Lucas couldn't give a solid answer to save his life. He had been a cowardly scoundrel fleeing from war for the past ten years, so he didn't deserve respect from someone who had been through that hell. When he saw Frieren walking away, he saw a glimmer of opportunity and said, "Save me, woman; don't let this man kill me."
"Wrong answer!" Damian disappeared from his position and struck Lucas' chin, sending him rolling several times on the ground. Frieren turned, looked at Lucas, and said, "What disgusts me most about humans is the hypocrisy they live in; many of you hide from your destiny and do horrible things like taking away others' lives. I don't care if you die now; you would do a favor to those who strive to survive."
Lucas felt as if his chest was suffocating; he spat blood, and the overwhelming, imminent death left him speechless. "You're not worthy of being called a warrior."
Crack!
Damian kicked Lucas in the stomach, sending him flying and crashing into a tree about twelve feet away. Seeing this kind of man who had opened his eyes to doing the right thing for everyone, he knew that a world without peace was something his efforts would render useless.
To be honest, now was not the time for peace; if this were so, there would be no way for all the deaths of those warriors to be of any use.
Clang!
Damian threw a sword at Lucas and said, "Take the sword and fight like a warrior if you have the will; maybe in your next life, you can truly appreciate your actions."
Lucas didn't dare to take the sword.
Frieren had not withdrawn; she wanted to see how this person died now. What she discovered, which partly impressed her, was Damian's sudden change in personality when he fought; she had never seen him like this before.
"Not so bad," Frieren thought, looking at Lucas, who didn't want to take the sword.
Damian, seeing the imminent shame Lucas represented, stopped wasting time, pointed his hand at him, and murmured, "Purple lightning."
Boom!
Lucas died with his final thoughts, categorizing Damian as a dark mage who would do anything to enforce an idealistic wish. If that man could end the demon or at least stand against it, then that means Damian was looking for something more.
"You should have made it less graphic; torturing him will bring nothing but a death like now." Frieren gave little importance to things that wasted people's time.
Damian looked at Lucas and said, "Since we are friends, do you understand the nature of humans?"
"A bit, does it matter?"
"I'm just trying to talk."
Frieren approached Damian, looked at all the wreckage around, and said, "These humans are no different from demons who fight for their own interests; there are many more like them, and there will continue to be even when we are not."
Frieren's words answered Damian's question, and taking advantage of the fact that the slave traders were being killed right now, he gathered all those who, until recently, were slaves.
"My name is Damian Williams; I am a noble from the north, where life is not as pleasant as in the south, where nature flourishes. But I am the one who has given you freedom, healed your wounds, and will protect you for those who want to follow me to my territory."
The more than three thousand slaves listened to Damian in silence; not all of them had had the opportunity to look at his face, let alone hear his voice. Even so, now that they had that opportunity, they all felt safer.
"I have fought against demons, but years ago, I realized that if I don't first create a fief where everyone can live freely, I will never make the efforts of my fallen comrades worthwhile. Now I invite you to be part of my people; I promise that everyone will be protected and that you will never go hungry as long as you are men, women, and children with aspirations."
Everyone felt the excitement of knowing they would no longer be slaves; many wanted to return to their homeland and knew that following Damian was the only way to achieve it.
"For Lord Williams, for freedom and the north."
"My life and sword are at your service, my Lord."
"We won't let you down!"
Frieren watched as thousands of people kneeled before Damian; it all seemed so easy that it seemed unreal to her, and she murmured, "Forgive me, master, I couldn't follow your advice to remain hidden and not attract attention."