Bernie

Bernie (バーニィ) was an adventurer and the third member to join Masayuki's party. He is an Otherworlder from the United States. Secretly, he was the seventh-ranked of Rudra's Imperial Guardians.

Appearance
Bernie, despite being over 45 years old, maintains the youthful appearance of an 18-year-old. He possesses a striking auburn mane of hair and is often seen sporting stylish glasses that enhance his intellectual aura. His demeanor exudes an air of a long-suffering lackey, as Rimuru has aptly described.

When Bernie assumes the guise of an Imperial Guardian undercover, he undergoes a remarkable transformation. He ditches his glasses and adopts an asymmetrical haircut. In place of his typical meek countenance, he wears a perpetual scowl, presenting a stern and imposing presence. His attire consists of a resplendent Legend-Grade Armor, with a vibrant yellow hue.

Personality
Bernie consistently served as the voice of reason within the party, always prioritizing the team's welfare and offering invaluable advice to Masayuki. His ability to resist Masayuki's Chosen One stemmed from a Unique Skill he possessed, but he held great respect for Masayuki despite this remarkable resistance.

However, after his true identity as an Imperial Guardian was exposed, Bernie revealed a more formal and serious side of himself in his military role. In battle, he showcased a degree of vanity, displaying confidence in his abilities, which came as a shock when he was defeated by Benimaru. This stark contrast in his behavior from his time traveling with Masayuki left Rimuru astounded, betraying the initial impression of Bernie as nothing more than Masayuki's "long-suffering lackey." Bernie himself described his behavior while traveling with Masayuki as his true self.

Although Bernie initially regarded Masayuki as a mere imposter who bluffed his way through life as a Chosen Hero using his Unique Skill, he gradually developed a deep respect for him over their extended time together. After reconciling with Masayuki and witnessing Masayuki's coronation as the new Emperor, Bernie vowed to protect him with unwavering loyalty.

Background
Bernie, born in the United States of America forty-five years ago, was initially just an ordinary, freedom-loving student. However, his life took a drastic turn when he found himself in a different world, a place where Gadra discovered him. He was then taken under the wing of Damrada, a seasoned mentor who taught him the art of combat. This training boosted his self-assurance, eventually leading him to believe he was among the world's elite fighters.

One day, Bernie received the distinct honor of being escorted to the emperor's palace by Damrada, further fueling his aspirations. As a lover of freedom, he loathed the concept of an emperor dominating every facet of people's lives. He held onto the foolish dream of overthrowing the emperor if he ever got the chance. However, this dream was replaced by fear when he met Velgrynd for the first time, succumbing entirely to her overwhelming presence. Damrada then assigned Bernie the mission of protecting Masayuki, who bore a striking resemblance to Emperor Rudra. Bernie constructed a cover story, claiming to be a graduate of Freedom Academy and an otherworlder under Yuuki Kagurazaka's protection. He originally only spoke English upon his arrival in this new world, making communication with Yuuki utterly impossible. He turned to magic to bridge the language gap and became captivated by it, aspiring to study at the academy. Bernie's relatively recent entry into the world of adventuring led him to search for companions, ultimately leading him to join Masayuki's party.

The party rapidly gained notoriety, earning the nickname "The Shining" within a mere six months. Despite Jinrai's official rank as C+, his strength matched that of a Rank B, and with Bernie's magic support, they adeptly handled any quest they attempted. During the war with the Eastern Empire, Bernie and Jiwu were exposed as secret agents of Rudra, sent by Damrada to guard Masayuki. Under the orders of Tatsuya Kondou, they were dispatched to assassinate Rimuru. However, they were defeated and killed in the ensuing battle with Benimaru and Chloe. Utilizing Resurrection Bracelets, they managed to escape the Dungeon but were relentlessly pursued and defeated by Diablo. Rimuru eventually resurrected them, albeit in a weakened state. The duo reconciled with Masayuki and protected him while he was pursued by Kornu. Bernie and Jiwu returned with Masayuki to the Eastern Empire, taking on the role of his escorts in his new regime as emperor.