Souji Lester

Souji Lester (ソージ・レスター, Sōji Resutā) is a character of Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki series. He is a bishop of the Lunarian Faith and was elected as leader of the Lunarian followers in the Kingdom of Friedonia.

Appearance
Souji Lester is described as slovenly-looking with priest robes cut off below the knees and at the sleeves.

Personality
Souji has a carefree, laid-back personality. Though he does preach the Lunarian Faith, he actually 'broadly interprets' the teachings of his religion. For example, the faith decrees that if the clergy does not live in poverty, then the believers will not follow. However, Souji insists that his appearance fits the criteria of looking poor and his lack of fat shows that he does not use the followers' donations to fatten himself. He will drink, while insisting that wine is sacred, and will even partake of the local brothels but according to prostitutes he has not been visiting recently.

Biography
After the establishment of the Lunarian Faith as one of the religions that can be practiced in Friedonia, the Saint Mary Valenti offered to take the position as leader of that religion in that country. However, Kazuya Souma and Hakuya Kwonmin decided to instead elect Souji Lester as the leader, much to disapproval of Mary and the Orthodox Papal State of Lunaria in general.

At that point, Souji was subjected to an inquiry by the cardinals in the capital of Yumuen. This was their attempt to have Souji excommunicated for his perceived sins. If they had succeeded, Souji could be ousted from the church and therefore could be done away with. That would allow them to elect a new representative to send to Friedonia.

Since Souji was under the protection of Cardinal Gold, the cardinals couldn't censure him without running the risk of being censured themselves. However, Souji couldn't depend on that protection forever and was later met by the Black Cat member Inugumi. He was offered the opportunity to be the bishop of the Lunarian Faith in Friedonia. Seeing that he had a better chance of survival there, he accepted the position and was secretly moved out of the Papal State.

It is also noted that he had taken in Merula Merlin, after she had been declared as a witch for seeing the holy artifact, the Lunalith. She too was also taken under protective custody to Friedonia, partially at the request of Souji. Souji frequently spends time with Ludwin Arcs, as the pair tend to observe the research work of Genia Maxwell and Merula together. Souji has even been the occasional unwilling test subject of a handful of experiments.

Since coming to Friedonia, Souji has worked at the request of Kazuya and Hakuya to sever the Lunarian followers in Friedonia's devotion to the Papal State, not the Lunarian faith itself, to moderate success thus far. As Souji is likewise disillusioned towards the hierarchy, not the Lunarian faith, he willingly cooperates with these movements. An example of one such severance is the permissions granted to the faithful to participate in other religion's festivals.

Souji is currently continuing to work in conjunction with Kazuya and Hakuya.