Luther

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Luther Rondal 473
Aliases	Temperance 278 Alexander Gascoyne 399 473 Mr. A (impersonation) 443 Blood Bishop 431 Ahab Ishmael 600 King of Blood 641 Kafka Anderson 606
Affiliations	The Tarot Club 278 639 Church of the Night (formerly, as Ahab Ishmael; resigns) 600 603 852 Red Gloves of the Backlund Diocese (former leader) 607 609 852 Black Throne fleet 556 585
Beyonder Pathway	Secrets Suppliant pathway, also called the Shepherd pathway 111 477
Sequence	Sequence 4, Black Knight; attempts advancement to Sequence 3, Trinity Templar, but begins losing control, with the outcome unresolved 451 452 853
Equipment	Lucky Wheel (revolver; later upgraded) 293 490 497 Pain (Sequence 5 dagger; later transformed into a rib-shaped item) 224 245 Abyss Blasphemy Card 363 364 396 Red Priest Blasphemy Card 410 Cufflink (Extraordinary Item, Path of the Night, Sequence 4; returned upon resignation) 603 852 Black Key 423 556 Sunless Cross, a bronze-rusted relic apparently containing a drop of the City of Silver Creator's blood, used as a sacred witness for contracts 729 853 Box of the Great Old Ones (used in combat) 845 Quill of Alzuhod, 0-08 (used in combat) 845
Flagship	Black Throne 556 641
Abilities	Faceless disguise, Flaming Jump, and Paper Figurine Substitute through a Grazed soul 155 443 Memory erasure and psychological influence 284 293 Flesh Magic, including facial alteration and Flesh Puppets 473 534 718 Regeneration from a few surviving cells 847 Black Knight transformation and shadow manipulation 452 Blade of Flesh and Spirit 452 Fallen Shadow 452 Release of Lamb Souls 452 External projection of shepherded Evil Spirits through mirror surfaces 530 Degradation and judgment of targets' depraved thoughts 485 Access to Spectator-, Sailor-, and Sun-pathway abilities through the Phantom Tide 270 410 456 529 Exploitation, Amplification, and Disorder through Qonas's Grazed soul 505 Receipt of prayers addressed to his honorific name 669 687
Enemies	Ince Zangwill (Sequence 4 Paranormal; killed by Luther) 253 825 The True Creator 253 278 729 Mr. A (Shepherd of the Aurora Society) 253 Urielus 593 Sophia Ivanova Einhorn, Greed 845 846 Medici Sauron Einhorn (former Grazed Evil Spirit; betrays Luther during his advancement) 853
Physical Appearance	Modified face, handsome, colder and more evil than his original appearance in Tingen City 473. As Ahab Ishmael, he alters his facial lines and reddens his eyes 603.
Origin (as Ahab Ishmael)	Church of the Night's headquarters, Kingdom of Deep Darkness (special operative) 603
Position (as Ahab Ishmael)	Former Senior Deacon responsible for managing the Backlund Diocese's Red Gloves squads 607. Arianna later informally promotes him to diocesan head; he subsequently completes a handover and ultimately leaves the Church 729 767 852.
Honorific Name	“Blood and rage, hatred and fire; Light of the Desperate, Redemption of the Fallen; Ruler Above the Phantom Tide, God of Blood and Shadows who commands chaos” 669.

Appearance

Luther's appearance undergoes significant transformations throughout his journey, often reflecting his current state or the influence of external forces. Initially, he is described as a peculiar young man with black hair and blue eyes, possessing a handsome face that draws attention 181. However, this seemingly ordinary facade frequently gives way to more unsettling forms. For instance, after consuming a terrifying potion, his body festers and turns into a mass of indistinguishable flesh, with only a human face on his chest maintaining its form 122. At another point, his straitjacket is destroyed, and he appears clad in a blood-red robe, described as a garment made of flesh and blood, fitting the style of a Shepherd 184. His face can contort into expressions of pain and bewilderment, with his eyes sometimes turning crimson 184. He has also been observed with a strange expression, the corners of his mouth twitching as if laughing and crying simultaneously, appearing extremely deranged 181. In one instance, his entire body shatters and scatters across the floor like a poorly stitched doll, with all pieces of flesh pulsing as if in agony 184. When under the influence of Ms. M, his body can appear to have bright red muscle fibers as if freshly skinned, and pages of a human-skin scripture can fuse directly with his chest, becoming embedded in his skin with only a slight color difference 122. During moments of intense spiritual or ritualistic activity, he can appear disheveled with smoke rising from his body after narrowly escaping a lightning strike 361.

Following his advancement to Black Knight, Luther can become a small giant approximately 2.3 to 2.4 meters tall, covered in cold black armor formed from depraved shadows. This armor can absorb damage by shattering in place of his body 452. As Ahab Ishmael, he alters his face to appear colder and more sharply defined, with bloodshot red eyes. He has also been seen in formal black attire over a striking blood-red shirt, a combination that makes him especially conspicuous in aristocratic settings 603 639.

His Devil Transformation gives him horns, bat wings, and a tall, sinister form wielding the Sword of Lava 217. During his attempted Trinity Templar advancement, the potion separates manifestations of his childhood, youthful, and aged selves. When the process destabilizes, his body becomes a spreading mass of flesh rather than completing a confirmed stable transformation 853.

Specific details regarding Luther's appearance include:

• Hair: Black 181.
• Eyes: Blue, though they can turn crimson 181 184. Ms. M, a significant figure in his life, is consistently depicted with golden eyes 111 181 302.
• Facial Features: Handsome 181. His face can bear expressions of pain, bewilderment, or a deranged mix of laughter and crying 181 184.
• Clothing/Attire:
  • Initially seen in a white straitjacket 181.
  • Later wears a blood-red robe made of flesh and blood, characteristic of a Shepherd 184.
  • As a Black Knight, can manifest black armor created from depraved shadows 452.
  • As Ahab Ishmael, has worn a black formal suit over a blood-red shirt 603 639.
• Bodily Modifications/Transformations:
  • A human face, specifically Ms. M's, can emerge on his chest, initially with eyes closed and later in a deep slumber 122.
  • The Human Skin Scripture can fuse entirely with his chest, embedding into his skin 122.
  • His body can fester and turn into a mass of flesh, with only the human face on his chest retaining its form 122.
  • Can appear with bright red muscle fibers, as if freshly skinned, particularly when influenced by Ms. M 122.
  • His body can shatter into pulsing pieces of flesh 184.
  • Can transform into a black-armored giant after advancing to Black Knight 452.
  • Can assume a horned, bat-winged Devil form wielding a flame-covered sword 217.
  • Can reconstruct a blood-drenched human body from a minute surviving speck of flesh 847.
• Aura/Influence: Ms. M perceives him as carrying "the aura of the Lord," which she describes as pure and intoxicating, almost as if he is the Lord's reflection 65.
• Visions: In an illusory vision, he sees a massive Devil with ram's horns, bat wings, and a twisted human face 363. He has also seen a handsome young knight on a headless red horse 111. The bloodstained silver-white armor he encounters near the God War Ruins belongs to a threatening figure from whom he flees, rather than being one of Luther's forms 363.
• Physical State: Can appear disheveled with smoke rising from his body after intense events 361. He has also been described as having his collar pulled tight and head bowed while walking the streets 169.

Personality

Luther's personality is marked by a complex interplay of deep familial devotion, strategic cunning, and a cold ruthlessness that emerges when his goals or loved ones are threatened 13 28 101 142. Initially, he is portrayed as someone who has endured significant mental suffering, which instilled in him a profound understanding of the burden placed on caregivers, particularly his sister Cecilia 101. This experience fuels his protective instincts and shapes many of his decisions 13 28 101. He possesses a pragmatic outlook, often prioritizing self-preservation and the well-being of his sister above conventional morality, as evidenced by his lack of remorse for extreme actions and his willingness to manipulate situations to his advantage 13 101 142. Despite his often-cold demeanor, he is capable of polite social interaction, though his inner thoughts frequently betray a more calculating or even vengeful nature 13 101 153. His journey is largely driven by a desperate desire to protect and eventually resurrect Cecilia, even if it means pursuing the perilous path of becoming a True God 266 599.

