Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (story arc)

Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (タルカスと黒騎士ブラフォード) is the seventh story arc in Phantom Blood.

Summary
Jonathan blocks Dio's next attack, saving Zeppeli in the process, but then gets an arm and a leg frozen. Dio summons the Zombies Knights Bruford and Tarkus to fight Jonathan. While Speedwagon warms up Zeppeli's arm, Jonathan fights Bruford and Tarkus at the same time, and is slowly cornered due to Bruford's Danse Macabre Hair which enables him to manipulate his hair and Tarkus' freakish strength. At the same time, Dio reveal both knights' past: Bruford and Tarkus were once brave knights at the service of Mary Stuart who was at war with Queen Elizabeth I; when Mary Stuart eventually lost the war, Bruford and Tarkus surrendered in exchange for the life of Mary Stuart, but before being decapitated, the executioner showed them Mary's severed head, giving the knights eternal resentment against humanity. Dio exploited this when he resurrected them.

In the now Bruford asks to finish Jonathan off alone, which Dio allows. Dio then leaves, confident that Bruford can kill Jonathan. While Tarkus confront Zeppeli and Speedwagon, Bruford and Jonathan fall into a nearby lake. Jonathan surprises Bruford by diving deeper and using knowledge of the terrain, and breathing a bubble of air trapped underground. The subsequent Ripple attack forces Bruford out of the water. The Zombie binds Jonathan with his hair and attacks with his sword but Jonathan sends the Ripple through the sword then pummels him repeatedly, sending Bruford into the rocky cliff. Bruford and Jonathan stop their fight, Jonathan having revived Bruford's human soul with the Ripple. They befriend each other and Bruford gives Jonathan his sword, renaming "Luck and Pluck" before dying for good.

Tarkus then confronts Jonathan, angry at Brufordr's softness.

Chapters

 * 026. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (1)
 * 027. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (2)
 * 028. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (3)
 * 029. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (4)

Volumes

 * 03. The Dark Knights
 * 04. Chamber of the Two-Headed Dragon

Anime Episodes

 * 05. The Dark Knights
 * 06. Tomorrow's Courage