123 The new Demon Emperor

"What is illegal? How am I supposed to know all the specificities?" Of course, Ymir would have never said that loudly. Still maintaining the posture befitting of his position, and using the fact that his face was hidden behind his helmet, he could only chuckle menacingly. That was his idea, to act so terrifyingly, that they will forget the question. But that was proved naught since Gwendoline knew she had someone that was above her.

"In the emergency state that Archet is in, we need clear instructions. Otherwise, it will only create even more panic, and make people leave Archet in a hurry." Not saying that it was currently happening, since the group of humans was also buying time for the others. By now, most should have already packed their stuff and begin to run. As for whether it was possible or that something was blocking the escape road, they couldn't know and could only hope that it will not happen.

Still chuckling, the red demon was making his brain work at full capacity. Faced with so many possibilities, he only noticed the insistent gaze that on skeleton had after several seconds. Not understanding it, he could see the bag hanging on the waist of the black armor. Waving his hand like he was in complete control, that specific undead began to pick from the bag a very large scroll containing all the demands and rules.

At this sight, everyone alive was completely baffled. The Akûl, because it was plainly obvious that he had been left out of this part when they explained what he had to do. Not that he wanted to speak for hours about fictional rules, but still, he wasn't aware of this. And the humans, since the giant monster in front of them was clearly prepared. Picking up the really, really large scroll, Gwendoline and Andre began to study it.

"... no one allowed in the streets after 22 hours, so an early curfew for only ..."

"... murder, thief, robbery, ****, all the usual stuff ..."

"... trial by a jury made of citizens picked randomly, so, not by the nobles only? Interesting ..."

"... all of those condemned to death will be ... taken care by the undead???" Finally reaching this line, the two raised their heads and looked at Ymir. That was the only thing he knew of the entire nonsense they were spouting. Fundamentally, Kardel had explained to him that it could be translated as the food will be handled by the skeletons. After all, they liked to have fresh meat, especially something that was still living seconds before.

But they couldn't say that those with a death sentence will be eaten alive, so, this line was created in the most diplomatic way. The first victims will be the hardest to obtain since it meant for them to condemn a fellow human at ending up in the hands of the undead. But, from the estimation of the succubus, if it became the norm and as long as they never learned the true fates of the convicted, it would be a strong and steady flow of food.

The part of the scroll that was already read by the Mayor was picked up by the others, and soon, the entire group was reading everything. Sometimes, one could hear some grumbling while sometimes, it was an understanding exclamation. Even if he couldn't really understand the technical terms that they were constantly murmuring, it didn't really matter for Ymir. All he needed now was to wait and ...

"You giant moron! They are escaping! No ones are allowed to leave this city now that it belongs now to the EMPRESS!" The brutal mental connection was established, nearly making him kneel in pain. Fortunately, the humans were so engrossed in ready some petty words on paper that they didn't notice it. Not wanting to even argue with Malakov and be on the receiving end of the pain, the Akûl began to run past the group at full speed.

Only after hearing the massive footsteps getting farther and father did someone had the guts of speaking. "Eh ... Mayor? Do you think he ..." Nodding her head, she agreed with the muscular officer. "Yes, I guess it couldn't be avoided. As for them ... I don't think we can move." In his hurry, Ymir had not ordered the skeletons to move with him. However, right after saying this, Gwendoline and the others saw nearly all of them moving at once and trying to catch up with the giant monster.

Ymir did not have to think a lot to find where they were leaving Archet. After all, the entire map of the city was imprinted in his brain, thanks to Meridiana that had been in every corner of the city while maintaining her identity of an adventurer. With that in mind, the obvious place would be in the West, where they previously spent the night during the undead assault.

His colossal appearance shocked those that were still on their doorsteps, making them go back inside and locked their door at least three times. While putting everything they had in front of it, to make sure nothing could enter. As for the bystanders located in the middle of the streets, the screams that followed the giant Akûl, made them run in remote alleys as soon as possible.

The rare adventurers, guards or mercenaries present dropped their weapons at that sight. Some even removed their armors and pants, while trying their best to be some random homeless humans. So, when he finally arrived in front of a gate, without even hurting anyone, not that it was hard, considering everyone immediately fleed in panic, Ymir was remotely pissed. Only then did he remembered that without the skeletons, he could not prevent someone to leave from another gate.

Luckily for him, Malakov was not complacent while working for Leilade. He could see four undead coming his way to completely block this exit. It was probably the same everywhere in Archet, but for those that he could discern a little farther down the road, he could only let them go. After all, they probably were the most despaired of the bunch, willing to immediately run in panic at the slightest problem. All in all, not someone they will miss a lot.

"Go back to your home!" His loud voice resonated in the air, startling, even more, the scared crowd. But facing him, they could only dejectedly look at their close friends and family, some even crying. The sound of sobbings and wails was so loud that even he had a hard time listening to his own thoughts. However, three men and a woman still stood in front of him, visibly apprehensive.

"What?" Even after being questioned, the four humans were really not leaving, but not advancing either. Not understanding what was up with those fools, the woman suddenly shouted back. "We live outside of Archet!" Realizing what she had done, she quickly cowered behind the three men, with the latter not looking thrilled by that. "Oh!" Faced with this problem, Ymir could only think of one solution. "You can go then."

The baffled humans had their mouths wide open, one even pinching himself in disbelief. They weakly tried to get closer to the demon, step after step. After realizing that they were not dead yet, they bypassed the skeletons, not without looking terrified. Only after reaching one could be considered a safe distance, more or less 100 meters for them, did they acted normally. By fleeing as quickly as they could.

