Rajih Assad

"A man understands there will be times... when there is no reward!"

Rajih is a peasant of Asmodean in the Beelzenian Empire and a childhood friend of Lukana Octo and Lilien Tarner. He acted as an informent for Kachess Crim to help rescue his friends from Duke Sateriajis Venomania.

Early Life
Born in Mystic Town, Rajih lived as the son of a peasant farmer. When young, he met Lilien Tarner and Lukana Octo, becoming their friend and playmate. Due to the lack of exciting things to do where they lived, the three strived to have fun and became close. As they grew older, the three began helping with their parent's work and began seeing each other less and less.

Venomania Event
After Lukana disappeared in January of EC 136, Lilien told Rajih she planned to search for her. Months later in April, the peasant came by the Tarner's bakery and was asked by Lilien's father to catch up with Lilien while she was escorting Duke Sateriajis Venomania to the Misty Mountain, and look after her while she traversed the mountain trails. Traveling to the mountain range, Rajih saw Lilien and called out to her. After gaining her attention, he explained his reasons for being there and became concerned when he saw how red her face was.

Suspicious that Lilien had developed a crush on the duke and bothered by her odd behavior, he watched them from afar the next day while she was touring Venomania around the town. Several days later, Rajih visited Lilien at the bakery and told her that her father was seeing a customer. Curious, he began to ask if the duke and her would go another date but was left speechless by the gaudy dress she wore. Mustering up her words, he asked why she was dressed as such. Rajih expressed his conviction that she was acting "weird" but Lilien was confused. Angry, he asked when she ever wore feminine clothes that restricted her movement.

Lilien happily explained how Duke Venomania bought them for her and Rajih slammed his fist on the wall, demanding she stopped being so conceited. Shaken, Lilien told him that even she could fall in love and asked why that was so wrong. Conflicted, Rajih barely mustered a few words before brushing it off and saying her romance with the duke was playing with fire. Lilien interjected that Duke Venomania was not like that and Rajih irately retorted that the best he could hope for was to be the duke's mistress due to her commoner status. When Lilien denied it and said the duke loved her, the farmer cut her off and told her not to be stupid. As he tried to remind her she said she would be searching for Lukana, Lilien threw a vase of flowers at him and told him to shut up, in tears and demanding he go home.

Battle with the Demon
Torn and guilty about his feelings, Rajih approached the Ferdinand Mansion where Duke Venomania was residing for the time to see the "love" Lilien claimed the two shared. After failing to force the front gates open, he climbed over the property's walls. While exploring the mansion's halls in search of Lilien and the Duke, Rajih discovered the corpses of Earl Ferdinand, his family, and his staff all massacred in one of the rooms. In horror at the gruesome scene, he realized Lilien was in danger, and ran through the halls crying out her name. Deciding to search in another room, he prepared to open the door before seeing a suit of armor next to him.

Retrieving the sword, the farmer cautiously entered, shocked to see Lilien resting herself across Venomania's chest. Demanding he get away from her, Venomania questioned if he was a thief or a poor jealous man whilst the farmer pointed his sword at him. Furious, Rajih told the "murder" to be silent. Settling Lilien on the bed, Rajih witnessed Venomania sprout demonic wings and horns before his eyes. In disbelief at what he saw seeing, the terrified Rajih was swiftly disarmed, calling the duke a monster. As Venomania continued to jeer at him, Rajih cursed as he saw Lilien and strengthened his resolve, attempting to strike at the duke again with the blade.

In a single swipe, Rajih saw his sword fall to pieces and was thrashed back again. Venomania questioned why he was trying so hard, since he never even said he was in love with Lilien, and that his efforts were wasted since she didn't acknowledge his love. Barely able to stand, Rajih asked if the duke ever truly loved someone, and stated that men knew there would sometimes be no reward. Overtaken by his disorientation, Rajih collapsed from the blunt trauma. When he awoke later that night, he saw Lilien still in the room and carried her home before collapsing once again.

