fencing under her instructor, Lutwidge. Sometime after, she joined the Marlon army in battling a small band of pirates to test her skills; she returned home to a furious Prim, who forbid her from traveling anywhere without the protection of the navy. With the Royal Victoricia as her escort vessel, Germaine became close friends with its captain, Admiral Dylan.

### The Queen from Across the Ocean

"*But... sometimes I get to thinking. That maybe I've only walked along the rail that my mother's laid out for me, maybe I'm just her puppet.*"
―Germaine regarding her childhood
In EC 494, Germaine was crowned queen after a bout of political turmoil. As the years progressed, Germaine grew to suspect more and more how her mother had interfered in his life, including murdering several of her half-siblings, so she had no choice but to ascend to the throne; she also overheard her subjects regarding her as a mere puppet of her mother. Around that time, Germaine began visiting with her betrothed, Prince Alexiel of the Kingdom of Lucifenia; the two became very close, with Germaine giving him a shell pendant as part of their courtship.

Later on, Germaine saw her surviving half-brother, Arkatoir, return as a civil servant in parliament, learning that Arkatoir wanted more to life than plowing fields as a peasant. Once Keel and Mikina became popular merchants after eloping to Elphegort, Germaine began attending her friend's monthly banquets at her mansion in Aceid while incognito. In EC 499, she attended Alexiel's fourteenth birthday party and spent the evening with hrr fiancé. She also, around this time, learned about the dire famine afflicting the country and Alexiel's refusal to relieve the citizenry's starvation. During one of her visits to Keel, the latter showed Germaine the Venom Sword he had in his collection; although refusing to purchase the weapon, as she came in contact with it, she was unknowingly possessed by the Demon of Lust.

A month later in EC 500, Germaine attended another banquet at Keel's mansion and was dazzled by his new servant, Clarith, who sang for the banquet. Shocked by her resemblance to Margaret and her beauty, Germaine instantly became enamored with her. Following the performance, she was introduced to Clarith directly and was further charmed by Clarith's kind and funny personality. Sometime after, she decided to confess her feelings to her; bringing a coral shell pendant to another of Keel's banquets, Germaine found Clarith in the drawing room after her performance, studying her surviving childhood painting. Germaine then approached and explained her history with painting, albeit fudging the years to make herself seem younger. After sharing some of her conflicting feelings on being queen with her, Germaine hesitantly confessed to Clarith that she loved her. Clarith then stated she didn't understand what love was; initially insulted by what appeared to be feigned ignorance, Germaine nonetheless tried to explain the concept to her, although ultimately unsure if she made it clear enough. After she apologized for her failure, Germaine nonetheless offered her the shell pendant as a gift and suggested that, as she still didn't know, they start out as friends first; with her persuasion, the girl finally accepted.

After learning of Mariam Avadonia's death, Germaine joined in mourning at the warrior's funeral, departing after her burial. Afterward, she regularly visited Elphegort over the following weeks, arranging a meeting with Keel and King Thorny Elphen to discuss relieving Lucifenia's food shortage; during the period, she met up with Clarith at Keel's mansion almost every day, talking to her often. The day of her planned meeting with Keel and Thorny at the Freezis Mansion, Germaine went to see Clarith and instead met with Michaela; told Claritj was out buying green onions, she went to find her at the market.

After meeting up with Clarith, Germaine helped her on her shopping trip and the two chatted; as they crossed a bridge on the way back, she saw Michaela fall into the water and dived in after her, pulling her to safety. That night, she met with Keel and Thorny and convinced them to help send aid to Lucifenia to relieve the populace and improve diplomatic relations, agreeing to also send aid on behalf of Marlon. After Keel ordered some liquor for them to enjoy, Germaine watched Michaela burst in drunk; as she angrily ranted about Germaine having kept her engagement a secret from Clarith, Germaine protested before Michaela began ranting at Keel instead.

### White Hunting

"*Good grief! No matter how old she gets that spoiled brat is just a child. Is she incapable of considering how her actions can bother those around her!?*"
―Keel ranting about Germaine
The next day Germaine went to see Clarith before her departure; as Clarith treated her coldly, Germaine learned that she had discovered her engagement to Alexiel. Germaine explained that Alexiel was more a brother to her, telling Clarith that the marriage was arranged and not made out of love. As she considered even defying the arrangement, she was shocked when Clarith, at last, flatly and firmly rejected her.

Although understanding her wishes, Germaine's demonic possession filled her with a sudden and uncontrollable lust for Clarith. Right before leaving, she suddenly embraced her and begged her to run away with her, before getting control of herself and asking her to forget her words. After she returned to Marlon, Germaine bolstered Keel's aid to Lucifenia with her own as a gesture of good faith to her betrothed.

A few weeks later, Germaine impulsively decided to void her engagement with Alexiel; writing a letter to him explaining how she was in love with a girl in Elphegort, she gave it to Prime Minister Minis of Lucifenia during the man's visit to thank Marlon for its aid. Explaining the situation, Germaine sent Minis off and prepared to depart for Elphegort, only for Prim to imprison her under house arrest. A week later, after being freed, Germaine received a letter from Keel explaining that Alexiel had decided to exterminate all the white haired women in Elphegort until her "lover" was killed.

