After parting ways with Gwen, I traveled to the town where the riot had broken out.
Under the cover of night, while the inhabitants lay in a deep sleep, I used Forbidden Magic to scour their memories. I wove several spells together to induce a hypnotic state, ensuring the process went entirely unnoticed.
With that, the memory of the day the riot occurred was erased. Furthermore, for those who had begun to worship the Savior, I purged their recent memories in their entirety.
Widespread confusion would surely follow the next morning. However, once the people realized there was no tangible damage, they would settle down. I could only hope that time would take care of the rest.
Having finished my business, I walked alone through the night sky above the Demon King’s Domain, lost in thought beneath the pale, azure moonlight.
(The real issue is what comes next...)
It had been a heavy-handed approach, but I could only pray it would have some effect.
Humans were constantly moving in and out of this town. Some who knew of the Savior had likely already departed for other cities, and I could not stop the rumors that would spread from them. If I received reports from local spies, I could use similar means to wipe those memories as well, but I couldn't keep repeating the same cycle forever.
Memory erasure was, ultimately, nothing more than a way to buy time. The crucial part was how we moved from here.
I had certainly succeeded in delaying the manifestation of the Will of the World. During this grace period, I intended to follow Gwen’s advice.
First, I would select someone worthy of being called the Savior. I could choose from within the Demon King’s Army, or perhaps a third party from the occupied territories. Ideally, a powerful individual with the strength of a hero would be best. There were likely many candidates among the humans.
Next, I would spread rumors that this individual was the Savior. I might even have them engage the Demon King’s Army in battle and grant them victory. If they were seen performing feats like cleaving through massive numbers of undead, their fame would grow in the blink of an eye.
After that, I would have them act the part of one dedicated to the Demon King subjugation. Specifically, I would direct them to travel across the land, occasionally clashing with my forces. By then, the Will of the World would have activated, and the collective desires of the people would converge upon this Savior.
From that point on, simply managing the Savior’s movements would be an effective countermeasure. This was the outcome I desired. It would be far easier to handle than an irregular phenomenon suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
As for the ultimate fate of the Savior created in this manner, I would decide based on the situation. After they had played their role for several years, I might eliminate them with my own hands. Alternatively, I could arrange for the Seat of the Savior to be passed on to a successor. Once I gave form to the Will of the World, I would have to find a way to neutralize it.
The power that would swell within them threatened to eventually surpass even me. I could not afford to be complacent; if the situation demanded it, they would have to be killed. These were matters I would consider as the timing and circumstances dictated.
The various covert maneuvers could be left to Luciana. She would be able to handle the finer adjustments skillfully. With the Demon King’s Army currently stationed in various regions, our influence had grown remarkably. A wide variety of clandestine operations were now possible. I didn't expect to encounter any issues with the execution of the plan.
(It’s a total farce.)
I mocked myself for the plan I had devised. But it was far too late for such thoughts.
In the first place, I was currently a clown myself. While playing the role of the Demon King who would destroy the world, I had no actual intention of doing so. While advocating for the realization of peace, I was carrying out a great slaughter. I was transforming the very people I should have saved into undead and forcing them into my service. Now, I was planning to intentionally give rise to a hero who would serve as a beacon of hope, all while calculating the exact moment to kill them.
It was a mountain of contradictions.
The world was vast, yet an existence as ugly as mine must be rare. But that was fine. I didn't care if I was a clown. If the peace of the world could be maintained, I was prepared to stain my hands with any manner of evil deeds.
(I am the only one who can truly commit to this role.)
Anyone can find the resolve to simply save others. Indeed, countless heroes had held such high aspirations. But that was not enough.
I was advancing into a realm they never reached—no, a realm they never even dared to touch.