Young Ester also known as Etoile

Etoile is a stubborn and determined individual, deeply committed to her faith in Yaldabaoth and the Lusitanian cause. She is fiercely patriotic, believing in the righteousness of her nation’s mission, though her gullible nature makes her susceptible to propaganda and exaggerated rumors—such as the false claim that Prince Arslan has horns.

Despite her brash and hot-headed demeanor, Etoile is notably more compassionate and honorable compared to many of her fellow Lusitanian soldiers. She strongly opposes the needless harm of unarmed women and children, even if they belong to an enemy nation, demonstrating a sense of morality and justice that transcends her allegiance.

Although she shares a close bond with Count Barcacion, Etoile lacks strong social skills, often struggling to connect with others, including her fellow Lusitanian knights. Despite valuing camaraderie, she prefers to act independently, avoiding relying on others for help. This is particularly evident when Elam assists her by providing medical aid, leaving her flustered and embarrassed due to her unfamiliarity with accepting kindness from others.

Having spent most of her life disguised as a male soldier and constantly surrounded by men, Etoile initially feels uneasy around women, particularly Alfreed and Farangis. However, over time, she develops a sister-like bond with them, gradually becoming more comfortable with her identity as a woman. Nevertheless, she resents being reminded of her gender, seeing it as a form of condescension or limitation.

As a devout soldier, Etoile initially rejects Arslan’s claims that Lusitania’s leaders exploit their faith for personal gain, believing in the justification of the Maryam invasion on the grounds that its people practiced Yaldabaoth’s teachings incorrectly. However, her worldview is shattered after becoming involved in one of Guiscard’s failed assassination attempts on Innocentis VII.

After witnessing the corruption and conspiracies within Lusitania’s leadership firsthand, Etoile is branded a traitor and narrowly escapes an unjust execution for blindly following Guiscard’s orders. This experience forces her to accept Arslan’s words as truth, ultimately recognizing the wrongdoings committed by her nation and leading to a significant shift in her beliefs.

Etoile is a young girl of the same age as Arslan, with a slender yet athletic build suited for combat. In both the manga and anime, she is depicted with short, messy blonde hair and caramel-colored eyes, framed by noticeable eyelashes. Her sharp facial features and boyish demeanor aid in her disguise as a male soldier, allowing her to blend in among Lusitanian troops.

As a soldier, Etoile wears the standard Lusitanian military uniform, consisting of a chainmail cloak that covers her head and neck while leaving her face exposed. She also dons a simple metal helmet, similar to those worn by other Lusitanian foot soldiers, which helps conceal her now long blonde hair as she continues to fight under her assumed male identity.

Ester was born and raised in Lusitania, a nation deeply rooted in religious fanaticism. From a young age, she was indoctrinated into the belief that Parsians were heathens and that Lusitania’s conquest of Pars was a divine mission.

Wanting to fight for her nation, she disguised herself as a man and adopted the name Etoile, joining the Lusitanian army to participate in the war against Pars.

As a young soldier, Etoile first encountered Arslan when they were children, during a Lusitanian raid on a Parsian village. Despite viewing him as an enemy, she was shocked by his kindness, as he offered her food despite being a prisoner.

This early meeting planted the seeds of doubt in her belief system, though she initially ignored them in favor of her religious devotion.

Years later, as a dedicated Lusitanian soldier, Etoile meets Arslan again, though she does not initially recognize him. They clash ideologically, with Etoile fiercely condemning the Parsian monarchy and its treatment of slaves.

However, as she spends more time with Arslan, she begins to see the flaws in Lusitania’s rule, realizing that Lusitanian leaders are just as corrupt and oppressive as the Parsian monarchy they condemned.

Ester’s perspective begins to change as she witnesses Lusitanian cruelty firsthand, particularly their treatment of non-believers and lower-class citizens. As she struggles with the contradictions in her faith, she becomes torn between her upbringing and her growing admiration for Arslan’s sense of justice.

Her internal conflict becomes one of the most compelling aspects of her character arc, as she slowly begins to trust Arslan and even question her loyalty to Lusitania.

Eventually, Etoile realizes that Arslan’s vision of leadership one built on fairness and equality is far superior to Lusitania’s rule through religious persecution. She ultimately abandons her disguise and reclaims her identity as Ester, stepping away from the blind fanaticism she once embraced.

While she struggles to fully abandon her faith, she chooses to think for herself rather than blindly follow religious leaders, making her one of the most dynamic and developed characters in the series.

Arslan
Etoile first encounters Arslan as a child soldier, mistakenly believing him to be the pampered son of a noble family, unaware of his true identity as the Crown Prince of Pars. She kidnaps him, only to be forced to flee soon after. During her escape, she is nearly struck by an arrow from Daryun, but Arslan’s intervention causes him to miss, unintentionally sparing her life.

Three years later, Etoile and Arslan reunite under vastly different circumstances. By this time, Etoile has become a page serving under Lord Guiscard, the younger brother of King Innocentis VII of Lusitania. She is actively searching for her childhood friends, who were taken as slaves when she escaped. However, Arslan delivers the devastating news that they were all killed, leaving Etoile grief-stricken. Instead of lashing out, she gives Arslan a Lusitanian Bible and offers him refuge in Lusitania, stating that if he converts, she will welcome him to the castle and even treat him to dinner.

The two meet again when Etoile infiltrates Peshawar, disguised as a maiden. Without recognizing her, Arslan helps her escape, showing his continued kindness toward her. Though Etoile still considers him a heathen, she begins to question her beliefs after Arslan expresses his desire to help the people of Pars, rather than ruling for his own gain. Over time, she develops a growing concern for his well-being, even praying for his safety and showing reluctance to fight against him in the future.

During a conversation about destiny, Narsus compares fate to countless stars, stating that Arslan must choose his own path. This is possibly a reference to Etoile, as her name means “star” in French. Furthermore, Etoile plays a key role in Arslan’s decision to fight for the freedom of slaves, shaping his moral compass.

Barcacion
It is strongly implied that Etoile was raised by Count Barcacion, who treated her like a granddaughter despite their military hierarchy. While Etoile views him as a commanding officer, Barcacion’s protective and caring nature suggests that he played a significant role in her upbringing.

Arslan’s Squad
Though Etoile was initially seen as an enemy, after her capture following the fall of St. Emmanuel, she gradually earns the respect and fondness of Arslan’s companions. Her genuine personality, strong convictions, and hidden kindness make her likable even to those who once fought against her.

Over time, Alfreed and Farangis form a sisterly bond with her, despite their differences in beliefs and nationality. Their relationship helps Etoile open up to new perspectives, further challenging her previously rigid worldview.