Welcome to the Netherworld!

[lazyvassals]

[It is difficult to define what a normal afternoon is by Netherworld standards. In the dark, torch-lit halls of the Overlord's Castle, penguin-suited prinnies totter about pretending to do work, while most other vassals make no effort at all to pretend. No fights have broken out yet, but it is questionable how long that will last with the Overlord being awake. It is just the sort of calm that comes before something unexpected happens, or someone makes it happen out of boredom.

And that is precisely when the first stranger comes through the swirling vortex of the Dimensional Gate.

It doesn't seem so unusual at first, because people use that gate on a daily basis. But more people start to show up, people who aren't demons. The Gatekeeper herself has no idea where they've come from, or how they've found their way to the Netherworld.

Unfortunately, neither do the unexpected guests.]

Comments

[makainoou]

You heard me.

I guess you don't think you can defeat me on your own, or you wouldn't have come looking for help.

[musicalplum]

[DIRECT HIT] Hgh--! Th-that isn't true! You can't be a prince and a demon overlord! You're...you're a child!

[makainoou]

I'm not a child. I'm 1313 years old.

And I am the Overlord. Or do you need me to prove it?

[musicalplum]

[yeah well Troubadour is [REDACTED] so you're still a kid!]

Yes! Yes, I demand you give me your proof! The sooner this farce ends, the sooner I can talk to the real Overlord!

[makainoou]

Didn't really think you'd ask for it.

[No he is the most grown up mentally. Yeah not really he's totally a kid.

Laharl stands from the throne and raises a fist which is very quickly enveloped in flames.]

I'd dodge this if I were you.

[With that, he leaps up to slam that fist down about where Troubadour is standing.]

[musicalplum]

Geh! [he does dodge, flying easily up and backwards, gritting his teeth as he lands with a swirl of his cloak]

Brute violence! Any demon can do the same! It hardly makes you an Overlord!

[thought it IS surprising such a small boy can do such a fierce attack...]

[makainoou]

Don't be stupid. Violence is exactly how a demon claims the title of Overlord.

That was one of my lowest level attacks. I can be a lot more persuasive.

[musicalplum]

[he lands further away and brings out his harp from behind him]

I was hesitant to use this on a child, but you leave me no choice! A demon is simply a demon, after all! Mushi Mushi Shoukanka!

[he begins to sing, a dark aura coming off him in waves, his voice echoing and more than a little creepy]

Mushi mushi mushishi shi mushi mushi--

[makainoou]

[Sadly that song does nothing to fend off the fist flying straight for Troubadour's face. Actually it pretty much incited it.]

Ugh- Were you singing a bug song at me!?

[Laharl gives a shudder, trying to shake off that squirmy feeling.]

[musicalplum]

Hrf!

[knocked back by the punch, he staggers and ends up falling onto his butt at Laharl's feet. He claps his hand over his nose, reeling from the force of the hit]

I-Ith a curthing thong!

[makainoou]

You were just saying "bugs" over and over again! That's not a curse, it's just lame!

And that's the attack you try to use against an Overlord? It's insulting!

[musicalplum]

Hnngh! Why does everyone keep saying that!? The lyrics don't matter!

[makainoou]

Of course they do! Attack words should instill fear in your enemy. No one could possibly take an attack like that seriously!

[musicalplum]

All that matters is that I'll have you begging me to stop! Your first punch was a lucky shot...!

[he starts again, those same awful lyrics, only this time he's back up in the air and flying in random patterns]

MUSHI MUSHI MUSHISHI SHI MUSHI MUSHI~♫

[makainoou]

Ngh...

[This crawling sensation is annoying, but it's nothing compared to "Eternal Love."

Laharl draws his sword and launches himself into the air on his scarf. If Troubadour wants to fly serpentine, then fine. Laharl will just opt for an attack with a wide strike zone so it will probably hit him anyway. Hope you like Winged Slayer!]

[musicalplum]

[for the brief second he has before Laharl's sword connects with him, Troubadour laughs weakly]

Such a magnificent attack...

[then he is promptly driven back to the ground with a cry of defeat. Much explosion. Very smoke. Wow.

In the wake of the attack, Troubadour is face down and twitching]

[makainoou]

[Laharl alights on the ground so he can stand over him imposingly.]

Now do you understand?

[musicalplum]

[he mutters feebly]

W-Why...did you bring us...here?

[makainoou]

I didn't. The gate is malfunctioning.

[musicalplum]

B-But-- [he coughs and groans, sitting up with smoke still wafting off him]

With your power, you cannot simply send us back?

[makainoou]

No. My Gatekeeper is the one who handles all that.

[musicalplum]

But she cannot, she said it herself! Is it not your, ugh...your duty as Overlord and Prince to handle it instead?

[makainoou]

I told you, Prince is my former title.

As Overlord, it's my job to handle the situation. That means doing something about you lot while she fixes the gate.

[musicalplum]

A-And...what will you do? [he dreads to ask]

[makainoou]

I was just getting to that when you interrupted me.

Maybe I'll make an example of you...