Movie
Description
Ladin appears as an albino high priest of the Naka no Kuni people, projecting an emotionless and mysterious aura when he first encounters protagonists Miyako Negishi and Haruka Saiki after transporting them to a fantasy world. He declares Miyako the reincarnation of the legendary Princess Neryulla, revived after 500 years to lead a rebellion against the oppressive Western Kingdom (Nishi no Kuni). Ladin actively manipulates events, providing Miyako with Princess Neryulla's sword and urging her to deliver symbolic "words of revival" to incite revolt, positioning himself as her spiritual guide and advisor.
His physical appearance includes distinctive albinism, later marked by facial scarring sustained during the battle at the rebel cavern headquarters. He engineers the rebellion's strategy, directing the assault on locations including Fort Shiko and Kamura Castle, the former Naka no Kuni capital. Towado, the previous leader, reveals Ladin gained influence by accurately predicting future events after arriving as a wanderer six months prior.
Ladin orchestrates the deaths of key figures, including his own apparent demise during the battle at Fort Shiko, where he is seemingly burned to death—an event that deeply affects Miyako. His true identity is ultimately revealed as Duran III, ruler of the Western Kingdom, who fabricated the entire Princess Neryulla legend. He admits to masterminding the conflict between Naka no Kuni, Nishi no Kuni, and Higashi no Kuni to shatter centuries of stagnant peace, framing the war as a necessary catalyst to "open the door to the future" and awaken the populace.
After declaring his manipulation complete and offering the protagonists a return to their world through the golden door, Duran III is killed by Miyako, who resents being used as a pawn and mourns the casualties of his scheme. Following his death, a falcon delivers a manuscript to the protagonists back in Tokyo, implied to be from Princess Dimida and referencing Duran III's metaphor about progressing through one's own door—a final reminder of his manipulative ideology.
His physical appearance includes distinctive albinism, later marked by facial scarring sustained during the battle at the rebel cavern headquarters. He engineers the rebellion's strategy, directing the assault on locations including Fort Shiko and Kamura Castle, the former Naka no Kuni capital. Towado, the previous leader, reveals Ladin gained influence by accurately predicting future events after arriving as a wanderer six months prior.
Ladin orchestrates the deaths of key figures, including his own apparent demise during the battle at Fort Shiko, where he is seemingly burned to death—an event that deeply affects Miyako. His true identity is ultimately revealed as Duran III, ruler of the Western Kingdom, who fabricated the entire Princess Neryulla legend. He admits to masterminding the conflict between Naka no Kuni, Nishi no Kuni, and Higashi no Kuni to shatter centuries of stagnant peace, framing the war as a necessary catalyst to "open the door to the future" and awaken the populace.
After declaring his manipulation complete and offering the protagonists a return to their world through the golden door, Duran III is killed by Miyako, who resents being used as a pawn and mourns the casualties of his scheme. Following his death, a falcon delivers a manuscript to the protagonists back in Tokyo, implied to be from Princess Dimida and referencing Duran III's metaphor about progressing through one's own door—a final reminder of his manipulative ideology.