Herman

Biodata

Background / History

Herman arrived at Blue Star as the Silverfrost Empire's inspector and immediately registered it as Planet Z-7811, claiming it for the Empire. His original terms would have made it a fifth-grade mineral planet whose population mined source-energy ore for the Empire. 279

After Lin Feng endured a tenth of his pressure, Herman recognized his value and revised the proposal: Blue Star would avoid slave branding and full mining-planet conversion, while Lin Feng would become a Hundred-man Commander in the Seventh Fleet's Vanguard Battalion. 279 When Lin Feng refused, Herman sent Locke, an early-stage Star Lord, to subdue him. After Lin Feng killed Locke, Herman personally descended, suppressed him with spatial power, and repeatedly tried to force him into submission. 280 281

An Imperial tactical scan revealed that Lin Feng was under twenty years old despite already being a Star Lord. Herman immediately abandoned his hostile posture, recast the assault as an assessment, and sought to recruit him for the Empire's highest institutions. 281 282 Their eventual negotiation secured Blue Star's status as an Independent Neutral Zone, tax exemption, and a Level Four interstellar defense shield array. 282

Herman brought Lin Feng and Balen aboard his mothership, intending to use Lin Feng's exceptional talent to advance his own position within the Empire. Lin Feng instead looted the vessel's armory and engine-room energy reserves; Herman chose appeasement over retaliation, offering further weapons, while Balen secretly appropriated the military identification chip. 283 284

Following an emergency landing on Graycrystal Star, Herman used his inspector authority to compel Governor Tyler's cooperation. He became entangled in Lin Feng and Balen's conflict with the Bloodthorn Consortium over Purple Gold Sourceflow Ore and the underground Black Market. 287 290

When Raine deployed three thousand warships and demanded Lin Feng's surrender, Herman activated his mothership's Cosmic-class shield, commandeered the fleetwide communications channels, and openly refused. 293 He later fought Raine directly to protect Lin Feng, whom he called his “lifeline” to returning to the Imperial Capital. 296

Lin Feng interrupted their fight, caught both combatants' attacks, and crushed Herman's condensed Origin light sphere. Herman withdrew when Lin Feng insisted on fighting Raine himself. After Lin Feng captured Raine alive, Herman celebrated the feat as further proof that his recommendation would attract the Empire's most powerful institutions. 296 297 299

On reaching the Imperial Capital Star Ring, Herman's poorly repaired mothership nearly collided with a ceremonial flagship and was treated as a suspected pirate vessel. Although a boarding officer verified Herman's identity, the Defense Force continued its inspection and attempted to send the ship to a disposal berth. Once power was restored, Herman rejected Claude's order to surrender and directed the mothership toward Imperial Capital First Starport. 303 304 305 306

At the Imperial Capital, Herman repeatedly used Raine's captured reactor core and his own credentials to defuse confrontations with starport authorities. He was subsequently brought before a Military Department hearing alongside Lin Feng and Balen. 307 308 312

Before the hearing, ten Cosmic Realm Bloodthorn Consortium assassins attacked their hotel suite. Lin Feng defeated them, and an assassination list identified both Lin Feng and Herman as targets, along with witnesses for the hearing. Herman subsequently confronted the Military Department's reception officer over the failure to protect their accommodation and helped secure transport for the assassins' bodies as evidence. 310 311

At the hearing, Claude accused Herman of colluding with interstellar pirates, attacking lawful garrison forces, and seizing consortium property. Herman rejected the charges and declared that Lin Feng was an empire-level genius already placed on the Seventh Fleet's highest recommendation list. Claude responded by disabling Herman's microphone and personal communications. 312

When Claude activated the Star Ring Main Cannon, Herman attempted to break through his shield with a blade and condemned the order for endangering tens of millions of Central District residents. He later warned Lin Feng that Augustus intended to seize him for research. 316 318 He attempted to protect Lin Feng from Augustus, an Immortal Realm fighter, but was easily blasted aside. 319

Raymond's arrival secured the Seventh Fleet's protection for Lin Feng and Herman. Herman then urged Lin Feng not to pursue his grievance against Augustus immediately, pointing out that both fleet commanders were Immortal Realm cultivators and asking Raymond to restrain him. 319 320

