Today was a very special day.
On this day, sixty years ago, their entire planet was united under one banner, ending all wars and human suffering. Or so they believed at the time.
But as their ruler started showing his true colors, the people were washed over by the same dread they had felt during the wars.
This time, however, it was more severe than ever, as they had nothing to fight back with.
All the nobles were under his control - bonded by his power. From what the public came to know, these leaders could never betray him even if they wanted to.
Even if rebellions rose, they were snuffed out instantly, as the army under him numbered nearly ten million.
How foolish they were to sing about him and shower him in praises during the first ten years of his rule.
He was known as a man favored by the gods, rising from a commoner to the very top. Now, he called himself a god.
Taxes were raised every month. Entire villages were abducted to mine and work as slaves. It got worse with every passing year.
But today, after fifty years of such a life, they would finally learn the reason: why their ruler went mad and cruel to the point they started calling him a demon.
__________
"So, this is it."
[Yes, Host. The gateway to another world.]
"Ha... Hahaha... HAHAHAHA!"
A manic laughter echoed through the chamber.
A man in red spun around to face the figures standing behind him: his butler, Iblis, and a group of people in white lab coats.
The researchers were trembling, bathed in cold sweat, their eyes glued to the floor as if terrified that a single glance upward would cost them their lives.
"You did an excellent job, Marlin."
Marlin, the balding Minister in charge of the project, stepped forward. Despite being a man in his eighties with years of political experience, he looked like a frightened child.
"Tha... Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty," he stammered.
Seeing this, the Ruler's face twisted into a joyous grin, and he raised a hand as if to bestow a reward. However, before he could speak, a calm voice cut through the tension.
"Does this mean you will finally free the citizens from the rising taxes? Will you let the captured people go?"
The question hung in the air, instantly extinguishing the smile on the Ruler's face. The room went deathly silent.
With a look of pure annoyance, he turned his gaze to his suffering butler.
"If I didn't enjoy watching you suffer while serving me, I would have killed you long ago, you pest."
The sudden malice in his voice sent a wave of terror through the onlookers, but the Ruler ignored them.
[Host, you are becoming more of a tyrant. You should relax a bit.]
(Shut up, System.)
Turning back toward the swirling portal, Ragnar let his mind wander. He dismissed the shivering crowd with a wave of his hand.
"Marlin, I stand by my word; you can retire. Iblis, ensure the rest are paid and GATHER MY ENTIRE ARMY!"
His voice rose to a thunderous roar.
"WE ARE GOING TO CONQUER THIS OTHER WORLD!"
___________
As the orders were relayed, Ragnar stared into the vortex, memories of a past life surfacing.
On Earth, he had been a loser who never got a girl, he was mocked by everyone for his physique, and eventually, he became a shut-in.
At thirty, he was left entirely alone, with no friends or loved ones. Consumed by depression, he finally took his own life.
But that was not his end.
He awoke in this wonderful world named "Null." Its landmass was five times the size of Earth, yet everything about it was stuck in the medieval era. There were royals, kingdoms, and knights, but no magic - as he had initially hoped.
But so what? He had the System.
Although he started as a commoner, he rose rapidly in power. His System allowed him to learn at an accelerated rate, mastering every art this world had to offer - swordsmanship, archery, calligraphy, poetry. Every scrap of knowledge this world possessed was stored in his brain.
But the System's most powerful feature was the ability to create magical Slave Contracts, and this became his key to achieving everything.
Every noble under him now was bound to him. In fact, he bound every important person he came into contact with, eventually becoming the sole Ruler.
Yet, it was not enough. The System allowed him a lifespan of 500 years, but he craved more. He wanted immortality.
The System's next quest promised exactly that: Become the ruler of another planet. Reward: IMMORTALITY.
But the biggest question had been... how? In a world with no magic and medieval technology, how was he supposed to find another planet? They didn't even have telescopes advanced enough to see the stars clearly.
So, he decided to forget it all and just enjoy his life.
He enjoyed it for eight years. He even captured Iblis - his most hated enemy - and forced him to become his butler after making him sign a contract.
It was pure bliss, defiling Iblis's sister right in front of his eyes while the man could do nothing but watch.
But eventually, Ragnar started losing his mind. His progress had stagnated. He needed to conquer something. Anything.
He sent soldiers to explore the vast ocean. They found inhabited islands, and he conquered them.
He went on more expeditions, leading troops himself, enjoying the thrill. On one such expedition, they found an island with technology far superior to theirs, using explosives to fight.
All of which were made by a single young man - Marlin.
Time passed, and in a year and a half, Ragnar had the map of the entire planet.
Then came the tenth year of his rule. The entire planet celebrated, and one of the tributes he received was a strange stone found buried deep within the earth.
A Space Stone, as the System described it.
That was when it all started. His obsession to search. His obsession to find another planet. The same obsession that made him a demon.
__________
Ragnar stood before an army numbering nearly ten million.
As he looked out over the sea of iron and flesh, a rare expression crept onto his face: a genuine smile. He was happy.
[Host, are you really going to attack immediately?]
(Yes, System. The time has come.)
[According to my analysis, there is a high probability that this other world possesses no magic and that their technology level is low.]
The System paused, calculating.
[Should we not investigate first? Perhaps approach with friendly intentions?]
(I have waited long enough.)
Ragnar stepped forward, his voice amplified by a mechanical device to reach the furthest ends of the gathering.
"MY SOLDIERS!"
Silence fell over the ten million warriors instantly.
"BEGIN THE MARCH! WE WILL CONQUER THIS NEW WORLD!"
A deafening roar erupted from the army, shaking the very air.
"HUUUUAAAAAA!"
Then came the sound of movement. The earth trembled as the rhythmic stomp of ten million boots began to move toward the portal.
THUD. THUD. THUD.