Gloria Bernhart

Gloria Bernhart (グロリア・ベルンハルト) was a member of the Military Police Brigade, and was the commanding officer in charge of the Shiganshina District. She arrested Kuklo after he and the Survey Corps returned from their expedition outside the Walls.

Appearance
Gloria had red hair that was usually kept in a high ponytail that just about reached her shoulders. She also wore oval-shaped glasses, with glossy lipstick. She wore the standard issue uniform of the Military Police.

Personality
Just like most members of the Military Police, Gloria acted condescending towards members of the Survey Corps and other citizens she viewed as being beneath her. She was not afraid to use her position to get what she wanted, such as subtly threatening the permanent disbanding of the Survey Corps if Kuklo was not released to her custody or having a hand in the events in the Industrial City just so that it would favor her uncle more than his political rival.

Despite her pragmatic approach and views, Gloria was not completely without morals. She showed great interest in new technology and despite viewing them as inferior, was even willing to argue in defense of the Survey Corps when the need would serve humanity in general.

History
As a young girl, Gloria was orphaned and had no immediate family. While it is unknown who her real parents are, Gloria would later be adopted by the Bernhart family who lived within the capital. As she grew up, Gloria would become acquainted with her foster uncle Bauduin Bernhart and become enamored with possibly joining the Military Police Brigade someday. At some point in her childhood, Gloria's foster parents died and her uncle gained primary custody of her; as an adult, her wish would be granted and officially joined the Military Police as a soldier.

Shiganshina arc
After Carlo Pikale and the Survey Corps return from their expedition, Gloria and a squad of Military Police are there to greet them. After introducing herself, she requests that Carlo hand over Kuklo. Carlo, who does not know that Kuklo is the so-called "Titan's Child," questions Kuklo if he did anything before sneaking aboard their expedition that would get the Military Police attention. After denying it, he asks Gloria what would happen if that was his response.

She begins to taunt him, saying that the Survey Corps are too focused on their traveling beyond the Walls to be interested in the reports from within the country; she explains that a few days ago, he was smuggled into Shiganshina and is under suspicion of serious crimes, including several murders, robbery, and kidnapping. She then reveals that the boy's name is Kuklo, and is known as the "Titan's Son." She then threatens Carlo, saying that if he is concerned about the continued existence of the Survey Corps, he would not want to add to its failures any further. After a moment, Carlo complies and hands over Kuklo.

Sometime later, Gloria visits the Training Corps in order to recruit Xavi Inocencio into the Military Police Brigade, due to his exceptional talent, grades, and his aristocratic station. Gloria waits for Xavi to arrive at the Training Corps Superintendent's Office. Once she eyes Xavi over, she asks if it is true that he wishes to join the Military Police. When Xavi says he does, Gloria congratulates him and welcomes Xavi as the newest member of the Military Police.

Visit to the Industrial City arc
Gloria heads an operation in Shiganshina District to weed out the remaining members of the Titan Cult. After the leader is caught by Xavi, Gloria compliments the latter and declares the operation complete. As they retreat, Gloria accepts Xavi's request to question the ringleader by himself. The next day, she calls Xavi into her office to submit his report. Despite knowing (or witnessing) Xavi effortlessly beat three elder members of the Military Police, she does not discipline him; Gloria explains that she recognizes Xavi's talent and ambition, saying that he should inform her if any of the three try to attack him again. After hearing his report, Gloria mentions that Xavi must be satisfied that he avenged his father's death and gives Xavi another assignment before he leaves. She requests that Xavi go to the Industrial City to request fresh equipment and meet with Military Police Captain Jentsch Dafner as her proxy; since her uncle is in competition with Dafner for the position of Military Police Commander, Gloria and Dafner do not get along very well.

