Crow Armbrust

Crow Armbrust (クロウ・アームブラスト) is introduced as a student at Thors Military Academy's Class V and a member of the ARCUS test team alongside Towa Herschel, George Nome and Angelica Rogner.

Appearance
Crow is a young man with messy gray hair and red eyes. As a student of Thors Military Academy, he wore a commoner uniform consisting of a green and white blazer (worn unbuttoned and loosely) over a similarly styled pinstriped white shirt and blue tie. He wore khaki pants with brown laced-up boots worn over them, and carried two silver orbal pistols.

As C, or the Azure Chevalier, Crow wore a longh brown overocat with a azure pinstriped lining over a pinstriped crimson shirt, black trousers and boots. He brought out a double-sabre, a double-ended weapon with red handles and long blades on each side. He now wears a black headband in place of his old white one.

Siegfried is a mysterious masked man with stark white hair who wields a pair of asymmetrical golden guns. He wears a form-fitting black costume with several white crosses and a long azure coat with a tall upturned collar, violet lining, thigh high black boots and crossed gray belts.

Losing the headband and letting his hair (which is white during the Great Twilight) grow out a little bit, Crow now wears a long beige coat with a fur lined collar. He wears this over a white shirt and sleeveless azure sweater with a large white belt with a golden buckle. He uses both wepaons, his saber and pistols interchangeably.

Personality
Despite being a laid-back playboy who frequently missed lessons, Crow was highly dependable and cared greatly for his friends. Towards the end of his second year, circumstances led to him becoming a member of Class VII, wherein he developed a close bond in particular with Rean Schwarzer.

Despite his original personality, as Siegfried, Crow is dismissive of what the others think they know, stating his only allegiance is to his employers and that he only cares about his mission.

Background
Crow was born in Jurai City in S.1184. He lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his grandfather, the mayor of Jurai.

After the merging of Jurai as a Special Economic Zone with Erebonia in S.1196 and the death of his grandfather shortly thereafter, the 13-year-old Crow left Jurai to wander through Erebonia.

Eventually, he met Duke Cayenne, who shared Crow's hatred for Chancellor Giliath Osborne and financially supported him to establish the Imperial Liberation Front. He recruited like-minded members, such as Michael Gideon, Scarlet, and Vulcan.

Crow came into contact with Vita Clotilde through her frequent visits to Duke Cayenne. In S.1201, at the age of sixteen, Crow was guided by Vita to an underground place below Ordis, the provincial capital of the Lamarre Province. There, he overcame trials to find Ordine, the Azure Knight resting at the end. Crow became its Awakener.

Crow enrolled at Thors Military Academy. Along with Towa Herschel, George Nome and Angelica Rogner, Crow tested the ARCUS prototypes for Class VII in the following year.

As a renowned slacker, he missed numerous classes and risked suspension. Thanks to Instructor Sara Valestein, he was given a second chance to graduate and transferred to Class VII during the summer of S.1204. During these months, he juggled between his roles as a member of Class VII and Comrade C (シー), the leader of the Imperial Liberation Front. Crow was also the Azure Chevalier (蒼の騎士) as he was the Awakener for Ordine, the Azure Divine Knight.

Crow was able to handle the role of both a student and Comrade C. When Millium Orion joined Class VII alongside him, Crow became more cautious, knowing that she was a member of the Intelligence Division, who were trying to figure out C's identity. Despite her presence, Crow was able to throw off the Intelligence Division by faking his death as Comrade C in Roer. It was only until he left for Heimdallr to "attend" Osborne's speech that the Intelligence Division realized that he was C. Crow sniped Osborne with a sniper rifle developed by Reinford's 5th Division. With the chaos it spawned, Crow's shot marked the beginning of the Erebonian Civil War.

