AN1: This fanfic was inspired by dEBB987's 'The Master of Death in Nazarick. I got permission to use his original idea. Of course I will try to twist it in a very different direction.

AN2: I mostly get my info on Overlord from the anime and the wikia page. So, some of the plot points will be closer to the anime than the web-novel or the light novels.

AN3: Any and all constructive criticism is welcome.

Prologue

Ending of a game

"So this is the end, eh?" Harry Potter asked himself looking over at the nearly empty chamber.

When he imagined going on the next great adventure he certainly didn't think of anything what he experienced. For normal, ordinary people joined the afterlife then they reincarnated, though with far less common with their previous life than many would like to believe.

Harry, of course, was again an expectation from the rules. Being the Master of Death wasn't just a fancy title. He could still 'die', if one would like to call it that, but instead of a truly fresh start he would enter other universe. This way both his title and the laws of the given universe would be upheld. A nice little loophole in the system as Death called it.

He visited many different universe, some resembling his homeworld, while others were completely alien. His role seemed to change as often as not. A hero who brought the light against the winter and the monsters lurking in the shadow. Proclaimed to be the God-Emperor, conquering the galaxy, slaying xenos, heretics and the daemon all in the name of protecting humanity. Being a vigilante just because he thought that some villains deserved, no, needed to, die in order to preserve the peace.

This world he found himself was, honestly, a little lackluster in comparison. It seemed to mirror his own homeworld, nut far more mundane. There were no magical beings, no superheros or villains, no aliens to fight.

He contemplated of forcing a transfer to the next universe seeing how boring it would be. Jumping universes was something even he couldn't do at the drop of hat. There was a ritual but it was very complicated, requiring immense magical energy even compared to his own massive reserves and even some very rare circumstances to be met.

As he waited for the stars aligning, quite literally, he decided to look around the world. Earth was probably in the worst condition he had ever seen without a real reason. He had seen wastelands after nuclear wars, after thousand years of war, alien invasions and it was still worse overall. There there was nothing to cause it expect greed. No World War III, let alone a string of wars each comparable to one of World Wars of the 20th century. Here? It was just companies wanting to make more and more profit and caring very little what happens to anyone else.

Thanks to how the air was near toxic outside activity was largely forgotten. The entertainment sector was ruled by computer games. He played a few to pass the time, but none of them caught his interest. Not enough to cease his plan to leave as soon as possible. Until he came across one game.

YGGDRASIL was a DMMO-RPG, hell to most people for nearly a decade it was THE DMMO-RPG. Very few games could ever dominate an entire genre, let alone an entire industry like YGGDRASIL was able to do. For years there was nothing that could ever hope to match a fraction of this game's success. Which would be its undoing.

The developers got self-complacent and let the game run its own course. To be fair the game was full of content and players had a far larger freedom to do what they wanted than normal. Sadly the developers seemed to never heard the term 'user-friendly' in their entire life and did nothing to change that feel of the game.

Harry was actually spoiled for choice when making his character. Over 700 races and more than 2000 jobs will do that to you. What everyone seemed to ignore at first that there was no possible way to truly balance that many or have to make some of them little more than cosmetics.

He finally decided there that he would be a heteromorphic race (or the worst as far as some of the heros were considered). If you played a fantasy RPG why would you want to be human? Hell, even the elven and dwarven races were kinda bland compared to heteromorphics. It was way more interesting to be the villain for this time around.

The next dilemma was his specific race and job. Most of the seven hundred races were heteromorphic, so he had a wide range to choose from. He was hard pressed to do so, demon, dragonoid, vampire... His first choices seemed far too cliché. With that he pressed random, only to the game decide on imp. In other words the game decided to make him a demon...

After that he decided to actually select his starting job. There was no way he would let the game screw this up again. He was at the core a magic caster, but over the course of his long life became familiar just about every aspect of human warfare. Being a warrior could be just as fun if not more.

In the end he settled for a magic caster, simply for the wide variety of support spells. Warriors and other CQC players had some abilities in supporting their allies, but magic casters had far wider range. Despite this he mainly focused on combat magic and making it as destructive as possible.

