Our first target was the slaver's office in Tollot. We appeared in a flash and a foreboding aura spread from us. The owner behind his desk jumped in fright.
"Who dares-,"
"Silence!" I commanded. "You have taken what does not belong to you." I gripped his neck and pulled him up using magic. "All those slaves you have sold today and the ones you still keep, where are they?"
"W-who are you?" He couldn't recognise me, that was good.
A darkness seeped from me, "I asked you a question, answer it."
"You think you can threaten me! Gua-," the word got stuck in his throat as my grip became a choke.
"To clarify I am definitely in a position to threaten you. Now where are the slaves? Human, or demon, all of them, tell me!" He stayed silent but sweat began to pour from his forehead.
"My Lord it seems he refuses to talk, may I 'persuade' him?" Sebastian pulled a knife from his pocket and dreadful smile split his lips.
"By all means."
It threw him over the edge as the man screamed, "I'll talk, I'll talk! Please just don't hurt me."
"Then start," I glared at him.
"W-we keep all our slaves in a warehouse besides the building."
"And the other towns?"
"Wha- I can't tell you tha-." Sebastian's knife gleamed. "In the cabinet, top shelf. There's a list of all our associates that's all I know!"
"Thank you," I dropped him and let out a smile, "But seeing as I'm going to be freeing all your slaves anyway and to make sure you never mess with slavery again, I'll be destroying this place."
"You can't!"
"Watch me." The building began to shake violently and a darkness took over. "Regret the day you angered me."
That night all across the Klerical Kingdom every town and even the Capital that dealt with slavery was dealt a severe blow. Their slaves vanished without a trace, both human and demon gone. Their headquarters were destroyed, their finances cut apart, and the nobles that associated with them had their homes crushed. It was terror. The city guards could do nothing to stop it as reports and confusion filled the night. Those that helped kidnap the demons across the border were found buried up to their necks with a dead look in their eyes. It was an event later named as the 'collapse' as slavery would never rise to power in the country again. All this was done for the lives of his people and those that learnt of who he was were frozen with fear.
In a field beside a forest far from the town of Tollot, across the border to the demon side a mass of people were gathered. They were the slaves freed from captivity. Most were human but the number of demons was no small amount. They were of all different races and together with the humans they numbered close to four thousand.
A figure stood before them,
"To all of those who have been freed I give you a choice!" I yelled out to them and they looked at me with wide eyes. "For those who wish to return home I will let you go freely. You will be given, provisions, clothing and whatever else you need to make the journey but I come to you with another offer. All of you have been treated as slaves, taken from your homes by force or due to poverty, together you have bonded whether you are human or demon." It was true. These people knew that the most, they had been dragged down to the same level and seen the similarities between them more so than any talk could give. "Here where we stand I give you this land under the authority of the Demon Lord! Human or demon all will be accepted and together you will live as one. To those who believe it impossible a town far north from here already exists on this principle. We are not so different, although we may have our own unique talents we are all people. We suffer, we smile and we live on this land. To those who wish to stay, a new home will be made for you. Everything you need to create a town here in this land will be given to you. This is a new beginning for you all, take it!"
A person in the crowd stood up, "Who are you?"
"I am a Hero of the human side and the Demon Lord of the demon side!" I declared it to them all and from my pocket drew my mantle, wrapping it around me as my visage changed. At the same time I showed them the emblem given to me as a Hero. The human's began to mumble but as the demons around them began to kneel so did they.
"Make your decision, know that I will care for you all equally." I walked out of site and Sebastian appeared next to me.
"A brilliant speech my Lord."
I face palmed myself, "I got too into it and revealed my identity…. For anyone that leaves make sure to wipe that part from their minds."
"Of course my Lord."
"Sebastian I'm sorry to load more work on you but can you take care for this new town in my absence?"
"By your will my Lord. I shall find the best workers we have to offer."
"Thank you," I heaved a tired breath and leaned against a nearby tree.
