Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Serena POV.
I finished singing the last note of 'what it sounds like" along with Enid and Verosika before wiping the sweat from my forehead, clearing my throat, and looking out at the crowd in front of me. Like the rest of the songs, Serafall was the first to start screaming and waving their lightsticks loudly.
"That was perfect!!" Serafall exclaimed, not even hesitating to jump onto the stage. "When can we start recording?!" Serafall asked, grabbing my hand and practically pressing her face right up against mine. I glanced at Enid.
"I mean... the songs and the script are complete, but nothing else? So we're missing everything else, especially the interviews? We have the Huntrix and most of the Saja Boys; we're missing someone for Romance, but after that, we'd be missing all the other actors for the other characters."
"Bobby, Celine, and Gwi-Ma are the most important, then there are recurring and temporary character roles, lots of extras for the concerts, and everything else. We also need a director, a film crew, editing, and everything that goes with it?" Enid said, sounding almost scared.
"Don't worry! I'll take care of it!" Serafall said with enormous excitement. "I'm sure they want to hire and record everything under the companies within Pentagram City, right? I can send people who are willing to work with them and train them if necessary!" Serafall said, and I looked at her in surprise.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting that," I said honestly. Serafall smiled broadly.
"We need K-pop Demon Hunters to come out as soon as possible! We can't deny the underworld that!" Serafall said, almost frantically. "Just take care of hiring the people. If you need me to send capable people to do the auditions, I will!" Serafall said fervently. "We need to get a Celine who can actually sing, or will just anyone do? I don't think she had a major role? I think she was even bad!" Serafall said, puffing out her cheeks. I snorted.
"Celine isn't bad," I said immediately. Serafall stared at me. "Think of it this way. The script doesn't show it because it's summarized, and she only has a few appearances, but think of it this way. The Sunlight Sisters were the previous hunters. Mi-yeong Ryu, Rumi's mother, died in childbirth, and the third member also disappeared and left."
"Celine was the only one who stayed, and with all that that implies. She raised, educated, trained, and protected Rumi until she could debut alongside Mira and Zoey and become a hunter in her own right, but that was at least 17 years, 17 years where she alone protected Honmon from Gwi-Ma and the demons, 17 years where she was the only one who kept Honmon intact and people safe."
"She may say incorrect things, or make mistakes, especially in the way she raised Rumi, especially when she didn't know how to raise a half-demon, so yes, Celine may have made mistakes, but she's not bad." I corrected firmly, and Serafall looked at me with wide eyes.
"Oh... a lonely magical girl." Serafall murmured before sounding excited. "Yes, yes, that makes perfect sense, I can understand! I need to see the full script." Serafall demanded almost wildly and a little intimidatingly.
"We'll have to write the script correctly; you'll be the first we show it to," I said immediately. Serafall nodded firmly. "And to answer the question, we'll delve into Celine's past. I think there were some songs written for her, so yes, we need someone who can sing," I told Serafall.
"Great! I'll get everything ready! I'll coordinate with you?" Serafall asked excitedly, and I shook my head.
"With Enid or Ravel, they would be the ones directing the project itself," I told her immediately. Serafall nodded as she bounced.
"I can't wait to work with you guys!!" Serafall squealed, then hugged me, Enid, and even Verosika, who seemed to freeze in place as her brain momentarily failed. Then Serafall quickly stepped back. I took a deep breath. Well, that was intense.
"You were truly amazing, Serena," Sirzechs said as he approached.
"Thank you," I said with a smile. Sirzechs shook his head.
"You're really talented, your vocal range is really wide, and not only that, I've listened to your other songs, the number of rhythms and genres you master is simply incredible," Sirzechs said with a smile.
"Thank you," I said softly. "I really like music, and luckily I'm good at it," I said honestly. Enid sighed beside me.
"I already told you, don't underestimate yourself. Talent is good, but you practiced a lot to get where you are." Enid scolded me from beside me, and I smiled awkwardly at her.
"She's right, talent without effort is nothing," Sirzechs said amusedly. "And by the way, Miss Sinclair, the same could be said of you—fine acting," Sirzechs said with a charming smile. Enid blushed.
"Oh no, no, I'm just starting to sing! It was a last- minute thing! I'm glad everything turned out all right, but I have so much to learn!" Enid said immediately. I rolled my eyes.
