Giliath Osborne

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## Giliath Osborne

* CS1
* Azure

### Debut

* *Trails in the Sky SC* (by name)
* *Trails in the Sky the 3rd*

### Voice actor

Peter Beckman (CS1-CS3)
Michael Sorich (CS4/NW)

## Biographical information

### Age

* 53 (Azure, CS1, CS2)
* 55 (CS3)

### Affiliation

* Erebonian government
* Ironblood
* Imperial Army

### Occupation

* Chancellor
* Brigadier General (former)

### Relatives

* Kasia Osborne (wife)
* Rean Schwarzer (son)
* Teo Schwarzer (adopted brother)

## Physical information

### Gender

Male

v **·** e

**Giliath Osborne** (ギリアス・オズボーン) also known as the **Blood and Iron Chancellor** (鉄血宰相(てっけつさいしょう)), is a major political figure in Erebonia. He plays a significant role in *Trails of Cold Steel I*, *II*, *III*, and *IV*.

## Profile

### Appearance

Giliath is a middle-aged man of physical build, with a beard and emerald color eyes and a medium-grown length of brown hair with a touch of old-grey highlight streamed on his left side.

His suit is defined by a dark grey-purple overcoat reaching down to his ankles with bronze-gold color thick hem and patterns, a long red cloth over the right shoulder to the robe’s bottom base while strapped around tightly by a brown belt. He has two chains connected on the left side of the belt going around the backside, and wears two medals of promotion on the left side of the chest. Underneath the coat is a white collar shirt tuck followed by a violet scarf tucked around his neck, wears violet pants, and grey-brown shoes.

### Personality

Osborne is an intimidating figure of overwhelming influence who is ambitious on seizing power through political means. He displays a particular iron-willed presence when it comes to motivating the public during his strong and bold speeches. He can be seen as a pleasant man on the surface, speaking with a half-heart motion for those of his service or when meeting new and old acquaintances but behind his generous façade is his ruthless aggressiveness attempting to claim all regardless of any bloodshed. Osborne is willing to do anything to achieve his goals, regardless of who or what stands in his way; or of any karma from the result of his actions; thus making enemies who are angered from becoming his 'sacrifices'. Nevertheless as the head of the Imperial government, his seriousness is ever followed by his heavy threats before anyone can get in his way.

Underneath the surface, he cares for his son and the country, willing to disguise himself as the ultimate villain to bring salvation to his country and thus the entire world.

### Background

Giliath Osborne serves as the representative of Erebonia's government. He was entrusted complete control from the emperor and therefore controls all of Erebonia's domestic politics, international negotiations and military affairs. His declaration that 'Our nation's peace must be built on a foundation of blood and iron' earned him the nickname of Blood and Iron Chancellor. He excels at grasping his opponents' weaknesses through information warfare and progress talks with favourable conditions through negotiations and behind‐the‐scenes maneuvering. From his time as a civilian employee of the imperial army onward he showed great talents, leading to high expectations from those surrounding him.

#### Early life

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Osborne was born in the early S.1150s in a region located in Northern Erebonia.

    Around the age of 13, Osborne lost both his parents in an avalanche. Baron Schwarzer, the lord of Ymir, was a close friend to Osborne's father and decided to adopt the orphan into his family. His 5-year-old son, Teo, regarded Osborne as an older brother, considering him gentle and trustworthy.
    At the age of 17, Osborne left Ymir to enroll at Thors Military Academy. After graduating from the Thors Military Academy, he enlisted in the Imperial Army of Erebonia as a soldier. His outstanding work was quickly recognized and rewarded with promotions under supervision of General Vandyck.
**There we go, the end of spoilers. Thank you for your time!**

#### Early military career

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In those days, the army consisted of a great number of commissioned officers with a commoner background and Osborne was considered a young leader among them, praised for his unparalleled skills as both a commander, operator and considered a master of the imperial army's Hundred-forms Military Combat. It was believed he would carry the future of Erebonia's army. The noble faction caught wind of his growth, but could not express their interests publicly.

At the age of 35, Osborne met his future wife, Kasia, while serving in a garrison on the outskirts of Erebonia, but he felt initially embarrassed to approach her because of an age gap of ten years. General Vandyck, however, served as a matchmaker and brought the two together, which served as the first stepping stone toward their marriage. Around that time, Osborne started to hear a voice, but with no one to discuss it with he decided to keep it to himself, locking the voice deep within his heart. After their marriage, the couple was blessed with a son whom they named Rean, in S.1187. Soon thereafter, Osborne was promoted to brigadier general and enjoyed peaceful days both at work and at home.

