| Prince of Lanling |
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Prince of Lanling (蘭陵王, Ranryō-Ō?), Class Name Saber (セイバー, Seibā?), is a Saber-class Servant summoned by Hinako Akuta in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order. He is also summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru.
Profile[]
Identity[]
Also known as Gao ChanggongWP (高長恭WP, Kō Chōkyō?), he was a high-ranking general of the Northern Qi dynasty, grandson of Gao Huan, and the fourth son of Gao Cheng. He had a beautiful face and feminine physical appearance; thus, he always wore a terrible mask when he fought in battles.
Appearance[]
 Saber Stage 1 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by hou.  Saber Stage 2 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by hou.  Saber Stage 3 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by hou.  Saber Stage 4 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by hou.  Saber Stage 2 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by hou.      Lanling Wang and others wearing formal outfits as a bonus illustration for Fate/Grand Order From Lostbelt Volume 1, illustrated by Nakatani. |
.png "Heroic Spirit Event Attire Lanling Wang (full body).png (1.8 MB)")
Personality[]
He asks his Master not to mind his mask, declaring that his swords shall not falter.
“This poison was bestowed upon me from His Majesty himself. By just downing it with a single breath and nothing more, His Majesty’s ill humour can be easily traded away.
As you know, I have offered up glories in battle far above my own station. The drawing of this curtain, well, could be due to living my life in an overly hurried manner.”
In life, Changgong was an honorable warrior. Upon his time to die, he accepted the poison from the emperor, but not without regrets. He declared in his final moments that his wish would be to see Hinako in his next life.
During the events of the Chinese Lostbelt, Changgong is relatively silent yet loyally follows orders. It isn't until after his Master is insulted that he decides to respond by giving Nezha the “death penalty” as repayment. Saber once more responds with anger after his Master is insulted by Koyanskaya.
He is not of the Assassin class, yet he still attempts to sneak around darkness and strike when he can. Lancer comments on him not being fit for that sort of role.
Knowing of his Master's true nature, he does not hesitate to offer up his own blood for her survival, even going as far as to talk her into it:
“I understand your disgust. Consuming others for nourishment……the very same actions of those humans that you could not fail to hate.
However even so, right now……
Now is the very time to lose yourself to that humiliation……
You have, met him again once more!
Remember that eternal lament, that endless loneliness up until now!"
As a Servant summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru, Gao Changgong is loyal and highly friendly towards other Servants. He feels the need to keep himself masked, and asks for forgiveness, believing he is mistaken of being arrogant. It is through Ascension that he learns that his beauty is not at all a problem for the Master or other Servants. As a result, he is able to relax and be happy. After this, he expresses loyalty and love for the Master.
In regards to Xiang Yu, he feels that referring to himself as that man's nephew would be unreasonable of him.
Relationships[]
- Consort Yu
- "I would've never imagined we could meet again as Servants, and am deeply moved. She proudly said I could rely on her whenever I needed advice, but... I can't help but be constantly worried about her, so whenever I hear a loud noise I rush to see if she's fine."[1]
- "Hello, beautiful Yu Mei-ren. I'm overjoyed to see you ever in a good mood. It's an immense delight that I, Prince of Lanling, can still interact with you after death."[3]
- "That reminds me, that camping activity was something fierce. I see, you want me to forget about it. My apologies, that was not something I am capable of forgetting. Because, neither in life nor beyond, have I ever experienced such a dreamlike time in the company of a master."[3]
- Xiang Yu / Lü Bu
- "...I see, so these are our China's unparalleled warriors...Robots...I see, I see..."[1]
- Xu Fu
- "Oh, you? I didn't know you had been summoned. I'm known as Prince of Lanling. The person you cherish truly deserves it. Would you mind chatting about it? Ah... She ran away. Well, we will be able to talk one day. About her devotion and earnest kindness."[3]
- Qin Shi Huang
- "No greater honor than meeting a renowned Emperor. Yes, if I ever cut ties with Master, I'd certainly consider serving you. Indeed, my answer means it can't possibly happen in this particular summon. My apologies."[3]
- Jing Ke
- "She has a sloppy way of walking, but also a silent way of killing and a tendency to get terribly drunk. She would be truly beautiful if she acted more properly, so I can't help but be troubled when she keeps drinking herself unconscious."[1]
- Penthesilea
- "We usually make small talk about masks. The fact she doesn't seem interested in me makes it really easy to get along with her."
