François Galarc

Summary
François Garlac is Garlac's kingdom monarch. He has three children : first prince Michel, and princess Charlotte and princess Rosalie. He has at least two wives. The mother of his two first children and a second wife who is the sister of king Philip Beltram and Rosalie's mother.

Appearance
Not much is known about his appearance, but it is implied he is in his late thirties/ early forties.

Personality
François is polite, sociable and kind. But behind this traits hides a keen sharp political instinct. After only a meeting with Haruto and Miharu, he understands they are very dear friends of Satsuki and needs them to improve the hero's mood without being pushy. He takes notice of Haruto's strength and states his kingdom would really make the most of it from hiring him, that is why he proposes knighthood to Haruto. He finds out his son fell in love with Satsuki and tries to support him first, but the pushy behavior of Michel makes Satsuki uncomfortable so he decides to put his trust in Haruto instead (hopping a wedding between the two of them or at least a close relationship). He knows about Charlotte's personality but also sees in high regards her sharp intellect.

Background
Not much is known about his past but at some point like the other kingdoms, he orders the summoning of the hero Satsuki Sumeragi. He tries to be nice with her, but Satsuki came from a healthy family and is aware of people trying to use her which makes her very wary of Garlac kingdom and its royal family. Day after day she shut herself in her room refusing to interact with anyone. She ignores Michel's proposal nevertheless she has minimum contact with Charlotte. François is supportive of his son's love but the late fails to get Satsuki's attention. Finally to improve her mood he decides that kingdom will hold a ball and invites all kingdoms and their heroes; with that Satsuki will meet with people of her world. At some point, he received a report from Liselotte, the city of Amande was attacked by a large group of monsters including minotaurs and a demi-dragon beast. The attack was repelled thanks Haruto's effort. The king is informed of all his achievement and takes a deep interest in the youth.

LN Route
Garlac ball

François is seen in volume 9 of the light novel. He welcomes Haruto, Liselotte and Miharu in the royal castle. Satsuki, informed of the visit runs towards them, seeing Miharu among the guests she smiles and rushes and have a tearful reunion with her friend. The both of them talk in japanese, the king is perplex : he understands what Satsuki says but not Miharu. After explaining Miharu has not a divine arm, and she had to learn the Strahl language thanks to Haruto's artifact (it is a lie to hide the fact Haruto is a reincarnator). The king tells Satsuki it is her long waited reunion and she should have a private discussion with Miharu in her room. The hero agrees and takes Miharu's hand and is about to go but stops in front of Haruto : she thanks him for saving her friend and wishes to have a tall with him. Haruto agrees. Miharu and Satsuki leave the hall. Only the royal family, Liselotte and Haruto remain there.

François asks several questions to Haruto, about his past and his parents, he praises Haruto's behavior which is very noble-like. The youth gives minimal information about him : he is a traveler not affiliated to a kingdom, his parents came from the far away Yagumo regions, and he saves Miharu and Amande to allow her to meet with Satsuki. The king is surprised and asks if he really do all this hero-like achievements just for Miharu, Haruto confirms it and tries to deny the hero title. François refuses to back down his words, he reminds him he saves the very important city of Amande, save the life of allied country princess twice (Flora) and a prominent noble daughter, and finally repelled a demi-dragon's breath in the process. He insists if Haruto is not a hero then no one is. Haruto accepts the praise.

While Satsuki and Miharu have their chat, François proposes Haruto to be knighted in his kingdom for his achievements and he will give personally his support to him. Haruto declines and tells like he explains to Liselotte he is in the middle of his journeys and had to put them in hold due to Miharu but one this matter settled he will travel again opposing his obligations as noble if he would be knighted. François takes notice Liselotte already made a move on Haruto. The king said to Liselotte she found a very interesting man, she answered despite all the misfortune that happened, meeting with Haruto was a true blessing.

On the first day of banquet, François and Satsuki received homage from the rebellious faction of Beltram kingdom, duke Huguenot, princess Flora, and Hiroaki. The king allows the duke to make an important announcement : the duke proclaims officially the foundation of "Restoration", an organization which will oppose the Arbor faction and restore the royal family. The statement is applauded but duke Huguenot is secretly unsatisfied because Haruto choose to be closer with Garlac kingdom. François announces that Satsuki and Hiroaki will be allied in the cause. Satsuki swear she will help Restoration with all her might as long they are righteous. Bored by the ceremony which doesn't make him stand out enough, Hiroaki also swears.

