'Aren't you forgetting something?'

The corrupted version of Claire's own voice reminded her of one important detail that she had completely lost sight of.

'What was the whole reason for hiding the fact that Gary built those factories in the first place?'

'Er.... for the people who couldn't accept me to gather together, allowing the people of the city to take a side on the issue of their own free will?'

'When you say it like that you don't sound like a dictator at all, Claire. It was to allow them to gather together under the guise that a hero would appear to save them.... only to dash every last bit of hope from their hearts.'

Clarice laughed devilishly as Claire flew through the air.

'Heh heh.... basically, you need to take advantage of the situation now. Isn't it about time we capitalized on this little predicament?'

Claire nodded, agreeing with the evil voice.

'I guess you're right.... I was the one who started this, and now it's time for me to finish it.'

Stopping mid flight, Claire began to select a number of screens before making a call.

[You have been connected to all inhabitants of the city]

With a deep breath, Claire spoke firmly.

[Hello, my slaves. It is the Determined speaking, your mistress who you should be serving with utmost loyalty. I do hope that those who are still alive are having a wonderful day. And to those who are not, I hope that you are suffering as much as possible in hell.]

Time itself seemed to freeze as this angelic voice entered the minds of the people in the city.

Some were astonished and amazed, while others were filled with terror.

'The Determined....'

'She's gone so far as to invade our minds.....'

'She will likely come for our bodies next....'

[Ahem.... I would like to begin with a short word of gratitude to those who have taken up responsibility and followed my lead without question. To the former leaders of the mafia, and all those who have followed their lead as my new and loyal slaves....]

A short pause of silence left the people waiting, holding their breath to hear the words of the woman.

[Thank you.]

These words were spoken with such angelic grace that even to those who were barely involved, their hearts were overcome with joy and calmness.

'She....'

'That woman said thank you....'

'I..... I know that she is a demon.... yet for some reason..... I feel so calm.....'

'How can a single phrase cause me to feel something like this?'

The people of the ratmen village were overcome with a strange feeling of reassurance at this simple phrase.

It was not that Claire had used any sort of spell or brainwashing, nor had she used any sort of charismatic boost to enter the hearts of the people.

Rather, she simply cared that much about them.

Each and every one of them.

Regardless of what stance they took on her own takeover of the city, and regardless of whether they believed her to be a demonic existence of chaos, she did not care.

She could forgive all that.

'I don't need to be seen as a hero. I only need to love my people, and care for each and every one of them. That much.... is enough.'

Because of this resolve in Claire's heart, her own angelic voice carried such a deep display of sincerity that the people could not help but be lifted on their feet above the superstitions and prejudices which they held against their demonic dictator.

'Could this really be a demon speaking?'

'Could a demon really have such a beautiful voice?'

However, even at this, there still remained those who did not trust the woman speaking.

'Of course a demon could have a beautiful voice.... hasn't anyone ever heard of it? She must be a siren!!! A beautiful woman who calls people towards her, enticing them with beauty and kindness..... only to ensnare them within her horrid fangs.'

[But I am not speaking to you right now because I wish to thank you. I am speaking to you right now to inform each and every one of you of the things which have occurred in this city, just today.]

The angel quickly took up a serious tone as she spoke.

[When I first took over this city as a dictator, enslaving the ratmen as my subordinates, there were many who were fearful of me. There still are. I know this. And you are right to do so. However, that fear has led some people to..... irrational decisions.]

A sinister and twisted voice seemed to take over as Claire said these words, wrenching the hearts of the people who listened back and forth.

[It seems that a hero appeared within this city today..... a hero who had the goal of slaying me, and removing me from my rule. And many flocked to this hero, in the hopes that he would save them.]

The disappointment in the voice of the angel was immeasurable, as if her very day had been ruined by the appearance of such a hero.

[But.... unfortunately for these people, heroes don't exist in this world. And now, neither do those people.]

Claire began to laugh, her own twisted and maniacal cackling being broadcasted to the people all over the city.

[Some hero this person was. He was truly weak, powerless before me. What do you all think? Is a hero someone who stands up against evil even when he is powerless to do anything, showing that useless courage in the face of an unconceivable foe? Or is a hero someone who has the power to defeat their foe, and uses it to do so?]

At this point, Clarice had taken well over half of Claire's body, and was speaking for her.

[Heh heh heh... the answer is neither. Neither one is a hero. The first is a fool. This one will die a meaningless death- and for what? Ideals? Morals? Something so fleeting as a subjective view of the way things should be?]

Frozen by the words of the demon, the people began to quiver with every line she spoke.

[If you are in a position where you can do nothing, then you should do nothing. 'I couldn't just sit by and do nothing'. So what? You went and threw yourself at the enemy to be killed off? For what? Your pride? So that you wouldn't be labeled as one who gave in? There's no reason to do that. That's all it comes down to. Pride. One of the greatest sins of this world.]

