Ayn


 * For other uses, see Ayn (disambiguation)

"It's better if Clarith remained by your side. When I become stronger and remove all the guilt I have, I'll be able to talk to her face-to-face."

- Ayn to Michaela

Ayn was a villager from Yatski in the Kingdom of Elphegort and a soldier serving under Earl Felix. The son of the village chief, the young man fled from his home with his crush, Clarith, and her friend Michaela after discovering his father's plan to frame the Netsuma for murder. Delivering them to safety in the capital, Ayn reported his family's misdeeds to Earl Felix and became part of the local lord's military garrison.

Early Life
"You talk to Ayn a lot?" "These days, I do... He comes to talk to me."

- Michaela and Clarith

Ayn was born in the Kingdom of Elphegort in the late 5th century EC, the son to the Yatski village chief. Growing up in the small village, Ayn's mother died while he was a young child and the midwife who delivered him took care of him in her place. As he grew older, Ayn learned how to traverse the dangerous cliff paths north of the village and became popular with all the women there. When the midwife and her husband left for Aceid, Ayn learned they had owned an inn in the Central District.

Sometime during the EC 490s, Ayn took up work managing the poultry while helping around the village and greeting everyone as the chief's son. Around that time, he asked his cousin Eugen to teach him swordplay so he could protect them and the former soldier complied, training him in the art. At some point, he fell in love with the Netsuma girl abused by all the villagers, Clarith. As time progressed, Ayn became increasingly frustrated by his father's corruption and everyone's mistreatment of Clarith, though remained silent due to his lacking in actual power.

Reaching Out
"You talk to Ayn a lot?" "These days, I do... he comes to talk to me. But... he didn't talk to me very much until you appeared, Miss Michaela."

- Michaela and Clarith

In EC 499, Ayn noticed a newcomer to the village living with Clarith, Michaela, and befriended her over the following months, using the opportunity to get closer to Clarith as well. One day, while working with a wheel barrel, he saw Clarith walking home from the fields. Seeing her downcast expression as she passed, he stopped working and called out to her. Approaching the Netsuma, he happily asked to confirm she was returning from the fields and congratulated her for the work.

When Clarith nervously apologized, the young man stared at her for a moment in confusion before smiling again and asking if she was alone that day. The Netsuma admitted she was. He then inquired if she would be participating in the harvest festival for that year, quickly continuing that he'd be relieved if she took Michaela since it would be her first time going to it. Afterward, he excitedly related that he wanted to see the two of them as much as possible before lamenting about needing to greet and help around the village as the chief's son. Spotting Michaela heading down the road toward them, he waved and warmly greeted the Elphe.

He then noticed Michaela approach them and warmly greeted her, thanking the girl for her hard work. After sharing their topic of conversation with her, Michaela pointed out that the festival was still far away. Ayn replied that it was the better they planned it sooner, saying he wanted it to be as grand as possible despite the poor harvest for the year. When the Elphe asked what would be the point of having a grand festival for a poor harvest, Ayn retorted that they'd still need to celebrate to cheer everyone up. After telling her she could hear the details from Clarith, Ayn waved and said goodbye before leaving the two.

Fleeing the Nest
"Ayn? What's the matter? Did something happen?" "Eugen was killed by my father. Father's insisting Clarith killed him. A bunch of people are getting ready to arrest her. We have to hurry and escape!"

- Michaela and Ayn

Months later, Ayn discovered his father had poisoned Eugen for threatening to report his corruption to Earl Felix; around that same time, he witnessed his father claim Clarith had poisoned the food she allegedly made for them to pay off her debts out of resentment. As the village riled up into a mob to go and arrest the Netsuma, Ayn quickly rushed to her home and tried to force open the door, desperately shouting for Clarith. When Michaela answered, wondering what was wrong, he explained what was happening and told them they had to escape immediately. Leading them along the safer cliff paths north of Yatski, Ayn got them to safety.

