Arslan is depicted as a gentle and compassionate prince, embodying kindness and humility, which starkly contrasts with the ruthless and authoritarian nature of his father, King Andragoras III. He deeply cares for those around him, valuing the lives of his companions and subordinates over his own. Due to his soft-spoken and reserved nature, many initially perceive him as an unfit successor to the throne, lacking his father’s unyielding bravery and commanding presence. However, Arslan possesses a strong heart and a keen sense of perception, allowing him to adapt and grow over the course of his journey.

Following the Battle of Atropatene, where he was forced to flee while many of his country’s soldiers perished, guilt and self-doubt began to weigh heavily on him. However, his experiences, particularly his encounters with Etoile, shape his egalitarian worldview he comes to believe that all men are equal, rejecting the notion that slaves and Lusitanians are inherently inferior. This open-mindedness allows him to form friendships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Elam, a former slave, and Etoile, a devoted Lusitanian soldier.

Initially, Arslan is reluctant to engage in combat and struggles with the morality of taking a life. However, his perspective shifts after he kills a Lusitanian soldier for the first time at Atropatene. Though he is initially haunted by the act, he gradually comes to accept the harsh realities of war, eventually developing the resolve to fight and kill when necessary even against fellow Parsian men. As his journey progresses, he becomes more confident in his role as a leader, vowing to become a worthy king in order to honor the trust and loyalty of his companions.

Despite his gentle nature, Arslan is also highly intelligent and insightful. His ability to win over skilled allies is exemplified by his recruitment of Narsus, a brilliant tactician who had long despised the Parsian court. He also demonstrates strategic foresight, correctly deducing that the enemy may seek to use slaves to bolster their forces. Over time, he grows wiser and more politically astute, striving to become a just and capable ruler one whom his people can follow with unwavering faith, rather than despair over his leadership.

Arslan has a fragile and slender physique, often leading others to mistake him for a weakling. His delicate features and lack of an imposing presence cause many, including Kharlan’s soldiers, to underestimate him, referring to him as a dead weight.

He has long, silver hair, which he typically ties into a low ponytail, and light blue eyes with notably large pupils compared to others. Arslan is shorter than average, though this is likely due to his young age, as he is similar in height to Elam and Etoile, who are his peers. His fair complexion is noticeably lighter than that of most Parsians, setting him apart from the general populace.

As a prince of Pars, Arslan wears high-quality clothing befitting his royal status. In battle, he dons golden armor, though he loses his helmet in the course of one of his early engagements. He also wears golden earrings in both ears and is rarely seen without his sword, which he carries with him at all times.

Born as the only son of King Andragoras III and Queen Tahamine, Arslan was raised within the royal palace of Ecbatana, largely sheltered from the harsh realities of war and politics. Unlike his father, a proud and militaristic ruler, Arslan was seen as too soft-hearted and inexperienced to inherit the throne.

At age 14, Arslan joins his father’s army in the Battle of Atropatene, where the Parsian forces are betrayed and utterly defeated by the invading Lusitanians. Forced to flee for his life, Arslan barely escapes with the help of his loyal knight, Daryun, while his father is captured and imprisoned.

With the Lusitanians seizing Ecbatana and placing Silvermask (Hilmes) as their ruler, Arslan becomes a fugitive, seeking allies to reclaim his rightful place as king.

With Daryun’s help, Arslan gathers a band of loyal companions, including the tactician Narsus, the bard Gieve, the priestess Farangis, and the soldier Elam. This group of strategists, warriors, and scholars becomes the core of his resistance army, as Arslan leads small yet decisive battles against the Lusitanians while rallying support from the people.

Beyond the threat of Lusitania, Arslan also faces rival claimants to the throne, particularly Silvermask (Hilmes), who seeks to dethrone Arslan based on his own claim as a royal descendant. With political conspiracies, foreign powers, and traitors working against him, Arslan must prove himself worthy of kingship while ensuring that Pars does not fall into chaos.

Swordsmanship
Initially, Arslan had poor combat skills, struggling even with basic sword techniques. His inexperience was evident when he mistakenly referred to a simple attack as a “finishing technique.” However, through rigorous training under Eran Vahriz, he gradually improved his proficiency. Over time, he became competent in swordsmanship, demonstrating the ability to defend himself and defeat enemies in battle. He has successfully killed both Lusitanian soldiers and Parsian traitors in various confrontations, proving his capability on the battlefield.

Archery
Arslan possesses adequate skill in archery, allowing him to engage enemies from a distance when necessary. While not an exceptional marksman, he is capable of hitting targets effectively and using a bow in combat situations.

Horsemanship and Falconry
As a member of the Parsian royal family, Arslan was trained in horsemanship from a young age and has no difficulty riding horses, even in combat scenarios. Additionally, he is familiar with falconry and is able to handle hawks, which are commonly used for communication and scouting in the kingdom of Pars.

Andragoras III and Tahamine
Arslan deeply respects and cares for his parents, referring to them as “Lord Father” and “Lady Mother.” However, this affection is not reciprocated. His mother, Queen Tahamine, is cold and distant, showing even less warmth toward him than toward her husband. His father, King Andragoras III, is strict and authoritarian, largely neglecting Arslan in favor of indulging Tahamine.

