Laddie

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Laddie Setia Gerard (original: 菈荻)
Alias(es)	Azure Witch; Dirac (male disguise)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Lichman Adventurer Group; Lord Greiman's Manor and Government Affairs Council
Occupation/Role	Scholar; adventurer; teacher; political and economic advisor; occult advisor; acting head of the Department of Education
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 32, as a member of the Lichman Adventurer Group 32

Background / History

Laddie was a scholar from the Southern Nations who joined the Lichman Adventurer Group to travel and expand her knowledge. Although scholarship was her main occupation, she served as the group's crossbowman and possessed medical knowledge 43. She helped the group rescue Paul Greiman and a local town chief from pirates, becoming acquainted with Paul in the process 32.

After reaching Lakeheart Town, Laddie became attached to Ves Institute and enjoyed teaching children and adults. She initially hoped to become a full-time teacher, but Greiman's administration recruited her as a consultant on the politics and economy of the Southern Nations 87. She continued teaching in her spare time and moved into accommodation near the Lord's Manor 91.

Laddie later revealed that she was a Mage. Paul chose to keep her identity secret because she had saved his life and the lives of his soldiers. He also appointed her as his occult advisor 142. Her former adventurer companions had already discovered her identity during an emergency and continued to treat her as family rather than reporting her 143.

When Paul traveled to Franklin Harbor, Laddie's divination warned that he might encounter danger. She accompanied him, identified the threat posed by the attacking Wizard, and later connected the Wizard to the Secret Art Society and the Gaden Pirates 137 147. She subsequently became one of Paul's most trusted advisors.

Laddie returned south to retrieve her mother, Shelah, and brought her and Lisa back to Northwest Bay. During the journey, she disguised herself as a man named Dirac. In Horn Bay, she served as a translator, advised the crew of the South, and helped arrange the hiring of a local navigator 168 171. She also helped Grand Duchess Helen rescue Finnie from a Church operation and survived a pursuit involving Wizards, mercenaries, and summoned wolves 176 186.

Back in Northwest Bay, Laddie expanded her responsibilities. She handled political and economic affairs, hygiene education, and much of the educational work left by Betty. She also became the acting head of the Department of Education 416. She was not ennobled during Paul's mass bestowal of titles because there was no established precedent for directly granting noble titles to women; she was also personally uninterested in such honors 377.

Laddie remained loyal to Paul when her former acquaintance Sevia proposed taking control of his territory and creating a realm for Spellcasters. Laddie rejected the proposal, declared Paul her lord, and warned Sevia not to harm him 417.

During the rebellion, Laddie used powerful defensive and offensive magic to protect Paul's camp from a supernatural inferno and attack rebel forces through the flames 548 557. Later, she suffered a fatal wound but was saved by a mysterious woman identical to her, who revealed that she was Laddie's other half, separated from her at birth 830 832.

Appearance

Laddie is a tall, beautiful woman with long green hair. As a scholar, she is commonly associated with a wide-brimmed hat. During her adventurer years, she wore practical travel clothing and carried a crossbow; while traveling aboard the South, she disguised herself as a man named Dirac 43 137 168.

Distinguishing features include:

• Green hair.
• A tall scholar's hat.
• A calm, reserved demeanor.
• A striking appearance that caused the Serdan Queen Isabella to be mistaken for her look-alike 724 832.
• A magical counterpart with the same face and green hair, but with amber horns and a more voluptuous appearance 830 832.

Personality

Laddie is composed, vigilant, and analytical. Her years as an adventurer left her alert to danger, and she correctly anticipated trouble during Paul's journey to Franklin Harbor despite his initial skepticism 137. She tends to remain calm under pressure, including during the wolf attack that terrified Grand Duchess Helen 185 186.

She is strongly protective of people she trusts. Laddie risks herself to protect Paul, Helen, and Finnie, and she remains loyal to Paul's administration even when other Spellcasters criticize her for serving a mortal lord 417 666.

As a scholar, Laddie values education, historical knowledge, and the lives of ordinary people. She argues that machinery and technological progress can change society more profoundly than heroic deeds or magical feats because they improve common people's lives 421 422.

Despite her reserved exterior, Laddie has a warm and sentimental side. She forms close bonds with her former adventurer companions, loves her mother deeply, and becomes especially fond of the children at Ves Institute 87 173. She is also embarrassed and emotionally conflicted by her feelings for Paul 633 717.

Abilities & Skills

Magic

Laddie is a powerful Mage and was known in Spellcaster circles as the Azure Witch. She is described as one of the most powerful Spellcasters in Horn Bay 416.

Applications and notable feats include:

• Casting a Flame Ring to repel wolves attacking a carriage 186.
• Creating a barrier of light around Paul's camp to protect it from a massive fire 548.
• Using the surrounding flames to attack rebel forces 557.
• Teleporting an enemy pursuer away during the rescue of Finnie 185.
• Using or possessing suggestion, which Paul suspects she used to end a tense meeting 372.
• Maintaining defensive magic for extended periods despite physical and mental strain 557.
• Recognizing and analyzing the abilities and affiliations of other Mages 142 147.

Divination and Threat Assessment

Laddie can perform divination and uses it to identify potential danger. Her warning about Paul's journey to Franklin Harbor proved accurate, although she could not prevent the attack entirely 137 147.

Applications and limits:

• Warned Paul that misfortune might occur even if he remained in Lakeheart Town 137.
• Maintained constant vigilance during the journey.
• Accepted responsibility for not preparing more fully after the attack, despite having warned Paul beforehand 147.
• Her divination provides possibilities rather than guaranteed outcomes 137.

Scholarly Knowledge

Laddie's expertise covers history, natural history, politics, economics, and the culture of the Southern Nations 87 91.

