Rajih Assad

"I'm hopeless. Here is a farmer who has a lord as his opponent, and furthermore calls him a monster."

- Rajih

Rajih was a peasant of Asmodean in the Beelzenian Empire and a childhood friend of Lukana Octo and Lilien Turner. After Lukana's disappearance, Rajih warned Lilien to be wary of Duke Venomania, jealous of their growing relationship. Discovering the Duke was beholden to dark powers and had enchanted Lilien, Rajih gave his information to Kachess Crim to help track down his missing friends.

Early Life
"Actually, there's only one person with a different testimony." "Who is it?" "A farmer named Rajih, an acquaintance of Lilien. Everyone says he's gone crazy after the loss of his childhood friend."

- Earl Felix and Kachess Crim

Born in Mystica, Rajih lived as the son of a peasant farmer. While he was a child, he met Lilien Turner 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 together 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
"What will happen then? Will one of Beelzenia's Five Dukes, Lord Venomania, take the baker's daughter as his wife? The best you can hope for is being his mistress!"

- Rajih to Lilien

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 Turner's bakery and was asked by Lilien's father to catch up with Lilien while she was escorting Duke Sateriasis Venomania to the Misty Mountains, 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 then 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
"Why are you trying so hard? You shouldn't be in love with Lilien... You haven't said you are... Even if you retrieved Lilien from me, it would be a waste since she doesn't acknowledge you." "Duke, have you... ever really loved someone?"

- Duke Venomania and Rajih

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 "murderer" to be silent. Settling Lilien on the bed, Rajih witnessed Venomania sprout demonic wings and horns before his eyes. In disbelief at what he was 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
"Wait a minute. In some cases, different people can become your saviors, like me."

- Kachess to Rajih

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. 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 whom 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 Sateriasis. 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 Sateriasis Venomania.

Later Life
After Kachess successfully assassinated the Duke, Rajih reunited with Lilien and Lukana and the three of them decided to start a new life; traveling to the East, Rajih and his friends eventually settled there.

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

- Rajih

Rajih was a loyal and steadfast individual, devoted to those he cared about and concerned about their welfare. Having grown up with Lukana and Lilien, Rajih considered both of them to be his close friends, even as they began seeing each other less and less. In particular, he peasant developed romantic feelings for Lilien and became very protective of her safety. Regardless, he wasn't afraid to argue with his friends, especially when angered, and was jealous of Lilien's courtship with Duke Venomania. Despite this, Rajih hid his feelings for her, and instead decided to support his friend's relationship if he saw the Duke truly made her happy.

The farmer was somewhat headstrong and could be to difficult to deal with. At the same time, Rajih stood firm with his convictions, even when afraid or in dire circumstances; likewise, he had a degree of righteousness, believing in doing the right thing regardless of the reward. However, after losing Lilien to Sateriasis and failing to convince them of his visit, Rajih sunk into a depression and took up drinking to help drown away his sorrows. After being recruited by Kachess, the peasant renewed his conviction to save Lilien and provided all the information he could about the Duke.

Rajih showed a particular distaste for nobility and had a clear disinterest in the manners or respect the aristocracy expected from him. He also disliked noble society, particularly how they treated women, and what he perceived as their hubris when speaking with "lowly" commoners like himself. As a result, Rajih had a distinct skepticism about Sateriasis and, after their encounter, was convinced he was a monster. In contrast, while initially disliking Count Kachess, Rajih agreed to work with him in order to save Lilien.

Skills and Abilities
"What's wrong? Weren't you about to attack me just now?" "Ugh... You monster..."

- The Duke and Rajih

Rajih showed 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, displaying a strong judgement of character. Still, he was largely powerless against the nobility, being a peasant, a fact that had broke his spirit for a time.

Character Connections
Lilien Turner: 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. Although demoralized when she left to join the Duke's harem, Rajih's convictions to save her were soon rekindled and he later joined her and Lukana in their travels to escape Abyss I.R.

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, and after she was freed from Venomania's clutches he aided her in her travels to escape from Abyss I.R.

Sateriasis 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, although his drive to stop him was soon rekindled by Kachess.

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
Manga Apparitions=

Appearances

 * Deadly Sins of Evil: The Lunacy of Duke Venomania (first appearance)
 * The Lunacy of Duke Venomania (manga)