DxD: Devil’s Advocate

I walked back to my room, each step measured and controlled despite the storm of thoughts in my head. The servants bowed as I passed, their expressions a mix of pity and wariness. The old Amon had earned both.

My room felt different now - less a sanctuary and more a workspace. I locked the door behind me and pulled out a leather-bound notebook from the desk drawer. Blank pages. Perfect.

I needed to get everything straight. The memories were still settling, pieces clicking into place like some vast interdimensional jigsaw puzzle. I started writing, breaking it down into categories:

"House Beleth - Current Status"

Declining influence

Financial troubles

Reputation issues

Political isolation

Limited allies

"Assets"

Family name (still carries weight)

Traditional territory

Ancient contracts

Library access

Magical potential

DING

"What the hell?" I slammed my eyes shut as pain lanced through my skull. The sound had come from inside my head, like someone had struck a tuning fork against my brain.

『System boot complete. Hello, User Amon Beleth. I am your designated Advisor.』

I dropped my pen. The voice was female, crisp and professional, with an odd echo quality that seemed to resonate through my bones.

"I'm losing it," I muttered. "Stress-induced hallucination. Has to be."

『Negative. I am a fully integrated advisory system, designed to assist with your transition and provide relevant information as needed.』

"Right." I rubbed my temples. "Because that makes so much more sense than a mental breakdown."

『Your skepticism is noted but unnecessary. Would you like a demonstration of my capabilities?』

"Sure, why not?" I leaned back in my chair. "Prove you're not just the result of too much expensive wine and existential crisis."

『Very well. Your current body's original occupant lost 14,327 gold pieces at the Red Dragon Casino last night playing against House Phenex's third son. You attempted to use basic mind manipulation magic to cheat but failed due to inadequate magical control and excessive alcohol consumption.』

I froze. Those weren't in Amon's accessible memories. They were too recent, too clouded by drink.

『I can also tell you that your father's study contains exactly 2,847 books, including a first edition of 'Infernal Battle Tactics' hidden behind a false panel in the east wall. Would you like me to continue?』

"That's..." I swallowed hard. "Specific."

『Indeed. I have access to both surface and deep memory storage, as well as enhanced analytical capabilities. I am here to help you succeed where the original consciousness failed.』

I picked up my pen again, tapping it against the desk. "And what exactly does 'help' entail?"

『Information provision. Strategic analysis. Skill assessment. I cannot directly intervene or take action, but I can provide data and recommendations to optimize your decision-making process.』

"How generous." I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice. "And what's the catch?"

『No catch. My purpose is to facilitate your success. Though I should note that excessive use of my functions may cause temporary headaches until you adjust.』

I glanced down at my notes, then back at the empty air. Talking to nothing made me feel ridiculous, but... "Can you help me organize all this? The memories, the information - there's too much to process."

『Of course. Would you like a complete status analysis of House Beleth's current political and financial position?』

"Start with that." I grabbed a fresh page. "And make it detailed."

『Processing. House Beleth currently ranks 47th among the remaining active Pillars, down from 13th position three decades ago. Primary causes of decline include:』

The voice - the Advisor - began laying out a comprehensive breakdown of my family's situation. I wrote quickly, filling page after page. The information was precise, clinical, highlighting weaknesses I hadn't even considered.

"Stop." I held up a hand after the tenth page. "What about immediate threats? Things I need to handle now?"

『Primary immediate concern: Your brother Cyrus. He has been actively working to sabotage your development for the past three years. Current intelligence suggests he views you as a potential threat due to your superior magical aptitude.』

That caught my attention. "Superior aptitude? The memories show Amon barely passing his magical studies."

『Incorrect. Original consciousness deliberately underperformed to avoid responsibility. Raw magical potential is approximately 77% higher than Cyrus and 61% higher than Damian.』

I sat back, processing that. "So the family fuckup was actually..."

『The most naturally gifted? Yes. Though potential means little without proper application. Would you like a breakdown of your current magical capabilities?』

"Later." I rubbed my eyes. "First I need to figure out how to handle Cyrus. What's his next likely move?"

『Based on established behavior patterns, there is an 83% probability he will attempt to provoke a confrontation within the next 48 hours. Recent gambling losses provide optimal pretext.』

"Wonderful." I started a new page. "Give me everything you have on him. Weaknesses, habits, patterns - especially his favorite tactics."

『Processing. Be advised: This may take some time. Cyrus Beleth's psychological profile is... extensive.』

I settled in for a long night. Outside, the sun was setting, painting the room in shades of red and gold. Somewhere in the mansion, my family was probably gathering for dinner. They'd notice my absence, but the old Amon had missed enough meals that one more wouldn't raise alarms.

I had work to do. Plans to make. A future to reshape.

And apparently, an AI in my head to help me do it.

『Shall we begin?』 The Advisor's voice held a hint of something almost like anticipation.

"Yes." I turned to a fresh page. "Tell me everything."

