Saitō/Relationships

Saitō is an ancient being having existed as a vampire during the dark ages of Greece. He was turned by the first progenitor, Sika Madu along with Urd Geales. Turning Ferid Bathory into a vampire himself Saitō would depart the progenitor council and become involved with the Hyakuya Sect under the alias of "Rigr Stafford". Acquainted with Guren Ichinose and Mahiru Hīragi he would bring Yūichirō Hyakuya to the Hyakuya orphanage where he met Mikaela. Saitō interacts with various other characters throughout the Seraph of the End series, which affects himself and the story. This article details Saitō's relationships with other characters.

Hyakuya Sect
The Hyakuya Sect was an organization created in the past in response to Shikama Doji's founding of the Emperor's Demons. As the head of the organization, Saito commands both human and high ranking vampires. With heavy weaponry at his disposal, Saito also has obedient units at his control. The trust he has amongst the Hyakuya Sect, where an army of members are willing to allow him to drain strength from them regardless of their wellbeing in a war zone, enables Saito to empower himself enough to battle Shikama Doji.

Mahiru Hīragi
A teenage girl born from the Hīragi family, Mahiru Hīragi joins the Hyakuya Sect to oppose her family. Saitō tells her to become a vampire and though he refuses to turn her himself he helps Mahiru whilst also keeping his own objectives a secret.

Stating that someone exceptional had betrayed the Hīragi family by selling secrets to the Hyakuya Sect, Saitō arrived at First Shibuya High and found Mahiru. When Mahiru entered the battlefield with her cursed gear, and her hand became clawed and demon like, Saitō bound her sword arm using a chain and told her that was enough. She will lose control if she used that weapon anymore.

Mikaela Hyakuya
A young seraph with high experimental potential. Mikaela Hyakuya acts as a leader toward the other orphans and is considered to be charming. Mika is half-Russian with blond hair and blue eyes. Saitō gives him money to buy ice cream. Mika's mother was a member of the Hyakuya Sect and gravely injured Mika by throwing him out of a moving vehicle. His parents died during the subsequent car crash and Saitō delivers him to the Hyakuya orphanage to live.

Yūichirō Hyakuya
A young seraph who Saitō picks up after Yūichirō Hyakuya's mother attempts to burn him alive in their apartment and then lights herself on fire and commits suicide. His father was also abusive. Saitō takes him to the same orphanage as Mika a few minutes before the Apocalypse begins, and Yu fights him the whole way. At some point Saitō orders his men at the Hyakuya Sect to infiltrate the building in Osaka where he is being held. A member disguised as one of Kureto Hīragi's scientists capture and retrieve Yu successfully on Saitō's orders.

Japanese Imperial Demon Army
From the shadows, Saito seeks to undermine the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, the largest human organization in the country. From the intermittent conflicts with them, there is often another goal in mind in the Hyakuya Sect's ruthless assaults on them. While the human members would not know about their background, and fight as soldiers would against hostile forces, Saito battles agains the Demon Army since it was founded by Shikama Doji who still acts through it. In Saito's largest scale attack against the Demon Army forces in Shibuya, he brought missile armed helicopters and a great host of soldiers. Although he intended to wipe them out, Saito's true goal was in dealing with the First who had awakened. Focused on that, Saito and the Hyakuya Sect invasion would be repelled by the Demon Army.

Guren Ichinose
The heir to the Ichinose family and one who opposes the Hīragi family. Saitō first encounters Guren Ichinose in the elevator of the residential block that Guren is staying at and professes to be acquainted with the Ichinose family. Not minding being attacked by Guren's sword, Saitō freely shares he is a member of the Hyakuya Sect and so shares Guren's resentment of the Hīragi family. With Guren declining his offer to join him, Saitō does not entertain the idea of a fight and departs. He persistently and repeatedly offers an alliance. Finding Guren outside a store he discloses he does not have a true name, before revealing details of a man-made virus that will ruin the world. He alerts Guren that the Hyakuya Sect will attack the Hīragi family in ten days to prevent that. While departing with Mika he warns that Guren is probably a pervert. After the Hīragi family were defeated, Saitō was fine with leaving everything to Guren, yet was slashed. Raising how this was already tried, Saitō reminds Guren that physical attacks do not work on him since he has undergone body modifications. Saitō is surprised at being affected by the spell enchanted blade, Kujakumaru. With Guren learning Mahiru is the traitor who sold Hīragi secrets to the Hyakuya Sect, he questions is it not stupid to call a girl Guren has not seen in ten years a lover. Saitō mentions for Guren to come with him to where Mahiru is. He takes an interest in Guren after the catastrophe and helped him with his tasks. Ferid later reveals that Saitō was only using Guren to his own benefits all along.

