"So that's my idea, any questions?" I finished explaining my plans to the assembled demons.

The group had mixed reactions as we stood inside my cave. Jelmak was puzzled, yet somewhat excited at the prospect, Etragos was contemplative but stoic. Astragoth was nodding a lot with a mischievous grin, while Kalrun was confused.

I had just explained my intention to found a wizards school in the Abyss. I intended to build a place here, to perform my experiments, develop infernomancy, build a wizard's tower, if that were possible and gather like-minded demons.

I knew it was a bit of a stretch, Wizardry was not well-liked in these parts. But I was pretty sure some would be interested, present company being an example.

"My lord, I am not sure this venture will be well recieved by the Abyssal Lords." Etragos informed.

"Would they be hostile to us?" I asked, unfamiliar with abyssal politics.

Kalrun snorted. "When are they not hostile to us? That's a better question." He declared.

Etragos shook his head, shifting into a slight nod, half approvingly. "He is not wrong about them, the Courts of Chaos is an oppressive regime, while they tolerate domains in the hinterlands. They would crush them if they could." He explained.

I pondered this and how I could avoid annihilation after building my school. If the abyssal lords were as they said, I would be crushed or subjugated the moment I became known.

Glancing around, I prompted others to chime in. "Astragoth what do you think?" I asked the most immature of our group, which signified how desperate I was.

"You want to build Hogwarts in hell, dude that is so metal, I'm in!" He spoke enthusiastically, so that was something. "But yeah, probably should keep it hush hush, don't want a rival demon lord coming in and going all Umbridge on you." He added, still with those inexplicable references, they must be from his world.

I turned to Jelmak, wanting his opinion. The little demon jumped the moment everyone's gazes locked to him.

"Well, master, building your school will be expensive, but we could hire some builders from the courts?" The demon suggested.

"Didn't you hear, we got to keep a low profile Jelly, got to be all sneaky and shit." Astragoth added.

The vulgar demon had a point, but Jelmak was correct, building a school here would require a local workforce. I was nowhere near travelling between worlds. Perhaps with further experimentation, I could somehow hijack a demon summoning and open a portal.

"But Astra, we could hire some Denubians, they are the best builders in the multiverse. They could build the master a giant tower in a few abyssal days, no sweat." He suggested.

"But Denubians are expensive, we don't have the coin for something like that." Astragoth refuted, reaching into his imaginary pockets and withdrawing nothing.

I turned to the side wall, inspecting the collection of stolen loot that had piled up. They all followed my gaze, realising what I was getting at.

"Oh right, we got a crap ton of loot we can pawn off. But will that be enough?" Astragoth asked the group.

"In this economy, probably not," Kalrun answered, not very enthusiastically.

"Is it not worth much?" I asked.

The gazes of the assembled demons all collectively looked to me, perplexed. For a moment I was concerned, I wondered what I said.

"You don't know how much it's worth?" Kalrun asked, tilting his head.

"Nope, not at all, is that surprising?" I wondered aloud, but internally I was concerned.

They believed I was some hotshot demon lord, giving them the impression I was unlearned in abyssal ways, which would invite questions.

"I would think someone as powerful as you would have frequented the courts. But I suppose things like the cost of meagre wares would be beneath the notice of a demon lord." Kalrun rationalised and I thanked him for it.

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"I have been a bit of a hermit for a while, don't know the current market rates." I said, technically true if you omitted the fact I wasn't a demon a short while ago.

"That makes sense." Jelmak, forever in my corner added.

"Well we should see how much we can get anyway. Road trip to the courts?" Astragoth suggested and we all agreed.

With our course set, all that was needed was a plan of attack. Yes, we are going to plan the rise of a new movement, a new era where demon-kind is united with wizard-kind in a union of understanding.

Well, that might be a little too ambitious, but perhaps we should start small and get some money. I wondered what they even used for currency here. Gold, silver? I could ask, but that would reveal my ignorance.

I twitched inside my robes, hoping none of these demons would ask me questions that were difficult to answer. Inspecting my robes I was happy to see my spell was holding up, this place is literally hell on clothes. No wonder all demons just ran around naked. I wondered if a school uniform might be prudent.

"We could sell our wares at the same pawn broker you use." Etragos suggested, gesturing to Jelmak.

The little demon nodded. "Yes she is very fair, when I used to sell odds and ends. I always got a good price for them."