Key motivations and changes in his emotional state include:

• Profound Devotion to Cecilia: Luther's actions are consistently motivated by his love and concern for his sister, Cecilia 13 28 101. He understands the immense strain his previous mental state placed on her and feels pity for her past struggles, leading him to forgive her for extreme thoughts she once harbored 101. This devotion is so strong that he agrees to her request to become a Paranormal to help him, and later, her sacrifice causes him immense emotional distress, leading to a moment of self-destructive anguish 101 599.
• Strategic and Manipulative Tendencies: Luther displays strategic thinking and a willingness to manipulate situations to his benefit. He stays at an asylum to avoid social awkwardness, pretends to be hypnotized to gather information, and plans to use a murder investigation to mislead authorities away from himself 28 101. He also shows no hesitation in using extreme methods, such as nearly drowning a suicidal man to force him to reconsider, or torturing a soul for information 142 154.
• Cold Ruthlessness and Lack of Remorse: When dealing with adversaries or those he deems "no good," Luther exhibits a cold and ruthless side, showing no remorse for his actions 13 142 153. He justifies killing cultists because they were trying to kill him, and he readily decides to "shepherd" someone who annoys him, viewing it as a morally unburdened act 13 153.
• Vulnerability to Emotional Manipulation: Despite his often-composed exterior, Luther can be highly susceptible to emotional manipulation, particularly when confronted by individuals like Medici 361. Such encounters can trigger intense anger and agitation, causing his spirituality to surge uncontrollably and making him conspicuous 361.
• Struggle with Grief and Denial: Luther's mental state is deeply affected by grief, particularly concerning Cecilia's death. His inability to accept this loss led him to create a Flesh Puppet version of her and a split personality to cope, indicating a profound struggle with denial 262. The realization of this truth causes him significant mental anguish 262.
• Determination to Achieve Godhood: Following Cecilia's sacrifice and the revelation from The Fool, Luther's resolve to become a True God strengthens significantly 266 599. He recognizes the immense difficulty of this path but commits to it as a means to resurrect his sister, indicating a desperate ambition driven by love 266. He later explicitly begins preparing a three-part divine honorific name, intending eventually to usurp the True Creator's authority and faith 668. After confirming that the name receives prayers, he treats the resulting believers as prospective Anchors but postpones answering prayers or performing miracles 669 687 689.
• Pragmatism and Self-Preservation: Luther quickly adapts to new realities, such as his mental illness being cured by the Illusory Tide, and immediately focuses on living a good life with his sister and making money 14. He is pragmatic in his assessment of threats, quickly identifying individuals who are "troublesome" or "hard to kill" 153.
• Burden of Leadership: While developing the Herd and later a fleet, Luther comes to recognize that maintaining lives, order, and trust is far more difficult than destroying them. He rejects Charles's proposal to expand territory and instead concentrates on protecting the East District community under his influence 369. His urgency in responding to the Pirate Assembly crisis likewise reflects his conviction that he must not abandon his subordinates 570.
• Responsibility and Redemption: As Ahab Ishmael, Luther feels guilt over leaving the East District behind, but resolves to seek merit within the Church of the Night and pursue vengeance against his enemies through his new position 607. Though he does not consider himself a believer in the Goddess, joining the Red Gloves in sincere prayer produces a small amount of Black Knight potion digestion and prompts him to consider what it means to act as a knight 607 662.
• Long-Term Calculation: Luther is increasingly willing to build the foundations for future power rather than relying solely on immediate violence. He asks Fors to spread legends emphasizing the Black Throne, deliberately establishing Anchors for his flagship and future divine ambitions 641. He also investigates under a separate identity when official Church procedures would close a case prematurely 718.
• Caution Toward Hidden Powers: Luther recognizes the danger of mental interference even when an apparent mission succeeds. After seeing through Hermes's realistic dream, he later reports the affair to the Evernight Goddess while withholding information about a mysterious bronze cross and its effects 724 725. When the cross strengthens his command of the Phantom Tide but brings out a cruel alternate presence, he withdraws from it rather than surrender control 729.
• Resistance to Colonialism and Slavery: Luther directs his piracy against colonial governments and slave ships rather than treating indiscriminate plunder as his objective. He presents these activities as opposition to the colonial expansion associated with Roselle's legacy and retains resistance to colonial rule and the liberation of slaves as explicit fleet objectives 559 582.
• Preservation of Humanity: Luther deliberately maintains ordinary human pleasures after becoming a demigod. He explains that eating helps preserve his humanity and takes a lunch break despite Daly's objections to his abbreviated work schedule 759.
• Limits on Worship: Although he assumes a divine identity before Luvia, Luther refuses blood, corrupted souls, extreme emotions, and public proselytization in the City of Silver. He instead asks her to perform her duties, cooperate with the Chief, and provide information 704.
• Rejection of Institutional Sacrifice: The outbreak of war prompts Luther to reject the Church's political and divine calculations. He refuses to accept the suffering of ordinary people as a necessary price for greater power, and argues that honoring Dunn's sacrifice cannot justify continuing to send others to their deaths 852.
• Distrust That Cannot Eliminate Risk: Luther attempts to protect himself against Medici's deception with threats and a sacred contract. Nevertheless, Medici's technically correct but incomplete explanation of the Trinity Templar ritual defeats these precautions, showing the limits of Luther's coercive approach to dangerous bargains 853.

Relationships

Ms. M

The Ms. M who accompanies Luther after his apparent death is a split personality of Luther, a manifestation of his past actions and struggles rather than simply the original woman who coerced him in Tingen 111 262 590. Luther initially encounters her as a hallucination after being revived by his sister, Cecilia, following his apparent death 133. These hallucinations are persistent, and Luther attempts to "kill" her, reflecting his unresolved feelings and inner turmoil 133. Later, Ms. M appears to Luther, reminding him to maintain his composure in public, indicating her role in his mental landscape 317. When Luther confronts Ms. M, she reveals her true nature as a part of him and states she knows nothing about Ivanova Einhorn, a figure Luther is investigating 590. Luther, in a tense interaction, attacks and dispels her, though her influence and connection to his past remain a significant theme in his character development 590.

Ms. M also assists Luther in maintaining his sanity while he performs the ritual for the wrongfully dead, offering guidance through his fragile mental state 387. After he begins life as Ahab Ishmael, she discusses his past and future with him, offering comfort while he struggles with guilt and his desire for revenge 607. She later supports his decision to establish a divine honorific name, understanding that his long-term objective remains replacing the True Creator and reclaiming the authority needed to restore Cecilia 668.

During the Trinity Templar advancement attempt, M and Luther's previously separated cowardly personality enter his childhood and aged manifestations, temporarily stabilizing the division of his soul. This stabilization fails when those manifestations reject Luther. After Medici escapes and moves to seize Luther's secrets, M appears again; Medici recognizes the presence and reacts with shock and fear. The encounter raises unresolved questions about M's nature beyond Luther's previous understanding 853.

Anthea

Anthea acts as an assistant and confidante to Luther, particularly in matters requiring her unique angelic abilities. She helps Luther investigate Ms. M's memories, though they find nothing conclusive 590. Anthea shows concern for Luther's well-being during these investigations, highlighting a supportive dynamic in their relationship 590.

Anthea Trullis is a Duke of Entropy created by Roselle. Luther meets her after freeing the Black Throne and proposes making her his flagship, seeking to strengthen his position against other sea powers and official Paranormals 559. She later agrees to help him urgently reach the Pirate Assembly when his crew is endangered 570. By the time Luther discusses Klein's Messenger with her, Anthea is identified as a Sequence 1 Ship Spirit, though her Anchor is unstable and her condition remains unreliable 697. She manifests to shield Luther from Hermes and helps him escape through the Spirit World 724 725. Luther remains wary of overtaxing her unstable powers, but plans to send her to contact Anderson before bringing his fleet into another conflict 657 735.

