Birth of a Crusader (Japanese: 聖騎士誕生Birth of the Holy Knight) is the prologue chapter of Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War. The chapter chronicles the short-lived Verdane invasion of a relatively defenseless Grannvale, Sigurd's movement to defend Jungby and rescue its Lady Adean, his rise as a Holy Knight of Grannvale, and the beginning of his slow descent into a grave predicament.
While the bulk of the armies of Grannvale are off to war in Isaach, the country itself is largely undefended. Grannvale's former ally Verdane takes advantage of this in a surprise assault led by Prince Gandolf, storming the country and assaulting the dukedom of Jungby. In response to this news and the threat facing Jungby's Lady Adean, neighboring Chalphy's Lord Sigurd convenes what few knights remain in Chalphy to depart to aid Adean. As the fight passes, others arrive to support him - first Azel of Velthomer and Lex of Dozel, both against the wishes of their family, then Quan, Ethlyn and Finn of Leonster. Meanwhile, at Jungby, Midayle of the Jungby knights is gravely wounded by Gandolf in attempting to protect Adean, allowing the Verdane forces to seize the castle. Gandolf takes Adean back with him to Jungby, leaving DiMaggio in charge of the Grannvale effort.
Upon reclaiming Jungby, Sigurd finds Midayle, who informs him of Adean's capture and volunteers to assist despite his injury. Meanwhile, at Evans Castle on the other side of the border, Gerrard of the Verdane army learns of Dimaggio's failure and orders that the bridge across the Jun River be restored, and that the remaining forces move in. At this time, Duke Arvis of Velthomer arrives from the north to observe the situation; he finds Sigurd and entrusts him with a Silver Sword, a gift from King Azmur, then departs. Sigurd eventually seizes Evans Castle; finding Adean was not there, he establishes a headquarters there and prepares to sortie directly into Verdane to find her. Filat arrives as a messenger arrives from Belhalla, delivering the news that Sigurd had been appointed a Holy Knight of Grannvale for his efforts and commissioning him to guard the Verdane border.
Arvis appears on the next turn after Jungby Castle has been seized, and departs after Sigurd talks to him, giving him a Silver Sword. He will actively seek out Sigurd and will only attack enemies which get in his way.
