Maria

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Maria (玛利亚)
Alias(es)	“Tofu Princess”; Countess Eltar 236 759
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Duchy of Weissen; Rhine Alliance delegation 593
Occupation/Role	Publisher, business administrator, government department head, diplomatic and military coordinator 336 453 742
Status	Alive 809
First Appearance	Chapter 32

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Innate Soul Magic talent	33	Her singing calms Frederick and unconsciously attracts sheep, dogs, and birds, revealing an exceptional affinity for Soul Magic.
Formal Soul Magic student	236	Begins studying Soul Magic under Psyche.
Advanced Soul Magic proficiency	436	Frederick's own long-term Soul Magic training is described as less proficient than Maria's.
Large-scale emotional influence	727	Uses Soul Magic on a large scale during her arrival at Stork Port, leaving her considerably fatigued afterward.
Battlefield combat caster	760	Stops charging Bear Cavalry with a fear spell and disrupts an enemy Mage Corps long enough for the assault team to destroy it.

Background / History

Maria is the daughter of Philip and Sophia Eltar. At age six, she meets Frederick during his visit to Lohr Castle, where they spend the afternoon playing Chinese Checkers and she proudly shows him her monocular telescope. Sophia, whose illness makes her fear for Maria's future, soon begins considering Frederick as a possible match for her daughter. 32

Her unusual magical potential first surfaces when her singing enchants nearby animals and profoundly calms Frederick. She later remains in Weissenburg to study Soul Magic under Psyche. 33 236

As she grows older, Maria's relationship with Frederick develops from childhood companionship into an intended marriage. Frederick gives her a silver-white Unicorn and asks for her hand; by the time of the Cyclops Island business mission, she is publicly known as Grand Duke Wessen's fiancée. 170 593

Appearance

Maria has black hair and black eyes, with pale skin, rosy cheeks, and delicate features inherited from the First Pulan Empire style shared by her mother and Katie. 32

• Her adult hair is described as long, charcoal-black, and exceptionally smooth. 236
• She is nicknamed the “Tofu Princess” for her soft, white complexion. 236
• During official work, she wears administrative attire: a white shirt, black jacket, and long skirt. 453
• At Stork Port, she wears a deep-purple cloak associated with her political stature and public presence. 727

Personality

Maria is compassionate and attentive to people in distress. She gives clothes and jewelry to Ayla after learning of the girl's mistreatment, and she insists on creating an aid plan for the impoverished Bohemia region despite its enormous cost. 643 653

She is diligent but often doubts whether she measures up to Frederick and the other influential women around him. Frederick's trust in her abilities helps her accept greater responsibility, and she responds by working intensely, sometimes late into the evening. 452 453 593

Although initially uncomfortable with warfare, Maria proves composed under pressure. She recognizes her own limits in complex battlefield judgment, but does not retreat from responsibility when her Soul Magic, status, or presence is needed. 742 751 760

Abilities & Skills

Soul Magic

Maria possesses exceptional talent in Soul Magic and develops it through Psyche's instruction. Her magic is particularly effective at influencing animals and disrupting enemies' concentration. 33 236 760

• Her singing can soothe people and draw animals into a peaceful circle around her. 33
• She can use fear magic to halt charging war bears. 760
• She can disrupt enemy mages with an invisible Soul Magic attack, creating an opening for allied troops. 760
• Soul Magic is more difficult for her to use directly against humans than against animals. 760
• Large-scale casting causes noticeable fatigue. 727

Administration and Business

Maria operates a publishing house and helps manage commercial ventures, including work connected to the United Fruit Company. 336 593

• Organizes and reviews hydrological and meteorological data for marshland-development experiments on Cyclops Island. 593
• Uses salons and tea parties to build relationships with merchants and local elites in Boiham City. 655
• Drafts the four-year Maria Plan, a 1.315 million Florin aid program for the Bohemia region. 652 653
• Is appointed to lead a new government department after Frederick recognizes her capability. 452 453

Diplomacy and Public Leadership

Maria combines social intuition with a strong ability to win public trust. At Stork Port, her respectful treatment of ordinary citizens turns public enthusiasm into a visible challenge to King Rudolf's authority. 727

• Participates in the ladies' intelligence circle, gathering and spreading politically useful information. 336 379
• Discusses foreign-policy matters with Frederick and acts as an intermediary with the Grand Duke of Mainz. 379
• Coordinates reinforcements from the Osmagar Empire, Sardinia, the Helvetian Federation, and the Rhine Alliance. 742
• Enters Red Waterwheel Fortress personally to facilitate coordination among allied forces. 742

Combat Training

Maria has limited martial training intended primarily for defense against assassination, but can use firearms effectively in close-range emergencies. 760

• Carries and fires a Revolver Pistol during the assault on the enemy Mage Corps. 760
• Uses Soul Magic and protected maneuvering rather than direct melee fighting as her main battlefield approach. 760

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Monocular Telescope — A childhood toy used to observe birds and lambs from Lohr Castle's observation tower. 32
• Silver-white Unicorn — A personal Unicorn gifted by Frederick; it responds warmly to her touch. 170
• Epic Magic Crystal — Used by Maria while studying magic with Psyche. 314
• Revolver Pistol — Used for close-range defense during the battle against the enemy Mage Corps. 760

Relationships

• Frederick Weissen — Childhood friend, fiancé, and political partner. Their bond develops from play and shared business ventures into a formal intended marriage. 32 167 170 593
• Philip Eltar — Father. He is protective of Maria and tests Frederick's determination before accepting the prospect of their marriage. 32 170
• Sophia Eltar — Mother. Sophia worries deeply about Maria's future during her illness and actively supports a match with Frederick. 32 165
• Psyche — Soul Magic teacher and long-term mentor. Maria studies under her and is aware of Psyche's exceptional, unexplained nature. 236 664
• Katie Nahl — Older-sister-like companion. The two black-haired girls get along especially well. 51
• Susan — Friend and frequent companion who teases Maria about Frederick and reunites with her during the Cyclops Island mission. 165 593
• Mary — Allied commander and fellow member of Frederick's circle. Mary respects Maria's nominal authority during the Red Waterwheel Fortress operation. 742 746
• Grand Duke of Mainz — Maria's godfather; Frederick relies on her to relay diplomatic proposals to him. 379 742

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Lohr Castle visit — Meets Frederick, reveals her curiosity and kindness, and becomes the focus of Sophia's early marriage considerations. 32
• Soul Magic awakening — Her singing reveals extraordinary natural talent and leads to formal instruction under Psyche. 33 236
• Entrepreneurial growth — Earns more than one hundred Florins by organizing Unicorn rides and learns practical banking from Frederick. 167
• Government and business work — Runs a publishing house, accepts leadership of a new government department, and oversees development work through the United Fruit Company. 336 453 593
• Maria Plan — Creates a major humanitarian and economic aid proposal for Bohemia; Frederick approves it despite the Duchy's financial strain. 652 653
• Stork Port and the allied campaign — Wins popular loyalty at Stork Port, coordinates foreign reinforcements, and takes part in the counterattack against enemy mages. 727 742 759 760

Notable Quotes

“I want to help them.” 653

“Don't call me Miss, call me Countess.” 759