DxD: Devil’s Advocate

The morning air bit at my skin as I stood in the courtyard. Maria waited by the transportation circle, our luggage already loaded and ready.

『Your brother's not coming,』 the Advisor said. 『Cyrus spent the night drinking himself stupid.』

"Good." I adjusted my cuffs. "Saves us the drama."

Mother's heels clicked against the stone path as she approached, Father and my remaining siblings in tow. Aria bounced with each step, fighting to maintain some semblance of noble dignity and failing miserably.

"Big brother!" She crashed into me, propriety forgotten. "You have to call every day, okay? Promise?"

I patted her head. "We've been over this. Once a week."

"But-"

"Aria." Father's voice held a gentle warning. She pouted but stepped back, smoothing her dress.

Damian hung back, hands clasped behind him. "The human realm contacts have been notified of your arrival?"

"Everything's arranged." I nodded to Maria. "The apartment, the office space, the initial meetings..."

"Of course it is." Mother stepped forward, adjusting my collar despite its perfect alignment. "My clever boy always plans ahead."

『She's worried,』 the Advisor noted. 『About more than just the business venture.』

"I'll be fine, Mother."

Her hands lingered on my shoulders. "I know. Just... be careful with the humans. They can be unpredictable."

"So can devils." I caught her hands, squeezing gently. "I'll call you too."

"You'd better." She pressed a kiss to my cheek, then stepped back to Father's side.

Father cleared his throat. "The contracts are filed and registered. You'll be operating under the name Amon White?"

"Less conspicuous than Beleth."

"Hmm." He nodded once. "Remember our agreement. Quarterly reports-"

"And veto power over major acquisitions." I resisted rolling my eyes. "I remember."

"Good." He extended his hand. I took it, noting the slight tremor in his grip. "Make us proud, son."

The formality cracked something in my chest. I pulled him into a brief hug, feeling him stiffen in surprise before returning it.

"Take care of them," I murmured.

He pulled back, eyes suspiciously bright. "That's my job."

Maria cleared her throat softly. "My lord? The circle is ready."

I moved to join her, but Damian's voice stopped me.

"Brother."

I turned. He stood straight-backed, every inch the proper heir.

"Yes?"

"I..." He faltered, then squared his shoulders. "Good hunting."

The formal devil farewell. I inclined my head. "And to you, brother."

Aria sniffled. Mother dabbed at her eyes. Father wrapped an arm around them both as Maria and I stepped into the circle.

"Ready?" she asked quietly.

I took her hand. "Always."

The magic surged, wrapping us in light. The last thing I saw was my family's faces, watching as we vanished into the human realm.

We materialized in our new apartment's living room. Modern furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a view of Tokyo that probably cost more than some small countries.

"Home sweet home," Maria said, moving to open the curtains. Morning sun spilled across hardwood floors.

『The wards are active,』 the Advisor reported. 『No detection spells or surveillance.』

I prowled the space, checking sight lines and exits. "Security?"

"Top of the line." Maria pulled up building specs on her tablet. "Human and magical. The whole floor is ours, with restricted elevator access."

"Good." I paused at the windows, looking out over the city. My city, now. "What's first on the agenda?"

"Meeting with the real estate agent at ten. Viewing potential office spaces." She scrolled through her calendar.

"Time enough to settle in, then." I turned to find her watching me. "What?"

"Just..." She gestured at the apartment, the view, the whole situation. "It's real now. We're really doing this."

I crossed to her, taking the tablet and setting it aside. "Having second thoughts?"

"No." She leaned into me. "Just... processing. Everything's going to change."

"That's the idea." I tilted her chin up. "Regrets?"

"None." Her smile turned wicked. "Though we should probably christen the new bed before meetings start."

I laughed, letting her pull me toward the bedroom. "Practical as always."

The next few hours passed in a pleasant blur of skin and sheets and sunlight. Eventually, duty called, and we dressed for our first day of conquest.

"How do I look?" Maria smoothed her blazer, every inch the professional assistant.

"Perfect." I straightened my tie. "Ready to take over the world?"

She picked up her tablet, game face on. "One idol group at a time."

We rode the elevator down, stepping out into Tokyo's morning bustle. A sleek black car waited at the curb, driver holding the door.

As we slid into the backseat, I caught Maria's small smile.

"What?"

"Nothing." She tapped at her tablet. "Just thinking about Cyrus's face when he realizes what he missed."