With his work in Heimdallr completed, Crow traveled to Trista in Ordine to back up the Noble Alliance's Panzer Soldats. There he came to face Rean Schwarzer, Awakener of Valimar, the Ashen Knight. Crow's three years of experience piloting Ordine allowed him to completely overwhelm Rean, who was forced to withdraw.

After the apparent death of Osborne, he chose to let his classmates in Class VII live instead of depriving them of their lives. He anonymously informed Toval about the location of Rean's coma, hinting that Crow still cares for Rean despite them being enemies. Later on, Crow and his comrades invaded Ymir, where Class VII secretly stayed. He fought Rean again piloting their respective Deus Excellion and was again victorious. He lastly escorted Rean to Pantagruel under the supreme leader's order.

When Rean was "invited" to the Pantagruel, he responded to Rean's request and talked to him about his past experiences, including the death of his beloved grandfather, the establishment of the Imperial Liberation Front, and his acquirement of the Azure Knight, Ordine. Shortly later, Rean (in his ogre form) and Crow had a one-on-one battle on the deck of the Pantagruel. Crow lost, but Rean immediately lost power and became exhausted due to being inexperienced with his ogre power.

Alongside Vita, Crow faced Class VII at the final stratum of the Infernal Castle. Afterwards, Crow and Rean entered their Divine Knights and had one more battle. This time, due to Rean gathering more experience with his Divine Knights and being able to use the power of his friends, he was able to defeat Crow. After this happened, Cayenne forcibly has Cedric summon Testa-Rossa, the Vermillion Knight. Crow and Ordine helped Rean and Valimar defeat the beast, but this costs Crow his life as he is impaled through the heart in the process. Class VII is tearful at seeing their old friend die.

Shortly after his death, it is revealed that Osborne had survived Crow's assassination attempt and had been hiding in secret all this time, which meant that Crow's efforts had gone to waste.

Because he was an Awakener with an intact Divine Knight, Crow had not truly died: thanks to the efforts of Gnome chief Black Alberich (who buried a mock body), Crow was eventually able to come back to life as Azure Siegfried. Siegfried bore Crow's appearance, voice and most of his mannerisms (aside his altruism), but lacked his memories. Siegfried appeared to Class VII a number of times over the course of the game, being very cryptic as to his purpose, and shocking them due to his obvious resemblance to Crow. He commented to Class VII that George Nome - who ironically, was Crow's former friend and also revealed to be a Gnome at this point - had "picked up" his life and that he "may be a cheap knockoff, but [needs] to pay his respects to Alberich either way", showing that he was aware he was a clone and was loyal to Alberich out of gratitude.

Siegfried appears at a distance on the top of the Stargazer's Tower. He is operating for a faction separate from the Imperial Army, the jaeger corps or Ouroboros. He appears in different locations across Erebonia to observe the actions of the Thors Branch Campus. He is accompanied by a mysterious orb that provides him with instructions as it floats mid-air besides him, wielding technologies not associated with the known manufacturers. He strongly resembles the deceased Crow Armbrust and can summon the Azure Knight, Ordine, which is later confirmed to be missing from where it was being kept in Garrelia Fortress.

Siegfried is encountered watching the party in the Sol Shrine, and then again outside the Juno Naval Fortress with Zephyr and Nidhoggr. They don't attack on the premise of Class VII stating they can handle it, but only after a 'leader' figure like Aurelia Le Guin joins with them. Siegfried has a one-to one showdown with Rean Schwarzer in the catacombs of Heimdallr (ironically the same location Crow first battled Rean when he was masked as C) after they put Zoro-Agruga to rest, but leaves afterwards in Ordine.

He later fought alongside Rutger Claussell, Shirley Orlando and Sharon Kreuger in the second roadblock at the Gral of Erebos.

After the Great Twilight broke out following Rean and Valimar's destruction of the Nameless One, Crow's memories finally returned and he discarded his mask. When he witnessed the two about to attack Alberich and Osborne, he summoned Ordine and, alongside fellow Awakeners Rutger and Arianrhod, helped restrain a berserk Rean. Osborne then summoned Ishmelga, and together with Cedric Reise Arnor, this made six Awakeners present.