- (the same probably goes for her)[1]
- Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
- "What? You can't seal your beauty spot's curse even if you wear a mask? I-I'm so sorry..."[1]
- Edward Teach
- "Why is it that I can suddenly hear background music playing when I do stuff sometimes...?"
- (Hint: It's background music used for romantic events with special CGs.)[1]
Role[]
Fate/Grand Order[]
SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge[]
Emerging from a container launched Xianyang, Lanling attacks Ritsuka's party on Hinako's corders. The group overwhelm him, so Hinako orders a retreat, recognizing she underestimated her enemies.[4]
Lanling and Hinako return later in the same manner as before. Now accompanied by automaton soldiers, Lanling declares he demonstrate his true skills as a general. Then, on Hinako's command, he activates his Noble Phantasm and initiates combat. Despite his leadership though, Lanling still cannot defeat Ritsuka's party. Hinako orders a retreat, knowing they need a new strategy.[4]
The next day, as Ritsuka's party is being ovehelmed by Xiang Yu, Lanling comes to retrieve the general. Lanling asks Xiang Yu why he attacked without him and Hinako. Xiang Yu answers he did so to assess their enemies' abilities, and now that he has, he can devise hat will lead them to a flawless victory. He and Lanling then return to their camp.[5]
Lanling and Xiang Yu clash with Ritsuka's party again later that evening when the latter intercept their foces. The battle ends however when Qin Liangyu arrives with her army, demanding both sides to stand down on Qin Shi Huang's orders.[5]
Despite Shi Huang's call for a truce, Lanling tries to assassinate Ritsuka the next night, but Mash quickly spots him. He notes that while Shi Huang and Chaldea called a truce, he and his Master agreed to no such thing. Liangyu arrives to help Ritsuka and Mash defeat him when HInako and Xiang Yu arrive. Shi Huang then orders Xiang Yu to crush his own core. Hinako begs the emperor to spare him. She, Lanling, and Xiang Yu leave after Shi Huang agrees to her pleas.[6]
The next night, Hinako and Lanling join Xiang Yu in his efforts to kill Ritsuka’s party on Shi Huang’s orders under the accusation they’re Confucians. Later though Shi Huang orders the three to leave immediately so they’re not caught in the blast from the payload he just launched from the Great Wall.[7]
Later at Ankang, Lanling expresses displeasure at the notion of Koyanskaya and the Shadow Border crew being kept prisoner in the same facility. Hinako agrees but notes keeping them all in the same place means Shi Huang can eliminate can them all at once if necessary. Lanling admits the way Shi Huang views his subjects and the matter of his rule after obtaining immortality terrifies him. He asks Hinako’s opinion on the Lostbelt and the state of the Qin’s eternal empire. Hinako dismisses the question with her misanthropic ranting, but she apologizes to Lanling, knowing he had his own nation and people to protect. Lanling tells her, though, that she has every right to be angry. He admires how her feelings have not wavered all this time and feels honored to fight for her convictions.[8]
When Ritsuka’s party tries to break the Border crew and Vitch out of Ankang, Lanling and guards block their escape. While the Jotun summoned by Vitch deal with the guards, Ritsuka’s party fight Lanling. After Hinako uses her last Command Spell, a bomb explodes beneath her. Lanling rushes to his Master, knocking Mash out of his way when she tries to stop him at Vitch’s behest. Knowing there is no other choice now, Lanling tells Hinako to sacrifice him to save herself. He knows it is ironic to have her feed on others when that is why she hates humans. But now that she has reunited with Xiang Yu after many years of grieving alone, Lanling demands Hinako to swallow her pride and do her utmost to survive. He promises she and Xiang Yu will happily together and share in each other’s fates this time. Left with no choice, Hinako drains Lanling of his Spirit Core through his blood. Lanling asks her why she chose to summon him. Hinako answers it’s because of the warm memory of him speaking to her without fear. Lanling thanks her for those words, calling her by her True Name: Yu Mei-ren. Though he understands she hates her eternal life and youth, Lanling conveys to Yu Mei-ren how comforting it is for mortals to know there is someone whose beauty will remain pristine forever. With those last words, Lanling disappears.[8]
Paper Moon: Imaginary Compass Inner World[]
Abilities[]
The Prince battling Mordred.
