Richter Belmont's Fate

The fate of Richter Belmont, the hero of the previous Castlevania game, is a central mystery in Symphony of the Night. His disappearance and subsequent actions are tied directly to the overarching plot and the player's ability to achieve different endings. Unraveling this mystery involves exploring specific areas, defeating certain bosses, and making crucial decisions that impact the narrative.

Richter Belmont was last seen fighting Dracula. However, in Symphony of the Night, he appears as a corrupted antagonist, seemingly under the influence of Shaft, a dark priest. Alucard's initial encounters with Richter are challenging boss fights that serve as gatekeepers to further progression. These fights are not just about combat skill; they are also narrative moments that hint at a deeper conspiracy within the castle.

Uncovering Richter's Story:

Initial Encounters: Alucard will face Richter multiple times throughout the game. These fights are desed to be difficult, and it's often impossible to defeat him legitimately in these early stages. The game intends for you to lose or be forced to retreat.
Shaft's Influence: It becomes apparent that Richter is not acting of his own free will. The presence of Shaft, a recurring villain from Castlevania lore, is key to understanding this corruption.
The True Goal: The ultimate goal regarding Richter is not to defeat him permanently in these early encounters, but to break the spell that binds him.

The key to understanding Richter's fate and achieving the true ending lies in the discovery of the Holy Glasses. These glasses, found in the Inverted Castle, allow Alucard to see through illusions and hidden elements. When Alucard confronts Richter for the final time in the Inverted Castle, wearing the Holy Glasses reveals that Richter is being controlled by Shaft.

Achieving the True Ending:

Defeat Richter (with Holy Glasses): When you fight Richter in the Inverted Castle, equip the Holy Glasses. This will allow you to see Shaft manipulating Richter from afar.
Attack Shaft: Instead of focusing solely on Richter, target Shaft. Once Shaft is defeated, Richter is freed from his control.
Confront Dracula: With Richter freed, the path to confronting Dracula is cleared, and you can proceed to the game's true final boss and the best ending.

If Alucard defeats Richter without the Holy Glasses, or if he doesn't defeat Shaft, the game will proceed to a false ending where Dracula is defeated, but the castle's true nature remains hidden, and the underlying evil persists. Therefore, understanding Richter's situation and obtaining the Holy Glasses are paramount for experiencing the complete narrative of Symphony of the Night.