With his debt to Alberich paid, Crow decided to defect alongside Duvalie to help Rean. Following a full escape from the Black Workshop, Rean asked Crow to join his group, but Crow denied, instructing Rean to meet him at Bryonia Island. There, they held the first Rivalry, which they were barely able to scrape by on a technicality. Crow lost the Rivalry, and due to his status as an Immortal, began to fade away as Ordine was being absorbed into Valimar.

Seeing this, Rean and Valimar countered the transfer of energy with their own, refusing to absorb Crow as Rean do not wish to end his friend's existence. Rean then turned Crow and Ordine into retainers; therefore sparing them from certain death. Crow however, would still die after the Great Twilight concluded. Crow then decided to join Rean's group to stop the Great Twilight, assisting him in the remaining Rivalries.

During Class VII's infiltration in Ordis, Crow helped the group sneak into the Cayenne mansion using the city's underground sewer system, having kept the key Vita gave him. Upon arriving at the great hall, Crow called Ordine and was assisted by one of New Class VII's Panzer Soldats, defeating the two Zauber Soldats standing guard inside - a Melchia and Sorge unit. He later revealed himself to Towa, who was surprised but relieved to see him again.

The day before the World War, Crow arrived with his friends at Mishelam Wonderland. After Towa told the three that they had to shape up as Thors graduates, Crow proudly stated that he was exempt as he had not graduated. Towa then stated that he could re-enroll with his credits retained, suggesting that it would be best if she and Rean were his instructors, much to his discontent.

Following the Rivalry between Rean and Osborne, Rean begins to get corrupted by Ishmelga. In the normal ending of the game, Crow sacrifices himself alongside Rean and Millium to stop Ishmelga for good. In the true ending of the game, Rean remembers the Cage of the Earth provided by Argres, saving Crow from such a fate, and Ishmelga is eventually destroyed. With the conclusion of the Great Twilight, Crow begins to fade away, but Franz Reinford (the true, repressed personality within Black Alberich), Vita, Roselia and the Divine Knights use the Sept-Terrion to revive him and Millium, as a reward for assisting Rean during the rivalries. Crow appeared to be unamused with his revival, having intended to go out with a bang.

He later attends the Imperial wedding of Olivert Reise Arnor and Scherazard Harvey alongside George, Angelica and Towa.

Sometime after the Great War, Crow returned to Jurai to help with the economic situation the city was still suffering from. He also became acquainted with Stark, a Jurai citizen who had enrolled in the branch campus. He also collaborated with Makarov on the Tyrfing project, gaining a new soldat model 'Tyrfing X' which he used in testing against Rean. At another point, he had a reunion with the former members of Class VI, Towa, George and Angelica.

When he learned that someone was impersonating him with a "New Imperial Liberation Front", Crow returned to Erebonia to deal with the imposter. He ran into the imposter and their group at Himmel Cemetery, managing to stall them long enough for Rean and the others to arrive. In the ensuing battle, the imposter's mask was broken by Jusis and revealed to be Rufus Albarea; Crow was surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

Crow accompanies Rean's party in the mission to retrieve the Sonorous Seashell from Mishelam Wonderland. whilst there, they confront a series of mechanical Gargoyles, one of which crow helps to defeat in the House of Horrors after he avoids taking the ride. After defeating Mecha-Mishy, they entered a form of the Spirit World inside the Castle of Mirrors and temporarily get separated. Rean finds Crow but is narrowly saved from attack when another Crow, the real one, saves him from a Simulacrum of himself.

Crow is present for the final battle against Elysium in Reverse Babel. In the final battle, the Spirit of ordine inhabits his Tyrfing X model.