"Then it's settled, we sell our loot and based on the capital we raise, we can decide on step two." I declared with all in agreement.

With the matter settled, we hauled bag after bag of plundered armour and weaponry. Each of the bags had the same cooling spell on them, it wouldn't last forever, but hopefully, this pawnbroker has a more permanent setup.

"Were going to the boom tunnels, woah!" Astragoth fist pumped and I pretended to know what in the abyss he was talking about.

We left my cave, taking flight and heading south. We were pretty far from the courts and it would take a while to arrive.

We flew for hours, luckily this demon body rarely got tired, it was an odd feeling. Natural yet alien to me, but then again it's to be expected. I inspected my form as we flew, trying to fathom its makeup.

I was a spiritual being, I was certain of it. The Abyss was known to be where the damned and evil dwelled, but as far as I could tell, the Abyss seems to be a typical non-material plane, populated by spiritual beings and somehow, material resources.

This place was an utter contradiction that would likely stump all the scholars of my world.

"Are you okay my lord?" Etragos worriedly asked, flying next to me.

I turned to him, stopping my bodily inspection. "I'm fine, just checking to see if my clothes are intact." I lied, well half lied, I did glance at a few singed parts.

"Your clothes look well my lord, you will stand out in the courts. Not many demons wear clothing." He explained and I detected a slight trace of concern.

"I wonder if I should disrobe before entering the city?" I wondered aloud if it was an idea I would consider.

"Your prerogative my lord." He answered, non-committally.

I pondered the idea, but inevitably shelved it for later. My thoughts turned to the courts, I was about to enter the heart of demondom. This was the Courts of Chaos, the seat of power for the major Abyssal lords. A city of demons and possibly a city of former humans, now that was a horrible thought.

"Any place you would suggest to visit while we are in the city?" I asked merely to fill the silence. I mean the wind shear, the sound of flapping wings and chatting demons aside, there was a palpable silence.

I could swear Etragos got nervous the moment I asked, was it such a difficult question? I wondered for a moment, but couldn't determine why he would be so nervous.

"Nowhere worthy for you dark lord." He lowered his head. "Me and the group frequented places of ill repute, I would like to suggest a few places of higher quality if you don't mind?" He offered and I think I figured out why he was so nervous.

He and the boys didn't seem like the elegant gentlemen demons of the Abyss, nor did they seem wealthy or connected. It was a good thing to be honest, I had no idea about any of the nuances when it came to demonic high society.

"Perhaps later, please feel free to speak your mind. What place do you and your companions recommend?" I tried again to pry more details out of him.

"The Ripe Young Maiden Suprise is a great place. Me and Boggy were about to tear that place up before we got summoned by you." Astragoth interrupted, flying beside us. "Um, your dark majesty." He added the title, realising he was quite rude.

The Ripe Young Maiden Suprise, I mouthed the name of whatever establishment it was. He also mentioned a name I didn't recall, another demon perhaps.

"What kind of place is it?" I asked, getting curious.

"It's a dive bar my lord, not a place worth your time." Etragos glared at his fellow demon for even making such a suggestion.

"Come on Etty, you love the Ripe Maiden, I mean who doesn't love a ripe maiden, you know what I'm saying?" He raised his palm to me, expecting something.

The pair of us flew side by side and I waited for him to do something. Nervously he dropped his hand and sheepishly explained his actions. "That was a high five, I suppose dark lords are not into that, sorry dude."

I had no clue what a high five was, but it likely wasn't important. This dive bar as Etragos called it, seemed like the perfect place. It was likely somewhere off the beaten path and I could gather some details on the courts, without engaging with high society.

I nodded, this was a good plan and so it was time to make my move. "I want to visit this bar, I would like to see for myself if it is truly a dive bar as you say." I declared haughtily, Etragos nodded and Astragoth grinned.

"You won't regret it dude, the Denubian Choco-Coffee is epic bruh, really gives you a buzz." He explained with bright eyes, licking his lips.

"Don't forget the TM, the Denubians will sue you so hard your children will still be stuck in a courtroom after your dead." Kalrun shouted.

"Oh yes got to add that trademark, they are so touchy about that." The two made another reference I was again clueless of.

I would like some orientation on everything I need to know about being a demon lord. I am just winging it so far, I swear I must be the only demon in this situation.