Hearst

Hearst (エーアスト) is the first apostle that was created by Tortus's God. As such, she is not a living being, but rather more akin to a sentient doll whose main job is to remove any unnecessary or unneeded pieces from her lord's game. Like many other apostles, she works in the Holy Church as a nun. During the age of the Liberators, she had assumed the role of church's Divine Priestess Ainz Arsalk (アインス・アルサーク).

Thousands of years later, when the heroes of Earth were summoned to Tortus, Hearst assisted the demons in their war against humanity, until she was eventually killed by Shea Haulia.

Hearst later transfers her consciousness into one of Hajime's "Arachnae" spider golems, as well as calling herself "Etemp" (エガリ).

Appearance
Hearst is a beautiful woman with long silver hair and blue eyes with a monotonic expression. After Ehit empowers her while in Yue's body, Hearst's hair and eyes become platinum.

She wears a combat outfit which consists of a white sleeveless dress which has metal plates covering both sides of her waist as well as a winged helmet on her head, gauntlets on her arms and graves over her legs.

After her trip to Fairy World, Hearst is capable of reconstituting her original body at will, which also includes six fairy wings.

Personality
Hearst is an expressionless woman, who is blunt to whomever she is speaking to. She often speaks with a very monotonic voice.

After she transfers herself into Hajime's arachnae spider golem, Hearst's personality drastically changes. She becomes a lot more emotional and will express what she is feeling through various physical gesture due to her inability to communicate verbally. She also becomes more mischievous in teasing others on occasion.

"Zero" Timeline
One day, while working as a nun, Hearst came into physical contact with thee Holy Church's divine priestess Belta Lievre. Thanks to Belta's special magic "Divination", she was able to see the true horrifying nature of both her and Ehit. After Ehit briefly spoke to Belta telepathically of "discarding her like an unwanted toy", she was tabbed through the chest by Hearst. However, Belta survived thanks to the intervention of thee future Holy Templar Knights Commander Laus Barn. Hearst was aware of what had happened, but did not do anythiing in the hopes that these events would provide Ehit with some amusement in the future.

Over ten years later, Hearst confronted Miledi Reisen when the latter infiltrated the Holy Church's Main Cathedral in order to ascertain whether what she learned about the apostle from Belta (who was killed while spying on Miledi's family) was the truth. In the end, Miledi was barely able to escape with her life.

Hearst traveled to the Crimson Desert to find and eliminate Naiz Gruen Caliente, because he wasn't a suitable piece for her lord's game. While on her way, she coincidentally came across Miledi and Oscar Orcus, who were along with Susha and Yunfa Liv Doumibral. She immediately launched an attack at both Miledi and Oscar, with Miledi barely able to rescue and send Susha and Yunfa away from the battle area. Hearst's power was clearly on a different level, as both Miledi and Oscar had a difficulty time countering her, and were close to getting killed, but the timely arrival of Naiz saved them and gave them enough time to reorganize and restart the battle again.

But the battle didn't go that well, as even after smashing her with a magma ball thrown at high speed from the sky, Hearst was able to withstand the attack, and only lost one arm and had partial damaged all over her body. She was going to continue her fight, but withdrew as she was ordered by Noint to return.

Later on, at the Grand Cathedral, Hearst was informing about her encounter to an unknown being, and afterwards all her damage was repaired by the light from the unknown being. Later, she and many Apostles who looked identical like her, flew away in different directions as ordered.

After the church's forces were defeated by Miledi's group at Andika, the Liberators, all of its high ranking members were discussing on how best to confront them. It was then that Pope Lucifer Slaine Elbard arrived and was accompanied by Hearst, who was using the alias "Ainz Arsalk", and explained that she was Ehit's oracle, much to everyone's shock. Hearst revealed the importance of the members of the Liberators that were in possession of Ancient Magic, and also revealed the location of one of the last remaining individuals who was in possession of another form of Ancient Magic in the beastman nation, the Haltina Republic, that was located in Pale Forest. This prompted the church to declare war with the republic in order to capture the Ancient Magic user and align them over to Ehit's side.

