Yoruka Kirihime

Yoruka Kirihime (切姫 夜架 Kirihime Yoruka) is one of the female protagonists of Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut. She was the princess of the fallen nation of Koto, later becoming an assassin for the Old Arcadia Empire and finally becoming a student of the New Kingdom's Royal Officer Academy after Hayes' manipulation of her.

At the end of the series, she married Lux Arcadia and became one of the five queens of the New Kingdom.

Appearance
Yoruka is a slim girl with waist-length black hair and her most interesting trait is her heterochromatic eyes: her right eye is blue and her left eye is purple.

She wears a black yukata which is tied by a red obi around her waist.

Personality
Yoruka is a cute ruthless assassin when it's necessary who also has the sharpest instinct and hunch among the girls that love Lux. When she is serving her "master", she is kind yet still has an evil air to her but is super cute and truly love Lux and is ready to die for him.

Yoruka isn't introverted but she initially had trouble adapting to an ordinary life. She snuck away from class to guard Lux Arcadia, didn't try to work with others during training, ignored regulations on when to sleep or wake up, carried hidden weapons and didn't change her ways when scolded. She starts to change after a talk with Lux.

Her emotion was only shown toward Lux and her killed brother.

Background
Yoruka was born as Yoruka Habakiri (葉切 夜架 Habakiri Yoruka) where she is the princess of the nation of Koto who possessed a natural talent for killing. At the age of five, a male assassin was sent by a noble's concubine to kill her, but Yoruka killed him with a bamboo skewer to the throat. Due to this, she was disowned by her father (hence her current surname of Kirihime) and lost her status as princess of the country. Yoruka's father later died from sickness, resulting in her younger brother succeeded the throne. However, Yoruka's fighting skills allowed her to join the royal guard for her brother. Yoruka's brother tried his best to treat her like a human rather than a weapon. Yoruka and her brother swore oaths: she to protect him, and he to become a splendid lord.

At some point, Yoruka noticed that the chief vassals planned on exploiting her younger brother. She considered killing them but decided not to. Lux suggests that Yoruka's brother may have stopped her.

Koto got into a dispute with the Old Arcadia Empire over trade resources, which eventually led to open war. The Empire's forces were able to surround the castle of Koto while Yoruka was outside it. To protect her brother's life, Yoruka chose to swear an oath to become an assassin for the Empire. However, the chief vassals of Koto had already given up the war due to the greater strength of the Empire. They laid the blame on Yoruka's brother, killed him by decapitation and presented his head to the Empire.

Yoruka performed various tasks for the Old Empire: assassinating political enemies, destroying rebel forces, and eliminating groups of Abyss. However, she was eventually imprisoned on an uninhabited island that served as a penal colony. She spent several years hibernating in a Pod, during which she did not age and the Old Empire was overthrown and replaced with the New Kingdom Atismata. She also held onto her Sword Device throughout her hibernation.

After five years of hibernation, Yoruka was woken up by Hayes Vi Arcadia, who introduced herself as someone connected to the Old Empire. Hayes told her how to use the prison facility and that a noble called Dobar Fest (the manager of the island) would come in a few days. Hayes also asked why Yoruka had held onto the Sword Device, to which Yoruka replied that she needed it to be herself. Yoruka underwent Baptism on her left eye and spent the remaining time training. When Dobar arrived, Yoruka showed her strength to him and he took her to Ries Island without informing Hayes.

Ries Island Arc
Dobar shows off Yoruka to his group of mercenaries. One of the mercenaries doubts her identity, so Yoruka proves herself by pressing a sword to his neck. She then accompanies the group on their expeditions into the Ruin Ark.

Yoruka is then ordered to break the door of the Abyss manufacturing facility within Ark (in an attempt to wipe out the competing expedition by the Knight Squadron). When Dobar talks about this later on, Yoruka notices that Airi is eavesdropping and reveals her to the group. Dobar confirms that none of Airi's allies are nearby and orders Yoruka to kill Airi. Yoruka hesitates, claiming that she's reluctant to kill someone of the family she swore her loyalty to, so Dobar orders his mercenaries to do it instead. Yoruka kills Dobar and his group, revealing that she was only pretending to cooperate with them. She then asks Airi if Lux is here, but Airi lies and says he is somewhere else. Yoruka sees through this, but decides to leave and visit Lux later.

