He is then considered a true sword master. The finale sees Ike finally battling and defeating Daein's megalomaniac wyvern-riding king, Ashnard with this accomplished, the continent is saved from utter destruction and Beorc-Laguz relations become more positive, and Ike is content with reverting back to the life of a mercenary. Eventually, Elincia formally bestows the Lord rank to Ike so that he can lead the armies of Crimea and the theocracy of Begnion into battle against Daein, and after finding the willpower to wield the sacred blade Ragnell, he takes the fight to Daein's officers in their homeland, and clashes against the Black Knight wielding the dark sword Alondite. Ike and the Greil Mercenaries must protect and escort the princess of the soon-to-be-besieged country of Crimea, Elincia, to the continent of Tellius, previously wrecked by conflict and animosity between humans and transformable demi-humans. He is a mercenary along with several others in a group under the command of his father, Greil. In the story of Path of Radiance, Ike is the first and only character to break the tradition of a Fire Emblem protagonist being a noble or prince. Although he has no desire to become a noble, he accepts the title as Lord so he can lead the Crimea Liberation Army after his triumph over Duke Oliver. He is a good swordman.
His motivation is to avenge his father's death, but he seeks no reward in aiding Crimea's liberation and helping Elincia to claim the throne as queen, except for the usual payment as being a mercenary. He is a kind and brave character, and is very protective of his friends and family. He is the first and only main character not of noble birth in the Fire Emblem series. He is the fearless leader of the Greil Mercenaries.