After 2 hours had passed where Plaze was extending his high score on his personal copy of Overlord Tycoon until the news on the other TV switched topics to something better.

Namely, Vox himself took over the news to change every news channel to 666 News, which Plaze just now learnt that Vox owns.

And now, he was doing the news for this section.

Immediately sensing that something was about to happen, Plaze dropped his controller and moved to the other couch to put his full attention on Vox.

That being said, Plaze still laughed when he saw Vox's appearance for the first time beyond his flat face on the posters.

That guy had a box on his head! Sure, it was a TV, but it was still a box TV! That was almost as bad as Plaze had it! At least Vox still had a human body, but that face definitely dragged him down a lot!

No wonder why all of his depictions made sure to only depict him from the front. His sides are hilarious!

As if Vox was waiting on him to finish snickering, Vox began to speak.

"Hello denizens of Hell! I'm your host for this section tonight as we have some breaking news straight from the capital of hell, Pentagram City!" Vox excitedly introduced himself as he pulled a digital image of Plaze onto the screen, "Namely, it seems as though we've got a big splash into the ring, trying to become an Overlord! His name is Plaze, the self-proclaimed Gaming Overlord! You may have seen his little pop-up stores littered around Hell, mostly next to where Carmilla Carmine's arms dealers are located. And within, Plaze promises a future beyond the arcade! Isn't that exciting?"

Just listening to Vox speak, it sounds as though Vox seemed to actually approve of Plaze's general existence. Plaze was pretty happy about it. Although… It is kind of suspicious.

Carmilla once warned Plaze to not go into a deal with Vox. Was that actually for his benefit, or her's?

Vox continued by creating a little box on the screen with an image of one of Carmilla's workers, Oddette, Plaze thinks her name was, "We've actually got a confirmation from Carmilla Carmine that Plaze is currently in an business deal with her to help kick start his business! Here's one of Carmine Industries' lead spokesperson for more about it."

The little box with Odette's face on it soon expanded, the screen changing locations to some random interior with a microphone shoved into Odette's personal space. Then, someone off-screen said, "Ms. Odette! Can you confirm or deny the rumors that the new Gaming Overlord, Plaze, is working with Carmilla Carmine!?"

Politely clearing her throat, Odette confirmed, "Yes, Plaze is indeed working with Carmine Industries in order to promote the growth of The Plaza."

A tide of voices immediately starts shouting out questions, but the clearest of them all is, "Does that mean that Plaze's soul belongs to Carmilla Carmine?!"

Odette shook her head, "No. Plaze is an independent Overlord, whose partnership with Carmine Industries is temporary."

Damn straight Plaze is independent. No way is he going to let anyone just take his soul.

Thinking about it more, maybe Plaze should ask around more about the nature of the deal Vox and Valentino made. Maybe it was more equal than what it looked like on the surface?

Vox immediately pulls back into view as the TV switches back to the room he was in, "Exciting stuff, isn't it? I wonder why Carmilla chose to invest in that industry? Well, I don't. The answer is obvious, isn't it? If you've been in the South Western part of the Pride Ring, you may be far more familiar than you want to be with the Tank Overlord, Sergeant Hammer! She's also known as the Arcade Overlord because she has a passive monopoly over the arcade market, whenever she remembers she has it, anyways! Just a month or two ago, she woke up basically the entirety of Hell with one of her massive explosions! Comparable to a nuke! It's a miracle how she didn't attract Lucifer's attention, eh? In fact, Plaze practically states that he will replace her arcades with his consoles! So it's likely that Plaze made a deal with Carmilla to take down Hammer together and split the spoils. Fun fact, we've actually got an interview with Sergeant Hammer!"

Plaze was suddenly much more invested in the TV now that he could see the reaction of his rival, Hammer. He could also pretty accurately guess what Hammer was going to do, though.

The TV switched to another perspective, which was at the bottom of Hammer's tank staring up at Hammer herself. It looks as though Hammer already killed whoever Vox sent.