When the church's war against the Haltina Republic ended in failure, thanks once again to the Liberators, Laus encountered Hearst at the Main Cathedral after arriving there in order to take his family and escape with them. Laus was shocked to see Hearst due to witnessing Miledi having killed a woman that looked exactly like her during the church's war with the beastmen. Hearst revealed that Miledi had actually killed her fellow apostle Ahat (Laus being unaware that there was more than one of them in existence. Hearst then asked Laus to use his magic to essentially brainwash a certain child into becoming a devoted follower of Ehit. It was then revealed that the child in question was Laus' own son Sharm after he was being escorted in a severely injured stated by the church's knights after having managed to resisted all other attempt to brainwash him. His family also accompanied him, and was even beaten by his mother Ricolis. Hearst then grabbed Sharm by his hair and used her own hypnosis magic on him in order to demonstrate his ability to resist it to Laus. Sharm desperately resisted Hearst's magic, while begging his father to save him. This prompted Laus to immediately attack Hearst and the knights order to rescue his son. He unleashed a wave of mana so powerful that is repelled her enough to cause her to crash into the church's windows. Laus then healed Sharm with his magic and handed him off to his personal knight Reinheit Ashe so that the two of them could escape while he would stall the church's forces. Hearts returned moments later and was prepared to fight Laus. Ultimately, Laus managed to escape from Hearst and the church's knights, but that the cost of his left arm.

After the squad that the church assigned to kill Laus, among them being Laus' two older sons Kaime and Selm, failed in their mission, Lucifer conferred with Hearst in order to determine their next move. Hearst decreed to give Laus' sons another chance to kill their father in order to further entertain Ehit, and that everything that had transpired since her failed execution of Belta Lievre was for the sake of their god's amusement. Lucifer expressed joy that Ehit was satisfied with the current situation. Hearst then told him to prepare for the Liberators' attack against the church, and ordered a member of the paladins that was guarding the pope to have her forces capture a list of the their allies that Hearst gave her telepathically, to use as bait. Lucifer then departed in order to attend a meeting with the other members of the church.

One month after the church's paladins captured their targets, on the day that they were to be executed, Lucifer gathered his forces to prepare for the Liberators' attack against them. As they all presented themselves in the church's throne room, Hearst, along with ten more apostles, suddenly appeared through a pillar of light. Lucifer reported the situation to Hearst, to which she expressed her approval and then ordered everyone to carry out their duty for Ehit's entertainment.

"Main Series" Timeline
Heart was present with the army of apostles who went along with Freid Bagwa and Eri Nakamura to confront Hajime Nagumo and his group outside the exit of the Labyrinth in the Schnee Snow Fields, and waited there to invite them to the Demon Empire Garland. While Hajime and Freid were arguing with regards to him arriving unarmed, Hearst told Freid to not waste time with an unnecessary issue due to believing that she and the other apostles were stronger. She then warned Hajime to not make any attempts to attack during their visit, as all the Apostles had analyzed his previous fight with Noint, and had managed to get a thorough understanding of his abilities. Even after saying all that, Hajime could see that she was on the edge during their interaction.

During the battle against Ehit, Hearst and four other apostles, with their evolved and strengthened powers, faced-off against Shea Haulia during the battle in the Sanctuary. All of them were defeated and their bodies destroyed by Shea after she was able to achieve her "Level X" in her "Body Strengthening" Skill.

"After Story" Timeline
After getting killed by Shea, Hearst's spirit had survived and had implanted itself in one of Hajime's Arachnee spider golems, as was going by the name "Etemp".

Once she arrived in the Fairy World, she made a transformation into a fairy when the accumulated thought element stored within her from the prayers and thoughts of the inhabitants of Tortus interacted with the World Tree of the Fairy World. The thought element includes her experiences with Miledi, which greatly influenced her personality.

Ehit
Hearst was absolutely loyal to Ehit and would carry out his orders without hesitation. Although all apostles were created equally, Hearst is considered to be her creator's favourite due to being the first one.

Hajime Nagumo
Hearst was initially Hajime's enemy, but after she transferred herself into Hajime's Arachnae golem, she is now loyal to him. However, she along with Noint would get on his nerves when they both imitated Miledi. Hearst even went as far as to show herself naked.