Yoruka Arc
Yoruka sneaks into an infirmary in Cross Field to see the sleeping Lux. He wakes up, but Yoruka notes that he's tired and decides to come back later. Her parting words are that she will take back the Old Empire with her own hands.

Before visiting Lux again, Yoruka decides to participate in a Drag-Knight tournament in the capital so that he will recognise her true strength. She easily defeats the top-ranking Drag-Knights.

Yoruka later sneaks into the Royal Officer Academy just as Airi and Noct are warning Lux about her. She formally introduces and declares her intention to become Lux's servant. The academy guards notice and chase after her. Yoruka asks Lux to order her to remove the nuisance, but Lux instead tells her to leave without injuring the guards and that they'll talk later. Yoruka obeys, but she returns to follow Lux throughout the day, even following him into the bathroom.

They have a proper conversation at nightfall. Yoruka talks about her past, then asks Lux when he plans on taking over the country and reinstating the Old Empire. With firm determination, Lux refuses to do anything of the sort. Celis suddenly appears and begins fighting with Yoruka, followed shortly after by Lisha, Krulcifer and Philuffy. Yoruka uses Spell Code to take over their Drag-Rides. The fight attracts the attention of the citizens, so Yoruka decides to escape. She tells Lux that she will continue trying to restore the Old Empire, even if this goes against his wishes.

Yoruka meets with Hayes at an abandoned building. They talk about how the events on Ries Island, then Hayes gives her a letter containing their plan. Yoruka accepts the letter and leaves.

Lux goes on a series of dates, during which Yoruka secretly follows him and eliminates all of the assassins being sent to kill him (as she wants to kill him herself). She approaches Lux after he finishes his date with Philuffy, and explains what she's done. Lux asks her to walk around the city with him. Yoruka explains more about her past, then repeats her intention to restore the Old Empire. Lux asks if she was responsible for an earlier incident (a New Kingdom Drag-Knight suddenly attacking one from the Vanheim Principality), but Yoruka claims to not know what he's talking about. Yoruka says that Lux is similar to herself, then tells him that her protection ends here and that he shouldn't die until she can kill him (and vice versa), and finally leaves.

Hayes begins attacking the city using the mobile Ruin Gigas. Atop the right shoulder of Gigas, Yoruka is confronted by Lux. Although he is now certain that Yoruka wasn't responsible for the previous incident, he still chooses to fight her, since he can't bypass without fighting and he also wishes to save her. In the ensuing fight, Yoruka demonstrates that she can also use the three secret Drag-Knight techniques, having created them independently of Lux. Neither is able to get the upper hand. Yoruka says that she has avoided aiming for a mutual defeat as she can't let herself die, since she plans on raising Airi to become ruler after killing Lux. She reveals more about her past, including how she and her brother swore oaths to protect each other. She then reveals her trump card, using Instant Strike to land hits on Lux. Just as Lux is about to be defeated, Lisha comes to his rescue.

Hayes, who is Lisha's opponent, begins attacking the city directly. Yoruka shows no fear even though Hayes and Gigas may soon destroy the city, and she notices that Lux also isn't afraid. Lux asks about what happened to Yoruka's brother, so she reveals how he was killed. The two of them clash a final time, and Yoruka is defeated, much to her shock. Lux explains that he was able to predict her movement because she showed emotion for the first time. Yoruka disparages herself for still having emotions, then falls from the shoulder of Gigas, expecting to die. To her surprise, Lux saves her. He explains why he originally destroyed the Old Empire. Yoruka has a change of heart and tells him the shortest route to Gigas' control room.

Lisha and Lux work together to defeat Hayes, then head to Gigas' control room where they encounter El Fajura, who attempts to destroy the city. However, Yoruka kills El Fajura before she can do so. With this, the battle is over.

Yoruka then sneaks into Lux's new room in the Royal Officer Academy to welcome him back and announce her intention to serve him. She also attempts to seduce Lux, wanting him to make an heir in case something unexpected happens. Lisha happens to come in at that moment, interrupting them.