Seishirō Hīragi
Coming across him at the selection exam as agents are murdering students there, Saitō disregards Seishirō Hīragi's outrage at openly attacking the Hīragi family. What Saitō hates the most are annoying little brats who talk to much, and he directs his chains at Seishirō. With one heading towards his face, Saitō tells Seishirō checkmate and to not forget to tell his god in heaven that he died due to his arrogance.

Shinya Hīragi
Firing chains in Shinya Hīragi's direction, with him learning from Guren that Saitō planned war with the Hīragis that Shinya as an adopted family member hated too, Saitō regarded him as someone with a brain. Asking if Shinya wanted to join hands to defeat the Hīragi, he added afterwards he was more than happy to let him take over. Asked when that day comes, who would be the leader out of him and Guren, he answered it was a matter between the two of them. At having his eyes covered with a spell tag, Saitō comments that even though Shinya is just a brat, he is more powerful than expected. With Guren asking Shinya whether he sold Hīragi family secrets to the Hyakuya Sect, Saitō comments that he was not contacted since someone more brilliant than him had already been contacted.

Kureto Hīragi
Aware of him, Saitō hears Kureto Hīragi the third year president of the student body as a candidate for the Hīragi family traitor and comments it was someone more exceptional than him.

During the Hyakuya Sect invasion against Shibuya, he would find his forces assailed by Kureto and the Demon Army soldiers under his control.

Vampires
A second progenitor vampire, one of two, Saito is amongst one of the strongest beings in the world and other vampires who are aware of him afford him the deference that higher ranking nobles generally command. Where his interest in the First took precedent over ruling with vampires, Saito left the progenitor council and ceased contact, leaving few overly familiar with him. Having bodily modifications, including to his eyes and ears to remove vampire features, Saito would also regard vampires bodies as clunky, inferior to his own chain based one. Where vampires, including nobles, do make up his Hyakuya Sect army, as with other members they are a means to an end of enacting his plans.

Sika Madu
Saitō was turned into a vampire by the First Progenitor. According to Saitō, he disregarded almost everyone in the vampire race except for Ashera Tepes, because he was bored and was not interested in them anymore. With it guessed that he was to search for the first Rigr considered that he has abandoned vampire kind and commented that he was a parent who had left him and Urd.

"Ages ago, when I was still tailing you, I found something. You'd founded a human organization. The Emperor's Demons. It was ostensibly a religious sect... ...But they were conducting experiments on turning vampires into demons."

- Having followed the First to Kyoto, Japan, he established his own Hyakuya Sect in response to what Sika Madu made.

Later it was revealed that Saitō possesses a strong desire to obtain the first progenitor's attention and to be truly "seen" by him, so goes to extreme lengths in order to accomplish this goal. Saitō would use his subordinates of the Hyakuya Sect and his own sired vampires by stealing their life force to strengthen his own power in order to battle the First Progenitor on even ground and finally obtain his attention. As noted by his fellow Second Progenitor, Urd Geales, he has been attempting to accomplish this goal since the early days of their immortal lives and has continued to do so up to the present time.

Feeling left without a purpose by the First, he is also affected at the feeling that away for him, or tracking him, he is still a part of his plan. With no reason to live, yet no way to die, Saito asks the First what are they supposed to do. Laughing off the suggestion to become independent, Saito notes his Hyakuya Sect was taken advantage of so there is no way.