Osborne's peaceful life came to an abrupt end when General Rudolf Arundel and his faction of nobles within the imperial army aggressively assumed a pro-war stance only to make a name for themselves. Osborne caught wind of their schemes, but could do little more than warn his fellow officers.

Arundel's faction responded by having what resembled a jaeger corps attack his home on the outskirts of Heimdallr. Late at night, they had lit his house on fire. Osborne sped home, and found Rean mortally wounded, penetrated by debris near his heart. Kasia, with her dying breath, begged him to make sure at least Rean would survive the attack.

Screaming out loud, Osborne begged to goddess and demon alike to save his son. Ishmelga responded, stating it had been waiting for those words for two centuries. Osborne, the reincarnated soul of emperor Dreichels Reise Arnor, and Ishmelga made a pact: Osborne sacrificed mind and body to serve as the Awakener of the Ebon Divine Knight, Ishmelga. In return Ishmelga ensured Rean's survival by transplanting Osborne's heart into Rean's body, a possibility enabled by their pact of Awakener.

The next morning, the corpse of Kasia and some of the jaegers were found in the burnt down house. Osborne himself and his 5-year-old son were nowhere to be found. In total, Brigadier General Osborne remained absent for the three months during the Tragedy of Hamel and the first 90 days of the Hundred Days War.

After having his heart transplanted into Rean's body, Osborne rang his childhood friend Teo; it was the first time in three years they had verbally spoken to each other:

> I want you to take in a child. You must cut all ties with me and never speak a word of this to that child. I'm sorry, Teo. You're the only one I can turn to.
>
>

He informed Teo about the location where he had abandoned Rean. Teo dashed toward the location, realizing how heartbroken Osborne was as a single father. To Rean, he muttered:

> Rean... I pray you grow up strong and healthy. ...Oh, Aidios... If you're listening, hear me now. Please, allow this child...
>
>

Just when the armoured divisions of the noble faction within the army were being pulverised by the Royal Army of Liberl and General Vandyck considered employing the remaining divisions of the force, Brigadier General Osborne suddenly returned to the army. During his three-month absence, he also came into contact with Ouroboros and the Thirteen Factories it managed, gaining the de facto control over the Black Workshop without their knowledge.

Behind the scenes, Chancellor Osborne has been doing business with Ouroboros and through them, he was introduced to the Black Workshop. In S.1203, after the Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon in Liberl, his partnership with Ouroboros ended and he won over the Black Workshop.

#### Hamel investigation

With General Vandyck's introduction, he had an audience with Emperor Eugent III who granted him full authority to investigate the Hamel Tragedy. For this investigation, Osborne negotiated with Queen Alicia II of Liberl. For the sake of peace, Queen Alicia positively responded to the proposed cease-fire agreement within a day. Ten days after Osborn's return to the army, the war ended with a cease-fire agreement between Erebonia and Liberl. Upon his homecoming, Rudolf was arrested and executed in a secret court martial.
Half a year later, late S.1192 or early S.1193, Giliath was rewarded for successfully wrapping up the investigation within a month by being elected by Emperor Eugent III as the next chancellor and the first commoner to assume this position, and was elevated to the rank of Count in the process.

Threatened by Osborne's rapid rise to power, on behalf of the noble faction Duke Helmut Albarea hired the Arngarmr jaeger corps to attack Osborne as a warning in S.1194. Osborne saw through their plot however, ambushing and massacring every member of Arngarmr save for its leader, Vulcan. Days later, Teo introduced Osborne to one of his students, Rufus Albarea. Osborne knew that Rufus was responsible for devising the Arngarmr attack and, in turn, Rufus was impressed by Osborne's intelligence and abilities upon finally meeting him, hoping to surpass him, that he eventually agreed to become the primary member of the Chancellor's Ironbloods.

**There we go, the end of spoilers. Thank you for your time!**

#### Chancellor of Erebonia

Since his appointment as Chancellor, Osborne has spearheaded the reformist movement in Erebonia, expanding the railway system centered around the capital Heimdallr throughout the rest of the empire and moved to improve the standard of living for the common people while checking many of the unfair privileges of the nobility.

