Count Balsa

Count Balsa (バルサ伯爵) is one of the aristocrat at Kingdom of Belfast. He was the mastermind of the King of Belfast's regicide and Sue's kidnapping. His scheming was blown by Touya and then he was executed for his action.

Appearance
In the novel, Balsa is described as a plum and short man who has thinning hair. He also wears a showy outfit. According to Touya, his appearance is similar to a toad who is bald on the top of his head.

In manga, Balsa is depicted as a plum and short man and black thin curtain-style hair with small bald-patch on the top of his head. He also wears white pompous regency-era cravat with 3 gems visible, black overcoat with white lapels, white shirt, white waistcoat, white pantaloons, white socks and black loafer shoes.

On the other hand, Balsa is shown as a plum and short man with gray huge bald-patched hair on the top of his head when portrayed in the anime. He also wears yellow pompous regency-era cravat, green overcoat with navy blue lapels, white shirt, lilac waistcoat, purple pantaloons, white socks and black loafer shoes.

Personality
Balsa is a xenophobic person as he believe that his kind is better than other race. The count was verbally expressed his disgust for the beast-kin when talking about them. He also mocked people who defending beast-kin.

He is also cunning, as he was able to create assassination scene while convicted the other. He also quite handful as he had several minions to help him with his treasonous acts. Like he hired a kidnapper for kidnapping Sue or bribed the head waiter and the food-taster for putting poison on the king's wineglass.

History
Count Balsa was one of the nobles who opposed the king's effort for forming an alliance with the Kingdom of Mismede. In an attempt to cancel the alliance, Balsa hired a kidnapper to abduct Sue so he could control the duke. However, Touya fortunately arrived at the scene and saved the duke's daughter. After his plan to blackmail the duke failed, he then schemed to kill the king so that he could control the princess, who was (at the time) the heir to the throne. His plan was to order the head waiter and the king's food taster to smear poison on the mouth of the king's wineglass. He also made Olga as the scapegoat of the assassination by making her wine gift as the source of the poison. Despite his almost perfect crime, Touya was able to foil his plotting, convicting him guilty on the spot. He then was executed for his treasonous act with all of his assets were being dissolved. Additionally, all of his relatives were stripped from nobility and exiled.

Touya Mochizuki
Count Balsa met Touya when he was about to leave the castle. His relation with Touya was bad as Touya foiled all of his evil plan one by one. This can be seen when he glared Touya with full of hatred after the king was saved by Touya from death.

Alfred Ernes Ortlinde
Count Balsa seemed to pity the duke for defending his point of view. His relation with the duke also not good as can be seen when they met and how they interact with each other. His interaction with Duke Alfred is full of implicit insults and hatred toward the duke.

Tristwin Ernes Belfast
Count Balsa seemed to revere and loyal to the king while in fact he was not. This can be seen when he addressed the king with manner and honor yet he was scheming to kill the king.

Olga Strand
Count Balsa is disgusted by Olga's existence. He publicly humiliate and belittle her and her kind. This can be seen when he insulted Olga in front of Touya and The Duke when he met them, he even mocked Olga in front of her, the king, and royal family and people.

Quotes

 * "We should have that filthy animal executed immediately. Chop off her head and send it back to Mismede, I say...” - The Count when speaking about Olga.
 * “Silence, you wretched beast! Do you still intend to act innocent? Have you no shame?! Everyone agrees, right...?!” - The Count when speaking to Olga.
 * “I’m dyiiinggg, I’m... pardon?” - The Count after drinking the allegedly poisoned wine.

Trivia

 * Balsa is the first antagonist character introduced in the series.
 * His appearance in the anime and the manga is different. As in the manga, his physical look is more resembling the novel description than the anime.