Sebastian became worried, "My Lord you have expended too much of your energy."
"No I'm fine," I smiled. Even for me teleporting and liberating slaves for an entire night was tiring. I did end up recruiting help aside from Sebastian but there were hardly any more times in my life I had put in more effort than tonight. "Though Sebastian I'm sure you felt it as well. What happened tonight was far too easy. I expected to make a dent… but not this much."
His brow drew together, "Indeed it was if someone had already laid the ground work. I'll have our spies look into it. Do not concern yourself more. Stay and rest, even for you tonight was too much."
I shook my head, "No I still have one more thing to do. I'll be heading off. Sebastian I leave this to you to report to my father. Thank you for your service tonight."
"No, thank you for serving your people my Lord," he bowed with a gentle smile, "Your mother would be proud."
"I'll see you later Sebastian."
"Yes, see you later, First."
I pulled off my mantle, clicked my fingers and vanished.
I staggered as I appeared in the Heroes camp site. The sun would rise soon. Thankfully they were all sleeping. Because it was me I didn't trigger Gary's barrier it seems. Quietly I woke up the three demon children.
"I'll take you home now."
They wiped their eyes and came out of their tent, "Take us home?"
"Yes, you said you lived in the Irie forest correct?"
"I did, but how are we going to get there? It's weeks away," Leifa looked at me disorderly.
"For me it'll be fine, now hold each other's hands and mine." We formed a ring together and I let my mana pool together once more as I pictured where to appear. The scenery shifted and I made it as comfortable as possible for them when we appeared. In front of us was the entrance to a small village deep within the forest. It was a mixed village of many races. Thankfully I was able to take them to it directly as it was a place I had visited before.
"We're actually home…." Larg began to sniffle. I walked them to their families. They were all close together and their parents and siblings couldn't thank me enough. As I appeared human they were confused at first, especially when they said I was a Hero but in the end it didn't matter to them. The sun was barely rising. I needed to get back to the Heroes before they woke up but there was one more thing I needed to do.
"Larg," I called to the young orc, "Unfortunately I can't heal you so your arm comes back but maybe this will do." I pulled out a seed I had taken from Sebastian. After digging a small hole I planted the seed and began to channel my mana into it. "I who commands the earth, may you become whole once more. Your form will be an arm and your strength that of an orc, may you grow as he does and protect him as he will nurture you." I felt my energy drain and as I lifted my hand the seed was glowing green. "Larg your arm please." He stepped forward trusting me completely. "Now this may hurt, well a lot actually but please bare it. You can do that right?"
"I can do it!" he responded livelily.
"Here we go," I pressed the seed into where his arm had been cut. The seed began to rapidly grow as I let go. It wrapped and penetrated into his skin and he squirmed in pain but didn't cry out. Eventually the plant took shape and although it was made from wood, he had an arm.
"Th-thank you," he cried.
"It's no problem," I smiled to them all. They must have been so worried when their children vanished. I never wanted anything like this to happen again. I know even I didn't have that power but if I could prevent it even a few times, it was worth it. "I must be off now, my friends are waiting." I clicked my fingers and for the last time that night vanished from sight.
I appeared in the middle of the campsite and collapsed in a heap. I was definitely spent. If the Heroes wanted to kill me, now was a great chance to do it.
"They're missing!" Sayuri yelled as she came out of the tent where the demon children were sleeping.
The others appeared quickly at her words, then they noticed me lying down on the grass.
"Dave you're back!?" Alicia yelped noticing me.
"Yeah… and don't worry I sent the kids home."
Sayuri stepped in front of me. I didn't even have the energy to look up at her so she knelt down, "You idiot."
"Yell at me later, sleep now."
A gentle hand brushed my hair. Thankfully I still had enough mana to keep the illusion on my ears and chest. "Go to sleep, but when you wake up you're getting scolded."
"Right…." I closed my eyes as the sun rose.