I smirked. "Should we send him a hangover care package?"

"Maybe some Tokyo Tower souvenirs?"

"Evil." I squeezed her knee. "I knew I kept you around for a reason."

She shot me a look that promised retribution later. "The real estate agent's waiting, Mr. White."

"Then let's not keep them waiting, Ms. Hill."

The car pulled into traffic, carrying us toward our first conquest. The game had begun, and I intended to win.

After all, what was a billion yen between devils?

『Try not to get too cocky,』 the Advisor warned.

I watched Tokyo's towers slide past. 'Where's the fun in that?'

The realtor's heels echoed through the empty building as she led us up creaking stairs. Ms. Arai - mid-forties, wearing success like expensive perfume - kept glancing back at me with a practiced smile.

"The location is prime," she said, reaching the third floor. "Walking distance to three stations, heavy foot traffic, and the rent is quite reasonable considering-"

"It's reasonable because it's falling apart," Maria muttered in English.

I bit back a smile. She wasn't wrong. The building had seen better decades, with water stains mapping constellations across the ceiling and windows filmed with city grime.

『The structure's sound,』 the Advisor chimed in. 『Mostly cosmetic damage. Easy fixes.』

"And this floor?" I asked, following Ms. Arai into an open space that stretched the length of the building.

"Perfect for your recording studios." She gestured expansively. "Good acoustics, space for soundproofing. The previous tenant was actually-"

"A pachinko parlor," I finished. The floor still bore scars from bolted-down machines, and the faint smell of cigarettes clung to the walls.

Ms. Arai 's smile flickered. "Ah, yes. You're familiar with the building?"

"I do my research." In another life, in another time, this had been Horizon Media's first real office. Vincent Hill had turned this dump into the launching pad for Japan's biggest entertainment empire.

Now it was my turn.

"The top floor?" Maria asked, making notes on her tablet.

"Oh, you won't want-" Ms. Arai started.

"Show us."

She hesitated, then led us up the final flight. The door stuck, requiring her full weight to force it open.

Sunlight spilled through broken windows, illuminating dust motes and debris. Unlike the lower floors, this space had been divided into smaller rooms - old offices, mostly stripped bare.

"As you can see, it needs significant work," Ms. Arai said. "But the other floors-"

"We'll take it."

Both women turned to stare at me.

"The whole building," I clarified.

"Mr. White..." Ms. Arai's professional mask slipped. "Perhaps we should look at some other properties. Something more... established?"

I walked to the windows, looking out over Shibuya's crowded streets. "What's the asking price?"

She quoted a number. I named one thirty percent lower.

"That's..." She laughed nervously. "The owners would never-"

"They will." I turned back. "Because you're going to tell them that I'll pay cash, handle all renovations, and sign a ten-year lease." I smiled. "With an option to buy after two."

『Bold move,』 the Advisor said. 『The property values in this area will triple within three years.』

"I... I'll need to make some calls."

"Of course." I nodded to Maria. "Draw up the preliminary paperwork. Ms. Arai can review it while we wait."

The realtor retreated to the hallway, phone already pressed to her ear. Maria raised an eyebrow at me.

"You're sure about this place?"

"Start from nothing. Build something eternal." I gestured around us. "Besides, imagine Cyrus's face when he sees what we turn this into."

"There it is." She smirked. "Always with the dramatic reveals."

"You love it."

"I tolerate it." But her eyes sparkled. "Speaking of drama, the contractor estimates are ready. Want to see how much your little fixer-upper will cost?"

I took the tablet, scrolling through figures. "Add twenty percent to the budget. I want it done fast."

"Already did. And I've got three interior designers lined up for interviews next week."

"What would I do without you?"

"Crash and burn." She plucked the tablet from my hands. "Spectacularly."

Ms. Arai's voice drifted in from the hallway, growing more excited. Maria cocked her head.

"Sounds like they're biting."

"Of course they are." I moved to the center of the room, picturing how it would look. Modern fixtures, glass walls, state-of-the-art everything. "We're about to make them very rich."

"Us first," Maria said.

"Always."

The realtor bustled back in, practically vibrating with commission dreams. "Mr. White, the owners are... interested. They'd like to meet-"

"No meetings. Standard contract, non-negotiable terms." I nodded to Maria. "My lawyer will review everything tomorrow. We sign by the end of the week."

"I... yes, of course." Ms. Arai rallied admirably. "Shall we discuss the renovation timeline?"

