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Fleet Admiral Reuenthal (800 UC (2 NIC / 491 IC / 3600 CE))
Gender:	Male
Affiliation:	Galactic Empire
Rank:	Fleet Admiral
Flagship(s):	Tristan Morholt (former)
Occupation:	Chief of High Command Office Governor-General of Neue Land
Status:	Deceased (combat injuries)
Born:	767 UC (458 IC / 3567 CE)
Died:	800 UC (2 NIC / 491 IC / 3600 CE)
Children:	Felix Mittermeyer (biological)
Other relative(s):	Elfriede von Kohlrausch (child's mother)
Played by:	Norio Wakamoto

Oskar von Reuenthal (Japanese: オスカー・フォン・ロイエンタール) was an Imperial Fleet Admiral who served as the Chief of Naval High Command, Governor-General of the former Alliance territory, and was one of the "Twin Pillars" of Kaiser Reinhard's Goldenlöwe Dynasty. Nicknamed the "Bewitching Eyes" for his heterochromatic eyes, Reuenthal was a brilliant commander and was considered to be second only to Reinhard in terms of strategic ability. He was a close friend of fellow Fleet Admiral Wolfgang Mittermeyer, the Supreme Fleet Commander and the other one of the Twin Pillars of the Goldenlöwe Dynasty. The two of them were some of Reinhard von Lohengramm's earliest supporters against the Goldenbaum Dynasty and high nobles ruling the first Empire. However, after complex scheming by various interests behind the scenes, Reuenthal ended up being forced into rising in rebellion against his Kaiser, only to fall in battle.

Fleet Admiral von Reuenthal had been regarded as one of the five best tacticians of that era, and also proved himself to be a capable administrator as the Governor-General of the occupied Alliance territories.

Biography

Early life and service

Rear Admiral Reuenthal, Imperial Fleet (795 UC (486 IC / 3595 CE))

Reuenthal was been born around 767 UC (458 IC / 3567 CE), to a couple of lower nobility, similarly to Reinhard von Müsel.

By around 794 UC (485 IC / 3594 CE), shortly after the Battle of Van-Fleet, Oskar von Reuenthal was a captain in the Imperial Fleet (along with Mittermeyer), and the two of them had seen Reinhard von Lohengramm (then von Müsel) and Siegfried Kircheis for the first time, in what appeared to be the Ministry of War on Odin. Reinhard, who was eighteen at the time and just promoted to rear admiral, was said by Reuenthal to have been a "baby tiger" mistaken for a house cat, in response to a comparison made by Mittermeyer. He believed that Reinhard was successful due to his own abilities, as the enemy was under no obligation to lose just because Reinhard's sister was favored by Kaiser Friedrich IV. By December 794, Reuenthal had been promoted to the rank of commodore and fought in the Sixth Battle of Iserlohn. (LOGH: 'Lost Things', HBSHBL: 'A Hundred Billion Stars, One Ambition')

On 2 May 795 UC (486 IC / 3595 CE), then-Rear Admiral Reuenthal swore allegiance to Admiral Reinhard von Müsel in exchange for his help in freeing Mittermeyer from prison, when the latter was detained after having executed an aristocratic subordinate for a crime. After that, Reinhard and Kircheis went to the prison along with Reuenthal, freeing Mittermeyer from the high nobles who had him extra-judicially arrested. Despite his subsequent loyalty to Reinhard, Reuenthal sometimes harbored thoughts of seizing even more power for himself, thoughts that eventually which led to his downfall. Somewhat of a womaniser, he despises the idea of settling down or having any children because his mother attempted to kill him when he was an infant because of his heterochromatic eyes. (LOGH: 'Farewell, Distant Memories', 'Portraits', 'Rolling Thunder', 'In the Name of Pride')

Late Goldenbaum era

Reuenthal toasting his commander's triumph at Astarte (796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE))

By the winter of 795 UC (486 IC / 3595 CE), Reuenthal and Mittermeyer were rear admirals serving at Iserlohn Fortress. Although they were Reinhard von Lohengramm's fleet commanders and staff officers, they were ordered by the Naval Command to remain behind during the operation to invade the Astarte Starzone of the Free Planets Alliance, which High Admiral von Müsel was ordered to carry out, and were temporarily replaced with other officers with whom Reinhard had not worked with. It was part of a set up by the high nobles, led by Duke Otto von Braunschweig, to have Reinhard killed or fall from grace. Reuenthal thus stayed at Iserlohn Fortress for the duration of what would become the Battle of Astarte, in January 796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE). However, much to Reuenthal's approval and the chagrin of the nobles, the blond admiral managed to pull off a victory against three numerically superior Alliance fleets regardless. (Overture to a New War)