Class Promotion Exam Arc
With Relie's help, Yoruka is enrolled into the Royal Officer Academy. She runs into Lux, currently being pursued by girls who've mistaken him for a peeping tom, and helps him avoid them by giving him her uniform and kissing him, so the pursuing girls are embarrassed and go away. Yoruka then tells Lux to wait here while she helps retrieve Lux's Sword Device (which was mistakenly taken by another student).

Mel Arc
In order to gather information from the Ruins, Lux plans to go to the Ymir Theocracy with Krulcifer. He asks Yoruka to do his chores until he returns. Though she has trouble doing her task (for example, she gives Lisha tea that is unfiltered and tastes bad). Eventually, the other girls confront her and Yoruka explains the situation to them.

Campus Festival Arc
After the assembly reached conclusion, Yoruka is ordered to go on patrol and record every suspicious move she notices. When she has done spying, she came to report it to Lux while he was taking a bath.

Dating Arc
Instructor Raigree meets Lux to discuss Yoruka's impolite and abnormal behaviour. She wants Lux to take care of Yoruka because she had introduced herself as his loyal servant.

To solve the problem, Lux has to take a seat next to Yoruka and pay attention to her until the class is over. When they have a Drag-Ride training session, Yoruka attacks another student to protect Lux. Lux resolves himself to punish Yoruka, but he can't after learning the truth about the previous incident.

Singlen Arc
It has already been night but Yoruka has not done training. With her instinct, she somehow had noticed Singlen Shelbrit was scheming something threatening her Lord, observing Lux when they fought Metatron or even before he had arrived and issued Dragon Paladin whom represented from Atismata Kingdom. She also knew she is weaker than him. However, Yoruka really thinks her mission is but to serve Lux, so she has to kill him. Yoruka has planned to carry out her plan to kill Singlen even though she has already estimated her winning chance is low.

During the aide exchange, Yoruka participates Lux Contest in academy. She will compete against the aide from Vanheim, Coral Esther. The competition has three matches: Disguising as weak girl competition, Bare-handed fighting competition and Drag-ride duel.

Several days after that, Yoruka and Lux go on a date, with Lux will take the lead. Coral will do the chore instead while Lux is out. They start by having a snack in a food cart then visite a horse barn that is managed by his acquaintance. The manager gives oppinion about Yoruka's beauty. Then they go fishing at the lake at outskirt city. After that, Yoruka wants a clothe for her as she has barely a casual outfit so, Lux and Yoruka get going to a taylor shop. She appears with only underwears and stockings. Lux averts his eyes and tells her to wear a normal clothes.

When their date ends, the sun already sets. People on the street greets Lux and asks him to help out. Lux turns down all of them. Looking at her lord being treaten kindly and warmly, Yoruka praises him. Then, he thinks that he can be like this now because of everyone, including Yoruka. He thanks her for what she did against Metatron, even though she barely did something because Metatron can reflect attack, causes her lord getting troubled. She then holds her lord's hand for a while, warming her feelings. Hearing Yoruka who still thinks about being a tool, Lux teaches her what she could be overseeing. In the end, Yoruka still thinks about being a mere tool and being useful. Their date ends that day.

10 days passed. Secret mission was scheduled today. All of sudden Singlen Shelbrit appears from nowhere and says he is in pursuit to capture Dragon Marauders whom escaped. That is why Lisha cannot refuse his presence and his participation today. Yoruka initially will not launch as well but Lux tells her to join.

Despite fighting with everything she has, including Over Limit, she is defeated and badly injured. Yoruka is unable to move and waiting Singlen to kill her. However, Lux covers her and takes a fatal injury in her place (but is revived by Sacred Eclipse). Yoruka feels a sorrow as if her heart is stabbed deep. When Lux is resurrected, Lux embrasses her and warms her heart. She recalls his brother who was very like him. After having conversation, both returns to defeat Sacred Eclipse. Lux carries Yoruka from the fortress and entrusts her safe to Triad. From far, Yoruka is just watching Lux and co. that are gathering strength to defeat Sacred Eclipse desparately. She does not want to let her lord has a difficulty and injured all over as just now and decides to be helpful in the battle against Sacred Eclipse. From safe spot, she links her Yato no Kami and Bahamut via Kumo no Ito to help her lord control his drag-ride. Lux praises her after they defeated Sacred Eclipse because she helped him just now.

