"Y-You're really going to release us…?"

"Hm? As you can see, I’ve kept my promise. Now, you’re free to return to your city."

We returned to the place where the initial battle had occurred, bringing along the demons we had rescued from the city.

I had been a little worried, but the humans we had trapped within the earthen walls were behaving themselves. The demons guarding them hadn’t harmed them either and were preparing to transport their fallen comrades back to the demon settlement.

Among the rescued demons were a few acquaintances, and there were joyful reunions. As promised, I released the humans I had confined within the earthen walls.

"…You're keeping your promise? Now that you've freed the demons from the city, we're unnecessary. Isn’t this the perfect time to attack us from behind when we least expect it?"

Legnard, a leader of the human camp, said this suspiciously. I hadn’t asked him to, but he and a few of his subordinates had accompanied us here. As the person in charge, he was here to retrieve the captured soldiers.

Seriously, how suspicious can you be of me…?

"I’ve said it multiple times already—don’t forget that I could kill you all at any time without resorting to such tricks."

"………………"

"More importantly, make sure none of your men attack us after their release. If anyone strikes first, I won’t hesitate to kill them."

"…Understood."

I didn’t think they’d be reckless enough to attack after being cowed into submission by my Demonic Overlord aura, but you can never be too careful.

"Also, as I’ve informed your city’s lord, if you ever attack my kin, the demons, again, I won’t hold back. Not just the soldiers who come to fight—every single human in your city will die. Don’t forget that."

"………………"

Yep, threats need to be strong. Saying it this way should ensure that even if the lord of the city does something foolish, this Legnard guy will do everything in his power to stop it.

Well, if that happens, he might be held responsible and punished, but the more people stopping a reckless decision, the better.

"…One more thing. We’re leaving now. Go and lay your fallen comrades to rest. Leaving them exposed like this will bring no peace to their souls."

The bodies of the human soldiers were still scattered around. The demons had already covered their own fallen with cloth and were loading them onto wagons to transport them to their settlement for burial.

"…Are you truly the Demon Lord?"

Legnard stared at me in shock, seemingly bewildered that I, the Demon Lord, would show concern for human bodies.

"Indeed, I am the Demon Lord. In the world I come from, the lives of demons and humans are equally precious. It’s better to avoid conflict whenever possible. I pray that no more battles like this one occur."

"………………"

Legnard and the other humans still looked at me with suspicion, but they refrained from attacking the demons.

"Let’s move out."
"Yes, Demon Lord!"

After confirming that the demon forces were heading back to their settlement, Libera and I followed. For now, we would accompany them to their settlement.

Some of the demons cast hateful glares at the humans, but none acted out or attacked. Though reluctantly, they seemed to be abiding by my authority.

Phew… For the moment, it looks like I’ve managed to stop the fighting at this front line between humans and demons. That said, there are still other conflicts ongoing. First, I need to stop them all.

Then, I’ll protect the human captives held by the demons and rescue the demons captured by the humans. …There’s just so much to do. I hope things calm down before this old man collapses from overwork.

"Demon Lord, we are truly grateful to you for everything!"

We had safely arrived at the demon city, and I was now visiting the home of the city’s elder. He was an elderly man with purple hair and red skin, sitting beside a towering four-armed demon who had commanded the demon army earlier.

"Think nothing of it. Rather, I must thank you for following my sudden orders without resistance."

"Not at all! From what I hear from Wolui, if you hadn’t appeared, we would all have been annihilated. The humans would have stormed this city and left nothing but destruction in their wake."

It seemed the four-armed commander’s name was Wolui.

"My apologies for introducing myself so late. I am Jaiji, the elder of this city."

"Elder Jaiji, thanks to Lady Libera of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings and the new Demon Lord himself, we achieved victory in this battle. Not only that, but the Demon Lord even attacked the human city and rescued our captured kin!"

"Our captured kin, freed from the humans!"

"Yes. They are being tended to now, but fortunately, none appear to be in critical condition. Some of them were taken from other cities, so we plan to return them to their homes as soon as possible."

It seemed all the captured demons had survived. I had checked myself, and though they were slaves, they hadn’t been treated too harshly.

From what Marco and the others in the human city had said, I’d expected the captured demons to have been treated far worse, but it seemed that city was relatively moderate in its treatment.