Rivale

Even among unusually large demons, Rivale stands out for sheer height, looming over the likes of Grausam. Pale, lengthy hair falls past a pair of medium horns that jut straight upward, and his pointed teeth and dark, sharpened nails mark him as a demon. His outfit pairs a waist-tied dark tunic with a high-collared black coat cut short, the latter bearing shoulder epaulettes and a round clasp at the throat, while pale trousers and dark boots complete it. A scar later splits his right eye, a souvenir of his duel with Eisen.

Age has made Rivale relaxed and informal, and he addresses his fellow Greater Demons casually. Scheming and debate bore him; he leaves such matters to others and chases only the rush of a good fight. Where other demons obsess over survival, he holds that there is no trick to a long existence beyond throwing everything into combat. A strong adversary delights him, and when the other Greater Demons hesitate to confront the Hero Party head-on, he happily claims the vanguard role. Rather than the sneering pride most demons show toward lesser mages, Rivale honors worthy warriors. He praises Eisen's courage and, as a mark of regard, takes up the same kind of weapon his opponent favors.

Seven years into the Hero Party's expedition, a future version of Frieren is thrown into the past, and Rivale joins Solitaer and Grausam in a scheme to rob her of her memories. He takes on Eisen, whose stubborn defense buys Frieren the time she needs to reach the Goddess's Monument and slip back to her own era. The clash leaves Rivale with the scar over his eye. He later crosses paths with Rasen, the Hero of the Far North, attacking with a spear, and both walk away alive.

Following Himmel's death, Rivale descends on Stark's birthplace in the Klee Region and burns it to the ground, battling Stoltz and the settlement's other fighters. He apparently slaughters everyone there, leaving only the young Stark alive. When the Demon King later senses Frieren tampering with space-time, Rivale is among four Greater Demons called to the Monument of the Goddess. Once Tot departs, he, Solitaer, and Grausam press the attack on the Hero Party at Kino Pass.

Reckoned the strongest warrior in all of demonkind, Rivale matches Eisen blow for blow. Eager as ever, he leads and savors meeting the dwarf, the first foe in a hundred years to halt one of his punches, a single strike from him capable of shoving Eisen back and gouging a crater. Out of respect he conjures an axe to mirror Eisen's chosen weapon, manages to cut him, and fights evenly until Himmel calls the retreat and Eisen flings him off the cliff with a Lightning Strike.