Riphal Edia rules the Gastark Empire, thrust into power at twelve after his father perished in conflict. This ascension unfolded against Gastark's turbulent history marked by invasions and war crimes from the neighboring Stohl kingdom, experiences that deeply molded his perspective. As a Gastark native, he bears the kingdom's hallmark traits: vibrant pink hair and striking purple eyes. He typically dons functional armor and a cape, with later portrayals adding an eyepatch and prosthetic limb—direct consequences of sacrifices for his powers.

He commands the sacred two-handed sword Glouvil, a Rule Fragment bound to his lineage as an Edia family descendant of the First Ancestor. This weapon exacts severe personal costs to unleash devastation surpassing grand-scale magic. Recorded sacrifices include his right leg, sense of smell, sense of touch (manga only), and left eye. Though his father forbade using Glouvil, dire necessity forced Riphal to wield it. When activating its power, he utters grave declarations, accepting his role as a "murdering king" who bears curses to save more lives than he claims.

Despite his imperial status, Riphal harbors a contradiction: he detests warfare yet believes controlled military might is the sole route to enduring peace. This mirrors Sion Astal of Roland, creating parallel rulers pursuing stability through morally gray methods. He actively curtails casualties in conflicts, exemplified when halting an assault on Stohl to demand surrender after showcasing overwhelming force—arguing further bloodshed would void prior sacrifices.

Key relationships define him. Childhood companions Lize Orla and Lir Orla remain unwavering allies; Lize acts as his pragmatic commander, tempering his impulses. Their bond reflects Gastark leadership's familial unity, forged through shared trauma and purpose. He encounters Kiefer during a military operation, gaining respect when she shields defenseless children. This prompts him to free her from espionage imprisonment and invite her to Gastark—an offer she initially refuses. He later honors her devotion to Ryner Lute, valuing her happiness above his own feelings.

Riphal embodies an internal clash between ideals and actions. He openly admits the hypocrisy of waging war to end war, yet persists, convinced that unifying the world under Gastark is the only way to avert greater suffering. This moral complexity casts him as a heroic antagonist to Roland's protagonists—aligned in seeking global stability but divergent in method. His journey explores sacrifice, the weight of leadership, and the psychological cost of unwavering pragmatism.