Shea Haulia
Hearst was killed by her during the decisive battle with Ehit. After knowing she revived, Shea felt suspicious of her.

Miledi Reisen
Hearst had a special attachment to Miledi due to being the first person that she failed to kill. As a result, she modelled her personality to be like Miledi's after obtaining a sense of individuality after Ehit's death.

Noint
A fellow apostle as well as Hearst's superior. After Noint was defeated, Hearst took the command of Ehit's apostle forces. Currently, the two get into small quarrels that center around each other trying to outdo the other into being the most useful to Hajime.

Kousuke Endou
Both Hearst and Noint worked together with him in the battle against Mother. She also frequently teases him by bringing up his Abyss Lord persona.

Myu
Hearst was assigned to be Myu's bodyguard by Hajime. Hearst is very respectful towards Myu and vows to protect her from harm. Even so, she still displays her newly awakened personality and constantly acts as flashy as possible. Myu suspects that Hajime actually assigned Hearst to guard her so that he would not have to put up with her antics.

Physical Abilities

 * True Apostle Physiology - Due to being created by Ehit to be his enforcer, Hearst is imbued with abilities beyond those most living beings on Tortus, including the heroes that Ehit summoned from Earth to participate in his game.
 * Immense Strength - Hearst possesses inhuman physical strength beyond what most humans are capable off.
 * Immense Speed - Hearst can move so fast that she's seem invisible to the naked eye.
 * Immense Durability - Not being a living being, Hearst can take large amounts of damage without being impaired. Only a fatal blow to her head or crystal-like heart can kill her as when her head was smashed by Shea and her Wirr Drucken as a result of Hearst's death.
 * Master Swordswoman - Hearst's swordsmanship is at superhuman levels.

Magical Abilities

 * Unlimited Mana Reserves - Hearst's heart is a special mana crystal that gives her unlimited mana. It does not, however, provide unlimited stamina for her.

Skills

 * Twin Greatswords Proficiency - A skill that increases the proficiency of wielding two swords.
 * Disintegration - A skill that can melt anything.
 * All Elemental Affinity - A skill to use all kinds of magic.
 * Spell Mending - A skill to fuse any types of magic.
 * Mana Manipulation - A skill to directly manipulate mana and use spells without the need of a magic circle or an incantation.
 * Charm - A special type of hypnosis magic via eye contact.
 * Limit Break - A skill to go over one's limits; amplifying their power by three times one's basic stats, but this power comes with a rebound - once used the user will be heavily fatigued. Using it for long periods of time will damage the user's body.

Spells/Attacks

 * Hellfire Tsunami -  An advanced level fire spell that summons a tsunami of fire.

Weapons & Equipment

 * Twin Great-swords - A pair of two-meter-long hilt-less longswords.
 * Silver Wings - A pair of wings that can fire a barrage of very strong feathers.

Quotes

 * (To Miledi & Oscar): "I am one of God’s Apostles— Hearst. My duty is to rid my lord’s game board of undesirable pieces."
 * (To the leaders of the Holy Church): "When revolution comes to the world, Seven Children of God shall appear. Their ancient talents shall bring either ruin or rebirth. Prepare yourselves, for a storm is coming."
 * (To Shea): "What is this feeling welling up within me? I feel as though there’s something heavy within my chest, but at the same time, I want to scream. Shea Haulia...do you know what this feeling is?"
 * (To Shea): "I hate you."
 * (To everyone): "It’s Etemp-san yo!!"
 * (To Kousuke): "No, Super Britain Hero, the personification of the bottomless darkness Lord Abyssgate. We couldn’t talk or anything you know?"
 * (To Kousuke Endou while referring to Kouki): "To suddenly ask me to call you by name like that……filthy. Are you a hero from somewhere?"

Trivia

 * Hearst's name may be based on the word "erste," which is German for "first."
 * "Etemp" is a combination of the words "Earst" (エ) + "Temporary" (ガリ).
 * In the Web Novel, Hearst's role of accompanying Freid to meet with Hajime at the Schnee Snow Fields had originally been given to Ahat. This was changed in the light novel, due to Ahat having been killed by Miledi Reisen in Volume 4 of the "Zero" Series.