Herman accompanied Raymond, Lin Feng, and Balen during Lin Feng's encounter with the bloodthirsty Broken Halberd. He expressed concern as the weapon pierced Lin Feng's chest and later watched in disbelief as Lin Feng refined its purified Devil Race Origin, advancing from Cosmic Realm Level 1 to Level 6. Herman questioned the abnormal speed of the breakthroughs and asked whether the weapon's Mental Imprint had truly been removed. Raymond confirmed its purification and praised Herman for bringing the Seventh Fleet an extraordinary recruit. 324 325

Appearance

Herman is an Imperial officer with slightly pointed silver ears. He wears formal Silverfrost military attire and prominently displays his inspector's insignia. 279 287

• White ceremonial military uniform 287
• Silver pointed ears 279 287
• Twin-Star Spire insignia identifying him as an Imperial inspector 286 287
• Two-star military dress uniform during his initial appearance over Blue Star 279

Personality

Herman initially treats weaker civilizations with open contempt. He dismisses Blue Star as a crude, newly revived planet and attempts to impose imperial mining rule through overwhelming force. 279 280

He is intensely opportunistic. Once he learns Lin Feng's age and potential, his arrogance abruptly turns into flattery because successfully recommending such a prodigy could elevate Herman into the Empire's core power structure. 281 283

Despite his self-interest, Herman becomes increasingly willing to take personal risks for Lin Feng. He refuses Raine's demand to surrender him, fights Raine in the sky, and later attempts to intervene against Augustus despite the vast difference in power. 293 296 319

His usual reputation is that of a slick, tactful officer, making his frenzied attack on Raine especially surprising to those around him. He regards threats to Lin Feng as threats to his own future and is willing to abandon caution when that future is at stake. 293 296

Herman also understands the political consequences of indiscriminate violence. At First Starport, he urges Lin Feng to avoid a massacre because the surrounding noble, military, and consortium interests would make the incident difficult even for sympathetic Imperial officials to resolve. His concern over punctuality and procedure before the hearing similarly reflects his awareness of how rivals can exploit formal rules. 307 311

Although he recognizes Lin Feng's extraordinary talent, he remains skeptical of developments that exceed conventional cultivation expectations. He openly questions Lin Feng's rise from Cosmic Realm Level 1 to Level 5 within a day and is astonished by the damage Lin Feng inflicts on Sovereign-grade armor after reaching Level 6. 325

Abilities & Skills

Cosmic/Universe Realm Cultivation

Herman possesses power far beyond Blue Star's cultivators and can overwhelm Star Lord-level opponents through pressure, physical force, and spatial control. 279 281

• Suppressed the Northern Territory troops with his pressure; Lin Feng could withstand only a tenth of it. 279
• Crossed space directly from his mothership to confront Lin Feng. 280
• Froze the surrounding space, restricted Lin Feng's movements, and used debris as penetrating projectiles. 281
• Caught Lin Feng's full-force spear thrust between two fingers and threw him across the Dragon Suppressing Platform. 281
• Fought through a void-beast swarm in open space without protective gear, killing a Star Lord-level colossal beast with one punch. 285
• Matched Raine, a Cosmic Realm commander, in close-quarters combat before Lin Feng interrupted them. 296 297
• Released white-gold blood energy that dispersed Raine's scarlet pressure. His energy was described as slightly more solid than Raine's, and his frenzied assault briefly gave him the upper hand. 296
• Condensed white-gold Origin energy into a sphere between his palms; Lin Feng caught his wrist and crushed the sphere before it could strike. 296 297
• Shielded a temporary workbench from debris during the hotel assassination battle. 310

Imperial Authority

As an Imperial Inspector, Herman carries authority capable of overriding military systems and intimidating local officials. 286 293

• Activated the mothership's Cosmic-class shield and ultimate command functions through his inspector badge. 293
• Overrode the communications channels of Raine's three thousand warships. 293
• Forced Graycrystal Star's guards and Governor Tyler to recognize his authority. 286 287
• Used Raine's reactor core and his inspector status to compel Imperial Capital First Starport to admit his mothership. 307 308
• Had his identity and Level One authority verified by an Imperial Capital Defense Force terminal, although the boarding officers continued to challenge his vessel's legality. 304

Political Negotiation

Herman recognizes exceptional talent and is willing to compromise when it serves Imperial interests.

