The Mystery of Black Mask: A Forgotten Connection to Silvare and the Hero-King’s Legacy.
Disclaimer: The post’s idea starts with the discussion I had with fellow Tumblr blogger @knowledgeseeker0.
Synopsis of the Light Novel :
Long Ago with the personal blessing of the goddess Alistia, Inglis became a divine knight, saving the humans by slaying its enemies and the dark gods to establish the Kingdom of Silvare. He made a flawless administration, he had chosen worthy people for his associates and clerks.As a last wish granted to him on his deathbed, the goddess Alistia reincarnated Inglis as his single greatest regret was not being able to reach the peak of mastering the blade. Now reborn as a woman (perhaps at the jesting whims of the goddess), Inglis Eucus strives to live a life in the far future where she can truly master the blade.
Below: The Mysterious Black Mask (黒仮面の男, Kuro Kamen no Otoko)
Ever since Inglis was reincarnated as a girl, a lingering question has been whether she was reborn in her original world. She searched through many history books and found no record of the Silvare Kingdom.
Because an ancient dragon recognized Inglis, referred to as “Chris,” as the great hero, we accept that this is indeed the same world, even if it has been centuries since his time.
Normally, a great hero is remembered for many years, even generations, after their passing. However, the anomaly is the absolute lack of any records regarding King Inglis or the Silvare Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Highlanders have become an established power, interfering everywhere. Doesn’t that seem suspicious? Let’s piece the facts together like a detective would do and study them.
The Bloodchain Front is first mentioned in chapter 8, and we catch glimpses of its mysterious leader and founder: Black Mask.
In the first image, let’s see it carefully:
The masked man stands beneath an alchemical symbol in a long-ruined structure. It turns out he’s the provider of the prisme powder, which indicates he is a master of alchemy—an art that may be unknown or forgotten by everyone else…
In Chapter 17.1, he comes forward to take charge of a situation after witnessing Sisteya nearly beaten. Ah, yes—their first (or perhaps not) confrontation! The man makes a scary personal arrival.
At this moment, Inglis feels certain she has heard his voice long ago.
There are two more points to consider: 1) He is the only one who matches her power, and 2) he possesses mastery over Aether, which can only be granted by a spirit.
Inglis walks away upset because the man knows how to perform powerful feats that she is clueless about. Now, let’s look at the images of a happy boy from Silvare holding the King Inglis souvenir. Why did the mangaka give such(albeit little) but nonetheless emphasis on the boy?
Probably the happy boy has seen his hero King Inglis, has talked to him, and senses certain the current times are so nice, the future will be bright and great.
My suspicion is as follows:
Shortly after King Inglis’s death, the designated new king, Randal, managed things smoothly. The boy, whom we’ll call “Evan,” grew into a fine man and enrolled in the kingdom’s prestigious magical academy, where he discovered his alchemy skill. However, he likely overheard unsettling discussions at the school: a group of ambitious upperclassmen believed they should hold power in the kingdom, rather than the “weakling” Randal and his followers. Evan witnessed their ambition firsthand.
One day, these power-hungry mages plotted to take over the kingdom and succeeded quite easily. They forced the land to rise above the surface, establishing themselves as the Highlanders. It’s interesting to note their reasoning: if it were a castle on the surface, a hero could eventually infiltrate. However, no one could reach a flying land above the clouds unless granted permission by its inhabitants.
Evan was devastated as he helplessly watched the corruption of all that King Inglis had built.
In his grief, he attracted the attention of a deity and expressed his desire for a way to vanquish the usurpers and restore the glory of his beloved hero, Inglis. When he received the wondrous gift of Aether mastery, he was placed in cryostasis until the time of Inglis’s rebirth, presumably with the reassurance from the deity that all this would not be in vain. Ironically, Eucus has clashed with Black Mask without recognizing him. Meanwhile, Black Mask is working for his beloved hero Inglis—unbeknownst to him, the hero is now the pretty, silver-haired girl he has encountered! Each of them keeps their secrets. So, how will things unfold between them?