In S.1194, City-State Jurai accepts Erebonia's proposal to get connected to its railroad network. A mere year later, the railway is bombed. Under Osborne's leadership the Imperial government refuses to immediately restore the railroad and instead informs Jurai to wait while criticizing its lack of security measures and expressed their worries if Jurai were to drag down Erebonia's own level of safety. Jurai's stocks plummeted and the inability to find a suspect for the explosion caused disorder in the city state. Chancellor Osborne then visited the city-state, suggesting to leave the restoration and safety in the hands of Erebonia and its imperial army, making it a member of Erebonia's growing empire. The mayor was aware of Osborne's intentions and refused the offer. However, the other members of the city council were growing impatient and desperate; coupled with the mayor's refusal, his popularity plummeted and they ended up overriding his decision and joined Erebonia. Jurai merged as a Special Economic Zone with Erebonia the following year. The mayor in question was none other then Crow Armbrust's grandfather, and this incident contributed to his death.

This is but an instance from Chancellor Osborne's expansionist policy that saw the annexation of many smaller countries bordering Erebonia, though on paper all of those are recorded to have happened without any bloodshed. Bolstered by this new source of revenue he set about reforming the imperial army, greatly increasing military spending and extending his control to around 70% of it in S.1203.

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During this time, he also starts gathering and mentoring a group of talented youths collectively known as the Ironbloods, who answer directly to him, and spreads them across positions in the new agencies he had created (or in some cases in the midst of his enemies).

The first to join was Lechter Arundel, the son of the warhawk who sealed Osborne's fate, whom he met during his investigation of the Hamel Tragedy in S.1192. Osborne acknowledged Lechther's ability to foresee various situations and that he was in danger from his father's co-conspirators, who wished to silence him. Lechter would later take up a position as junior staff member at the newly established Intelligence Division The second one to join is Rufus in S.1194, although his identity was kept a secret from the other members with only his position as primary member known.

Two years later, as Lechter and Rufus were working as Ironbloods, Osborne learned that an old friend, Rieveldt, had died in a suspicious accident. Wondering if the curse was the primary cause, he was going to investigate the matter personally when he ran into Rieveldt's daughter, Claire, who was the only survivor. Osborne noticed her enhanced cognition and allowed her to deal with the problem himself before offering her a spot in the Ironbloods, which she accepted. The invitation was offered because Osborne thought the least he could do for her father was to watch over her until the time came.

Sometime after recruiting Claire, Millium Orion joined the Ironbloods. Osborne knew that she was a homunculi created from the Black Workshop, but noted that despite her innocence, she was quickly adjusting to human emotions and softening both Claire and Lechter. Despite knowing her inevitable fate, Osborne stated that he would be overjoyed if she could restore the richness of life that had been robbed from the two.

**There we go, the end of spoilers. Thank you for your time!**

### *Trails in the Sky SC*

Osborne is first mentioned by his title in *Trails in the Sky FC*, and by name and alias in *Trails in the Sky SC*, where it is mentioned that Osborne recommended Emperor Eugent III to sign the Non-Aggression Pact proposed by Queen Alicia of Liberl between their two countries and the Calvard Republic.

Behind the scenes, however, Osborne is working with Ouroboros to take advantage of the Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon that hits Liberl and southern parts of Erebonia, by stocking up on non-orbal weapons like gunpowder rifles and steam-operated tanks. He sends the 3rd Armored Division under Lieutenant General Zechs Vander to offer their 'assistance' to Liberl, but this ploy is foiled by Prince Olivert and Brigadier General Cassius Bright.

As a result of Zechs refusing to enter Liberl, Osborne punished him and the 3rd Armored Division by sending them to the Nord Highlands.

### *Trails in the Sky the 3rd*

    In the spring of S.1203, a month after the Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon, the collaboration between Giliath Osborne and and Ouroboros ends. He secretly assumes control over the Black Workshop. That same spring Osborne also brings an unannounced and unofficial visit to Liberl and Crossbell, walking in on Prince Olivert's discussion with Queen Alicia von Auslese, Crown Princess Klaudia and Brigadier General Cassius Bright that Osborne's goal of the steam tank invasion was never to occupy Liberl, as there would be no benefit to doing so for Erebonia. Instead, he interpreted it as a demonstration of the imperial army's capabilities to respond even in such a crisis, which Osborne would use as leverage in future diplomatic endeavors. It is at that moment that Chancellor Osborne enters the throne room accompanied by Lechter Arundel. Exchanging greetings while explaining his presence to his Liberl hosts Osborne requests a private discussion with Olivert which the latter accedes to.

