Ta Lou

**Ta Lou** (real name: **Isesarius Hikonift**) is a sword master who was a member of the Alliance of the Races, one of four who later came to be called the Heroes of Legend to fight against the Demon Lord’s Army in the Mythic Era thousands of years ago.

## Appearance

In the light novel version, Ta Lou is a handsome and muscular man with long black hair, wearing a beard without mustache. His outfit resembles a sort of a samurai kimono, hakama, and armor.

## Personality

Ta Lou is a human and a master of swords. He is one of the seven great generals of the Alliance of the Races. He is an excellent swordsman, boasting prowess parallel to the undeniably strong Orlaxle, unheard of for a human.

## Abilities

Ta Lou is so skilled with a sword and even single-handedly defeats a White Ogre and Yelllow Ogre. He possesses inhuman strength that was on par with that of the beastmen and his swordsmanship was second to none among the races.

## Chronology

### Great Race-Demon War Arc

In the Mythic era thousands of years ago, after a force of 10,000 warriors of the Alliance of the Races under Commander Galeos made his way to the Rodenius continent, Warriors Commander Ta Lou left with only 300 warriors for his chances of survival and lived under the village of Laterre in the complicated geology of the Doria region. The village of Laterre was where 200 people, who resided home in a collection of huts, lived a life of simplicity and silence, which did not attract the attention of demons and magical beasts.

Two months later after the Battle of the Southeastern Philades, as the Yellow Ogre worried, Ta Lou and the 286 warriors shadowed him before heading back to a human refuge at the village of Laterre in the land of Doria. He discussed with Warriors Vice Commander Mareja their plan. Mareja explained that the Yellow Ogre headed the Derol as he pointed it out on the handmade map. Ta Lou intended to follow the Yellow Ogre, who despite being persistent in rooting them out, suddenly ignored them and diverted somewhere else. On that day, Ta Lou’s band of warriors offered their gratitude to the people of the settlement before setting off.

One month later, in the Derol in the eastern of the Philades Continent, another game of tag has begun. They had ordered to not mount an attack on the Yellow Ogre without wasting too much ammunition. However, since the armor and infantry units had split up to each harass the Yellow Ogre’s forces so that they didn’t get too much time to scavenge for food, the beasts had died of starvation increased. At the rate that they’re going, they could effectively shave off the majority of the Yellow Ogre’s forces before they could even reach their destination.

Ta Lou, leading his warriors, had taken descending the route from the mountains, but he stopped them and heard the sound of a horse roughly 200m south. Kenshiva reunited Ta Lou and Mareja past the fringes of the forest and introduced Lt. General Matsushita Takao and several Japanese soldiers as the Emissaries of the Sun God. Matsushita and Kenshiva then explained what had happened: Orlaxle’s demise, the elves’ desperate prayer and unexpected response, Matsushita and the rest of his comrades summoned from their world, their current counteroffensive, and Galeos taking the western route. After hearing about Orlaxle’s demise, Ta Lou, Mareja, and the other warriors with them all shed tears. However, when they heard about Galeos being still alive, they exhaled sighs of relief and joy. With their plan to annihilate the Demon Lord's Army in a bridge connecting to Grameus once and for all, the Band of Warriors joined them. Matsushita’s 1st Otherworld Division headed northeast to link up with the 1st Otherworld Deployment Fleet.

In the Battle of Derol, near the far end of the land of Derol, Ta Lou was allowed to accompany Matsushita, who followed the armored battalion from behind since he wanted to see how the Japanese army fought. Matsushita, Ta Lou, Kenshiva, and four of Mareja’s warriors watched the infantries and armored battalions fight it out with the Demon Lord's Army. As Matsushita and the others ran and battled them, Ta Lou and Mareja were right behind them. They, who didn’t seem to mind the rain, nonchalantly walked away.