Told of Clarith's hiding place in the Millennium Tree Forest, Germaine sent a letter back saying she could smuggle Clarith away from the conflict in no more than a week and departed for Elphegort. Arriving at Keel's hiding place a few days later, Germaine was horrified and grieved to discover Clarith's corpse, the girl having been assassinated. Once Gallerian and his apprentice, Lemy, extracted the corpse from her, Germaine departed with just the shell pendant that she had given her. Donning a mask, the grieving and possessed Germaine impulsively approached the Lucifenian Resistance, led by Mariam's daughter Neu, and offered them her aid.

### Lucifenian Revolution

"*What a stroke of luck that Marlon ended up not sending them any military aid, hm?*"
"*... You're mean.*"
―Ney teasing the masked Germaine
After Germaine supplied the resistance with her soldiers to bolster their army, she met with them in the resistance's base in the Millennium Tree forest. Although quarreling with York briefly when the man questioned her loyalty, this mistrust was quickly put aside and the meeting proceeded. During the meeting, Germaine suspected that Ney had discovered his identity, but regardless told the revolutionaries to call her "Lukana." She later watched as the blacksmith Langley arrived with supplies for the revolutionaries.

Once the Lucifenian Revolution began, the disguised Germaine and her masked soldiers assisted the Resistance and Elphegort armies and helped score successive victories against the Lucifenian army. On the second week of the Revolution, Germaine's forces decimated the recalled forces from Retasan Fortress and the Babul Desert. Afterward, Lukana brought her forces to Rolled to combat the Venom Mercenaries' forces, battling alongside Marc, another revolutionary leader. During battle with the commander of the mercenaries, Gast Glass, Germaine was wounded and Marc intervened to save her life; although forcing Gast and subsequently the other mercenaries to flee, Marc was killed by the "Demon of Asmodean" in the process.

Germaine continued the push with the revolutionary army towards the kingdom's capital, later meeting up with Ney outside the Lucifenian Royal Palace's main gate. After discussing their need to hurry and apologizing for Marc's death, Germaine followed Ney into the palace's Heavenly Yard and the two assailed the courtyard with their forces, only to be held back by one of the Three Heroes, Leonhart Phutapie. After Chartette Langley took Leonhart on herself, Germaine's forces broke through enemy lines and she led the assault into the palace. Sometime during the fighting, Germaine encountered a guardsman, Clive.

Germaine and Ney then divided their forces, with Germaine's half finding Prime Minister Minis; as Minis tried to escape, Germaine slew him allegedly for resisting arrest and sent a messenger to report this to Ney. After Prince Alexiel was found and captured, the revolution was complete. Sometime after the revolution, Germaine went drinking with York and learned the story of how Ney was adopted by Mariam. Germaine also visited the imprisoned prince and realized he was not Alexiel but his servant, Rin Avadonia, who also confessed to being Clarith's murderer. In light of the outrage that would occur if Alexiel were not killed, as well as her own anger, Germaine told Rin she would be executed in the prince's place.

Soon after the revolution ended, Germaine received a letter from her mother demanding that Lucifenia come under Marlon's jurisdiction and she agreed to the request. She later attended the peace meeting in the Hall of Sounds along with Keel, King Thorny, Ney, and the other revolutionary leaders, having revealed her identity to them as all as the Queen of Marlon. Once the meeting began Germaine discussed the status of the surrendered Lucifenian army and that that of the Three Heroes, disclosing to everyone Leonhart's mysterious death after the battle. She then elaborated on Prim's proposal to take Lucifenia under Marlon control.

As York argued with her over the idea, she explained her position that the revolutionary army lacked political experience and that Marlon would serve as an interim government for Lucifenia. She also promised to integrate the revolutionary leaders into the new government; after her proposal was accepted, Germaine offered positions in the new regime to York, Minage, and Ney, with Ney turning down the offer. She then brought up the subject of Alexiel and declared he would be given a public execution in Milanais Square at three o'clock.

### Marlon Occupation

"*Do you plan to unite the entire Evillious region?*"
"*Eventually, yes.*"
―General George Ausdin and Queen Germaine
After "The Son of Evil" was beheaded and the Kingdom of Lucifenia was occupied, the Demon of Lust was secretly extracted from Germaine and replaced with the Demon of Pride from her hand mirror. Once Germaine settled in Lucifenia, she handed over administration of Marlon to her mother, making Clive her right hand man. As her hubris grew, Germaine planned to take full control over Lucifenia and eventually conquer all of Evillious under Marlon's banner.

Later on, the former servant Kyle Phutapie told Germaine that Neu, Gallerian, and Lemy were the ones truly responsible for Clarith's murder. Determined to attain vengeance against them, she sent out a letter to Keel, among others, explaining her "Sorcerer Hunt". Not long after, she learned that Minage and York, having realized her intentions, had escaped the palace and were amassing troops at Breck Mountain. In response, Germaine sent the soldiers from Retasan Fortress to put them down. With conflicting reports concerning the whereabouts of her Sorcerer Hunt targets, she then officially ordered for Ney's arrest.