It quickly became appaerant that humanoid players, especially human players liked to play the hero by ganging up on every heteromorphic player they could find. Luckily soon after he started out he meet Touch Me, even if he played the knight in shining armor, but for heteromorphic races, and the duo paired up. Not even a week later they came across Momonga, a lich bullied by humanoid players. After rescuing the newbie the duo became a trio and then there was no stopping. They gathered allies left and right and after conquering the Grand Tomb of Nazarick, which they turned into a veritable fortress, started their own proper guild: Ainz Ooal Gown.

There was a little dispute between the members on who should be the new Guildmaster as Touch Me stepped down from the position. Most seemed to find Harry the best option for it. Harry knew that he had unfair advantage of experience when dealing with others, but couldn't really find any reason to decline.

That was years ago and much have happened in that time. Harry himself could hardly believe how could the devs make such an amazing game just to leave it without much support or help. Players could get special races or jobs, but it was never explained how they archived them. The devs decided that "There are many mysteries in the world of YGGDRASIL. Look for them and you might find one." was adequate communication. A very large part of the game's community stirred at hearing that.

Thus YGGDRASIL itself changed, the once vibrant game that was once full of players, literally tens of millions playing the game at the height of its popularity, now felt like walking across a ghost town. Harry heard that 98 percent of the guilds completely closed and the others lost about 90 percent of their membership on average. Even Ainz Oaal Gown was hit hard: him and Momonga being the only players still playing daily, Touch Me and HeroHero still logged in and there was a few surprise visits from others as well. Harry understood: no matter what for normal people real life will always have priority than any game.

After twelve years Yggdrasil will die, the server shutting down at midnight. Harry looked on as HeroHero logged out, the slime disappearing in a beam of light. Looking at the large, round table (which was totally not a rip off of the Arthurian Legend) Harry was saddened by the forty empty seats, with only Momonga being in attendance, sitting on his right, but he admitted of not being as effected as the other player.

Momonga was an introvert of the highest order, no family, no friends in the real world. Yet this game provided him with something he never had: friends. Harry sometimes worried about how invested Momonga was. Especially after the Guildmembers started to resign. More and more often he caught him spending time with the NPCs, telling them old stories of their creators before they conquered the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Harry couldn't fault him entirely as he did the same. Though in his case it was more like role-playing rather then missing their friends. It felt right to thank the NPCs for their hard work as if they were real people. Hell, for all the snide remarks they made to the 'good' characters the entire guild was heavily into role playing.

"What's the matter, Momonga?" He asked the elder lich, who just sat there despondently. Momonga was actually very chatty when there was someone to talk with and Harry tried to be there for him.

"I just cannot fanthom how could anyone leave it at that. This guild which we built, our friendship... Was it all for nothing? To toss aside on the moment?!" Harry could symphatise with the man. Ulbert Alain Odle was the last member to leave nearly a year ago. It shouldn't have been permanent, but his problems in the real world prevented his return.

"It isn't like that Momonga." He explained to his friend. "They have families and other obligitations. You cannot fault them for it being a priority."

"I know. Sorry, Hadrian-san." The lich typed into the chat. Harry always wondered if it was the right choice to use that as an username. True, he doubted anyone would ever use something like Hadrian ignotus Peverell, but it was still far from average usernames. Most Guildmates found it cool or funny, even if a bit weird.

"How many times have I told you? Just call me Harry." Harry looked at the clock. 10:12. A little less than two hours till shutdown. Also Momonga or Satoru Suzuki had to go to work tomorrow. "And you should log out soon Momonga. You have work to do and it wouldn't look good to be late so soon after that promotion..."

"You have work as well!" Momonga said, but Harry waved away his words.

"I work for myself, remember? I take time off as I want." Harry replied. He was the only self employed in the whole guild, so it wasn't so surprising the lich forgot that.

"Must be nice... being able to do that." Harry winced at that. From what he understood Momonga's boss was a real piece of work, constantly asking for 110% from them.

