#that Sam versus Kharlan fight is going to be fun

[innerchorus]

Loyalty in Chapter 138

Because I have enough to say about this that it warrants its own post.

Let's start by looking at the chapter title; 'A Loyal Vassal'. To which character does this title refer? The obvious answer is of course Zandeh, whose personal loyalty to Hilmes is very much on display in this chapter, but that's not all. There are in fact four characters that this title/descriptor could apply to, and I think Arakawa intended it to be read that way.

Firstly, Zandeh.

In this chapter, we see how Zandeh's loyalty to Hilmes is personal and endures even in the face of the revelation about Hilmes's parentage. He's prepared to wield his sword for Hilmes even if it means he has to face off against his own (undead) father. I imagine everyone made the connection between this and the chapter title because it's pretty straightforward.

Secondly, that little 'Mohawk' guy.

He returns despite originally fleeing in terror and ends up being killed by Kharlan. An unnamed minor character, he's been around since the start of the story as he used to be one of Kharlan's men.

(Chapter 17)

He is perhaps most memorable for this scene (Chapter 56). His positive opinion of Kharlan is noteworthy, as it seems this is what motivated him to volunteer to fight alongside Zandeh, Kharlan's son. You could say that it's his lingering loyalty to Kharlan that causes him to do so.

It's that same loyalty that causes him to return in Chapter 138, despite already having witnessed Kharlan killing many of his comrades.

What's so interesting about him are his parallels to Zandeh. Mohawk (I'm copying the Japanese fandom in referring to him by his hairstyle) originally served Kharlan and when Kharlan died, he was essentially 'inherited' by Zandeh. Kharlan originally served Hilmes, and when Kharlan died his son Zandeh 'inherited' his loyalty and went to serve Hilmes in his father's stead (more on this later). Zandeh introduces himself as 'son of Eran Kharlan' in Chapter 26; Mohawk introduces himself as 'Lord Eran Kharlan's subordinate' in Chapter 17.

The two of them even share some character traits, unlikely as it sounds.

Like Zandeh, Mohawk is ready to defend Kharlan's actions against criticism.

Mohawk in Chapter 5, ready to take on Narsus.

Zandeh in Chapter 34 (see also his vehement objection to Kubard framing Kharlan's actions as betrayal in Chapter 58).

Mohawk notes that Kharlan was good to him, just as Zandeh notes how Hilmes is gracious to him (Chapters 30 and 37) and both of them recall the way they were treated by their masters in Chapter 138.

In my first post about Chapter 138, I mentioned the need to abandon denial and instead accept the harsh truth. Both Hilmes and Zandeh cling to denial at first (Hilmes tries to prevent undead Kharlan from spilling the beans about his parentage and claims his words are lies, and Zandeh says "You are not my father! My father would never do such things!") before acknowledging the truth. Just as we see Hilmes openly accept the circumstances of his birth, I personally read Zandeh's acknowledgement that the being before him really is his father as him facing up to the fact that his father committed monstrous acts ("Father... How can I deny it now...? You truly are a monster...).

It's because they accept the truth that they are able to do something extraordinary, with Zandeh vocalising a personal loyalty to Hilmes so great that he is willing to face his father with his sword, and Hilmes taking that burden from him.

But Mohawk's death comes before any of this, and it comes because he clings to denial.

Having overheard Kharlan's words, he reenters the room, expressing his disbelief at the revelation of Hilmes's origins.

Denying what's right in front of him, just as Zandeh said "My father would never do such things!". Yet instead of directly denying that this is Kharlan as Zandeh does (and as Hilmes does too, for he refers to Kharlan as a 'specter misleading us') he ends up clinging to something else equally untrue.

Immediately after this, he is impaled by Kharlan's spear. His death makes me think that Hilmes and Zandeh would not leave that room alive if they too had clung to the lies they want to believe.

Kharlan died, but it's also true that it is Kharlan standing before them once again, and just as it is true that Prince Hilmes was fathered by Gotarzes rather than Osroes. In this chapter, it feels like these truths are intrinsically linked. Both Mohawk and Zandeh are loyal vassals, but Mohawk clings to (stays loyal to) a lie, whereas Zandeh accepts the truth, and in doing so shows that his loyalty goes beyond it.

This brings me to the third loyal vassal of the chapter, Sam.

Arriving at the very end of the chapter, I still feel he undoubtedly qualifies for that title, because of one simple fact. Whereas for Zandeh, the news of Hilmes's origins was a great shock, Sam already knows the truth. He already knows, and he stayed by Hilmes's side anyway. Having faced Garshasp, he also already knows that Kharlan is no 'imposter' as he first thought of Garshasp (and you can't blame him, given that he saw a mage transformed into the likeness of Husrab; it was logical to make the assumption at first).

Loyalty is a complex matter for Sam, and I want to write more extensively on it at some point, likely after his role in the series is over. I've always viewed his ultimate loyalty as being to his country, but in terms of the master he serves, it's clear he will never betray or abandon Hilmes.

The fourth character I want to take a look at is Kharlan.