Against Prince Grove, Anthea answers Luther's call and amplifies his Flame Spear to Sequence 2 power, enabling it to clash with the Spear of No Darkness 743. During his later confrontation with an Angel in Feysac, Luther uses a dragon-scale charm received from Bernadette to temporarily stabilize Anthea's mental condition, then asks her to unleash her full strength 847.

Anderson

Anderson is a subordinate and companion to Luther, often following his orders and expressing concern for his safety. Luther leaves Anderson in charge of the fleet at one point, entrusting him with significant responsibilities 590. After Luther's advancement to Sequence 4, Black Knight, Anderson feels conflicted and envious of Luther's progress 452. Despite this, he decides to stick with Luther, partly due to his own misfortunes and pressure from Queen Bernadette 452. Anderson is also present during dangerous encounters, such as the defeat of the Great Dragon Gluttony, where he is injured but still shows concern for Luther 465.

Anderson later becomes Luther's First Mate and reveals that he comes from the Church of Knowledge, a background Luther had already inferred from his occult expertise and ritual proficiency 470. He organizes a thirty-person crew squad in preparation for his own Sequence 4 advancement ritual 589. Luther protects Anderson from Klein's four-headed Messenger, making clear that, whatever his First Mate's mistakes, Anderson remains under Luther's protection 479. Anderson subsequently gathers worshippers for Luther's new honorific name, allowing Luther to receive their prayers and begin establishing personal Anchors 687.

Cecilia

Cecilia is Luther's sister and a crucial figure in his life, demonstrating unwavering support and care. In Luther's initial account of his survival, she revives him after he is declared dead, showcasing her deep commitment to him 133. Together, they plan to leave Backlund to start anew, hiding their identities, which underscores their shared desire for freedom and a fresh start 133. Luther's love for his sister is a powerful motivator, strengthening his resolve to become a True God in the hope of saving her 266. He experiences a brief moment of madness triggered by a memory of Cecilia, further illustrating her profound impact on his mental state 317.

Cecilia's death is later revealed to have been concealed by Luther's creation of a Flesh Puppet in her image, as well as by the creation of Ms. M as a split personality 262. Mr. A proves the puppet's nature by using the command “Release,” causing its body to collapse into flesh and blood. The subsequent reconstruction of Luther's memories reveals that he created its personality from his memories through the authority of the Sea and asked his split personality to suppress his knowledge of the truth 262. Cecilia's actual soul remains within Luther after her sacrifice, providing the basis for his hope that she can eventually be saved 266.

Luther keeps a photograph of the two of them from his own grave, preserving it after accepting the identity of Ahab Ishmael 600. His intention to seize the True Creator's authority and become a True God continues to be centered on giving Cecilia a genuine chance at resurrection 668.

Hood Eugen

Hood Eugen is Luther's roommate at the asylum, initially appearing normal but later revealed to be manipulative. He possesses a Sealed artifact, a bell, capable of hypnotizing others 28. During their interactions, Luther pretends to be under the bell's influence, while Hood Eugen ignores him, indicating a subtle power dynamic and a lack of genuine connection between them 28.

Lanerius

Lanerius is a con artist from the Iron Ore Company who visits Hood Eugen at the asylum, revealing a history of manipulation and betrayal between them 28. He shows no remorse for his scams and plans to leave Tingen, highlighting his opportunistic nature 28. Luther observes their interaction, gaining insight into Lanerius's character 28.

Luther later sabotages Lanerius and Hood Eugen's ritual, driving Lanerius mad by redirecting the Child of God's descent before shooting him. Lanerius nevertheless begins to resurrect when a dark figure manifests 31. Their conflict continues into Backlund's sewers, where Lanerius transforms into a flesh-worm-like monster bound to an Evil God Offspring 240.

The destruction of Lanerius and the Evil God's Offspring completely digests Luther's Shadow Ascetic and Rose Bishop potions. However, the Divinity he absorbs produces further personality fragmentation, while Pain mutates after fusing with a rib inside the creature 245.

Medici

Medici is initially an internal presence within Luther, representing a complex relationship of mutual dependence and mistrust. Luther realizes he needs Medici's help to defeat Liomaster and offers him a deal: freedom and resurrection in exchange for assistance 446. Medici initially refuses but agrees after Luther threatens him by revealing knowledge of Medici's bloodline in Port Bansi, indicating Medici's vulnerability and Luther's cunning 446. Their internal dialogue is characterized by manipulation, with each trying to outwit the other 446. Medici's threat to leave Luther's body further highlights the strained nature of their coexistence 446.

Medici is the dominant personality of the Medici-Soren-Einhorn hybrid Evil Spirit, whom Luther captures using the Illusory Tide after deliberately allowing him to possess his body 389 410. Though Medici's status originated at Sequence 1, the Evil Spirit can ordinarily display only Sequence 4 Hunter abilities, which may be temporarily amplified at immense cost through Luther's Illusory Tide 410. Medici continues to erode Luther's mind and seek control of his body, making Luther's advancement to Black Knight necessary for fuller control 410. Luther can also project Medici externally, allowing the Evil Spirit to act through mirror surfaces and participate independently in battle 530.

Luther uses ancestral blood as leverage in their negotiations. He offers Helene Sauron's blood to question Medici about the Dark Angel and Rose Redemption, provoking an alarmed response 523. Medici later offers the Trinity Templar formula in exchange for Sophia Einhorn's blood, but Luther distrusts the bargain and retains the blood as a reserve bargaining chip 588.

Luther later questions Medici about visions of the City of Silver's Creator. Medici confirms that the Creator fell and connects those who killed and devoured Him to Rose Redemption, the organization Medici founded, but remains evasive about the details 729. By a later confrontation at sea, Medici has lost his characteristics while retaining his status, limiting the flames Luther can draw on from him without another means of restoration 743. In Feysac, an item conjured through Ankewelt's Imagination allows Medici, Sauron, and Einhorn to borrow power from their former Sequence 1 selves 850.

After leaving the Church, Luther bargains with Medici at Bansy Harbor for the Trinity Templar advancement ritual. He uses the Sunless Cross to witness a binding contract signed by “Medici Sauron Einhorn” and “Luther Rondal,” then pours the final vial of blood into the woman beneath the altar 853. Medici gives a technically correct ritual but conceals that an earlier personality split makes the advancement unstable. As Luther begins losing control, Medici emerges in the woman's body, declares himself free, and attempts to seize Luther's secrets. His triumph is interrupted by M's appearance, which visibly terrifies him 853.

Liomaster

Liomaster is an adversary whom Luther confronts in a fierce battle. Both struggle to heal after their intense fight 446. Luther ultimately defeats Liomaster with a Flame Spear after gaining a temporary boost from the "Red Priest" Blasphemy Card, showcasing Luther's determination to overcome his enemies 446.

Luther initially deceives Liomaster by using Faceless disguise and Mr. A's memories to impersonate the Aurora Society's Divine Envoy. He secretly infects Liomaster with a plague while pretending to offer aid 443. Liomaster's instability, Black Knight abilities, and Secret Marionettist Lamb Soul make him a formidable opponent before Luther exploits his weakened state 445 446.

The Herd

The Herd refers to the group of followers Luther gathers and leads. He establishes a textile factory to employ them, using his connections and resources to provide for them 317. Luther acts as their Shepherd, gaining their trust and respect by telling stories and giving sermons to the children, further endearing himself to the community 317. He recruits desperate people to form his Herd, offering food and shelter in exchange for their service, not for fanaticism, but for practical purposes 284. The Herd's respect and gratitude for Luther grow, strengthening their bond, as seen during Old Jack's funeral 333. Luther maintains a mysterious and gentle demeanor in front of them, hiding his inner turmoil 317.