"I made a few arrangements as soon as I heard the news." Harry bullshited through. It wasn't exactly a lie: he made preparations for the ritual to the next universe. He really enjoyed this twelve years with these people. It was a nice vacation. But every vacation needs to end and it was time for him to quit his.

"As expected of the Guildmaster. Well, I guess you have a point." Momonga looked around one last time. "Maybe we can meet up in the real world... Speaking of which... How is Japan treating you?"

"Pretty well." Harry replied. It would have been near impossible to explain how he was able to spend as much time with the game as he did at the time he did, while also working from other country, so he had to move to Japan.

Momonga couldn't do much as the technology wasn't good enough for handshake or anything else so he waved and sent a smiley icon.

"It was fun Guildmaster. I hope we meet in YGGDRASIL II." With that he logged out, leaving Harry alone in the Grand Hall.

"Well, let's look around one last time." Harry said to himself as he went retrieved the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Given the sheer size of Nazarick less than two hour was only enough time for him to visit the Floor Guardians and other important NPCs. He gathered the Pleiadas Maids, the head butler Sebas Tian and the Guardian Overseer Albedo in the Throne Room. Looking over at the kneeling figures, his gaze stayed on each face for a moment. Two in particular interested him even if he was at least somewhat part of creating all of them. Entoma Vasilissa Zeta and Albedo.

With Entoma it was actually a favor to him by Genjiro. Harry wasn't arachnophobic, at least not on the level of most people and certainly not on the level of Ron, but he was disturbed by the thought of such being serving as a maid. Genjiro was, thankfully, very understanding and didn't create much of a fuss.

In Albedo's case there was a lesser issue and a larger argument. Tabula Smaragdina was fascinated by bipolar characters. Albedo's backstory made her look as a very responsible, mature woman only to have 'by the way she is a slut' thrown at the end. After a few days of arguments and messages Harry could convince him to rewrite it to "She careful whom to consider her mate as few are worthy of such honor.", which was far more in line with the rest of her settings. Similar decisions were made to her sisters, Nigredo and Rubedo.

After that it was decided that no NPC can be bipolar without a throughout explanation in their settings by the Guild. There were a few rumbles here and there but nothing that could cause true problems to the Guild.

As he sat on the Throne of Nazarick in his demon lord form he couldn't help but wonder on the last decade and what Momonga said.

"YGGDRASIL II? Momonga, you truly are wistful. The devs never said anything about a second game. Hell, from the rumors it seems as if the entire team is about to disband." Looking at the clock he saw that only half a minute remained.

Twenty second...

Ten seconds...

Three...

Two...

One... He closed his eyes.

There was a flash of light he sensed even with closed eyes as the counter reached zero. He felt a strange sensation on his skin. It was as if warm wind was rolling around him or the sunlight reaching it but different as well. It was incredibly hard to describe it to those unaware. How do you explain the colors to a blind person? And it was even harder considering what it was.

Magic.

He sensed magic all around him. The beings, the throne, the weapons, the walls of Nazarick. Even Hogwarts, a castle built with magic, full og magic wonders wasn't imbued to such a degree with arcane power.

The next thing he registered was the smell all around him. Demons didn't have exceptional smells compared to werewolf and other such beings, but still senses several times more perceptive than those of humans. Most of the scents were very feminine, sweet and fruity, which were clearly the maids while the one old and masculine was Sebas.

"Lord Hadrian?" The voice of angels, a melody for the ears. Looking to the right Harry came across the worried face of Albedo. Another thing that was impossible: facial expressions. Albedo's form was a far cry from the graphics of the game. Her golden eyes shone with life and worry. Healthy shine was on her hair that flown naturally to her knees. Perfect lips forming a cute pout. Skin without any in perfection. Goddess like figure, for which many woman would gladly kill, clad in a white silk dress. Two black wings, covered in black feathers were on her hips. "Lord Hadrian, is there a problem? Please, tell us!"

