Appearance in Anime

Hilmes is a man of unwavering ambition, firmly believing himself to be the rightful successor to the throne of Pars. He is ruthless and relentless in his pursuit of power, willing to eliminate anyone who stands in his way, including innocent people. His cruel and pragmatic nature makes him a formidable adversary, though he possesses the ability to control his temper when necessary.

His hatred toward King Andragoras III is deeply personal, stemming from the events of sixteen years prior, when he was betrayed and nearly killed. Seeing Andragoras suffer brings him great satisfaction, as he views it as justified revenge for his past misfortunes.

Hilmes has an unyielding confidence in his abilities, never once doubting his right to rule. He is infuriated by the fact that skilled warriors such as Daryun and Narsus choose to support Arslan instead of him, perceiving their loyalty as an insult to his legitimacy.

A highly skilled swordsman, Hilmes is one of the few individuals capable of matching Daryun in combat, and he is possibly even more skilled. However, due to the assassination attempt he survived sixteen years ago, in which he was severely burned, he has developed an intense fear of fire, a weakness that can be exploited in battle.

Despite his cruelty, Hilmes is not entirely devoid of compassion, as seen in his gentle and considerate treatment of the blind Princess of Maryam, revealing a more nuanced and complex side to his character.

Hilmes is a tall and strikingly handsome man in his twenties, with dark brown hair slicked back, though a few strands hang loosely over his forehead. However, due to the severe burns he sustained from an assassination attempt sixteen years prior, the right side of his face is heavily scarred. To conceal his disfigurement, he wears a distinctive silver mask, earning him the moniker “Lord Silvermask.”

He is typically clad in a black cloak draped over his attire. Beneath the cloak, he wears a black long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and knee-high boots, giving him a dark and imposing presence befitting his fearsome reputation.

Hilmes was born as the son of King Osroes V, making him a member of the Parsian royal family. However, his life took a tragic turn when his uncle, Andragoras III, seized the throne. During the coup, Andragoras left Hilmes to die in his burning home, resulting in severe burns on the right side of his face. This traumatic experience not only scarred him physically but also led to the development of pyrophobia, leaving him with an intense fear of fire.

It was later revealed that Hilmes was actually the son of Gotarzes II, the father of both Osroes V and Andragoras III. His mother was Osroes’ wife, making Hilmes the younger half-brother of both Osroes and Andragoras. Despite this revelation, his claim to the throne remained contested, fueling his determination to reclaim his birthright and exact revenge on those who wronged him.

Hilmes is an exceptionally skilled swordsman, capable of defeating or holding his own against some of the most formidable warriors in Pars. He has successfully fought against Vahriz, Narsus, and Daryun, demonstrating both superior technique and combat experience. His refined swordsmanship, combined with his agility and tactical awareness, makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the series.

Beyond his combat skills, Hilmes possesses strong leadership qualities, earning the loyalty and devotion of his followers. His charismatic presence and unwavering determination allow him to command respect and trust, even from high-ranking individuals. Notably, Xandes and Sam serve him with absolute loyalty, willing to fight and die for his cause.

His ability to inspire unwavering allegiance is further exemplified by General Kharlan, a distinguished Parsian officer who defected to Lusitania solely to help Hilmes reclaim the throne, believing in his right to rule over Andragoras and Arslan.

Princess Irina
Hilmes first met Princess Irina in the Kingdom of Maryam, where he was taken in by the Maryamian king. He was drawn to her due to her blindness, and over time, the two developed a close bond, with Hilmes frequently describing the world to her. He deeply cares for Irina and at one point, promised to take her with him once he reclaimed the throne of Pars.

They later reunite in Pars, when Irina seeks him out, demonstrating her continued trust and affection for him. Despite his ruthless nature, Hilmes remains protective of Irina, showing a rare display of kindness and sincerity in her presence.

Andragoras III
King Andragoras III is Hilmes’ uncle and the primary target of his hatred. Hilmes despises Andragoras for usurping the throne and, more importantly, for attempting to kill him by leaving him to burn alive during the coup against King Osroes V. His quest for vengeance against Andragoras is a driving force behind his actions, fueling his determination to reclaim the throne by any means necessary.

Arslan
Hilmes sees Arslan as an illegitimate heir, viewing him as nothing more than Andragoras’ son and an obstacle to his rightful rule. He harbors deep resentment toward Arslan, believing that he has no rightful claim to the throne of Pars. Hilmes is further enraged by the fact that powerful and intelligent figures like Daryun and Narsus have chosen to support Arslan instead of him, further cementing his personal vendetta against his cousin.

Bahman
Bahman was Hilmes’ teacher and mentor, responsible for training him in swordsmanship and archery. Under Bahman’s guidance, Hilmes developed exceptional combat skills, becoming one of the most formidable warriors in Pars. Despite this connection, Bahman ultimately chose to side with Arslan, an act that may have contributed to Hilmes’ bitterness and distrust toward the former Parsian elite.