Ta Lou and Mareja noticed it at the same time, but Mareja moved first. Suddenly the Red Ogre protruded his dark red arm through Mareja's chest. Malastras, standing right behind the Red Ogre, confirmed that the two were still alive despite their long absence. Ta Lou had already drawn his sword, which if the Red Ogre were still where he was a moment ago, he would have already cut the massive beast down. Kenshiva and Matsushita, having heard Mareja’s scream, came running back. Kenshiva then ran to the fallen Mareja and tore open his bloodied raincoat. After Malastras and the Red Ogre escaped from Ta Lou and the Imperial Japanese soldiers, Ta Lou then ran over to Mareja to close his eyes.

At night in the land bridge of Topa after the Battle of Topa, Galeos, Ta Lou, and Kenshiva, celebrating their reunion, made off with sake from Matsushita and went to the beach. Ta Lou and Kenshiva were a bit haggard, harboring some darkness deep within their eyes. Hearing Mareja's death, Galeos lowered his head to mourn him. Ta Lou heard what happened to Orlaxle and how Kenshiva stepped in for him, but Kenshiva didn’t say anything. Galeos gave them to answer that Orlaxle sacrificed by giving their life. Ta Lou replied briefly as he swayed the sake that reeked strongly of rice. He decided on something deep in his heart.

One year later, after they with the help of the Imperial Japanese completed the construction of a great wall called the Doors of the World across the end of the land of Topa, the emissaries were gone to Earth. At night, Ta Lou and Kenshiva stood in front of Galeos, who was sitting next to a bonfire. They discussed the future that the people of the races advocated for Galeos to take up the mantle of the king, but he firmly refused because he still wanted to roam around the different lands of the world to oversee the reconstruction. Ta Lou insisted without waiting for Galeos to reply that Galeos refusing the duty of becoming the king was simply for him to keep Ta Lou in check. Then Kijje and Luca joined them. They were reminded of a lot of things about their past and abilities. Shortly afterward, Ta Lou, Luca, Kenshiva, and Kijje decided to join and guide their duty to defeat the Demon Lord, leaving Galeos's duty to the world and its reconstruction where the people of the races needed to be in peace when they returned. Having been persuaded by the three, Galeos reluctantly nodded in acceptance of his duty to protect the people. Galeos no longer wanted to order them to go.

The 1,000-strong soldiers of the last group of the Alliance of the Races called the Demon Lord Extermination Army under Commander Esperanto with Ta Lou, Kenshiva, Luca, and Kijje marched towards the Guradoah in the northeast of the Grameus continent from the Doors of the World. Esperanto and Ta Lou had difficulty with a map of Grameus, according to Luca, their objective lay deep in the treacherous mountains to the Guradoah in the northeast of the Grameus continent when looking from the land of Topa. Luca warned them that magical beasts, which used magic in their body, were poisonous for them to eat. The problem of food weighs heavily on a 1,000-strong army. They would have to hunt something in the next three days.

Two months later, they marched in a wasteland that was unimaginably harsh with the shortage of food and water, but they lost almost half and forcibly retreated to Topa by the harsh climate and terrain. Ta Lou, Kenshiva, Luca, and Kijje took their weapons and baggage and set off. They had divided the fighting amongst themselves, but the monsters, beasts, and enemies they would encounter moving forward would have to be dealt with by their own hands.

Two weeks later, after Esperanto and the other 500 soldiers divided and left back to Topa, Ta Lou, Kenshiva, Luca, and Kijje reached the Gurganaff Plain. The Red Ogre and the White Ogre, who scouted for resources, stood in front of Ta Lou and the others and blocked their way at the Gurganaff Plain. The two ogres were surprised to see that only four had come and decided to wipe them out. Ta Lou remarked as he gently unsheathed his curved sword, followed by Kenshiva. Kijje picked up a fist-sized stone under his foot with slow movements. He threw the stone, possessing the force of a round fired from a small-caliber tank gun, and struck the laughing White Ogre, cracking open a slight fissure in his skull. The White Ogre writhed in pain and confusion.

