231 Initiating a Reign of Terror

The coup was ultimately subdued without resistance.

Workis abandoned all hope of resistance and surrendered.

The Seventh Army dissolved.

The gang members head toward the captured Workis.

I secretly attach a fragment as well.

Thinking the fragment would be palm-sized is a grave mistake.

Performance decreases, but fragments as small as a fingertip can be produced.

This time, concealed within the gang member’s boot, undetected.

Workis was confined in the lord’s chamber under the watch of soldiers from the Fourth Army.

Weapons were confiscated, but no restraints were applied.

Is that acceptable?

"Commander of the Seventh Army, Workis. Do you have any defense?"

The gang member’s voice, Workis calmly meets his gaze.

Hmm?

Expected something more pathetic—somehow, I thought a thug like him would scream in disgrace if cornered. But that’s not how it plays out.

Despite being a general defeated in battle, he stands firm.

His demeanor does not match the image of a gangster.

“Brow. I didn’t expect you’d have such a clear view of our movements.”

“Not me. We have an excellent intelligence officer.”

That’s me?

Since when did I become your intelligence officer?

“Workis. Why did you do this?”

“To overthrow the Demon King.”

Workis answered without hesitation.

I know the Demon King has appeared. And I know he is preparing for war with the human race. That is impossible. The birth rate declines yearly. The people are exhausted. The land lies barren from prolonged conflict. Add more taxes to the impoverished, already suffering under heavy levies. The demon race will perish before war begins. The Demon King is unnecessary for the current demon race. We must abandon war with the humans and pursue reconstruction. You cannot be unaware of this. It is not too late. Stop the Demon King—Brow, Balt, and you.

Ah, mistake.

I immediately teleport.

Appear behind Workis. Pierce his chest.

"Gah!?"

Workis groans.

The thugs and soldiers stare in shock.

I pull his heart from his chest. Crush it in my hand.

"Idle talk. No need to listen."

I withdraw my hand from the chest of the deceased Warkis.

The corpse of Warkis, deprived of support, collapses and sinks into the floor, sinking deeper with each passing moment.

A rare find—fresh flesh, obtained once more.

"Why are you here?"

The thug asks, voice hoarse.

No obligation to reply. Still, a warning is in order.

"Death awaits those who defy the Demon King."

I vanish through teleportation, leaving the scene.

That should suffice as intimidation.

The thug hesitates, swaying slightly at Warkis’s words.

Thought he was merely a third-rate subordinate. Apparently, he possessed a firm conviction—enough to lead a coup.

Perhaps the thug felt some resonance with Warkis’s words.

He won’t defect here and now, certainly. But Warkis’s words may remain lodged in his mind, a lingering wound.

No remedy exists. The wound cannot be removed.

Then, an atmosphere must be created where defiance is impossible.

He had known, through gathered intelligence, that the current state of the demons was dire.

Not just the demons—this world as a whole, but still.

There was little time left.

The world would not collapse immediately, but the condition was far worse than initially anticipated.

Worse than what required such a place as that black one.

Under these conditions, war was not feasible.

Logically, ceasefire was the appropriate course. To launch a major offensive under such circumstances would be irrational.

But that was only under normal reasoning. Under the current abnormal conditions, such action was unavoidable.

Yet ordinary people, trapped in conventional thought, could not comprehend this.

Nor could he make them understand.

No one knew what kind of chaos would ensue if they were made aware.

Then, how does one move those who are unwilling?

There is no choice but to wield absolute authority.

Frankly, the current Demon King lacks popular support.

It was to be expected—he appeared out of nowhere and took the long-empty throne of the Demon King.

Perhaps they could have built it gradually with more time—but that was not possible.

No one could trust the person who told them to go die.

Then, why not just go ahead and break free in reverse?

Rule by fear.

Defy me, and you die.

They must obey.

That is all that matters.

The Demon King possesses sufficient power to accomplish that.

Totalitarian rule will collapse eventually—no good comes from it, but that is a matter for long-term observation.

The most effective method for forcibly aligning ranks in the short term.

The rule of the Demon King will not last long anyway. There is no disadvantage in using this method.

Let the disposable ones think whatever they wish.

Means are not chosen.

That is decided.

After being underestimated for so long, I will now commit fully.

To do so, the main body previously kept idle must be activated at full capacity.

The low-levels have been staked.

The fear of being impaled from behind by me should have been implanted in the Demon King.

When. Where. I will appear.

The low-levels cannot predict.

Avoidance is impossible.

As long as that fear remains, the low-levels will not recklessly act against the Demon King.

Even if Warks’ words attempt to stir their hearts.

If they still defy the Demon King despite this, I will fulfill my promise and impale them from behind.

Next.

I materialize at a certain location via teleportation.

"Who are you?"

A quiet voice.

She shows no disturbance at my sudden appearance.

Her core remains unshaken, despite being taken from behind.

I see.

This is quite remarkable for a demon.

"Envoy of the Demon King."

I state it briefly, addressing the one who still has their back turned.

Hearing those words, the figure finally turns to face me.

Appearing casual, yet moving precisely between my breaths.

She could stop breathing if she chose to, but for an ordinary human, turning at the exact moment of a breath would prevent immediate counterattack.

"I see. So the Demon King's descent was real after all."

She possesses an independent information network. She has uncovered the existence of the Demon King—knowledge still hidden from most demons.

My objective is that network.

"Command: Become a double agent."

I inform the First Legion Commander Argner thus.

A traitor among the demons, secretly aligned with the elves.