Provided a room by Queen Alicia, Osborne makes an unexpected offer of a political alliance with Olivert against the nobility of Erebonia, pointing out their shared belief that the aristocracy will bring ruin to the Empire if allowed to continue. He sidesteps Olivert's probing questions about the neighbouring states Osborne has annexed, which he points out occurred willingly on the part of those states though Olivert notes the rather convenient timing of worsening conditions in those countries that spurned their agreement, and his connection to Ouroboros, which Osborne doesn't confirm explicitly but clarifies simply that he will use whatever means to bring about his reforms.

Olivert chooses to reject the chancellor's offer, conceding that while he does agree with Osborne's sentiments regarding the nobility, the chancellor's methodology frightens him. He then finally confronts Osborne on whether or not he realizes the tumultuous upheaval his actions will cause, to which the Osborne laughs off and essentially states that he's counting on it, much to Olivert's chagrin.

Osborne politely departs the room, stating that his offer of an alliance is still on the table. He then leaves to catch a public airship for a secret visit to Crossbell in order to shore up Erebonia's political allies in the state, while facing increased efforts by Calvard to undermine their influence there. When Osborne is talking to Lechter on the deck of the airship, they are surprised by a sudden announcement on the speakers followed by an approaching Arseille. As it comes right next to them with Olivert aboard its deck, he casually tosses a bouquet of roses at the Chancellor Osborne and shoots them in mid-air, letting the petals float into the winds around them. While Lechter is incredulous at the extravagant gesture, Osborne just laughs loudly, amused by the prince's show of defiance. During his brief stopover in Crossbell, Osborne meets up with Speaker Hartmann, representative of the imperial faction in the Crossbell government.

### *Trails to Azure*

On 30 August, S.1204, Osborne and Prince Olivert make their way to Crossbell City for the West Zemuria Trade Conference aboard the Eisengraf as the imperial government's representatives, accompanied by their respective bodyguards, Lechter Arundel and Mueller Vander. When the Eisengraf passes through Celdic station, Osborne and Rean manage to exchange gazes despite the train's high speed.

After his arrival, Osborne and the other delegates attend the opening ceremony at Orchis Tower with where the conference will be held the following day. During the conference's intermission, Osborne sends an invitation to the members of the Special Support Section to meet with him in the Erebonian waiting room. They find Osborne staring out the window, overlooking the city, and complimenting on the view as a testament to mankind's achievements, comparing it to the Ancient Zemurian civilisation. Osborne continues that such a technological achievements cannot yet be called a utopia, citing the Liber Ark which appeared above Liberl as an example of both mankind's potential and foolishness. He startles the group by reciting the Intelligence Division's knowledge concerning the D∴G Cult, and alluding to the true identities of both Wazy Hemisphere and Randy Orlando.

Sitting down with the group, Osborne conducts an intention survey by bluntly asking how long the SSS thinks Crossbell will last in its current state, rendering them at a loss for words. Osborne acknowledges Noel Seeker's importance of will power, he proposes a scenario where two wills end up clashing, concluding that in such a case the smaller will is devoured by the bigger one and help to strengthen it, leaving the SSS speechless. Osborne deftly responds to Lloyd Bannings's example of the Hundred Days War that while the strength of the will should also be considered, he wonders if the citizens of Crossbell possess that same kind of pride and determination as those in Liberl. He ends the conversation by stating he refuses to give them a commendation for bringing an end to the Cult Incident like President Rocksmith did, as that would be inappropriate and upset the Erebonian nobility.

When the Trade Conference resumes, Osborne interjects the matter of Crossbell's security arrangements. Citing the recent Cult incident and the harm it caused to visiting Erebonians, he lambasted their handling of the situation and questions their ability to address these concerns to safeguard its citizens given its unstable government structure. To highlight this point he brings up the lack of amendments to Crossbell's state laws over the past five decades, illustrating its inherent weakness compared to the strong monarchies governing the Erebonia, Liberl or even Calvard's constitution. As such he proposed disbanding the Crossbell Guardian Force entirely, using their ineffectiveness compared to both the imperial and republic militaries as further justification, allowing other nations to station their forces inside the state to take over its security duties instead. He graciously volunteers the imperial army for the task while fending off objections from both Princess Klaudia von Auslese and Prince Olivert.