At some point, Germaine recommended to the priest Mikhail Asayev the services of the blacksmith Langley. That same year, EC 501, Germaine merged Lucifenia as part of Marlon's territory and attempted to eradicate the Lucifenian Resistance, fabricating a claim that Ney was a traitor to the new government. As time progressed, Germaine added more names to the Sorcerer Hunt. One night, she discovered both Gallerian and Lemy attempting to steal her hand mirror and managed to take possession of the Venom Sword before the two escaped. Around this time, Keel began sending Germaine the novels published by his talented nine year old daughter, Yukina. At Keel's suggestion, Kyle banned free trade with Elphegort to promote Marlon's economy and disassociate it from the White Country's royal family.

In EC 502, Germaine employed Prim's Special Maneuvers Task Force to help hunt down the "sorcerers", on the condition of giving them absolute freedom in regards to the Sorcerer Hunt and allowing the unknown mage to select the group's head, namely Kyle. The following year, Germaine had Riliane Mouchet recapture Retasan and the Resistance fled to the Beelzenian Empire, where they received protection from the Beelzenian Emperor. In EC 505, Germaine sent Kyle and the Special Maneuvers Task Force to Retasan to find and capture Lemy, who had also taken up residence in the Beelzenian Empire. As part of this, she appointed Kyle commander of Retasan despite opposition, expecting to bolster their offensive by his usage of the Glass of Marlon to reanimate the dead.

Over two months after fighting broke out in Beelzenia, Germaine met with General George Ausdin in the palace and learned that Retasan Fortress had fallen. After trading words with him about this news and the criticism she'd received for making Kyle into a commander, Germaine ordered Ausdin to continue defending the city of Retasan while she planned to mount a full invasion of Beelzenia. Once she confirmed she planned to unite all Evillious, Germaine permitted Ausdin to express his doubt that Germaine had the necessary qualities to achieve such an ideal. Although angered, she accepted the opinion and sent George away with orders and twenty thousand troops.

Afterward, she received Kyle and learned that Lemy and Ney had been spotted in Lucifenia, the undead soldiers having been useless in helping capture them in Beelzenia. To her consternation, Germaine further learned that Kyle would be returning to Marlon to ask the unknown mage if she was misusing the glass; unable to object, Germaine could only have the rest of the Task Force remain as reinforcements before Kyle departed.

Two weeks later, Germaine attended a dinner party held at the merchant Corpa's mansion, escorted by Clive. Becoming miserable and drunk, she headed outside and was alarmed as she was unwittingly mocked by the voice of the demon. Soon after, she encountered the teenaged Yukina Freezis; after the two caught up, Yukina informed her she would be visiting the palace tomorrow before she left, and Germaine also headed home.

### The Demon Queen and the Girl

"*Ms. Germaine... I myself don't really know whether or not demons exist. But I think that you've still... changed a little bit over these five years.*"
―Yukina
The next day, Germaine received Yukina, as well as two masked bodyguards accompanying her, the Hall of Mirrors. After greeting each other, Germaine prevented Clive from taking her bodyguards' masks, the two allegedly being from Asmodean's Almoga Mobarez ethnicity and being forbidden from unmasking. Yukina then claimed Keel had allegedly sent her about the Elphegort embargo and Germaine poked holes in her story, pointing out that Keel had suggested the embargo and questioning why he would send her instead of her brother Shaw.

As Yukina stammered for an explanation, Germaine gently brushed her off and said she would consult Keel later, encouraging her to take a tour of the palace. After Yukina left, Germaine told Clive to notify the guards and Keel of her arrival in the palace. Throughout the rest of the day, Germaine spotted Yukina exploring the palace and jotting down story ideas in her notebook. That evening, she met her again in the Heavenly Yard; as the two talked, Germaine showed Yukina her hand mirror from her mother after mentioning the notebook her own mother gifted her, the girl taking an interest in Kyle's other treasures.

After Germaine noted the late time, she learned that Yukina was staying in a hotel in Rollam and offered to let her stay in the palace for the night, arranging to have a room prepared. That night, Germaine stayed up admiring Nikolay Tolle's paintings in the corridor before being approached by and chatting with a new guard recruit; hearing a loud explosion from Yukina's room, she joined the recruit and hurried down the corridor. Meeting up with Clive outside the room, Germaine learned that the Special Maneuvers Task Force was causing a riot outside, while Yukina and her companions were missing.

Germaine ordered Clive to rouse the guards and find them, clarifying for the guards to not hurt Yukina although they may kill her bodyguards. With the guards setting out, after Clive changed out of his pink pajamas Germaine had him accompany her on a search through the palace. As they failed to find the fugitives and questioned where they'd be, Germaine suddenly considered that Yukina's bodyguards were Gallerian and Lemy and suggested her bedroom. The two were interrupted by an explosion from Germaine's room and she, with Clive, rushed to investigate; there, Germaine discovered one of Yukina's companions surrounded by the Special Maneuvers Task Force.

Confronting her herself, Germaine ordered everyone else to stand down and had the masked thief unveil herself as Ney Avadonia. Dryly greeting her former comrade, Germaine confronted her over Clarith's death and accused her of conspiring with Lemy and Gallerian to murder Clarith, knowing her death would garner support due to her popularity and connection to Keel. As Ney protested her innocence and pointed out Rin's confession, Germaine added how she had learned from Keel that Rin was lying about being involved.