"Shut. Your. Mouth. All that ever comes out of it is lies. I'll ask the questions here. You answer them, nothing more."

- Not believing he is free from the First, Saito then seeks information on Mika who resembles the First's son.

Aware that Shikama Doji had added the Hyakuya orphanage to his organization, Saito wondered whether Mika was the perfect vessel the First had in mind to contain his son's soul. Unable to trust Shikama Doji, he fires chains into him repeatedly in response to his statements. Aware of the First's withering telepathic communication on vampires or not, Saito has spell tags ready to nullify what he sees as a brainwashing attempt. Not fully educated in what exactly Shikama Doji is, Saito has questions on where the divine punishment comes from, and who is chasing him. Unsure of whether the First is a demon or angel, where Mikaela would be the same, Saito focuses on the potential ruin other seraphs would bring for Shikama Doji attempting to resurrect such a being.

"We can't trust his words. Something could happen to the world. There's no guarantee we'll properly die if we listen to him."

- Flatly against working with Shikama Doji, and speaking for others to do the same.

Where the matter of him being bored of living is raised by the First, an option of death is available as one of the criteria for the resurrection is the sacrifice of all vampires. Taking a turn and reacting strongly to the assumption he would want to die to help Shikama Doji with his resurrection, Saito assails the First with chains. From that, he affirms his newfound true meaning for his life is to stop Shikama Doji from ever getting what he wants. Another consequence, is because of this, Saito decides to uptake Shikama Doji's vow he had them dedicate their existences to, namely prevent the world from being ruined.

Urd Geales
Like him, Urd Geales is a second progenitor. When Saitō was still Rigr Starford, he and Urd had a cordial friendly relationship as the eldest sired vampires. Having shared and worked together to complete the First Progenitor's tasks they were both given the duty to teach the newly sired Ashera Tepes about his new abilities and powers as a vampire and the new rules he must follow. The two are seen friendly bantering and arguing with each other in a familiar, friendly way.

At some point they resided together in a castle within Romania. Rigr left Urd as he felt the first had abandoned vampire kind. Commenting that is was selfless of Urd to uphold vampire laws for thousands of years Rigr told him not to sulk, it was not like he was abandoning him.

"True. Out of all the old vampires, it's just us. What? Are you going to miss me?"

- Their special connection aside did not discourage Rigr from leaving Urd

Out of all the old vampires it was just them Rigr questioned whether Urd would miss him. Despite the tone and notions of leaving and missing someone Rigr was clear that he would not stay regardless of any possible sentiment. The laws they laid down to build a vampire utopia that would last forever was just an illusion. Rigr questioned who Urd thought he was to decide it was real, and stated that since Urd was staying he would protect everyone. After being attacked by Urd he said he could not beat him. After cutting Urd's arms off Rigr said that was enough.

"You always looked slightly pleased with yourself when you'd win. I liked that. So I held back every time."

- After defeating Urd he revealed past restraint in previous fights, and why.

Apologizing again Rigr said he did not intend to hurt Urd, before sharing that he was off. Rigr heard Urd would hate him forever if he left, which he felt was fine if that gave him a reason to keep going.

During this time, Urd is also seen having been slightly annoyed by Rigr's constant attempts to gain the first's attention in such instances where he aimed a look at him as he tried to talk to the first. Over the years, their relationship was estranged as Rigr had taken up the name of Saitō and had left the Progenitor Council. Neither of them hesitated to fight the other when they met at Ferid's mansion while Krul was imprisoned. They both hold each other for their strong beliefs and desires in contempt and having known each other for so long and understood each other incredibly. Urd knew fully well that Rigr only wanted to obtain the First's attention, which Urd seemed to pity but also be angry at him for, knowing fully well and accepting that the First's complete disinterest in them would never change. Saitō likewise abhors Urd for following the laws established by the First Progenitor so unquestionably.