EN = {| class="article-table" ! colspan="4" | Crow Armbrust He was the one responsible for introducing Blade to Trista. He enjoys playing it with the local children, too. He agreed to use his experience from last year to help with the machinery, outfits, etc. for the festival. Crow's true identity is the Imperial Liberation Front's leader, C. ! colspan="4" | クロウ・アームブラスト トリスタでブレードを広めた張本人. 子供たちと遊んであげたりしているようだ. 昨年の経験を生かして、VII組みの出し物の機材や衣装などのプロデュースを引き受けた. 《帝国解放戦線》のリーダー《C》―それがクロウの正体だった.
 * rowspan="5" |Crow Armbrust Note (Sen).png
 * Year 1
 * Class VII
 * (Unaffiliated)
 * colspan="3" |Technically a second-year student. A bit of a playboy, but is caring and dependable. Short on credits.
 * colspan="3" |Blade
 * colspan="3" |Technically a second-year student. A bit of a playboy, but is caring and dependable. Short on credits.
 * colspan="3" |Blade
 * colspan="3" |Blade
 * colspan="3" |Helper
 * colspan="3" |Helper
 * colspan="3" |C
 * colspan="3" |C
 * }
 * -|JP={| class="article-table"
 * rowspan="5" |Crow Armbrust Note (Sen).png
 * 1年
 * VII組
 * 【無所属】
 * colspan="3" |2年生の先輩で、遊び好きな所もあるが面倒見がよくて頼りになる兄貴分. 単位不足によりVII組に編入することに.
 * colspan="3" |ブレード
 * colspan="3" |2年生の先輩で、遊び好きな所もあるが面倒見がよくて頼りになる兄貴分. 単位不足によりVII組に編入することに.
 * colspan="3" |ブレード
 * colspan="3" |ブレード
 * colspan="3" |プロデューサー
 * colspan="3" |プロデューサー
 * colspan="3" |《C》
 * colspan="3" |《C》
 * }

EN = {| class="article-table" ! colspan="4" | Crow Armbrust He grew up in Jurai City and joined hands with Duke Cayenne in order to avenge his grandfather, its mayor. Rean swears to Towa, Angelica, and George that he will bring Crow back and make him graduate with them. He fought valiantly alongside everyone against the Vermillion Apocalypse, and lost his life in the process. ! colspan="4" | クロウ・アームブラスト 鉄血宰相に併合された旧ジュライ市国出身. 市長だった祖父の仇を討つためカイエン公爵と手を組み《C》となった. リィンはクロウを必ず士官学院に取り戻し、トワやアンゼリカ、ジョルジュたち先輩と全員で一緒に卒業させる事に誓った. 《紅き終焉の魔王》との戦いでリィンたちと共に力の限りを尽くした末、その若き生命を散らしてしまう.
 * rowspan="5" |Crow Armbrust Note (Sen II).png
 * Imperial Liberation Front
 * colspan="3" |The Azure Knight's Awakener. Enrolled at Thors to one day take the life of the chancellor, which he succeeded in doing.
 * colspan="3" |Jurai City
 * Imperial Liberation Front
 * colspan="3" |The Azure Knight's Awakener. Enrolled at Thors to one day take the life of the chancellor, which he succeeded in doing.
 * colspan="3" |Jurai City
 * colspan="3" |Jurai City
 * colspan="3" |Jurai City
 * colspan="3" |Graduation
 * colspan="3" |Graduation
 * colspan="3" |Tragic Death
 * colspan="3" |Tragic Death
 * }
 * -|JP={| class="article-table"
 * rowspan="5" |Crow Armbrust Note (Sen II).png
 * 帝国解放戦線
 * colspan="3" |《蒼の騎神》に選ばれた起動者. テロリストの正体を隠して学院に潜伏し、鉄血宰相ギリアス・オズボーンを狙撃した.
 * colspan="3" |旧ジュライ市国
 * 帝国解放戦線
 * colspan="3" |《蒼の騎神》に選ばれた起動者. テロリストの正体を隠して学院に潜伏し、鉄血宰相ギリアス・オズボーンを狙撃した.
 * colspan="3" |旧ジュライ市国
 * colspan="3" |旧ジュライ市国
 * colspan="3" |旧ジュライ市国
 * colspan="3" |卒業の誓い
 * colspan="3" |卒業の誓い
 * colspan="3" |クロウの最期
 * colspan="3" |クロウの最期
 * }