Gloria then reveals Xavi's real mission; to track down the Dissidence Movement that is lurking within the Industrial City. Despite seeing them as a hindrance, the movement was a necessary evil to keep the lower class citizens pacified; however, Gloria states that they have grown bold enough to plot a rebellion within the Industrial City and take over the means of production for weapons and equipment. She states that the uprising would be the perfect opportunity to damage Captain Dafner, ruining his chances of becoming the future commander of the Military Police. Gloria tasks Xavi to assist a subordinate of hers named Matteus who has been able to infiltrate the group. When Xavi agrees to do it, Gloria is pleased and mentions that he is the best man for the task.

Dissidence Movement arc
After the initial attack by the Dissidence Movement, Gloria arrives at the Industrial City. She orders one of her men to take down a lookout; as the body tumbles off the city wall, she mentions that it is time for the next part of the "revolutionary comedy" to begin and has a battering ram brought to the front; Gloria then demands the gate to be breached and the MP soldiers begin swarming through, killing any rebel fighters in sight. Knowing that Dafner will no doubt be panicked over the sudden rebellion, she takes control of the group heading towards the mint. Before leaving, she tells the soldiers to slaughter anyone seen assisting the rebels or hindering the Military Police's progress. Eventually, her troops rendezvous with those of Captain Dafner at the workshop of Xenophon Harkimo and addresses the leader of the Dissidence Movement, August. Calling him by his actual name, Gloria orders August to surrender himself. Knowing that the revolution has failed and their hierarchy will dissolve under pressure, she is content with watching the remaining members of the Movement argue among themselves; she does request that her forces take them alive, as well as the hostages that were taken. When Dafner gives thanks for her assistance in quelling the rebellion, he also mentions that Gloria's arrival seemed a little too convenient; Gloria merely smiles and does not respond. Her men successfully capture August and get to Xenophon, but Sharle is taken by a teen who flies away on a strange device. After briefly conversing with Captain Dafner, Gloria orders her troops to track down the two while taking August to their headquarters for questioning; she muses that the teen seemed to be familiar, unaware that it is the same one she sentenced to death outside the Walls several months before.

Underground City arc
After the uprising is squashed, Gloria is notified how Xavi managed to kill Matteus after the latter tried placing the blame on him for the activities and actions of the rebels; impressed by how Xavi handled himself, Gloria decides to properly reward him. While accompanying her uncle Bauduin at a formal event, Gloria encounters Xavi and promotes him to Matteus' old position of Team Leader. She casually mentions that August was killed after the interrogation, subtly mocking how he believed that he would be given a pardon for revealing everything to the Military Police. As she is about to leave, Gloria spots Xavi's sister Sharle and inquires who she is; Xavi, nervous that his sister would be recognized, hesitantly introduces her to Gloria. Gloria expresses slight surprise due to believing that she was taken by the 'Titan Child' during the attack on the Inocencio estate. Gloria is not fully convinced with the sibling's response but nonetheless, is pleased to meet Sharle and hopes they could be friends.

Several days later, Gloria is within the Military Police headquarters when she is notified that Sharle requested to see her. Coming outside, she finds Sharle and hears that two men tried to kidnap her. Disgusted, she orders them arrested and takes Sharle to her office. After giving her some tea, Gloria says that Sharle is full of surprises, noting how she was able to fight off both men on her own. After arranging for a carriage to take Sharle back to her family home, Gloria excuses herself and invites her to come back again.

Restoration of the Survey Corps arc
Due to her temporarily taking over Military Police operations in the Industrial City, Gloria is overlooking letters coming into the city when she is drawn to one in particular. Reading it, she learns to her surprise that Kuklo, the teen she had sentenced to death along with Cardina Baumeister, are not only still alive but both are working with Xenophon in working on a device to fight Titans. Putting it all together, Gloria realizes that Kuklo was the one she saw using the strange device during the recent uprising. Despite her initial thoughts, she recalls how the device would be an asset in fighting Titans and goes to her uncle. She is able to convince him to give the Survey Corps three months and will take part in an expedition to test the device in the field against a Titan. Gloria then goes to Xenophon's workshop unannounced, smirking when she sees Sharle as well as the presence of Angel Aaltonen. She relays the conditions her uncle placed to the inventors and also to pass them on to Carlo and Jorge Pikale. In addition, she tasks Xavi to travel as a monitor and oversee the training operations.