Will a significant event lead to valuable recognition, allowing them to have a meaningful discussion?
If Black Mask is the sole survivor of Silvare, he may be the only character alive who truly knows the origins of the Highlanders and the secrets behind their formation. This knowledge could pose a massive threat to their status quo, making Black Mask a crucial player in the unfolding narrative.
The Tragic Irony of Black Mask and Inglis
What adds an emotional layer to the story is the cruel irony of Black Mask’s actions. He’s unknowingly serving the very person he once revered: Hero-King Inglis, now reborn as a beautiful and powerful young girl. His loyalty to Inglis is evident in how he aids her ambitions to hone her combat skills and achieve mastery.
Yet, Inglis herself remains oblivious to his true identity and his potential ties to her past. Even more heart-wrenching is the fact that has shown a tendency to remain focused on his goals, and prying into Inglis’ personal identity may simply not be a priority for him. Black Mask has already crossed paths with Eucus-sama, during clashes. Neither recognized the other, creating a missed opportunity for mutual understanding and revelation.
“But why hasn’t he asked Inglis the question about who she is? And how has she acquired control of aether? Or why she hasn’t asked him the questions?”
As far as I can tell here’s why: He has shown a tendency to remain focused on his goals, and prying into Inglis’ personal identity may simply not be his priority.
A. Inglis Is Focused on Combat and Strength, Not People
Inglis’ primary motivation since her reincarnation has been mastering combat and honing her strength. She is less interested in interpersonal dynamics or the motivations of others unless they directly impact her goal. To her, he may simply be a useful ally or opponent, and his identity or background might not hold much importance unless it interferes with her journey.
Her single-minded pursuit of strength often leads her to overlook or dismiss details about others that don’t directly serve her goals.
B. Inglis Might Assume She Already Knows Enough
She likely sees him as an enigmatic but straightforward figure—a competent and principled individual opposing the Highlanders, much like herself. She may feel there’s no immediate need to delve deeper into his past or identity as long as their goals align.
She also has a unique perspective on the world, given her past life as a king. She might see his secrecy or silence as a personality trait rather than a sign of deeper mystery.
C. Inglis Is Focused on the Present, Not the Past
As someone who has already lived an entire lifetime, Inglis may place little value on investigating someone else’s past. She is more focused on the present and the challenges ahead. Black Mask’s abilities and allegiance in their current struggle are likely of greater concern to her than his personal history.
D. Inglis Prefers to Let People Reveal Themselves
As a former king, she may have developed the wisdom to let people reveal their true nature on their own terms. She might believe that pushing him to explain himself would be counterproductive and that his true motivations and identity will become clear in time, especially if they continue working together.
Additionally, she may see no immediate benefit to questioning him, especially if it risks creating tension or distrust.
3. The Narrative Design: Why Haven’t They Asked Each Other These Questions?
From a storytelling perspective, the lack of direct questioning between Inglis and Black Mask serves several purposes:
A. Building Tension and Mystery
The absence of these conversations allows the author to maintain an air of mystery around him while keeping readers engaged. By withholding key details about his identity and motivations, the narrative ensures that his true role in the story remains a compelling question for readers to ponder.
B. Focusing on Action and Plot Progression
The story often prioritizes action, world-building, and Inglis’ personal journey over deep interpersonal exploration. Delving into his or her reincarnation might slow the pacing or distract from the primary plot.
C. Saving the Revelation for a Critical Moment
By delaying these conversations, the story can create a more impactful moment when the truth is finally revealed. This approach ensures that the eventual recognition between them feels significant and emotionally resonant, potentially occurring during a climactic event or turning point in the narrative.