Ney once more insisted her innocence, and Germaine continued to argue with her over the matter. As she continued to poke holes in her reasoning, she began feeling increasing self-doubt and ached for her hand mirror. Becoming further infused with pride, Germaine commanded Clive to kill Ney with the Special Maneuvers Task Force, only for Ney to flee out the window. Germaine then followed the voice of the Demon of Pride to Alexiel's room, following a secret passage inside to the palace stables outside. After finding Yukina and her other masked bodyguard, really Lemy, at the stables, Kyle noticed the girl holding her hand mirror and took it from her. As her peace of mind returned, she heard Lemy note that her heart had become dependent on a demon and she argued demons didn't even exist and she wasn't possessed. With even Yukina pointing out how much she'd changed, Germaine began insisting she was fine even as she unwittingly began to demonically transform before the girl's very eyes. Giving in to the Demon of Pride, she attacked Lemy and then, as she grew wings, took off into the night sky.

Over the course of two weeks, Germaine's transformation increased as she hunted aimlessly for the three. Finding them in the Millennium Tree Forest, the bestial Germaine wildly attacked Lemy and Yukina, unaffected by Lemy's attempts to exorcise him. Clarith then intervened, however, singing a spell song that amplified the spell's effect and put a protective enchantment over the shell necklace Germaine carried. Freed of the demon's control, Germaine fell unconscious. Germaine later awakened, returned to normal and having no memory of the last two weeks as well as only vague memories of the past five years.

### Voyage to Marlon

Planning to confront her mother, Germaine received a summons from Keel to return to Marlon, Shaw having come to Lucifenia to deliver it on the Royal Victoricia. With Yukina, Ney, Lemy, Shaw and his entourage in tow, Germaine prepared to depart to Marlon; shortly before leaving, Chartette Langley handed Germaine an improved version of her father's rocket glove to use on Kyle. They set sail shortly after, and Germaine discussed with the others, her plans to visit the castle as the Queen of Marlon when they arrived.

The next day, Germaine chatted with Yukina on the deck before the Jamet Mountains, as well as a pirate ship, appeared before them in the distance. She was then joined on the deck by Admiral Dylan; as the pirates fired upon them, Germaine had Yukina return below deck but refused to evacuate herself while Dylan unfolded his strategy. She then listened to Dylan suppose the pirates' inexperience due to their own poor strategy, and watched her gradually sink the ships until only one remained approaching at top speed.

The remaining ship rammed the Royal Victoricia, shaking the vessel, and the pirates declared they were commandeering the flagship. The sailors of the Royal Victoricia swarmed the enemy vessel, gaining the upper hand as they did battle with the pirates. Kyle then watched in shock as the pirate captain Yarera, along with his second, Zusco, boarded the Royal Victoricia through use of a glove that shot a wire into the mast.

After the two came aboard, they quickly knocked Dylan out and Germaine was secured as a hostage; as Yarera ordered the sailors to retreat back to their ship, she questioned them and learned someone had paid the two a large bounty to kidnap her. Once Yukina and the seasick Ney distracted the pirates, Germaine took the opportunity to escape and move away. The two groups then prepared to attack each other, Yarera and Zusco against Germaine and Ney, once Ney had been properly armed.

Despite Ney's seasickness, once the duel began she and Germaine began to gain the upper hand, in addition to the rest of the pirate crew becoming captured by the other sailors. Germaine then witnessed Zusco and Yarera use their wire technique to escape on their ship, only for the ship to be dragged under the water by a giant octopus. After handing Yukina over to Ney's protection, Germaine went over their options for facing the monster and met with Lemy on the main deck.

Lemy outlined a strategy to enhance the ship's cannons so it could damage the octopus, and Germaine assured Dylan to follow his instructions. With Shaw's help, Lemy was able to make the cannons strong enough to damage the octopus' brow; once the cannons broke down, Germaine directed the ship on a new course around the injured monster and they successfully evaded it. After thanking Lemy for his help, Germaine learned from him that only a mage with enormous power would be able to grow such a giant octopus as what attacked them.

### Unraveling the Conspiracy

"*You've kept me waiting quite a while, Germaine.*"
―Keel to his old friend
Arriving in Jamet, Germaine and the others took three carriages into Bariti and Germaine parted course to enter Marlon Castle. Once she arrived, Germaine met with Arkatoir inside the castle; following greetings, Germaine learned that Prim had left for Castle Hedgehog to recover from illness shortly after they received word of Germaine's return. After assuring herself of the military strength she could summon on short notice, she inquired about the unknown mage and learned that she had allegedly died the other day. Confirming the woman's dead body for herself, Germaine wondered if Gallerian had been the one responsible for the octopus attack.

Germaine and Arkatoir later met with Keel, Shaw, and Keel's maid Gerda in Right Palace. After the two warmly caught up, Germaine ordered Arkatoir to give Shaw a tour, with a flustered Gerda accompanying him, so that she could speak with Keel in private. Once they were alone, Germaine brought up Prim being at Castle Hedgehog and her suspicions that Kyle was with Prim at the royal villa due to undead soldiers being spotted in the area.

As Germaine listened, Keel unraveled for her how Prim, using demons, had masterminded all of the conflict between Lucifenia and Elphegort to further Marlon's power. Summoning several excuses for how Prim couldn't be responsible for her demonic possession, Germaine resolved to confront her herself and announced her intentions to Keel, as there was no real proof what Kyle or Prim's objectives were.