Love Lost
The next morning, he awoke, still suffering from a headache, and noticed he was sleeping in her father's bed. Quickly, remembering what had transpired and proud of his accomplishments, Rajih resolved he would confess his love to Lilien instead of running away. Supporting himself on the wall, the peasant went to Lilien's room and asked if he could enter. Walking in, he stood confused as her room was empty and her window open. After the farmer realized Lilien left to be with Duke Venomania, he tried to explain to her parents what had occurred. However, they, as well as the whole town, acted completely oblivious to the duke's visit and thought he had gone mad.

Puzzled and defeated Rajih eventually became a drunkard and, months later, during the Summer of EC 136, he sat on the side of the streets drinking away his sorrows. After collapsing while trying to stand, he laughed, noting how hopeless it was for him to beat a noble who he called a monster. Suddenly, someone questioned his reasoning for giving up on his "lover" and Rajih stood to see a blue-haired noble scoffing down at him. Rajih responded to the noble's jeers that Lilien was just his childhood friend but the man brushed it off and said his name was Rajih.

Rajih affirmed the claim and asked what he wanted. The blue-haired aristocrat replied that he wanted to hear his story about Lilien and Sateriajis. Rajih told the lord it was only polite to introduce himself and the noble said his name was Kachess Crim. Hearing that, Rajih stood up and began to leave. In response to Kachess asking why he wasn't satisfied, Rajih said he was but that he didn't want to talk about the story to the lord. Suddenly, Kachess' grabbed the peasant by the shoulder and held him in place, explaining how he could be Rajih's savior.

Shaken by how the stranger stopped him with just one hand, he asked if he was foreigner. Kachess told him he was just a simple man from Marlon. Rajih retorted he was a farmer, and they had nothing in common. Kachess called that mentality despicable, and said he came to tell Rajih three things: the first being his name and the second being the need of strength to regain lost love. Pulling out the Golden Key, he declared the third was that there existed a weapon capable of defeating a demon. Convinced to assist the count, Rajih gave him his testimony and assisted him with uncovering the truth about Duke Sateriajis Venomania.

Personality
Rajih is a loyal and steadfast individual, devoted to those he cares about and concerned about their welfare. In particular, he held a deep devotion to Lilien and was very protective of her safety. However, he was not above anger, and would argue when he saw someone behave oddly. Even when afraid or faced with dire circumstances, Rajih stands true to his convictions and would fight for his loved ones even if the results seemed negligible.

Rajih shows a particular distaste for nobility and has a clear disinterest in the manners or respect the aristocracy expect from him. He also dislikes noble society, particularly how they treat women and what he perceives as their hubris when speaking with "lowly" commoners like himself.

Skills
Rajih shows a degree of resourcefulness, able to adapt to his situation and remain resolute while taking advantage of his surroundings. Despite this, he lacked any actual skills as a fighter. Although partially motivated by jealousy, he was able to recognize the duke's deceiving nature, showing a strong judgement of character.

Character Connections
Lilien Tarner: Rajih's friend and the object of his crush. Rajih became friends with Lilien from childhood and eventually came to love her, seeing her as the most important person in his life. Rajih wished only the best for Lilien, investigating Venomania's true intentions and attempting to rescue her even if she did not return his feelings.

Lukana Octo: A childhood friend of Rajih's. Rajih valued his friendship with Lukana deeply, although unable to see her as often once they grew up. He became very concerned when she vanished, helping Lilien to look for her.

Sateriajis Venomania: A rival for Lilien's affection. Rajih disliked the duke for courting his childhood love and was suspicious of his intentions, believing that Venomania was only using Lilien. After discovering the truth about the duke, he was deeply shocked as well as horrified, believing him to be an evil man. Rajih became broken by his defeat at the duke's hands.

Kachess Crim: Rajih's partner. Rajih was initially suspicious of Kachess and his motives, wondering why a man of such high status would speak to him and too disillusioned by being defeated by Venomania to take the count seriously. After being shown the Golden Key, however, Rajih recognized Kachess as his only means to free Lilien.

Conceptualization and Origin

 * Rajih's name is Arabic, meaning "having the upper hand" or "more acceptable".

Curiosities

 * As a character who is not elaborated upon much, mothy compares Rajih to Ein from The Daughter of Evil: Wiegenlied of Green, although he feels this was somewhat rectified due to the novel's prequel manga.

Gallery
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