Leonhart Phutapie

"*I am one of the Three Heroes, Leonhart Phutapie! Knights of Lucifenia! Show me your unparalleled loyalty!*"
―Leonhart Phutapie
**Leonhart Phutapie**, previously **Neolion**, was the Head Servant at the Lucifenian Royal Palace and one of the Three Heroes. Originally used as an assassin by the unknown mage, the boy lost his memories before defecting from Asmodean to Lucifenia, serving Queen Anne during her kingdom's expansion war. Following the war's end, Leonhart became the royal palace's head servant and served the young Prince Alexiel throughout his regime while raising his adopted son Kyle.

## History

### Early Life

"*Well, as with countries and such there are all kinds of men. All kinds.*"
―Mariam Avadonia when asked about Leonhart
Leonhart was born on July 1, EC 468, under a different identity. Later, his entire family was killed by the unknown mage, who raised him to become an assassin, Neolion. Possessing Malice,the child became a ruthless killer at a very young age. For his first job, he was sent to take down a caravan crossing the desert and succeeded, leaving no survivors. One day, he was assigned to kill a fugitive who had betrayed her country and killed her younger brother, told that his target would be wearing grey clothes. Waiting at the top of the cliff, he spotted his target and prepared to attack before realizing she was a girl not much older than him. Hesitating, he slipped off the cliff and hit his head, losing consciousness.

Some time later he awoke along in a wasteland, having received medical attention. Having lost his memories from his head injury, the child was picked up by a caravan and decided to go by the name Leonhart based on what few memories he had left. Afterwards, Leonhart was adopted by the Head of Intelligence Phutapie and enlisted in the Asmodean military. Becoming the general of the Crimson Robin Unit at the age of nine, Leonhart participated in Asmodean's war with the Kingdom of Lucifenia. In EC 477, Leonhart and his unit were assigned as the vanguard of the Golden Dragon Unit for the invasion of Lucifenia through the Babul Desert. Around the time, an old woman with a red cat was sighted in the Misty Mountains; Leonhart then began having nightmares of his former life. While heading to their assigned location, he betrayed his unit and rebelled before fleeing to Lucifenia.

During the war, he encountered a mercenary, Gast Glass, and they became acquainted, him learning of his sister's death and his desire to fight as a mercenary because it was the only thing he knew. After he joined the Lucifenian ranks, Leonhart served as a subordinate to Queen Anne and King Arth. Around that time, he met and befriended Mariam Avadonia. Around EC 480, the two of them fought with the Beelzenian Empire's staff officer Gallerian Clockworker and were quickly defeated, their weapons blown away in a windstorm the sorcerer created. A week after facing Gallerian, Leonhart joined Mariam and Anne at Sanosun Bridge and witnessed Gallerian join them as well, the three of them swearing an oath to the Lucifenian queen on the bridge.

As the years progressed, Leonhart, Gallerian, and Mariam helped push Queen Anne's offensive and turn the war to Lucifenia's favor. During this period, he met blacksmith Langley and visited him whenever he needed his weapons repaired. At some point, Gallerian gave Leonhart high quality knives for his use. By EC 490, the three became known as the Three Heroes for their wartime actions, commemorated as such in a portrait by Nikolay Tolle.

### Twiright Prank

"*Behind Minister Presi’s back, I researched about the existence of a mysterious mage. But I was not able to determine her true identity, her goals, or her current whereabouts. This old woman was likely the true mastermind behind all this; as long as she was left as a loose end, I had to stay on my guard.*"
―Excerpt from Leonhart's report
After Queen Anne's death in EC 491, the war ended and Leonhart continued his service to King Arth. In December of that year, Leonhart met with King Arth regarding the political dispute over the right of succession caused by Minister Presi. Discussing the situation regarding Prince Alexiel's odd behavior and Presi's intentions, they became concerned by the potential issues that could come up and the King ordered Leonhart to investigate. During his investigation, he learned that Presi was collaborating with an unknown woman, and that she was behind Presi's plot to control the government through manipulating Alexiel.