Keel then brought forward a package Gerda left behind, Germaine's last surviving painting; gradually, and to Germaine's shock, he explained that the little boy who posed for the painting was Germaine's sibling, Kyle Phutapie, whose birth Prim had covered up as a stillbirth for her own reasons. Shaken by the revelation that the despicable Kyle was her little brother, Germaine remained in a shocked stupor until some time later, where she confronted a portrait of her father and lamented how they had both been used by Prim.

### Preparing for Battle

"*An active queen as ever, aren't you? You have so many underlings, you should have left it to them.*"
―Ney to Germaine
Afterwards, Germaine began rallying the available troops for her planned assault on Castle Hedgehog, including the soldiers that fought alongside her during the revolution. As part of this, she visited the Freezis Mansion to seek Lemy and Ney's counsel. After she arrived, Germaine was received by Ney, who traded a few barbs with her and led her to Lemy's room. There Germaine encountered Gallerian, learning that the unknown mage had fought with him and he had only recently recovered, leaving only Abyss' cat behind.

Roughly grasping the situation, Germaine and Gallerian quarreled over her treatment of them during the Sorcerer Hunt before she explained the situation in north Marlon and her planned march on the Blood Pool region. She then consulted Gallerian on getting his aid; although he refused, she learned that it would be best to strike during the new moon, when magic was at its weakest. Germaine then tried to enlist Ney's aid, with the revolutionary hero only agreeing to help her when she promised to start removing Marlon's presence from Lucifenia.

As she prepared to leave, Lemy promised to help Germaine and instructed her to bring all the soldiers' weapons to him. Overjoyed, she thanked Lemy and apologized to him for everything she had done. Gallerian rejoined the conversation, finally agreeing to cooperate in order to obtain Prim and Kyle's vessels of sin. The two were interrupted by Yukina, who hugged Germaine and begged her to take her with her to Castle Hedgehog. Despite Yukina's protests, she gently persuaded her to stay behind for her own safety. As she did, however, the overprotective Keel stumbled on the two and assumed Germaine was making a play for her daughter.

After being beaten up and tossed out, Germaine came across Mikina playing with the mage's red cat; after greeting her, Germaine met with her escort and departed. Over the next few days, Germaine received an unexpected shipment of weapons and supplies from Keel and gave them all to Gallerian and Lemy, who engraved the weapons with magical enchantments. Germaine also convinced Ney to become one of her commanders.

Afterwards, the Queen and her armies departed for Lioness with Keel, Yukina, and the two mages. Setting up headquarters in Lioness Castle, Germaine gathered her thousands of Marlon troops and split them into five divisions, stationing the fifth army to defend Lioness while the rest handled the corpse soldier threat throughout the Blood Pool Region. Composing the first army under her command with her former comrades from the revolution, Germaine set to assault Castle Hedgehog.

The day before the planned assault, Lemy enchanted Germaine's sword and Gallerian put an enchantment of his own on Chartette's rocket glove, after explaining his intentions to leave when the battle got underway. Later on, Germaine spoke with Keel and was touched by his promise to help her with Marlon's withdrawal from Lucifenia. By sunset, the troops were armed and Germaine introduced them all to Ney that night. Once she was accepted as their commander, the troops had a banquet to raise morale before the battle.

### Battle of Castle Hedgehog

"*Mother... You're insane.*"
―Germaine after hearing her mother's story
The next morning, Germaine departed with the first army towards Castle Hedgehog and trudged through the heavy rain. At the castle's main gate she deployed half the troops around the castle and sent a vanguard inside to search for Prim. Not long after, however, Germaine was alerted to the undead soldiers inside and she invaded Castle Hedgehog with her army. As she did battle with the monsters, she spotted Kyle fleeing into the depths of the castle and pursued him, along with Ney and a handful of her troops.

Losing sight of him in the castle's courtyard, she and Ney agreed to split into two groups, Germaine to search Heartbeat Clocktower and Ney search to the rest of the castle. After reminiscing about their similar situation in the revolution, the two were ambushed by the Special Maneuvers Task Force; with Ney holding the four female assassins off with the rest of the troops, Germaine took the soldiers Walpole and Seton with her on her search.

After ascending the clocktower stairs, Germaine reached the room at the top and found Prim and Kyle together, Prim holding a doll in her lap that had a striking resemblance to Kyle. Soon enough, Kyle fled the room with the Glass of Marlon and Germaine sent Seton and Walpole after him. Alone with her mother, Germaine was devastated to hear her confirm that she was the one commanding the undead soldiers through Kyle, staying in Castle Hedgehog of her own free will.

As she questioned her, Prim readily told Germaine about the conspiracy that she had enacted, of how she had developed an obsessive grudge against Queen Anne and King Arth and hoped to best them and ruin them in every way. In order to do this, Prim had manipulated every aspect of Germaine's life to make her queen of a powerful Marlon, arranging many manipulations and assassinations of others, besides. She also explained how she collaborated with the unknown mage, using her vessels of sin to have Germaine and others possessed when needed, and had Germaine's half-brother Kyle raised to be the perfect spy and assassin.