Luther's influence later brings order, sanitation, and increased commerce to the streets under his care in the East District. He views their upkeep as a difficult responsibility rather than merely a means of potion digestion 317 369. His connection lets him remember individual residents and their experiences and sense their emotions, health, and locations 369. Protecting his Lambs, bearing their suffering, and avenging them when protection fails become explicit parts of his Shepherd acting 325 376.

The destruction of his East District community becomes a central motivation for his assault on the Royal Family. The dead subsequently remain within his shadow, and his inability to revisit their former streets reflects continuing grief and survivor's guilt 409 607.

Klein

Klein is a former Tingen colleague and later a close, if cautious, ally of Luther. Their paths cross at Bravehearts Bar, where they both learn that Sharon had invited Klein to help her against the Rose School pursuers 333. Klein considers inviting Luther to join The Tarot Club but struggles with finding an appropriate codename and worries about the Gray Fog's reaction to Luther's unique nature 224. Luther also reflects on his past life in Tingen, visiting the houses where he and Klein used to live, connecting with his memories of their shared past 597.

As The Fool, Klein ultimately admits Luther to the Tarot Club under the codename Temperance and advises that raising his life level to True God may offer a way to save Cecilia 266. Klein is also among those who later witness the Red Angel Evil Spirit shepherded by Luther, finding the sight unsettling despite knowing of Luther's arrangement 530. They recognize one another behind their Tarot Club identities but agree to act as strangers before the other members 409. Luther identifies The World as Klein and a fellow transmigrator, but Klein conceals that he is also The Fool 409. Luther later suspects that Klein is a Blessed of The Fool rather than identifying him as the deity 639.

As their respective identities and powers develop, Luther and Klein increasingly cooperate directly. Klein shares potion formulas and guidance concerning Luna's Clown acting with Luther, while also providing intelligence on Church conflicts and other threats 697. They later coordinate an investigation through dreams, combining Luther's Spectator-derived powers with more precise psychological guidance 676. Luther also helps Klein assess Leonard's suspicious behavior at St. Samuel's Cathedral, drawing on their shared knowledge of their former colleague 670. Luther subsequently plans to bring Klein and the Temperance Faction alongside his fleet for a surprise attack on a suspected military trap 735.

Luther asks to borrow Groselle's Travels to investigate Ince Zangwill's unstable Spirituality and its possible connection to 0-08. Klein agrees only on the condition that he accompany Luther, concerned both about the artifacts' interaction and Luther's tendency toward self-destructive plans 798. After their common enemy is killed, Luther apologizes for killing Ince outright instead of leaving him to Klein. Their conversation acknowledges that vengeance does not allow either of them simply to return to his former life 825.

Sharon

Sharon is an ally with whom Luther develops a cautious, cooperative relationship. They meet at the factory corridor under the Crimson Moon, where Luther reveals his dual consciousness, surprising her 327. They decide to attack the "Rose School" members hiding at Count Andes' villa, with Sharon sharing crucial information about their enemies and the "Crimson Moon Crown" 327. Luther reveals he is a Shepherd and agrees to help her obtain the Crown, establishing a fragile trust between them 327. The Queen informs Luther that Sharon has postponed their plans to explore the Fourth Epoch tomb, indicating their ongoing collaboration 224. Luther later reconnects with Sharon at Bravehearts Bar, where she reminds him about unsold items and characteristics from the Amon Tomb that she had been selling on his behalf, returning the money earned 606. Despite her reserved and cold demeanor, Sharon is secretly pleased with Luther's actions against the Rose School 606.

When Sharon and Marich later provide intelligence on a ship connected to a suspected trap, Luther plans to contact his fleet and asks them to remain available for cooperation 735. He makes their assistance in battle and his final authority over distributing the spoils explicit conditions of the operation 735.

Marich

Marich is Sharon's companion, who was helped by Luther's intervention 333. Marich is excited about Luther's exploits and eager to reconnect when Luther visits Bravehearts Bar 606. He later promises to send Luther detailed intelligence on a ship involved in the Temperance Faction's plans 735.

Mr. A

Mr. A is a Shepherd whom Luther confronts and ultimately Grazes. Luther absorbs his soul and Extraordinary abilities, including powerful abilities from his Lamb Souls like "Record," "Distortion," "Bribery," and "Corrosion" 274. This interaction showcases Luther's power and ruthlessness, as he shows no mercy despite Mr. A's pleas 274. Audrey speculates about Luther's encounter with Mr. A when his appointment for mental health treatment fails 284.

Before his defeat, Mr. A exploits Luther's weaknesses with a delayed disease, a restriction on teleportation, and a recorded Blade of Flesh and Spirit. The latter reaches Luther through his Paper Figurine Substitute, but the Phantom Tide ultimately blocks the fatal blow 260 266. Mr. A also destroys the false Cecilia with the command “Release,” forcing Luther to confront his sister's death and his own suppressed memories 262.

Luther later uses the Faceless ability and Mr. A's spiritual fluctuations to impersonate him before Liomaster, successfully supporting the disguise with knowledge extracted from Mr. A's memories 443. He subsequently forces the weakened Mr. A to recite his new honorific name, using his former enemy's prayer to verify that it can reach him 669.

The Fool

The Fool is a powerful entity who guides Luther and invites him to The Tarot Club. Luther summons The Fool and enters His kingdom, where The Fool reveals He is not omniscient or omnipotent and cannot resurrect the dead 266. The Fool suggests that Luther can save his sister by raising his life level and becoming a True God, strengthening Luther's resolve 266. The Fool invites Luther to a weekly gathering with other individuals, using Tarot cards as codenames, where Luther draws the 'Temperance' card 266. Luther learns that The Fool is more composed and reliable than he initially expected 266.

Because the Illusory Tide interferes with his connection to the Gray Fog, Luther uses temporary personalities to attend Tarot Club gatherings and later reintegrates their memories 270 281. His first successful attendance uses a Virtual Personality whose memories and disposition are identical to his own 276. He later finds a way to enter and leave The Fool's Kingdom of God freely, allowing more direct cooperation with Klein and the other members 676.

Queen Bernadette

Queen Bernadette is a figure who guides Luther through his emotional detachment after his advancement to Sequence 4, Black Knight 452. She provides him with a slip of paper to summon her Messenger, offering a means of contact and support 452. Luther parts ways with her after his advancement, indicating a temporary alliance or mentorship 452.

The Mysterious Queen also supports Luther's maritime plans, provides information concerning Black Knight potion materials, and observes his advancement without interfering 399 451. She supplies the documents for his Alexander Gascoyne identity and foresees both an advancement opportunity in the God War Ruins and a disturbing possible future in which he hangs upside down while bearing the world's evil 399.

After the Black Key binds to Luther, Bernadette accepts his claim to the Black Throne in exchange for the opportunity to inspect it for a message from Roselle 449. She later explains the four pathways adjacent to Secrets Suppliant—Storm, Sun, Reader, and Spectator—and offers assistance if Luther wishes to switch 759. A dragon-scale item she gives him as payment for mythical creature blood later helps him temporarily stabilize Anthea before calling upon her full power 847.

Charles

Charles is a contact who struggles with providing for Luther's growing group of followers 284. As leader of the Lehman Gang, he assists Luther in gathering people for the Herd and managing affairs in the East District 281 285. Charles respects and fears Luther's authority, but his ambitions occasionally conflict with Luther's preferences, particularly when he proposes expanding their territory and reducing workers' wages 369. Luther rejects this expansion, preferring to maintain stability and avoid unnecessary attention 369.

Before leaving the district for an extended period, Luther instructs him to preserve the community's conditions and keep its activities inconspicuous. M exposes his concealed eagerness to exploit the residents and alters his cognition to ensure compliance with Luther's instructions 376.