Soon after, Leonhart attended to Prime Minister Genesia's room and found Gallerian battling a demonically possessed Presi. He intervened and rescued his friend from certain defeat, and the two managed to defeat the minister, killing him. Once the demon possessing Alexiel was exorcised and Princess Riliane was adopted by Mariam, the King ordered Leonhart to become a servant serving Alexiel in order to help the Prince recover from his amnesia and missing sister.

After the event, the new head servant found an unconscious nine-year-old boy in the capital and learned he had forgotten everything but his name: Kyle. Unable to leave the boy without a family, Leonhart adopted him, sharing the matter with Gallerian and Mariam later while comparing notes on how their lives had progressed.

### Reign of Evil

"*Prince Alexiel is certainly very young, but it would seem to be much better to have him than continue with our current state of missing a ruler.*"
―Leonhart's reflection on Lucifenia's future
Following King Arth's death in January of EC 499, Leonhart attended his friend and ruler's funeral alongside Gallerian and the weeping Prince Alexiel. Around that time, Chartette Langley became a maid at the royal palace and Leonhart often interceded to help clean up the girl's messes. Leonhart later joined his fellow Three Heroes in a meeting of the ministers and prince in the Hall of Sounds. Afterward, he witnessed the Prince proclaim his birthright to rule the nation before the assembly of ministers. Once the meeting adjourned, Leonhart met with Gallerian and Mariam after the session convened.

After some discussion, admitting their lack of political savvy, Leonhart voiced his preference to have Alexiel on the throne rather than to continue with no ruler at all. During this meeting he also suggested to Mariam that the princess be brought in as a servant instead and the warrior agreed to the idea. Leonhart then agreed in turn to arrange for her to be the prince's attendant, reminding them that they should share their decision with Minis as well.

The next day, Leonhart was summoned by Gallerian to the Hall of Mirrors. After Gallerian pretended to attempt to assassinate him, soundly being countered by Leonhart's reflexes, he announced his intention to leave Lucifenia. Leonhart pleaded for his friend to stay, citing the precarious political situation they had with their neighboring nations, Alexiel being only a teenager. Gallerian was yet adamant on leaving, though was moved enough to consider taking on an apprentice to potentially take his place. Their conversation was then interrupted by Kyle coming to tell him that Mariam had brought Rin to the palace as a servant girl.

After examining the former Princess and sending her off as a new servant for Alexiel, Leonhart learned from Minis that Gallerian had gone to Elphegort in search of an apprentice. Later on, he found his friend in the halls and asked him about it, though Gallerian reported the trip had ended in failure. The two of them also discussed the matter of Rin and how she had been getting on with the prince, before overhearing Alexiel both tackle her in a game of tag, and threaten to behead her for almost winning out over him.

When Leonhart chided his careless comment, assuming it had been in jest, Alexiel insisted it was serious, as it was his right as prince to behead any he wished. After the Prince left, Leonhart and Gallerian continued their conversation about the state of affairs in the court, the possible danger of Rin and Alexiel's resemblance being discovered, and the events that they had just witnessed. As the year progressed, the head servant continued serving the Prince as he became increasingly tyrannical, beheading people for petty offenses.

### The Fourteenth Birthday

"*But today is the day we celebrate Prince Alexiel's birthday. Lord Leonhart is more tense than usual, so if he were to find out–*"
―Rin to Chartette
On the day of Prince Alexiel's fourteenth birthday, December 27, Leonhart strictly oversaw the servants' work during the preparations, assigning Rin to help Chartette with cleaning the palace courtyard earlier on.

After Alexiel's escape stunt later that day, the servants fell behind in their work due to the search and were forced to make up for their lost time that evening. During the festivities, Leonhart attended the celebration and directed the servants to assure the event went flawlessly while also attending to the guests visiting that night. Later on during the party, he found Rin just outside the Hall of Mirrors, suggesting she rest. Rin declined.

He then noted she seemed to have Prince Alexiel on her mind, and the two began a discussion about him; in particular the issue of their resemblance and the potential for being found out. Leonhart insisted it would not be a problem due to Gallerian's statements on the matter of it being a coincidence, and Alexiel's clear lack of memory.

Later he was witness to Mariam storming out of the palace out of anger at Alexiel's massive candy castle, as well as Rin's pursuit. He went to speak to the girl, musing on how Mariam's frustrations were justified though also inadvisable in light of Alexiel's absolute power. Their conversation was interrupted by Chartette exclaiming that the party would be over soon and that they would soon need to clean up; he then sent Rin and Chartette among the other servants to help see the guests off.