Despite having been able to match him in their fight, it was revealed that Saitō was actually wary of facing Urd, which he already indicated in their previous fight by asking Urd to stand down and fleeing instead of continuing to fight him. Rather than confronting him directly, Saitō send a large missile attack on Urd and his compatriots as they were traveling via aircraft. After surviving the attack, Urd expresses confidence he can kill Saitō if that is what he wishes. When Saitō was heavily wounded and cursed from being struck by a sinful key and Ferid with Crowley had come to kill him Saitō also only saw Urd's imminent arrival as a threat. Unable to move away before Urd arrived Saitō commented that Urd was the last person he wanted help from. Although he reluctantly accepted Urd's aid against Ferid it was also done out of the practical need to buy time for his body to recover so he would slip away. However Saitō was pleased to see Crowley and Ferid activate the Sinful Key to take down Urd.

Hearing from Lest Karr that he was the only one Urd got emotional over resulted in Saitō concluding Urd was furious.

"Everything that Urd values... ...I'll destroy."

- The claim made upon escaping a prison made by Urd to contain him.

Ferid Bathory
Saitō turned Ferid Bathory into a vampire but then disregarded him because he did not act according to his expectations. Saitō is ambushed by Ferid wielding a sinful key and consequently loses his chance to defeat Guren and his demons, as well as the first progenitor. Found by him again, Saitō assumes Ferid has a point in mind for wanting to kill him. Attacked with a sinful key, Saitō uses his chains to restrain Ferid and says it was a mistake to turn him into a vampire, first and foremost since he was abnormal.

Basteya Irclu
A sixth progenitor vampire noble, Basteya Irclu is a member of the Hyakuya Sect who works under Saitō's commands. Basteya addresses him as lord Rigr Stafford and reveals that he is the one in control and they just simply play their part. This is evident further when they sided with an agent from the Hyakuya Sect to retreat from the battlefield. When Saitō was found by the first with Mirai as a seraph in between them he would count on Basteya crashing into the area and initiate the spell to sacrifice members of his army. The chain in Basteya would channel power into Saitō to the point where he could attempt to capture Shikama Dōji who was possessing Shinoa's body.

Caek Sanorium
A vampire noble where Saitō is Caek Sanorium's master. He sent him to meet with Guren as a guide so that Saitō and Guren could meet, he gave him a mission to test Guren's strength by fighting him as well. At first Mahiru was hesitant if she and Guren should meet and talk, or fight each other. Caek obeys Saitō's orders without a question where they were to delay Guren's friends until Saitō and Guren are done with their conversation. Stating that he understands very little of his goals, everything Saitō does doesn't make sense to him. He addresses him as Rigr Stafford, but he knew his name as Saitō as well.

Crowley Eusford
Crowley Eusford was turned into a vampire using a vial containing Saitō's blood. It is unknown if Saitō is aware that Crowley is sired from him. He does not pay him much mind when he sees him with Ferid.

Krul Tepes
Saitō meets Krul Tepes, a third progenitor who ruled as the queen of Japan while she is imprisoned in Ferid's mansion in Osaka. He comments on how pathetic Krul has become in her state and addresses her as Miss Tepes. When he is not recognized Saitō replies that she should know him quite well and shares with her that he dyed his hair and changed his name. Saitō expresses surprise at Krul suspecting that he ordered Ferid to capture her and denies any connection with him. He knows like himself that Krul is a child of the first, further that she is one of the third progenitors the first did not take with him.

Lest Karr
Although their actual relationship was unknown and it is still not shown if Rigr and Lest Karr had any actual contact prior to his defection from the Progenitor Council. Finding Lest in his way as he was fleeing from Urd, Saitō promptly cut the third progenitor apart. They would meet again after Saitō had been captured and confined to a prison where he was approached by him. Asked to please stop teasing their subordinates Saitō spoke how he was bored and told Lest Karr maybe he could alleviate that by killing every single one of them. He had questions for Lest Karr, namely whether Urd made the prison and he spoke to him as a confidant of sorts when he asked whether Lest Karr thinks Urd is still mad at him.

"Do you think he's still mad at me?"

- Speaking to Lest Karr as a confidant and asking if he thinks Urd is mad at him.

