Charlemagne
Charlemagne is a Saber-class Servant featured as a central protagonist in Fate/EXTELLA LINK and later appearing in Fate/Grand Order. He is the heroic, fantasy-based incarnation of the King of the Franks from the Legends of Charlemagne, existing as a distinct entity separated from his historical counterpart, Karl der Große. Departing from traditional royal pomp, Charlemagne acts as an approachable, energetic young knight who measures every decision by his personal standard of aesthetic coolness. Despite his modest claim of being ill-suited for kingship, he commands the legendary Twelve Paladins with natural charisma and unwavering moral integrity.
Overview
Charlemagne is a Saber-class Servant featured as a central protagonist in Fate/EXTELLA LINK and later appearing in Fate/Grand Order. He is the heroic, fantasy-based incarnation of the King of the Franks from the Legends of Charlemagne, existing as a distinct entity separated from his historical counterpart, Karl der Große. Departing from traditional royal pomp, Charlemagne acts as an approachable, energetic young knight who measures every decision by his personal standard of aesthetic coolness. Despite his modest claim of being ill-suited for kingship, he commands the legendary Twelve Paladins with natural charisma and unwavering moral integrity.
Appearance
Charlemagne features short, two-tone hair combining black and silver lock strands that fall between his blue eyes. He wears a black undershirt fitted beneath silver-white light armor, accompanied by black gloves. A distinctive double-sided cape, featuring a silver-white exterior and a light-blue interior lining, drapes over his shoulders. Visually, his countenance bears a striking resemblance to the male protagonist of Fate/Grand Order, Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Personality
Charlemagne possesses a bright, cheerful demeanor reminiscent of a modern youth. He governs his decisions entirely around his personal code of aesthetic chivalry—striving for what is cool and abhorring what is lame. To him, true uncoolness consists of deceit, dishonor, and abandoning allies, which fuels his uncompromising moral standard even when it places him or his master at a disadvantage. Unaffected by royal arrogance, he casually acknowledges his own shortcomings as a ruler and treats fellow Servants with genuine deference as seniors. Despite his relaxed nature, he becomes intensely formidable when driven to true anger.
Abilities
In combat, Charlemagne wields Joyeuse, a one-handed holy sword with a wavy blade capable of manipulating the five elements to alter its reach and elemental properties. Through his sword, he can replicate the armaments of his Twelve Paladins, including lances, hammers, and elemental blades. His personal capabilities include high-rank Magic Resistance, Riding, the skill Paladin Emperor—which grants charisma and defenses against divine or demonic targets—and Mana Burst (Light). His Noble Phantasms are Charles Patricius, a floating aerial fortress, and Joyeuse Ordre, which summons and fires the radiant armaments of the paladins as concentrated light or physical strikes scaled by his royal authority.
Background
Charlemagne originates from the heroic medieval romantic cycles surrounding the King of the Franks, embodying the idealized leader of the Twelve Paladins rather than the historical monarch Karl der Große. In Fate/EXTELLA LINK, he manifests in the digital domain of the Moon Cell as a wandering knight, partnering with Kishinami Hakuno to halt a cataclysmic conflict driven by his historical alter ego. He later re-emerges in Fate/Grand Order within the Traum singularity. Arriving under constrained magic reserves, he initially operates incognito to assist Fujimaru Ritsuka from the shadows before formally revealing his identity to lead the defense during a critical war.
Relationships
Charlemagne maintains a unique bond with Karl der Große, acknowledging him as his historical alter ego with opposing ideals. He holds profound respect for his Masters, Kishinami Hakuno in the Moon Cell and Fujimaru Ritsuka in Chaldea, praising their courage and heroic spirit. Among his subordinates, he deeply trusts the Twelve Paladins—including Astolfo, Roland, Bradamante, Olivier, and Turpin—frequently managing their eccentric habits with affectionate exasperation. He also warmheartedly calls Altera his elder sister despite having no historical tie, and interacts naturally with Mandricardo, whose awkwardness contrasts with Charlemagne's bright extroversion.
Trivia
In medieval lore, the holy sword Joyeuse was described as changing its color thirty times a day; in the Fate universe, this legend is interpreted as the blade's ability to manipulate the five elemental magic types. Furthermore, while historical accounts suggest that the real King of the Franks struggled with literacy—relying on advisors to read works like Augustine's The City of God aloud—the Servant manifestation of Charlemagne demonstrates full reading and writing literacy, effortlessly reviewing event scripts and writing reports.
