Lutheran Barnett

"You say you don’t fear opposing the entire world as your enemy? Mighty arrogant of you, Shadow!"

- Lutheran to Shadow

Lutheran Barnett (ルスラン・バーネット) was the Assistant Principal of Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy and Sherry's adoptive father. In truth, he was the former 12th seat Knights of Rounds of the Cult of Diablos, alias 'Sir Gaunt' (痩騎士). Seeking to reclaim his position, he launched an attack on the Academy to acquire the a cure for his terminal illness whilst framing Shadow Garden, only to be thwarted and killed by Shadow.

Appearance
Lutheran was a middle-aged man. He had black slicked-back hair with grey streaks. In the light novel, he has a beard.

In his guise as "Sir Gaunt", he hides his face with a mask and dressed jet-black cloaks on the novel and manga. While in the anime, he wears a full suit of menacing-looking dark plate armor with a red cape that conceals his identity and voice.

Personality
"That’s why I had to kill her. I started stabbing her from her extremities inward, until I impaled her heart and twisted my blade."

- Lutheran reveals his true nature when he explains how he kill Lukreia to Cid Kagenō

While Lutheran was viewed as a humble man in the public with a close relationship with his stepdaughter, Sherry who he always tried to support her activities and encourage social interactions, this was all a façade to cover up his true nature as the real Lutheran was a power-hungry yet pitiful person.

Having been the 12th Seat Knight of Rounds in his peak before he was demoted due to his illness, he was completely obsessed with regaining his former glory. He is also highly manipulative as he used Sherry and her late mother as means to achieve his goals. He even expressed his pride in having killed Sherry's mother, making him a true psychopath which makes even disgusted Cid to the point that he called his action "unpleasant".

Despite his malicious and selfish side, Lutheran retained a bit of honor and respect for the handling of the sword; and that of the others since when he was in front of Shadow, he confessed that he must understand that just like others, when one goes the way of the sword, it cannot stop. When he obtained that sensation of power and glory, this lead Lutheran to do anything to recover his glory regardless of who he manipulates or kills selfishly and sadistically.

Background
Lutheran was once a master of both literacy and military arts which had earned him a Bushin Festival championship and propelled him to the top of the sword-fighting world. Even the Cult of Diablos took notice of him and recruited him, to which he agreed to reach further heights. Afterward, he would rise through the Cult's ranks to become the 12th seat of the Knights of Rounds. However, just as he had reached the "peak of the sword-fighting world", Lutheran suddenly contracted a terminal illness that crippled him as a fighter. As a result, he was forced to vacate his 12th Seat position and be demoted to a "Second Child" all the while the Cult tries to find a replacement for the vacant title.

Yearning for his former position, Lutheran sought for cure to his illness, even trying dangerous and illegal methods. During his search, Lutheran met Lukreia, a brilliant scientist who specialized in deciphering ancient languages. Seeking to use her, he began working with her under the guise of friendship and funded her research. Lutheran eventually stumbled upon an artifact known as the "Eye of Avarice" that was capable of sucking and accumulating magic from its surroundings, which he was sure could cure his illness. However, Lukreia concluded it to be too dangerous and decided to hand it over to the Midgar Kingdom for safekeeping. Upon learning of her relent on the artifact, Lutheran brutally murdered Lukreia by stabbing her in the back, joints, twisted her heart before fleeing the scene with the Eye.

Afterward, Lutheran attended Lukreia's funeral where he met her daughter, Sherry. Seeing that the girl had inherited her mother's intellect, Lutheran took her in and supported her education with the intent of using her to complete the research on the artifact. Meanwhile, Lutheran infiltrated the Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy, where he made his way up to Assistant-Principal. However, he made the mistake of storing the Eye of Avarice in the Cult's Midgar base which was ran by Zenon, leading to the artifact being confiscated after the place was discovered following Alexia's kidnapping; setting up Lutheran's introduction into the story when Iris entrusted the artifact to Sherry for research.

Midgar Academy Terrorist Attack
Lutheran and Sherry Barnett were visited by Princess Iris Midgar and Alexia Midgar. Iris gave Sherry an artifact belonging to the Cult of Diablos and asks her to decipher the text on it. Lutheran encouraged her to do so stating its a rare opportunity which she accepted. It was then Iris decided to assign the Crimson Order to keep watch on them. Lutheran heard that was the new Knight Order that Iris formed and she confirmed that it is a small order. She stated that it was formed by the people she trusts and he went to question her about her distrust towards the Knight Order to which she gave a silent answer. Lutheran allowed it under the condition that he takes only two guards to secure Sherry in her lab, so Princess Iris chose her most trusted men: Glen and Marco Granger.