• Revised Blue Star's proposed treatment after recognizing Lin Feng's strength. 279
• Negotiated terms granting Blue Star Independent Neutral Zone status, tax exemption, and a Level Four defense shield array. 282
• Used the captured reactor of Raine to frame the Graycrystal operation as an authorized suppression of rebels. 307
• Invoked the Seventh Fleet's highest recommendation list to defend Lin Feng's right to participate in the Military Department hearing. 312

Power Progression

Equipment / Assets

• Imperial mothership — Herman's flagship of the Seventh Border Defense Fleet; it sustains heavy damage during the journey from Blue Star and is later repaired with stripped Bloodthorn Consortium armor. 283 285 302
• Inspector's identification badge — The Twin-Star Spire insignia incorporates a data port and grants access to the mothership's ultimate command functions, including its Cosmic-class shield and communications overrides. 293
• Military identification chip — Provides high-level access permissions and an independently encrypted interstellar communications band. Balen secretly takes it while looting the mothership. 284
• Imperial advanced tactical scanner — Uses multiple probes and a cosmic-grade star beast crystal to assess a target's realm, physical strength, mental power, special energy, and bone age. 281
• Raine's core reactor — Carried by Herman as evidence and political leverage after Lin Feng captured Raine. 307 308
• Blade — Used in an unsuccessful attempt to cut through Claude's shield after the Star Ring Main Cannon was activated. 316

Relationships

• Lin Feng — Initially a target for forced recruitment and study; after learning of Lin Feng's age and talent, Herman becomes his recruiter, political intermediary, and increasingly committed protector. 279 281 293 319 Their association also makes Herman a target of the Bloodthorn Consortium's assassination campaign. He later witnesses Lin Feng's mastery of the Broken Halberd and rapid advancement to Cosmic Realm Level 6. 310 324 325
• Balen — Travels aboard Herman's mothership with Lin Feng and repeatedly dismantles or loots its equipment; Herman tolerates him largely because of Lin Feng. 283 284 308
• Raine — Bloodthorn Consortium commander and adversary. Herman defies Raine's ultimatum and fights him to protect Lin Feng. 292 293 296
• Tyler — Governor of Graycrystal Star who becomes immediately submissive upon learning Herman is an Imperial Inspector. 287 Herman violently rejects Tyler's pleas to surrender Lin Feng to Raine. 293
• Claude — Imperial Capital Defense Force official and longstanding rival; Herman states they have fought for more than a century. 305 311 Claude presides over the hearing against Herman, suppresses his communications, and accuses him of piracy and collusion. Lin Feng later kills Claude despite Augustus's intervention. 312 318
• Raymond — Legion Commander of the Seventh Fleet. Raymond acknowledges Herman for bringing Lin Feng to the Fleet and later allows Herman to assist Lin Feng. 319 322 325 After Lin Feng subdues the Broken Halberd, Raymond again praises Herman's recruitment of the nineteen-year-old prodigy. 325
• Augustus — Second Fleet commander who overpowers Herman when Herman tries to protect Lin Feng. 319 Herman recognizes Augustus's interest in Lin Feng as a threat of capture and dissection rather than benevolent recruitment. 318
• Adjutant — Herman's subordinate aboard the mothership, responsible for communications, tactical analysis, and carrying out orders. Herman kicks him for proposing armed suppression of Lin Feng and Balen after the armory is looted. 281 283 284

Notable Quotes

“I appreciate people of value.” 279

“Everything just now was a misunderstanding!” 282

“He's my lifeline for returning to the Imperial Capital!” 296

“Lin Feng is an empire-level genius I discovered on a remote planet. He has already been placed on the Seventh Fleet's highest recommendation list!” 312

“Level 1 last night, Level 5 today.” 325

Trivia

• Herman's attempt to impress Lin Feng with luxury accommodations ends with Lin Feng and Balen emptying his armory and taking reserve energy blocks from the engine room. 283 284
• He had no money available to purchase the Purple Gold Sourceflow Ore needed to repair his mothership because his private funds had been spent before the mission. 287
• Herman eventually carries Lin Feng's broken spear after Lin Feng injures his hand, despite protesting that he is an inspector. 322
• At First Starport, Herman claims to have personally captured Raine while using the captured reactor to intimidate the authorities. Balen quietly points out that Lin Feng was responsible, prompting Herman to tell him to be silent. 307
• Before the Military Department hearing, Herman paces more than twenty circles outside Lin Feng's suite while worrying about arriving on time. 311