"Sob... Dad, Mom..."

"Ugh... Ugh..."

From inside the tent, I could hear the children quietly sobbing. They must be exhausted today after everything that happened. They’ll likely cry themselves to sleep soon enough. I understand well—back then, I was just like them.

"I hope things don't get complicated tomorrow..."

Lying down on the ground, I gazed up at the star-filled sky. There wasn’t a single light around, so the stars shone brightly.

I had the children use the tent and sleeping bags I bought in town. I lay down some distance away, surrounded by a barrier spell that would keep out monsters and people alike.

After everything, I asked Lutra, Beane, and Alex to explain more about this world. As expected, humans and demons have been at war for years, and they are natural enemies.

"So this is war, huh..."

Their demon settlement had apparently been living in hiding, away from the human race. But one day, a human knight squad suddenly appeared and started killing the people of their village.

Of course, the villagers resisted with all their might, and they managed to kill a few of the enemy, but they stood no chance against the experienced knights. It didn’t take long before the fight was over.

The parents and adults tried desperately to help the children escape, but sadly, these three were captured, and the others were killed.

"After hearing all this, I can understand why the demons say humans are cruel..."

The demons claim humans are brutal, and the humans say the same about the demons. It's a war where both sides are killing each other, so it's only natural.

As for me, I don't feel the need to judge which side is evil or more brutal. I just hope I can resolve things peacefully.

"Alright, we've had breakfast, so let's start moving."

Nothing attacked us during the night, so we made it through safely. I slept on the ground, though, so my body’s a bit stiff. Ah... I'm really starting to feel my age.

We had a simple breakfast—grilled meat, bread, and some fruit, similar to last night.

"Um, Jin-san, where are we going now?"

Lutra asked me.

"For now, I plan to seek protection for you from the higher-ups among the demons and to check the current state of the war with the humans."

I answered her question.

I’d already heard the human perspective on the demons from Marco and the others in town. Now, I wanted to hear the demon side of things.

"Who are these ‘higher-ups,’ old man?" Alex, seeming calmer than yesterday, asked with a bit of his usual defiance.

"The ones at the Demon Lord’s Castle."

"Huh? What are you talking about, old man?"

"Don't worry. I'll protect you all no matter what happens. Now, let's go. Teleport!"

"Jin-uncle!?"

"W-wait, old man?!"

Just like when I first came here, I activated my teleportation magic and whisked the children away.

"Where are we...?"

"Wow, that’s a huge castle!"

"S-so big..."

We arrived in the sky above the Demon Lord’s Castle, where I had been summoned.

I could have teleported directly into the room where I was summoned as the Demon Lord, but among the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Generals, only the one called Libera didn’t seem hostile towards me. It seemed better to avoid unnecessary trouble by entering through the front.

Given the way I left the castle, I wasn’t sure what kind of feelings the Four Heavenly Generals held toward me now.

Since they were at war with the humans, they might protect these demon children. But even though I hold the title of Demon Lord, they might see me, a human, as an enemy.

If that happens, I’ll just have to grab the kids and teleport away again.

"Announce your presence!"

"Who goes there?!"

"You look suspicious, wearing that armor! And why are there children with you?!"

At the castle gate stood two guards, each about 3 meters tall, with the bodies of Minotaurs. The massive gate towered nearly 5 meters, surrounded by tall walls to ward off intruders.

"I wish to speak with Libera, one of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Generals. Tell her that the Demon Lord has arrived."

"Libera-sama? We haven’t heard anything about this! Why would someone as important as Libera-sama talk to the likes of you?!"

"How dare you call yourself the Demon Lord? That's a grave insult to our late king!"

It seemed the gatekeepers hadn’t been informed that the Demon Lord summoning ritual had brought me, a human, into this world. No wonder they were furious, thinking I was an imposter.

Both guards pointed their massive spears at me. I guess they won’t believe me that easily.

"Demon Lord's Intimidation!"

"Whoa!?"

"W-what?!"

Although they didn’t fall to their knees, I could see them take a step back, even as giant guards at the Demon Lord’s Castle.

"Go ahead and confirm it with your superiors. I mean no harm. However, if you choose to oppose me, I’ll blow this castle away."

I tried my best to act like a proper Demon Lord, but how did it come across?