I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

This set of guards didn't have class unlike the ones we met earlier. It was as if the atmosphere changed and would break into an all-out-war. 

But Lilith calmly assessed the situation and answered, "Yes. What does it look like to you? Why would we go all the way here? To stay inside my room and do nothing? Move, or I will make you move."

After hearing those words, the elite guard gritted his teeth while ordering his soldiers to open the gate. The other demonic guards heeded his call and slid the door open, revealing a figure inside. That shape sat on a throne made of skull, bars of gold and silver, which amplified the figure's charisma. As soon as we stepped foot inside, I realised that the man was actually the demon lord.

"The four of you must bend your knees and place your right hand on your chest. Wait for my signal before you could stand again…" Lilith whispered to us, with her eyes remained glued to the throne.

We heeded Lilith's direction and knelt on the ground, with our right hand on our chest. 

"I see. Despite being humans, you have proper manners….Unlike the king who tried offering us with peace while starting a war," the demon lord said, and lifted his hand. "At ease. You are my esteemed guests of the kingdom. Although my daughter has a different mindset from me, I still value her friends."

Much to my surprise, the demon lord was actually a kind individual. The demon lord I had imaged would shout us out from his throne before Lilith could even react. But that thought never happened.

"Thank you, uh…." I stuttered, unsure what to call the leader among demons.

The demon lord noticed my troubles as he shook his head with a smile. "You can call me Abaddon, the demon king….Just Abaddon."

"Okay...Abaddon. Thank you for your hospitality. But we have come here to offer a suggestion!" I exclaimed, and glanced at Lilith. "And your daughter here has something to tell you."

Lilith stood from the ground and acknowledged my call. She returned the gaze of her father and spoke her suggestion in detail.

"Fathe…..," Lilith started, but corrected herself. "Demon king….I propose that we offer the humans a treaty."

"I have tried that before, but that treaty didn't work. Those humans were the first one to attack the borders," the demon king retorted, even before Lilith could finish her sentence. "If you have nothing to say, my child, please leave this room-."

"No, father! Listen for what I am going to tell you!" Lilith shouted.

But after Lilith raised her voice, those demonic guards aimed their weapons at our figures. Fortunately, the demon king intervened and raised his hand. Those soldiers retracted to their position and expressed their apology.

If I remembered it correctly, these demons did not allow any rebukes from anyone. And that could be applied to relatives, including Lilith, who was Abaddon's daughter. The guards just reacted to the law and performed their duty. Since Abaddon was aware of that action, he let it slide and proceeded with the topic.

"Okay, Lilith. You may speak."

As soon as Lilith got his father's permission, she explained her plans. "We could renew the treaty we have presented before and add more leeway from it! Since the previous contract only says peace from each faction, that is not enough! The two sides must share resources in order to fulfill that course of action!"

"We need to build roads and expand our trades to the humans. Each of us could let others inside the kingdom to produce more food and resources! Our products would expand beyond our imagination, which would also increase the market and industry! If we extend our hands across those kingdoms, the humans would have no choice but to accept our offer! Since the famine continues growing like a plant, we must nurture its soil! We would either die from starvation or from this war! I could support that claim, since I befriended a human. These generous people are out there, helping other creatures! And the only way to live in this cruel world is to set aside our differences and work together!" Lilith continued, and ended her thoughts there.

Some guards who listened to Lilith's speech snarled, while others agreed. Since we were just victims of this nature, Lilith's goal seemed worthwhile. Even the elders from afar had mixed emotions after hearing such a suggestion.

However, those demons who opposed that information continued growling at Lilith. They didn't want such a motion to happen, considering their hatred against humans. 

"My lord, if I may speak! Your daughter's proposal is appealing, yes. But it doesn't mean that could happen! Those humans are greedy creatures who know nothing but trouble! And Lilith is living an ignorant life. For thousands of years, humans and demons fought against each other. Now is not the time to act rashly and form an alliance!" an elder demon raised his concerns, as he stepped foot near the king.

Lilith narrowed her eyes and retorted, "No! You're wrong! Now is the great time to change our perspectives! Can't you see what's happening around us?! Thousands of demons are dying because of our pride! We hate losing to those humans and we want to take revenge against what they did. And those humans would do the same! It's just a cycle of hatred, which would create more chaos! Nobody wins in a war, especially if we have limited resources! We could end this war by…."

"SILENCE!" Abaddon yelled, and muted Lilith and an elder demon. "Both of you keep yapping about one thing after the other! The two of you have something to offer. And you, the elders of the demonic kingdom. Have you seen the situation first hand? Did you stroll at the plaza and view the lives of those devilish children wanting to live?"

Those elders who heard Abaddon's question shook their heads simultaneously. "We do not have the luxury to check on those children! They are just a liability for our kingdom! We should focus more on strengthening our military power, defenses, and our weapons! If we conquer the land of humans, we will gain more lands to feed those devils."

"That is the sole problem of our kingdom! You lots focus more on the military topics instead of the people! I am not the king here but the people residing in this kingdom! If you dare oppose me with that thought, fight me in a cage. You could take my throne any day you want. I am always ready to fight you."

After saying those words, those elders shut their lips and remained silent for a while. They couldn't oppose their ruler, since Abaddon was the strongest demon in the land. He fought his way from the toughest participants and earned his title from there. 

Abaddon heaved out a sigh and continued where he had left. "It was like what Lilith….my daughter had mentioned. This kingdom needs that peace badly more than anything in this world! However, those humans refuse to give in to our demands, especially the church! That damn king treats us as his enemies, and would do anything to annihilate us."

"Lilith. I will accept your offer and follow your suggestion to maintain the peace you envision. But I cannot accept that plan just yet. We must know what King Arthur would say about that offer. If he would accept our equal demands with the rest of those trades, I will humbly obliged with the treaty. But if that bastard King still sees us as monsters, I have no choice but to wage war against him….Before he could even attack our home, I must first charge the attack. And the only way to do it is by….Asking him directly."

Luckily, Abaddon was willing to accept the treaty. And the only thing we needed to do was to hear Arthur's reaction about this novel treaty. 

I didn't know anything about King Arthur, since he resided inside Camelot. But if Abaddon mentioned those facts, changing King Arthur's mind would become a problem.

"We can try, father! We will go to the kingdom of Camelot and request a summon for King Arthur. I have my friends with me in case the situation heads south. But until then, everything will go according to plan."

Lilith's confidence went unmatched as she said those words. The gleam in her eyes raised the morale of the ones who supported her. Those demons who scorned her ideals left the room and grunted, hoping she would lose. 

"And what about our guests? Are they going to get involved in this adventure?" Abaddon asked, as he gazed into my eyes. "What is your name, child?"

I raised my head and answered the demon king's question. "My team wants nothing more but to create peace against the two factions. We are on the neutral side to help everyone in need. I could see that you have a kind heart compared to the demons I've met…."

Apologies for the late introduction. My name is Arthur.