The Black Knight is defined by his mystery, always appearing encased in full armor, and not going by any formal name. His position as high general in Daein's army was due solely to his immense power and his chivalrous behavior toward Ashnard. When he appears, it is only to do the bidding of his master, and slay anyone who would get in the way. Nobody in Daein's army, not even Ashnard, knows what the Black Knight looks like under his armor.

Apart from his duty as a soldier, the Black Knight appears to care only about mastering the art of swordsmanship, having pursued and slain Ike's father Greil for the specific purpose of surpassing his former mentor. Due to Greil's surprising failure to put up a solid fight, the Black Knight waits instead for Ike to become strong enough to oppose him, in hopes of being able to fight someone who could be seen as equal to Greil in his glory days. Ike clashes with The Black Knight many times throughout both Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, and eventually slays him in the Tower of Guidance after learning the Black Knight's true identity. He ends up dying in peace, having known that he contributed to the perfection of swordplay, and served his master to the very end.