Kharlan, too, is a loyal vassal, but unlike Zandeh, his loyalty to Hilmes did not have a personal element. He was loyal to the Parsian royal line itself, to the extent that he betrayed his country at Atropatene in order to ensure that the line of succession was followed. His belief in Hilmes's legitimacy allowed him to do terrible things, believing them justified. Now, of course, he knows that these actions were carried out on the basis of a lie.

He even links his loyalty to the royal line to what he feels he must do in this chapter. But killing his son and Prince Hilmes is just as unjustified as his his betrayal at Atropatene was, and it's based on the same flawed loyalty.

So, those are the four characters I wanted to discuss, but I'm not quite done yet.

What is a loyal vassal?

(Chapter 46)

Something like this, probably.

Daryun and the rest of Team Arslan know exactly who Arslan is. He is honest with them, and they give their loyalty to him freely. I've always said that I want a Hilmes and Zandeh equivalent to the above scene, and it occurs to me that what happened in Chapter 138 is essentially just that. Zandeh knows who Hilmes really is, and it's because of that rather than in spite of it that he is loyal to him. An additonal hand-clasping moment would be nice too, though.

Until now, Hilmes has had a very simplistic view of loyalty. He is (or claims to be) the rightful Shah of Pars; everyone should bend the knee for him on that basis alone.

(Chapter 33)

(Chapter 59)

He cannot understand why Arslan is able to gather so many supporters (see also his utter rage in Chapter 36 when Narsus states he is of a lower calibre that Arslan even though Arslan's only 14). The only thing that should matter is the fact that he is the rightful heir.

So what about if word gets out that he does not, in fact, have the right to the throne?

Himes fears what his subordinates would think if they found out the truth. It's no wonder he's so desperate to prevent undead Kharlan from speaking the truth. Yes, the main reason he conceals it after hearing the truth himself is that he's not ready to give up on the ambition he has built his whole life and self-worth around, but I think he also feels that if he is not the rightful Shah, he is not worthy of their loyalty (just like he feels he's not worthy of Irina's love before reclaiming his throne). If you look at him after Zandeh's declaration in the latest chapter, I think that's what's behind the change in his expression and also behind his decision to try and send Zandeh to Arslan instead.

Arslan, whose ability to gather loyal subordinates he previously couldn't understand. Arslan, whose qualities he now sees, who he knows will forgive Zandeh and treat him fairly. Arslan, who deserves someone like Zandeh where he doesn't.

Zandeh came to him as a loyal son, following the footsteps of his father. Kharlan had betrayed Pars on the basis of Hilmes's bloodline; Hilmes likely assumed before now that Zandeh gives it that same priority.

Yet while this may have been the foundation that Zandeh's loyalty was based on, it grew into something more. It bloomed into something that remained even when those foundations crumbled.

Meanwhile, Hilmes was previously induced to doubt Sam's loyalty by Team Zahhak. Sam's own feelings are complicated, though Hilmes believing that he might switch sides again only shows how little he understands him. Sam swore loyalty to Hilmes on the basis of his identity but also on the basis that he would drive the Lusitanians out of Pars. His feelings were conflicted, and Hilmes no doubt knows that. If Sam's loyalty was conditional, and one of those conditions was Hilmes's right to the throne, what would happen if he found out the truth?

Of course, Hilmes doesn't currently know that Sam already knows, and has known for a long time.

In the case of both Zandeh and Sam, Hilmes's identity was fundamental to them initially giving him their loyalty. Zandeh was bound to follow him, seeking to clear his father's name and believing, like him, that Hilmes had the right to the throne. Although Hilmes gave Sam time to think, he nonetheless placed pressure on him that was based on his identity. Injured, and with the capital having fallen, the only other path for Sam at that point would have been death. In both cases, what other choice did they have? They behaved like loyal vassals, believing him to be the rightful king.

Hilmes has tied his worth so strongly to obtaining the throne that I don't think he noticed that their loyalty is not that simple. Not only that, he doesn't see himself as worthy of them if he admits he's not who he says he is. That's why Chapter 138 hits so hard. Zandeh's montage shows Hilmes as seen through the eyes of a truly loyal vassal. For the first time, Hilmes sees himself how Zandeh sees him. Even knowing that Hilmes's claim to the throne was untrue, he still chooses to serve him because of who he is.

Likewise, Sam has cemented his loyalty to Hilmes time and time again, despite already knowing what Zandeh has just discovered.

(Chapter 124)

Sam would never have done what Kharlan did. I have no doubt that Hilmes knows this. But here we can see he views switching sides again as treachery, too.

(Chapter 137)

To Hilmes, Zandeh and Sam serving him wasn't a choice, it was the rightful order of things, for he was the rightful heir to the throne. He knows that for Zandeh, it's more than that. I can't wait for him to realise that Sam, too, has continued to choose him despite knowing the secret of his birth. Perhaps Kharlan will bring it up to try and rattle Sam during combat, perhaps Hilmes will confess it later, but either way it's sure to be revealed.