Dikaiopolis
| NPC | Enemy | Trivia |
Dikaiopolis the Blood Knight is an NPC in Arknights. He is one of the deuteragonists of Near Light.
Background
Dikaiopolis is an Infected Grand Knight from Minos. Long before taking part in the Kazimierz Major, he was already famous in an underground tournament of a certain Kazimierzian city while hiding his identity as an Infected. Vying for his fame, some corporate employees invited him to become a competition knight under the title of "Blazingaxe Knight." He accepted the invitation and suddenly rose to prominence in Kawalerielki and, later on, in the Major after he managed to join (against his manager's complaints) with the help of Czarny. Of course, this comes with the cost of several frauds and briberies done by the corporations that support him. Nevertheless, Dikaiopolis humbly obeys the unwritten dark rules of the Major and never stands up against the Major's stakeholders.[1]
For a long time, Dikaiopolis has been fighting for the improvement of Kazimierz's Infected community. His miraculous victory during the previous Major three years ago forced the government to implement the Infected Participation System, turning him into a hero among the Kazimierzan Infected.[2] He also formed the Crimson Chalice Knightclub, a special knightclub for the Infected, under the suggestion of Spokesman Czarny. Even then, he is often bewildered by the contradictory actions of the Kazimierzian government on the Infected issues such as the unreasonable exile of the Radiant Knight for having "Oripathy" and the increasing hatred of the Infected by the public. All he could do is use his knightclub to provide shelter for Infected knights.[1]
Dikaiopolis' Originium Arts allows him to control his blood whenever needed, thus giving him the title. He could use his blood to ensnare his enemies, create various weapons, or summon blade-like objects known as Bloodblades. However, the consequence for using it too much is the worsening of his Oripathy, as well as literally draining his blood out from exsanguination.
Story
Near Light
Dikaiopolis first appears in person when Iwona is badly injured by the Armorless Union during the total blackout of the capital. Not only does he save her from the danger, but he also deals with the assassins using his Arts. By the time Justyna and Szewczyk reach the spot, the Blood Knight has already left, but Szewczyk immediately recognizes the remaining blood stain on the wall and the crack caused by his axe.[3]
During Margaret's match with Tola the Nightmare Knight, the latter unleashes his fear-inducing Arts on the audience and the the Major's judges immediately disqualify him for violation. However, the young Nightzmora ignores it and continues the battle with her. It is Dikaiopolis who immediately breaks up the fight, jumping into the arena and driving his axe between them. Learning that Dikaiopolis would be his next opponent as well as being the previous champion of the Major, Tola becomes so excited that he launches an assault on him, but the Minoan easily dodges him and leaves the arena. At the same time, Dikaiopolis proclaims to Margaret that he will wait for her in the finale.[4]
The match between Tola and the Blood Knight is indeed a battle between two monsters. Seeing that Tola is still indulging in his ancestors' past, he asks him what they were fighting for. While Tola is fighting for his ancestors' glory, Dikaiopolis declares that he is fighting for his own survival even though others treat him as a hero. At the same time, Dikaiopolis intends to wake up the young man by giving him the very question he has heard not long ago—"Where is your Khagan?" With that said, the Nightzmora haughtily summons his horde of illusory ancestors. Dikaiopolis is indeed amazed by his will and horror, yet he continues charging forward, intensifying the battle. Although Tola successful injures him, his blood slowly clots the Nightzmora's weapon and his body. After a long struggle, Tola falls unconscious and the match ends with the Blood Knight's victory.[5]
Since that night, everyone in Kawalerielki is very eager to watch the historical finals between the two "Infected" knights, and so do the two. But before the match starts, Dikaiopolis takes off his helmet first out of his honor for the Radiant Knight. He points out that Margaret is indeed a beacon for Kazimierz's future, yet he also criticizes her for being bound by old traditions which could not save the nation from its materialism. With that said, the two immediately clashes onto each other. Dikaiopolis uses his Arts to strengthen him, but the constant usage causes him to fall weak from Oripathy symptoms, and Margaret easily dodges the attack using her lance. Still, Dikaiopolis falls honored for fighting against Margaret. The two unleash their full potential with their Arts and a huge flash brightens the arena. In the end, Dikaiopolis comes to his limit and he humbly declares his loss to the Radiant Knight. The audience then cheers for him up out of respect as he is trying to get up due to his exhaustion; however, Margaret picks him up despite his protests, declaring that there is no loser in this battle.[6]
However, everything is not finished. Seeing that their plan is completely ruined, the General Chamber of Commerce uses their ultimatum−having Margaret's real identity as a non-Infected revealed to the public as a mockery, successfully inflaming much of the Infected audience who perceive this as a betrayal towards them. But to their dismay, Margaret not only holds Dikaiopolis on her shoulders, but the two have a historical march towards the Champion's Hall where the victory ceremony will be held, intending to sharing the victory. As the two walk down the streets, the assassins of the Armorless Union launch a complete assault onto Margaret. Luckily, Rhodes Island, the Nearl family and their friends, the Followers, Pinus Sylvestris and especially the mighty Silverlance Pegasi heavily guard them so that their journey will be unharmed. The victory ceremony of the 24th season of the Major is indeed a night for the brave heroes.[6]
After the end of the Major, Dikaiopolis decides to retire, believed by the public due to the supposed intimidation and pressure from House Nearl,[7] and settle in a quiet village where he plants olive trees for income. While the local villagers despise the Infected, they could not do much to the famed Blood Knight but humble themselves. As for Dikaiopolis himself, he could finally live a peaceful life, but his uncontrolled use of Originium Arts has been slowly deteriorating his health. Meanwhile, Roy and Monique come to the village he is staying, implying to have a mission concerning him.[8]
To Be Continued
It turns out that the "mission" of the two Lazurites is an assassination attempt on him so that both the Lazurites can fake their death and escape from the hands of the K.G.C.C. In turn, the two will also help fake Dikaiopolis' "death" so that he will no longer be disturbed by the corporations. Despite distrusting them from the very beginning, Dikaiopolis thinks that it's worth a try.
The next day following the "mission," the media reports that Dikaiopolis has "died" together with some approaching assassins. Investigations have found large stains of blood on the spot, which is actually a by-product of Dikaiopolis' Arts. Even then, many Infected knights do not buy such news.[9]