Maltz

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Maltz (马尔茨)
Alias(es)	Chief Maltz; the Old Chief 52 192
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shire District police; appointed chief by the Count of South Los; Arthur Credos’s ally 52 63
Occupation/Role	Police chief; formerly a Third-Rank Police Officer and wartime heavy musketeer 28 52 312
Status	Alive; remains active alongside Arthur’s allies 583 646

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First observed supernatural activity from his wartime weapons	158	During an attack at his home, his matchlock and saber evoke a battlefield vision. A musket shot kills the attacker, and a hundredth notch appears on the gun.
Awakened weapons and medal; bodily rejuvenation	384	An eye opens on his saber’s hilt as his left eye disappears. His medal covers the socket and melts a corpse into material absorbed by his weapons, restoring his vitality and increasing his strength.
Stronger bond through the Evil Spirit’s destruction	384	His conviction turns ordinary fire into golden holy flame. The destroyed Evil Spirit nourishes him, making his body better suited to his weapons and allowing him to sense their emotions.
Weapon consumption and bodily weapon transformation	386	Demonstrates the ability to swallow weapons and transform his arms into weapons. Amuel identifies the power with the Dawn Green Mechanical Gunpowder Cult; contrary to her prediction, his vitality increases rather than collapsing.

Background / History

Seven-Year War

Maltz served as a heavy musketeer during the Seven-Year War and received noble gold coins as rewards while serving in Count Bette’s territory. His comrade Cotton was killed by their captain, who then murdered the deputy captain. The company descended into a frenzy: the soldiers became unnaturally strong and fast, shouted incomprehensible words, and killed one another. Maltz was knocked unconscious into a tent and awoke as the camp’s only survivor 63 312.

The massacre left him deeply afraid of mystical powers. He preserved his heavy matchlock, military saber, and medal, maintained them carefully, and spoke to them almost every night for decades 63 158 159 384.

Arthur later discovers that an incomplete Activation Ritual explains the unusual condition of these possessions. Its missing reception point caused its effects to fall on random objects rather than awaken a bloodline. Maltz survived, his own belongings received the effects, and years of handling and speaking to them made them attuned to him 454.

Police Career and Alliance with Arthur

As a Third-Rank Police Officer, Maltz knew his jurisdiction thoroughly and understood which people he could safely confront. Although capable of violence, he cultivated a submissive image while approaching retirement. He initially wanted to avoid Arthur and the struggle over the Shire District chief’s position 28 36 39.

Pressure from Woolt changed his decision. Maltz identified the Harbor District chief as the man behind Joseph’s involvement and committed himself to cooperating with Arthur. Their shared objective was to eliminate Woolt before he could secure control of the Shire District 38 39.

Maltz isolated Audo during the operation at 14 Kirk Street, then stabbed him through the heart and cut his throat on Arthur’s signal. He subsequently staged his discovery of the murder and gave Woolt a false account of Audo’s departure 39 42.

During the ensuing struggle, Maltz drew Middle and Gitt into his plans. A newspaper report later attributed Woolt’s and Audo’s murders to Alade, whom Maltz had shot dead, while presenting Maltz favorably and reporting the detention of other implicated officers. By the subsequent poisoning investigation, Maltz was the newly appointed Shire District chief 45 47 52.

Political Survival

His appointment tied him to the Count of South Los, making the count’s conflict with the Grand Duke of Inner Bay a direct threat. After two men were assassinated upon entering the police station, Maltz briefly planned to flee using ten gold bars hidden in his desk 60 63.

Arthur and Maltz instead agreed to secure a ship capable of leaving at short notice and gradually assemble a trustworthy crew. They later discussed the purchase through the coded term “passage” 63 109.

Awakening of His “Old Companions”

After his weapons demonstrated supernatural activity, Arthur advised Maltz to rely on his “three old friends” when facing danger beyond his abilities. Setting down their long case was enough to make Freeman sense a mortal threat, though Freeman did not believe the elderly Maltz could be its source 158 192.