With Reinhard's success in the operation and his resulting promotion to fleet admiral, he established his own admiralty, and in it were several young, up and coming vice admirals, with Reuenthal being among them. They mostly consisted of those who had a lower nobility or commoner background. During those early days Reuenthal, Mittermeyer, and the rest of them assisted their commander however they could, most notably by helping Kircheis free Reinhard's sister Annerose from the hands of a certain vengeful noblewoman. However, they collectively did not get to make major accomplishments until the Alliance captured Iserlohn Fortress later that same year and began an attempted invasion of the Empire. When the Alliance's large expeditionary force occupied several Imperial regions and its supply lines were stretched to the limit, Imperial raids caused a shortage of supplies among the Free Planets Star Fleet's front line units. Thus, the overextended and under-supplied Alliance invasion force at the height of its fatigued was overwhelmed by the Imperial Navy. The Reuenthal Fleet confronted Admiral Alexandre Bucock's 5th Fleet during the Imperial counteroffensive. Although Bucock was prepared to withdraw to Iserlohn beforehand due to their untenable situation in the Imperial territory, he nonetheless sustained 30% losses from Vice Admiral Reuenthal's pursuit. (LOGH: 'The Castrop Rebellion', 'The Actress Exits', 'The Battle of Amritsar Starzone')

With the successful defense of the Empire, Reuenthal received a promotion to full admiral around the late fall of 796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE). However, shortly after the Alliance invasion was repulsed, Emperor Friedrich IV died of a heart attack. The lack of a clear heir-apparent soon began a power struggle in the Imperial aristocracy. Reinhard was willing to work with the late Kaiser's Minister of State, Klaus von Lichtenlade, to place the young Erwin Josef II on the throne, as he did not have influential parents like the other candidates and thus would be easy to control. The situation quickly deteriorated as the Empire was split into two camps, one defending the traditional order of the Goldenbaum Dynasty, led by the highborn aristocrats, while the other sought power for itself, led by Reinhard and Klaus von Lichtenlade. This began an important chapter in Reuenthal's personal life. During the night of the Lohengramm-Lichtenlade "mini coup" against the high nobles on Odin, Reuenthal, incidentally, protected acting Imperial prime minister Lichtenlade's mansion. It was not the last time that Reuenthal would have dealings with the Lichtenlade clan. (LOGH: 'New Trends', 'The Lippstadt Conspiracy')

Lippstadt War and aftermath

The forces under Reuenthal and Mittermeyer seize control of the capital, ushering in a new era (797 UC (488 IC / 3597 CE))

As the Imperial Civil War began between the nobles' faction, the Lippstadt League, and the Imperial government of Emperor Erwin Josef II, Reinhard was appointed the Fleet Commander-in-Chief, while Reuenthal and Mittermeyer served as his top fleet commanders after Kircheis, the Vice Commander-in-Chief. Reuenthal fought in a number of engagements during the Lippstadt campaign, including the fight for Rentenburg Fortress, the battle for the Schann-tau Starzone against Admiral Willibald Joachim von Merkatz, and the final siege of the Lippstadt headquarters, Geiersburg Fortress. Due to the incompetence and arrogance of the high nobles, they were ultimately defeated despite having a much larger fleet and resources. When Kircheis was assassinated in the aftermath of the last battle, and Reinhard was distraught, Reuenthal suggested they needed to do something to fix their young ruler's demoralized state. Reuenthal later stated that he somewhat regretted saying that, but it seemed right at the time. (LOGH: 'Bloodshed in Space', 'Courage and Loyalty', 'The Fall of Goldenbaum')

It became apparent that Lichtenlade harbored plans to move against them, and so a force led by Mittermeyer and Reuenthal returned to Odin from Geiersburg around that time to carry out a coup against the acting Imperial head of government. While Mittermeyer secured the Imperial Seal at the Prime Minister's official residence, Reuenthal ended up being the one to directly arrest Lichtenlade in his mansion, and as a result the man ended up being forced to commit suicide after being accused of plotting to overthrow Fleet Admiral von Lohengramm. The fact that Reuenthal was the one who detained Lichtenlade and carried out the punishment of his family on Reinhard's behalf would have consequences for him later. Meanwhile, as a result of this action, Reinhard became the new Prime Minister while simultaneously being the Fleet Commander-in-Chief, making him the de facto dictator of the Empire, as the reigning Kaiser was only seven years old. (LOGH: 'Farewell, Distant Memories')

Operation Ragnarök

Reinhard's reign

After Reinhard's coronation, Reuenthal was appointed as Chief of the High Command with the rank of Fleet Admiral. He held this status through the second invasion of the Alliance but was accused of treasonous ambitions by Heydrich Lang. He had given shelter to Elfriede von Kohlrausch, the niece of the former Prime Minister Klaus von Lichtenlade after she tried to kill him and they had an affair. However, she still despised him for the downfall of her family and testified that on hearing she was pregnant with his son Reuenthal had stated he should aspire higher than his own status, which implicitly would involve usurping Reinhard's power. Reuenthal denied both these words and that he had known of the child at all. (LOGH: 'Rolling Thunder')

