NovelPantheon

Raphael Martinez

Crusader and commanderPaladin using divine powerHoly Empire of Yuras

Raphael Martinez is Yuras's Crusader and the commander of the Knights of the Blood Cross. Although he is more than a century old, his physical growth stopped during childhood; he is nevertheless renowned as one of the continent's strongest knights and a foremost martial servant of the Light. (Chapter 199)

Biography

Hauria and the Specter

Raphael meets Eugene Lionheart after Eugene disrupts Yuras's Saint ritual and kills much of the force defending it. Disillusioned with the church's leadership but unwavering in his faith in the Light, Raphael helps Eugene and Kristina Rogeris confront the Pope rather than try to arrest them. He later leads Yuras's forces in Hauria and subsequent campaigns, where his faith broadens into personal devotion to Eugene without weakening his divine power. Raphael serves in the Divine Army, survives the final battle, and resumes his command after the war, including the supervision and imprisonment of Hemoria. (Chapters 199–201, 469–473, 478, 488, 512, 572, and 616)

Appearance and personality

Raphael has beautiful blond hair, blue eyes, a small frame, and the face and body of a boy who has not reached puberty. His eyes instead carry the somber, world-weary expression of an old knight. He can be calm, practical, and unexpectedly candid about the church's propaganda, but he is also a severe fanatic who treats perceived blasphemy and apostasy with ruthless conviction. (Chapters 199–200 and 616)

Abilities and powers

Raphael is an exceptionally strong Paladin who channels divine power through his body and weapons. He fights with an oversized cross-shaped greatsword or a claymore and can radiate light strongly enough to destroy airborne demonic beasts while leading a cavalry charge. His four-winged pegasus Apollo provides extraordinary aerial speed and mobility, but neither rider nor mount is immune to overwhelming force; Gavid's strike knocks them both from the sky. (Chapters 469, 473, and 491)

Relationships

  • Eugene Lionheart: Raphael accepts Eugene as the Hero, later places personal faith in him, and serves under him in the Divine Army. (Chapters 199–200, 488, and 572)
  • Kristina Rogeris: Raphael respects Kristina as the Saint Candidate, taught her to use a flail, and ultimately helps protect the course she chooses. (Chapters 199–201)
  • Sergio Rogeris: Raphael knew Sergio as a powerful church leader but, after seeing the ritual's aftermath, does not seek revenge for Sergio's death. (Chapters 199–200)
  • Hemoria: Raphael spares Hemoria under strict conditions, brands her for tracking, and later confines her in Yuras's Prison of Heresy. (Chapters 478, 512, and 616)

Items

None.