Ines

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ines (伊内丝)
Species/Race	Caprinae; formerly concealed this identity by operating as a Sarkaz mercenary 102
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Han Fei's team; formerly affiliated with Theresa's faction/Babel as a mercenary 115 121
Occupation/Role	Mercenary, guide, intelligence officer, vanguard scout 102 118 121
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 99

Background / History

Ines operated in Kazdel as a mercenary while concealing that she was Caprinae rather than Sarkaz. Though she remained on the fringes of Theresa's faction instead of openly committing to it, Theresa had previously saved her and W; Ines consequently supported Theresa's vision for Kazdel and did not want her harmed. 102 105 121 124

She first confronted Han Fei and Texas over a supply crate in the ruins, ordering them to leave and later engaging them when hostilities escalated. Texas matched her in close combat, while Lemuen's shot ultimately brought Ines down. 99 100 Han Fei revived her with the Hormone Gun, disarmed her, and compelled her to act as the group's local guide through Kazdel. 101 102

Ines later used Hedley's ambush as an attempted means of saving herself, openly admitting the motive when confronted. After Hedley was defeated, she offered a soul-binding oath to Han Fei in return for Hedley's rescue. 107 114 Lamat sealed the oath through Banshee's Wail sorcery; once Han Fei revived Hedley, Ines became bound to serve Han Fei for up to fifty years. 115 116

Afterward, Ines formally introduced herself to the group as a former mercenary and intelligence officer. She continued to perform reconnaissance for Han Fei's squad during the conflict at Babel/Rhodes Island, reporting on Theresis's Court forces and their progress through the vessel. 118 121 123

Appearance

Ines is a tall, slender woman whose combat presence is described as severe and oppressive. She favors dark, practical clothing suited to mercenary work. 98 99 108

• Waist-length black hair. 98
• Deliberately sharpened black horns. 98
• Eyes described as molten-gold or crimson in different scenes. 98 103 108
• Wears a sleek black combat outfit, short skirt, and knee-high black leather boots. 98 99
• Carries a dagger and a red sword-shaped staff. 99 101

Personality

Ines is pragmatic, guarded, and exceptionally composed under pressure. When captured, she assesses threats and opportunities rather than panicking, attempting to negotiate, exploit interpersonal tensions, and preserve a route of escape. 101 102 107

She is fiercely independent and reacts strongly to being treated as property or a prisoner, insisting that a functional partnership requires mutual restraint. 103 However, her willingness to bind her own soul in exchange for Hedley's life demonstrates both resolve and the depth of her loyalty to her longtime partner. 114 115

Her curiosity is also a recurring trait. Han Fei's contradictory knowledge of Kazdel, Theresa, and Babel repeatedly unsettles her, yet she continues trying to understand his identity and intentions. 105 120

Abilities & Skills

Shadow-Based Originium Arts

Ines's Originium Arts are shadow-based and are particularly effective for reconnaissance and intelligence work. 118 121

• Can disappear into surrounding shadows while scouting. 121
• Can perceive the inner thoughts and emotional fluctuations of a person's shadow. 109
• Her Arts allow her to judge the sincerity behind threats and statements. 108
• As an Infected individual, she can use Originium Arts without an external casting medium. 108

Intelligence Gathering and Counter-Tracking

Ines identifies herself as an intelligence officer and “the best vanguard scout.” 118 121

• Skilled at counter-tracking and observation. 102
• Provides route guidance through Kazdel and assesses dangers posed by local factions. 103 104
• Scouts ahead of Han Fei's team and returns with battlefield reports. 121 123

Close-Quarters Combat

Ines is a capable mercenary combatant who can contend with Texas in melee. 99 100

• Uses a dagger in direct confrontations. 99
• Wields Ines's Staff, a red sword-shaped staff described as her customary weapon. 101
• Was assessed by Han Fei as roughly comparable to Texas in overall combat ability, though Texas held an edge in close quarters. 99 100

Banshee's Wail Oath

Lamat sealed Ines's oath to Han Fei with Banshee's Wail sorcery after Han Fei agreed to rescue Hedley. The oath prevents disloyal action and remains in force for up to fifty years. 115

• Disloyal intent triggers extreme soul-level pain. 115 116
• The oath can punish even an incomplete attempt at violating its terms. 116
• The punishment cannot be immediately removed; its duration depends on the severity of the transgressive thought. 116
• Ines cannot take her own life without Han Fei's permission while bound by the oath. 115

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Ines's Staff — Red sword-shaped staff and her customary weapon. 101
• Dagger — Used during her initial confrontation with Han Fei and Texas. 99
• Hidden weapons and tools — Including daggers, throwing knives, and poisoned threads concealed on her person. 101
• Horn “Care” Kit — An item found in her bag after her defeat. 101

Relationships

• Han Fei — Initially opponents; Han Fei captured and revived her, then used her as a guide. Ines later swore a soul-binding oath of loyalty to him in exchange for Hedley's rescue. 101 102 115 116
• Hedley — Longtime teammate and former mercenary partner. Ines risked her freedom and bound her soul to save him; afterward, she persuaded him not to pursue revenge against Han Fei's group. 107 114 116
• Theresa — Ines supports Theresa's cause and regards her as a good person. Theresa previously saved Ines and W during a desperate situation. 105 121 124
• Lamat / Llamalline Dukangfalisi — Lord of the Banshee Court who witnessed and sealed Ines's oath through Banshee's Wail sorcery. 114 115
• Texas — A wary adversary-turned-teammate. Texas guarded Ines closely after her capture and warned her against escape attempts or manipulation. 100 102 107
• Lemuen — Monitored Ines after her revival and used her marksmanship to ensure she could not escape. Later works alongside her in Han Fei's squad. 101 102 109

Story Role / Major Arcs

Supply Crate Conflict

Ines leads a mercenary force occupying ruins containing a supply crate sought by Han Fei. Her refusal to yield the crate leads to a confrontation with Han Fei, Texas, and Lemuen; she is defeated, revived, and taken prisoner. 99 101

Guide Through Kazdel

Pressed into service as a guide, Ines leads Han Fei's group toward Banshee Valley while warning them about the dangers posed by Kazdel's factions and the conspicuous presence of the Sankta sisters. 102 103 104

Hedley's Ambush and the Oath

Ines's connection to Hedley becomes clear when his mercenaries ambush the group. After Hedley's defeat, Ines offers her loyalty and soul in return for his survival; Lamat seals the resulting oath, and Han Fei revives Hedley. 107 114 115 116

Babel / Rhodes Island Reconnaissance

As Han Fei's intelligence officer, Ines scouts Babel/Rhodes Island during Theresis's assault. She reports that Court forces have boarded the vessel and that the defenders are struggling to hold multiple areas. 121 123

Trivia

• Ines initially presents herself as Sarkaz, but Han Fei exposes her Caprinae identity. 102
• Her oath was intended to last until the end of her life, but Lamat states that her sorcery can bind her for only about fifty years. 115
• She is uncomfortable with the group's treatment of Theresa's body and silently turns away while they search it for loot. 129