His gaze wandered towards the others, noting the life in their eyes (even in Chizu's, which shouldn't be possible) as they lifted their face so they could look at him expectantly. He clamped down on his reaction as he saw the sheer worship that shone in their eyes. There were very few instances in his lengthy life when he come across such devotion. He actually would have trouble deciding between them and the zealots of his God Emperor persona.

Yuri, wearing a simple maid outfit, glasses in front of her chocolate brown eyes and very pale skin. Her hair in a low-cropped bun at the back of her head. Lupusregina in comparison was much different. Tanned, athletic body, playful, golden eyes and red hair tied in two long braids. Her maid outfit had a deep cut on the left side of the skirt and white fur on bottom of said skirt. Naberal's skin was pale her ebony hair in a ponytail and her face in an expressionless mask, while her deep blue eyes looked at him. Chizu or CZ2128 Delta was petite, the smallest of the six combat maid, her long, red-gold hair reaching past her waist, her face very delicate, her left eye masked by a eye patch while the other one was emerald green. Solution's outfit was the least modest, the skirt barely reaching the third of her tigh and cut nearly to the top, the upper half having a very deep cleavage. Her golden blond, hair fell in soft waves to her shoulder while her cold, blue eyes were akin to shards of ice. Entoma was far more similar to Chizu both in statue and style, though her was much more oriental in contrast to the others' french maid outfit. On her head she wore three purple bugs as hair and protection. Her face was hidden behind a porcelain mask with painted red eyes and delicate features.

The maids all had a slight flush to their faces, which became a little darker as he sent the a soft smile. After that he turned back to Albedo, who looked ready to run to him at moment notice.

"Nothing wrong, Albedo." He said in his best calming voice. This was an unexpected, but not an unwelcome development. "It seems that Nazarick went through a change."

"Change?" Albedo asked tilting her head cutely and the others tensing a little bit.

"Yes, little one." Harry chucked, a sound echoing through the large chamber. He decided not to comment on the deep blush on Albedo's face after he called her that. "If I'm right Nazarick was transported into a new world. Sebas!" He turned towards the dragonoid.

"Yes, sir!" The butler's posture became even more stiff as he came to attention. He was currently in his human form. An older man with silver hair and full beard, kind grey eyes, yet sporting a very powerful built under his black suit.

"Please scout the surroundings of Nazarick. Yuri! You and your sisters help him! Sebas goes into one cardinal direction and you six pair up and search the other three. One mile should be enough for now." He finished, but then continued as a few thoughts appeared in his head. "Also, please try to map it and try to remember everything even remotely interesting. And if an enemy appear group together and try to retreat to Nazarick. Any question?"

"None, my lord." Sebas replied for the group as he swiftly got up, bowed, then headed towards the door. The six maid followed suit. Harry couldn't help but notice the difference in how they moved. Sebas obviously had a very powerful step, he could sense the strength contained in the butler. Yuri's was meassured, calm and elegant, same as Naberal's or even Solution's. Lupusregina's was by far the most energetic. Chizu's was almost robotic, though it was way more fluid then in the game. Entoma's steps were the smallest.

He couldn't help but note how nice the view was from behind, especially Lupusregina's and Solution's. Forcing himself to focus on the question on hand Harry needed answered as quickly as possible. Somehow YGGDRASIL became real.

"Albedo!" The frown that formed on the Overseer's face turned into a brilliant smile as she turned towards him.

"Yes, Lord Hadrian?" She eagerly stepped closer. "What can I do for you?"

"I will need a little time to plan our next moves." Again not a lie. After living for thousands of years he learned that planning forward can be a huge boon in the future. Sadly, he needed information first. "When I will require help I will be sure to call on you."

"Of course, milord." Albedo replied bowing her head. If not Harry could see the demented smile splitting her face.

"Alright. Then please gather the Floor Guardians in the Colosseum... let's say in an hour." He counted down the names before adding. "Victim and Gargantua won't be needed."

"As you wish." She bowed and left the Throne Chamber.

"Let's meet in YGGDRASIL II, eh?" Harry said to himself with a grin. "Sorry Momonga, this is way more interesting!"