Ethnobalt

"I’ll be alright. I have a vassal weapon, don’t I? Let me do this! I’ll do my best!"

- Ethnobalt

Ethnobalt (エスノバルト), also known as the Boat Hero (船の勇者), is the wielder of the Vassal Boat and one of the vassal weapon wielders of the other world beyond the Wave. In Book 16, his Vassal Boat was stolen, and in Book 17 he becomes the new Hero of the Book. Additionally, he is also the leader of a library rabbit tribe.

Personality
Because library rabbits are not suited for battle, he has little self-esteem. Nevertheless, he wants to become strong enough to help protect the world. But because he didn't get stronger and had to be protected, he was jealous of the strength of the others. After Naofumi told them about Rishia's stat growth, he began to start training again.

Appearance
In human form, he looks like a young boy with light hair, bordering on silver. He wears heavy robes and usually holds an ornate staff in his hand. His eyes are sharp and red/black-colored.

In his rabbit form, he looks like a rabbit standing on his hind legs. He is also twice as big as other library rabbits. He uses his royal cloak around his neck and going down his belly, like a necktie.

Vassal Boat (former)
As the wielder of the Vassal Boat, Ethnobalt had access to a wide variety of movement skills which helped him and his allies move around. However, he had a very weak attack stat with this Vassal Weapon.

Shoots cannons from the boat with a deafening blast and a blinding light. However, the attack is so weak that monsters could knock them away like mosquitoes.
 * All Cannon Fire「一斉射撃 Issei Shageki (lit. Simultaneous Firing)」

Vassal Book
Ethobalt was later chosen as the Vassal Book hero after the Vassal Boat was stolen. This suited his personality and abilities as a library rabbit much better than the Vassal Boat. As a result, Ethnobalt's abilities to find books relevant to what they wanted to know within the Ancient Library Labyrinth was greatly increased.


 * Paper Splits Rock: Explode「破岩の書・爆 Hagan no Sho Baku (lit. Book of Rock Breaking - Blast)」

A paper that lights up before exploding, knocking anyone away from the source of the explosion.

A combination of a Vassal Book skill and Hengen Muso style. Pages from the book encase and circulate life energy the target. Since the target is encased, the life energy has no place of exit and bounces around causing more damage.
 * Life Force Style Magic Explosion「気式・魔力爆裂 Ki Shiki Maryoku Bakuretsu (lit. Spirit Form - Magic Power Explosion)」

Background
Ethnobalt is considered the leader of the library rabbits and is named after the ancient library labyrinth rabbit of legend. He was eventually chosen to be the Vassal Boat wielder.

Chronology
Ethnobalt created Chris for Kizuna and Glass. He also fought with Kizuna and the others, but because of the limitations of his race, he didn't grow as much as the others in terms of strength. He tried learning magic spells, but his power didn't grow with his knowledge so he started to think that he was holding them back.

He was first mentioned when Kizuna and Naofumi searched for Raphtalia. Kizuna introduced him as someone, who will be able to help at the search. He also created Raph-chan, who was created using Raphtalia's hair. Together they reunited with Raphtalia and the others and fought against Kyo.

During the Melromarc/Faubrey war he shows up in Naofumi's village telling Naofumi his Vassal Boat was stolen from him and that his (Kizuna's) world was in trouble and they need help. After training with Naofumi's people he travels back to his world with Naofumi and a few of his party's members people as they go to rescue Kizuna the Vassal Book chose him to be it's new user.

Kizuna Kazayama
Both Kizuna and Ethnobalt are wielders of Legendary or Vassal Weapons who are looking to protect their world. They also both prefer using peace and negotiation and instead of fighting their way to victory. As a result, the two Heroes often have similar points of view and have become close friends over time. When Kizuna was saved for the first time, she led Naofumi to Ethnobalt since she considered his skills incredible valuable.

Naofumi Iwatani
Unlike most people of Glass' World, Ethnobalt didn't fear Naofumi since he came from another world. Instead, he helped the Shield Hero (at Kizuna's request) in making a shikigami to find Raphtalia. Naofumi considers Ethnobalt to be an incredible intellectual resource. When his world was under attack for a second time, Ethnobalt came to Naofumi for help.

Naofumi also finds Ethnobalt to be quite an effective intellectual asset and has thought about replacing Filo with Ethnobalt several times, which upsets her when she realizes Naofumi is thinking of it.

Trivia
Information to be added later.