Erhard

Erhard (エルハルト), usually simply called the Weapon Shop Owner or Old man or Uncle, is a blacksmith and a weapon shop owner in the castle town of Melromarc.

He is the only shop in Melromarc to carry Shields while others didn't carry it for religious reasons

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 Melromarcs' religious views (Church of the Three Heroes) about treating the Shield Hero as a devil and discriminating against demi-humans.

Appearance
He has a shaved head, beard and darker skin with a well-built body.

Abilities
(information to be added later)

Background
Ehard was an adventurer in the past he would earn a living by hunting monsters and traveling around. One day he encounters a Blacksmith who was inspired and fascinated by the weapons he made, Erhard dropped the adventures life to trained under him along with another student.

Many years later he stelled in Melromarc and put up shop in Castle Town.

Relationships
Legendary Heroes 
 * Naofumi Iwatani:

Naofumi didn't think much about Erhard in the beginning. But, Erhard has grown to be his most trusted ally. Naofumi was also moved by Erhard trust and support for him. Naofumi gives most of the project to Erhard and prefers him over another expert. Erhard refrained himself from telling Naofumi about the nation's religion view on the Shield Hero, as he feared hurting Naofumi's feelings and sometimes because he was cut off from the topic by Naofumi himself. Naofumi was also openly told about the weapon duplication technique and other heroes utilization of it. Erhard also advises Naofumi to visit other shops to get much more better weapon but Naofumi denies it.

Vassal Wielders 

Erhard was worried about Raphtalia first, but found her to be in good hands. Erhard was more surprised by her feminine charms. He also noticed Raphtalia's growth and her feelings for Naofumi are unnoticed by the latter and feels pity for her. He treats her as a friend and was her first swords master.
 * Raphtalia: