In the dark and enormous hall, with his eyes closed shut, a being that is considered a god stands calm and undisturbed. The cold wind of the hall violently smacks against his hairy skin, while his lungs slowly inhale the surprisingly odourless air around him.

If one was to look at his monstrous appearance, past his shark-like teeth and crooked horns, none would be able to tell what emotions are drawn on his face. Not because he does not have them, but simply because a creature like him has never been seen by the eyes of a mortal. Unexamined, mysterious and unknown.

His outfit is as fascinating as he himself. His black suit, tight and slim, is made out of the most delicate and exquisite materials one could find, while the golden buttons shine brightly even in the absence of light. His grey velvet cape, outlined with the same vivid colour as his buttons, serves as a perfect cover for his simple yet magnificent suit. Finished off with a bright red rose that rests on his shoulder, perfectly matching the overall colour of the outfit.

When one would lay eyes upon his outfit, the first thing they would notice is a dark red belt that is tightly gripping his waist. On it, multiple syringes and scissors of all kind hang off, while a circular golden plate in the middle holds the belt together, and shines just like the buttons on his suit and the outline of his cape.

Tic

Tock

Tic

Tock

As Ulbert stood in silence, the ticking of the small clock located in his black top hat became louder and louder, only increasing in volume the longer he stood still. Slowly, he tilted his head forward and lifted one of his enormous arms, before opening one of his claws wide open and looking at his hairy grey palm, still captivated by the new feelings his new body can offer.

[I...Can't believe it. This is...No longer a game. Everything around me is real...] He thought as he looked at the back of his hand.

"Why" He whispered.

[Why do I not feel horrible...Mere minutes ago I burnt those people to death. They were not NPC's, they were real people with real emotions. They were not a code written by a developer, they were real. Yet why is it that I do not feel remorse?]

Ulbert turned his head and looked at half-naked Vela who is lying unconscious on the cold stone floor. All of the recent events and injuries put a great toll on her mental state and body, so it is no surprise she requires rest.

[I wonder what I should do with her, maybe Andras knowns?] Ulbert thought as this time he turned his head towards Andras who is busy with casting healing spells on the barely breathing survivors.

[What a waste...So many potential followers burnt to ashes]

Ulbert smacked his forehead with his palm.

[God I am so stupid. I will probably be able to resurrect those that did not turn to ash...But is it worth it? Or a better question is...Do they have worth?]

Kneeling over yet another survivor, Andras quickly checked his pulse, making sure that the person is alive before casting a healing spell. Just as before with his friend Tristan, he placed two of his fingers below the man's neck, and a moment later he felt a slow and weak pulse.

“Good” He quickly whispered to himself before slamming his hands together.

“Light Recovery!” He shouted out and almost immediately, a warm vivid green energy enveloped his hands, ready to be cast on the man in front of him. With his eyes now closed, Andras slowly applied pressure to the man’s chest, concentrating on performing the spell without fault.

Light Recovery is a second-tier magic spell that allows it’s caster to apply light healing onto the target. Unlike light healing, this spell is potent enough to restore heavily injured person with ease, from clearing the heart rate to closing severe wounds.

[A second-tier spell?] Ulbert thought as he examined the situation from afar.

[A very weak spell. I am sure if he could he would have casted Heavy Recovery instead, or even Mass Light Recovery...It is as I suspected, everyone here is of low level, do levels work differently in this world?]

The longer Andras pressed his hands against the man’s chest, the clearer his heart rate became, indicating that the spell does in fact work as intended.

“Andras” Ulbert called out as he approached occupied Andras.

“Lord?” He replied as he hurriedly tried to get up, only to be stopped by Ulbert who has placed his hand on Andras’s shoulder, preventing him from interrupting his spell.

“You must not interrupt the channelling of the spell Andras, no need to stand up”

“Of...Of course lord”

“Who taught you that spell?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“M-My previous master, Lord”

“And his name?”

“F-Fluder Paradyne”

“Fluder Paradyne...Maybe I will get to meet him one day”

“I am sure he would be honoured my Lord”

As Ulbert looked to Andras, he noticed how hard he is struggling with the spell. Sweat drips down his nose while his arms shake due to the amount of mana his body uses. The spell is hard for him to execute and that could be seen. One single mistake could do more harm than good.

“It must put great strain on your body to heal every single one of the survivors”

“I do not mind Lord. I will not fail your orders yet again”

“I commend your commitment Andras, but I do not want another loyal follower dead. Allow me to help you out”

“Lord?”

Without saying a word, Ulbert slowly raised his hands.

“Mass Heavy Recovery!” He shouted out and visible green energy quickly appeared above him, all tightly condensed into a small ball no bigger than the size of an average dwarf.

With an easy motion of his hand, the tightly packed energy began escaping in streams and swirling around the hall as if looking for those that still draw breath. After a few quick moments, the energy violently began entering the injured bodies, as if consuming them like ghosts.

“...”

Andras slowly stood up, lost for words he looked to the grinning Ulbert. The magic he just experienced was truly a god-tier, or that’s at least what he considers. Even his master, the most powerful wizard was not able to cast spells of this tier. That, Andras is sure off.

Still kneeling, astounded Andras looked to the person in front of him open his eyes and lift his upper body as if nothing has happened.

“W-Where am I? What happened?” The man asked Andras as he looked around.

“Y-You were chosen as a true follower of our new lord”

[A true follower?] Ulbert thought as he looked at Andras.

“I-I do not know what to say” The man replied, clearly shocked and yet to grasp the situation at hand.

“Lord Baphomet saved your life and chose you as one of those that are worthy enough to serve him. Be thrilled my friend, for this is your fate”

[What an awful sight...Even my stupid and horrible mistakes are seen as a plan. I can’t let them know of my true intentions...If I do who knows what would happen. I have to, no I need to, keep this facade up as long as possible]

As Ulbert looked around, his eyes laid upon dozen of people slowly standing up as if nothing happened to them. Among them was Tristan, who ran to Andras as soon as the two met each other's gaze.

“Andras! What happened?” Tristan asked. Confused as the rest of the now conscious followers.

“Lor-”

“I have chosen you!” Ulbert said out loud, catching everyone’s attention with his menacing voice as it echoed throughout the hall.

As soon as all of the eyes were focused on him, he slowly made his way to the centre of the room where he was summoned earlier today. Only the sound of Ulbert’s hooves is heard smacking against the stone floor, as none dare to speak a word.

And there he stood, in the middle of the hall where he was first summoned. All around him, those that stood up thanks to his magic, surrounded him. Not because they mean harm, and not even because of fear. The only thing spinning in their mind is curiosity, every single one wondering what a demon lord has on his mind.

[Let’s hope this works] Nervous as ever Ulbert thought, silently gulping his fear away. He was never much of a speech man, in fact, the last speech he had was back in high school, when he was forced to present his project in front of his class. This, however, is on a completely new level.

“I…” He said the first word while spreading his arms wide open as if welcoming the ones around him.

“Have deemed you all worthy of serving me. The one true god. I chose you all as my faithful followers, to serve me with all your heart and to help me build a new, better world. Now, what will you choose? Will you serve me? Or scatter around like the rest of the foolish mortals in this world?”

As last of his words echoed throughout the hall, the silence once again took over. And to Ulbert’s astonishment, every single soul around him kneeled before their new god. They have chosen to serve him, and now, he has to command.

“Andras!”

“Yes Lord!” Andras swiftly made his way to Ulbert and kneeled before him.

“You have shown me nothing but loyalty and respect. You were the first one to welcome me into this new world, and you are ready to give your life for me”

Ulbert pointed his wide-open hand at Andras.

“From this moment on, you shall be known as my second-in-command”

[Perfect thinking Ulbert. If I make him second-in-command then I won’t have to take charge of all these followers, I will just give him orders and he will do the rest. Sometimes I amaze even myself]

“I. I-I Do not deserve such honour Lord”

[What?]

“M-My decision is final. Unless you do not wish to serve me of course” Ulbert said as moved his hand away from Andras.

[I hope that did not sound like a threat. I will not harm him if he refuses, maybe I should mention that]

“I-”

“No, of course not” Andras swiftly replied as he tilted his head back to meet his eyes with Ulbert's, not letting him speak a word. Although his face was absent of any emotion, Ulbert could hear the unimaginable joy and happiness in his words.

“It is a great honour to serve you my Lord. I will not disappoint you, I promise!” Andras continued as he shifted his gaze away and lowered his head.

“G-Good. Now, as for your first task in your new role, I want you to select a strong captain that you trust, I am sure you have a good candidate on your mind. Meanwhile, I want to see this world for myself”

“You” Ulbert pointed his finger at a random person kneeling around him.

“Yes Lord?” He asked as he looked up

“Lead me outside”

“Of course Lord, please follow me” The man said as he got up and began making his way to the large entrance door of the hall, all while Andras began fulfilling Ulbert’s orders.

[A captain? Why would Lord Baphomet need a captain if I am already in command? Wait, perhaps he is looking into expanding his followers? That would make so much sense! He knows I would not be able to handle what is coming, so he is preparing for it. Lord Baphomet truly is a mastermind]

.

.

.

[Where the hell are we?] Ulbert thought as he looked to the man leading him through the long and dark corridors of the mine.

[Are we in a mine? This equipment...It must be mine. Now that I look at it, that would be a very good cover. To hide a summoning hall somewhere deep inside a mine, I wonder if Andras came up with the idea]

“When will we arrive?”

“Just a couple more minutes Lord” The man replied as tightly gripped the torch, lighting the way forward with his trembling knees.

“This is quite a large mine”

“Y-Yes Lord. The maze-like levels and corridors provide extra protection from those that wish us harm”

“Harm?”

“Those that foolishly tried to strike you at the summoning hall”

“You do not know of their name?”

“Apologies Lord but no”

[It could be worth looking into. That woman, Vela. She seemed to be the leader of those that attacked. Perhaps Andras knows about it]

After a few minutes of walking the mine, Ulbert began seeing rays of light shining throughout the tunnel. The sounds of birds began reaching his ears drums while the warm air began wrapping around his skin, every second he is closer and closer to the warm light of the outside, and he can feel it.

Rays of light blinded Ulbert as he left the mine, his eyes have adapted to the dark so the sudden flash of the sun was quite unexpected. His body however, could feel everything around him. His ears picked up now clear singing of the birds while warm wind rushed past his clothes and hairy skin. The sensations he has not felt in a long time.

“Amazing” He said as he fully inhaled a lung full of air around him and began looking around the remote area.

Trees of all kinds make up the surrounding forests, and up in the bright blue sky, large clouds flow with ease through the air. Animals roam deep in the forest while the winds rush past the tall pines, spreading their unique and wonderful smell all around the remote area. The sun rays shine past the leaves and light up the path from the mine that leads to the main road, making it easier to navigate the large forest.

[This...Is wonderful] Ulbert thought.

The calm winds and the nature around brings peace and clarity to his mind. Throughout his childhood, he would often go camping with his father. The two would explore all kinds of forest and lakes, examine all kind of animals and insects, a hobby they both shared. That was years ago, and after the unfortunate accident involving his parents, that interest simply vanished from his mind. Yet here, right now, those calm winds that he grew to hate have reminded him of the good times he forcefully forgot, be it because of his new body and mind, he does not know.

“L-Lord?” The man from earlier called out, interrupting Ulbert's peaceful thinking.

“Hmm?”

“H-How are you finding this world? Is it to your liking?” The man asked while trying to hide the fear from his voice, clearly afraid that the new god will not find this world worth saving.

“Yes...Yes it is" Ulbert said as he closed his eyes.

In response, the man did not say a word. Instead, the joy from hearing of his Lord's approval spread all through his body, making his face glimmer with happiness.

"Tell me, is there a city or a village nearby? There must be somewhere you stay the nights?"

“Y-Yes Lord, there is a village not too far from here. Would you like me to take you there?”

“No need. Thank you for the escort but right now I would like to be alone. Head back to Andras, I am sure he would have a task for you”

“O-Of course Lord, thank you for the kind words. ” The man said as he bowed his head and swiftly ran back into the mine.

[Now. Let's see what this world has to offer]

“Fly!” Ulbert casted a spell and instantly his body lifted itself and began levitating, ordered by his mind in what direction he should fly in.

As his body began ascending with incredible speed, the nearby leaves scattered around while the trees were pushed back by the initial force of the lift-off. In only mere seconds, after smoothly gliding through the air, Ulbert reached the moving clouds and looked to the land below him

Just as that man said, the village is located quite close to the mine and is only about ten-minute walk if sticking to the main path. What caught Ulbert’s attention eve more however, were the mountains and an enormous valley that serves as a passage between two countries.

[What a beautiful sight] He thought as he took in a deep breath of fresh air.

[What should I do? This is not YGGDRASIL, this does not feel like a game...This can’t be virtual reality, not after what I witnessed and experienced. So if this is the real world, it means that death is a possibility too. I was careless when I was summoned and I can’t allow that to happen again. I need to find out more about this world in any means possible, I must...Maybe there are other players just like me, stuck in here and confused...Wait...If I remember correctly, I am sure Momonga was online when I decided to stay in the game. Is he in this world too?]

Ulbert looked to the lands in the distance.

[Momonga...If are somewhere out there, stay strong. Do not lose vigil for this is no longer a game...]