This lack of parental affection has led to speculation that Arslan is not Andragoras’s biological son. It is later revealed that he is not related to either Andragoras or Tahamine by blood—he was actually born to a foot soldier and a servant girl. It is believed that Arslan was adopted as the crown prince due to Andragoras and Tahamine’s inability to conceive an heir, and because his appearance bore a resemblance to Tahamine, making it possible to pass him off as their son.

Daryun
Daryun is Arslan’s most loyal retainer, unwavering in his commitment to protect him at any cost. He first proves his dedication during the Battle of Atropatene, where he single-handedly challenges Kharlan and his men to ensure Arslan’s escape.

Daryun views Arslan as a kind and just leader, believing that he has the potential to bring peace to Pars. Likewise, Arslan deeply values and trusts Daryun, often worrying about his safety when he faces large numbers of enemies. Arslan’s protectiveness is so strong that, for the first time in his life, he threatens someone when they endanger Daryun.

Initially, Daryun protects Arslan because of a promise to his uncle, Vahriz, but as their journey continues, his loyalty becomes personal. In a display of his unwavering dedication, Daryun even rejects the offer of a proper bed, instead choosing to sleep on the ground near Arslan’s room to ensure his safety. Their bond of trust and mutual respect makes Daryun Arslan’s closest companion.

Narsus
Narsus is one of Arslan’s most trusted advisors, valued for his brilliant intellect and strategic foresight. Arslan greatly respects his insight and tactical skills, often seeking his guidance in military and political matters. In recognition of Narsus’s talents, Arslan promises to appoint him as the court painter once he reclaims the Parsian throne, despite Narsus’s lack of artistic skill.

Narsus, in turn, finds Arslan intriguing due to his uncommon kindness and concern for others, believing that he has the potential to become a great king. He occasionally devises lessons in political awareness, such as orchestrating an incident where slaves grow to resent Arslan for killing their masters, forcing the young prince to confront harsh realities and learn through experience.

Elam
Elam, originally skeptical of Arslan due to his status as a prince, initially holds a grudge against him because of his background—Elam’s family were former slaves. Despite this, Arslan genuinely attempts to befriend him, as they are of similar age and Arslan has had few opportunities to form friendships. However, Elam finds this irritating, viewing Arslan’s friendliness as naivety.

Their dynamic changes when Arslan saves Elam during battle, causing Elam to reevaluate his prejudice and develop respect and loyalty toward the prince. Over time, they form a strong friendship, and Elam becomes protective of Arslan, standing by him in times of danger. Arslan, in turn, expresses appreciation for Elam’s cooking, frequently complimenting his skills.

Gieve
Gieve initially joins Arslan’s company with little personal investment, as his main interest lies in staying close to Farangis rather than supporting Arslan’s cause. At first, he views Arslan with indifference, caring little about his struggle to reclaim the throne.

However, after witnessing Arslan’s selflessness in risking his life to save Elam, Gieve becomes intrigued by him. While he does not share the same political ambitions as the rest of the company, he continues to protect Arslan, viewing him as a worthy leader despite his initial apathy.

Vahriz
Vahriz was one of the few fatherly figures in Arslan’s life, serving as both his swordsmanship instructor and mentor. While strict and demanding, he genuinely cared for Arslan, giving him the guidance and attention that his parents neglected to provide.

Upon learning of Vahriz’s death, Arslan openly weeps for his fallen mentor, expressing regret for having complained about his lessons rather than appreciating his teachings.

Kharlan
Kharlan’s betrayal deeply affects Arslan, leaving him shaken and disillusioned. He struggles to believe that Kharlan would betray the kingdom simply for gold, instead suspecting that there must have been a deeper reason behind his actions. Even after Kharlan’s death, Arslan remains troubled by his former loyalty to the crown and his ultimate betrayal.

Etoile
Arslan’s encounter with Etoile is a pivotal moment in his character development. Initially oblivious to the darker aspects of Parsian society, Arslan gains a greater understanding of the suffering of slaves after meeting Etoile, a devoted Lusitanian soldier.

Despite their opposing backgrounds, Arslan treats Etoile with kindness and respect. He refuses to see Lusitanians and slaves as lesser beings, showing a willingness to engage in dialogue rather than conflict. When Etoile is captured as a hostage, Arslan ensures that he is protected, even saving his life when he nearly falls from a rooftop. He later prevents Daryun from executing him, further demonstrating his desire for peace over vengeance

During their second encounter, Arslan refers to Etoile as a friend, further defying the animosity between their nations. Etoile, while still loyal to Lusitania, begins to question her perception of Arslan, particularly after he explains his desire to rebuild Pars for the sake of its people rather than personal ambition. She later gives him a Lusitanian Bible, suggesting that if he converts to her faith, she will welcome him to the Lusitanian court and even offer him hospitality.

Their interactions continue when Etoile infiltrates Peshward, disguised as a maiden. Arslan helps her escape, unaware of her true identity. Though Etoile still regards Arslan as a heathen, she begins to soften toward him, even praying for his safety and expressing reluctance to fight him in the future.