Sophia Einhorn

Sophia Einhorn, the Third Princess of Forsak, is found trapped in the Governor's Mansion while Luther and Roy King retrieve the Dice. She asks Luther to help her escape, prompting Luther to remain wary of her intentions 498. Though initially reluctant, Luther agrees to take her aboard after Medici offers information about the entity in Luther's mind in exchange 499. Sophia subsequently joins his ship and addresses him as Captain 512. Luther later identifies her aunt, Ivanova Einhorn, as a subject of investigation because of her resemblance to Ms. M 689.

Sophia asks permission to leave the fleet when she learns that her father is critically ill. Luther agrees on the condition that she reveal nothing about him or the fleet and plans to erase the relevant memories. Medici's request for her blood makes her ancestry another point of leverage in Luther's dealings with the Evil Spirit 588.

Before his mission to Feysac, Luther considers both Sophia and Ivanova among the people potentially connected to the worsening political situation 763. In a later pursuit, his target is identified as Sophia Ivanova Einhorn, Greed. He attacks her airship, brings it down through the combined use of 0-08 and a Flame Spear, and pursues the sealed carriage carrying her away from the wreck 845 846.

Sesima Crestet

Sesima Crestet, known as the Sword of the Goddess, informs Luther that his identity as Ahab Ishmael includes responsibility for the Red Gloves squads of the Backlund Diocese. He introduces Luther to the team and leaves him to oversee their combat readiness and training 607.

The Red Gloves

As Ahab Ishmael, Luther commands the Red Gloves stationed in Backlund. Their members react to him with differing degrees of suspicion and admiration upon his arrival 607. Luther teaches them about dangerous and evil rituals, including the Holy Hall Descent procedure, and personally leads investigations into suspected cult activity, including a sacrifice case in the Backlund Bridge District 609.

Luther subsequently directs Red Gloves operations against Aurora Society believers and orders his subordinates to capture every cultist remaining within an encirclement rather than expose them to a demigod-level battle unnecessarily 647. Their successful work and shared prayer help Luther understand the Black Knight's acting principles, even as he continues to distinguish his Church service from personal belief 607 662.

After completing the handover of his diocesan responsibilities, Luther plans to undertake a mission with Daly and Leonard, giving the Tingen veterans an opportunity to pursue their shared grievances 767. He ultimately returns his blood-red gloves and Darkness-pathway cufflink to Arianna when he resigns from the Church 852.

Luna

Luna is Luther's black cat familiar, first observed watching him from above during his battle with Lanerius in Backlund's sewers 241. She later shows open affection toward Luther and acts protectively around him during the confrontation with the Great Dragon Gluttony 465.

Luna is a Sequence 8 Clown who struggles to digest her potion. Luther discusses her situation with Klein and believes that she may be able to instinctively understand the Clown pathway's connection between divination, fate, and unpredictability 697. Klein also provides the Magician formula for her eventual advancement 697.

Luvia

Luvia is initially a Sequence 6 individual whose Fallen Flute causes listeners to undergo Degeneration, corrupting their souls and driving them into madness and physical collapse 697. Luther learns that she has not yet completely submitted to the Degenerate Creator and faces loss of control if she continues resisting. When The Fool entrusts him with Sun's plea for help, Luther resolves to save her rather than leave her to that fate 699.

Luvia subsequently accepts Luther as a deity and asks what sacrifices or worship he requires. Luther rejects blood, corrupted souls, extreme emotions, and the spread of his faith within the City of Silver. Instead, he directs her to cooperate with the Chief, continue her ordinary responsibilities, and report unusual developments, establishing her as his representative and source of intelligence 704.

Hermes

Hermes appears to Luther as an ordinary white-haired man who evades his spiritual senses and traps him in an extraordinarily realistic dream. Luther infers that he is the ancient Spectator-pathway Angel associated with the Ancient Hermes language and the Psychology Alchemists. Luther and Anthea attack after escaping the dream, but Hermes remains unharmed and warns them that the Royal Family's Angels may arrive 724.

Before Luther leaves, he indirectly asks Hermes about Adam. Hermes avoids answering and makes a cryptic remark about the night being beautiful while everyone is busy. Luther considers whether it warns of danger to St. Samuel Cathedral, but finds no clear sign of an attack when he checks 725.

Arianna

Arianna arranges Luther's return to the Church under the identity Ahab Ishmael and assigns him to investigate the previous senior deacon's death and a possible traitor within St. Samuel Cathedral. Luther's service offers a route toward obtaining the Trinity Templar formula and characteristic without accepting Medici's proposed bargain 600 603.

Their arrangement ends after the outbreak of war. Luther accuses the Church and Goddess of accepting mass suffering in pursuit of power, linking his mission against Ince Zangwill to 0-17's acquisition of Death-pathway Uniqueness and high-sequence characteristics. Arianna neither confirms nor denies his accusations, does not prevent his resignation, and asks him not to become hostile toward the Church 852.

Arianna fulfills the agreement by giving Luther the Trinity Templar formula and ingredients, but not its advancement ritual. She explains that the intended alternative was advancement under the Goddess's protection after Luther became sufficiently devout. Luther rejects this proposed dependence, takes the materials, and leaves 852.

Daly Simone

Daly serves under Luther as a Red Gloves captain and provides dance and etiquette instruction for his public role. During one lesson, she invokes the Tingen tragedy and persuades him to reopen the investigation into Ince Zangwill. Luther shares her hatred of Ince and also sees the investigation as an official justification for accessing the Antigonus Family notebook; Daly volunteers to participate 607 673.

Their working styles differ. Daly objects to his quick, impersonal handling of annual missionary evaluations and his decision to leave for lunch, while Luther defends efficiency and the importance of maintaining his humanity 759. He later selects her and Leonard as companions for his mission after handing over diocesan responsibilities 767.

Leonard Mitchell

Leonard is one of Luther's former Tingen colleagues and later serves among the Backlund Red Gloves under Ahab Ishmael 607. His investigation of Luther's grave reveals an empty coffin covered in scratch marks and bloody handprints, deepening his confusion about the apparent deaths and returns of his former comrades 600.

Luther and Klein discuss Leonard's suspicious surveillance of Dwayne Dantès, using their familiarity with his habits to distinguish observation from genuine prayer 670. Luther later plans to take Leonard and Daly on his mission 767. After joining the Tarot Club, Leonard recognizes Temperance as Luther and notes how much his appearance and atmosphere have changed since Tingen 836.

Ince Zangwill

Ince Zangwill is a central target of Luther's revenge for the Tingen tragedy and Cecilia's death 171 196 763. Luther agrees to renew the Church's investigation into him and later detects unusual instability in his Spirituality, suspecting either a Death-pathway influence or a backlash from 0-08 673 798.

Luther kills Ince outright. In the aftermath, he apologizes to Klein for not leaving their common enemy for him, and the two discuss what remains of their lives after achieving that vengeance 825.

Abilities and Equipment

Phantom Tide and Adjacent Authorities

The Phantom Tide permits Luther to activate multiple Grazed souls simultaneously, avoiding the delays imposed by switching between them, though this consumes additional Spirituality. His early combination of a Pyromaniac's fireballs and a Faceless's Flaming Jump demonstrates its tactical value 155.

Drawing the illusory sea into his soul initially grants Spectator- and Sailor-pathway abilities at approximately Sequence 6 strength 270. After becoming a Black Knight, he can sustain a greater infusion and access Sun-pathway authority, eventually displaying the Sequence 4 Unshadowed Domain to purify disease and suppress shadow and filth 456 529.

Bernadette's explanation of neighboring pathways leads Luther to connect the sea's available authorities to the Secrets Suppliant pathway's adjacent group. He already possesses access to Sun, Storm, and Spectator powers and speculates that Reader powers may emerge at a higher Sequence; this remains a hypothesis rather than a demonstrated ability 759.