The night stretched ahead, full of possibilities and pitfalls. I had advantages the original Amon never dreamed of - Vincent's strategic mind, the Advisor's knowledge, and a clear view of the board.

Now I just had to learn to play the game.

『First item: Cyrus's preferred method of undermining potential rivals involves...』

I wrote deep into the night, filling pages with notes and plans. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear - House Beleth was about to change.

I rubbed my eyes as the first rays of dawn crept through my window. The leather notebook before me had transformed into a war journal, filled with cramped writing and diagrams that sprawled across dozens of pages. My hand ached.

『You should rest. Your current body requires sleep to process the information load.』

"Just... give me the summary one more time," I said, stifling a yawn. "Devil society. Start with the basics."

『Very well. The current Devil society operates on a strict hierarchical system. At the top are the Four Great Satans, selected based on merit rather than bloodline after the civil war. Below them are the 72 Pillars - or what remains of them - followed by Extra Demon houses and then the common devils.』

I flipped through my notes, double-checking the details I'd written. "And our standing?"

『House Beleth maintains its position through historical significance rather than current power. Your father's generation saw the start of our decline, though the facade of influence remains intact. Most attribute this to poor financial decisions and political missteps.』

"The real reason?"

『Multiple factors. The loss of key alliance marriages. Failed business ventures. Cyrus's public incidents. Damian's inability to secure meaningful achievements despite his position. The emergence of newer, more aggressive houses willing to adapt to changing times.』

I nodded, then immediately regretted it as my neck protested. "What about-"

"Young master?" Maria's voice carried through the door. "Are you awake?"

"Come in."

She entered with practiced grace, carrying a silver tray with coffee and what smelled like freshly baked pastries. Her eyes widened slightly at the mess of papers covering every surface.

"You've been here all night." It wasn't a question. She set the tray down in the only clear spot available. "The kitchen staff said you never came down for dinner."

"I had research to do." I reached for the coffee, letting its warmth seep into my cold fingers. "Lost track of time."

Maria's gaze swept over the scattered notes, too quick to read anything but clearly cataloging the volume of work. "Research on what, if I may ask?"

"Family history. Political structures." I kept my tone casual. "Things I should probably know more about."

"I see." She adjusted her sleeve, a subtle tell I'd noticed indicated she wanted to say more but wasn't sure if she should. "And this sudden interest in politics has nothing to do with the upcoming social season?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Should it?"

"The Gremory family is hosting their annual gathering in three weeks. All the major houses will attend." She poured a second cup of coffee. "Your father mentioned yesterday that he is deciding who to bring this year."

『The Gremory gathering is a significant networking opportunity,』 the Advisor chimed in. 『Previous iterations have resulted in multiple political alliances and marriage contracts.』

"Interesting timing," I murmured, more to myself than Maria. "Did father say anything else about his expectations?"

"Only that he hopes there won't be any... incidents... like last year."

I searched through Amon's memories and found the relevant event - a drunken argument that had nearly turned violent. Another black mark on the family's reputation.

"No incidents," I assured her. "I plan to be perfectly behaved."

Maria's expression suggested she'd believe that when she saw it. "Will you be requiring anything else this morning? Besides sleep?"

"Just privacy." I managed a tired smile. "And maybe wake me by noon? I have some things to take care of this afternoon."

"Of course." She gathered a few stray papers that had fallen to the floor, stacking them neatly on the desk. "Though if I may suggest, young master - next time you decide to spend all night studying, perhaps inform someone first? It would save the security staff from having to check if you'd left the grounds again."

I caught the gentle rebuke in her tone. The old Amon had apparently made a habit of sneaking out, leaving the house staff to cover for his absences.

"Noted." I stretched, feeling joints pop from sitting too long. "I'll try to be more considerate in the future."

She nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Sleep well, young master. I'll return at noon."

After she left, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. "Advisor, make a note - we need to review everything about the Gremory family before that gathering. Every connection, every rivalry, every potential angle."

『Noted. Though I suggest sleep first. Current physical fatigue levels indicate decreased cognitive function.』

"Fine." I dragged myself to the bed, not bothering to change. "But give me the highlights of what we covered about our magic while I fall asleep. Focus on practical applications."

『The Beleth clan's primary magical affinity manifests in two main branches,』 the Advisor began as I settled under the covers. 『Mental manipulation allows for various degrees of thought reading, memory access, and emotional influence. Shadow manipulation enables creation and control of solid darkness constructs, along with limited teleportation between shadows...』

I drifted off to the Advisor's methodical explanation, my mind already turning over possibilities. Three weeks until the Gremory gathering. Three weeks to prepare, to plan, to begin reshaping my family's future.

But first, sleep. Even master manipulators needed rest.

『Sleep cycle initiated. Entering passive monitoring mode.』

The last thing I remembered thinking before unconsciousness took me was that I really needed to teach the Advisor to be less... robotic.

Then darkness claimed me, and for a few hours at least, the games of devils and politics faded away.

『Good night, User Amon Beleth.』