President Rocksmith chimes in by arguing they could moderate Osborne's proposal instead by simply reducing the CGF's budget and standing forces, while allowing the republic to take over the Bellguard Gate and Erebonia the Tangram Gate instead, in order to rapidly respond to any future security crisis. Osborne is quite amenable to the suggestion and passes his compliments on to President Rocksmith. At that point, however, the conference is interrupted by an attack of the ILF and Republic Anti-Immigration Group, targetting Osborne and President Rocksmith, respectively. While Osborne and the other representatives are escorted to safety, the Osborne-hired jaeger corps Red Constellation kills a group of terrorists they managed to drive into a corner.

### *Trails of Cold Steel*

Erebonia's political climate of worsening factional divides gives rise to a terrorist organisation known as the Imperial Liberation Front, which, starting S.1204, continuously causes unrest behind the scenes with the goal of undermining and eventually eliminating Osborne, all while the Imperial government was preparing for their participation in the upcoming West Zemuria Trade Conference in Crossbell that summer.

On 28 June, S.1204, an incident in the Nord Highlands, where the ILF orchestrates an attack using a group of jaeger dropouts on imperial and republic outposts along the border in an attempt to stir up an armed conflict, saw Chancellor Osborne intervene by dispatching Lechter Arundel to directly negotiate with Calvard and diffuse the situation. He receives a follow-up report from Captain Claire Rieveldt on the situation, conceding to President Samuel Rocksmith's request to hand over the mercenaries responsible to the Calvard while discussing security arrangements with Claire regarding the upcoming Summer Festival in Heimdallr, taking her advice to regards to the placement of the other Ironbloods to cover the rest of the Empire while leaving her to oversee the capital with the RMP (though not before also recommending using Class VII as well), before dismissing her to take a meeting with Heimdallr Governor Carl Regnitz.

Following the Imperial Liberation Front's attack on Heimdallr during the Summer Festival and their attempted kidnapping of Princess Alfin Reise Arnor, Osborne interrupts the meeting between the imperial family and Class VII in Valflame Palace's second reception hall. After expressing his relief at seeing Alfin well and giving a skeptical Prince Olivert his assurance that the ILF is being hunted down being and that security arrangements for their trip to the Trade Conference have been taken care of, he introduces himself to the students of Class VII who are visibly intimidated by his presence. As Osborne advises them to strengthen their bonds in preparation for the tumultuous times ahead, Rean grabs his chest in discomfort immediately afterwards.

Following President Dieter Crois's declaration of Crossbell's independence, Erebonia's failed attempt to invade the state with the 32nd Armored Division and Aion Type-α's display of power by 'removing' the Garrelia Fortress, Giliath Osborne held a national address at the Dreichels Plaza in Heimdallr:

> We stand today in the face of an uncertain future. All of you, I'm sure, are aware of what has transpired in recent weeks. Crossbell, our erstwhile province, has defiantly declared its independence...and as its parting shot, frozen the assets entrusted to them by the hard-working men and women of Erebonia! As we have moved to safeguard our national interests, armed conflicts have broken out on our borders. Our enemies point to this as an example of Erebonian aggression, but nothing could be further from the truth. We acted in accordance with our duties as a colonial power. All we have done, we have done as is our sovereign right. The Imperial hand may be firm, but it is fair. These traitors, however, have shown the world that they are neither. With an unknown weapon of mass destruction, they have annihilated Garrelia Fortress... The stronghold that has long protected the very gates of this country! I ask you, brothers and sisters of the Empire, do we allow such an odious act to go unpunished? Do we sit idle as the pride and dignity of our great nation is spat upon and trampled underfoot?! We cannot. We must not. And we WILL not! With blood and with iron, we shall mete out justice!
> ...In such tumultuous times, we must set aside our differences. We must look past the ideologies that divide us! I will not deny the rift that has grown between the Reformist and Noble Factions, especially in recent times... But how childish, how insignificant such squabbles seem when the enemy marshals its strength beyond our borders! I have met with His Majesty the emperor, and have secured permission to embark on the course we now must. Thus, in the name of the emperor and as the representative of the Imperial government, I hereby proclaim...
>
>

Before being able to finish his speech, he is shot in the chest by Comrade C, shortly thereafter revealed to be Crow Armbrust, leader of the Imperial Liberation Front. He appeared to be aware of C's true identity in what was thought to be his final words before dying.

### *Trails of Cold Steel II*

The Noble Alliance immediately began their coup and hold the government hostage, starting a civil war that became known later as the October Campaign. Amidst Heimdallr's occupation of the Noble Alliance, Osborne's body was taken into custody by the Imperial Guardsmen until the corpse disappeared some unspecified time later.