### Lucifenian Revolution

"*Regretfully, I cannot let you break your way through here.*"
―Leonhart
After the assassination attempt on Alexiel in EC 500, Leonhart was one of the few people he permitted beside him. About a week after the prince's birthday, Leonhart learned that Mariam was discovered dead in the river and attended her funeral. Seeing her foster daughter, Ney, silent, he held the child in his arms, his shoulders trembling. Some time later, Keel Freezis asked for a messenger to visit in exchange for aid to Lucifenia; Leonhart was one of the servants chosen but Keel refused to have him, and Rin was selected instead.

A few days later, Leonhart was sent on a reconnaissance mission to discover the identity of Germaine's white-haired lover, for whom she had broken her engagement with Alexiel. Sending Kyle to the Freezis Mansion and doing his own investigation in Elphegort, Leonhart reported back that he remained in the dark, as if they were being impeded from learning the truth. The Head Servant watched as Alexiel erupted into a tantrum before calling for Prime Minister Minis and ordering him to have all the white-haired women in Elphegort slaughtered.

After Alexiel demanded that the forest impeding an invasion be burned, Gallerian told Leonhart of his intention to flee Lucifenia with Lemy. Leonhart's pleas to the contrary did not change Gallerian's mind, and he was bid farewell. After Alexiel hired Gast Glass to aid in combatting the revolution, Leonhart was able to have a talk with him. They discussed their new positions in life before Leonhart learned from Gast that he was searching for a place to die.

When the palace was invaded during the Lucifenian Revolution, Leonhart met with Rin and suggested he usurp Alexiel's power and show his support for the resistance, hoping that it would save Lucifenia. When Rin refused, ordering him to protect Alexiel instead, Leonhart obediently left to fight off the resistance army himself, entering the Heavenly Yard and singlehandedly bolstering the remaining palace servants to fend off Ney's charge.

Soon after his initiative, however, he was attacked by a cloaked swordswoman. He returned strikes with his blades, destroying the attacker's cloak and revealing it to be Chartette. Horrified, he pressed his former underling for answers as to why she had turned on them, Chartette explaining her loyalty to the people.

After a heated battle and discussion, Leonhart gained the upper hand when Chartette's blade was stuck in the ground. He shattered her giant sword in a single strike, then followed up his attack and kicked the maid into the palace walls. Apologizing, he got ready to finish her off but was suddenly struck by Chartette's rocket glove. Still recovering from the strike, Leonhart tried but failed to move while Chartette prepared to deal the final blow. Fortunately for him, the former maid hesitated and Leonhart was able to use the opportunity to throw a smoke bomb and escape in the confusion.

During Leonhart's retreat and reflection on events, he was surprised to see Kyle, claiming he came back out of worry for his father. When he turned the other way, saying they needed to flee, his adopted son stabbed him in the back. Leonhart collapsed to the ground, looking on as Kyle finished killing him and reflecting on his fate.

### Afterlife

Following his death, Leonhart's soul was sent to the Heavenly Yard and remained there. In EC 999, he and the other souls were pulled back to the Third Period as the ground world merged with the Hellish Yard. Afterward, Leonhart 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. Later during the festivities, he inhaled the Eighth Gift in the palace air and fell into a deep slumber.

### Fight for a New World

Leonhart eventually woke up and gathered with everyone else in the Hall of Sounds. As the group discussed the Tasan Party soldiers surrounding the palace and Chartette and Riliane Mouchet discussed Alexiel being in danger, Leonhart pointed out that the soldiers probably knew of some way to hurt Alexiel despite him being a soul. Asked by Arth what the soldiers knew that they didn't, Leonhart cited the unknown mage as someone who was probably privy to that information, explaining both the mage's powers and her past. Causing an uproar amongst the gathered souls, Leonhart later joined the battle.