Luther can also observe a worshipper's surroundings through the residual Spirituality of prayer. Through Luvia, he glimpses an inverted figure on a massive cross in the Forsaken Land of the Gods and infers a connection to the True Creator's Divine Kingdom before the figure notices him and the image breaks 704.

Flesh Magic and Regeneration

Luther can alter his appearance, heal injuries, and create independently acting Flesh Puppets 325 473 534. One duplicate made from his severed arm possesses approximately Sequence 5 strength and a personality modeled on his own; a flesh charm carrying demigod Spirituality makes its disguise more convincing 534. Combining a duplicate with Psychological Invisibility allows him to remain behind while an apparent Ahab Ishmael leads his subordinates away 718.

His regeneration can reconstruct a human body from only a few surviving cells. This allows him to recover after an Angel's flames destroy nearly all of his body, though it does not make the Angel an opponent he can handle in his ordinary state 847.

Grazed Powers and Combat Combinations

• Devil Transformation and Sword of Lava: Luther uses a horned, bat-winged transformation and a flame-covered melee weapon. Incorporating the Abyss Card substantially enhances the transformation 200 217 396 444.
• Qonas's Lamb Soul: After Grazing Qonas, Luther retains Exploitation, Amplification, and Disorder. Projection of the soul lets him use its remaining abilities when necessary 505.
• Death Announcer: Luther drives the soul of a Sequence 3 Word Eater despite remaining Sequence 4 himself. Suppressing its resistance and using its powers places a heavy burden on his Spirituality 621.
• Shaman King: Luther releases the worn-out Pyromaniac soul and replaces it with a Shaman King's soul. The Pyromaniac dissipates on release, leaving its characteristic behind 653.
• Pain-Based Curses: Luther uses an enemy's bodily material as a curse medium and intensifies the transmitted suffering by injuring himself with Pain. This allows him to turn a curse exchange against Catalina Pelle despite her higher Sequence 528.
• Hunter Team Support: While empowered through the Red Priest Card, Luther shares the wounds of his sailors, allowing fallen crew members to recover and resume fighting 572.
• Angel-Amplified Flame Spear: The Red Priest Card, Medici's authority, Anthea's Amplification, and Luther's body as the vessel jointly raise a Flame Spear to Sequence 2 power. This is a combined attack rather than Luther's own advancement to that Sequence 743.
• Borrowed Former Angelic Power: An item produced through Ankewelt's Imagination lets Medici, Sauron, and Einhorn temporarily borrow power from their former Sequence 1 selves, accompanying Luther amid purple flames 850.

High-Level Artifacts

Artifact	Use and Limitations
Abyss Blasphemy Card	Contains the Devil pathway's complete progression, including its divine-level formula and ritual. Luther uses it to amplify Devil Transformation 363 364 396 444.
Red Priest Blasphemy Card	Contains the Hunter pathway's complete formulas and greatly raises the power of Luther's borrowed Hunter abilities when incorporated into his body, at considerable physical cost 410 446 743.
Pain	Originally a dagger with Disease Aura, Charm Aura, and a Pain Curse. After mutating into a rib, it still causes overwhelming pain on contact, though Luther initially cannot activate its former abilities. He later uses it to intensify pain transmitted through a curse 224 245 528.
Sunless Cross	A relic of the City of Silver's Creator, described as equivalent to Sequence 4 of the Sun pathway. Luther uses its sacred power to witness his contract with Medici, but the contract does not prevent deception by omission 853.
Groselle's Travels	Luther enters the book and questions it about 0-08, the Phantom Tide, and Adam. Its murals suggest that 0-08 will not act against him or warn Ince, while its silence regarding the Tide remains unexplained. He later seeks to borrow it again to investigate Ince's condition, despite the risk of its interaction with 0-08 reviving Ankewelt 767 798.
Box of the Great Old Ones	The Abraham Family's Grade 0 Sealed Artifact. Luther uses it to draw in a Hunter demigod transformed into a sea of blue-green flame and imprison him 845.
Quill of Alzuhod, 0-08	Luther uses the quill to make the wielder of an airship's protective shield suffer the Guardian's Oath's negative effect, opening the shield to his Flame Spear 845.
Dragon-Scale Stabilization Charm	Received from Bernadette as payment for mythical creature blood. Luther expends it to temporarily stabilize Anthea's mental condition before requesting her full strength 847.

Power Progression

Sequence	Pathway	Abilities/Skills	Key Events
9	Secrets Suppliant	Knowledge of rituals and mysticism; use of ritual magic 25 111.	After being forced to swallow a strange pellet, Luther begins navigating the dangers of the pathway and seeks safer ritual knowledge. He learns Hermes under Klein's instruction and studies the principles of potion digestion 4 25 39.
8	Listener	Language of Foulness, capable of inflicting intense mental damage at considerable Spirituality cost 94 111.	Gains the Listener-stage ability while attempting to avoid dependence on the True Creator 39 111.
7	Shadow Ascetic	Shadow Movement and influence through degenerate doctrine 111 175.	Learns that concealed cultivation and spreading corrupting teachings suit the pathway's acting principles, but refuses to preach dangerous doctrine to the East Borough's poor. His potion later digests completely following the defeat of Lanevus and the Evil God's Offspring 175 245.
6	Rose Bishop	Flesh and Blood Magic, bodily alteration, and regeneration 111 158.	Carries undigested potion after his forced advancement to Shepherd. His Rose Bishop potion later digests completely after the battle with Lanevus 133 245.
5	Shepherd	Grazing souls and selecting their abilities; Shepherding, Spirit Pierce, Pain Whip, Security, and Wind Usher abilities from Grazed souls 133 187 307. The Phantom Tide permits simultaneous use of multiple Grazed souls at additional Spirituality cost 155.	Forcibly advances, leaving substantial undigested potion and dangerous instability. He Grazes a Faceless and selects appearance mimicry, Flaming Jump, and Paper Figurine Substitute; later Grazes Mr. A and gains access to abilities including Record, Distortion, Bribery, and Corrosion 133 155 274. He discovers that gathering and caring for a human Flock advances digestion and completes it while bearing the suffering of the Great Smog's dead 317 369 387.
5	Shepherd — preparation for advancement	Black Knight potion formula and prematurely performed advancement ritual 376 386 399.	Obtains the Sequence 4 formula through Sun's exchange, then seeks its ingredients, including information associated with Elder Luvia 279 376 399. He performs the degeneration ritual with approximately 30,000 lingering souls of Great Smog victims before obtaining the potion's main ingredient 386 399.
4	Black Knight	Enhanced Flesh Magic and shadow abilities; Shepherding up to nine Lamb Souls and releasing them to fight with all their abilities; shadow armor; Blade of Flesh and Spirit; Fallen Shadow; external projection of Lamb Souls through mirror surfaces; and degradation-based judgment 451 452 485 530.	Creates a potion using the Black Knight Beyonder Characteristic and his own blood. His body dissolves and his consciousness falls into darkness, but the degenerated souls support him as he regathers his spirit and integrates the potion's Divinity with that inherited from the Evil God's Offspring. He advances to Black Knight and absorbs knowledge from a demigod's Spirit Body 451 452. He later projects Medici outside his body to act independently through mirrors and develops his authority to judge and degrade those who surrender to depraved thoughts 485 530.
4	Black Knight — continued acting	Church service and sincere prayer produce further potion digestion. His established honorific name lets him receive prayers and prospective Anchors through the Phantom Tide 662 669 687.	Acting as a combatant of the Evernight Goddess alongside the Red Gloves slightly digests his potion, though he still seeks a fuller understanding of “knight.” He successfully tests his divine honorific name and begins receiving worshippers' prayers 662 669 687.
4	Black Knight — Phantom Tide development	Contact with an activated cross expands the Phantom Tide and increases Luther's control over it, while exposing him to a dangerous, cruel alternate presence 729.	After his battles and informal promotion to diocesan head, Luther feeds blood to a bronze-rusted cross. Its coating falls away to reveal a core of light apparently containing the City of Silver Creator's blood. The True Creator reacts angrily to the resulting change, and Luther breaks contact rather than risk losing himself 729.
4	Black Knight — expanded borrowed authorities	Sun-pathway powers up to Sequence 4 Unshadowed; Qonas's Exploitation, Amplification, and Disorder; use of a Sequence 3 Word Eater soul at heavy Spirituality cost 456 505 529 621.	Grazes Qonas and later replaces his exhausted Pyromaniac with a Shaman King. Bernadette's information leads him to associate the Phantom Tide's powers with his adjacent pathways, though access to Reader abilities remains speculative 505 653 759.
4	Black Knight — angel-supported combat	A combined Flame Spear can reach Sequence 2 power through Anthea's amplification. Regeneration can reconstruct his body from a few surviving cells; an Imagination-created item temporarily restores access to the Evil Spirit's former angelic power 743 847 850.	Opposes Grove's Spear of No Darkness, later survives an Angel's attack in Feysac, and temporarily stabilizes Anthea before calling for her full strength. Uses the Box of the Great Old Ones and 0-08 during the pursuit of Greed 743 845 847 850.
4	Black Knight — Trinity Templar preparation	Obtains the Sequence 3 potion formula and ingredients from Arianna, then the advancement ritual from Medici under a sacred contract 852 853.	Leaves the Church and rejects the proposed requirement of devotion in exchange for the Goddess's advancement protection. At Bansy Harbor, exchanges the final vial of ancestral blood for Medici's explanation of the ritual 852 853.
3 (attempted; outcome unresolved)	Trinity Templar	Potion-induced division into childhood, youthful, and aged selves. M and a cowardly personality initially stabilize the divided soul, but the manifestations subsequently reject Luther 853.	Drinks the potion after Medici explains the requirement of a deliberately divided personality. Medici conceals the danger posed by a personality split originating at an earlier Sequence. Luther begins losing control and becomes a spreading mass of flesh; Medici escapes, but M appears before he can seize Luther's secrets 853.