In the infirmary, Yoruka asks why Lux behaved kindly for her. Lux simply answers because she is still a human. He never agreed her statement that Yoruka was but a priceless human and expendable pawn as she always did. Every thoughts and ideologies which was the same with Arcadia Empire will not suit to his nature. Even if that is a slave like yoruka. Then, Yoruka confesses her love for Lux in the epilogue. She falls for him because of his kindness and compassion toward her.

Holy Arcadia Empire Arc
Yoruka just woke up from the pod. She is nude. The Triad who also are in that room are astonished seeing her shining slim body. The three react to her and she notices it. She says that from her oppinion, the Triad are qualified to be his wives. Then, she says that Airi can also be part of Lux's wives. However, she is not sure to recommend incest marriage and that is very rare in real life to happen.

Yoruka has almost entirely recovered from the Over Limit's side-effect and was barely alive in that fortress. She was having treatment in the pod. She then gets prepared to depart to Marcafal and after Lux who was captured by the Lords. Upon her arrival on the Marcafal Kingdom, before the Lords's Fortress appear the seven Ragnaroks which just now were revived by them. Her injuries will still affect for several days to complete healing. (TBA)

the Lords are understaffed and lacking power after the seven Ragnaroks died again. They now must explore the Avalon with a little number. Before Both side started to explore Avalon, they had predicted that their enemy would split the remaining drag-knights to reach the center of Avalon and prevent their own enemy to reach first the Avalon. Yoruka, Celistia, Philuffy, Krulcifer and Lisha were planned to be together and stop whomever they saw. As it was planned, Mishis V Xfer is not with other Lords members. The five will stop her there and now. Yoruka does not feel alright to fight right now. Despite that, she does not withdraw herself and fights as much as she can. (TBA)

Ouroboros Arc
During parade Lux offers Yoruka to accompany him but not as escort instead of enjoying the party but she has to be completely on guard. It is easy to notice Yoruka's happiness to be offered like that by her crush. Yoruka is triying to convince her lord: "is it alright"? Lux answers he wants to enjoy this night with Yoruka. While Lux is also on guard to investigate the peculiarity, Lux as a male finally realizes that she is attractive and he also loves her and confesses her. Having a conversation with Lux is really joyful for Yoruka. She resolves to keep her promise as his servant and steals a kiss for second time. Lux blushes and panicks.

Rebellion Arc
Lux gives her the dangerous work and it may be the last mission she will receive from him. Lux thinks he may die and If that happens, Yoruka will have to escape with Airi from new kingdom and protect themselves at their full power. If this is not possible to do, Lux wishes her to survive alone and live her life.

When she is doing her task to search, she sees Queen Raffi devours human body. She then prepares to run and report this to Lux. Suddenly, El Fajura attacks from behind. Yoruka dodges immediately when sensing someone's presence. El Fajura is impressed that she should have died because her ambush just now was practically possible to dodge. Even if the fight is inevitable, Yoruka must not let Raffi realizes her presence. She decides to flee to a certain distance far from Raffi. After she thinks that is already far enough, Yoruka begins to fight El Fajura seriously.

Somehow, after she killed El Fajura, her desire for Lux drastically rises up. The way Lux had asked his favor makes Yoruka prepared a will for last stand to the fullest. Luckily, Fugil finds her alive but unconciousness and injured all over.

After Fugil somehow returns her safe to Kilzrake Family's hideout, he then returns to observe circumstance. Yoruka receives treatment in the hideout and passes information on Lux's side.

Abilities
Yoruka is a skilled Drag-Knight who earned a fearsome reputation as the assassin of the Old Empire. She shares some of the same skills as Lux.