Osborne had actually survived the assasination attempt, but remained hidden in order to maintain the guise that he had been killed. With Rufus serving as his inside man regarding the Noble Alliance's intelligence, he learned of everything in an instant. Osborne remained in hiding for two months, when Class VII defeated Duke Cayenne and Rufus revealing his loyalty to Osborne.  With Rufus pointing his sabre at Vita Clotilde's throat and his servant Altina Orion holding Duke Cayenne to the floor, Osborne then entered the room, surprising everyone.

He states his intents to diminish the Noble Alliance's control, to take over Ouroboros's Phantasmal Blaze Plan and to have Rufus resolve the situation in Heimdallr within a week before moving forward to the occupation of Crossbell. Rean who grabs Osborne's collar in anger over the pointlessness over Crow's death minutes earlier, he reveals that he is his father and expects Rean to assist him as the hero whose brave deeds allowed him to reclaim the imperial capital.

### *Trails of Cold Steel III*

*Main article: Northern War*
In January, S.1205, the Noble Alliance pledged full collaboration with Osborne and his Imperial Army invades and occupies Crossbell within a single day without bloodshed. On January 14, Henry MacDowell signs a treaty with Erebonia, resulting in the loss of Crossbell's autonomy. Then, in March of that year, Osborne instates Rufus as Governor General of Crossbell, who subsequently announces Crossbell's merger into Erebonia.

For his next plan Osborne turns north by submitting a liability claim to North Ambrian authorities for the Northern Jaegers's arson at Celdic during the October Campaign. The Northern Jaegers occupy the state's parliament and naturally reject the claim. In response, Osborne's government negotiations a deal with the last rebellious faction of the Noble Alliance, General Aurelia Le Guin, to invade the northern state in exchange for the provincial armies to maintain a certain degree of autonomy. Following a swift invasion, North Ambria attributes itself to Erebonia before Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III announces its merger late S.1205.

During the Summer Festival Celebration at Karel Imperial Villa on 17 July, S.1206, Hamel Tragedy survivor Ash Carbide invades the imperial parlour to wailingly ask who to kill for his curse to subside while holding Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III and Osborne at gunpoint. Ash opens fire with a Verne Company-made gun at the emperor, fulfilling the Black Record prophecy both Emperor Eugent III and Osborne were intimately familiar with. The following day, Osborne holds a national address to state he interpreted the attack of a "Calvard spy" as a declaration of war from their neighbouring republic and announces the National Mobilisation Law.

Later that day, in collaboration with Black Alberich of the Black Workshop and Ouroboros, which pledged its loyalty to him, he initiates the manifestation of the Gral of Erebos at the location the Karel Imperial Villa used to be. Inside, it is their aim to sacrifice Altina Orion to sublimate into the Sword of the End to slay the defiled Holy Beast, the Nameless One, and invoke the Great Twilight. When Prince Olivert Reise Arnor and his crew aboard the Courageous attempt to stop them, Crown Prince Cedric and Osborne allow Alberich to set off the explosives that had been planted on the ship by Copper Georg.

Their procedures are interrupted by Class VII, during which not Altina but Millium is sacrificed and turned into the Sword of the End, after which the Rean Schwarzer piloted Valimar goes berserk and unconsciously kills the defiled beast, initiating the Great Twilight. The other present Awakeners summon their Divine Knights to stop Rean from attacking Osborne, who then reveals himself as the Awakener of the Ebon Knight, Ishmelga, the results of the pact he made 14 years prior to save Rean.

Osborne forcefully although temporarily forces Rean him regain his senses. Analogous to a father reading a child a bedtime story, Osborne tells Rean that they will write the end to "this wretched fairy tale, in ink, black as despair". He warps away with Rean and has him locked up in the Black Workshop, alongside Valimar and the Sword of the End.

### *Trails of Cold Steel IV*

Following the National Mobilisation Law, Osborne instates his former superior, Marshal Vandyck, as supreme commander of the Imperial Army who officially announced Operation Jormungandr as the largest military force in history in preparation on the war with Calvard. Throughout the preparation for the war, Osborne himself seldom appears in public and continues to manipulate Zemuria from the shadows.

On 17 August, S.1206, Class VII manages to infiltrate the Black Workshop in an attempt to free Rean, but runs into Osborne, Black Alberich, Arianrhod, and other Ouroboros agents on their way out. Wielding a sword similar to the Sword of the End, he battles Rean and his students before their reinforcements intervene and they still manage to find an opening to escape.

With the Tuatha De Danann's appearance above Heimdallr on 30 August, S.1206, Osborne ordained Marshal Vandyck as supreme commander of Operation Jormungandr in the name of the emperor.