With her story finished, Prim announced to the dumbstruck Germaine that she would have her repossessed by the Demon of Pride, revealing a Mirror of Lucifenia that currently contained a Demon of Lust. When prompted, Prim also further explained that the doll she held was the "Clockworker's Doll," another vessel; as she began to go in depth about the doll, which was modeled after the Original Sinner, Adam Moonlit, Germaine watched Kyle return to report her success in killing her soldiers. Ignored, Kyle grew angrier and angrier with each attempt to get Prim's attention and, suddenly, Germaine stared in shock as she stabbed their mother to death.

### Facing Demons

"*...What are you planning to do?*"
"*I'm going to strike the final blow.*"
―Ney and Germaine

```
Immediately after stabbing Prim, Kyle became hysterical and assumed Germaine had killed her, ranting maniacally. Germaine concluded that the years of the mage's experimentation on the boy and the Glass of Marlon's influence had caused Kyle's psyche to crack. Preparing to battle, she resolved to take responsibility for her broken family and save her brother. Germaine was shortly after confused as Kyle succumbed to the Demon of Gluttony, yet only seeming to transform his attire into a blue suit. Kyle and Germaine then engaged in a duel and the latter desperately fought off his onslaught of frenzied attacks.

```

As her sword started to crack, Germaine heard the voice of the Demon of Lust offering to contract with her, the demon promising to give her the power to defeat Kyle. Resolutely refusing, Germaine returned to the battle until her sword finally broke and Kyle rammed her to the floor, straddling her. As he stabbed Germaine's chest, Clarith's enchantment on Germaine's shell necklace blocked the blow and shattered both the knife and the necklace. As Kyle angrily fumed at the "Daughter of White," Germaine realized that Kyle was Clarith's true murderer.

Kyle shortly after began pummeling Germaine, only for Ney to enter and call out to them. While her assailant was distracted, Germaine shot Chartette's rocket glove at him and the shocked Kyle was sent flying. As Ney helped Germaine to stand, she explained how the undead soldiers had all returned to being corpses. Germaine then bent over and checked Kyle's unconscious body, resolving to give the killing blow before Ney talked her out of it. She then allowed Ney to take Kyle away herself, as several of her troops arrived into the room.

After Ney left, Germaine made up a story to the soldiers that Prim had been killed by the mage who had manipulated the corpse soldiers. She also added that the Special Maneuvers Task Force had also been manipulated by the mage, who had already escaped. Afterwards, she collected her mother's corpse, the two mirrors, and the Clockworker's Doll, taking them out of the tower and into the breaking daylight.

### Return of the Storm

"*I don't know what's right anymore. I don't know what's "just" or "evil"—*"
"*Do you really need to? It's not like everything that you do is with a definite basis for doing so. I think that's how it is with anyone.*"
―Germaine and Arkatoir
Later, Germaine met with Ney, Yukina, Keel, Gallerian and Lemy in Lioness Castle, the room containing Kyle tied to the bed and the vessels of sin they'd found in Castle Hedgehog. After explaining everything that had occurred between her and her mother, she discussed with the group what to do with Kyle and it was eventually decided Gallerian would try to restore his sanity with magic. Gallerian afterwards announced they would return to Bariti; as Germaine prepared to hand him the vessels, they all heard a strange rattling sound, and then a dull thud when Keel went to investigate it. Shortly after, everyone was rendered unconscious by a blue flash.

Germaine soon awoke in what appeared to be a very large black box; there she spotted the Demon of Gluttony walking hand-in-hand with Kyle as he had appeared when he was a child. Confronting them both, Germaine was told that "Kyle" was actually "Pale", the demon explaining that he was the reincarnation of the fabled scientist and Demon of Wrath. As Germaine struggled to comprehend his words, Kyle apologized to his sister for all the bad things he had done and expressed his hope to see her again in another life, only for the Demon of Gluttony to start taking him away. Despite Germaine's pleas, the demon took the seemingly ignorant Kyle into a sea that appeared before them.

Germaine suddenly awoke to find Ney shaking her, learning that everyone else had regained consciousness from the strange flash. She then hesitantly told her that Keel had been badly injured and all of the vessels of sin had been stolen. As she struggled to continue that Kyle had also been murdered, Germaine saw her brother's bloodstained corpse on the bed for herself. She was grateful at least that he seemed to have died peacefully, instead of in pain.

Over the course of two weeks, Germaine launched an investigation into their unknown assailant while handling the aftermath of their battle. Around that time, she had Kyle and Prim buried in Left Chapel following a grand national funeral for the Queen Dowager. Gazing at their graves, Germaine brooded over her self-doubt until being found by Arkatoir, who reassured her that she didn't need to be sure of everything. The two were then approached by Shaw, who informed them that Mikina had been away for two weeks.

As Germaine pondered how serious her disappearance had to be under the circumstances, Shaw frantically added that Yukina had also left. He gave Germaine a letter from her, which explained that she intended to search for her mother abroad after noting things that suggested she was the mysterious assailant.

### Later Life

"*I suppose she's still pursuing her phantom, even now.*"
―Yukina regarding Germaine's attachment to Clarith
When Holy Levianta called for aid against Neo Apocalypse in EC 508, Marlon allowed the emerging Lucifenian Republic to send its own troops to help with the conflict. In EC 510, Germaine abdicated the throne to Arkatoir after Lucifenia was given its complete independence; she then traveled the world as a painter for some time, living her childhood dream.