After seeing a nearby tree, he suggested they take a break and pointed to the plant. After the two girls rested under the tree and Clarith fell asleep out of exhaustion, Michaela asked what had happened and he explained the situation to her. When Michaela began to question how they could accept such reasoning, Ayn admitted the village would've suspected her regardless; lamenting he would've objected to it all if he had more power, Ayn punched the tree in his frustration; he then expressed his shame toward his father. When Michaela asked what he planned to do afterward, Ayn decided he'd report the situation to Earl Felix himself.

The girl then asked if he was alright with his father being arrested as a result and the young man stated it didn't matter anymore. Ayn then inquired if Michaela would go with him and explained their prior plans to move to Aceid after Clarith's mother's death. The lonely villager then dejectedly agreed with the plan and admitted it would be easier for them to hide in the capital where they would be surrounded by people. When Michaela suddenly apologized, Ayn brushed it off and said it was best that Clarith remained by her side.

After he declared he'd become stronger and remove all the guilt he had so he could finally face her, Ayn told her to forget about it and said he'd take them to Aceid after their break finished. Once they all recovered, Ayn led them to the capital and took them to the innkeeper couple in the Central District. Explaining the situation to them, the couple gladly took in the two women and Ayn left immediately after for Toragay.

Service to the Earl
"Are you alright, Ayn? What about the village?" "My father was arrested. I can't replace him as chief so somebody else has to do it." "You haven't returned to the village?" "I haven't yet because the Earl appointed me to join the Elphegortean army."

- Michaela and Ayn

Meeting with Earl Felix at his mansion in Toragay, Ayn told him of what transpired at Yatski and the grateful feudal lord had his father arrested for his transgressions. When the Earl appointed him into his garrison in the Elphegortean army as a reward, the young villager gladly accepted the offer and spent his months honing his skills as a soldier. While being taught how to ride horses, Ayn struggled and learned many things about the animals and the difficulty in controlling them.

Later on, Ayn heard from the innkeeper that Michaela and Clarith were hired as maids for the Freezis Family. On December 28, EC 499, Ayn learned the Earl planned to meet with Keel Freezis in Aceid and the soldier asked if he could coming along to visit his friends. The earl accepted the request and assigned him as his bodyguard for the trip. They then traveled to the Freezis Mansion in the capital and, with Keel still away on business, awaited the merchant's return in the meeting room.

At the Earl's request, Michaela and Clarith entered the room to serve tea and snacks when Clarith realized Ayn was there. As both girls looked at him in shock, Keel entered the room and the three were ushered out while the aristocrats had their meeting. Ayn then explained how he found them and ended up visiting, expressing his glee that they were doing well. When Michaela asked about the village, he told them about his father being arrested and his inability to take over.

When the Freezis maid questioned him about not returning to Yatski, the soldier revealed his military appointment by the Earl to them. Ayn then related his dream to become like Leonhart and Gast to protect the most important person to him, saying he'd even be willing to kill his father to avenge Eugen's death. At Michaela's mention of his "important person", Ayn averted his gaze shyly towards Clarith when the meeting room door opened and the two nobles exited.

Once the two finished their conversation, Earl Felix called for Ayn and they began making their way for the exit. Hearing Clarith suddenly shout her thanks for all his help. Touched, tears welled up in his eyes and he gently waved his hand back while not turning around; as he rubbed his tears from his eyes, the soldier left with the Earl and returned to Toragay.

Green War
"I'm going to lure them away. You guys head toward the forest. The soldiers aren't familiar with the terrain there so they won't be able to catch up with you."

- Ayn to Clarith and Michaela

During the Green Hunting in EC 500, Ayn was among the unit deployed to defend Yatski from the invading Lucifenian army. While the defending the town, they were overwhelmed by the Lucifenian forces and the survivors retreated into the Millennium Tree Forest and dispersed. Returning to the village soon after, Ayn was surprised to see Michaela and Clarith there when they were suddenly attacked by the Lucifenian army. Before the soldiers could kill Michaela, Ayn screamed for them to stop and tackled a soldier.