Two days later, just after the start of the World War, Osborne meets Class VII for the last time at the core of Tuatha De Danann, which would serve as the setting for the last Rivalry. Re-introduced as the Ebon Awakener, **Osborne the Ironblooded** (鉄血のオズボーン), he summons Valimar as his previous Awakener, together with Millium as the Sword of the End.

He thanks Valimar for looking after Rean and is grateful that he is able to meet again thanks to the blessing she received from Arianrhod. He reassures Rean that both he and Teo Schwarzer are his fathers, just as Lucia Schwarzer, Kasia Osborne and, in a certain sense, Lianne Sandlot are his mothers. As Dreichels Reise Arnor, the father of the foundation of which Class VII is built, he commands the group to give their all in battle.

After the battle, the stage is set for the Tuatha De Danann to serve the final Rivalry. Osborne boards Ishmelga and challenges Rean and Crow to a battle, this time as Giliath Osborne, despite Alberich's warnings that the final Rivalry was not ready. Having absorbed the power of the other Divine Knights, Valimar is the knight to emerge victorious. Osborne leaps into a portal that appears in the ceiling with Rean following, where they settle the score as father and son, Hundred-form Military Combat versus Eight Leaves One Blade practitioner.

Rean and Valimar return into the real world, holding an already transparent Ishmelga in their arms. Valimar absorbs the strength of the last Divine Knight, alongside the curse that had first tormented Dreichels Reise Arnor for four decades and then his reincarnated soul as Giliath Osborne for the past fourteen years. Rean's soul immediately gets corrupted, but Valimar informs him to borrow strength from his friends to tear the curse from his soul. The now deceased Awakeners wish Rean the best of luck, with Osborne advising him to use the strength they did not have to existinguish Erebonia's black flames.

After Rean and his friends manage to slay Ishmelga-Loge and subsequently its thought-form, Osborne appears one last time to have a brief but heartfelt talk with his son. Before exchanging farewells, Osborne reminds Rean of the letter he received from Yun Ka-fai a couple of months prior:

> In this time of turbulence, become that flashing blade which illuminates the darkness, even if for the briefest moment. I believe you and those comrades whose souls are intertwined with yours are capable of this.
>
>

### *Trails into Reverie*

A hollow copy of Osborne is fought by the Ironbloods in the True Reverie Corridor.

Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III has an audience with Rean where he grants him what was left of Osborne's belongings. Osborne had burned most of his possessions before the war, but the Imperials were able to recover a photo that was stuck between the burned memoirs, which Eugent gave to Rean. It is revealed that his name is carved on the grave of his deceased wife by Rean.

The memoirs provide Osborne's personal insights into various events he was involved in, primarily the recruitment of the Ironbloods and the events that occur during the Cold Steel arc.

### Character Notes

#### *Trails into Reverie*

 **Diary**Osborne lived to fulfill a singular goal upon giving his body and soul to Ishmelga. Even then, he wished for his son to have a peaceful future.

## Gameplay

Hello there, beautiful. May I have a moment of your time?Please be aware spoilers for *Trails of Cold Steel III* and *IV* may be present in the following section. Hit [Show] on the right if the show must go on. Adios, amigos!

### Divine Knight

**There we go, the end of spoilers. Thank you for your time!**

## Gallery

### *Trails in the Sky the 3rd*

Olivert and Osborne talk in the Grancel CastleBefore Olivert arrives in Imperial Capital, he meets Osborne midstream to declare his Final ChoicePortraitPortraitPortraitPortraitPortraitPortraitPortrait
### *Trails to Azure*

BustPortraitPortraitPortraitPortraitPortraitPortrait
### *Trails of Cold Steel II*

Memories - Osborne leaving Rean in Ymir (vague)Memories - Osborne leaving Rean in Ymir (cleared)Memories - Osborne in Jurai
### *Trails of Cold Steel III*

Memories - Rufus getting acquainted with OsborneOsborne with Vandyck and Olaf CraigFlashback - Raid on Osborne's houseFlashback - Osborne with Kasia and ReanIntroduction in *Trails of Cold Steel III*Osborne in Valflame PalacePre-production screenshotPre-production screenshotPre-production screenshot
### *Trails of Cold Steel IV*

