TV-Series
Description
Harklight is a supporting character who appears in the second season of the anime. He serves as the devoted subordinate and right-hand man to Slaine Troyard, an Earth-born human who rises to a position of significant power within the Vers Empire's military hierarchy.
Harklight's background is defined by his lowly origins. He was born into the third social class of the Vers Empire, which represents the poorest and most disadvantaged tier of Martian society. His parents worked tirelessly to provide him with the opportunity to rise above his station, ultimately enabling him to earn the honor of serving among the Orbital Knights, the empire's noble military class. This background meant he faced prejudice from other Martians, who looked down on him as an Earth human who had chosen to side with Mars. Nevertheless, he persevered and managed to climb the ranks through his own merit and effort. He carries himself with a serious demeanor and pride, and is typically seen in the uniform of a Martian knight.
In terms of personality, Harklight is defined by his deep and unwavering loyalty to Slaine Troyard. He holds Slaine in the highest regard, not simply as a superior officer but as someone who, like himself, overcame the barriers of class and birth to achieve his status. This respect is rooted in a recognition of shared struggle and Slaine's demonstrated strength and courage. Moreover, there is a subtle complexity to his feelings about the hierarchy between them. He is older than Slaine, and for a time, Slaine addresses him with polite formalities as a servant. Harklight feels a degree of awkwardness about this, and is genuinely happy and moved when Slaine, after becoming a count, begins to call him by his name without honorifics, a sign of their strengthened personal bond and trust.
Harklight's primary motivation is to support Slaine in all his endeavors. He willingly takes on the role of a strategist and confidant, helping Slaine navigate the treacherous politics of the Orbital Knights. For instance, after Princess Asseylum (while disguised as her sister Lemrina) declares the founding of a new kingdom, Harklight takes the initiative to expose those knights who are secretly conspiring against Slaine. In combat, he proves to be a capable leader and pilot, fighting alongside his comrade Barouhcruz in key battles, such as the engagement near the moon base against the Earth United Forces. Following Slaine's victory over Count Marylcian in a duel, Slaine rewards Harklight's loyalty by bestowing upon him the title of knight and granting him command of Marylcian's unique Kataphrakt, the Herschel. This mobile suit is a formidable long-range combat unit equipped with thirty detachable mobile laser guns that can attack from all directions, an ability that makes it a powerful asset in battle.
His key relationships are with Slaine and with his fellow soldier, Barouhcruz. The bond with Slaine is the most significant, as Harklight places his complete trust in his master and has, in turn, earned Slaine's trust to the point of being entrusted with confidential information. Their relationship evolves from a formal master-servant dynamic to one of deeper mutual respect. With Barouhcruz, he shares a comradely bond forged on the battlefield, built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to Slaine's cause.
Throughout the story, Harklight evolves from a servant to a trusted knight and key supporter, becoming an integral part of Slaine's inner circle as Slaine rises in power. His development culminates in a final, powerful act of loyalty. In the series' final battle, Slaine, accepting the war is lost, orders his remaining forces to surrender. Harklight, however, chooses to disobey this order. He expresses that he has already made his peace with death and asks for one last selfish act. Along with Barouhcruz and a handful of loyal soldiers, he turns his Kataphrakt around and charges the Earth forces' battleship, the Deucalion, in a defiant and ultimately suicidal final stand, preferring to die fighting for the cause and the man he believed in rather than surrender.
Harklight's background is defined by his lowly origins. He was born into the third social class of the Vers Empire, which represents the poorest and most disadvantaged tier of Martian society. His parents worked tirelessly to provide him with the opportunity to rise above his station, ultimately enabling him to earn the honor of serving among the Orbital Knights, the empire's noble military class. This background meant he faced prejudice from other Martians, who looked down on him as an Earth human who had chosen to side with Mars. Nevertheless, he persevered and managed to climb the ranks through his own merit and effort. He carries himself with a serious demeanor and pride, and is typically seen in the uniform of a Martian knight.
In terms of personality, Harklight is defined by his deep and unwavering loyalty to Slaine Troyard. He holds Slaine in the highest regard, not simply as a superior officer but as someone who, like himself, overcame the barriers of class and birth to achieve his status. This respect is rooted in a recognition of shared struggle and Slaine's demonstrated strength and courage. Moreover, there is a subtle complexity to his feelings about the hierarchy between them. He is older than Slaine, and for a time, Slaine addresses him with polite formalities as a servant. Harklight feels a degree of awkwardness about this, and is genuinely happy and moved when Slaine, after becoming a count, begins to call him by his name without honorifics, a sign of their strengthened personal bond and trust.
Harklight's primary motivation is to support Slaine in all his endeavors. He willingly takes on the role of a strategist and confidant, helping Slaine navigate the treacherous politics of the Orbital Knights. For instance, after Princess Asseylum (while disguised as her sister Lemrina) declares the founding of a new kingdom, Harklight takes the initiative to expose those knights who are secretly conspiring against Slaine. In combat, he proves to be a capable leader and pilot, fighting alongside his comrade Barouhcruz in key battles, such as the engagement near the moon base against the Earth United Forces. Following Slaine's victory over Count Marylcian in a duel, Slaine rewards Harklight's loyalty by bestowing upon him the title of knight and granting him command of Marylcian's unique Kataphrakt, the Herschel. This mobile suit is a formidable long-range combat unit equipped with thirty detachable mobile laser guns that can attack from all directions, an ability that makes it a powerful asset in battle.
His key relationships are with Slaine and with his fellow soldier, Barouhcruz. The bond with Slaine is the most significant, as Harklight places his complete trust in his master and has, in turn, earned Slaine's trust to the point of being entrusted with confidential information. Their relationship evolves from a formal master-servant dynamic to one of deeper mutual respect. With Barouhcruz, he shares a comradely bond forged on the battlefield, built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to Slaine's cause.
Throughout the story, Harklight evolves from a servant to a trusted knight and key supporter, becoming an integral part of Slaine's inner circle as Slaine rises in power. His development culminates in a final, powerful act of loyalty. In the series' final battle, Slaine, accepting the war is lost, orders his remaining forces to surrender. Harklight, however, chooses to disobey this order. He expresses that he has already made his peace with death and asks for one last selfish act. Along with Barouhcruz and a handful of loyal soldiers, he turns his Kataphrakt around and charges the Earth forces' battleship, the Deucalion, in a defiant and ultimately suicidal final stand, preferring to die fighting for the cause and the man he believed in rather than surrender.