Major Plot Points

• Luther meets Archbishop Crestet Cesimir, who qualifies him without further testing, and he plans a celebratory dinner for acquiring his new house, sharing the news with his sister, Cecilia 24.
• Luther studies safer uses of mysticism, rapidly learns Hermes under Klein, and discovers that Roselle's Notes are written in Chinese 25.
• Luther returns to Greenhill Mental Sanatorium for a recovery certificate. He remains overnight for observation, resists Hood Eugen's hypnotic bell through the Tide, and secretly overhears the discussion of Lanerius's iron-mine fraud 27 28.
• Klein has a vision of Luther killing Madam Sharon, which shocks him. Luther reports to work at Blackthorn Security Company and is tasked by Captain Dunn to find members of the Aurora Society. Later, Ms. M gives Luther a book related to the Lord's Holy Scripture 107.
• Luther detonates a gas explosion to destroy his house and Ms. M. Ms. M survives and attempts to possess Luther. Cecilia arrives and stabs Ms. M, but Ms. M kills her. Luther then kills Ms. M with Cecilia's dagger, feeling an unsettling unease 117.
• Luther infiltrates a luxurious villa, witnessing high-ranking officials torturing young girls. Guided by a drop of blood and seeing illusions of the tortured girls and Ms. M, he massacres the guests, reducing them to "red roses" while chanting ancient verses 181.
• Luther plans a sneak attack to disrupt Lanerius and Hood Eugen's ritual. He modifies the ritual array, causing Lanerius to go mad. Luther defeats Hood Eugen and shoots Lanerius, but a dark figure appears, and Lanerius begins to resurrect 31.
• Luther uses his revolver, the Lucky Wheel, to attempt suicide, but miraculously avoids the bullet five times. He then kills the Apostle of Desire, a Sequence 5 Devil, with a single shot. Aisinger arrives, and Luther erases the memories of the detectives present, excluding Klein and Aisinger, using his Shepherd powers. Luther asks Klein to perform a divination on the Apostle of Desire's soul 293.
• Luther preaches to a group of lambs using a fabricated Scripture but experiences a hallucination of M singing with him. M interrupts his preaching, causing him intense pain and snapping him back to reality, leading him to stop 302.
• Luther decides to leave Backlund and heads to Pritz Harbor to board a ship to the Sunia Sea. He receives a warning message via The Fool's connection about an impending attack on his parish in the East District 379.
• Luther performs a ritual to save the souls of the wrongfully dead, experiencing immense pain and madness. He completes the ritual, granting the dead the salvation of the Degenerate. After digesting the Potion of the Shepherd, Luther decides to become the savior of wronged souls and confront the Royal Family. He extracts and purifies Katie's soul, then annihilates it for its Sequence 7 "Interrogator" characteristic. He also decides to extract his younger sister Cecilia's soul from his body to prepare for upcoming danger 387.
• Luther attempts to capture an evil spirit (Medici) but is possessed by it. He uses his "Illusory Tide" ability to subdue Medici and attempts to make him his servitor. A fierce battle ensues, destroying Luther's physical body 389.
• Georgina transforms into a monster after brief contact with the Blood River, and Luther dismisses her, continuing towards the Imperial Palace Annex. Dlink Augustus, a Sequence 2 Balancer, appears and neutralizes Luther's powers. Despite being mortally wounded and overwhelmed by guards, Luther throws his head into the palace and speaks his final words to King George III before exploding 397.
• Luther defeats the Great Dragon, Gluttony, on Toscarter Island. A mysterious entity spies on him, causing him to hesitate in Shepherding Gluttony's soul, which then explodes. Luther learns that Cardinal Courtman of the sea of Roedes is on his way to Toscarter Island 465.
• Luther stands on the boiling sea surface, facing the Miniature Sun, experiencing hallucinations. He plans to undo the chains on the Black Throne to restore its power. He uses Medici's influence on a Hunter to attack Archbishop Pierre, creating a distraction. Luther throws a flintlock pistol to accelerate towards the ship, reaches the helm, and unlocks the chains using the Black Key, freeing the Black Throne 556.
• Luther receives urgent messages from The Hanged Man and Anderson, his subordinates, who are in danger at the Pirate Assembly, threatened by the Abomination Suah and the King of the Undying. Anthea, an Angel, agrees to help Luther reach the scene quickly. A black three-masted sailing ship, Luther's ship, emerges from the void at the Sunia Sea 570.
• Luther faces Urielus, a King of Angels at Sequence 1. He tries to summon the sea of blood and lambs but fails due to Urielus's interference. Anthea attempts to save Luther but is repelled. Luther tries to summon The Fool but is interrupted as Urielus's wings envelop him. Medici reveals that Urielus will likely take Luther to the True Creator, and the three Evil Spirits of the Conqueror begin arguing inside Luther's mind 593.
• Luther establishes Anthea Trullis, a Sequence 2 Duke of Entropy created by Roselle, as his prospective flagship in order to strengthen himself against other maritime powers 559.
• Luther reorganizes his fleet with potion materials acquired through the Tarot Club. Several crew members become Beyonders, while Anderson begins preparing a thirty-member advancement ritual squad 585 589.
• Luther returns to Backlund, visits his own empty grave, and accepts Arianna's offer of a new Church of the Night identity, choosing the name Ahab Ishmael 600.
• As Ahab Ishmael, Luther moves into Audrey's North District house and is appointed Senior Deacon responsible for the Red Gloves of the Backlund Diocese 607.
• Luther begins training the Red Gloves in the identification and handling of evil rituals, then personally leads squads to investigate a suspected cult sacrifice in the Backlund Bridge District 609.
• Luther is summoned by Archbishop Anthony after complaints from the Blood Clan concerning his actions, forcing him to temporarily relinquish command of an ongoing pursuit 617.
• Luther examines the Church of the Night's confiscated Sealed artifacts and its lower-level artifact storage, presenting his inspection as preparation for carrying out his duties more effectively 634.
• Luther orders the Red Gloves to complete an encirclement and capture all remaining Aurora Society believers while he confronts the demigod Kexma with the Blade of Flesh and Spirit 647.
• Luther asks Fors to write stories that make the Black Throne inseparable from the public image of the King of Blood, beginning the deliberate spread of Anchors for his flagship 641.
• Luther chooses to prepare a three-part divine honorific name, reaffirming his eventual goal of replacing the True Creator, becoming a True God, and resurrecting Cecilia 668.
• Luther completes and tests the name by compelling Mr. A to recite it. The prayer reaches him above the Phantom Tide; Anderson later recruits additional worshippers whose prayers offer Luther potential Anchors 669 687.
• Luther and Klein discuss Leonard's suspicious observation of Klein at St. Samuel's Cathedral, with Luther confirming that Leonard's behavior is inconsistent with genuine prayer 670.
• Luther and Klein begin coordinating dream-based investigations, seeking to combine Luther's powerful but imprecise Spectator-derived abilities with more refined psychological guidance 676.
• Luther agrees to revive the investigation into Ince Zangwill, giving himself an official reason to examine the Antigonus Family notebook, and Daly volunteers to assist 673.