Seeking his opinion on whether Lest Karr thinks he should apologize, Saitō considers his response on whether Urd would forgive him a good question. He also questions whether Lest Karr thinks Urd would torture him.

With Lest Karr voicing that he should be executed Saitō still attempts to gain clarification on what Urd said, before changing to a topic that Lest Karr came to him since he had questions. Saitō raises how these could involve the first taking all the of the best third progenitors but not Lest Karr. He mentions repeatedly that Lest Karr was left and hints for him to ask why, suggesting that he was incompetent, and is desperate to know. Mentioning that Urd will kill him so the secret will be lost as leverage, Saitō makes the request for Lest Karr to free him. When Lest Karr is certainly not interested, Saitō breaks out his cage anyway, attacking other vampires around but not Lest Karr.

After Saito plans to stop Shikama Doji from resurrecting Mikaela so as to stop the seraphs from ruining the world again, Saito is welcome home by a pleased Lest Karr.

Ky Luc
In his prison Saitō was approached by Ky Luc, a fifth progenitor who had heard legends about him, but they were old. Saitō smiled pleasantly yet when Ky Luc continued to wonder whether he was that powerful Saitō stated he was not. Professing to be weak, Saitō asked him why else would he be bound in humiliation like he was. Claiming to be scared out of his mind, and asking Ky Luc to please not pick on him resulted in angering Ky Luc. After he was calmed Saitō repeated the plea to not pick on him, before adding whether he could.

"What? Don't you have the guts to pick on me?"

- Addressing Ky Luc after his anger has been quelled.

Such claims of being weak, and whether he knew this would provoke Ky Luc, were in keeping with Saitō claiming to be bored and working towards being freed. When Saitō broke from his confines he had not skewered Ky Luc, unlike other vampires around.

Along with other progenitors, Saito finds Ky Luc has agreed with his plan to undermine the First since Urd is in favor.

Ashera Tepes
Rigr and Ashera Tepes possessed an acquaintanceship a thousand years prior during his early years as a vampire. Along with Urd, Rigr was one of the two vampires charges by the First Progenitor to familiarize Ashera with his new abilities and powers as a vampire and teach him the new mechanics of his body and how to deal with them. Rigr offered to help Ashera handle his new bodies aversion to sunlight and deal with their never ending craving for blood.

During a conversation with Urd a thousand years later, Rigr now using the name Saitō has implied to harbor immense jealousy for Ashera due to him being the only vampire the First Progenitor has ever displayed any form of attachment or interest in. Saitō has shown to long for the same treatment the first has shown to Ashera.

Demons
Learning that Sika Madu was experimenting on vampires to turn them into demons, Saito also sees their use in Cursed Gear as well. Aside from Shikama Doji on account of their background, Saito places no special interest in these invisible entities, where he is one of the few who could likely discern them.

Mahiru-no-Yo
The demon that resides in Guren's sword, he only met her once when she materialized next to Saitō after he throws a sinful key at her throat. It seemed to Mahiru-no-Yo that she had no memory of him prior to becoming Guren's Cursed Gear.

Byakkomaru
Aware of Shinya Hīragi's demon Byakkomaru and saying he was a third progenitor, Saitō addresses him by the nickname 'Byakko'.

Gekkouin
He says Yoichi Saotome's demon Gekkouin was a third progenitor.

Kiseki-o
Shihō Kimizuki's demon Kiseki-o, who Saitō says was a third progenitor.

Raimeiki
Addressing Raimeiki as 'Raimei' he knew Kureto Hīragi's demon as a third progenitor.

Noya Hienma
Able to sense Noya Hienma in Shibuya Saitō was surprised he was there, and knew his surname. Saitō tells Lest Karr that Noya was a third progenitor chosen by the first.

Mikaela
Having learned that Michaela is Sika Madu's son, Saito gathers that his resurrection is planned.

"You want to bring Mikaela back to life. He was your son."

- Aware of his relevance to Shikama Doji's plan.

Due to his feelings on the First, and with the world at stake in the even that seraphs would enact divine punishment against resurrecting the being that Mikaela is, Saito is committed to stopping the resurrection.