"Ms. Hill will handle the details." I headed for the stairs. "I have another appointment."

"But-"

"Don't worry," Maria said smoothly. "I have full authority to negotiate. Now, about those building permits..."

I left them to it, descending through my future empire. The ground floor would be reception, sleek and professional. Second floor for training rooms and practice spaces. Third for recording studios and production. And up top...

『Your throne room?』 the Advisor asked dryly.

"Something like that."

The afternoon sun hit me as I stepped outside. Crowds flowed around me, lost in their own worlds. None of them knew what was coming. How this shabby building would change everything.

I signaled my driver. Time to meet the first piece of my real puzzle - a struggling idol group called PRISM, desperate for management and ripe for transformation.

The car pulled up, sleek and black against the faded concrete.

『Try not to enjoy this too much,』 the Advisor said as I slid in.

"Shibuya Music Center," I told the driver.

As we pulled away, I watched my building recede in the mirror. Soon it would shed its skin, emerge gleaming and new. A beacon for the lost and talented, a launching pad for dreams.

I leaned back in the leather seat, watching Tokyo's endless sprawl scroll past the tinted windows. The familiar weight of the Shadow Seal pressed against my finger, a constant reminder of the power at my disposal.

『Getting nostalgic already?』 the Advisor's voice held a hint of amusement.

"Just thinking about capabilities. How's the magic looking?"

『Shadow manipulation is running at peak efficiency. The seal's amplifying everything nicely. Want the full breakdown?』

"Hit me."

『Current clone capacity is ten standard shadows or seven transformation variants. Any more would start draining your reserves. The seal's helping maintain stability - you're getting about 300% more control than you would normally.』

I flexed my fingers, watching shadows dance between them. "And the transformations?"

『Still solid. Memory retention rate is holding at 98% across all active clones. Though I should mention your little experiment last week was... interesting.』

The memory rose unbidden...

"Again," I commanded, watching my shadow clone stumble through another dance routine. The movements were technically perfect - every step, every gesture exactly as choreographed. But something was missing.

『The illusion magic is stable,』 the Advisor noted. 『But the personality integration seems off.』

I circled the clone, studying its transformed appearance. Where my shadow usually stood, a young man with carefully styled black hair and sharp features moved through the steps. Akio Tamaki - my creation, my future star.

"It's too mechanical." I stopped the clone with a gesture. "The movements are right, but there's no..."

『Soul?』

"Life." I modified the illusion slightly, adjusting facial features. "He needs to feel real. Not just look it."

『You could always possess the clone directly.』

"Too risky for long-term." I dispersed the clone, summoning a fresh one. "Besides, I need him to function independently."

The new clone took form, this time with subtle changes. Softer eyes, a hint of vulnerability beneath the confident exterior. Someone audiences could fall in love with.

"Better." I started the music again. "Now, from the top..."

The car hit a pothole, jolting me back to the present.

『You've got that look,』 the Advisor said.

'What look?'

『The 'I'm about to do something unnecessarily complicated' look.』

I smirked. 'PRISM needs a star. Their performances are technically flawless, but they're missing that spark. That x-factor that turns good into legendary.'

『And Akio Tamaki is going to give them that spark?』

"Once I arrange a meeting with Ai Hoshino from Strawberry Productions." I pulled up her latest performance on my phone. "She's exactly what we need - talented, ambitious, and completely wasted at her current agency."

『And the fact that she's drop-dead gorgeous has nothing to do with it?』

"It doesn't hurt." I watched her command the stage, drawing every eye. "But it's her presence I want. The way she owns every room she walks into."

『For Akio?』

"For the clone, yes. I've got decades of music industry knowledge from Vincent rattling around up here. Might as well put it to use."

『And the real PRISM members?』

"They'll fall in line once they see what Akio can do for their careers." I closed the video. "Everyone wants to be a star. I'm just providing the opportunity."

『Along with taking 60% of their earnings.』

"That's show business."

The car slowed as we approached the music center. I straightened my tie, checking my reflection in the window.

『You know,』 the Advisor said, 『most people would just start a normal talent agency.』

"Most people are boring." I stepped out into the sunshine. "Besides, where's the fun in normal?"

『At least try to look surprised when they show you their new routine.』

"Please." I headed for the entrance. "I've been practicing my 'impressed businessman' face all morning."

The security guard nodded as I passed. In just a few weeks, this would be my building too. Another piece on the board, another step toward...

