Cardinal

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Flandre McLean
Alias(es)	Fland; Archbishop Fland
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Church of the Lord of Flame; later the Ming Sect
Occupation/Role	Cardinal of the Rhine City Diocese; later Archbishop and Chief of Light Judgment
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 39

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Silver Realm / Silver Rank	220	Announced his successful advancement to the bishops. The breakthrough restored his youthful appearance and granted the physical, spiritual, and soul-level changes of the Silver Realm.
Tier 5 Transcendentalist	361	His advancement to Tier 5 is reported to Pope Anthony.

Background / History

Flandre McLean was the Cardinal overseeing the Rhine City Diocese of the Church of the Lord of Flame. As the diocese prepared for the Red Moon, Gray Mist, and the reemergence of the Great Old Ones, he initiated the Sanctuary Project and ordered the Church to warn other dioceses before the crisis spread further. 39

He was regarded as Rhine City's strongest figure, with even the local Warlock Brotherhood acknowledging that its strength was inferior to the Church under his leadership. He coordinated Church–Brotherhood expeditions into Spirit Ruins, where limited exploration windows required the factions to cooperate. 154

Fland later proposed forming the College of Cardinals once the Church's number of Silver Rank members exceeded the threshold set by Church regulations. The body was intended to share the Pope's burden on major matters, though its creation also checked Pope Osman's authority. 271

During Osman's betrayal at St. Peter's Cathedral, Fland was trapped within the Sanctuary alongside the other Cardinals. He escaped with the group after Kraun broke the Sanctuary's Magic Array, then followed Kraun's lead through the Evil Beast-infested cathedral. 350 351

Appearance

Before advancing to the Silver Realm, Fland was a thin, elderly man with brown curly hair, gray at the temples, deep wrinkles, and sunken eyes. He usually wore a plain, frequently washed white priest's robe that reinforced his benevolent impression. 154

After reaching the Silver Realm, his gray hair, wrinkles, sunken eyes, and even his former height changed; he appeared as he had in his youth. 216 220

• Plain white priest's robes rather than ostentatious armor. 154
• A gentle, approachable expression that contrasts with his high status and power. 154
• A youthful appearance after his Silver Rank breakthrough. 220

Personality

Fland is courteous and kind in personal interactions, speaking gently to Kraun during their first formal meeting and praising useful abilities without immediately pressing for their origins. 154 He is nevertheless highly direct: when assessing combat capability, he requests demonstrations in the Training Ground rather than relying on reports. 154

As a leader, he favors preparation, cooperation, and practical strength. He supports collaboration with City Hall and the Warlock Brotherhood against the Evil Gods, rather than pursuing the Pope's preferred policy of suppressing rival forces first. 267 271 He also shows political foresight, recognizing the risks posed by hostile factions and the Saxon Family during the Andes campaign. 310

Fland is strongly protective of his allies. During the attack on his residence, he maintained the Moon Soul Spirit Light Array and reassured those sheltering in his mansion until Kraun arrived to defeat the Soul Reaper. 394

Abilities & Skills

Silver Realm Physiology

Fland's Silver Rank breakthrough enhanced both his body and soul.

• His strength and speed surpass the limits of ordinary human physiology. 217
• His Holy Power became compressed and more destructive after advancement. 217
• His organs and blood underwent transformation; Silver Realm blood gradually becomes silver as one approaches the realm's peak. 217
• His silver soul greatly resists spiritual corruption. 217

Shield Combat and Fire Spirit Shield

Fland is a highly capable shield fighter who can suppress experienced bishops without relying on elaborate weaponry.

• He used a single shield to defeat Cavendi in roughly two minutes despite Cavendi activating Fire Spirit Transformation. 217
• He shattered both Fanny's and Nick's Flame Protection with two hits each. 217
• Before reaching the Silver Realm, his Fire Spirit Shield endured seven casts of Kraun's Solar Flame Art; the eighth finally broke through it. 154
• His orange-red Spirit Armor interferes with lower-level spiritual perception. 154

Purification and Defensive Support

Fland performs Church purification procedures and oversees defensive measures.

• He conducted Kraun's Purification Ritual and soul-purity test, confirming that Kraun was free of corruption. 173
• He maintained the Moon Soul Spirit Light Array during the Soul Reaper's assault on his residence. 394
• He recognized the improved clarity and mental benefits of Kraun's gold-and-silver Talisman Water. 250

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Shield — His principal weapon in training and close combat. 217
• Fire Spirit Shield / Spirit Armor — Orange-red spiritual defenses capable of resisting powerful elemental attacks. 154
• White priest's robe — His usual attire, plain despite his rank. 154

Relationships

• Kraun Moya — Initially evaluates Kraun's unusual abilities and rapid rise, then becomes a mentor, supporter, and trusted ally. Fland secures resources for Kraun, shares mission intelligence, and openly takes pride in Kraun's achievements. 154 255 270
• Nick — A priest under Fland's authority and one of Kraun's closest companions. Nick holds Fland in exceptionally high regard as the strongest person in their diocese. 154
• Fanny — A bishop who trains under Fland's observation; her Flame Protection is tested against him in the Training Ground. 217
• Cavendi Sith — An old friend and fellow Church leader. They jointly planned the Rhine Diocese's response to external threats, and Cavendi challenged Fland during the Silver Realm demonstration. 183 217
• Pope Osman Deluke — Political counterpart and eventual adversary. Fland proposed the College of Cardinals to distribute authority, while Osman favored centralizing power and later betrayed the Cardinals. 271 350
• Eliza Moya — As Pope, Eliza appointed Fland Chief of Light Judgment, placing him in charge of the Judgment Hall. 497

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rhine City Crisis

Fland leads the Rhine Diocese's preparations against the Gray Mist and the returning Evil Gods through the Sanctuary Project. He also coordinates with the Warlock Brotherhood during Spirit Ruins operations. 39 154

Kraun's Church Advancement

Fland investigates Kraun's powers firsthand, approves his forging work for the Church, and later supports his access to Mithril, secret-vault resources, and key mission information. 154 170 255

Silver Realm Demonstration

Following his breakthrough, Fland explains the changes brought by the Silver Realm and defeats several bishops in successive Training Ground challenges, demonstrating the gulf between peak Tier 3 and Silver Rank Transcendents. 217 220

College of Cardinals

Fland travels to the Holy See with Kraun and other Silver Rank powerhouses, proposes the College of Cardinals, and warns Pope Osman about the growing Cultist presence in the Andes Mountains. 269 271

Andes Campaign

Fland helps direct the Church's response to the prolonged conflict in the Andes Mountains. Alongside Kraun and Cavendi, he considers using crude airships to exhaust enemy aerial forces and addresses the Church's worsening supply situation. 310

Fall of St. Peter's Cathedral

Fland is among the Cardinals trapped by Osman's Sanctuary Magic Array. After escaping, he works with Kraun and the others to survive the cathedral's Evil Beast assault and Osman's emergence as a Tier 5 threat. 350 351

Ming Sect Administration

After the Church's reorganization, Fland becomes Chief of Light Judgment under Pope Eliza, holding jurisdiction over the Judgment Hall. He remains one of the senior Cardinals handling major threats to Shattrath City. 497 588

Notable Quotes

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

“Advancing to the Silver Realm means completely shattering these shackles.” 217