Neithardt

Neithardt (ナイトハル), also known as Neidthardt the Mighty (のナイトハルト), is introduced as a major at the 4th Armored Division of the Imperial Army of Erebonia and a former instructor at the Thors Military Academy.

Appearance
Neithardt is a tall well-built man with spiky lush blond hair and pale blue eyes. As an instructor, Neithardt wears a purple double breasted suit with white trousers and tall brown boots. He wears a matching purple cape with a gold trim. Neithardt is also frequently seen in his purple and gold officer's Imperial Army of Erebonia uniform as well. Neithardt uses a great sabre in battle.

Personality
Neithardt is a man who takes military conduct seriously. He is serious, stern, and he insures that students at Thors receive a valuable education. Neithardt carries expectations of his male students, making certain the 'men don't lose out to the girls' through use of the 'Man Way Method'. Nevertheless, he will toughen up all his students whilst showing them ways of how to handle one's self on a battlefield. He can be a bit rough around the edges around those irritate him or fail to show the demeanour of their station. but he also shows a seldom seen caring side beneath his stern exterior.

He also has the odd habit of wearing his uniform everywhere, even when teaching a swimming class.

Background
Neithardt originally served the Imperial Army under supervision of Colonel Beatrix. As an excellent soldier, Neithardt reached the rank of Major at a young age. He is considered the ace of the 4th Armored Division, which is praised for its prowess under commander Lieutenant General Olaf Craig. Through Olaf, Neithardt has known Fiona Craig for ages and refers to her as "Miss Fiona".

Neithardt is on good terms with Major Mueller Vander, with whom he once served in the same battalion. The two share a healthy rivalry.

Neithardt is introduced as an instructor at Thors Military Academy whilst also an active member of the Imperial Army's 4th division. in addition to his teaching duties, Neithardt also takes it upon himself to train the male students in Swimming techniques as to not let them be surpassed by the female class members, an action that earns him some rebuke from fellow instructor Sara Valestein.

Neithardt is present at Garrelia Fortress, including during the raid by the Imperial Liberation Front. He leads half of Class VII to confront Vulcan at one of the compound's Railway Cannons. Upon the attack of the Noble Alliance and the onset of the October War, Neithardt remains at the academy to take on the Panzer Soldats, holding them off with his sword.

During the Fiona Craig hostage incident, Niethardt learned of her situation from an anonymous source the day before and immediately came running over in his military instructor's uniform during his journey to the 7th Armored Division. After assisting in freeing her, his odd stuttering conversation with Fiona in front of Class VII that bewilders them. He is implied to have a budding relationship with Fiona Craig, the daughter of his commander and idol of the 4th Armored Division.

During the Erebonian Civil War, Neithardt was mostly active in the west of Erebonia alongside Olivert Reise Arnor and the 7th Armored Division. he manages to obtain a Soldat of his own at the Twin Dragons Bridge where he duels Rean Schwarzer who compliments him on his skill and mentions how he has surpassed the level of proficiency that most members of the provincial armies possess.

Neithardt participates in the battle at the base of the Infernal Castle, reuniting with long time comrade, friend and rival Mueller Vander as they fight manifesting Magic Knights.

Neithardt, now a Lieutenant Colonel, continues to alternate between active duty in the Imperial army and work as an instructor at the main branch of Thors Military Academy. He is seen Chaperoning their Class I around on their field studies, including at the Imperial Capital during the preparations for the Summer Festival. During the Summer Festival, Neithardt has a short date with Fiona. He is part of the operations taking place to apprehend Calvardian agents hiding in the city. When The Gral of Erebos is summoned and Cryptids and Magic Knights appear in the capital, Neithardt is part of the forces acting against them.

After the start of the Great Twilight, Neithardt returns to the army full-time stationed at Dreknor Fortress. There, he and Olaf Craig safe keep Tita Russell and Elise Schwarzer until Rean and his companions infiltrate the fortress and overcome the 4th division who have slowly been giving in to the Erebonian Curse and are eager to overcome it. Neithardt and Olaf confront Class VII but are defeated. They allow them to go free. With Fiona's sudden arrival, Neithardt subconsciously reveals to the others his established relationship with Olaf's daughter by calling her "Fiona" unlike his previous "Miss Fiona".

Fiona gives Neithardt a charm on the last day before the Great War.

Neithardt and Fiona are mentioned by Elliot as having 'made progress in their relationship' however he does not appear in person.