Survival Expedition arc
After receiving word from Carlo Pikale when the expedition to test the vertical maneuvering equipment will begin, Gloria finishes up the process of transferring control of the Industrial City to the new Military Police captain. She is notified that all the search parties tracking down Dissident members have finished; her aide comments that her carriage is ready to travel the next day and that she must be glad to get back to Shiganshina District soon. Agreeing, Gloria remarks that she wishes to see the expedition off; just then, a messenger arrives with a summons from the capital. Surprised, Gloria reads it and immediately orders her aide to inform the carriage driver that they will instead be going to the capital instead. She quietly ponders why her uncle has summoned her to the capital, especially just before the start of the expedition.

Not sensing anything good about this sudden turn of events, Gloria theorizes that the summons may serve as a means to get her out of the way of her uncle's plans to disband the Survey Corps. She decides to write down information on her deeds involving her uncle including all the illegal and underhanded attacks she carried out for him; uncertain on who to trust, Gloria theorizes that since Xavi has been out of the capital and reports only to her, he likely has not been approached by her uncle and decides to send the information to him. After writing down instructions in a letter detailing what is to be carried out in her stead if she is killed, Gloria sends it off before her departure to the capital.

After she arrives, Gloria inquires as to why she was summoned on such short notice. While riding a carriage with her uncle, Gloria discovers that her uncle has already made up his mind about disbanding the Survey Corps; Gloria tries to persuade him to wait until the results from Xavi arrive. Mentioning how she has done a lot of his dirty work, Gloria does thank Bauduin for taking her in after the deaths of her parents; despite this, she remains firm in her decision to side with the Survey Corps over him. After Bauduin stops their carriage and requests they walk the rest of the way, Gloria steps out only to immediately get stabbed by a crazed Moritz. Stunned to see him still alive, Gloria falls to the ground in shock as Moritz is shot by Bauduin. Realizing her uncle had set her up, the last thing Gloria sees is her uncle laughing before she dies from blood loss.

However, Gloria would ultimately get the last laugh due to Xavi receiving the letter some time later. This would lead to Gloria's uncle getting arrested and stripped of his rank in the Military Police due to his numerous political deals and the role he played in her death.

Relationships

 * Bauduin Bernhart - It is believed that Gloria had a typical familial relationship with her uncle; she would often do his dirty work in order to keep his higher standing and maintain his reputation. Although they both view the Survey Corps as inferior, Gloria was able to convince Bauduin to temporarily halt his efforts in disbanding the Corps, showing that she had some influence on his decisions.
 * Xavi Inocencio - As a member of the Inocencio family, Gloria took the time to personally go and enlist Xavi into the Military Police. She sees a lot of potential in the man and has shown some favoritism towards Xavi, letting him torture the leader of the Titan Cult and not disciplining Xavi for beating three senior MP's. During the last few months of her life, Gloria knew she was a possible target of retaliation from the leaders of the Military Police for her shift in priorities and trusted Xavi enough to carry out her will and orders in the case of her death.
 * Jentsch Dafner - Gloria did not get along very well with Jentsch. As her uncle was a rival of Jentsch to become the next Commander of the Military Police, both Gloria and Jentsch routinely clashed over how different they handle situations. Despite this, they were able to still act civil with the other and, after seeing the device used, both saw the possibilities with the device in fighting Titans within the future.
 * Sharle Inocencio - After meeting Xavi during a social event, Gloria was made aware of his sister Sharle. Initially believing (correctly) that Sharle left with Kuklo after the attack on the Inocencio home, Gloria was convinced otherwise by both siblings that they have never met. She then took a liking to Sharle and expressed her surprise that Sharle was more than what she seemed to be.

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Gloria Bernhard