He then shouted for Clarith and Michaela to run. When asked why he was there, he told her to shut up and run, saying they'd talk later. Holding off the soldiers while the two fled south, Ayn saw the soldiers head for their horses to go after them. Catching up to the two, he explained he'd lure the grunt away while they head into the forest where they'd lose them in the unfamiliar terrain. As Clarith cried at him doing this and not coming with them, he told her not to worry and promised to catch up, stating he had a plan.

He then turned to face the soldiers on horseback and cut their leg tendons as they tried to pass, driving them out of control and crippling the soldiers' momentum. Swiftly fleeing into the forest, he caught up with Michaela and Clarith again. Asked how he managed to hold off so many of them, he proudly explained his own experiences on horseback and his secret plan. They then began walking towards the well that hid Keel's secret safehouse to hide Michaela and Ayn explained how he ended up in Yatski.

Admitting his own shock at seeing them there, Ayn applauded the fact he was finally able to protect someone due to his swordsman training. They then suddenly heard a loud roar of people and Ayn noted they called for reinforcements. As they heard one of the soldiers from earlier goad them to give up hiding, Clarith determined to take Michaela's cloak and act as a decoy.

Ayn watched the Netsuma argue with Michaela about her plan and gasped when she confessed her love to the Elphe girl and suddenly kissed her. After Clarith explained to the drowsy Michaela that she slipped a sleeping pill into the kiss, the white-haired woman thanked Ayn and told him to take the incapacitated girl to the hideout while she continued with her plan. Complying, the soldier carried Michaela to the well and hid her inside the hideout at the bottom before returning for Clarith.

Once he found the Netsuma, Ayn defended her from the pursuing soldiers until he was shot in the leg by an arrow and incapacitated while they took her into custody. Left for dead, Ayn returned to the well and removed the arrow, attempting to apply first aid with the kit hidden inside the hideout. After leaving the well to go after Clarith again, Ayn collapsed from his injury shortly after and bled out.

Legacy
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... Ayn..."

- Michaela after discovering Ayn's corpse

Shortly after, Michaela awoke from her coma and discovered the bloodstains on the floor and first aid kit left on the table. Finding Ayn's corpse just outside the well short after, the girl mourned his death and gave him a proper burial, using his nearby sword as a temporary grave marker. After the end of the war with Lucifenia, a proper grave was established on the spot, reading "Here lies Ayn, a brave warrior" on its surface. When Yukina Freezis, Germaine Avadonia, and Gumillia visited the sight years later, they found the grave and prayed to it before leaving.

Clarith later found an orphaned Netsuma boy at the Held Monastery after she became a nun, naming him after her beloved friend. Wearing his namesake, the white-haired Ayn eventually became the first chief of the World Police after it was established. The name was later passed onto the man's grandson, Ayn Anchor, who became motivated to live up to the original namesake after hearing the origin of the name from newspaper reporter Hanne Lorre.

Personality and Traits
"My dream is to be a great swordsman like Leonhart Avadonia and Gast Venom. If I become strong, I'll be able to protect the person most important to me. I'd even consider killing my father to avenge Eugen."

- Ayn showcasing his resolve

Ayn was a cheery and courageous young man. Characterized by his smile, Ayn tried to maintain a positive attitude and good-natured demeanor with everyone, giving a certain charisma. Coinciding with his optimism, he was very considerate of others and always thinking of how to help people even if it was to his detriment. Both outgoing and direct, Ayn was an honest man and a caring individual. Having fallen in love with the Netsuma, Ayn was especially protective of Clarith and constantly worried about her well-being.

As a result, he detested the prejudice his fellow villagers gave towards Clarith and grew to hate his father for his corrupt administration of Yatski. However, Ayn felt powerless to change the deeply-rooted social injustice present in his homeland. Likewise, while ashamed of his father's sleaziness and deceit, he felt equal responsibility for not being able to stand up and defend Clarith as she lived an abused life. Therefore, Ayn felt particularly shy around Clarith and kept his distance, feeling he had neither the right to face her nor the means to protect her for their interactions.