• At Earl Hall's ball, Audrey discreetly confirms that Senior Deacon Ahab Ishmael is Mr. Temperance. Luther makes himself difficult for other guests to notice while Audrey helps him identify influential attendees 689 690.
• Luther receives The Fool's request concerning Luvia, recognizes that she has not completely submitted to the Degenerate Creator, and resolves to save her from losing control 699.
• Luvia accepts Luther as a deity. He refuses sacrifices and public proselytization, appointing her instead to cooperate with the City of Silver's Chief and report unusual developments. Through her prayer, he glimpses an inverted figure on a cross and infers the location of the True Creator's Divine Kingdom within the Forsaken Land of the Gods 704.
• Finding that an official investigation is being closed despite his suspicions, Luther creates a Flesh Puppet to lead the Red Gloves away while he remains behind under Psychological Invisibility to investigate separately 718.
• At the site of ancient ruins, Luther encounters Hermes, whose realistic dream makes an apparent destruction of the mausoleum and escape seem real. Luther sees through the dream, awakens Anthea, and attacks, but Hermes is unharmed. Warned that a Royal Family Angel is approaching, Luther and Anthea escape; Luther subsequently checks St. Samuel Cathedral after considering whether Hermes's cryptic words imply a threat there 724 725.
• Following three battles, the defeat of a Sequence 4, and the capture of a Sequence 3, Arianna informally promotes Luther to diocesan head. He investigates a bronze-rusted cross that appears to contain the City of Silver Creator's blood. Activating it expands the Phantom Tide but brings a cruel presence to the fore and draws an angry reaction from the True Creator 729.
• Luther plans to contact Anderson and move his fleet through the Spirit World for a surprise attack on a ship identified by Sharon and Marich. He expects support from the Temperance Faction and Klein 735.
• In the ensuing confrontation at sea, Luther prepares a Flame Spear against Prince Grove's far stronger attack and calls on Anthea, despite having wished to avoid drawing on her unstable powers. Anthea's amplification raises the spear to Sequence 2 power, and its collision with Grove's Spear of Light devastates the surrounding sea. “Silent One” Mahamus then appears, revealing himself as the military operation's intended target 743 744.
• Bernadette informs Luther of the Storm, Sun, Reader, and Spectator pathways' adjacency to Secrets Suppliant and offers help switching pathways. Luther recognizes that the established gods and Adam make every option dangerous and suspects that the Phantom Tide's authorities reflect this same pathway group 759.
• Luther accepts a mission to Feysac to investigate the forces behind worsening relations. Among his suspected targets are Ivanova Einhorn, Ince Zangwill, and Sophia Einhorn 763.
• Luther questions Groselle's Travels about 0-08, the Phantom Tide, and Adam. Its murals lead him to conclude that 0-08 will not oppose him or warn Ince; the book refuses to explain the Tide and responds to Adam with golden radiance. Having completed his diocesan handover, Luther prepares to travel with Daly and Leonard, then senses an attack on flesh he left with them 767.
• Detecting instability in Ince Zangwill's Spirituality, Luther asks Klein to lend him Groselle's Travels as a possible means of locating their enemy. Klein agrees to accompany him, warning of a potential Death-pathway connection and the danger that the book and quill might revive Ankewelt 798.
• Luther kills Ince Zangwill. Afterward, he apologizes to Klein for killing their shared enemy outright rather than leaving him for Klein, and they discuss their futures after revenge 825.
• Leonard joins the Tarot Club and recognizes Temperance as Luther, observing his changed appearance and lingering atmosphere of blood, madness, and pain 836.
• Luther uses the Box of the Great Old Ones to imprison an attacking Hunter demigod. He then uses the Quill of Alzuhod to trigger the negative effect of the Guardian's Oath protecting Greed's airship, allowing a Flame Spear to pierce it and bring it down 845.
• Luther pursues the silver-armored knights carrying Sophia Ivanova Einhorn, Greed, in a sealed golden carriage. He uses distorted distance to reach the carriage and attacks with the Blade of Flesh and Spirit, encountering a Guardian's barrier and an invocation to a higher power 846.
• After an Angel's flames nearly destroy his body, Luther regenerates from a few surviving cells. Recognizing the enemy's overwhelming strength, he consumes Bernadette's dragon-scale charm to stabilize Anthea temporarily and asks her to unleash her full strength 847.
• An item conjured through Ankewelt's Imagination allows Medici, Sauron, and Einhorn to borrow power from their former Sequence 1 selves, manifesting behind Luther amid a sea of purple flames 850.
• War breaks out between Loen and Feysac. Watching ordinary people send their loved ones to the front, Luther confronts Arianna and declares that he is leaving the Church. He returns his Red Gloves and cufflink, accuses the Church of accepting mass suffering in pursuit of power, and creates a flesh portrait of Dunn to challenge its justification of sacrifice 852.
• Arianna allows Luther to leave and gives him the Trinity Templar formula and potion ingredients, but not the advancement ritual. She explains that the Church had intended him to advance under the Goddess's protection after becoming sufficiently devoted. Luther rejects that dependence and departs with the materials 852.
• At Bansy Harbor, Luther uses the Sunless Cross to witness a contract exchanging his final vial of ancestral blood for Medici's Trinity Templar ritual. Medici explains the requirement of a divided personality but omits the danger of a split originating at an earlier Sequence 853.
• Luther drinks the Trinity Templar potion. His childhood, youthful, and aged selves separate; M and his cowardly personality temporarily stabilize the process, but the outer manifestations reject him and he begins losing control. Medici escapes into the woman beneath the altar and moves to seize Luther's secrets, only for M to appear and provoke his fear. Luther's advancement remains unresolved 853.

Quotes

"So, in places I didn't know about, he had already become this powerful..." 107

"Among the current members of our Tarot Club, I estimate there is no one who can stand against him for the time being. Hmm, if we all went together, with Miss The Justice providing support, and me, The Hanged Man, and Sun attacking at once..." 107

"No, no, why am I starting to consider this?" 107

"What I should be considering now is why Luther acted alone. It was clear that if he had just told everyone, we could have gone together to surround and suppress the Witch. That would have been far safer than him going alone. And the fact that he performed such nearly evil acts after the Witch died—I really can't understand what he is doing at all." 107

"I am not like you Lunatics. My family is far more important to me than advancement!" 105

"You know what I'm like. I have a terrible personality, hold grudges, and am paranoid. After being treated like that by them, naturally I have to repay them a hundredfold, a thousandfold." 298

"Same as before: resist the colonial government and free slaves... In addition, there is a new objective: eradicate the remaining forces of the King of Immortality." 582

"I'm leaving the Church." 852

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