EN = {| class="article-table" ! colspan="4" | Instructor Neithardt Pushes his students to complete Military-style training. ! colspan="4" | ナイトハルト教官 軍隊式の訓練をリィンたちにも容赦なく課するほどのスパルタ.
 * rowspan="5" |Neithardt Note (Sen).png
 * Instructor (Military Science)
 * colspan="3" |An active-duty major in the Imperial Army's 4th Armored Division. Serious in nature and lacking in friendliness.
 * colspan="3" |Slave Driver
 * colspan="3" |An active-duty major in the Imperial Army's 4th Armored Division. Serious in nature and lacking in friendliness.
 * colspan="3" |Slave Driver
 * colspan="3" |Slave Driver
 * }
 * -|JP={| class="article-table"
 * rowspan="5" |Neithardt Note (Sen).png
 * 教官【軍事学担当】
 * colspan="3" |軍事学教官として出向している、帝国軍第四機甲師団に所属する少佐. 生真面目で愛想には欠けている.
 * colspan="3" |スパルタ教官
 * colspan="3" |軍事学教官として出向している、帝国軍第四機甲師団に所属する少佐. 生真面目で愛想には欠けている.
 * colspan="3" |スパルタ教官
 * colspan="3" |スパルタ教官
 * }

EN = {| class="article-table" ! colspan="4" | Major Neithardt Known as Neithardt the Mighty in some circles, and feared by that name in the provincial armies. He and Major Vander fight exceptionally well together, and they demonstrated as much in Heimdallr. He showed up at the academy during the final free day of the year and trained Class VII as relentlessly as ever. ! colspan="4" | ナイトハルト少佐 《剛撃のナイトハルト》と呼ばれており、領邦軍にもその名は轟いているようだ. ミュラー少佐とはかなり息が合っており、共に獅子奮迅の戦いを繰り広げた. 最後の自由行動日に顔を出し、教官であった頃と変わらぬ厳しさでリィンたちを徹底的に扱いてみせた.
 * rowspan="5" |Neithardt Note (Sen).png
 * Imperial Army - 4th Division
 * colspan="3" |Young ace of the 4th Armored Division and formerly an instructor at Thors. Also an old friend of Elliot's sister.
 * colspan="3" |The Mighty
 * colspan="3" |Young ace of the 4th Armored Division and formerly an instructor at Thors. Also an old friend of Elliot's sister.
 * colspan="3" |The Mighty
 * colspan="3" |The Mighty
 * colspan="3" |Major Power
 * colspan="3" |Major Power
 * colspan="3" |Unrelenting
 * colspan="3" |Unrelenting
 * }
 * -|JP={| class="article-table"
 * rowspan="5" |Neithardt Note (Sen).png
 * 正規軍・第四機甲師団
 * colspan="3" |士官学院で軍事教官も務めていた帝国正規軍・第四機甲師団のエース. エリオットの姉フィオナとは旧知の仲.
 * colspan="3" |《剛撃》
 * colspan="3" |士官学院で軍事教官も務めていた帝国正規軍・第四機甲師団のエース. エリオットの姉フィオナとは旧知の仲.
 * colspan="3" |《剛撃》
 * colspan="3" |《剛撃》
 * colspan="3" |少佐コンビ
 * colspan="3" |少佐コンビ
 * colspan="3" |鬼教官、再び
 * colspan="3" |鬼教官、再び
 * }

Lt. Colonel Neithardt

EN={| class=article-table ! colspan=2 | Lt. Colonel Neithardt Neithardt and his men could be dispatched to the front any day now. He's putting his hopes in Class VII to set things right in his stead. Neithardt is well aware that sacrifices must be made in times of war. However, he hopes Class VII will follow the path they believe in. ! colspan=2 | ナイトハルト中佐
 * rowspan=8 |Neithardt Note (Sen IV).png
 * colspan=3 |4th Armored Division
 * colspan=3 |An elite soldier from the Imperial Army's 4th Armored Division. Taught military science at Thors while old Class VII were still students.
 * colspan=3 |The 4th's Future
 * colspan=3 |An elite soldier from the Imperial Army's 4th Armored Division. Taught military science at Thors while old Class VII were still students.
 * colspan=3 |The 4th's Future
 * colspan=3 |The 4th's Future
 * colspan=3 |Your Own Choice
 * colspan=3 |Your Own Choice
 * }
 * -|JP={| class=article-table
 * rowspan=8 |Neithardt Note (Sen IV).png
 * colspan=3 |第四機甲師団
 * colspan=3 |帝国正規軍・第四機甲師団のエース. かつて士官学院で軍事教官も務めておりアランやリィン達を気にかけている.
 * colspan=3 |第四師団の今後 政府から追求を受け、最前線へと派遣されるだろうと語るナイトハルト達. それでもリィン達に希望を託した.
 * colspan=3 |教え子へ 此度の戦争で多くの犠牲が予想されるが、それでもリィン達に、己の選択を貫くように背中を押した.
 * }
 * colspan=3 |第四師団の今後 政府から追求を受け、最前線へと派遣されるだろうと語るナイトハルト達. それでもリィン達に希望を託した.
 * colspan=3 |教え子へ 此度の戦争で多くの犠牲が予想されるが、それでもリィン達に、己の選択を貫くように背中を押した.
 * }
 * }

Trivia

 * Both Neithardt and Mueller Vander are possibly named after Neidhart Müller, the Imperial high admiral in Legend of Galactic Heroes.
 * Neithardt shares similarities to another character from Nihon Falcom's Tokyo Xanadu named Shio Takahata, who also possesses great strength and gives a swimming race side quest.