Their full awakening transformed Maltz physically and drew him into an Evil Spirit’s illusion. Recognizing its sequence of suffering followed by promised salvation as a deception Arthur had described, he attacked with ordinary liquid presented as “holy water,” then kerosene and a match. His absolute confidence in Arthur’s methods made the flames genuinely supernatural 384.

Maltz subsequently consumed weapons and transformed his limbs into armaments. Amuel associated this with the Aberration-linked Dawn Green Mechanical Gunpowder Cult and expected him to die within ten seconds. Instead, he grew more vigorous 386.

Appearance

Maltz is an elderly man with graying hair and an outwardly harmless appearance. His supernatural awakening restores vitality to his aging body and changes his left eye 39 62 384.

• Graying hair: Sweeps loose locks back from his forehead when formally addressing Arthur 62.
• Missing left eye: Disappears when the eye on his saber’s hilt opens 384.
• Medal eyepatch: His faded medal appears over the empty socket 384.
• Transformable limbs: Can turn his arms into weapons and open a heavy-musket muzzle in his palm 386 456.

Personality

Maltz’s meekness is deceptive. Officers mistake his willingness to swallow insults for weakness, but his murder of Audo reveals a cold, decisive willingness to remove obstacles. He also understands public sentiment: after Woolt humiliates the patrol officers, Maltz openly gives them money for drinks, offering comfort while deliberately winning their sympathy 39 43.

His survival instincts combine caution with respect for expertise. He follows the principles of minding his own business and leaving specialized work to specialists. Although frightened by mystical phenomena, he follows Arthur’s instructions even when he does not understand their purpose 61 192.

He is capable of restraining his own greed. When Arthur proposes giving him three of ten Gold Tickets, Maltz accepts only one because his contribution was limited to providing his position and the location. He suggests a larger share only when he contributes more substantially 63.

Beneath his political ruthlessness, Maltz is affectionate toward trusted colleagues, his cat, and his wartime belongings. He helps Dico seek reconciliation with his daughter, worries about Tate accidentally endangering himself, and remains emotionally attached to his lost comrades 158 192 384 597.

Abilities & Skills

Investigation and Police Command

Maltz combines long experience with practical questioning and familiarity with local people.

• Identifies signs of cassava poisoning from foaming at the mouth and a bitter-almond smell 52.
• Tests Fontel’s account through interruptions and questions asked out of sequence 81.
• Recognizes the missing painter Jenkin through memory and old case notes 114.
• Arranges backup before investigating the Camille villa 143.
• Directs scene security, neighborhood inquiries, and examination of a murder victim’s relationships 312.

Combat and Field Tactics

His police work draws on his military experience and readiness to use force.

• Uses a knife to kill Audo at close range 39.
• Commands an assault using kerosene, fire, and coordinated gunfire 39.
• Reuses those tactics against mystical resistance at the Star and Moon newspapers, keeping his men from charging inside 109.
• Draws his sword to stop Will Koss and Chelmi’s quarrel 144.
• Checks outside through a saber’s reflection and imitates retreating footsteps while remaining in place to listen 159.

Covert Coordination and Political Maneuvering

Maltz manages appearances while advancing shared plans with Arthur.

• Conceals his responsibility for Audo’s death through a staged discovery and false testimony 42.
• Exchanges written messages by tracing words on Arthur’s shoulders and back during apparently casual conversation 109.
• Uses a four-signal hand system devised with Arthur; the little finger indicates something unusual without danger 127.
• Plans to install trusted personnel in district police positions as Arthur’s influence expands 109 154 583.

Bonded Weapons and Mechanical Transformation

His matchlock, saber, and medal act as supernatural companions rather than ordinary equipment.

• The medal melts a corpse into material absorbed by the weapons, which channel power into Maltz 384.
• He senses the companions’ joy and surprise after their awakening 384.
• Consumes weapons and transforms his arms into weapons 386.
• Produces a heavy-musket muzzle from his palm 456.
• The power is identified as cult-related by Amuel, but the expected lethal effects do not occur; Maltz’s formal membership in that cult is not established 386.

Conviction-Based Holy Flame

Maltz’s trust in Arthur turns an improvised countermeasure into an effective supernatural attack.

