I released the residents of the Slave Autonomous District from the barrier, allowing them to return to their normal lives.
Things would likely remain in a state of chaos for some time, but there was no need for me to go out of my way to soothe their fears. The people of the Slave Autonomous District had always been resilient in both mind and body; if left to their own devices, they would eventually regain their former vitality.
I did not explain the circumstances regarding the magical beasts to them. I had neither the moral obligation nor the duty to do so. Even if I had told them the truth, I doubted the people would take the Demon King’s words at face value. It was better to let them interpret the truth of this incident however they pleased.
(In this situation, they will likely assume the Demon King’s Army turned the humans into magical beasts.)
It wasn’t an implausible narrative. I was already turning humans into the undead and committing massacres across the continent. Adding magical beasts to the list of my atrocities changed very little. From the perspective of the residents, the slaves had transformed into monsters right in the middle of an invasion by the Demon King’s Army. It was only natural to conclude it was my doing.
If I were in their position, I would have reached the same conclusion.
And that was perfectly fine. In fact, it was desirable for the Demon King to be seen as the ultimate evil. It aligned with my original purpose. What I wanted to avoid above all else was the dispersion of blame; it was far better for the image of "evil" to be unified under the figure of the Demon King.
If it were exposed that the magical beastification was a human conspiracy, it would only give rise to further conflict between men. It was more conducive to peace if everyone simply agreed the Demon King was the culprit. Once I disposed of the mastermind, the truth would be buried in the darkness forever.
I would make use of this disturbance, just as I had used everything else. I didn’t care how much I was denounced as a treacherous monster. If it brought the world closer to peace, I would accept the infamy gladly.
What was done could not be changed. What mattered was the action taken afterward. Rather than wallowing in regret over the outcome, I had to devise plans for the next development. If I weren't that pragmatic, I never would have been able to endure the role of the Demon King.
I ordered the Demon King’s Army to return to the Royal Capital. Simultaneously, I teleported to the capital of the Republic alone.
From the Slave Autonomous District, one would have to traverse the entire length of the Demon King's Domain to reach it. Even in a straight line, the distance was immense, but my magic power was sufficient to reach it in a single jump. As usual, I forced my way past the perimeter by shattering the anti-teleportation spells.
I materialized in the sky high above the Republic’s capital.
The cityscape had no particularly unique features, though it was a reasonably prosperous city. I could see traces of conflict scattered throughout the streets—the scars of the ongoing civil war. It was strangely quiet, likely because both factions were currently observing a brief lull.
As living beings, their stamina was finite. Having finished the initial clashes, they were now in a vacuum of activity, likely at the stage where both sides were simply glaring at one another. The fighting would surely resume by noon.
Of course, none of that concerned me. I was there to solemnly carry out a task. I had to send a message that this was no time to be engrossed in internal strife.
I descended toward the center of the capital. The authorities had likely noticed the destruction of their anti-teleportation barrier by now, and the army would be mobilizing shortly. I needed to move fast.
A massive building towered at the heart of the city. The horizontally sprawling structure was significantly larger than anything around it. Its exterior was plain, giving the impression of a facility built solely for utility. This was the building that served as the Republic’s equivalent of a Royal Castle. It was the hub where the Representatives held their councils and managed the central functions of the capital. It was the heart of the nation.
(Now, for your retribution.)
I channeled my magic.
With a low rumble, the earth began to heave. The Council Facility tilted, creaking under the strain before beginning to crumble. I rained down several bolts of lightning upon the structure. The bolts exploded with a roar, pulverizing sections of the building and igniting fires that quickly grew into a blaze. Thick, black smoke billowed into the air.
Adding more magic to the mix, I summoned several massive, thick vines. They burst through the cracked earth, coiling around the Council Facility and dragging it down into the ground. Before long, the facility sat half-buried, engulfed in flames.
By this stage, the cries and screams of the people finally reached my ears. Some had noticed my figure standing in the sky and were shouting in a panic. Ignoring their reactions, I summoned a thousand undead from the Royal Capital and dispersed them throughout the city.
I ordered them to attack the people simultaneously. Thrown into utter chaos, the citizens scrambled to flee or fought back in desperation. Those who were mauled to death soon rose as new undead. It was a scene of misery and agonizing cries, but to me, it was a very familiar sight.
Having completed my planned actions, I looked on as the people struggled. These thousand undead would eventually be eradicated by the Republic’s army. None of them had been given special enhancements, and since they were fighting in broad daylight, they weren't particularly powerful. They could be easily subjugated with holy magic.
(There will be a significant number of casualties, but it shouldn't lead to the total collapse of the capital.)
I made this judgment as I watched the scene below. It was the right amount of pressure.
These attacks were a warning—a way to make the threat of the Demon King felt. A half-hearted strike would only invite resentment and embolden the Hardliners. But by going this far, the citizens of the Republic would be struck with genuine terror. They would lose any desire to fight the Demon King, and a public sentiment opposing the Hardliners would naturally take root.
Between the destruction of the Council Facility and the undead attack, the nation’s overall power would decline. While not enough to destroy the country, it was a scale of damage that could not be ignored. I expected it to act as a deterrent against further secret maneuvers and the civil war itself.
The mastermind behind the civil war undoubtedly intended to pack the government with Hardliners and seize practical control of the Republic. At this very moment, members of the Submission Faction were likely being purged one after another to steer the nation toward a confrontation with the Demon King. Because of their forceful methods, the populace would feel a certain level of repulsion, but the coup leaders would simply ignore it. Once they held the military, the upper echelons could run the country as they pleased. The voices of the people didn't matter to them.
My attack today was designed to block those developments. The citizens who had witnessed the true power of the Demon King would now crave submission or peace. Even among the Hardliners, there would be those whose resolve would waver. Furthermore, the undead had forced the military to waste its resources. I had undoubtedly become an unbearable thorn in the mastermind’s side.
I decided to end my punishment of the Republic there for the time being. Moving forward, I would order my spies to gather intelligence. I wanted to identify the manufacturing source of the drug that caused magical beastification and the specific individuals involved in this plot.
If I moved too conspicuously during the investigation phase, I risked scaring the culprits into hiding. It was better to have my subordinates operate in the shadows while I fulfilled my role as the Demon King, drawing the enemy's attention. It was vital that they did not realize my true objective.
(How frustrating...)
If my goal were simply to destroy them, I wouldn't have to think this much. I could ignore their conspiracies entirely and turn the Republic into scorched earth with a barrage of Forbidden Magic. Unleashing hundreds of thousands of enhanced undead would solve the problem just as easily. Then, I would only have to wait to gain a massive number of loyal pawns.
But of course, I could not do that. I was acting for the sake of world peace. I had to remain rational and look toward the future.
(I must not let myself drown in this power. I will be the Demon King who brings about peace.)
Keeping my goal firmly in mind, I returned to the Royal Capital.