Bize

Bize is one of the legendary Gods of Wine, Aubert de Villaine's estranged partner, and an unaffiliated Paragon. First named through the history of Earth's great vintners, she later appears as Granny Bess and becomes the figure who explains and activates Zhou Qianlin's Queen of Heaven inheritance.

Biography

Pride, separation, and reconciliation

Bize and Aubert once worked together at the DRC, developing new biological methods of winemaking. Bize left after Aubert, misled by jealousy, used her sister to force her out; Aubert believed she loved Henri Jayer, while Bize had actually studied Jayer's methods to help Aubert become the greatest vintner. Their mutual pride allowed the misunderstanding to last three centuries. Bize survives that span through an expensive suspended state that reduces her body's consumption, searches for Aubert with the Clairvoyant's help, and spends a century constructing the Arrow of Compassion after learning that Aubert has fallen into corruption. When the arrow purges his evil and responds to his remorse, both acknowledge their fault and reconcile. (Chapters 69, 359–368)

Guardian of the Queen of Heaven inheritance

The Clairvoyant also asks Bize to intervene in the linked destinies of Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin. Using their altruistic blood to complete the Arrow of Compassion, she activates the mark left when Qianlin's Mystic Raiment saved Lan Jue and binds their Disciplines so that they can merge and eventually cross into Paragon together. Bize explains the Queen of Heaven's Silkworm Dharma, identifies Qianlin as her protégé, and warns Lan Jue that their shared advancement and moral conduct now constrain his choices. She then entrusts the arrow to him, stressing that it seals evil rather than kills and has only a few uses remaining. (Chapters 366–368, 370, 375–386)

When the alien war threatens to erase humanity, Bize leaves Aubert to join the Paragon vanguard so their accumulated knowledge will still have people to inherit it. She later brings Aubert into the final defense. The two Gods of Wine sacrifice themselves together against the three-headed avatar, crippling it enough for the remaining Paragons to finish the battle. Although their mortal bodies disappear, the epilogue shows both in the Immortal Realm, once again growing grapes and attempting to create an unmatched wine. (Chapters 733–740, 818, 894, 903)

Appearance and personality

Bize normally appears as a stooped elderly woman with white hair, sharp eyes, and a severe voice. Her long fingernails are lacquered red, a detail that becomes deadly in battle. She is proud, blunt, and capable of carrying resentment for centuries, but she is also honest about her share of the blame and fiercely protective of her protégé. Her treatment of Aubert after their reconciliation mixes stern teasing with genuine restored affection. (Chapters 364–368, 733, 740)

Disciplines and abilities

Compassion and sealing

Bize is a Paragon with deep knowledge of ancient compassionate techniques and the Queen of Heaven lineage. The Arrow of Compassion, which she constructs from rare materials and altruistic blood, can purge corruption and temporarily seal evil but cannot kill a target. Its creation takes a century, its use depends on morally suitable blood, and Bize says only a few activations remain when she gives it to Lan Jue. Her expertise also lets her complete the blood-and-Discipline bond between Lan Jue and Qianlin and explain its benefits and restrictions. (Chapters 364–370)

Crimson attacks

In direct battle Bize projects crimson energy through claw-like hand movements. The streaks left by her red nails lengthen into cutting blades capable of dismembering groups of aliens, while her final union with Aubert becomes a red-and-purple spear of sacrificial protogenia. The latter destroys her mortal body and is therefore not a repeatable combat technique. (Chapters 740, 894)

Relationships

• Aubert: Aubert is Bize's former partner and lifelong love. Jealousy and pride separate them for three centuries, but the Arrow of Compassion verifies his remorse and allows them to reunite, fight, die, and cultivate grapes together in the Immortal Realm. (Chapters 361, 364–368, 818, 894, 903)
• Zhou Qianlin: Bize calls Qianlin her protégé, explains the Queen of Heaven lineage, and protects the moral and cultivation conditions surrounding her bond with Lan Jue. (Chapters 367–368)
• Lan Jue: Bize uses Lan Jue's blood in the Arrow of Compassion, binds his Discipline to Qianlin's, teaches him the consequences of that connection, and entrusts the arrow to him. (Chapters 364–370)
• Clairvoyant: The Clairvoyant helps Bize search for Aubert, teaches her how to construct the arrow, and arranges her intervention in Lan Jue and Qianlin's future. (Chapters 366–367)
• Wine Master: The Wine Master recognizes Bize as a God of Wine, helps move Beaune, and later persuades her to join humanity's vanguard. (Chapters 364–368, 733–734)

Items

No separately cataloged item is associated with Bize in the approved manifest.