A Turning Point: Recognition Through a Serious Event
For him and her to recognize their shared history and fully explore their connection, the story would need a momentous event to force their hand. Such an event could occur during a high-stakes battle or a confrontation with the Highlanders. Here are some possible scenarios that could lead to recognition:
- A Highlander Relic Unveiled:
The discovery of an ancient relic from Silvare could spark memories for him. If Inglis recognizes the relic as part of her kingdom’s history, it could trigger a conversation between the two about the past, revealing their connection. - A Near-Death Encounter:
In the heat of battle, he could be gravely injured, prompting her to save him. During this moment of vulnerability, he might let slip details about Silvare, leading her to piece together his identity. - An Emotional Confrontation:
During a mission against the Highlanders, he might reveal his reason of hatred for the Highlanders and recount the destruction of Silvare. Inglis, moved by his story, could share her own experiences from her first life, culminating in a heartfelt discussion about their shared history.
“OK with these. However, if “Evan” is the sole man from Silvare, why doesn’t he openly say how he is, what he knows about them, and how malicious they are? “, might ask me the question.
I daresay he feels shame because, probably, he and his miraculous inventions were being used by them only for evil. There might have been Highlander death warrants for him!
Evan might have been a prodigy in Silvare, creating revolutionary inventions or advancing technology with noble intentions. However, the Highlanders—malicious and power-hungry—could have exploited his genius for their own vile agenda. Potential scenarios include:
- The weaponization of his inventions: Evan’s intended tools for progress, peace, or prosperity may have been transformed into weapons of destruction, or instruments of oppression.
- Betrayal by trusted allies: If that’s the case it would compound his guilt, as he’d feel responsible for the following devastation.
- The Fall of Silvare: He might blame himself for inadvertently giving them the means to plunder his homeland, even if he acted in good faith. This would explain his decision to go into hiding as a Black Mask, using his talents to fight back in secret.
Highlander Death Warrants
This adds another layer of danger and tension to his story. If the Highlanders viewed him as a threat—due to his knowledge of their history or his ability to oppose them—they might:
- Hunt him relentlessly: Evan’s survival could depend on staying hidden, which would explain why he operates as Black Mask rather than openly opposing the Highlanders.
- Spread false narratives: To discredit him, the Highlanders might frame Evan as a criminal or traitor, turning public opinion against him and making it even harder for him to reveal the truth.
- Exploit his guilt: If they know about his shame, the Highlanders could manipulate him, using his inventions or knowledge to further their goals while ensuring he stays silent.
His Shame and Emotional Burden
Such shame could stem from a variety of interconnected factors:
- Unwilling Involvement: Even if he acted with good intentions, knowing that his inventions were used for evil would weigh heavily on him.
- Survivor’s Guilt: As the last known survivor of Silvare, he might feel unworthy of carrying its legacy.Especially if he’s certain his actions contributed to its downfall.
- Inability to Stop the Highlanders: Despite his intelligence and skills, he may felt powerless against the Highlanders, adding to his frustration and sense of failure.
These are why he conceals his true identity, or share his knowledge about the Highlanders. By keeping his past hidden, he avoids confronting the pain and guilt associated with it.
If he and she finally recognize their connection, the conversation could be both emotional and revelatory. He might express feelings of guilt or anger for being unable to protect Silvare, while she could offer words of understanding and forgiveness. Their discussion could also shed light on the Highlanders’ true motives, creating a united front against their oppression.
Furthermore, this revelation could deepen his loyalty to her, as he realizes that his hero has been guiding him all along, albeit in a new form. The emotional weight of this realization would add depth to their relationship, making their alliance even more compelling.
Conclusion
The relationship between them in Reborn to Master the Blade is a testament to the complex, interconnected storytelling that makes this light novel so captivating. The idea of Black Mask as the last remnant of Silvare adds a layer of tragedy to his character, while his unwitting service to Inglis creates a compelling irony.
A serious event leading to recognition and discussion between these two characters would not only enrich the story but also provide answers to lingering questions about the Highlanders and their history. As readers, we can only hope for such a moment to occur in future volumes of this fantastic series.
#Character Study #Anime and Manga
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