Author's Note: -- my love goes to Adana fukettei for reviewing again.
Still looking for a beta reader. This one is kind of boring.
Chapter Two.
The Assembly quieted when their Overlord finally entered in his usual gaudy fashion: two guards walked at his flanks and his red cape billowed behind him. Nothing except the loud stomping of Laharl's red sneakers could be heard in the echoey chamber.
The expressions on most of the senator's faces remained skeptical. Laharl had proved that he had the strength and power to be an Overlord; his adventures with the humans and Celestia proved that. However, many still doubted his ability to run the Netherworld in an intelligent and reasonable manner. He was too young, he was too arrogant, and too impulsive. Those were only a couple of the faults everyone was so ready to point out about the blue-haired youth. It had been four months since he had returned from Celestia and this would be the first time in that period that he had addressed them.
None of them were very happy about this. The Dark Assembly had prided themselves for being an important, even vital part of how things were run in and outside of the castle. To see someone, and especially one so young running things on their own and without any consultation was an insult.
When Laharl finally reached the mahogany podium at the front and center he slammed his hands down on it, as if he didn't already have everyone's rapt attention.
"Dark Assembly," he addressed, opening his arms wide to encompass the whole room, "I am here to explain what has occurred in Celestia, since many of you have yet to receive accurate or detailed information. One of the archangels, Vulcanus has been plotting to wipe out the Netherworld in hopes of ruling all three worlds."
There was a small rise in murmurs at this. Laharl smirked. Yes, let it sink in. Give it time to fester before he told the magnificent story of how HE stopped it all. Nevermind Flonne, Etna and the others.
"But that so-called angel is no more! Yours truly was able to defeat him." Thing quieted at this and some cheered by most frowned distastefully; most likely having their pride even more bruised at the idea that this tyke could defeat an arch angel.
Well the ego-inflation bit was over now. Now onto serious business. "But I learned several important things when up there." The manner of his tone changed drastically. Since his awakening there hadn't been many times when Laharl had been serious, or seemed so. Whenever he was there was a tendency for this attitude to spread onto anyone nearby, or to make everyone pay intense attention.
"As you know, the angel Flonne had been sent to assassinate my old man bordering a year ago. When she found out he was dead, she lengthened her stay to learn whether demons could feel love."
There were several snickers heard. Laharl's face remained neutral.
"But apparently she had not truly been sent down to attempt murder." Really now! Laharl sometimes wondered, if that had truly been the case, and if his father had been alive whether Flonne would have gone through with her mission. He didn't even need to think about it, she knew that she wouldn't have.
"Lamington, the seraph of Celestia had sent her in hopes that she and I could somehow form an alliance between angels and demons. In this plan, he was accompanied by my father." Now there was a definite clamor. Demons were standing up yelling: How could their King have lied to them? How could he have made such an important decision without seeking their advice first? Zombies groaned, Nekomata hissed, and harpies screeched.
Laharl let them go on for a moment but slammed his hands on the podium again. This quieted the riot but there was still a heavy feeling of tension and resentment in the air. Unimpressed stares had turned into glowering glares.
"It matters not why he did it, but his intentions were smart."
Many noticed, with amused smirks that he had not used the word 'good'.
"Celestia would be a great ally, and just like use they have problems amongst their own people." It was funny in away, how angels had always appeared as perfect goody, goody two-shoes; and then the greatest crime to ever be attempted by any of the three races had been by an angel, and one of high-rank at that.
"So it is my intention to go through with my father's plans. In this I am to be assisted by the angel Flonne who has become a vassal of mine." That need not be said. The fallen angel was a subject of great debate among many demons, and many of them were none too pleased with the fact that an angel, fallen or not has become so close to the king.
"She has instituted a…." now Laharl faltered in his demeanor, gaining a sheepish and somewhat disgusted look on his face "School of Love."
Silence prevailed. Was he…serious? Everyone was too afraid to ask. Laharl took advantage of everyone's paralyzed state and plowed on through before anyone could say anything.
"It is an introduction of sorts to the angel….philosophy" he explained, for once using a diplomatic term. There were a lot of other things he felt were a more appropriate description.
"But that is that, and I shall speak of it more as events unfold. Now does anyone have anything else they would wish to address?"
The serious look on his face now dropped and he hunched over the podium in an undignified manner. This was the Laharl they were use to. Where from and why had that other character come? No one said anything, but an exasperated by the inconsistent boy.
Finally one ghost got up and spoke "Laharl. It has only been about a year since you have awakened and claimed your title. Many of us here today find this….calm rather disturbing. We believe that something serious must be brewing."
Demons, as a whole were neither peaceful nor docile. This is why the lack of any criminal activity or any other attempts to overthrow Laharl seemed more suspicious than if there were riots happening in the streets.
Laharl tossed his head back and gave one of his obnoxious laughs "That? That means nothing! Everyone just knows better than to stir up trouble under my nose!"
"But your highn----"
"I mean look at my resume! Has any other Overlord ever accomplished as much as I have? And in only one year!" he threw his scarf over his shoulder in a dramatic fashion.
"No, there is nothing to worry about. This is the way things will be from now on. I have the best vassals, the greatest army, and my own power. Nothing will ever befall this Netherworld."