Recalling the arrogance in the look of Oscar, and his own unconcerned and even annoyed face as he drove off, Claire almost wanted to spit on the ground.

[It is pride that causes people to believe they are right, when they are wrong. Who are you to decide that you're doing the right thing? Who are you to decide that what you're standing up for is correct? Isn't that just assuming that the other person is evil, and that you're good?]

Claire closed her eyes and nodded her head slowly, though her face could be seen by none.

[Enough of that. Enough assuming that you are good. I'm here to let each and every single one of you know. YOU are evil. YOU are the problem. YOU need to stop looking at everyone else like they're some sort of villain for going against you. Take a look at yourselves. Take a good, long look. Look at the person next to you. Look at the one you hate the most. Look at the person you're fighting with. Try to understand why they're doing what they're doing. Try to understand what they feel.]

The demonic tar which overcame Claire began to retract, and she then spoke to all the people with an angelic voice, filled with kindness.

[Do you really think that if you put yourself into their position, that you wouldn't do the same as them?]

With a long sigh, the breathing of the angel filled the ears of the people.

[There are only a few people that I have met who I truly cannot forgive. The people who no matter how much I think, and no matter how much I put myself into their position, I cannot find myself sympathizing with them.]

Thinning her eyes, the angel continued speaking.

[Those people who throw aside others like they are nothing, focused only on their own gain. The people who don't even look at others.... only using them as tools. People of the ratmen village!!! I am a dictator!!! I am a slavemaster!!!! I am a demon, a monster, a villain, a horrible creature!!!! You have every right to hate me! You have every right to be suspicious of me, and every right to want me to leave!!! You have every right to believe that you're being suffocated by my presence, and that I'll destroy you all!!!!! But I am speaking to you to tell you something.]

Claire shouted out with fervor, appealing to the hearts of the people. She couldn't allow herself to abandon them. She wanted them to know that she did care, and that she did view each and every one of them as a person.

[The hero which you all believed would save you from me..... is gone. I have defeated him soundly, because he was among the first type of false heroes..... he was the type of hero who took on a monster that he could never possibly hope to kill.]

Silence filled the streets of the cities as Claire said this.

A smirk drew itself across her face, and she couldn't stop herself from lightly laughing.

There were many people who trusted that a hero would save them from their dictator, however now they were presented with the cold hard facts.

Such a hero would never again come to their aid.

[And then there is the second type of hero.... the type of hero who holds the power to do what he believes is good, and uses it for those purposes. Perhaps this hero will defeat criminals.... protect the innocent.... rush around helping everyone they can..... but at the end of the day, who is to define who is innocent?]

The voice froze the people, making them question their very selves as terror filled their hearts.

[Isn't innocence just a facade? Isn't there some evil deep down within each and every person walking this planet?]

With controversial words, the corrupted voice shook those listening to their very core- making them question their own ideals.

[At the end of the day, if a hero uses their power to go around defeating those they consider to be evil... if they go around destroying those that they disagree with.... then aren't they just a glorified bully?]

With a light laugh, Claire snorted at the very notion of heroism.

[A bully who bullies those who bully..... however isn't this exactly why people are bullied in the first place? A child is abused at home, so when he goes to school he picks on someone weaker than himself. This leads to a vicious cycle. One after another, more and more people are subject to this harassment. It will never cease.]

With a pause, Claire took a deep breath as she closed her eyes before speaking once more.

[And that is why..... I will become the ultimate bully. The first hero is powerless to do anything, and loses his life for no reason. The second ends up destroying others in an attempt to save others. Then, let me ask. Does having power mean that what you do is just?]

A high pitched laugh overcame the angelic figure, mocking the very pretense of her question.

[NO!!!! Absolutely not!!! Why the hell would anyone think that!?!? Having the power to do something doesn't make it right!!!! If you have the power to save someone, that should be obvious!! It shouldn't even be a choice! You save them! That's that! Nobody should need to thank you for doing something so obvious!!! Nobody should be considered a hero for doing something so obvious!!! If you aren't even giving anything up to help someone, can you really say that you've done anything heroic!?!]

With a bitter chuckle, Claire answered her own question posed to the people of the city.

[The answer is no. You haven't. You haven't done shit for anyone. Yet.... because of the corruption of this world.... because there are selfish people out there who would never so much as consider lifting a finger for others- even when they have the power to do so.... because of the rotten condition of this mindset, even doing something so obvious has become an act of heroism.]

[That isn't heroism.]

[That's just self satisfaction.]

[But lo and behold. Here I am. I'm the Determined, and I'm a self satisfying bully. I'm here to kick the shit out of anyone that I consider to be evil, and I'm not about to sit back and let anyone kill my people while I just watch. Consider this a warning and an invitation.]

[I invite each and every one of you to come under me. In doing so, I will ensure that nobody will harm you. I will protect you, and I will bully anyone who decides to look down on you. Why? Because I am an angel, but I am also an demon.]

