I observed the people who had incited the riot.
They remained silent, bound as they were with ropes. They seemed terrified in my presence, hurriedly averting their gaze whenever our eyes met.
Since the Executives treated me with such normalcy, I tended to forget that my appearance was that of a Black Skeleton. Combined with my sinister aura, I must have cut a terrifying figure to an outsider. It was only natural for commoners to be afraid.
I spoke, mindful of my tone so as not to intimidate them further.
"I came here because I heard reports of a riot. I understand you are the ones responsible. Is that correct?"
There was no answer, but the heavy silence didn't suggest any denial. They seemed to admit to their actions. My gaze settled on a man who looked like a merchant, and I crouched before him.
"There is something I wish to ask."
"W-What is it...?" the man stammered, his expression fraught with anxiety.
My powers were widely known. He likely understood that I could turn him into an Undead on a mere whim. Of course, I had no intention of doing such a thing, but it was convenient if his fear made him more willing to talk.
"I heard you claiming that a Savior has descended. I want you to tell me everything about this figure in detail."
"Th-That is..."
The man hesitated, a bitter look crossing his face. He clearly had the answers, but he was intentionally withholding them.
"Is it something you cannot say?"
"No! It's just... it's hardly a tale worthy of the Demon King's attention...!"
"I will be the judge of that. You need only answer the question. Do you understand?"
"Yes..."
The man resigned himself and nodded. He began to speak, though he remained mindful of the others' gazes.
"It started with some idle chatter. From there, things just... developed."
The story the man told began about ten days ago. While traveling through a forest, he had been suddenly attacked by a monster. Just as he was about to be killed after a futile attempt to flee, he was saved by an armored mercenary. This mercenary had appeared gallantly, holding the monster at bay long enough for the man to escape.
The man claimed that this mercenary was the Savior.
As he finished, the others began to speak up, each eager to share their own story. One had been saved from thugs by a robed old man; another had been treated to a drink at a tavern by a drifter. A female Mage had helped someone carry their luggage for free. Another had been given a Recovery Potion while lying wounded in a cave. There was even a story of someone being guided back to their village after losing their way.
The accounts they shared were all generally the same: a stranger had helped them without asking for anything in return.
Those who had been saved shared these strange experiences with their acquaintances. At first, they were just moving tales of kindness that left the recipients grateful. However, as they discovered others who had undergone similar experiences, they were deeply moved.
They gradually formed a group, and eventually, someone proposed a theory. They claimed that there was someone in the city helping people from the shadows—a single entity who changed their form to perform these Good Deeds.
Drawn in by this groundless "fact," their collective inspiration grew until they began calling this mysterious figure the Savior. They recruited others with similar experiences and eventually came to worship the figure. Finally, they planned a large-scale demonstration to spread word of the Savior's existence to the rest of the city. It was during this attempt that they got into an argument with the soldiers, leading to the sudden riot.
"We never intended to defy the Demon King. We only wanted everyone to know about the Savior. Please, if you could just understand that much..."
"I have grasped the situation. I will convey your explanation to the soldiers."
When I said that, the people breathed sighs of relief, realizing for the moment that their lives were not in danger. Seeing them relax, I added one more thing.
"However, the fact remains that you caused a disturbance. A fine would be an appropriate punishment. I have no intention of imposing any other penalty. Do you have any objections?"
Silence filled the room. The people seemed truly repentant. There was no need to go out of my way to lecture them; if they had learned their lesson, they wouldn't do anything so reckless again.
I called out to the Spy.
"I leave the rest to you. I am heading back."
"Understood. I am grateful for your personal visit."
Leaving the bowing Spy behind, I used Teleportation. My destination was the sky above the city. As I walked through the air, I pondered what I had learned.
(To think the "Savior" was nothing more than a collection of different people doing good...)
Helping others was not particularly rare; it could happen in any region. The individuals who helped them were surely not the same person. It was simply a coincidence of similar events—nothing more than chance.
Small acts of kindness leave a lasting impression. These rioters might have been people who were easily moved by nature. When such people gathered and fed off each other's excitement, it likely produced an effect close to mass hypnosis. They had solidified their vague gratitude into the image of a "Savior."
There was no malice in it. However, I still felt a lingering sense of dread.
(I cannot afford to take this incident lightly...)
A few random acts of kindness had, in the end, escalated into a riot. While I saw no evidence of a direct plot, it felt like an omen. I couldn't afford to ignore such a premonition. It would be best to have the city investigated more thoroughly.