Applications include:

• Advising Paul's administration on Southern Nations politics and economics.
• Teaching history, natural history, and Southern customs.
• Analyzing the Secret Art Society's political intentions and links to the Gaden Pirates 147.
• Explaining the social consequences of machinery and industrial development 421 422.
• Supporting the expansion of education and literacy in Arda 416.

Combat and Fieldcraft

Although primarily a scholar, Laddie has substantial adventuring experience.

Applications include:

• Using a crossbow effectively, including the bow that killed a Black-Spotted Tiger 43 137.
• Riding and traveling over long distances.
• Operating under disguises.
• Surviving pursuit, wilderness attacks, and prolonged magical combat.
• Applying medical knowledge as part of the Lichman Adventurer Group 43.

Languages and Translation

Laddie knows the language of Horn Bay and acts as a translator during the South's voyage. She helps the crew communicate with local officials and arrange the recruitment of a navigator and translator 168 171.

Political Influence

Laddie acts as both an advisor and a protector within Paul's administration.

Applications include:

• Advising Paul on foreign relations and Southern trade.
• Reporting the presence of dangerous Spellcasters.
• Defending Paul's policies before other Spellcasters.
• Helping shape education and public hygiene programs.
• Persuading skeptical Spellcasters to observe the benefits of industrial technology 416 422.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Crossbow used during her adventurer years 43 137.
• Bow and arrows carried during Paul's journey to Franklin Harbor 137.
• Scholar's hat, which identifies her profession 87.
• Male disguise and false identity as “Dirac” during the voyage to Horn Bay 168 176.
• Crystal ball used during magical investigations 663.

Relationships

• Paul Greiman — Lord, employer, and the person to whom Laddie swears loyalty. She repeatedly protects him, advises him, and defends his policies. Their relationship contains unresolved romantic tension 142 417 621 633.
• Meilu and the Lichman Adventurer Group — Former companions who treat Laddie as family despite learning that she is a Mage 87 143.
• Shelah Setia — Laddie's mother. Laddie worries about her safety and brings her to Northwest Bay 172 173.
• Lisa — A young orphan employed by Shelah whom Laddie helps relocate to Northwest Bay 172 174.
• Grand Duchess Helen — Laddie's senior apprentice and former magical companion. Laddie helps rescue Helen's younger sister, Finnie 176 186.
• Finnie — Helen's younger sister, whom Laddie helps save from abduction 181 186.
• Irene — Fellow advisor and close friend. Irene and Laddie work together in Paul's administration 104 830.
• Mariana Greiman — Laddie's former teacher and Paul's mother. Their relationship develops from teacher and student into mutual confidantes 666 717.
• Sevia Asitini — An old Spellcaster acquaintance who attempts to recruit Laddie into a plan to control Paul's territory. Laddie rejects her proposal and warns her against harming Paul 416 417.
• The mysterious woman — Laddie's other half, separated from her at birth. She shares Laddie's appearance and a direct spiritual and physical connection 830 832.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Adventurer and Scholar

Laddie is introduced as the scholar and crossbowman of the Lichman Adventurer Group. Her intervention helps Paul recognize the group's legitimate purpose and leads to their wider relationship with him 32 43.

Lakeheart Town Advisor

After discovering Ves Institute, Laddie chooses to remain in Lakeheart Town. She becomes a teacher and later a political and economic advisor specializing in the Southern Nations 87.

Revelation as a Mage

Laddie's identity is exposed after she uses magic during an emergency. Paul protects her from the Church and appoints her as an occult advisor, making her the first known Mage openly serving within his administration 142 148.

Southern Voyage and the Rescue of Finnie

Laddie travels south in disguise, helps the South navigate Horn Bay's language and customs, and reunites with her family. She then assists Helen in rescuing Finnie from the Church and the Secret Art Society 168 186.

Defender of Paul's Rule

Laddie rejects Sevia's attempt to turn Paul's territory into a Spellcaster-controlled kingdom. She openly declares that Paul is her lord and continues to defend his administration 416 419.

Industrial and Educational Advocate

Laddie takes responsibility for education, hygiene, and public welfare. She argues that machinery can empower ordinary people and change history more deeply than the deeds of kings, heroes, or Spellcasters 416 422.

Rebellion and Near-Death

During the rebellion, Laddie protects Paul's camp from a supernatural fire and attacks the rebels. She later suffers a fatal injury but is restored by her mysterious other half 548 557 830 832.

Loyalty After Paul's Royal Marriage

When Paul remains in Crystal Radiance after marrying into the Royal Family, Laddie struggles with her feelings but agrees to continue serving him for the welfare of Spellcasters in Northwest Bay 633.

Notable Quotes

“He is my Lord now.” 417

“Greiman-sama is different from other nobles.” 417

“Fighting, killing, ruling, fooling, it's not just Magic that can do these things.” 421

“Not just these Machinery, but also a more abstract, deeper thing that they represent. It can allow mortals to burst out with great Power and use it to subversively change their lives.” 422

Trivia

• Laddie became a Mage after joining the Lichman Adventurer Group, rather than presenting herself publicly as a Spellcaster from the beginning 143.
• Her mother, Shelah, is the wife of the former pirate leader Red Tooth Gerard 209.
• Laddie was excluded from Paul's mass distribution of noble titles because the kingdom had no precedent for directly ennobling women 377.
• She disguises herself as a man during the voyage to Horn Bay, but finds speaking in a masculine voice uncomfortable 168.
• The Serdan Queen Isabella resembles Laddie closely enough to astonish Paul's exploration team 724 832.
• Laddie's magical counterpart has amber horns, linking her to the horned Serdan people described by Captain Glan 832.