Saber is initially shown wielding twin JianWP-style swords, however he is only shown possessing one. Lanling is described as a sword master whose swordsmanship focuses on graceful, dancelike movements.
As a Servant he has many of the superhuman traits seen in many if not all. Such as flying through the air, carrying Hinako, engaging Ritsuka's group by falling out of the sky in a way that resembled a rocket. Changgong has history as a general, which he displayed as he was granted an army to lead in a rematch against Ritsuka's group. He is adept at sneak attacks in darkness but was unsuccessful in his assassination attempt.
He has the power to block out mental disturbances in his area through his mask, and as long as he is around them, soldiers or allies accompanying him will remain unaffected as well through his Skill Mask of Concealing Beauty.
Class Skill[]
- Magic Resistance (C Rank): Nullifies any magecraft with less than two incantations. He is unable to defend against greater magecraft and rituals.[1]
- Riding (A Rank): He is able to masterfully ride any vehicles or beasts excluding those of mythical or divine class.[1]
Personal Skills[]
- Mask of Concealing Beauty (A Rank): A skill symbolizing the stories about Lanling having to hide his beautiful face behind a mask as to not cause unrest within his troops. Its effect cleanses everyone in his vicinity of mental discomposure or disturbance. However it's not like the mask hides his charisma, so the morale of his troops still gets raised.[1]
- Vigorous like the Breaking Bamboo (C Rank): A variation of the Tactics skill. In a battlefield where many soldiers are mobilized, he is able to make his troops advance fiercely without losing momentum. Lanling was said to be a peerless commander who defeated a large army with a mere 500 soldiers.[1]
- Devilish Face (EX Rank): Lanling's bare face, which becomes revealed with him ascending. Even the history books describe Lanling's looks and voice as being beautiful and bewitching, so by merely revealing his face he can influence his surroundings. It is unknown whether he can receive support from the moon in the form of a beam.[1]
Noble Phantasm[]
His Noble Phantasm is Prince Lanling in Battle.
Development[]
Creation and Conception[]
Prince of Lanling was designed by hou in Fate/Grand Order. His scenario writer is Yuuichirou Higashide in Fate/Grand Order.
Comment from Illustrator[]
"I was told I could design him however I wanted as long as I kept the 'pretty boy wearing a mask' part intact so I was pretty happy but nervous about that. I kept thinking about how to differentiate him from the other beautiful Servants, and especially fussed over his eyes."
"I tried to include into his design my interpretations of elements from stories, court music, as well as the beauty of flowers and the moon. The are still legends about magatama in Japan so I included them as a symbol of the moon's protection. Maybe I included too many...I actually didn't know how to draw the wrinkles in his wide pants so I ended up making them myself."
"It's really nice how Lanling doesn't show any skin yet you can clearly still have a peek at his slender and elegant body line. My headcanon for him is that his hair got cut shorter and lost its color to symbolize the tragedy he experienced in life, so it's possible he may have had long, black hair when he was alive. The droplet-shaped decorations in his mask can also look like tears from certain angles, so yeah I included some other anecdotes like that to his design."
"I chose the goldencup flower as one of his motifs as apparently it blooms during the month he died. For his face during the Noble Phantasm animation I tried to draw him so beautifully that I couldn't replicate it again, so I ended up drawing him trial and error over and over again. He sure shines really brightly, huh!"
"I tried to display this one stage of beauty that isn't too adult nor too childish, so how did I do..!? I personally hope everyone finds him androgynously sexy. I figured Lanling's bravery would already be shown in battle, so instead for his final ascension art I decided to display him showing his pureness of character, and I hope people see it as him showing a beautiful smile directed towards someone he can trust." (hou)[1]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 Fate/Grand Order material VIII - Prince of Lanling, trasnlated by BananaShiki
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - Spotlight Lostbelt No.3
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Prince of Lanling's Fate/Grand Order voice lines translated by ComunCoutinho at Reddit
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge, Section 2: Eternal Empire
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge, Section 6: The Demonic General Descends
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge, Section 7: Qin Shi Huang
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge, Section 9: Morning Star of Rebellion
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge, Section 11: The Poppy Girl