『Focus,』 the Advisor warned. 『One hostile takeover at a time.』

I grinned, pushing through the double doors. Time to make some dreams come true.

Whether they wanted me to or not.

The elevator hummed as it carried me to the practice floors. I could hear music thumping through the walls - dozens of groups rehearsing, all chasing the same dream. All potential pieces in my growing empire.

『PRISM's in Studio 3,』 the Advisor said. 『Their manager's already sweating bullets.』

"Good." I checked my watch. "How long until my meeting with Strawberry Productions?"

『Two hours.』

I stepped out onto the practice floor, following the familiar beat of PRISM's latest single. Through the observation window, I could see them moving in perfect sync - five young men with identical expressions of concentration.

『Technical score: 85/100,』 the Advisor assessed. 『Entertainment value: 45/100.』

"Generous." I watched their reflection in the mirror-lined walls. "They're robots with pretty faces."

『Speaking of pretty faces, your clone's illusion is holding stable. Akio's ready whenever you need him.』

I touched the Shadow Seal, feeling the stored power pulse in response. One thought, and I could have my star appear anywhere within range. But timing was everything in show business.

The music ended. The group held their final pose, breathing hard.

"Again!" their manager barked. "Tighter formation on the bridge!"

I pushed open the door. "I think they've got it."

Five heads snapped toward me. The manager - Tanaka, perpetually rumpled and anxious - practically tripped over himself bowing.

"Mr. White! We weren't expecting you until..."

"I was in the neighborhood." I studied the group, noting their barely-concealed exhaustion. "How long have they been at it?"

"Six hours," one of them muttered. Hiro, the unofficial leader. Good looking, talented, and completely lacking in star power.

"Then I'd say they've earned a break." I smiled at Tanaka's panicked expression. "Unless you disagree?"

"No! No, of course..." He waved at the group. "Take fifteen, boys. Water only!"

They filed past me, careful to bow but not meet my eyes. Smart kids. They knew what was coming.

『Their contract expires in three weeks,』 the Advisor reminded me. 『Tanaka's already shopping them around.』

"How's it going?" I asked once we were alone.

Tanaka deflated. "No serious offers. The market's saturated, and without a breakthrough single..."

"They're good performers."

"The best!" He latched onto the praise. "Their work ethic, their dedication..."

"But they're missing something." I moved to the center of the room, where they'd been practicing moments before. "That spark that separates professionals from stars."

"Mr. White..." Tanaka wrung his hands. "If you're not interested..."

"I didn't say that." I turned to face him. "What if I told you I had someone who could give them that spark?"

Hope warred with suspicion on his face. "A producer?"

"A new member." I smiled. "Someone with that x-factor you've been missing."

"But the group dynamic... the fans..."

"Will adapt." I pulled out my phone, bringing up a carefully doctored video of Akio performing. "Take a look."

Tanaka's eyes widened as he watched. My shadow clone moved with inhuman grace, every gesture calculated for maximum impact. The illusion magic made him glow on screen, drawing the eye like a magnet.

"He's..." Tanaka swallowed. "Who is he?"

"Akio Tamaki. Currently unsigned, but not for long." I took back the phone. "I can bring him in. Make him part of PRISM. But there are conditions."

"Of course, of course!" Tanaka was practically salivating. "Anything!"

"New contract. My label, my terms." I let that sink in. "The group stays together, but Akio takes lead."

"Hiro won't..."

"Hiro will do what's best for his career." I headed for the door. "Think it over. You have until Friday."

"Mr. White!" He called after me. "This Akio... is he really that good?"

I paused in the doorway. "He's better."

The group was huddled by the water cooler, trying not to look like they were watching us. I gave them a nod as I passed.

『That was cruel,』 the Advisor said as I waited for the elevator.

"That was business." I checked the time. "Speaking of which..."

『Car's already waiting. Strawberry Productions is expecting you.』

I stepped into the elevator, watching my reflection in the polished doors. Everything was falling into place. PRISM would sign, Akio would debut, and Ai Hoshino...

『Try not to look too pleased with yourself,』 the Advisor warned. 『It's unsettling.』

"I'm just appreciating the artistry." The doors opened on the lobby. "After all, what's life without a little drama?"

『You're impossible.』

"I prefer 'ambitious'." I stepped out into the sunshine. "Now, let's go steal a star."

Time for Act Two.

[End of Volume 1]