Assassin's Instinct: Yoruka is sharp and vigilant to her surroundings. She has never let her guard down even for once. Singlen Shelbrit initially did not pay attention to her at all. Singlen eventually had his plan to capture Lux Arcadia obstacled had to use the only one resurrection ability he has. On the contrary, Fugil Arcadia always was vigilant to her during he was serving Listelka Rei Arshalia because of her hunch as assassin and because her Yato no Kami's Spell Code cannot be nullified by Ouroboros even though it is tough for her to do it.

Quick Draw (神速制御〈クイックドロウ〉): The first of the Drag-Knight secret arts, a slash with speed greater than the eye can follow. This technique requires complete harmony of body control operation and mind control operation. Yoruka's mastery of this technique is enough to block Lux's own Quick Draw.

Recoil Burst (強制超過〈リコイルバースト〉): The second of the Drag-Knight secret arts, a powerful slash unleashed by causing the Drag-Ride to intentionally rampage. This involves holding down a full power body control operation with mind control operation that is focused into one point. This attack is so powerful that the mere shockwave of its aftermath can blow away Drag-Rides.

End Action (永久連環〈エンド・アクション〉): The third of the Drag-Knight secret arts, a seemingly endless chain of consecutive attacks. This involves alternately controlling the Drag-Ride with body control operation and mind control operation. Using this technique, Yoruka can unleash over a hundred attacks in a few seconds, though this leaves her exhausted.

Baptism: Yoruka's left eye has been strengthened via Baptism. It shines with a mysterious light when in use. Yoruka's eye can perceive the wavelength of an opponent's consciousness and also the subtleties of their heart.
 * Instant Strike: Using the power of her Baptism, Yoruka can unleash an attack that her enemy cannot react to. This takes advantage of the fact that every person, even if they try to focus, will have moments where they pause. Yoruka uses her enhanced eye to perceive these moments and attacks during them. Instant Strike is not particularly powerful or fast, but it can still bring down an average Drag-Ride in one hit and the speed is irrelevant since the opponent cannot perceive it.

Yato no Kami
Yoruka's Drag-Ride is Yato no Kami, a Divine Drag-Ride that resembles a Drake who uses a Blade shaped like a katana.

Spell Code: Yato no Kami's Divine Raiment, which allows Yoruka to control other Drag-Rides after touching them. This Divine Raiment leaves shining letters on Drag-Rides touched by Yato no Kami (including by its special armament). The longer the duration of contact, the greater the accuracy and duration of the control. If she can touch a Drag-Ride continuously for ten seconds, she can completely control it. This Divine Raiment allows Yoruka to fight against multiple other Divine Drag-Ride users at once. However, the effect wears off after a Drag-Ride spends some time separated from Yato no Kami. She also cannot use Spell Code if she is using the Drag-Knight secret arts or Instant Strike. Spell Code becomes less effective against huge Drag-Ride such as Ouroboros (Jormungandr may be included) since Ouroboros is too huge for Yato no Kami to control. Yoruka can only open the metal hatch that hides one of Ouroboros's Force Core.
 * Over Limit: By using Spell Code on her own or other Drag-Rides, Yoruka can release its limiters to strengthen it and transform it into a shape more specialized for battle. In Over Limit, Yato no Kami has several additional blades sticking out above its armor and its four legs are now arranged similarly to a horse's. The altered leg arrangement allows Yoruka to dodge attacks and add the force of the legs to her own attacks. However, the use of Over Limit places a high burden on Yoruka's body.

Kumo no Ito: Yato no Kami's special armament, which lays out unseen steel strings like a spider's web. Its purpose is to act as a conduit for Spell Code, allowing Yoruka to control Drag-Rides that touch the string even if they don't touch Yato no Kami itself. This allows Yoruka to take control of a large number of Drag-Rides at once.

Karafumi: Yato no Kami's special armament, which allows Yoruka to leap in midair by making explosions from her two back leg. Yoruka can also use this to jump higher. It is useful for dodging attacks.

Etymology

 * The name Yoruka means "night" (夜) (yoru) and "rack, erect, frame, mount, support, shelf, construct" (架) (ka).
 * Yoruka's surname Kirihime means "off" (切) (kiri) and "princess" (姫) (hime).