The second evening the Arbor faction attends the banquet. There are Rui Shigekura, princess Christina, and Charles Arbor. The heroes meet. The third evening arrives Saint Stellar Kingdom's delegation : first princess Liliana and hero Takahisa Sendou changing drastically the dynamic with Haruto and Miharu. With the help of Sylvia (Rubia kingdom first princess), Reiss posing as Jean Bernard (Ambassador of Rubia) succeed to make several people infiltrate the party. The intruders try to harm the nobles but are stopped by Haruto with Rui's help. After the party François summoned Rui and Haruto to thank them, he praises the both of them and decides he must reward Haruto. The youth refuses but the king makes a suggestion : he will bestow him the rank of honorary knight so he will be considered as noble but without the obligations that implies, Haruto finally agrees.

The next evening, François officially announces Haruto's reward : he will be known as the "Black Knight", Haruto chooses his name, Amakawa Haruto choking Miharu, Liselotte and Satsuki. While the late are talking, François has a talk with his son and daughter in his office. Michel is unhappy about Haruto's rise in power, but the king sees through his intention : his son is unsatisfied Haruto is so close with Satsuki, Michel tries to deny it but his father orders him to just stop. He reminds him during month following Satsuki's summoning he orders his son to get her attention, but day after day Satsuki close on herself : he failed miserably and the king had to find out a new solution to get Satsuki's cooperation. Michel asks if it is the reason why the party was held, François confirms it and until then his decision was right turning to Charlotte for her opinion. The princess affirms Satsuki's mood greatly improve, Miharu's presence explains it but that is not all : Haruto participates in it as well, moreover Satsuki herself tells her she had the impression to find an old friend again while she is talking about Haruto. Michel finally concedes, François says at long last his son understands and reminds him to always have a open-mind and if he does he will surely change Satsuki's opinion about him. The king has to discuss certain things with Charlotte and dismisses his son. Once left, François orders his daughter to follow Haruto and leave her in charge of him to improve the relationship between the kingdom and the youth. Charlotte happily accepts the duty.

After Takahisa's first defeat by Haruto's hand (literally), François has an appointment Liliana. The princess is worried because Takahisa is unable to accept defeat and projects to kidnap Miharu by force. Liliana wants to prevent an international accident and choose to ask the king for help. François agrees to help. Discretely he orders the royal fleet of enchanted ships to block the capital's access for preventing Takahisa to flee but also if the hero chooses to go on a rampage with his divine arm it will be outside the city and he orders also to restrain the Sendou younger siblings preventing Aki to help her brother. The measures seems to be useless : despite Takahisa abducts Miharu, tries to escape to Saint Stellar (without Liliana, or his siblings), he is stopped by Haruto who flies towards the enchanted ship. Haruto easily defeats Takahisa and punches him in the nose for using force on Miharu. Takahisa is unconscious and Haruto retrieves Miharu and together they regain the castle under the applause of the crew.

When the situation settles down, Charlotte informs them she already knew Takahisa's intentions and her family had taken measures to prevent it. She also reveals Aki's betrayal and lead them in her father's office. François is deeply impressed to see Miharu safe and sound and asks his daughter for an explanation. Charlotte tells what happened, the king is choked to learn Haruto is able to fly with his sword (a lie), he laughed saying it is surprise after surprise with Haruto. The youth apologizes for ruining their efforts. The king asks for Takahisa's condition and if he is reflecting on his mistakes, Charlotte says the hero has been retrieved and detained in a room but doesn't apologize for his ruckus, only remains silent and sulking. Satsuki, Miharu, and Liliana discuss about Takahisa's punishment. Miharu demands the hero to apologize to everyone for the troubles he makes but Satsuki affirms Miharu is too forgiving and it will not be enough. She suggests Aki and Takahisa be forbidden to see Miharu and Haruto for while and Aki must follow her elder brother in Saint Stellar like it or not, Miharu reluctantly agrees. Haruto and company plus Liliana are in charge of the aftermath including inform Masato about his siblings deeds. They leave, only François and Charlotte remain in the office.

The two of them have a little chat. Charlotte makes her report about the incident insisting Haruto should receive the same treatment as Satsuki. François is surprised at her passionate report and asks her if she falls in love with Haruto, Charlotte confirms it. François thought his daughter was a mischievous girl who like playing with couples and watching them to be destroyed by herself (nice father)... Charlotte does not deny it but all changes this night : at first she did not pay too much attention to Haruto's achievement moreover she did not believe it. After seeing Haruto fly to save Miharu she fell for it. She reminds her father their kingdom does not have a heroic figure like the king's sword of Beltram, Haruto's capacities are a very valuable assets for the kingdom. As a final request, she demands her father to place Haruto under the royal family's patronage to prevent the other nobles to make wedding proposals with Haruto. She proposes herself as a candidate. François says that it will be difficult even for Haruto to marry into the royal family. Charlotte answers it will not once Satsuki, a hero will be engaged to Haruto revealing she already knows her father's intentions. François sighed, tells having such a smart daughter is very troublesome, the princess smiles.