[And to those of you who wish to become false heroes, rise up. Go against me. Hate me. Look at me with fear and terror. I don't give a shit. Do what you want. However if you decide to lay a single hand on a person I care for..... then I will become far worse than a mere demon.]

With a horrid smile, Claire couldn't contain herself as her own bloodlust escaped her mouth.

[I'll become suffering itself.]

With this, Claire began to fly once more, slowly traveling across the city skies.

[So if weakness means that you're a fool, and power means that you're a bully, then how is it possible to become a hero?]

These words were spoken with lament.

Claire had failed in her own duty to become a hero, and had instead become the very bully which she never wished to be.

Even so, she could do nothing more than accept this.

[In order to become a hero.... you must sacrifice. If there is one in a situation where sacrificing themselves will provide some use to others..... only then can such an action be considered heroic.]

Recalling back to her own death and the pain which she felt, Claire spoke sadly.

[Perhaps if one's death has meaning to it, then they can be considered a hero..... but if their death holds no meaning and helps no people, then didn't they just die as a dog?]

'Meaningless....'

'My own death was meaningless.....'

'But that is fine.... because through my own death, I have been placed into this world with the power to face that man.....'

'Therefore..... in this life, I will prove that my death was not meaningless.... by killing him.'

'And by protecting each and every one of my people..... and then some.'

Claire smiled lightly, gaining new purpose.

[Therefore, don't worry too much. I don't expect any person in this city to become a hero or to sacrifice anything. The only thing I ask of you is to give up your pride, and cease your conflicts. My order remains in place. I am your dictator and your slavemaster, and disobedience will not be tolerated. Violence will be punished with death. Now then.....]

The demonic voice took over one last time, shattering the lifted hearts of the people.

[Let's get along, shall we?]

----

Four people sat on a couple of couches inside an office.

A dark grey gerbil woman with a robotic arm and leg sat next to a haughtily dressed ferret with blazing red eyes.

Sitting across from these two were two teenagers- a white female mouse kin and a grey male rat kin.

The two teenagers seemed to be biting their lips in remorse.

"Are you saying that we shouldn't have done anything, C?"

"Are you saying that we should have just let him say those things about you? That we should have just walked away, saving our lives and letting people say those horrible things?"

All four of these people of course had been tuned into the speech which Claire made to the entire city, and this left the teenagers wondering.

'Just what should we have done?'

It was at this moment that the door burst open, and in came an angelic figure who was stretching her arms far above her head while yawning loudly.

"Auuuuuuuu... what a long day it's been..... ah! You four are all still here? I still have work to do.... being a dictator is too much for someone like me."

"C."

"C."

The two looked at Claire with serious eyes, and the girl noticed their demeanors, becoming serious as well.

"Yes?"

"Did you mean everything you said just now..... all that about weakness only proving how useless you are, and that those who are weak are nothing more than fools if they stand up to the strong?"

Claire looked upon Mori with kind eyes as he asked this, desperately begging her for an answer.

He looked shattered, as if everything he believed in had been betrayed.

"I meant every word of it."

"C!!! Do you understand why we came back here injured!?"

"I have an idea. Go ahead. Tell me."

Sitting down on one of the couches, Claire leaned forward.

"The man we fought.... he said such evil things about you.... he called you a demon, and we couldn't forgive him for making such statements. I understand.... me and Lisa were powerless against him.... we couldn't do anything! We got lucky that Fina and Tiffany arrived to help us.... but even so, are you saying that we should have just let him say those things and walked off like nothing happened!?!?!"

Mori was clearly overcome by his emotions.

"What do you think, C?", Lisa asked, interested by her response.

"It makes me happy that you would go out of your way like that for my sake. But Mori.... Lisa.... what would I do if you two had died trying to take on an opponent you couldn't face? On one hand, you walk by without saying anything. On the other, you die needlessly."

Closing her eyes, Claire spoke clearly.

"Lives are worth more than words. If you died trying to protect my dignity, then I don't know what I would do. Only a fool puts his life in danger with no chance of victory. So treasure your lives. Don't throw them away without reason. What would you have accomplished by dying there?"

Mori looked down to the ground.

His heart had become filled with anger in that moment when he attacked earlier, and it would have gone against everything within him to not pick a fight with the person who was slandering Claire.

Yet, he understood that everything Claire said right now was correct.

She was concerned for him.

There would have been no reason for him to die.

And had he done as Claire said, he wouldn't have dragged Lisa into it.

"I'm.... sorry, C. You're right.", Mori stated.

"I was a part of it as well. I'm sorry.", Lisa added.

With a compassionate nod, Claire stood up once more, walking back to her desk.

"As long as you understand, that's fine. Just leave everything in this town to me. I'm a real bully, after all. There's no need for you two to get your hands dirty like I already have."

Sitting down at her desk, Claire grabbed a pen and began twirling it in her demonic hand.

A horrid smile came over the angelic face of the girl, revealing two fangs on the otherwise angelic face of the woman.

"But it's because I've gotten my hands dirty now.... that I can really clean up the grime in this world."