During the ensuing fight, Leonhart watched as the Venom Mercenaries drive back the Tasan soldiers, recognizing Gast Glass among them. When Ney was heavily hit with artillery as she attempted to take out the Tasan forces' general, Tony Ausdin, Leonhart along with Mariam and Rin pulled her to safety. When Ney defended her actions by saying she wanted to demoralize the Tasan soldiers by defeating their head, Leonhart pointed out that Ney was in a similar position as leader of the revolution.

When, later into the battle, the Black Box flew out over the Lucifenian forces and began to suck everyone inside, Leonhart was one of the few spirits to remain. Not long after, the Black Box was defeated and the souls inside were freed, although no longer wishing to do battle. When all the souls of the Third Period started singing the Clockwork Lullaby to restrain Gallerian's fading soul, Leonhart eventually joined in their singing.

Following Alexiel and Rin's creation of the Fourth Period, Leonhart stayed behind, gathering with the other souls at the royal palace. Later on, he accompanied Anne as she met with Lich Arklow, who was leading the souls who were formerly Outlaws, leading them the rest of the way to the palace. After that, Leonhart participated in the ball at the Lucifenian Royal Palace, reuniting with Gallerian, before being presumably incorporated into the Fourth Period.

### Legacy

"*That being said, Gallerian would have a pained expression on his face whenever he heard the church bells ring. Although he didn't say it out loud, I understand that Gallerian was grieving for his lost friends.*"
―Lemy's writings
Following his demise and the revolution's end, a patrolling Marlon soldier found his body in the Heavenly Yard gardens and reported the finding to Queen Germaine. During the peace conference held the next day, she informed the delegates of the report. Although it was assumed he was killed by the revolutionary army during his escape, no one reported the kill, leaving the mystery unsolved.

Years later, Kyle admitted to being responsible for Leonhart's death to Chartette after toying with the former maid's supposed part in his death. While confronting Ney Avadonia, the Special Maneuvers Task Force's Assassination Squad claimed to each have the skill level of Leonhart, although Ney asserted they were far weaker than the legendary assassin.

In history, Leonhart was famed in legend as one of the Three Heroes serving under Queen Anne I during Lucifenia's conquests. After the death of Shaw Freezis over a century later, Gallerian recalled also losing Leonhart and Mariam while mourning his death, lamenting not even being there to see how they died or at least trying to save them.

## Personality and Traits

"*That is, he was someone who could not find the meaning of his own existence without swearing allegiance to something, without martyring himself for someone–it was a loyalty that seemed like madness.*"
―Rin's inner commentary
As a disciplined spy and assassin, Leonhart was a strong, independent and mature individual, who believed strength was a trait of men in general. Normally, he maintained an extremely serious demeanor, conducting himself with a vacant expression and icy gaze. Similarly, he was merciless in battle, cutting down enemy infantry one by one without hesitation, and even killing traitors despite their past bonds. As a youth, Leonhart was even more coldhearted and cruel due to the Malice within him.

However, following his youth, Leonhart was not heartless. In rare occurrences, he did smile, cry, and even teased others. He was similarly unwilling to abandon the seemingly amnesic Kyle, as well as being a secretly caring employer to Chartette. He similarly disapproved of wanton killing and racial discrimination; his views on morality left him disturbed and upset by what little of his past with Irina that he remembered. He also had quirks in his disciplined behavior, such as pointlessly fixing Alexiel's girly bows on Rin because they were askew.

Leonhart strongly valued loyalty above all. Whether under the unknown mage, the Asmodean Emperor, Arth and Anne, or even Prince Alexiel, Leonhart faithfully served his masters due to the meaning that his loyalty afforded his life; despite this, he appeared hypocritical to others by defecting from Asmodean and offering to betray Alexiel, his true loyalties having been to his parents and the kingdom they created rather than the prince herself. Leonhart similarly appeared disturbed by perceived betrayals, though respecting their intentions should they be noble or just. This led to his despair at his eventual end, having been betrayed by everyone he knew.

## Skills and Abilities

"*I will show you... the willpower of the Three Heroes.*"
―Leonhart
Trained by Irina Clockworker, Leonhart was a master of cloak and dagger and, after joining the Asmodean military, obtained the rank of general by the time he was nine. As an assassin and spy, he was observant in battle and skilled at gathering intelligence in times of peace; likewise, his perception gave him strong intuition. Gifted with charisma and leadership, Leonhart gained many followers as one of the Three Heroes and used his legendary status to inspire morale. He did have a tendency, however, to overthink situations which made him less ideal for providing easy solutions to a problem.

