Saazbaum

Saazbaum is a nobleman in the Vers Empire, with the title of count.

He is 43 years old.

As the head of one of the 37 noble houses, he commands his own Landing Castle.

He also has a special Kataphrakt called Dioscuria.

Saazbaum is a true strategist.

He is quick-witted, smart, and able to figure things out with little information.

He is cautious, making sure not to let anyone know he is the mastermind behind the war.

But he is also bold, often revealing his true feelings to his enemies and testing if they will side with him or not.

He is known to be cold and ruthless.

Saazbaum does not hesitate to use anyone, even friends or the royal family, to reach his goal.

He is the leader of the hardliners, those who want war with Earth the most.

Despite this, Saazbaum is not loyal to the royal family.

He actually hates the rulers of the Vers Empire for sending people to war, and he lost his fiancée, Orlane, in the Heaven’s Fall disaster.

Saazbaum belongs to the independent Mars nation called the Vers Empire.

He is a count who owns a Landing Castle and commands a powerful Kataphrakt named Dioscuria.

He was once friends with Cruhteo, another count.

During the war 15 years ago, he was the first to descend to Earth, but got stranded after the Heaven's Fall.

Dr. Troyard, Slaine’s father, helped him survive during that time.

Saazbaum has a deep resentment for the royal family, especially for the last emperor and for the toll the war took on everyone, including himself.

His wish is to destroy the old, unfair system that makes Mars depend only on Aldnoah.

Saazbaum is a skilled planner, able to manipulate events and people with ease.

His brain always works quickly to come up with solutions.

He is also a dangerous fighter.

He pilots his custom robot, Dioscuria (and later Dioscuria II), during battles.

• Asseylum Vers Allusia: He is the mastermind behind the plan to assassinate her.

He tries to kill her several times but also uses her as part of his schemes.

• Slaine Troyard: Saazbaum feels in debt to Slaine’s father and protects Slaine because of this.

He gives Slaine respect for his loyalty to Asseylum, even though it means Slaine is his enemy.

He saves Slaine from execution and even adopts him as his heir later.

• Cruhteo: They act as friends in public, but Saazbaum puts spies around him and is ready to betray him.
• Orlane: Saazbaum’s fiancée who died during Heaven’s Fall. Her death is part of the reason Saazbaum hates the Vers royal family.
• Lemrina Vers Envers: He uses Lemrina, Asseylum’s half-sister, as a double to keep up the illusion and continue the war.
• Harklight: A loyal retainer whom Saazbaum treats with trust.
• His hardliner faction: Saazbaum leads many knights who follow his goal to change Mars and keep fighting Earth.

The Mastermind Behind the Attack

Saazbaum is one of the 37 noble knights with the right to own a Landing Castle.

He is the main leader of the hardliners who want war against Earth.

Saazbaum plans the assassination of Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia, using this as an excuse to get the other Mars knights to start a full-scale invasion.

Secret Hatred and Personal Loss

He secretly hates the Vers royal family, blaming them and Earth for the old war and the death of his beloved fiancée Orlane during Heaven's Fall.

His real goal is to destroy the unjust system that makes Mars depend on Aldnoah.

Friendships and Betrayals

In public, Saazbaum acts like a friend to Count Cruhteo but actually places spies on him and plans to betray him if needed.

He also manipulates other knights by sending spies like Trillram to their castles.

Thankfulness to Dr. Troyard and Slaine’s Fate

Saazbaum was helped by Dr. Troyard during a tough time and feels obligated to help Slaine, his son.

He saves Slaine from execution, tells him the truth, and lets him decide whether to become an enemy or an ally.

Battle with Inaho Kaizuka and the Turning Point

When Asseylum sends a call for peace, Saazbaum cuts it off to keep the war going.

He brings his Landing Castle down on Earth's headquarters and fights Inaho Kaizuka.

Inaho figures out Dioscuria’s weakness and, along with Asseylum stopping the Aldnoah Drive, defeats Saazbaum.

The Attack on Asseylum and Near-Death

Even while defeated, Saazbaum shoots at Asseylum, badly injuring her.

Slaine, enraged, shoots Saazbaum in revenge.

Slaine’s Deal and Saazbaum’s Survival

Slaine saves Saazbaum’s life in exchange for letting Asseylum live.

Saazbaum continues to fight, using Lemrina as a double to keep up the plan.

Adopting Slaine as an Heir

Saazbaum trusts Slaine and gives him his own Kataphrakt, the Tharsis.

He makes Slaine his adopted son, naming him his heir, as a shield against other suspicious noble houses.

Final Betrayal and Death

Saazbaum faces Inaho and his friends again in the rebuilt Dioscuria II.

But Slaine, who cannot forgive Saazbaum for hurting Asseylum and causing the war, sets a trap for him.

Saazbaum is gunned down, smiling when Slaine, filled with mixed emotions, calls him "Father" as he delivers the final blow.

After Saazbaum's Death

Slaine, now the leader, holds a state funeral for Saazbaum.

He takes Saazbaum’s place as the main power behind the war.

Saazbaum's story is one of tragedy, hate, revenge, and a twisted sense of duty.

He wanted a better Mars but sacrificed everything and everyone for his plans.

His life and death leave a deep mark on Slaine and the fate of the Vers Empire.