Later, he saw Sherry having a chocolate and she explained that a boy gave it to her. He told her that its hard to obtain such good chocolate which meant that he boy must've really like her and she must consider well what she will reply. On the next day, Lutheran noticed the boy named Cid Kagenō after Sherry told him that they were going to be friends and he chimed into their conversation. He adviced Cid to take care of his injuries before he decided to leave.

For his ambitions to reinstated as 12th seat of the Knights of Rounds knowing he's running out of time due to his deteriorating health, Lutheran disguised himself under the identity of a "Sir Gaunt" and ordered his Cult's henchmen to commit murders throughout the Midgar royal capital while posing as Shadow Garden. This was done in an effort to have the organization they're posing earn the contempt and enmity of the world. When he heard the lost contact report of his men, he stated that it was fine because he located the item he need which was his priority retrieving it. The Cult forces under Lutheran's orders took over Midgar Academy by creating a magic blocking field from the artifact to round up all the students and killed anyone that opposed them in order to frame and discredit Shadow Garden as public enemy number 1. He then ordered Rex to go find the catalyst for the Eye of Avarice, but failed to retrieve it. After hearing this, he threatened Rex with death to go and find the artifact until he heard Rex's reports that some of their men had been taken out by someone skilled and guesses that they manage to get Shadow Garden's attention. Rex and his men immediately went out to search for the artifact but never came back. Unaware that Rex was already killed, Lutheran called him useless when the magic field that surrounded the Academy was disabled and the students started fighting back. amidst the chaos, Shadow Garden arrived and engaged the Cult forces in combat. Lutheran then fled the auditorium leaving his minions to their deaths and caused an explosion by lighting fire to the gas pipes he uninstalled within the campus. He then snuck into his room to burn evidence to cover his tracks before leaving. It was then Cid was already at the his and told him that he already knows who he is. This surprised Lutheran as he praised the student for his perception as he took off his disguise. Cid asked why he decided to abide by the academy and him answering that he did everything to reach the top he once was, confessing to Cid by describing in detail on all his misdeeds, as well as the murder of Sherry's mother and the manipulation of Sherry. Cid told him that despite all this, he didn't know how to answer him after hearing everything. He told him that even if it's a little bit, it disgusted him which caused Lutheran to strike him down with his sword in response. Believing he killed Cid off to cover his tracks, Lutheran decided to leave when Shadow appeared before him. Lutheran knew that he was at disadvantage against him because his experience with strong fighters, to which he discarded his little honor that he had left with the sword and began using the Eye of Avarice to its full potential. This allowed him to acquire an immense magical power and his illness was cured. Lutheran attacked Shadow with all his might but was unable to land a decisive blow. Lutheran acknowledged Shadow's strength and explained to him that he will fail, because he already devised the plan so that the world will despises him and his organization. However, Shadow retorted that none of it matters to him because they will continue on the same path they choose and that they'll shoulder all the world's sins. Lutheran believed that his unfazed statement was arrogant and was prepared to kill him. However, Shadow disarmed and performed retribution on him while recalling how he murdered Sherry's mother before finishing it by twisting his heart. In his death, Lutheran realized that both Cid and Shadow are the same person before being killed by the Leader of Shadow Garden.

Legacy
After his death, Lutheran succeeded in framing Shadow Garden for his crimes of terrorizing the academy and all over the kingdom. This resulted in the organization being viewed as the "enemy of the world" with Midgar Kingdom are actively hunting them down. Even worse, Lutheran died a martyr to his stepdaughter, Sherry now holds a grudge against Shadow for killing him, unaware that her supposed "adoptive father" was her mother's murderer.

Powers & Abilities
Being the former 12th Seat Round Knight, Lutheran was considered one of the strongest Cult of Diablos members and executive leader before his demotion. After his demotion, he still possessed an authority as a higher up within the Cult. Lutheran even acknowledge that his current strength wasn't enough to fight Shadow and had intended to use the "Eye of Avarice" artifact to restore him back to his peak condition in order to face off him. As the Assistant Principal, Lutheran held great authority within the Academy.