• Sees through an Evil Spirit’s illusion by recognizing its false offer of salvation 384.
• Uses ordinary liquid as purported “holy water,” followed by kerosene and a match 384.
• His certainty transforms the ordinary flames into golden holy flame, destroying the spirit and nourishing him 384.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy matchlock / heavy musket — Preserved wartime firearm with supernatural activity; gains its hundredth notch after killing an attacker 158.
• Broad-bladed military saber — Carefully maintained wartime weapon; an eye opens on its hilt during Maltz’s awakening 159 384.
• Faded medal / badge — The third of his “old friends”; covers his missing eye and emits corpse-melting light 192 384.
• Long case — Carries his three old companions when he expects danger 192.
• Police baton — A weapon he considers using against disruptive or presumptuous people 52 61.
• Emergency gold reserve — Ten gold bars hidden in his office desk rather than at home, where a raid might seize them 60.

Relationships

• Arthur Credos — Partner, close ally, and increasingly revered friend. Their alliance begins with shared enemies and mutual leverage, develops through fair dealings, and becomes the foundation of Maltz’s confidence against supernatural threats 39 47 62 63 130 384.
• Lady Anna — Initially terrifies him, but he addresses her respectfully. Later accepts her presence alongside Arthur during investigations 36 38 121.
• Dico — Trusted subordinate. Maltz values his devotion to his family and offers to buy him a cat to help repair his relationship with Ellie 158.
• Scott — Reporter and friend. Their acquaintance grows through Arthur and interviews following Maltz’s promotion; Maltz trusts him with sensitive information and immediately worries about his safety after trouble at The Horn Newspaper 52 125 313.
• Chief — Maltz’s pet cat. He comforts Chief when it strikes itself with its own tail and ruefully reports that it has chewed through his bed frame 597 601.
• Cotton — Wartime comrade killed by their captain. Evidence connected to Cotton reopens Maltz’s memories of the company’s destruction 312 313.
• Bob — Old friend and fellow ally of Arthur; shares Maltz’s uncompromising attitude toward enemies 456.
• Tate — A man Maltz protects by instructing him to attribute his actions to Maltz’s orders and disclose nothing further 192.
• Woolt — Political enemy whose pursuit of the Shire District chief’s position drives Maltz into alliance with Arthur 38 39 42.
• Malinda — Arthur’s powerful associate. Maltz is unnerved by how efficiently she and Arthur devise ruthless schemes together 195 198.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Arc	Maltz’s involvement
Baby-Theft Case and Shire succession	Helps Arthur attack 14 Kirk Street, kills Audo, and maneuvers through the struggle over Woolt’s intended appointment. Subsequently becomes chief 38 39 42 47 52.
Oak Manor investigation	Supplies police manpower, checks testimony, guards Gilt, and supports Arthur’s response to suspected infiltrators and mystical threats 81 88 89.
Pine Street and Rat Council aftermath	Secures Pine Street, pressures hostile newspapers to correct their claims, and discusses future control of Rat Street and police appointments 107 109.
Jenkin investigation	Identifies the missing painter, follows Arthur’s route-reconstruction lead, and supplies evidence concerning Jenkin’s wife, apprentice, and household 114 115 121 122 125.
Camille villa cases	Arranges reinforcements, questions the household, searches the ice cellar, and investigates the later apparent locked-room killing 143 144 147.
Cotton-linked murders	Investigates the Patrick Bookshop killing independently. A House of Bette coin and Nicole’s note to Cotton lead him to suspect revenge connected to his wartime company; Arthur then invites him to a salon for answers 312 313.
Old District expansion	Takes over an incident after Arthur secures Rachellier’s agreement, expecting the evidence to enable a purge of corrupt officials and the installation of trusted officers 583.
The Eastern’s departure	His men help the Rat Street crew keep the crowded Harbor District orderly as Arthur prepares to sail 646.

Notable Quotes

“Sir, it is my greatest honor to work with you.” 62

“I didn't help at all just now. You only made use of my position, and it happened to take place here. So, to be fair, one for me, nine for you.” 63

“I'm just an old man who wants to retire, so why do they keep coming after me... heh! Then they can all die!” 45