The Red Ogre ran forward and swung his great axe onto Ta Lou’s head. However, even at close range, Ta Lou swiftly maneuvered his sword to block the Red Ogre’s attack, stopping his great axe with the hilt of his word. Coming in from the right, Kenshiva plowed his fist onto the Red Ogre in a sunkei move, transferring his immense kinetic force onto the ogre and forcing him down on the ground. The Red Ogre immediately pressed the side of his torso where Kenshiva had pushed him. Ta Lou then swiftly swung the blade down on the Red Ogre’s head. Suddenly, the White Ogre came over to the Red Ogre and pushed him out of the way, receiving the full force of Ta Lou’s swing with his arm. The blade easily sliced through the end of his arm towards the elbow like a knife through butter, turning him to scream in pain. Ta Lou immediately thrust his blade upwards without hesitation, ripping up the White Ogre’s torso. He swiftly chopped off the rest of the White Ogre’s body. He then got drenched in the bluish-black blood of his victim. Topping it off, he then thrust his blade through the mouth of the White Ogre and deep into his throat. While Ta Lou cut down the White Ogre, the Red Ogre was restrained by Kenshiva and Kijje, losing all luster in attacking them.

After the White Ogre was killed, the Red Ogre laid his eyes on Luca and slipped through once he saw the opportunity, processing in his mind an opening towards her. The Red Ogre instantly felt dread from the spine-chilling voice of Luca. While the Red Ogre was confused, Ta Lou closed in while Kenshiva attacked from the rear and Kijje from the flank. With all sides blocked off, the Red Ogre then jumped out. He landed next to the White Ogre’s remains, picked them up, and clutched them close. As the Red Ogre ran away, Ta Lou and the others decided not to force themselves to give chase, saving their energy on that encounter. Luca had been using her magic to strengthen the capabilities of Ta Lou, Kenshiva, and Kijje. After sifting through the Red Ogre's mind, Luca was able to look through his memories, confirming for herself the current state of Guradoah. She learned the Demon Lord was currently regaining his lost power until he had gained a fifth of his power back in the next five years. They must hurry to strike while the Demon Lord still wasn't at his full strength.

One month and two weeks later, Ta Lou, Kenshiva, Luca, and Kijje stood in front of the snow-laden gates of Darelgulla Castle. Ta Lou began forcing open the doors of the gate loudly. The 1000 goblins and 200 orcs lay in wait for them on the other side. They drew their weapons and faced the 1,200 troops from the Demon Lord's Army. Ta Lou, Kenshiva, and Kijje all managed to dispose of three to five goblins each. Malastriss quickly flew to the Demon Lord’s chamber, leaving the fight to the ogres. Breaking through the lines, Ta Lou and Kenshiva went straight into the heart of the formation. Ta Lou gracefully maneuvered his blade through the hordes of goblins. Moving with him to protect his flanks, Kenshiva freely moved through the snow with his excellent speed, taking down enemies that tried to attack Ta Lou from his blind spots. As the fight continued, the numbers of the Demon Lord's Army thinned.

In less than an hour, the number of goblins and orcs combined stood at around 300. The Red Ogre suggested that the three ogres and the Scarlet Dragon fight the four to take down one or two of them, and the Yellow Ogre agreed. The Blue Ogre hoped to take on Kijje and the Red Ogre inevitably ended up dealing with Kenshiva. The three ogres all ran forth to fight the four with the Scarlet Dragon. Ta Lou kicked off a goblin corpse clinging to his feet and wiped the blood smears on his clothes. Readying his blade once more, he faced off against the Yellow Ogre. The Yellow Ogre then lunged forth toward Ta Lou. He sweeps his hand over to parry the Yellow Ogre with his blade. Before the Yellow Ogre could fix and ready his stance, Ta Lou turned his hand and pushed in for the kill. The Yellow Ogre noticed this move and swiftly changed his stance midair and waited for Ta Lou’s next move. The blade closed in on his neck, prompting the Yellow Ogre to use his opposed arm to deflect it. Seeing Ta Lou off his balance, the falling Yellow Ogre extended his foot to make an ax kick. Ta Lou pretended to stagger and then turned his feet around, going into a full-body spin and landing his blade on the Yellow Ogre’s leg. Being struck by the curvature of the blade, overlapping with the Yellow Ogre’s falling speed, his leg was cut off with little imperfection, turning him to scream painfully. Ta Lou stood in front of the Yellow Ogre, who lost his leg, and gave him any last words before executing him. The Yellow Ogre smiled sadly while giving in to his fate and complimenting his foe as he felt regret in parting with his fellow ogres and his master, the Demon Lord. Ta Lou chopped the Yellow Ogre’s head, rolling it down. When Red Ogre, Blue Ogre, and the Scarlet Dragon heard the command by Nosgorath’s voice, they immediately escaped into the bowels of the castle.

