Okay, unpopular opinion time. Isn't it kind of refreshing when a Demon Lord starts out as, well, absolutely nobody?
The "Chosen One" Fatigue
We're so used to prophecies. Destined heroes. The one with the special birthmark. Yawn.
Honestly, it's predictable! Every fantasy story feels the same. The protagonist is always "special".
Then BAM! A Demon Lord who used to be Steve from accounting. Now *that's* a story.
From Desk Job to Doom
Imagine going from spreadsheets to summoning rituals. One minute you're filing reports, the next you're raising hell (literally!).
The sheer awkwardness of it all is hilarious! Did he even get vacation time before conquering the world?
It's much more relatable. Most of us ARE Steve from accounting, right?
The Power of the Unexpected
It's the contrast that makes it so good. A regular person wielding immense power.
Think about the internal struggle! Does he even *want* to destroy the world? Maybe he just wants a raise.
This makes the Demon Lord complex and interesting. He isn't just evil for the sake of it. There might be more to the story.
He's Just Like Us (Sort Of)
Okay, maybe not *exactly* like us. We probably aren't plotting world domination (hopefully).
But he still deals with everyday struggles. Like finding decent minions or remembering to update his LinkedIn profile after the whole Demon Lord thing takes off.
This makes the character more believable. It makes the whole story more funny.
The Comedy Potential is Gold
The possibilities are endless! Imagine a Demon Lord trying to explain his evil plan to his confused mom.
Or struggling to navigate a social gathering of other evil overlords. Who brought the chips and dip of doom?
These moments of levity are fantastic. They break up the darkness and make the story truly memorable.
The Anti-Hero We Didn't Know We Needed
Maybe this Demon Lord is actually a good guy deep down. Trapped in an evil destiny.
Maybe he'll use his powers for good, or at least for chaotic neutral. Who knows?
The point is, he's unpredictable. He defies expectations, and that's what makes him so appealing.
So, let's ditch the "chosen one" trope. Give me the Demon Lord who used to be a barista.
Give me the villain who's just trying to figure things out. Because, honestly, aren't we all?
Let's embrace the mundane turned monstrous. Let's laugh at the absurdity of it all. Let's root for the underdog, even if that underdog is evil. Maybe the Demon Lord needs a hug?
