Princess Edelgard von Hresvelg, also known as the Flame Emperor, is the secondary antagonist within Nintendo's Fódlan Saga of the Fire Emblem franchise.
She is the princess and heir of the Adrestian Empire, the house leader of the Black Eagles, and the leader of the Flame Emperor Army. She works reluctantly with Those Who Slither in the Dark against the Church of Seiros, but is shown to have her own agenda of wanting to demolish the Crest System and restore peace in the land of Fódlan. She is also the stepsister and arch-rival of Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, as well as the arch-rival of Seiros/Rhea.
In Fire Emblem: Three Houses, she is the main antagonist in the Azure Moon route, and the secondary antagonist in both the Verdant Wind and Silver Snow routes. In Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, she is one of the two main antagonists (alongside Thales) in the Azure Gleam route, and the secondary antagonist of the first half of the Golden Wildfire route.
In Japanese, she is voiced by Ai Kakuma. In English, she was voiced by Cristina Valenzuela in the E3 2018 trailer and Tara Platt in the released game and all other appearances.
What Makes Her Magnificent?[]
- She masterfully played the role of a double agent, carefully balancing her interactions with various contentious alliances. This required immense foresight and meticulous planning, allowing her to keep her true intentions hidden while simultaneously advancing her cause. Her ability to deceive not just her enemies but even some of her allies speaks to her incredible cunning and adaptability.
- Through her compelling rhetoric and charisma, she successfully rallied large groups of troops, supporters, and factions to her cause. Her speeches and personal interactions were laced with a sincerity and passion that resonated deeply with her followers, earning her their unwavering loyalty.
- Despite her ruthless approach to war, she exhibited a surprising degree of forgiveness towards her contemporaries, often offering them the chance to surrender rather than killing them outright.
- Her compassion and empathy were evident in her interactions with her allies. She was not just a leader but also a mentor who took a personal interest in the well-being and growth of those around her. For instance, her support with Linhardt, where she encourages him to use his intellect for the betterment of society, reflects her desire to help others realize their potential.
- Her commanding presence was so powerful that even the most formidable and independent figures, like Hubert and the Death Knight, were drawn to her cause. This magnetic pull wasn’t just about fear or duty—it was about genuine respect and belief in her vision.
- In the world of Fódlan, she became a symbol of freedom, change, and revolution. Even those who initially supported the church, like Hanneman and Manuela, found themselves aligning with her cause, recognizing the necessity of the reforms she was fighting for.
- Her extreme actions were always grounded in a deeply personal sense of justice and a desire to reform a corrupt system. Unlike others who sought power for its own sake, her motivations were rooted in the tragedies she endured and a genuine belief in a better future.
- Her stubbornness and resolve were defining characteristics that drove her forward, no matter the odds. She was fully aware of the resentment her actions would generate, yet she pressed on, driven by the conviction that her plans were necessary for the greater good.
- Unlike many other cunning characters in the story, she never displayed excessive arrogance or fell into the trap of becoming a control freak. Even when her plans faced setbacks, she maintained her composure and dignity, never allowing her emotions to undermine her authority or vision.
- In various routes where she meets her end, she does so with a sense of honor and acceptance. Whether it's allowing herself to be defeated by Dimitri or recognizing that her death might be necessary to stop the war, she faced her fate with dignity.
- Despite being forced to ally with Those Who Slither in the Dark (TWSITD) due to her circumstances, she never lost sight of the threat they posed. She took active steps to minimize their influence and eventually planned their downfall.
- The incident with Kostas, where he inadvertently attacked her, could have compromised her entire plan. However, she quickly adapted, ensuring that Kostas was eliminated without leaving any traces that could lead back to her.
- In all routes other than her own, it required the direct intervention of Byleth, a being with divine powers, to defeat her. Her rise to power was otherwise unchallenged, as she skillfully navigated and neutralized threats before they could gain momentum. Her strategic acumen ensured that her path to leadership was as smooth as possible, even in the face of formidable opposition.
- Her actions were driven by deeply sympathetic motivations, rooted in the pain and suffering she experienced in her past. Unlike other antagonists who were driven by greed or a desire for dominance, her goals were focused on creating a more just and equitable society. This made her a more complex and relatable character, even when her methods were extreme.
- Her courage was matched by a profound self-awareness. She knew that her actions would lead to conflict and hatred, yet she never allowed this to deter her. Instead, she accepted the burden of leadership with all its consequences, never succumbing to self-doubt or allowing her pride to cloud her judgment.
What Makes Her a Baddie?[]
- One of Edelgard's most morally questionable decisions was her alliance with Those Who Slither in the Dark (TWSITD), a group responsible for countless atrocities, including the destruction of entire cities and the massacre of innocent people. By aligning herself with them, Edelgard tacitly accepted their horrific methods and ideologies, using their resources and power to further her own ambitions. Although she planned to eventually eliminate them, her willingness to work with such a malevolent group shows a willingness to compromise her morals for the sake of her goals, effectively making her complicit in their crimes.
- At the outset of her campaign, Edelgard orchestrated an assassination attempt on the heirs of the Leicester Alliance and the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, Claude and Dimitri, respectively. This plot was designed to create a power vacuum, making it easier for her to assert control over the continent.
- Employed the services of the Death Knight, a sadistic and bloodthirsty warrior, to further her plans. The Death Knight, under her command, kidnapped Flayn, a student at the Officers Academy, to harvest her blood for twisted experiments.
- Her ultimate goal was to unite Fódlan under her rule, but she chose to achieve this by instigating a war that engulfed the entire continent. This war led to widespread devastation, countless deaths, and the suffering of millions of people.
- Throughout her campaign, Edelgard used manipulation and deception to further her cause. She deceived her classmates, allies, and even her enemies by hiding her true identity as the Flame Emperor. This deception allowed her to orchestrate various schemes, including the assassination plot and the war, while maintaining her public persona as a noble and virtuous leader.
- In her relentless pursuit of her vision, Edelgard was willing to sacrifice even her own people. For instance, in the Crimson Flower route, she orders the execution of Duke Aegir and others who opposed her, despite their prior service to the Empire. This action underscores her willingness to eliminate anyone who stood in her way, even if they were once loyal subjects or allies. It also reveals a darker aspect of her leadership, where loyalty and service are not enough to guarantee safety from her wrath.
- During the course of the war, Edelgard employed brutal tactics that caused widespread suffering. One notable example is her willingness to use the forbidden technology of TWSITD, such as the Javelins of Light, to annihilate entire battlefields. These weapons of mass destruction not only caused immense loss of life but also inflicted lasting damage on the land and its people.