When Ta Lou, Kenshiva, Luca, and Kijje reached the deepest innards of the Darelgulla castle, they found the black, wide royal chamber lit with purple flames reminiscent of the twilight glow where Demon Lord Nosgorath sat alone on the throne. Nosgorath stood up from his throne and slowly walked down the steps toward them. They drew their weapons and faced him. Nosgorath explained to them that he was created by the Demon Emperor and the light-winged people, which have arrogantly turned to depose the gods. As punishment, destruction rained down on them, compelling them to transport their nation, the Ravernal Empire, to the future. However, the four could not hide their surprise at the fact that they were the ones who made Nosgorath. He told them that after the Ravernal Empire was in their absence, he had left to control the new world until the Ravernal Empire would be returning to this world in the far future.

When Nosgorath finished explaining, the four were beyond angry at what they heard. Ta Lou jumped to land the first strike on Nosgorath. Ta Lou was parried, stopping the blade with his bare arm. Nosgorath’s eyes glowed red, looking at Ta Lou. He then cast a spell, the shockwave of which threw him back toward the wall behind him. When he walked toward Ta Lou, Kijje threw some rocks down his way, but the rocks turned pulverized upon striking Nosgorath and reformed at the wave of Nosgorath’s hand. Then the pulverized rocks flew back to Kijje at high speeds. Taking a blow to his abdomen, Kijje was forced to kneel in pain. Luca ran to Kijje to seal the wound. Besides the Demon Lord, Ta Lou rose from the debris of the wall he crashed into and returned with his beloved blade unsheathed. He cackled with laughter after he heard Nosgorath's answer about his greatness and insulted him as disrespecting his greatness, giving him anger. Nosgorath was about to cast a hellfire spell when his magical power suddenly vanished. When Nosgorath finally realized what happened, Ta Lou tricked him into shutting his magic off along with his existence, which made it already too late.

All around Nosgorath, countless blobs of orange light appeared, tracing countless lines of light all around him, which the four let the Demon Lord blab on. Luca knew their slim chances of winning since it wasn’t enough to destroy the Demon Lord. She drew up a magical barrier to seal him inside. After Ta Lou, Kenshiva, and Kijje heard her explanation, they all decided to exchange their life energy which required their sacrifice of the magical barrier to seal the Demon Lord for all eternity. However, the barrier itself couldn’t kill, but the magical powers of the people inside neutralized, and the flow of time stopped, trapping those insides into an immobile state. As Luca began the main chant for the spell itself, Kijje’s body began to glow and fade away. Then Ta Lou’s body also started to glow. Kenshiva, who thought his next, was taken aback when Luca’s body started glowing before his turn. Luca explained to Kenshiva that she could only be cast her magic as a retainer of the god of fate. No one knew what happened to the four and the Demon Lord. She wanted to entrust his return to tell their story and its immortalization. Considering Kenshiva’s case, he should still have two years left as a beastman who was able to put up resistance against the sickness. Kenshiva reluctantly agreed that persuaded by Ta Lou. With those last words, Ta Lou and Luca disappeared, leaving Kenshiva and a Demon Lord sealed. The power of the barrier would slowly decay over time.