Fland

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Fland (弗兰德)
Alias(es)	Archbishop Fland
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Church of the Lord of Flame; Rhine City Diocese
Occupation/Role	Cardinal; former Cardinal overseeing Holy Fire Cathedral in Rhine City
Status	Active
First Appearance	39

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Silver Rank	217	Demonstrates the Silver Realm's physical and spiritual superiority, including resistance to Evil God corruption; defeats multiple bishops in training without showing fatigue.
Tier 5 Transcendentalist	364	Has reached Tier 5 by the time of the wider churches' discussions on uniting against Evil Gods.

Background / History

Fland served as the Cardinal responsible for Rhine City's Holy Fire Cathedral before becoming Cardinal. He convened the region's bishops to warn them that the cultists' prophecy of R'lyeh rising and the Great Old Ones returning was genuine; he understood that the awakening Evil Gods could corrupt mortals through dreams and madness. 39

After Kraun's rapid rise drew the Church's attention, Fland personally assessed him. He tested Kraun's Moon Spirit Shield, Golden Armor Art, and Solar Flame Art, immediately recognizing their defensive, mental-stabilizing, and anti-vampire potential. 154 He subsequently observed Kraun's combat tests and concluded that Kraun's endurance and sustained offensive power could threaten a Tier 3 Transcendent despite being lower-ranked at the time. 155

Fland brought Kraun into the Rhine City Church structure as a Senior Blacksmith, commissioned him to forge Transcendent equipment, and used his authority to grant rewards and supplies for Kraun's contributions. 170 172 173 He also arranged and personally conducted Kraun's Purification Ritual and soul-purity examination, accepting the crystalline life light and golden phenomenon as proof that Kraun was not corrupted. 173

As the Gray Mist crisis worsened, Fland received the Pope's order to clear Demonic Beasts and expand safe zones. He planned external campaigns, increased the Forging Workshop's output requirements, and later lifted restrictions on rapid-fire firearms to prepare the diocese for war against the Andes Mountains cultists. 183 266

Fland repeatedly acted as Kraun's mentor during the latter's Silver Rank preparations, including accompanying him to investigate a meteorite-contaminated zone and offering guidance based on his own experience. 250 He later practiced Kraun's Visualization Method and reached Tier 3 in the Golden Light Incantation within half a day through Kraun's assistance. 345

His faith was severely shaken when a portrait of the force destroying Blei City appeared to depict Hephaestus, the Lord of Flame. 455 Even after witnessing Kraun's Stigmata Gold, however, Fland remained loyal to the Lord of Flame. 456 He eventually declared himself a devout believer of Kraun when Kraun pledged to defend the Faruk Kingdom from Evil Gods. 565

Appearance

Fland is an elderly man who commonly wears simple white robes. His gaze is described as blade-like and piercing, though he speaks gently when receiving Kraun. 154

• White-robed appearance. 154
• Sharp eyes capable of making others feel physically pierced when meeting his gaze. 154
• Maintains an imposing, vigorous presence in combat despite his age. 217

Personality

Fland is decisive and duty-driven. When informed of the meteorite-contaminated area, he chose to inspect it himself rather than delay for more information, relying on the confidence of his Silver Rank strength. 250 He treats the defense of Rhine City as a personal responsibility and is willing to take risks to assess threats directly.

He is also perceptive and politically capable. He quickly recognized Kraun's exceptional value, supported his advancement within the Church, and understood that Kraun's lack of interest in political control made him a stabilizing force within the Rhine City Diocese. 154 319 His practical approach extends to military policy, including expanding equipment production and authorizing rapid-fire firearms for Transcendentalist troops. 183 266

Despite his pragmatism, Fland is sincerely pious. The possibility that Hephaestus had become the enemy in Blei City deeply disturbed him, yet he did not immediately abandon his faith. 455 456

Abilities & Skills

Silver Rank Physique

As a Silver Rank Transcendent, Fland possesses physical and spiritual abilities beyond Tier 3 combatants. He identifies resistance to Evil God corruption as a defining advantage of the Silver Realm. 217

• Defeated multiple bishops during Training Ground challenges without visible exhaustion. 217
• Retains confidence when facing anomalous threats that may be comparable to Tier 4 entities. 250
• Recognized Kraun's near-Silver-level speed and growth during their training bout. 217

Combat Skill

Fland is an experienced close-combat fighter who uses shields and heavy weapons. 155 217

• Uses a shield during Training Ground challenges. 217
• Has fought with flails and hammer-type weapons in sparring. 155
• Can manifest orange-red Spirit Armor that interferes with lower-tier spiritual perception. 154

Golden Light Incantation

Fland learned Kraun's Visualization Method and quickly developed the Golden Light Incantation with Kraun's direct assistance. 345

• Reached Tier 3 in half a day during his first visualization session. 345
• Recognized the technique as a natural counter to the Evil Gods' Law of Pollution. 345

Leadership and Strategic Planning

Fland directs the Rhine City Diocese's military, industrial, and political preparations against the Gray Mist and Evil God forces. 183 266

• Organizes expeditions, defensive operations, and emergency military meetings. 183 331
• Oversees production demands for weapons and armor. 183
• Supports the use of firearms by Transcendentalists against cultists and other flesh-and-blood enemies. 266
• Advises Kraun on Silver Rank advancement and dangerous field operations. 250

Relationships

• Kraun Moya — Mentor, sponsor, and later devoted follower. Fland tested Kraun's abilities, admitted him into the Church's senior blacksmith ranks, relied on him in crises, and ultimately declared loyalty to him. 154 170 320 565
• Nick — Church associate and Kraun's early sponsor. Nick introduced Kraun to Fland and provided Fland with information on Kraun's abilities and background. 154 155
• Hephaestus, Lord of Flame — Fland's longtime deity. He remained loyal even after evidence suggested that the enemy at Blei City resembled Hephaestus. 455 456
• Plinton — Nephew. Fland is aware of Plinton's arrogance and concerns himself with Kraun's potential during Plinton's challenge. 313
• Cavendi — Fellow bishop and political associate; the two maintained a friendly rivalry while monitoring the threat surrounding Kraun. 183

Notable Quotes

“I like to do things with perfect timing.” 154

“Your bloodline ability is naturally the nemesis of the Evil God's Law of Pollution.” 345

“I take pride in becoming a devout believer of My Lord.” 565