Ahriman

Ahriman stands at the pinnacle of demonkind as their absolute ruler.

His reputation among mortals and demons alike is that of a merciless and terrifying overlord who threatens the entire world.

In private, however, his personality shifts completely when it comes to his daughter Dou.

He becomes soft, doting, and single‑mindedly focused on her happiness, often to an absurd degree.

Ahriman’s name is believed to be inspired by the Zoroastrian demon king of the daevas, "Angra Mainyu," also known as Ahriman.

This connection reinforces his role as an archetypal embodiment of evil in the setting’s lore.

On the surface, Ahriman is ruthless, cruel, and thoroughly demonic.

He rules as a tyrant whose very existence inspires fear across the world.

Yet his attitude toward Dou is the exact opposite of his public image.

He is excessively kind to her, overflowing with parental affection and pride in everything she does.

Ahriman constantly worries about Dou’s gentle nature, which he sees as un-demon-like and potentially dangerous for her future.

Despite this worry, he never scolds her for her kindness and instead praises and supports her choices.

His overprotectiveness is so extreme that he has even put a halt to his grand plan of world conquest.

For Ahriman, safeguarding Dou and fretting over her future takes priority over dominating the world.

Ahriman’s position as the strongest demon king makes him the symbolic and literal apex of the Demon World’s hierarchy.

His authority is unquestioned, but his decisions are often swayed by his feelings as a father.

His primary and most defining relationship is with his daughter Dou.

Her gentle behavior troubles him conceptually as a demon king, yet he loves that same kindness so much that he cannot bring himself to suppress it.

This tension between "demon king" and "dad" creates much of his charm.

He is simultaneously the ultimate villain and the ultimate soft-hearted parent, depending on who is watching him.