I teleported to the urban district where the riot had reportedly broken out.
I had left Grom behind at the castle. If both of us appeared simultaneously, it would likely incite unnecessary chaos. Besides, the riot itself didn't seem particularly significant, so there was no reason for both of us to make the trip.
Ducking into a back alley, I suppressed my magic power and miasma with stealth magic. I further applied a Perception Obstruction Art to ensure I wouldn't draw any suspicion; even if I were seen, I would be perceived as nothing more than an unremarkable man with a hood pulled low over his eyes.
Once my preparations were complete, I stepped out of the alley.
The area was already in an uproar, though not because of me. The crowd’s attention was fixed further down the street toward the source of the disturbance. I wove through the throng, my magical concealment keeping my true identity hidden. When I accidentally brushed against someone, they only tilted their heads in brief confusion—likely struck by the unnatural, skeletal hardness of my body. Despite their curiosity, I continued toward the commotion, unfazed.
Eventually, I reached a vantage point where I could see past the crowd. City soldiers were currently restraining a group of men and women—the rioters, presumably. I studied them closely. They were a disparate collection: merchants, mercenaries, and commoners. Their ages, races, and professions varied wildly. There was no sign of magical interference, nor were they suffering from Mental Contamination or any other abnormal status. At the very least, they weren't being mind-controlled; they had risen up of their own volition.
I reached out to a local spy via Telepathy.
"I wish to speak with the rioters. Can you arrange it?"
"It is possible. I shall make the arrangements at once," came the prompt reply.
Just as the response arrived, a soldier emerged from the crowd. This was the spy I had been communicating with; he had infiltrated the local military under a false identity. He issued a series of orders to the guards restraining the group. They nodded and began binding the rioters with rope before leading them away.
They left the scene, the crowd parting to let them through. Using Sensing Magic, I tracked their destination. The group appeared to be heading toward the barracks, and after a short wait, they came to a halt in a basement room.
It seemed the preparations for the interrogation were complete. I teleported directly into the vacant chamber.
The light-starved interior was stained with old blood, and upon closer inspection, I could see skeletal remains scattered across the floor. It was a torture chamber—an unexpected find beneath the barracks, though I suppose every organization has its dark necessities that must remain hidden from the public eye. I had no intention of condemning them for it.
The soldiers already in the room were bewildered by my sudden appearance. They exchanged nervous glances, unable to even find words; the spy clearly hadn't briefed them on the details of my involvement. I pulled back my hood and deactivated the Perception Obstruction Art.
The reaction was instantaneous. Struck by pure terror, the guards abandoned their prisoners and scrambled to escape the room. These men weren't part of the Demon King's Army, but merely regular soldiers of this city. They likely never expected the Demon King himself to grace them with his presence. I felt a slight pang of guilt for the shock I had caused them.
"My apologies for the delay," the spy said, entering the room just as the others fled.
He was a demon from the Republic serving under Luciana. Having undergone plastic surgery, his appearance was indistinguishable from that of a human. I had heard he was a highly capable individual with exceptional infiltration skills.
"Good work. Let us begin at once."
While addressing the spy, I erected a Soundproof and Sealed Barrier to ensure we wouldn't be disturbed from the outside. I turned my attention to the captives as my mind raced.
Just who is this Savior...?
If my intuition was correct, it was likely another term for a Hero. It was possible the Will of the World had begun to exert its influence. If that were the case, this was a matter I couldn't afford to ignore. I had to uncover the truth behind their identity.