= Omiai = François appears again at the end of volume 15. Princesses Flora and Christina have mysteriously disappeared and Restoration is on a turmoil. Duke Huguenot needs the support of Garlac kingdom. Hiroaki agrees to marry Rosalie, third child of François, but in exchange he also wants to have Liselotte as his third wife. He puts Huguenot in charge for the negotiations. The duke sends a letter from Hiroaki to Liselotte with Roana as messenger. Hiroaki asks her to come for a marriage interview, she will be officially the third wife nut just to save the appearances, he does not want to rank his wives. Liselotte, after reading the letter thinks about how she could refuse the proposal politely and if possible without provoking a diplomatic incident.

The interview happens in Galtuuk and it is so important that the king himself attends it, Hiroaki tries to persuade her their wedding will be very convincing and if it is impossible due to her work a simple engagement would suffice, the decision is hers. Liselotte understands that all this time Hiroaki wanted that she makes herself the wedding proposal. She finally and clearly refuses Hiroaki, saying there is no romantic feelings on her side, and the marriage with Rosalie would be more profitable instead of her who is just a daughter of a duke. The interview ends, Hiroaki is very disappointed, for the very first time sine he came to this world, he was clearly rejected despite his hero's status. He leaves with Huguenot and Roana, unable to bear with his failure.

Liselotte sits down with her parents Cedric and Julianne, the king joins them with Rosalie. A secret door opens, enter Satsuki and Charlotte. Liselotte feels the mood become awkward and asks for herself what they could talk about. She apologizes to François for the troubles but the king does not mind it because she had the right to choose her partner fair and square. Satsuki was afraid Hiroaki oblige Liselotte to marry him and if is was the case she would not hesitate to use her hero status to destroy him, Liselotte laughs and tells it would be very troublesome. Satsuki teases Liselotte : she should hurry up and find a suitable partner but also affirms that finding a boy on equal standing as Liselotte will be very difficult. Liselotte blushes and her mother seeing her daughter react as a normal girl joins the teasing, she tells there is only one gentleman who is worthy to stand with her daughter but before she could say the name a guard out of breath knocks the door and enters. He tells the king Haruto has arrived and requested an urgent meeting. François orders him to lead the honorary knight to them but the guard says there is a problem with the persons accompanying him, François asks him what is the matter. The guard answers princesses Flora and Christina are with him, everyone is surprised.

= The return of the Princesses = Christina and Flora have been saved by Haruto who was chasing after Lucius. Everyone sit down. François is still dumbfounded by Haruto who he seems to defy all logical, he stares at him half giving-up he is a man who always goes beyond his expectations, it concerns not only the king but the others as well. Haruto takes notice of the glares directed at him, he bows and apologizes for the troubles. François laughs and says he is just overwhelmed : saving the princesses is more incredible than the ruckus which happened during the banquet. Charlotte is very proud and affirms that her predictions were true, Haruto accumulating more and more achievements, the king smiles at her. Hiroaki is very pissed, not only Liselotte rejects him but also Haruto is the center of attention...

Christina tells them she will explain what happened since their disappearance and asks everyone to not interrupt her and save questions for after. Then Haruto explains why he also was there, he was chasing Lucius and got information (from Nidol Proxia) the mercenary was in a village near the Palladia kingdom. Haruto went to the place and finds Lucius with the princesses. They fight and Haruto killed Lucius saving the princesses in the process. He cured a poisoned Flora and took care of them. He accompanied the two of them, Christina proposed to pass by the Rubia kingdom which was supposed to be an allied country. Once to their destination they were ambushed by the rest of the heavenly lions, princess Sylvia, and a new hero Kikuchi Renji. After a short fight they had to run away by flying.

François takes notice of Rubia kingdom's betrayal and affirms his intention to take measures, Christina agrees and will do the same. Haruto tells them princess Sylvia is not doing this dirty job on her free will, he supposed the Proxia empire detains a member of her family as hostage and Reiss is moving behind the curtains. François jokes to send Haruto on a rampage in the Proxia's capital as kind of retribution but Satsuki is against it, Christina agrees and does not want her benefactor to be terrifying, Hiroaki laughs mockingly. Charlotte insists she wants Haruto accumulate more and more success but in a honorable way. Haruto is confused as everyone seems to believe he is capable to destroy a country by himself. The discussion focuses on the new hero Renji, Haruto informs the king the hero holds an hallebard which controls ice. Fearing his reputation as hero, Hiroaki asks if Renji is really a hero, Haruto confirms it. Hiroaki does not believe it as a hero should not be defeated. Satsuki sees through his fears and asks him if he could beat Haruto, remembering his crushing defeat by Haruto, Hiroaki finally shuts his mouth.

