Ivic Slad
Ivic Slad is the head of the Slad Mercenary Company and the current holder of the title Mercenary King. Regarded as Shimuin's second-ranked warrior despite being excluded from the kingdom's knightly hierarchy, he commands the flagship Formeri and a network of affiliated mercenary companies. (Chapters 353–356, 371, and 509)
Biography
Shimuin and the Demon King of Fury
Ivic joins Shimuin's campaign against Iris as its foremost mercenary commander, bringing information about the Pirate Empress and openly distrusting Ortus's plans. Once Iris becomes the Demon King of Fury, he refuses the safer option of waiting behind: reputation, experience, and the chance to make the Mercenary King's career legendary matter enough for him to accept the risk of death. From the Formeri's mast he protects the priests and expeditionary fleet with sustained long-range fire, later shooting at Iris despite recognizing that the battle far exceeds his own level. His blunt arrow pushes Ortus away from a lethal attack, turning their rivalry into grudging battlefield cooperation. He later leads mercenaries in the wider war and, after learning Eugene's former identity, apologizes for his old judgment of Hamel rather than avoiding the issue. (Chapters 353–375, 473, and 509–510)
Appearance and personality
Ivic has short golden hair, a dewy complexion, and a leaner build than the story's largest warriors; later scenes also describe his sun-darkened skin. The giant bow carried across his back is the most striking part of his silhouette. He is sly, theatrical, and conscious of his fans, but his humor does not erase a mercenary's instincts or pride. He values contracts, trust, honor, and professional reputation, can recognize when he is outclassed, and continues fighting even after that realization strips away much of his earlier confidence. (Chapters 353–356, 364, 371, and 509)
Abilities and powers
Ivic is an elite all-round combatant who uses sword, spear, and bow. His first exchange with Carmen Lionheart shows quick sword work and an immediate retreat after a parry, while his battlefield experience lets him notice that disguised attendants are not ordinary servants even when he cannot penetrate Sienna's magic. His exact mana-training method and named close-combat techniques are not established. (Chapters 353–355)
Archery is his strongest and most trusted specialty. From the Formeri's mast he surveys engagements at sea, silently fires arrows that divide into dozens of shards, and repeatedly snipes transformed dark elves while retaining enough awareness to reassess the central fight. His accuracy also permits support shots rather than only lethal fire, as shown when an unsharpened arrow strikes and displaces Ortus without piercing him. Against Iris, however, the gap in speed eventually becomes so great that Ivic can see the battlefield as a whole but cannot follow its individual movements, establishing the limit of even his exceptional range and perception. (Chapters 371–375)
Relationships
- Carmen Lionheart: Ivic met Carmen about forty years before the Shimuin expedition. After losing their first clash, he accepted her as his “big sis”; their bond persists through sparring, gifts, teasing, and mutual respect for one another's strength. (Chapters 354–356)
- Eugene Lionheart: Ivic initially meets Eugene under a disguise and later witnesses his battle against Fury. Once Eugene's identity as Hamel becomes public, Ivic apologizes for having repeated an unflattering view of the old mercenary, and Eugene asks him to correct the profession's distorted stories. (Chapters 354–375 and 509–510)
- Ortus Hyman: Ivic and Ortus distrust and provoke one another because they represent competing mercenary and knightly values. Their shared campaigns make them comrades without making them friends, and Ivic saves Ortus during the battle against Fury. (Chapters 354–375 and 509)
Items
None.