Nikolai

The world clearly needs more vampire hunters like the Belmonts. The Belmont family might be the most famous, and certainly most skilled, of the vampire hunters, but clearly there is a need for more trained, powerful hunters. Vampires are everywhere, and one family, with one magical whip, clearly cannot be expected to fight back the scourge of the undead in every city, in every nation, in the world. It can’t be done. The vampires just keep coming.

They swarm into France from all different nations, during the time of the Revolution, to stand at the feet of their new Messiah, Erzebeth Bathory (see Elizabeth BartleyBased on Erzsabet Bathory, Elizabeth is the secondary antagonist in Castlevania: Bloodlines. Bartley is the niece of Dracula and, by sowing discord around Europe, she aids in his eventual resurrection.), and they align themselves to her cause so they can witness her grand plan to blot out the sun and make the world habitable for vampires at all times. This was the plan masterminded by Drolta TzuentesA minor character in Castlevania: Nocturne. The captain and his men stop Drolta Tzuentes and her entourage from entering the city. For this "mistake", he and his men are quickly dispatched., former high priestess of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet, and anyone serving the goddess when she rises would be rewarded.

One such willing warrior was Nikolai, a tall, muscular, Russian beast of a man. Nikoai served as Drolta’s loyal muscle and bodyguard, obviously having been picked up by her when she first found her new queen in Russia. Nikolai ventured with Drolta to France, serving loyally beside her during her excursions. And he was the obvious choice to go after Richter BelmontRevealed first in Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood in Japan, and then Castlevania: Dracula X in the West, Richter is the Belmont hero of the late 1700s who worked with Maria Renard to bring down Dracula., to kill the man and eliminate the Belmont clan once and for all. With his musket that was also an axe, and a group of vampires to join him, Nikolai was more than willing to take on the assignment.

And, very nearly, he succeeded. His men easily tracked down the Belmont, finding Richter at the home of his grandfather, Juste BelmontGrandson of Simon Belont, and grandfather to Richter, Juste wields both the power of the Belmont clan and the magic of the Belnades family. Juste has to put his considerable power to the test when Dracula’s castle reappears, all on a quest to help his friend Maxim find their missing companion, Lydie.. They quickly captured Juste and trussed him up with chains before confronting Richter. Although the vampire hunter was strong, he couldn’t fight off four well-trained vampires. They captured him and forced him to his knees. With his musket leveled, Nikolai gloated over the man, promising that he’d not only kill Richter and the Juste but also Richter’s adopted family, TeraOne of four girls that can be rescued in Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood. Tera was a young nun who lived in the village in the original game, although her role was greatly expanded in Castlevania: Nocturne, turning her into Maria's mother. and her daughter Maria RenardA young heroine, and cousin to Richter Belmont, with the blood of the Belmont clan in her veins, Maria teams with Richter to fight back Dracula and the forces of darkness in the late 1700s..

Gloating was his mistake as it lit a fire within Richter, unlocking his Belnades magic. Suddenly the vampire hunter was fighting with renewed vigor, powered by magic far more powerful than anything the vampires could dish out. He kills Nikolai’s men, and then, with the assistance of Juste, Richter burns Nikolai, ending the vampire’s life.

Notes:

Interestingly, this isn’t the only character named “Nikolai” in the Castlevania series. Another character, Father Nikolai, appeared in Castlevania: Order of EcclesiaThe third and final Castlevania game from the Nintendo DS, and the final true Metroidvania for the series from director IGA, this title features the most expansive world in any Castlevania game yet, as well as an interesting twist on the soul-collecting formula.. He functions as a hint giver for ShanoaA member of the Order of Ecclesia, an organization dedicated to prevent Dracula's rise but protecting the very power that could raise him, and be is undoing. When one of the members of the order goes rogue, Shanoa must venture out and gather the power to defeat them and stop Dracula's return, whatever it takes.’s adventure, giving the heroine clues as to where to go to find the other villagers needed to complete her quest. Unlike other characters in the Netflix franchise that share names with characters from the game series, there appears to be no connection between the vampire Nikolai and the villager Father Nikolai. This was just pure happenstance.