Captain Kortus Dast

**Kortus Dast** was a Captain in the Griffon Kingdom Armed Forces and the head of the Feymar crystal mine expedition. He was killed for refusing to defect by army traitors who were targeting the Ernas sisters.

## Appearance

Kortus was a mage in his mid 30's, with short black hair and ice blue eyes.

## Personality

The Captain was a self-important, ambitious, and jealous man, seeking to use others for his own benefit. Hewas the go-to guy to get things done by the book, but lacked both foresight and flexibility. However, despite his less than stellar qualities, he was a patriot through and through, shown when he refused to betray the Kingdom even at the cost of his life.

## Background

The discovery of a crystal mine near the city of Feymar leads High Command to order an expedition. With most of the regular troops busy keeping the order and eradicating the Undead Courts, the army is understaffed to the point of asking the infamous Captain Phloria Ernas for help. However, knowing the assignment will be her last, she refuses to be the commanding officer, leaving Kortus in charge.

He had gladly accepted the mission, planning to use Phloria as a crutch. If things went well, they would have shared the merits and maybe he would have made connections with the powerful Ernas household. Worst case scenario, he could've pinned any blame on her and taken credit for the mission. He neglects Phloria's suggestions to proceed safely and prioritizes speed over caution, which proves fatal as an undead ambush catches the camp off guard. Only Phloria's command allows the soldiers to regroup and fend off the wave, though Kortus blames Phloria for sending the Crystal Shield Guild members away. Phloria punches Kortus in response, breaking his jaw and cheekbone, before assuming command to rescue the Prospectors inside the cave.

General Berion enacts the second-in-command protocol, stripping Kortus of command due to his incompetence, and sends a battalion to reinforce the expedition led by Captain Clefas Lotta. When the Ernas sisters venture into the tunnels to search for the crystal veins and survive an undead ambush, Kallion Nuragor arrives and reveals Archmage Velan Deirus' plot with the Undead Courts to kill the Ernas sisters.

Kallion offers Kortus to join him, but Kortus refuses, reaffirming his loyalty to the kingdom. However, Royal Prospector foreman Tlea accepts Kallion's offer and murders Kortus.

## Quotes

* *"Kortus is as stubborn as a mule but less smart. He never got past Captain despite being active on the field because he got as many losses as victories."* (Tlea to Phloria about Kortus, Chapter 1015)
* *"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm already at my wit's end as a Captain. A higher rank would spell disaster for all the poor soldiers under my command. I might not be Great Mage material, but I believe in the oath I took to the Kingdom years ago. It's better to die like a free man after killing two traitors than joining them in disgrace."* (Kortus to Kallion refusing to turn traitor, Chapter 1024)

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 1004
2. ↑ Chapter 1016
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 1024
4. ↑ Chapter 1003
5. ↑ Chapter 1007
6. ↑ Chapter 1011
7. ↑ Chapter 1023