Grom's words halt me in my tracks.
The reaction is unexpected, yet I feel little surprise.
I scratch my forehead, straighten my posture, and turn to him.
"What happened? Tell me everything."
"Yes, well, in fact..."
Grom, looking apologetic, begins to explain.
On the continent where riots broke out, it seems individuals calling themselves saviors have been appearing.
According to our agents' investigations, bards were the ones spreading the story.
Moreover, they've been dramatically exaggerating the tale.
They say the savior is a nameless hero.
There are multiple individuals, and they help people from the shadows.
Everyone possesses the potential, and through good deeds, one can become a savior.
Those who become saviors are said to receive a blessing upon their soul.
Inspired by this, some people have begun calling themselves saviors.
Our agents, sensing the situation, reported it to me through Grom.
"I see. This is troublesome."
"I apologize. If only the plan had been executed earlier..."
"Don't apologize. My judgment was off."
The speed of the rumor's spread exceeded expectations.
It's propagating in an unnatural way.
Even accounting for the existence of bards, their influence feels too strong.
Perhaps the world's will itself is involved.
The collective desire of people yearning for a hero may have triggered the advent of a savior.
At any rate, the fact remains that it could not be stopped.
(Though surely not everyone claiming the title of savior is being entirely serious)
In essence, it was merely a trend.
Almost akin to entertainment.
Just a game for ordinary people to indulge in the fantasy of feeling like heroes.
Normally, it would harm no one.
But in the current state of affairs, it was the most pernicious kind of behavior.
The world's will intervenes over the slightest possibility, leading to unbelievable outcomes.
Logic holds no sway over an aggregate of desire.
The names of self-proclaimed saviors across the land had taken on a definite, potent meaning.
It would not be surprising if one among them awakened.
Perhaps someone had already acquired abilities far beyond the norm.
Upon grasping the situation, I issued my command to Grom.
"Abort the plan to install that spy as a savior. Have them continue their activities as before."
"Understood. I shall give those orders. And regarding those who self-proclaim as saviors... what is your will?"
"Hmm..."
I pondered Grom's question.
As I looked at his face, I repeated my question.
"Grom, what would you do?"
"M-me, my lord?"
Grom, flustered, tapped his temple and sank into thought.
Before long, his answer came, thick with hatred.
"—Annihilate them immediately. They are the scoundrels who disrupted our vital plan. Leaving them alive would bring no benefit to the Demon King's army."
"I see."
"It seems the Demon King holds a different opinion."
"Yes. I won't annihilate them. I'll use this situation."
Annihilation would be easy.
But carrying it out at this stage would achieve little.
In fact, there was a strong chance the situation would only worsen.
The public's dissatisfaction and fear could be inflamed, strengthening the desire for a savior even further.
In any case, the existing operation was now unusable.
We had no choice but to proceed with a new approach.
Having organized my thoughts, I issued additional orders to Grom.
"Dig up every last detail about the self-proclaimed saviors and have them watched. They will cooperate in bringing peace to the world."
"Understood! It shall be done at once."
Grom left the room with agile movements.
His presence shot out from the castle and vanished into the distance in the blink of an eye.
"…………"
I turn my consciousness toward the window.
Luciana was perched on its sill.
She had appeared the moment Grom left the room.
She must have been eavesdropping on the entire conversation.
Luciana lets out a deep sigh.
"This has gotten troublesome. Do you think the will of the world hates you?"
"I... can't deny it."
The will of the world had interfered many times in the past.
I thought I might slip through this time, but it seems it won't be that easy.
Luciana enters the room and slips her arm around my shoulder.
Leaning close, she whispers.
"Well, leave the arrangements to me. Failure is common enough."
"Exactly. No time to feel down."
I never expected perfect success from the start.
Failure was always a possibility.
Having saviors multiply was unforeseen, but it's not impossible to handle.
We have our experience and strength, built up over time.
"We will turn this around. We are the ones who move the world."
"Now that's what I like to hear! Lines like that give me shivers."
Luciana said with a pleased expression as she licked her lips.
She did not grieve over her failure.
On the contrary, she burned with fighting spirit.
That winning attitude should be emulated.
This time, she would transcend the will of the world.