Seeing this, a few that were still present began to have hope of escape this soon to be hell for them. Hesitantly, they gathered as a group and tried to scam their way out. "We also live outside of Archet." Faced with a ploy that a child could see, Ymir had only one thing he could do. PIcking up one of his axe, he hacked the air in front of him a few times. Moments later, not a single soul was in sight. Signaling to close the gates that were defenseless now that every guard had escaped, he returned to meet the protege of Meridiana.

Not seeing fresh blood on the giant monster, Gwendoline and the others could only sigh in relief. At the same time, they wondered if truly no one had been killed. After all, the armor of every one of those foes was painted red with the blood of humans, so they could miss a few drops of a new one. In the dozens of minutes Ymir used to pacify the West, they had the time to read the entire scroll, and were relatively pleased.

Of course, they could not remove the idea of their new emperor to dismiss them entirely. The nobles and even kings often bend the law to their own profit, so why not a monster. But at the same time, the fact that he created such a complete set of rules, only to break it later, was weird. It was like making a chair, only to use the nearby rock to sit and not what you created.

"Demon Emperor, I, as the Mayor of Archet, wholly support the regulations you have brought up. But, may I suggest something?" Hearing this, Ymir lightly waved his hand, like he was trained to. Remembering the incessant nagging of Malakov about how to act like a leader, he still didn't fully understand it, even now. After all, what was the difference between lightly waving his hand in a certain way and doing it in another way? However, it was apparently important, and under the watch of Leilade, he had to learn.

"You say here, in article 12, paragraph 4 of section 2 that the garrison will be composed exclusively of undead for, let me see the exact terms ... eternal impartiality. I understand the notion that undead will see all living beings the same way, but, the situation is extreme right now. Is it possible to have seasoned and experienced former guards following the undead, to prevent any bad situations?"

The main fear that they had was that if someone was acting in an illegal way, and they had discovered the full extent of what it meant, the undead will immediately assault the guilty one. However, sometimes, people acted against the law with small infractions that could be resolved peacefully, but could they expect a skeleton to sit and chat to pacify the situation? Just this idea made a few shuddered.

"Present a complete plan tomorrow and I will decide. In the meantime, the rules must be enforced on this very day. By the first light of dawn, everyone should be aware of what it meant to be a citizen of the Demonic Empire." Leaving them, Ymir headed to the City Hall, or more precisely, in front of the City Hall. The deep hole was barely covered and the entire plaza was still in ruins. Looking at the vast space, he could only imagine what will be the final result.

"Wait, where am I supposed to find him tomorrow? Did he said where he was going?" Gwendoline only thought of that after the giant left them alone. Well, still surrounded by a few undead, but with their armors on, they could forget them and act like they were just statues. Also, it was good that it was very early in the morning, that way, they could work the entire day to fix this mess.

"Look over there!" The pale noble had looked back and was shocked by what he was seeing. Soon, the living beings could witness something that was nearly unreal. A vast line of skeletons that were carrying stones, wood planks and other materials from the outside. They entered Archet without any worry and did not even react at the close presence of the humans. Following the trail with their eyes, they saw them heading to the center of the city, toward where the Demon Emperor was going.

"Well, I guess you won't have any problem now, Mayor."

"Indeed, Andre. Indeed." It was obvious that whatever will be built, it will be hard to miss it. Just the sheer amount of stones was already the proof, and they could not see the end of the line. Discussing a bit more, Gwendoline began to send everyone to spread the message. Each had a different target, affiliated to their positions. As for the common people, it was Andre that suggested using the bells of the Church of Oslo.

"I don't think he will be particularly pleased. I mean, we just saw his Hero getting pummeled, or at least, I think it was him." With all the news and such, they only remembered now that a Hero was born. But, truthfully, none of them were particularly enjoyed by that. After all, the Hero, their supposed savior, fled at his first encounter with a Dark God. And didn't even manage to hurt him. But they could not prevent from talking about it since a lot of eyewitnesses were alive.

DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG

The loud sound of the bells launched a wave of cold in the entire city. The last time it had been used was for the terrifying night some weeks ago. The memories being fresh, many imagined the worst. And they were more or less right at doing so. Seeing the pale faces surrounding her, not even one was looking at her with hope. Even the priests were almost curling up, not appeasing the fear at all.

"Citizens of Archet, I am standing in front of you for this is a new day that begins. As you already know, an army composed of many brave men of Avenio was located near us. This morning, they were ... defeated." Strangely, no one seemed surprised. There was still a few cries here and there, but no massive reaction.

"At one point, a light fell from the sky and touched the battlefield. We think it means that a Hero was born once more. Meaning that more and more will appear, to help the civilized nations at fighting against darkness and evil monsters." She was slightly saddened while saying this. Seeing all those children, that were looking at her with stars in their eyes, after she pronounced the word, Hero. Only to know that they will face the brutal truth of reality.

"However, not even the Light of Oslo could oppose them. Without any other choice, we ... I surrendered to the Demon Emperor. From now on, Archet is part of his Empire." Families began to group up as a single entity, comforting themselves of what they thought was their final moments. Even at his point, no one that lived here could affirm that they won't die tomorrow.

"Therefore, new rules are to be implemented. By decree,all guards are removed from their positions, the garrison being replaced by the undead. According to the emergency state,the following statutes are temporarily amended. Right to assembly, suspended. Right to possess a weapon, suspended. Right to ..." The more she talked, the more she felt the hate in the stares of the crowd. But even then, she could not stop, since it would mean that someone could breach rules that they did not know. By the end of her speech, she could not say another word, otherwise, she would be publicly lynched.

Leaving in silence, she could only see the citizens either going back or turning their sights to the church nearby. The priests gladly accepted them, even if they were also worried about the current situation. Being patted on the head, the young woman could only see the former mayor smiling at her. "They will understand it later. That was the best option." Feeling the warmth of another human, her thoughts were turned toward Meridiana, wondering where she was.