This scandal was intensely disruptive to the Imperial Fleet, with many believing that this was a plot by Paul von Oberstein to eliminate a rival for the favour of the Kaiser. Reuenthal's preparations were considered to have been vital in the restoration of order on Heinessen after the terrible fires that destroyed much of the former capital city of the Alliance. In light of this and of Reuenthal's long-standing allegiance to him, Reinhard dismissed the charges but relieved him of the High Command. Instead he was appointed as Imperial Governor-General of the former Alliance worlds, which after the Battle of the Corridor left him in control of effectively half the Imperial Fleet and civil rule over a large portion of the New Galactic Empire. (LOGH: 'Eve of the Festival')

Insurrection

Late in 800 UC (2 NIC / 491 IC / 3600 CE) a regicide attempt on Reinhard was made on the planet Uruvasi while he was en route to make a state visit to Heinessen. Rumours had been spread by Heydrich Lang that the visit was arranged by Reuenthal in order to make Reinhard vulnerable to capture. While this was not the case, the continuing adversarial relationship between Reuenthal and Oberstein made the former unwilling to approach Reinhard to explain how the attack had been made by soldiers supposed to be under his command. Rather than compromising his pride, Reuenthal decided that if he was going to be blamed for the treasonous attack then he would be a traitor in truth and broke from the Imperial Government, claiming that Oberstein and Lang were usurping power from Reinhard. (LOGH: 'The Urvashi Incident', 'In the Name of Pride')

In a clash of fleets, Reuenthal's forces were forced into retreat by those of Mittermeyer. One of his subordinate fleets under Alfred Grillparzer betrayed him at this vulnerable moment and damaged Reuenthal's flagship Tristan, leading to him being impaled by a shard of metal. He declined surgery in order to remain in command and was able to maintain an organised withdrawal of many of his forces in the face of the Mittermeyer's swift advance. Other portions of his fleet surrendered or were destroyed covering his retreat. (LOGH: 'Die by the Sword')

Returning to Heinessen with the awareness that his injuries were fatal, Reuenthal placed his affairs in order, handing the administration of his civil duties to subordinates who had not followed him in his uprising and taking the time to murder Job Trunicht. He was unexpectedly visited by Kohlrausch who he instructed to give their son to his friend Mittermeyer before offering her the chance to kill him rather than simply to watch him die, although she departed rather than taking either option. Although he tried to live long enough for Mittermeyer to arrive for a final farewell, Oskar von Reuenthal passed away on 16 December while dictating a letter. (LOGH: 'Endless Requiem')

Personal life

Reuenthal was born with heterochromia, a condition that left his left eye blue, and right eye brown. Both of Reuenthal's parents shared blue eyes, so this was observed as proof of his mother's adultery: because of this Reuenthal's mother attempted to murder him when he was still just an infant. Caught in the act, his mother then took her own life. His father blamed Reuenthal for the loss of his wife and took to drinking and treating Reuenthal with heavy disdain. This trauma led Reuenthal to avoid the idea of settling down, or having any children.

Despite his loyalty to Reinhard, Reuenthal sometimes harbours thoughts of seizing even more power for himself, thoughts that eventually which led to his downfall.

Appendices

Appearances

Name variations

• Oskar von Reuental (LD subtitles)

Memorable quotes

1. "Regardless of the color of eyes or skin the color of blood is the same for everyone,isn't it?"
2. "I don't think 'screaming in pain in place of his superior' is among an adjutant's duties."
3. "....For humans, there is an appropriate life, as well as an appropriate death."

Background information

Full-Reuenthal is a municipality in Switzerland. Reuen also means "regret" in German, which could be a possible allusion to Reuenthal's own tragic life.

Tristan connection

The name of Reuenthal's flagship, the Tristan, is a reference to the character of the same name from the tale of Tristan and Isolde. It is interesting to note that the stories of Tristan and Reuenthal, although not exactly alike, have numerous similarities that would seem to suggest an intentional connection between the two:

• Both characters fall in love with a resentful woman whose loved one(s) they have been responsible for killing — in Tristan's case, he has killed Isolde's fiancé; whilst in Reuenthal's case he was responsible for the arrest and likely killing of Elfriede's great-uncle, Klaus von Lichtenlade, and his family.
• Both characters betray their benefactor — in Tristan's case, King Marke; and in Reuenthal's case, Kaiser Reinhard.
• Both characters are forced to fight a dear and loyal friend — in Tristan's case, Melot; and in Reuenthal's case, Wolfgang Mittermeyer.
• Both characters are mortally wounded in said fight.
• Both characters are returned to their 'castle' by a subordinate after being wounded.
• Both characters are visited by the woman they love just before they die.

Apocrypha

Stage

Played by Yoshihisa Higashiyama

Reuenthal is played by Yoshihisa Higashiyama in the 2011 stage adaptation of LOGH.