Lerden

Lerden, known as the Green Knight, is a high-level Sunil mercenary and Esper whose green force-field energy can be shaped for attack or defense. His need to support the struggling Sunil civilization makes him intensely practical about money, survival, and mercenary work, eventually bringing him and other Sunil fighters into Han Xiao's organization.

Biography

The Black Star Mercenary Group

Lerden first appears aboard a passenger ship under attack by Serpent Braid's scavengers. He defends the control room for the promised reward, retreats when half of his implanted body is destroyed, and later bargains hard with Han Xiao over the captive raider and repair costs. Their contact helps lead Han Xiao to Planet Sunil, where Lerden returns for the Catastrophe, explains why mercenary income sustains his people, and joins the forward reconnaissance force. Afterward, he represents Sunil mercenaries who affiliate with the Black Star Mercenary Group and tests their strength against Han Xiao, reaching him through heavy fire before being decisively defeated. (Chapters 323–329, 337–351, 408, and 414–415)

Appearance and personality

Lerden is a pale-faced Sunil whose body is extensively replaced by mechanical implants; at least his left arm and roughly half his body are mechanical. He usually carries a cold expression and can seem almost ruthlessly rational, abandoning a losing defense rather than sacrificing himself for strangers. That reserve coexists with devotion to the Sunil civilization. His apparent stinginess is rooted in sending earnings home, though he still argues over every Ena and will not pretend that paid mercenary work is selfless heroism. (Chapters 323–329, 338, and 344)

Abilities and class

Lerden is an Esper who controls a special green energy resembling a force field. He can form it into shields, barriers, and weapons such as a spear, protecting himself or a group while attacking at close range. His mechanical implants add armor, propulsion, and an integrated laser cannon, and severed pain nerves let him keep fighting despite damage. The implants cannot generate the energy his Esper power consumes, however, so prolonged combat strains him and can exhaust his defenses. (Chapters 323–327, 344, and 415)

Relationships

• Han Xiao: Lerden's meeting with Han Xiao points Black Star toward the Sunil crisis. Their initially transactional dealings grow into cooperation when Han Xiao helps the civilization and later brings Sunil mercenaries into his group.
• Herlous: Herlous and Lerden are fellow Sunils who support their endangered people through combat. Herlous helps supervise the later test in which Lerden and the other mercenaries challenge Han Xiao.
• Serpent Braid: Lerden fights the scavenger leader aboard the passenger ship and believes he could match him alone, but concentrated supporting fire damages Lerden's implanted body and forces his retreat.

Items

No separately named personal artifact is established for Lerden. His mechanical body is fitted with armor, propulsion, and a transforming left-arm laser cannon, but these implants are integrated parts of him rather than named equipment. His green shields and weapons come from his Esper ability, not carried devices.