Balzeride Kreutzer

Balzeride Kreutzer (バルゼリッド・クロイツァー Baruzeriddo Kuroitsa) was one of the members of the renowned House Kreutzer of the Four Nobles of the New Kingdom. He was also Krulcifer Einfolk's would-be fiancee in his plot in becoming New Kingdom's next king. He revealed that he was working for Hayes Vi Arcadia. Unfortunately, after his defeat by Lux Arcadia, he was betrayed and killed by Hayes

Appearance
Balzeride was a tall and thin man with shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes and a handsome appearance. He often wore a red overcoat with golden embroidery.

Personality
As an ambitious aristocrat, Balzeride prided himself as someone who would eventually rule the New Kingdom. He was also arrogant, considering himself to be the best Drag-Knight in the kingdom even though his strength came from the Drag-Ride he bought. Despite being part of the New Kingdom, he shares the Old Empire's belief that women are no more than tools for men to use.

Background
Sometime before the present, Balzeride purchased the Divine Drag-Ride Aži Dahāka from the arms dealer Hayes Vi Arcadia. Using this Drag-Ride, he attained the third rank in the tournament of the New Kingdom's capital.

Ymir Nobility Arc
Balzeride first appears at a bar in Cross Field to meet his prospective fiance. Krulcifer is very much against the engagement and introduces Lux Arcadia, her existing lover (unknown to Balzeride, this is an act that Krulcifer and Lux are putting on). Balzeride insults Lux and asks if the engagement should be postponed because of a man like him. This causes Lisesharte Atismata, also present in the bar, to interject on Lux's behalf, so Balzeride retorts that strength as a Drag-Knight is essential. Krulcifer seizes on these words and says that Lux also has this strength. Balzeride proposes settling the dispute with a duel between himself and Lux. Krulcifer suggests making it a two vs. two duel with herself and Alterize also participating. Balzeride agrees, sets the date of the duel to be the night three days later, and leaves.

Later in his mansion, Balzeride meets with Hayes. He confirms that the Drag-Ride he bought from her is powerful. Hayes brings up the topic of marrying Krulcifer and reveals that she is the one who wants Balzeride to do this. She explains that Krulcifer is the key to unlock the Ruins. Balzeride agrees and Hayes leaves. Alone, Balzeride says that the country's next king will be him.

Balzeride inserts himself into an expedition by the Knight Squadron to investigate the Ruin Garden. He claims that he is simply here to help and that they won't be held responsible if he gets hurt. However, the others are still wary of his presence. During the expedition, they are attacked by a Diabolos, a powerful Abyss. Balzeride helps fight it off, but he secretly steals the Divine Raiment of Krulcifer's Drag-Ride to make her look weak and himself look better.

Balzeride returns to his mansion and meets with Hayes again. He tells her that he now understands how Krulcifer is a key to the Ruins. Hayes offers to sell him a medicine that will make Krulcifer docile, but he refuses as he wants to make her yield with his own efforts. Hayes asks if he can win the upcoming duel and Balzeride responds that he would win even if he was fighting the Black Hero. This leads Hayes to offer to sell information on the Black Hero's identity and Divine Raiment.

The night of the duel arrives. Krulcifer arrives at the duel alone, having left Lux behind to avoid troubling him further. Despite Balzeride having Alterize on his side, Krulcifer puts up a good fight against the two of them. However, Balzeride steals her Divine Raiment and turns the situation around. Without allowing Alterize to hear, he reveals to Krulcifer that he was responsible for all of the previous events: proposing the engagement in order to get access to her; sending bandits after her; and summoning the Diabolos at Garden. He tells Krulcifer to give up, only to be interrupted by the arrival of Lux (who is wearing Bahamut). Balzeride laughs at Lux for revealing his identity as the Black Hero. Alterize is quickly defeated by Lux, after which Balzeride drains her energy to replenish his own. Balzeride clashes with Lux and, by threatening Krulcifer, is able to steal Lux's Divine Raiment. He tells Lux that he must win and obtain Krulcifer for the sake of the New Kingdom, since only he can stop the imminent threat of a Ragnarok. However, Lux is ultimately able to defeat him, using a powerful attack that also destroys Balzeride's Drag-Ride. Unwilling to give up, Balzeride calls in his private army to kill all witnesses and abduct Krulcifer, only to discover that his army has already been defeated by the Knight Squadron. Balzeride attempts to flee, but is stopped by a shot from Krulcifer.

As a result of his crimes, Balzeride was sentenced to at least five years in prison. However, no horn flute (the artefact needed to summon Abyss) was found in his possession.

Celistia Arc
Balzeride is later visited in prison by Hayes. He thinks she has come to save him and begins talking about how he can regain his power. Suddenly, an Abyss grows out of his body, killing him in an agonising manner. Hayes scolds him for getting Aži Dahāka destroyed and then leaves.

Abilities
Balzeride was a skilled Drag-Knight capable of fighting against the likes of Krulcifer Einfolk or Lux Arcadia. However, it should be noted that much of his success against other Drag-Knights was due to stealing their energy and abilities using his Divine Raiment.

Azi Dahaka
Balzeride used the land battle type Divine Drag-Ride Aži Dahāka.

Barrier: Aži Dahāka possesses a three-layered barrier that, combined with its heavy armour, makes it very durable. Balzeride could improve his durability further by using Avesta to steal the Divine Raiments or special armaments of other Drag-Rides.

Halberd: A heavy weapon intended for close-range combat. By using Avesta to steal Fafnir's Divine Raiment Wise Blood, Balzeride could also use the halberd as an accurate throwing weapon.

Devil's Glow: Aži Dahāka's special armament, this is a pair of shoulder-mounted cannons which fires explosive shells.

Avesta (千の魔術(アヴェスタ)> - One Thousand Magic (Avesta): Aži Dahāka's Divine Raiment, which allows its user to steal the energy, Divine Raiments and special armaments of other Drag-Rides. By draining energy, Balzeride could fight for prolonged periods while also weakening his opponents. This powerful Divine Raiment is the reason why Balzeride could become one of the top Drag-Knights of the New Kingdom. However, it does have its limits: if multiple Divine Raiments are copied and used at once, their power and accuracy will decrease.