Gahard D. Hoelscher

Gahard D. Hoelscher (ガハルド D. ヘルシャー) is the emperor of the Hoelscher Empire.

Appearance
Even though Gahard was already in his late fifties, he looked like ten years younger and possess a vitality and energy of a man twenty years below him. He has a lustrous silver-grey hair, sharp gaze, and bulging muscles.

Personality
He is fickle, acts deceived by circumstances (as in the simulated match against Kouki); and consider Kouki a wide mouth but in the end as an incomprehensible one. He too, like Hajime, knows how to be careful about the Pope. He is attracted to attracted to Shizuku even going as far as asking her to become his lover.

After the events of the failed engagement party he advises all of his underlings to free the slaves proving he believes in the "strength reigns supreme" doctrine his country was based upon. He is impressed by Hajime's items such as airship Fernir and the weapons they used in the Legendary Great War, as such he's described as a child with brand new toys.

Abilities

 * Expert Swordsmanship: Gaharudo is able to keep with Kouki in a duel. He claims to his subjects that he held back in order to test the young hero's skills in battle.

Relationships

 * Hajime Nagumo - Gaharudo is impressed with Hajime's power and tries everything in his power to recruit him. He even goes so far as to offer his own daughter to Hajime.
 * Shizuku Yaegashi - Gaharudo is infatuated with Shizuku and has propositioned her to be his mistress.
 * Kouki Amanogawa - Gaharudo considers Kouki to be a loud-mouthed and immature child that is unworthy of his title of "Hero".