Still it was recording, and Hammer shouted directly into the camera, parts of her full demonic form leaking through, "PLAZE! YOU REALLY THINK YOU STAND A CHANCE AGAINST ME?! I'VE BEEN RULING THIS PART OF HELL EVEN BEFORE YOU WERE BORN! YOU BETTER GET READY TO HAVE YOUR ASS RIPPED APART BY ME IN DECEMBER! AND YOU TOO! CARMILLA! YOU FUCKING RAT BASTARDS!"

The recording was silenced and Hammer's continued shouting was delegated to background footage as Vox reentered the screen with a chuckle, "Heheh, yeah, you can bet we'll be recording all of that when the time comes! But anyways, I wish Plaze the best of luck as he tries to wrestle Hammer from his spot as I think I speak for all of us when I say: We fucking hate tanks."

Vox's face filled the screen as he ended his section with his catch phrase, "Trust Us to tell you the truth!"

The news switched back to the usual reporters, so Plaze turned off the TV to think about what he saw.

Namely, that Vox was very supportive of Plaze for some reason.

If it were just a random news anchor that was supportive of Plaze, he would've been very happy. Ecstatic, even, to find someone in the masses who loved him.

But his fellow Overlord, Vox? The very same Overlord all his allies were warning him about? That was a cause for concern.

Mehira essentially told him that he should be concerned with Vox trying to steal his monopoly. And that even if Vox were to ask Plaze to join VoxTech, the deal would be tilted in Vox's favor.

But was that actually true? Plaze never spoke to the man himself. Or Valentino, Vox's partner. Maybe it was all just rumors.

Considering his position in Hell, everyone surrounding Plaze has ulterior motives. Jessie wants to further her own position. Carmilla wants the tank industry and Hammer gone. Mehira wants whatever the hell she wants.

Jessie hasn't spoken a word about Vox. But why? Plaze should find out whether it was deliberate or because Jessie simply didn't consider him as a valid candidate to help Plaze overthrow Hammer. Though, considering that Plaze wanted Hammer's arcades, Vox wasn't a likely candidate in the first place to take the tanks.

Yeah, that was likely. Plaze didn't want to cast any doubts on what was likely his most important ally right now.

It was easy to guess that Carmilla didn't want one of her rivals to grow stronger. So at least Plaze could confidently know what she wanted.

But then what did Mehira gain by trying to keep him away from Vox? Hell, Plaze doesn't even know if Mehira is an actual Overlord or just a hellborn demon who just so happens to own a lot of souls.

Plaze can't even ask around Mehira's contacts to figure out what she does. Considering Mehira didn't want Plaze to hear about what business she conducts unless Mehira owned his soul, it was likely there was a non-disclosure agreement in whatever contract Mehira put her souls under.

…Hm, that reminds Plaze of the fact that he has around 100 souls just scattered about Hell.

He did need a cheap and efficient workforce, didn't he? It might be a little tedious to round them all up, but those souls do belong to him…

While Plaze was pondering that thought, his phone suddenly started ringing.

When he first obtained his satellite ability, Plaze thought he could use it to accept and send calls without the use of a phone. However, after a lot of testing, Plaze discovered he could only use it to see the radio waves that the phones use to communicate, not actually manipulate them.

A major shame. At least his control over electricity was something that he could actually use well. Apparently, Jessie calls him a prodigy among the other electricity wielding demons she knew.

Picking up the phone, he answered, "Plaze speaking."

Jessie responds, "So, did you see Vox himself speaking about you?"

Leaning into the couch he was sitting in, he confirmed, "Yeah. Vox sure was supportive of me, wasn't he? Is that a good or bad thing?"

Taking a moment to decide, Jessie replied, "I'm pretty sure he's laying the groundwork to recruit you into VoxTech."

Yeah, Plaze guessed that one pretty easily.

"Would it be a good offer to take?" He asked, mostly just out of curiosity.

"...Maybe," She admits, mildly surprising Plaze, "I've only seen Vox in person one time, when Vox offered Hammer to buy out the arcade industry from her."

Oh? Vox had his eyes on this industry already?