EN={| class=article-table ! colspan=3 | Crow Armbrust Rean and Valimar's victory resulted in the Azure Knight's subjugation. Somehow, Crow is still alive and with Class VII once more. Crow received the effects of his fallen allies. Briefly adopting the mantle of the ILF leader, C, he settled things once and for all. Crow decided to concentrate on the here and now. In secret, he's resigned to his fate to fade away at the end of the Rivalries. ! colspan=3 | クロウ・アームブラスト
 * rowspan=8 |Crow Armbrust Note (Sen IV).png
 * colspan=3 |Old Class VII - Azure Awakener
 * colspan=3 |Died during the civil war, but was revived to join the Rivalries. One of Rean's classmates, he was also part of a terrorist group.
 * colspan=3 |Rejoining the Fold
 * colspan=3 |Died during the civil war, but was revived to join the Rivalries. One of Rean's classmates, he was also part of a terrorist group.
 * colspan=3 |Rejoining the Fold
 * colspan=3 |Rejoining the Fold
 * colspan=3 |Atonement
 * colspan=3 |Atonement
 * colspan=3 |Moving On
 * colspan=3 |Moving On
 * }
 * -|JP={| class=article-table
 * rowspan=8 |Crow Armbrust Note (Sen IV).png
 * colspan=3 |旧Ⅶ組メンバー／蒼の起動者
 * colspan=3 |内戦後に落命したものの不死者として蘇った《蒼の起動者》. 元テロリストであり、リィン達の先輩にしてクラスメイトでもある.
 * colspan=3 |再びⅦ組として 蒼の騎神を灰の騎神の眷属にする事で、奇跡的に存在を保つ事に成功した. 苦笑しながらも再びⅦ組に戻る事に.
 * colspan=3 |罪滅ぼし 《帝国解放戦線》の関係者に、仲間の遺品を届けたクロウ. 《Ｓ》とも再び言葉を交わし、リーダー《Ｃ》としてケジメをつけた.
 * colspan=3 |前だけを向いて 今はとにかく前に進もうと語るクロウ. リィンや仲間達には語らないが、自身の行く末を悟っているようだ.
 * }
 * colspan=3 |罪滅ぼし 《帝国解放戦線》の関係者に、仲間の遺品を届けたクロウ. 《Ｓ》とも再び言葉を交わし、リーダー《Ｃ》としてケジメをつけた.
 * colspan=3 |前だけを向いて 今はとにかく前に進もうと語るクロウ. リィンや仲間達には語らないが、自身の行く末を悟っているようだ.
 * }
 * colspan=3 |前だけを向いて 今はとにかく前に進もうと語るクロウ. リィンや仲間達には語らないが、自身の行く末を悟っているようだ.
 * }

Trivia

 * Excluding Ordine, Crow is one of only two characters who wields a double saber, the other being Kurogane. The double saber is described as very difficult to use, and Crow wields his with great skill. Laura identified his double saber as "a relic from the Dark Ages".
 * Crow's last name means "crossbow" in German.
 * Crow's bonding trophy in Trails of Cold Steel is titled "Bad Crowmance".
 * Crow and Duvalie are distinguished as the characters who are fought against at least once in the most games, with five each. Crow is faced against at least once in each of the Cold Steel games as well as Reverie, and Duvalie is faced in Azure, each of the last three Cold Steel games, and Reverie.


 * Crow is the only playable immortal that is present in Trails of Cold Steel IV, and the only one to discard his immortality status after reaching the true ending.