Is paying the blood money for one who is subject to retaliation considered freeing a slave?

Question:
And he says, may Allah preserve you: If one is subject to retaliation and you pay the blood money on his behalf, is this considered freeing a slave?

Answer:
No, no, this may be like releasing a captive, yes, it is not freeing a slave. A slave is a slave; he is not a slave, but this is saving him from being killed, yes.