Jessie continued, "Hammer refused, obviously. Vox was pretty pissed about it, not enough to start attacking, though. He left not long after, VoxTech making a few arcades a month after but not really enough to make it big. Now that you're here, though, Vox might try again. But considering that this industry is your entire thing, he's much more likely to just hire you."

Would there be a catch? Plaze didn't know. Couldn't know, until Vox showed up to make the offer himself.

Plaze wanted to be an Overlord mostly to spite Hammer. Now that he's an Overlord, even as small as he was, it's pretty difficult to imagine not being one.

Is he willing to sell that for the security of being under what was probably the most influential Overlord in Hell at the moment?

…He'll have to think about it.

"Well, I'll put that thought off until after I become Overlord," Plaze said, standing up to look outside the window. Apparently. The reporters have already found him. He should probably give an interview, "I've got some reporters out my window. I'll talk to you later about the nitty gritty of the consoles, yeah?"

"Before that, do you know when you'll actually fight Hammer?" Jessie asked, "Because I may need an evacuation before the big fight. Hammer is getting a bit paranoid and she might find out that I've been helping you. She doesn't pay much attention, but this might be one of those moments where she does pay attention."

Well, Plaze will be damned before he lets Hammer touch his best employee. He'll definitely figure out something for her.

"Can I just whisk you away until December, then?" Plaze questioned, still not fully sure of the limitations of what a soul owner could do, "Can't follow Hammer's orders if you can't hear her, right?"

In response, Jessied sighed, "Hah… I wish. If I hear an active order from even the television, I'll have to follow it. And even if I were to somehow escape for a while, my mom doesn't live with me and Hammer only lets me meet her on certain days. And Hammer just canceled all of our vacation days until January. I don't wanna put her in danger…"

Right, so Hammer is an asshole. Nothing new was learnt. Though, Hammer holding all of her workers hostage until the big fight sure is a dick move.

Thinking of his options, Plaze told her, "Alright, I'll ask Mehira to see if she can find your mom, alright? I assume that it'll be fine if we keep her in a bunker with no television or radio until we win?"

"...Let me give her a note, at least," Jessie requested. And of course, I would give it to her.

"Sure, as soon as we find her," Plaze promised, turning his head back to the crowd forming below, Alha pitifully trying to stop them from storming the building, "I actually have to go, though. These reporters are looking kind of scary and my singular secretary is having to deal with all of them."

At the very least, Jessie seemed somewhat relieved, "Thank you, boss. I'll talk to you later, then."

With that, she hung up.

It's a bit unfortunate to have his most important employee be in a precarious position, but it's something that Plaze will have to just pray for nothing to go wrong.

Now, he was directly overlooking the crowd of reporters who were swarming his brilliant secretary who successfully held them off from trespassing.

…This building was 5 stories high. With 200 souls and his specially high defense, could he just drop down from this height to make a dramatic entrance?

If he failed, that would be embarrassing and a permanent stain on his career.

…If he landed on two feet, it would be fucking awesome.

Opening the window, there was only one choice to make.

Plaze threw himself out the window.

He had a few seconds to regret his choices as he quickly dropped feet first into the harsh concrete ground, kicking up dust and causing every reporter to panic.

Knowing his first words were important, Plaze chose to highlight a quality of his that he thinks will make him popular with the citizens of Hell.

Apparently, most Overlords don't treat their workers the best. Mostly because they own their souls so they can't do shit about it.

But Plaze thinks that, although most of it was just due to the position of all his employees being super important due to his situation, he treats his employees best.

So, Plaze introduced himself, "Hey… You're bothering Alha with your questions. Back. Off."

Seeing the surprised reactions of the reporters in front of him, Plaze thinks he did pretty well.

Not once did he look back at Alha to gauge his reaction.

AN:

I thought that I would keep this short and sweet, but it ended up being an average sized chapter. Only 2 things happened this chapter, why is it 2k words long, man?

I gotta write shorter chapters if I want this backlog to continue.

[Thanks to MadHatRzack for helping me figure out some of the worldbuilding in the discord. None of it will be relevant until, like, 3-7 chapters from now.]

[Backlog is now gone. Next chapter is 900 words in, though. So we should be good for another week. It's very doubtful for the week after.]