Now the group discusses why the Proxia empire wants to kidnap Flora and Christina by using Lucius. The Proxia empire is in conflict with Beltram and Lucius was an ancient candidate for the king's sword position before his family falls to ruin. They both has grudge but Haruto denies it for Lucius, he explains the man was an hedonistic and whimsical man, he just likes killing and fighting (and also raping), he cares not much about kingdom and political schemes. Refusing to back down, Hiroaki tries to blame Haruto for the abduction of the princesses, Christina denies it, saying Lucius was also surprised when Haruto appears. Liselotte remembers Lucius tries also to kidnap Flora in Amande raid. Hiroaki suggests it was Haruto's fault also, this time Liselotte denies it and asks Flora who is the main witness, the princess confirms it because Lucius was unaware of Haruto until he arrives. Hiroaki is very pissed, every girls seems to protect Haruto, moreover Liselotte and Flora called Haruto by his name and he himself is called by his title (Yuusha). Finally, Hiroaki it is weird how the crazy event happen and how it seems Haruto is always here to fix the situation. Sick of his jealousy, Christina sighs and called him, reminding him Haruto was in a so desperate situation that one mistake he would have lost his life. Hiroaki refuses to shut up and says what of it. Christina says she will not tolerate any other rude behavior towards her and her sister benefactor. Hiroaki reluctantly gives-up, excuse himself and leaves the room with Roana. Christina apologizes to Haruto and François explains Hiroaki's mood was low because of the marriage interview with Liselotte which ended with failure.

François tells now it is time to discuss about Haruto and his reward. The youth affirms he does not need a reward. François sighs and asks half-jokingly if Haruto intend to retire. Haruto says he just wants a calm life. The king insists to give him something because if the kingdom does not reward high deeds it has no future as all capable persons will leave. Christina who now has confirmed Haruto's true identity is stabbed by this word remembering how her kingdom treated him. She tells restoration will also reward him, duke Huguenot insists it will be very bad for the organization's honor if they don't give a recompense to Haruto. The youth says he already receive a mansion in Rodania and he can't think on something else. Christina is desperate and François takes notice of the mansion in Rodania. He tells it is not normal for a knight of Garlac to have a house in Rodania but not in Garlac so he decides to give Haruto a house on the royal ground in the city. Everyone around the table is out of breath : only the most important persons have the right to owns a mansion in this district, an honor that even the Cretia family does not have. Charlotte smiles.

Relationships
Haruto Amakawa: François meets Haruto during the banquet which reveals Satsuki's existence. He understands right away Haruto is no ordinary man and the effect the youth will have on Satsuki (Haruto saves Miharu, Aki and Masato who are Satsuki's friend). He tries to make Haruto join the Garlac kingdom to gain his capacities but is denied. Then he takes advantage of the incident during the ball to finally gives Haruto a title. The king sees Haruto's value in so high regards he gives him the honorary knight title which means Haruto has all the advantages of being noble without the obligations. Later Haruto accumulates so much achievements (saving Miharu a second time (from Takahira preventing an international matter), rescuing Flora and Christina again from Lucius he rewards Haruto with a mansion on the royal grounds of Galtuuk, an honor for a ex-commoner that even duke Cretia or Gregory does not have. François has the secret intention to tie Haruto and Satsuki together.

Charlotte Galarc: Daughter of Francois. The king is very aware of Charlotte's behavior : she like messing up with couples and playing with men. However he recognizes Charlotte is very smart. That is why he orders her to monitor the relationship between Satsuki and Haruto. He is very surprised to learn his daughter has fallen in love with Haruto (she asks to use his power to shut down the nobles who will try to make a pass on Haruto and presents her as a candidate. She even stated she will gladly give up on royalty to marry him and become his second wife, the first being Satsuki).

Rosalie Galarc: Daughter of Francois. Not much is known about their relationship. Rosalie appears in volume 15 where she is supposed to be engaged to Hiroaki. Rosalie is there where the wedding interview between the hero and Liselotte fails. François tells her to go to her room and she obeys without complaints. Hiroaki decided to marry Rosalie anyway but princess Christina tells him to negotiate himself. Between end of the volume 15 and 19 Hiroaki has not even says the "e" of engagement to François.

Michelle Galarc: Son of Francois. The king is supportive for his son but at the same time he is disappointed Michelle acts with his emotions over the well being of the country. He orders him to gain Satsuki's favor but fails miserably, Satsuki closing herself more and more. Moreover Michelle falls in love with Satsuki and becomes very jealous of Haruto's rise of power, the honorary knight effortlessly succeed when he failed. François had to refrain him and reminds him they have to think the well being of the kingdom : Satsuki must choose to stay in Garlac by her own will and for that Haruto is needed because of Miharu. Michelle seems to understand and François tells him Satsuki will see him in a different if he keeps an open mind and is supportive of Haruto.