Bertrand is not an ordinary Part I recruit. To secure his later appearance, complete his Paralogue on an eligible route before its deadline; Game8 then places his arrival in the first section of Part III: Salvation. His physical skill strengths support Warrior, Battlemaster and The Eternal as a conventional class direction.
Complete the Paralogue in time
Game8's Bertrand guide gives different Paralogue windows for Cai, Dietrich and Theodora. It specifically warns that Dietrich's opportunity lasts only one in-game day. Check your route before advancing the calendar, because another path's longer window does not apply to every save.
| Route | Chapter | Listed availability |
|---|---|---|
| Cai | 10 | September 17–25 |
| Dietrich | 9 | September 17 |
| Theodora | 11 | September 17–25 |
| Leda | — | Not available |
The same guide says completion makes Bertrand join during Part III's first section. That is a later campaign outcome, rather than a reward that immediately adds him to the current Part I army. Use the Paralogue guide and story progression guide to keep the prerequisite and the joining point separate.
Who the White-Maned Demon is
Bertrand is known as the White-Maned Demon and fights in Dagsion. Fire Emblem Wiki's biography connects that identity with the Trial of the Chariot, his sentence after accusations of regicide. That background explains why encountering him in the arena is not the same thing as successfully recruiting him.
IGN's Theodora Chapter 6 walkthrough describes an optional exhibition involving Bertrand. Theodora challenges him there, and the subsequent conversation addresses his sentence. This encounter is useful story context, but the later recruitment condition above is the Paralogue rather than simply witnessing or fighting the exhibition.
A physical class direction
Game8 recommends Warrior, Battlemaster and The Eternal for Bertrand. It lists boons in Swords, Axes, Gauntlets and Authority, with Black and White Magic as banes. Those preferences support a physical role without requiring a speculative magic conversion to explain his usefulness.
Its growth table emphasizes Strength, Dexterity and Speed alongside respectable physical durability. Use that as a tendency, not a promise that every level-up produces the same result. The class overview can help compare the recommended progression with the roles your late-game army still needs.
Game8 also recommends swords as a way to use Requiem Style's follow-up potential. Its personal-ability entry gives the follow-up effect an activation chance, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed second attack in every exchange. Keep the actual forecast and ability wording in view before relying on it for a required defeat.
Know what the Awakening effect provides
Ruler's Awakening is listed as a Blaze Art that improves Hit until Bertrand's next phase and allows an attack after use. Game8 connects that accuracy help with his physical weapon options. The useful principle is to prepare the boost before the attack that needs it, rather than assuming it passively improves every turn.
The guide also lists other Awakening effects with different defensive purposes. Read the individual effect instead of treating all similarly named Arts as identical. Our class recommendations provide broader role context, but the immediate decision should still follow the threat in front of Bertrand.
Gifts and Support after joining
Game8 lists Strategy Manuscript and Ebony Game Board among Bertrand's loved gifts. Those are relationship choices, not substitutes for completing his route-dependent Paralogue. Use those listed preferences when planning presents and the Support guide for the relationships you want to develop afterward.
If your goal is simply to make sure he becomes available, prioritize the dated prerequisite first. Gifts cannot compensate for following the wrong route's calendar window. Return to the recruitment guide when comparing Bertrand with characters who instead join through ordinary Support, Renown or payment requirements.