I teleported to where the riot was said to have broken out.
I left Grom behind in the castle.
The site was the downtown area.
If we appeared together, it could cause unnecessary confusion.
Since the riot itself apparently wasn't a big deal, there was no need for us to both go.
Having teleported into an alley, I suppressed my mana and miasma with concealment magic.
I also used a recognition-obstruction spell so that my appearance would not draw suspicion.
Now, even if seen, I wouldn't cause a commotion.
I would only be perceived as a man with his cowl pulled low.
After completing my preparations, I stepped out of the alley.
The area was already in an uproar.
Not because my figure had been spotted.
People's gazes were directed down the street.
The riot seemed to be happening over there.
I wove my way through the crowd.
Thanks to the magical concealment, no one noticed my true identity.
When shoulders bumped against mine, the most I got was a slight tilt of the head.
They probably sensed something odd about the hardness of bone.
Despite such reactions, I walked on calmly.
Eventually, I reached a position where I could see the scene beyond the gathered crowd.
City soldiers were holding down a mixed crowd of men and women.
They must have started a riot.
I focused my attention on the crowd.
They were a diverse group: merchants, mercenaries, ordinary citizens.
Their genders, ages, species—even professions—were all mismatched.
There was no visible sign of magical manipulation, nor any special condition like mental pollution.
At the very least, they weren't being controlled.
They had undoubtedly started the riot of their own free will.
I used telepathy to speak to a local informant.
"I want to speak with the rioters. Can you arrange it?"
"Possible. I will prepare immediately."
At the same moment as the response, a single soldier emerged from the crowd.
This was the informant with whom I had just exchanged thoughts via telepathy.
He had infiltrated the local military under a false identity.
The informant gave some order to the soldiers restraining the crowd.
The soldiers nodded, bound the group with ropes, and began leading them away.
I parted the crowd and left the area.
I used perception magic to confirm their destination.
The soldiers had seized the group and were apparently heading toward the barracks.
After waiting a while, their movement ceased in an empty underground room.
Preparations for the interrogation appear to be complete.
I teleport to the empty room.
The poorly lit interior was stained with bloodstains everywhere.
Looking closer, what seemed like bone fragments also lay scattered about.
This place appeared to be some kind of torture chamber.
I was surprised to find such a room beneath the barracks, but perhaps it was necessary for the work.
No matter the organization, there are always jobs that cannot be made public.
I had no intention of criticizing that.
On the other hand, the soldiers were bewildered by my sudden appearance.
Unable to speak, they exchanged glances.
The spy evidently hadn't shared the finer details.
I pulled back the hood I'd been wearing to reveal my face.
At the same time, I dispelled the recognition-hindering magic.
In that instant, the soldiers were stunned.
They abandoned the restrained group and hastily fled the room one after another.
These soldiers were not part of the Demon Lord's Army.
They were ordinary soldiers belonging to this city.
They likely never expected me to be the one dispatched here.
I may have caused them a bit of trouble.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
A spy slipped into the room in turn.
One of Luciana's subordinates, a demonkin from the Republic.
Having undergone plastic surgery, their appearance was indistinguishable from a human.
I had heard they were an exceptional operative with high infiltration capabilities.
"Good work. We begin immediately."
Responding to the spy, I cast a barrier that served as both soundproofing and a seal.
This would ensure no interruption from outside, however unlikely.
Looking at the restrained individuals, I ran my thoughts.
(Just what exactly is this savior...?)
If my instincts were correct, it was probably a term meant to denote a hero.
Perhaps the will of the world was starting to act.
If so, it was a matter I could not ignore.
I had to uncover its true identity without fail.