Later on, Germaine reunited with Yukina and the two started living together in Lucifenia. Sometime after Gallerian and Lemy departed for the East in EC 548, Yukina and Germaine visited Merrigod Plateau on the former's route to east Levianta, Yukina to hear about the fabled Karchess Calgaround and Germaine to paint a landscape of the plateau. Visiting the city of Calgaround, the two learned of the folklore surrounding the countess and saw a portrait of him and his wife hanging in the former royal library. Shocked to see Karchess's striking resemblance to Kyle, Germaine painted her landscape while Yukina continued to learn about Karchess's folklore before he departed.

In EC 562, Germaine was approached by a group of orphans asking about the priest Allen's past in order to find the recipient of his letter. Realizing they meant Alexiel, she told them about his past atrocities, how the likely recipient had died for those sins, and that a reply wouldn't come.

### Afterlife

Following her death, Germaine's soul was sent to the Heavenly Yard and remained there. In EC 999, she and the other souls were pulled back to the Third Period as the ground world merged with the Hellish Yard. Germaine was invited to a dinner party at the Lucifenian Royal Palace held in Prince Alexiel's honor and joined the other guests in the Hall of Mirrors. During this time, she told Alexiel that she was a demon contractor. Later during the festivities, she inhaled the Eighth Gift in the palace air and fell into a deep slumber.

### Fight for a New World

Germaine eventually woke up and gathered with everyone else in the Hall of Sounds. As the group discussed the Tasan Party soldiers surrounding the palace, Germaine watched as everyone declared their support for Anne. Briefly speaking with Keel, she eventually joined the battle.

Leading her Marlon soldiers during the ensuing fight, Germaine later noticed a Black Box flying over the Lucifenian side. She then reenacted her demonic transformation and flew up to the Black Box, attempting to destroy it before being sucked inside. Soon after, the Black Box was defeated and Germaine was freed. With the Tasan soldiers having been sucked inside as well and no longer wishing to do battle, Germaine returned to the group and informed Michelle Octo of the voice she had heard inside the device.

While Rin and Michelle confronted Gallerian, Geemaine joined in the chorus singing the Clockwork Lullaby to aid them. Near Gallerian's soul mending, as Rin plummeted back to the ground Germaine flew up with Ney on her back to catch her. After Rin and Alexiel later created a new world with the Re\_birthday function, Germaine participated in the ball at the Lucifenian Royal Palace before being presumably incorporated into the Fourth Period.

### Legacy

"*It was a very interesting read. I was able to learn a little bit more about my roots–my ancestry.*"
―Elluka Marlon regarding Germaine and her family
Germaine's actions were later detailed by Yukina in her novel "The Son of Evil" and gained popularity in the centuries after her lifetime. Around half a century later, Gallerian read Yukina's memoirs and promptly investigated her and Germaine's mysterious experience in Calgaround. After discovering the same portrait at Calgaround's library, Gallerian immediately understood their concerns. One of Germaine's descendants, Elluka Marlon, read Yukina's novel at the behest of her friend, Gallerian, and the judge was satisfied with learning more about her ancestor who had removed herself from the royal family.

## Personality and Traits

"*I have a lot of pride in my position as queen. With a single word I can save a nation, or make them suffer. It's a heavy responsibility, and at the same time I think it's a wonderful, irreplaceable job.*"
―Germaine
Germaine was an honest and caring individual trapped by the will of others. Lacking the desire to become a queen, she despised her mother for her cruelty and the machinations she took that forced her into the role. As a result, she held the lingering notion of escaping the royal family and living like a commoner with a family. She was similarly frustrated with herself and insecure about the path that her life went down, being unable to control Prim's methods and being unable to achieve any of her own dreams. These frustrations in part fueled her dependence on the Demon of Pride, and her own resolve to go confront her family once she was freed of possession.

Despite her dislike of being queen, Germaine was nonetheless proud of the responsibilities and took it, as well as herself, very seriously. She similarly got embarrassed easily and hated to be teased. Germaine's pride, when influenced by the demon, turned into hubris and fueled her conviction that she could do no wrong, the queen constantly using the mirror to soothe her doubts, confusion, and insecurities. Although ordinarily having a pessimistic view on politics, she thus became fully interested in widening her political field and Marlon's territorial gain regardless of who suffered for it.

Even when not acting as queen, Germaine was generally pleasant mannered, responsible, and friendly, although sometimes she would act foolhardy as well. In her off hours, she would hide the fact that she was a queen so as to be able to converse with people more naturally, and only rarely tried to use her political clout in an unofficial setting, although she sometimes teased others with it. Fitting with this, Germaine's true passion was for painting and for partaking in adventures such as her mother always disapproved of. She also had a tendency to lie about her age to make herself seem a little more attractive.

## Skills and Abilities

"*In Marlon, while the country is officially governed by the young Queen Germaine, it is said that her mother, Queen Dowager Prim, is the one who holds authority there.*"
―An aristocrat speaking about Germaine
Raised into being the queen of Marlon from a young age, Germaine was knowledgeable about the state of affairs in Evillious and the running of a country. This political knowledge extended to an understanding of military tactics, knowing how to command armies directly under her and serve as a capable leader in more than one campaign; her abilities were, however, believed to be inferior to more charismatic queens such as Anne Lucifen d'Autriche. Additionally her skills in swordplay, cultivated in her youth, were considerable and Germaine was able to hold her own against pirates and trained soldiers alike, although she had more difficulty fighting off quick opponents like Gast.