S-craft (as Osborne the Ironblooded)Flashback - Osborne and Kasia with ReanFlashback - Osborne finding Kasia and Rean after the raid on his houseFlashback - Lianne watching OsborneFlashback - Osborne meeting with Cedric after the Vermillion ApocalypseFlashback - Osborne meeting with Cedric after the Vermillion ApocalypseFlashback - Osborne meeting with Cedric after the Vermillion ApocalypsePre-production screenshotPre-production screenshotPre-production screenshot
## Trivia

* In *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, Osborne states his Sword of the End would have been unable to slaughter the Holy Beast of Earth. His sword was created by the Goddess and two creations of the Goddess are unable to fell each other.
* Osborne is one of nine characters to appear in at least one game in each arc. The others are Estelle Bright, Joshua Bright, Kloe Rinz, Lechter Arundel, Renne Bright, Campanella, Olivert Reise Arnor, Mueller Vander. His status as deceased means he won't appear in the Calvard arc however.
* The name "Giliath" comes from Tolkien's Sindarin language and means "Many Stars" ("Osgiliath" means "City of Many Stars"), while his last name Osborne is from Norse *Asbjorn*, meaning "Sacred Bear".

## References

### Notes

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 In the Japanese version, Rean's name is put in quotation marks.
2. ↑ It happened "[b]ack when Osborne got his seat as the chancellor", and "12 years ago" as seen from S.1206.
3. ↑ Apart from formal requests as chancellor and lord, this is the last time Osborne and Teo spoke as friends.
4. ↑ At this point in time, Osborne was already known as the Blood and Iron Chanceller since he himself drops his alias during his conversation with Rufus.
5. ↑ As seen from S.1204, this happened "10 years ago".
6. ↑ Apart from Jurai it is unknown to which "many smaller countries" this refers to.
7. ↑ Exact year unknown. Events happen after the death of his father, Rudolf Arundel, and before Giliath Osborne makes his acquaintance with Rufus Albarea (before S.1194).
8. ↑ After the Liberl Shutdown Phenomenon, exact moment unknown.
9. ↑ Takes place one month after the Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon. Based on data provided in *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Giliath Osborne visited Liberl in March or the beginning of April. In *Trails from Zero*, Hartmann says he visited Crossbell "around spring of last year".
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Date based on the calendar in *Trails of Cold Steel I*, *II*, *III*, and *IV*.

### Games

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 *Trails in the Sky SC*.
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel", 06/10.
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr", 07/17.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn", 08/27.
5. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel*, Chapter 3: "Beyond the Railways".
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 *Trails of Cold Steel*, Chapter 6: "Progressive Chaos", 09/26.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 2: "Conflict in Crossbell", 05/20.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 *Trails of Cold Steel II*, Intermission: "Aboard the Pantagruel", 12/13.
9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 *Trails in the Sky the 3rd*, Star Door 8: "Return to the Empire".
10. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Pre-story.
11. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel", 06/16.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr", 07/17, Ceremony.
13. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Volume 6.
14. ↑ *Trails from Zero*, Chapter 2: "Golden Sun, Silver Moon".
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 *Trails to Azure*, Chapter 1: "Bright Skies, Gathering Storms".
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 *Trails to Azure*, Chapter 2: "The West Zemuria Trade Conference".
17. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel*, Chapter 3: "Beyond the Railways", 06/27.
18. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel*, Chapter 3: "Beyond the Railways", 06/28.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 *Trails of Cold Steel*, Chapter 4: "A Midsummer's Revels", 07/26.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 *Trails of Cold Steel*, Final Chapter: "Put to the Test", 10/30.
21. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel II*, Act 2: "The Awakening Lions", 12/15.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 *Trails of Cold Steel II*, Finale: "Forward, Relentlessly", 12/31.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 *Trails to Azure*, Finale: "The Path We Chose", Ending.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 *Trails of Cold Steel II*, Divertissement: "The Occupation", 03/09.
25. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel II*, Epilogue: "Winter's End", 03/09.
26. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel II*, Crossbell Times - Special Issue.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Marcel Nielsen, *The Northern War*.
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Finale: "For Whom the Bell Tolls", 07/18.
29. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Imperial Chronicle - Extra Issue.
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Finale: "For Whom the Bell Tolls", 07/18, Gral of Erebos.
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, Prologue: "Nightfall", 08/01.
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, Fragment: "A Shattered Blade", 08/17.
33. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn", 08/30.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, Finale: "Scattered Petals, Dying Flames", 09/01.

### Supplementary

1. ↑ *Sept Archive*, p.84.
2. ↑ *Sen no Kiseki Character Maniacs*, p.231.