Black String of Fate

"So, is everybody now ready to listen?"

"..."

"I don't hear a response, should I 'prepare' you more?"

"...no...please...we'll listen."

The voice came from the last leader still able to somewhat speak. Xavier was quite impressed that at least one of them remained standing, but at the same time disappointed that everyone was so weak for their ranks.

'The level of the ancient era was too low... I guess they haven't faced any calamities that would have hardened them otherwise. Just like the old saying, peace makes people weak.'

"Fine, let's start with the obvious. The reason why I called you was to get you guys under my thumb. From now on, I'm the top dog. If anyone has problems with this they can speak up now."

"..."

Nobody spoke. They didn't have the energy to. Even if they did, nobody would dare to speak right now.

"Alright! No problems, that's good. Now, onto the second thing, as the new top dog, I want to establish some rules."

Hearing this, everyone perked their ears up. It was an obvious outcome. They knew that a wind of change was blowing right in their faces, so they needed to adapt to the new circumstances, those being Xavier's rules.

"First off, no murder of the innocent. I don't care about infighting or cross-fighting with other gangs, but if anyone here lays their hands on the innocent... I'll pay them a visit.

Second, no stealing from the poor. I don't care what you do with the rich bastards, but if I find any of you or your gang extorting a poor bloke who struggles to put food on the table for his family... Just know I'll reimburse them with the money I earn after cutting and selling your body parts.

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Third, no sexual assault on women. No exceptions to this rule. If you can't keep it in your pants, I'll gladly slice it off for you and throw you into a pit of monsters drugged with aphrodisiacs. I'd like to see how you'd like it when disgusting, savage creatures force themselves upon you.

Lastly, no kidnapping. Also no exceptions. Leave. The fucking. Children. Alone.

You guys, it'll be your job to ensure that no children are held hostage for any reason. If I find any, even a single one being kept against their will, that gang will cease to exist.

Finally, anyone who reports the crimes committed will be rewarded with some money and my protection. Just plausible evidence is enough. So now, all your 'brothers and sisters' would be the ones to spell your doom if you slip up. I know there ain't nothin' like loyalty among rats."

Xavier had a deadly serious and scary face when he announced his new rules. He did not make these rules on a whim. In the grand scheme of things, his aim was to 'Change the World'. For that, the first step had to be to change the people. In order to do that, he needed public approval first.

And what better way to get approved by the masses than to provide them a sense of security?

'If only I had done things like this in my previous life...'

Xavier shook his head to get that passing thought out of his head. There was no use thinking about what-ifs. In the first place, he learned this lesson only after becoming the Demon King. The only thing that matters is that he has a chance to apply the things he has learned throughout his life.

'I'll raise my power from the shadows, and once the time is right...'

Xavier smiled as he thought about his future plans. Just after regressing, he had promised himself that he would never walk a path anything similar to his previous life, but now, it seemed the trials themselves desired the return of the Demon King.

**********

"So, this is the Hadrien territory?"

Inside a mansion situated on the top of a hill, Seraphina gazed out the window to see the capital city Firaz bathed in the dusklight.

"It is quite a beautiful place, isn't it? Firaz is known for its humble and comforting atmosphere, it'll make you feel connected to nature."

"Quite a fancy way of saying rural backwaters."

"Ahem..."

The local viscount who oversaw the capital city and was under temporary charge of the whole territory, was hosting the royal princess of the empire. He had heard all the news from the capital, so he was making sure he was on his best behavior when she was around. Unfortunately, this also meant he had to run around like a dog for the princess for a while.

"It's been 2 weeks since the count was executed, what changes have occurred ever since then in this territory?" Seraphina asked with a serious tone, making the viscount flinch and answer hurriedly.

"Apart from the expected reduction in the trade from foreign territories, there is something strange happening in one of our prefectures..."

"Oh? What is it? Is something suspicious going on?"

"...Not exactly, but it is very strange. Ever since a few weeks ago, the crime rates there have dropped by almost 97 percent. It has somehow miraculously become the safest place in the whole empire."

Seraphina looked back at the viscount with surprise. In times of famine and poverty, it is usually expected for crime rates to rise, but dropping by such a large margin is impossible. Even if they somehow triple the guards and invest heavily in security, numbers such as 97 percent cannot be achieved realistically.

"What... How? This is unprecedented... Do you have any clue as to what has happened?"

"Well, I have limited information. A few days ago, we noticed that the underworld became eerily quiet. The local gangs have completely stopped harassing the common folk, and the thugs live in 'fear' of something.

We captured a few of them to get them to spill it out, but we've got nothing too useful. They say that they can no longer trust their own brothers because a 'devil' has risen in power. If anyone breaks the rules set by the devil, the one who reports it will be generously rewarded, and the sinner will face the devil's wrath.

In our conclusions, we suspect that someone has conquered the underworld of that prefecture and now rules them with an iron hand. While he is keeping the streets safe for now, it could be dangerous if he gains more power."

"Hmm... interesting. He should be quite a powerful figure if he could tame the gangs so quickly."

'The timing is also coincidental... I just have a hunch, but...'

"I suppose we should visit that place and see for ourselves, shouldn't we?"

Seraphina said with a mysterious smile that neither the viscount nor the bodyguard Joseph understood.