| “ | With each passing year, evil festers beneath the catacombs that is man's soul. And as a new era arrives so too does that evil. It may seem hopeless, Richter. That no matter your efforts you cannot rid the world of each new evil that springs from the pits, trust me I know. But as long as someone or something is out there fighting the good fight with the will to let the light shine for the next generation, then it's worth it. | „ |
| ~ Juste Belmont |
Juste Belmont is a member of the Belmont Clan and Richter Belmont's grandfather. Juste is well-known for his immense magical prowess having been recognized as among the most powerful members of the Belmont family.
Appearance[]
In his youth, Juste was portrayed as a youthful man with long platinum blonde hair that go past his shoulders. He wore a red trench coat with a silver vest underneath that bore the Belmont family crest complete with a black shirt. He wears white pants and black boots.
After the death of his daughter and at Richter's age, he is depicted as an an older man with longer white hair, a scruffy beard that follows his jaw line and a mustache. He still wears his black shirt and brown pants with boots.
History[]
Background[]
Juste is a member of the Belmont family of vampire hunters and was a powerful magician in his youth, like his ancestress Sypha Belnades. He claims to have killed thousands of vampires in his prime and was close with his childhood friend Lydie Erlander and best friend Maxim Kischine. In his late twenties he would wed Lydie who bore a daughter named Julia whom he taught how to fight and slay vampires.
When Julia's son Richter was born and eventually came of age, Juste wanted to teach the boy in the art of monster hunting though his mother Julia was hesitant in allowing him to do so as the world was too dangerous for a boy his age and grew more dangerous by the minute. Despite this, Juste saw this as all the more reason to teach the young Belmont on how to defend himself which culminated in him teaching Richter how to use his inherent magical abilities. This however would set off an argument between Julia and Juste, eventually resulting in the two growing distant.
However, the Belmont family was at risk for unbeknownst to them, they were being systematically hunted by powerful vampires who were gathered by none other than Erzsebet Báthory herself. Juste was of course among the primary targets and as he fought off the vampire horde led by Lord Ruthven his best friend Maxim was tragically murdered in the midst of battle, which allowed Lord Ruthven to raze the building's roof and cause it to collapse atop of Juste seemingly killing him. He miraculously survived due to his magic but was incapacitated for too long as he had discovered the lifeless corpse of his beloved daughter Julia with his grandson nowhere in sight. Consumed with a need for vengeance, Juste first hunted down Lord Ruthven and in his conversation with Richter was a hunt that nearly cost him his humanity to where his own magic "no longer recognized him".
Reuniting with Richter[]
Juste ended up killing Lord Ruthven but this did not put him at ease for the death of his family had taken its unbearable toll on him. Years later, Juste's activities would eventually land him in France as it was in the midst of a bloody revolution, and while downtrodden with a fractured spirit Juste continued to slay vampires on the side. He would reunite with Richter in a tavern who, in a drunken rage after failing to kill Orlox, was subdued by Juste as he grabbed the Lux Whip before Richter could strike one of the customers. Juste questioned the boy until after a second attempt he revealed himself as Richter and responded that the whip belonged to his mother. Juste quickly recognized the boy as his grandson and was inwardly relieved and elated at this revelation.
Their reunion was not a pleasant one however, for Richter, still inebriated, finished his glass and set off to find Orlox once more only to be stopped by Juste, advising him that in his current condition he is no match for Orlox. Richter scoffed and attempted to forcefully move him aside only to be easily overwhelmed by his grandfather. Upon being soundly defeated by Juste who critiqued his form and style as though he was a teacher, the elderly Belmont offered to teach Richter how to properly harness his magic and be attuned to his abilities via taming his emotions. When Richter questioned his eagerness to help Juste responds as he returns the whip, "Because that's what family is for.." promptly revealing himself as Richter's grandfather.
Personality[]
In his youth, Juste Belmont was arguably the most reserved and introverted Belmont, a far cry from his more fiery and impulsive family members like Richter and Trevor Belmont. He kept to himself to where he doesn't have any mentioned connections to other people outside of his two childhood friends Maxim and Lydie. Regardless, Juste expresses a strong love for his friends, and desires to protect them from any harm. He also has humor in him, as he uses clever comebacks and witty responses when conversing with the likes of Maxim or Richter.
Juste displayed great pride in being a Belmont and opted to continue the family legacy, so much so he instilled the Belmont's culture and methods of vampire slaying into his daughter and only child Julia Belmont. While Juste deeply loved his daughter, his mission to uphold his family's name made any bonds grow difficult between him and Julia which eventually culminated in the two growing distant after Juste wanted to train his grandson Richter.
After the death of his beloved wife and daughter along with his best friend Maxim by Lord Ruthven, Juste became a depressed old man, weighed down by their deaths. But this did not deter him from seeking out Lord Ruthven and brutally killing him nor did it do so in his continued slaying of vampires. Although, Juste admitted to Richter during their training that he at times considered hanging up the whip as it felt as though he carried a burden than a gift. Even so, Juste held strong to his will, preventing it from breaking apart and was determined to not allow Richter to fall in the same pit lest he loses connection to his powers.