OVA
Description
Hilmes, called Silvermask for the silver mask hiding facial scars from a fire that claimed his father Osroes V during an assassination, stakes a contested claim to Pars’s throne. Born March 24 as Osroes’s son and Gotarzes II’s grandson, his lineage grows more tangled when revelations expose him as the secret child of Osroes’s wife, rendering him half-brother to Andragoras III and uncle to Arslan. This fractured heritage fuels his conviction in his birthright, propelling his ruthless campaign to usurp the throne.
A blend of cold pragmatism and strategic brilliance defines him, his obsession with royal legitimacy masking a flicker of humanity. He manipulates Lusitanian forces and crushes opposition, yet shows guarded loyalty to childhood friend Elena and Zandeh, a follower he avoids out of shame for past failures. The fire’s legacy lingers in his pyrophobia—sparks ignite paralyzing dread, mirroring his unhealed trauma.
Initially Arslan’s chief rival, his trajectory fractures upon uncovering his true parentage: his claim, once a moral crusade, was built on lies. Renouncing ambition, he discards his royal cloak during a throne-room clash, severing ties to his former self. His identity, once rooted in bloodline, pivots to redemption as he shields allies and battles foes like Kharlan, who aims to purge Pars’s “cursed” lineage.
Relationships expose his contradictions. Zandeh’s unwavering allegiance, based on respect over duty, destabilizes Hilmes’s self-view, while Sam’s steadfast loyalty despite exposed truths underscores mutual trust. Attempting to send Zandeh to Arslan reveals his recognition of his cousin’s worth and a desire to spare his follower further pain.
In battle, Hilmes wields a rapier and ceremonial sword with dark energy-augmented prowess, rivaling warriors like Daryun. Post-transformation, his combat focus shifts from conquest to defense, notably saving Zandeh from Kharlan.
His journey ends ambiguously: rejecting royalty yet haunted by “cursed blood,” he clings to allies like Sam and Zandeh as beacons of hope, their loyalty suggesting a path where humanity outweighs birthright.
A blend of cold pragmatism and strategic brilliance defines him, his obsession with royal legitimacy masking a flicker of humanity. He manipulates Lusitanian forces and crushes opposition, yet shows guarded loyalty to childhood friend Elena and Zandeh, a follower he avoids out of shame for past failures. The fire’s legacy lingers in his pyrophobia—sparks ignite paralyzing dread, mirroring his unhealed trauma.
Initially Arslan’s chief rival, his trajectory fractures upon uncovering his true parentage: his claim, once a moral crusade, was built on lies. Renouncing ambition, he discards his royal cloak during a throne-room clash, severing ties to his former self. His identity, once rooted in bloodline, pivots to redemption as he shields allies and battles foes like Kharlan, who aims to purge Pars’s “cursed” lineage.
Relationships expose his contradictions. Zandeh’s unwavering allegiance, based on respect over duty, destabilizes Hilmes’s self-view, while Sam’s steadfast loyalty despite exposed truths underscores mutual trust. Attempting to send Zandeh to Arslan reveals his recognition of his cousin’s worth and a desire to spare his follower further pain.
In battle, Hilmes wields a rapier and ceremonial sword with dark energy-augmented prowess, rivaling warriors like Daryun. Post-transformation, his combat focus shifts from conquest to defense, notably saving Zandeh from Kharlan.
His journey ends ambiguously: rejecting royalty yet haunted by “cursed blood,” he clings to allies like Sam and Zandeh as beacons of hope, their loyalty suggesting a path where humanity outweighs birthright.