Aside from her qualities as a leader Germaine had many resources as a queen to use to her advantage, including usage of the Freezis Foundation's information network and hold on the Evillious economy. Although at times unwittingly, she also made use of resources obtained from her by her mother, such as using magic from the Demon of Pride after her possession or more willingly making use of the Special Maneuvers Task Force. With all of her resources, following her possession Germaine was able to maintain a strong grip on the mainland of the Evillious for several years and keep her opponents on the run.

Germaine also had skills as a painter developed during her childhood. Tutored in the art, the princess at the time was a prolific artist that worked with landscapes and portraiture, although vulnerable to harsh critique from any superiors in the art world. Despite quitting her art as a teenager and resuming only later into adulthood, the queen painted until the end of her life and became renowned as she traveled through the Evillious region.

## Character Connections

Prim Marlon: Germaine's mother. Germaine hated her mother for her cruel and manipulative ways of keeping her Marlon's Queen, unable to forgive her for ruining her dreams but unable to break free of her influence. Despite this, after learning the full extent of her treachery, Germaine was unable to believe it and began clinging to other possibilities. After she revealed her plot for herself, she realized her mother was insane and resolved to take responsibility for her deeds.

Kyle Phutapie: Germaine's half-brother, as well as perceived ally. Germaine and Kyle were amiable acquaintances in childhood, though she was often incensed by hos whimsical behavior when he was hired as her Head of Espionage; Germaine would later be greatly shaken to learn the truth of their relationship. Though willing to fight him as an agent of Prim, Germaine was saddened to see Kyle taken away from her, recognizing his past innocence, and quickly came to care for him as her brother.

Alexiel Lucifen d'Autriche: Germaine's betrothed. Due to their friendship, Germaine was more forgiving of Alexiel's tyrannical behavior than others, although she herself had no wish to marry him. Though initially caring for him as a brither, this friendship turned to hate after he demanded the death of Clarith, sparking a desire for vengeance in her. After Rin's death, Germaine became apathetic towards Alexiel and wished nothing more to do with him.

Keel Freezis: A good friend of Germaine's. Germaine saw Keel as a trusted friend, dating from childhood, seeing the Freezis home as a safe haven from her duties as queen. Knowing the merchant on an intimate level, she often attended Keel's banquets or asked her for favors using her connections. As an extension, Germaine treated Keel's family with hospitality whenever they came to visit.

Clarith: Germaine's love. Germaine developed a crush on Clarith due to her beautiful voice and resemblance to her beloved art tutor, a crush was magnified by the Demon of Lust into a persistent infatuation. Although attempting to start out as just friends with her as she claimed to not understand love enough, this infatuation eventually rose to the point that she desired to abandon her duties to run away with her regardless of her wishes. Her death subsequently caused her great grief and awakened her desire for vengeance; this desire became an all-consuming focus after she was possessed by the Demon of Pride, and she mourned her for many years afterwards even after being free of her possessions.

Ney Avadonia: An ally during the Lucifenian Revolution and a temporary enemy. Germaine was incensed at Ney's teasing of her before and after she revealed himself, though was impressed enough with her skills to offer her a place in the annexed Lucifenia's government. She became furious with Ney when believing she had a role in Clarith's death, but returned to being her ally after she came to her senses.

Yukina Freezis: A friend of Germaine's. Germaine became friends with Yukina as a member of Keel's family, showing her warm hospitality when the latter came to visit. Although initially furious at Yukina's perceived deception of her, after she came to her senses she was grateful to her for her aid. Germaine showed concern for Yukina's well-being and enjoyed spending time with her, choosing to live with her after living out her dream as a painter.

Mariam Avadonia: An old acquaintance of Germaine's. The Marlon Queen appeared among those close to her at her funeral. Their relationship was kept secret.

Rin Avadonia: A servant of Alexiel. Germaine hated Rin for her claimed role in Clarith's death, physically attacking her due to this. Despite her rage, Germaine was impressed by the servant's dedication to Alexiel.

## Trivia

### Conceptualization and Origin

* Germaine is based on the canon character Germaine Avadonia and is role swapped with Kyle Marlon.
* Her surname, Marlon, is a reference to Mammon, the patron demon of Greed.

### Curiosities

* Germaine's pen name is the same as that of her ancestor who killed Lady Gumina Glassred.
* Although she lived together with Yukina in her later life, they did not share a marital relationship.

## Appearances

* The Son of Evil
* Tree Maiden ~Millennium Wiegenlied~
* The Daughter of Green
* Handbeat Clocktower
* Reach For The Stars ~The Letter He Kept Waiting For~
* Song of the Third Period
* The Son of Evil: Clôture of Evil
* The Son of Evil: Wiegenlied of White
* The Son of Evil: Praeludium of Yellow
* The Son of Evil: Praefacio of Red
* Deadly Sins of Evil: Master of the Heavenly Yard
* The Son of Evil: Novelette of Green
* The Son of Evil (manga)
* Evils Theater
* Prelude to Forest
* Evils Forest
* Evils Kingdom
* The Muzzle of Michelle (album)
* Seven Crimes and Punishments (album)
* Clockwork Lullaby (album)
* Evils Extra