But, after seeing Clarith find a dependable friend in Michaela, Ayn began to develop the courage to take the initiative. Likewise, Michaela's example helped forge Ayn's resolve to improve himself both physically and emotionally, hoping to rid himself of his past guilt and be able to properly face Clarith with his feelings. This resolve became an underlying dedication for Ayn and he strove to become a great swordsman despite the hardships of losing his home, family, and friends; because of this, he respected Michaela and supported her efforts to help Clarith whenever possible.

In spite of his cheery and typically smiling personality, Ayn's frustrations and inner guilt carried with him a darker side he often hid, one both disdainful towards his own shortcomings and fierce towards his enemies. He held a great amount of pride in his skill as a warrior as well, and aspired to become on par with recent legends like Leonhart Avadonia and Gast Venom. Due to his protective nature of Clarith, Ayn's ferocity would become especially aggressive when either her or Michaela were in danger; as a result, he didn't hesitate to strike at armed soldiers and struggled to protect his love until his dying breath.

Skills and Abilities
"Fortunately, swordsmanship school came in handy. I was finally able to protect someone..."

- Ayn

Although born a common villager, Ayn practice swordsmanship early on under Eugen's tutelage and was capable at the basics needed to defend the village poultry. After being recruited into the Elphegortean army, Ayn took formal sword training regiments and honed his skills with the blade. He likewise developed an impressive stamina while wearing heavy armor. He also learned how to ride a horse and learned much about the difficulty in controlling the beast through his personal experiences.

Likewise, Ayn had an aptitude for thinking on his feet, able to make sound plans in short periods of time while under large amounts of pressure. This ability was especially helpful in combat and helped the soldier take on multiple opponents at once without a serious disadvantage. Due to his developed bravery and dedication, Ayn was relentless while fighting and had a hardy endurance even when seriously injured.

Character Connections
Clarith: Ayn's crush. Ayn grew to care greatly about Clarith while growing up in Yatski, developing feelings for her from afar and treating her kindly, despite never able to prevent her treatment at the hands of the other villagers. Ashamed of this, his love for Clarith led to his resolve to be a stronger swordsman in the Elphegort army to protect her, and he defended her until his death.

Michaela: A friend of Ayn. Getting to know her in their time in Yatski, Ayn became close friends with Michaela and he saw her as a good influence and friend for Clarith. He was able to confide in the girl his own shame for not protecting Clarith in Yatski, and defended her as well during the Green Hunting.

Aceid Innkeeper: A man who helped raise Ayn. Ayn was close with the innkeeper and saw him as a parental figure along with his wife; as well as this, he saw them as trustworthy and hospitable people despite their foreign status.

Aceid Innkeeper's Wife: A woman who helped raise Ayn. Ayn was close with the innkeeper's wife and saw her as a mother figure after his own mother's death. As well as this, he saw her as trustworthy and hospitable woman despite her foreign status.

Yatski Chieftain: Ayn's father. Ayn grew contemptuous of his father over his treatment of Clarith and stealing money from Earl Felix, although in the past feeling powerless to go against him. After joining the Elphegort army, he resolved that he would even kill his father to avenge his wrongdoings.

Curiosities

 * In Epic of Evil: The Daughter of Evil Fanbook, Ayn was voted as the fifteenth most popular character in The Daughter of Evil series by Japanese fans, along with Keel Freezis.
 * As a character who is not elaborated upon much, mothy compares his character of Rajih from Deadly Sins of Evil: The Lunacy of Duke Venomania to Ayn.

Gallery
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Appearances

 * The Daughter of Evil: Wiegenlied of Green (first appearance)
 * The Daughter of Evil: Praeludium of Red (mentioned only)
 * Deadly Sins of Evil: Gift from the Princess who Brought Sleep (mentioned only)
 * Entr'acte of Evil: The Daughter of Evil Worldguide (mentioned only)
 * Epic of Evil: The Daughter of Evil Fanbook (mentioned only)
 * The Daughter of Evil (manga)