Physical Prowess
Lutheran's condition before his death had the strength at least of a "Second Children" within the Cult. Having an experience with strong fighters, Lutheran knows that with his condition wasn't enough against Shadow and was forced to use the Eye of Avarice to have a chance against him.

Multitalented Warrior
As a former Bushin Festival champion and Round Knight, Lutheran was highly skilled in both swordsmanship and magic. He was highly efficient in handling the sword even after falling ill. His illness did not deter him from practicing but however, it had taken its toll when it had gradually exacerbated until he used the Eye of Avarice.

Despite his illness leaving him severely weakened, Lutheran had shown to have enough strength and abilities to take on an ordinary magical swordsmen and instructor. However, he ends his fight quickly to avoid his illness symptoms from showing.

Equipment

 * Sword (Standard equipment for all Knights and Swordsman.)
 * Tears of Diablos (in the novel, he uses the pills to increase his strength before activating the Eye of Avarice.)
 * Eye of Avarice (By combining the artifact with the control unit, he was able to cure his illness and regain his powers from his peak for a brief period before being killed by Shadow.)

Manipulator
Through his façade, he was able to manipulate several people into believing his occupation at school and what has happen in his death. Prior, he was also able to manipulate Sherry and Lukreia into his bidding until the late researcher decided against working on the Eye of Avarice.

Quick Flash
Through his mastery of the sword, he was able to strike his opponents upon unsheathing his sword. This is demonstrated when he believed to have killed Cid after hearing his confession.


 * Fast Flash Empowered

Sherry Barnett
Lukreia's daughter. Lutheran never held any genuine affection towards her as he used the late-researcher's daughter as a means to cure his illness. He proudly admits alongside the murder of her mother to Cid who became disgusted when he confronted the former Round Knight. This admission would ultimately be his undoing when Shadow gave retribution to the former Round Knight.

Zenon Griffey
Fellow Cult member and infiltrator. Despite having seniority over the former instructor, Zenon had more authority over him most in due his candidate position to replace his former seating within the Round Knights. However neither higher up members would earn the 12th seat position when they were killed by the hands of Shadow.

Rex
Subordinate. The relationship between the two was tense due to how little to no respect the two had for each other. Lutheran was patient with the Child's attitude until he reported what happen with the Eye of Avarice to which he was enraged and had threaten him to retrieve it from Sherry. When Rex didn't came back, the former Round Knight called him useless unaware that he was killed by Shadow.

Cid Kagenō / Shadow
Initially, Lutheran did not thought much of the student as he encouraged his step-daughter to form a friendship with him. Much of it changed when he confronted him as he was impressed by the student's foresight. In combat, much of his perception was in likeness of the former statement.

As Shadow however, the former Round Knight acknowledged his strength and knew he was at a disadvantage against him. Even with the Eye of Avarice, he was no match against him and was ultimately killed by him.

Lukreia
Sherry's mother. Lukreia believed Lutheran to be a genuine friend when she was shunned by her colleges. Lutheran however saw otherwise as he only used her as a means to cure his illness until she went against working on the Eye of Avarice. Enraged, Lutheran brutally murdered the researcher in front of her daughter and used her to work on the artifact in her stead. This would ultimately be his undoing when Shadow killed him upon admitting to the murder and exploitation.

Trivia

 * Though only realizing it in his final moments, he is the only Cult member to have discovered Shadow's true identity and also the first person that make Cid, who is only interested in himself feel "uncomfortable" on his action.
 * It is unknown exactly what seat he previously occupied, but it has been speculated that the position he occupied was the 12th Seat considering that position currently is still vacant until now.
 * After the death of Zenon Griffey who was the prime candidate for occupying the 12th seat, it is speculated that Lutheran took the opportunity to reclaim his "Seat" before another candidates emerged.
 * His first name was originally named as "Ruslan" in Japanese, but the official Yen Press translation renamed him as "Lutheran".
 * Lutheran shares a few characteristics with Darth Vader, being a menacing black knight with a cape as he using a deep voice and does not take failure well, suffering from an ailment that weakens him, and being the (step)father of the character.
 * Unlike Vader, though, Lutheran does not feel remorse for any of his misdeeds and holds no true love for his adoptive daughter.