Erhard

Erhard (エルハルト) or ambiguously translated as Elhart, usually simply called the Weapon Shop Owner or Old Guy, is a blacksmith and a weapon shop owner in the Castle Town of Melromarc.

Appearance
Erhard is a middle-aged (or older) Caucasian male whose well-built body, notably face and arms, is full of old scars. He has a shaved head, Amish-style beard without a moustache, brown or black eyes, and partially darker skin. He wears an off-white undershirt with medium-length sleeves beneath a beige overalls-like forger apron (with a brown pouch-like bag on the waistline) hung only by the left shoulder, black gloves, dark brown pants, and brown-beige upturned boots.

Personality
Erhard is openly a cheerful and nice person, he would go out of his way to get angry for someone else's sake. He can generally tell most of the time when someone is lying to him or not.

He doesn't believe in Melromarc's religious views about treating the Shield Hero as a devil and discriminating against demi-humans.

Abilities
Erhard's smithing abilities are renowned as the best in Melromarc. While most blacksmiths specialize in a single type of weapon or armour, Erhard is quite capable of creating a wide array of weapons, armours and some accessories. Also, while not at his master's level, he is able to utilize notoriously hard materials such as those from a Guardian Beast.

As a retired adventurer, Erhard also boasts a high level including a class-up as well as strong combat abilities.

Background
When Erhard was an adventurer in the past, he would earn a living by hunting monsters and travelling around. One day, after he encounters a Blacksmith who was inspired and fascinated by the weapons he made, Erhard dropped the adventurer’s life to train under him along with another student.

Many years later, he settled in Melromarc and put up a shop in Castle Town.

Volume 1
Erhard was first introduced as the blacksmith of a famous Weapon Shop in Castle Town. He was fond of Naofumi's haggling and usually lowers the price or throw in equipment for free.

He was extremely angry at Naofumi after he heard the rumours. When he encountered Naofumi again, he planned on punching him, but quickly realized that he was innocent and gave him a bag that included a cape and old clothing after noticing he was wearing nothing but his undergarments.

Erhard would always give Naofumi a fair deal whenever he visited his store. One day, Naofumi brought a female slave to his store to buy some equipment he was concerned for both the girl and Naofumi but didn't press the issue further and helped him find a suitable knife for the girl and threw in some clothing. He questions whether Naofumi was rotten to the core because of what the kingdom has done to him.

When Naofumi visited again, who was looking for a new weapon for Raphtalia after her old one broke. Erhard recommended for her an iron sword this time and even threw in some beat-up breastplate. After hearing Raphtalia stomach rumble, he explained to Naofumi that Demi-Humans grew up differently to humans. While Naofumi went out to buy Raphtalia food, Erhard taught Raphtalia the basics and fundamentals of how to use a sword properly.

After learning that Naofumi's shield could absorb materials and change into different forms, he gave Naofumi a rusty sword for free to use with Naofumi's sharpening shield.

Naofumi Iwatani
Erhard was Naofumi's first true ally in the new world. Initially, he believed the false charges against Naofumi but soon realized they were lies and decided to help him by giving him useful supplies. Erhard grows to be one of his most trusted allies. Naofumi provides Erhard with numerous blacksmith jobs and prefers him over other experts. Erhard refrained himself from telling Naofumi about the nation's religious views on the Shield Hero, as he feared such knowledge would hurt Naofumi's feelings and sometimes because he was cut off from the topic by Naofumi himself. Erhard also advises Naofumi to visit other shops to get a much better weapon, but Naofumi declines and chooses to do business in his shop instead.

Raphtalia
Erhard was worried about Raphtalia's well being at first but soon realizes she is in good hands. Erhard was surprised by her feminine charms. He also notices Raphtalia's growth and that her feelings for Naofumi are unnoticed by the latter making him feel pity for her. He treats her as a trusted friend and she views him as a wise swords master.