Simon

Simon Tagman is a Federation of Light fleet commander who becomes one of the principal operational leaders of the three Universal Civilizations' joint forces. He manages the confrontation surrounding Sanctum revival and then commands major deployments throughout the World Tree War, coordinating conventional fleets with Han Xiao and the allied Beyond Grade As.

Biography

Sanctum Revival and the Super Crisis

Simon first appears commanding the fleet sent to the Beyond Grade A Association's defense circle during the confrontation over the newly revived historical Supers. He keeps his formation under control while waiting for instructions from the civilization leaders, then calmly orders the assembly and preheating of a Multi-Dimensional Sky Opening Transportation Device so the civilizations' direct Beyond Grade As can join the operation. His role is military rather than political: he implements the compromise reached above him, receives the reinforcements, and makes their assignment clear without prolonging the standoff. (Chapters 1300–1302)

The World Tree War

Simon helps send Han on his reconnaissance mission into World Tree territory, later directs the intercepting circle, and repeatedly translates strategic intelligence into fleet deployments. He coordinates teleportation devices, defense lines, reinforcements, and damage assessments; accepts advice from Han and other specialists; and presses the advantage when the Subduing Tree King falls. Even after the first intercepting circle is broken, he bluntly warns that replacement fortifications only treat the symptoms. During the final offensive he assigns Han command of the direct Beyond Grade As, tracks the World Tree's layered defenses, and, when Han tries to seize the Mother Tree, orders the direct forces to stop covering him and race to destroy it instead. This avoids an immediate clash with Han while still defending the civilizations' interests. (Chapters 1318, 1329–1373, 1403, and 1429–1441)

Appearance and personality

The corpus does not provide a distinctive physical description for Simon. He is normally shown in a fleet command room, studying tactical maps, radar, or the battlefield through a porthole. Calm, solemn, and economical with words, he generally treats extraordinary Supers as military assets whose capabilities must be fitted into a larger operation. He is also pragmatic enough to revise plans and ask expert advice. His restraint is not emotionlessness: after the Subduing Tree King's first death, he suppresses his excitement by smashing the command table before immediately issuing the order to increase pressure. (Chapters 1300–1302, 1331–1342, and 1356–1363)

Abilities and class

No supernatural class, personal combat grade, or individual fighting ability is established for Simon. His demonstrated expertise is command: he manages large fleet formations, coordinates forces belonging to three different civilizations, evaluates tactical star maps, schedules strategic transport devices, and responds quickly to changing battlefield conditions. His authority eventually extends to the direct troops and Beyond Grade As assigned by the three Universal Civilizations, although Han leads the superhuman spearhead during the last assault. (Chapters 1300–1302, 1330–1336, 1356–1363, and 1435–1441)

Relationships

• Han Xiao: Simon first faces Han across the association's defense line, but soon works with him as the joint forces' key specialist and frontline spearhead. He values Han's results without surrendering the civilizations' objectives, as shown by his final order to compete with him for the World Tree.
• Aurora: Simon incorporates Aurora's recovery power into the allied battle plan and witnesses how important her battlefield support becomes, while still weighing the risks of sending her to the front.
• Manison: Simon recognizes the Mechanic Emperor as a possible answer to a long-range detection problem and operates alongside the many revived and direct Beyond Grade As mobilized for the war.
• The three Universal Civilizations: Simon follows their highest authorities and speaks for their joint military structure, but he retains meaningful discretion over deployments, reinforcements, and moment-to-moment battlefield orders.

Items

Simon carries an antique replica pocket watch, which he checks while waiting for the next World Tree incursion. It is a personal timepiece rather than a supernatural artifact. His most important operational resources are the joint fleet's command systems and Multi-Dimensional Sky Opening Transportation Devices, none of which are presented as possessions unique to him. (Chapters 1301 and 1329)