As a fighter, Leonhart employed a myriad of weapons for quick combat, such as daggers and smoke bombs; in battle he was fast, powerful and extremely precise, his skills even exceeding Gast Glass's. Leonhart was also very flexible, even in his cumbersome servant uniform. He was also adept at martial arts, even able to shatter a large broadsword with a single strike from his palm. The assassin carried tremendous strength in his kicks and could kick combatively straight up in the air. His speed and grace carried over to his duties in court as Head Servant.

## Character Connections

Irina Clockworker: Leonhart's former master. Raised by the unknown mage since infancy, Leonhart was wholly obedient to the witch until losing his memories. Afterwards, she continued to plague his nightmares.

Gallerian Chirclatia: A fellow member of the Three Heroes. Leonhart had a deep friendship with Gallerian cultivated during their time together in the Lucifenian Expansion War. He expressed frustration with his lackadaisical manner and was bewildered by his ageless nature, but still valued his company greatly and would often consult him in difficult matters. Leonhart also relied on Gallerian's powerful abilities to protect the kingdom and was distraught when Gallerian ultimately left the palace, considering it one of many betrayals.

Mariam Avadonia: A fellow member of the Three Heroes. Leonhart had a deep friendship with Mariam cultivated during their time together in the Lucifenian Expansion War. The two would often consult each other in difficult situations, although he envied the simplicity of her thought processes. Leonhart was greatly grieved by Mariam's assassination.

Chartette Langley: A maid working under Leonhart in the palace. Leonhart acted as a comforting figure for Chartette, supporting her despite the maid's clumsiness, and grew fond of the girl. When Chartette revealed herself to be part of the Resistance, Leonhart was horrified and expressed disbelief at the betrayal, willing to kill her despite his former affection. After Chartette bested him in a duel, he was greatly shaken, considering it one of many betrayals he suffered.

Kyle Phutapie: Leonhart's adopted daughter. Leonhart did not openly show his father-daughter relationship with Kyle, instead treating him as just another one of the servants; despite this, he viewed Kyle as his own son, training him and cared for his safety even after the maid fled the palace, leaving him alone. Due to this, he was shocked and demoralized when Kyle attacked him, thinking of it as the last of many betrayals as he died.

Gast Glass: A comrade of Leonhart's from his days in the Asmodean military. The young Leonhart became friends with Gast after defecting to Lucifenia in the Lucifenian Expansion War, meeting him as an exile and coming to understand his troubles. After working with him before the Revolution, he expressed displeasure at how little he'd changed and his inability to accept his sister's death.

Rin Avadonia: A servant working under Leonhart in the palace. As one of the few people who knew that Rin and Alexiel were actually twins, Leonhart treated Rin with consideration and sympathy. In light of Alexiel's tyranny and Rin's intelligent political mind, he believed that she was more suited to being the ruler of Lucifenia despite how events played out.

Alexiel Lucifen d'Autriche: Leonhart's employer after Anne and Arth's death. Leonhart was loyal to Alexiel only as an extension of his loyalty to Arth, and so was not above betraying him if the situation grew dire. Believing him unsuited for the throne, he attempted to reason with him as the prince became more tyrannical and preferred his sistee as a master, although to all appearances serving Alexiel faithfully.

## Trivia

### Conceptualization and Origin

* Leonhart is based on the canon character Leonhart Avadonia and is role swapped with Mariam Phutapie.
* His original name, Neolion, combines the term "neo" and the animal lion; "neo" is derived from the Greek word *neos*, meaning "young, fresh, new or recent".

## Appearances

* Neolion of the Inverted Gravestone
* Swear an Oath on that Bridge
* The Son of Evil: Clôture of Evil
* The Son of Evil: Wiegenlied of White
* Deadly Sins of Evil: Master of the Heavenly Yard
* Twiright Prank (story)
* Outlaw & Lychgate
* The Daughter of Evil: Retrouver of Crimson
* Seven Crimes and Punishments (album)
* Lucifenia Trinity
* Clockwork Lullaby (album)