"We will also increase the security accordingly after getting a clear idea of the situation. Till we investigate, I suggest you all to start alert and notify the authorities if you notice anything like this. If it's the work of our enemies, I promise you that they'll be in for a lot of pain," Ryder declared as he looked in the direction of all citizens. "You guys don't need to be scared about anything. I'm here for you guys. All I ask of you is to be alert."
"Alright. Now that we have been informed about the first concern, let's move on to the second. Remember, only raise your hand if you believe the matter is important," he told the citizens as he again started looking for people with concerns.
People once again raised their hands. The number of hands was no less than the number of hands that were raised before.
Ryder glanced over the people that had their hands raised and selected another person.
"You, the demon with black hair in red clothes," Ryder said as he pointed towards one of the men.
The other people lowered their hands and started looking towards the man.
"Greetings to Your Highness," The man greeted Ryder as he dropped to one knee.
"Speak," Ryder told the man as he nodded his hand.
" Your Highness, My concern might not be as important as the interference of Death Domain in our Demon Realm, but I feel like the life of us here would improve a little if this problem is solved," the man told Ryder as he hesitated a little.
" It's fine. You can speak," Ryder told the man.
The man opened his mouth and closed his mouth again as if he was still hesitating, but as he saw Rale glaring at him as if warning him to be fast, the man finally started speaking.
"It's about an official! I came from the domain of Marquis Glaria. The main purpose of me coming here was to talk to Duke Devilia, but it was proving to be difficult. I told the City Guards about my concern, but even they refused to believe me. I was hesitant if I should speak before you or not because I wanted not to do it in public, but I don't think I can talk to the Duke otherwise or if anyone will believe me or not," The man explained with a concerned look on his face.
Duke Devilia looked at the man as she frowned, wondering what he was talking about. She hasn't received any information. Did her guards really bury a crucial piece of information? She decided to investigate about this later.
"I guess you're concerned about your security. Don't worry. I assure you that nothing will happen to you. Just be clear and tell your concerns. I would be happy to hear them and find a solution for you," Ryder told the man as he looked in his direction.
"I am here to talk about our Marquis," The man said.
"Marquis Glaria?" Ryder muttered as he tried to remember, but he didn't remember meeting any Marquis called Marquis Glaria. He hadn't met many Marquis at all since he had mostly been in the upper echelon.
"I believe that Marquis Glaria is dead, and the Minister of Marquis Glaria is taking care of our land in his stead! Under a different leadership, the quality of life in our place is deteriorating," the man blurted out.
"Marquis Glaria is dead?" Duke Devilia exclaimed in surprise.
Ryder looked at Devilia and frowned. Looking at her reaction, it seemed like she had no information that he was dead, which could only mean that the Marquis Palace hadn't shared the information. How did this man know about it then? If they had kept it a secret that even the Duke didn't know, then how was it possible for a normal citizen to know about it.
" What makes you believe that Marquis Glaria is dead?" Ryder asked the man as he frowned. x
"There are many things that made me believe it. Marquis Glaria cared about the citizens, and he was a just leader, but there is no justice left in our place anywhere. He also had monthly meetings with the citizens, but that has stopped too. No one is allowed to meet the Marquis anymore. No one had seen the Marquis from the last two months either. Something is really strange. If he's indeed dead, then it would indeed make sense. I can't be a hundred percent certain, but I'm almost a hundred percent sure that the Marquis is dead, and the Minister is trying to use the Marquis name to collect power," The man told Ryder.
Ryder nodded his head before he glanced back at Devilia.
"Duke Devilia, you're more aware about your Duchy. What do you say about the concern of this man?" Ryder asked Devilia.
"That is indeed a serious accusation," Devilia said as he frowned. She looked in the direction of the man before she continued. " You know that if it turned out to be a lie, you could be convicted, right?"
"I know. That's why I waited for so long before coming here, hoping that Marquis Glaria would appear, or I would get a signal of him being alive, but nothing happened. I had to take this decision. Even if I'm wrong and I'm put to death, at least I would get my satisfaction that he is alive. If he's not, then that too can be handled as long as people know about it," The man replied in full seriousness.
"Alright. I will address your issue. Devilia, Send some people to the Palace of Marquis Glaria. I need the answers. If Marquis Glaria is actually dead and the Minister didn't inform anyone, then he shall be put to death," Ryder told Devilia after looking back at her.
"It will be done," Devilia nodded her head.
She looked back at her Chief Guard and told him to go to the Palace of Marquis Glaria and investigate this matter. She also told him to take a small amount of force to be ready if any unforeseen situation appeared.
The Guard Chief nodded his head before he left.
"Also, make sure that man remains safe. Find the guard that stopped this information from getting to you and deal with it accordingly," Ryder said again.
Devilia once again nodded her head as she sent another guard to bring the man inside the palace. She was going to find the guard that this man was talking about later.
****
"Alright. Two concerns, and both were valid. I wish I could take more, but I need to leave for other places as well. I only have time to listen to one more," Ryder declared as he glanced at the citizens once more.
People raised their hands once again, but Ryder noticed that there was a kid this time who was raising his hand.
It was a girl who seemed like she was 14-15 years old.
Ryder had noticed the girl before because there was a strange tattoo on her face that seemed quite intriguing. Ryder had already seen the girl just as he had come out to the balcony of the palace. The girl hadn't raised her hand before, and it was her first time now.
'Was she hesitating before, or did she just come up with something?' Ryder thought as he looked at the girl.
He raised his hand and pointed towards that girl.
"You! The young girl in red. Speak what you want to say," Ryder said to the girl.
The girl looked at Ryder without any expression on her face, but she didn't say anything.
" Don't be scared. You can speak about anything," Ryder told the girl as he smiled.
"What is it that you wanted to say?" Ryder asked the girl.
The girl looked at Ryder and slowly opened her thin lips as she spoke five words.
Even though the girl only spoke five words, the words were enough to send a frenzy. People started getting restless. Even High Duke Mila and Rale were shocked as they started looking at the girl.
Their expressions turned severe, and even a little bit of killing intent appeared in their eyes.
Duke Devilia also looked at the girl threateningly.
"How dare you speak those words to the Prince! Do you wish to die!" Duke Devilia told the girl as she glared at her.
Her powerful intent pressed down on the girl, but she controlled her strength.
Even Ryder couldn't understand what was happening. He was in a daze after hearing the girl's words.
He saw people getting angry at the girl and came out of his daze.
"Devilia, stop!" Ryder said as he raised his left hand and gestured to her to stop.
Devilia stopped and retracted her killing intent. Rale and High Duke Mila did the same, but they still looked at the girl with hostility.
"Everyone, calm down. Let me talk to the girl myself! No one will interfere!" Ryder declared in a powerful voice.