"If I can't downplay my accomplishments, neither can you," I said curtly. Enid blushed and pouted at me. Sirzechs laughed.
"You too, Miss Verosika. I see that Pentagram City has some truly great talent. I look forward to seeing your career flourish." Sirzechs said cheerfully, and Verosika burst into a blush.
"I-I'll do my best, Lord Lucifer!" Verosika squealed. Sirzechs shook his head.
"Only Sirzechs," he said. Verosika looked completely horrified at the idea of calling him by his first name. Sirzechs laughed. "It will be really nice working with you," he added with a smile. I laughed along.
"Even singing ridiculous songs and wearing a hairstyle that covers your entire face?" I asked mockingly. Sirzechs smiled crookedly.
"Even then, though... I hope not," Sirzechs said awkwardly, and I chuckled.
"I hope so, it'll be quite a show," Azazel said as he approached with Vali. "By the way, Vali is really excited to play his part!" Azazel added cheerfully. I raised an eyebrow as I looked at Vali, who was glaring at him.
I did have some concerns about Vali. He was supposed to become a terrorist at the peace conference and join the Chaos Brigade, so I'd have to keep an eye on things. Not because I cared whether he was a terrorist or not, it would just be annoying to find a replacement. Did he have to be Baby? Not really, but it would be a lot of fun, and that's all that mattered. But I'd figure that out later.
"Yes, it seems he's eagerly awaiting it," I said dryly. Azazel laughed heartily.
"Don't let his wrinkled face fool you, he really likes me, especially the last of the Saja Boys," Azazel said mischievously. Vali growled in his direction before disappearing in a teleportation circle. Azazel just shook his head. "Message me with his schedule, and I'll make sure he comes," Azazel said playfully. "By the way, did you tell her, Sirzechs?" Azazel asked. Sirzechs shook his head.
"I was about to tell her," Sirzechs said softly. I raised an eyebrow in his direction.
"Tell me what?" I asked curtly.
"As a victim of Kokabiel and responsible for stopping him, we want to invite you to the conference of the three biblical factions—devils, angels, and fallen angels—who will meet in Kuoh in two weeks to discuss the recent states and situations within the three factions," Sirzechs said, sounding genuinely excited and almost hopeful, with a hint of relief. Azazel nodded.
"Yes... We have a lot to talk about." Azazel said, his tone soft and hopeful, as he looked at Sirzechs with almost the same hope. "It was a pleasure meeting you all. I really enjoyed the show. I can't wait to see it in its entirety. But now I must say goodbye. I have many things to do. See you in two weeks." Azazel said, waving goodbye, then began to teleport away.
"I must retire as well. Send me the schedule, too. I'll try to kill some time, or Serafall will drag me away," Sirzechs said with a tired smile. Then he teleported to Grayfia, who was bowing slightly.
"This isn't a dream, is it?" Verosika asked in shock. "I performed for the leaders of two factions., Lady Leviathan hugged me, and Lord Lucifer praised my singing. This has to be a dream," Verosika murmured. Enid laughed amusedly.
"No, it's not, silly." Enid said, bumping Verosika's hip with hers, pulling her out of her reverie. Then she looked at me and blushed slightly.
"S-sorry for my lack of professionalism," Verosika said. I shook my head.
"Don't worry, I prefer you to be yourself. Now, go rest, you seem to need it. Get yourself mentally prepared; you'll be working with Serafall and Sirzechs for a long time. Congratulations, you just got the part." I said easily. Verosika looked at me with wide eyes, then squealed happily before freezing. She cleared her throat as she blushed and straightened up.
"T-thank you for the opportunity, Lady Prince, I won't disappoint you!" Verosika said shakily, then quickly walked away.
"Do you think she'll faint?" Enid asked playfully. I shook my head and sighed.
"Lady Prince," Rias said as she approached with Sona and both Peerages. "Congratulations on an excellent performance, that was incredible!" Rias said, sounding excited but trying to suppress it. I could see her hands trembling slightly as she squealed.
"Good performance, Lady Prince," Sona said more modestly.
"Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it," I said gently. Rias nodded and cleared her throat, trying to compose herself.
"Before we go, there's... something I need to discuss with you." Rias said shyly. I looked at her curiously, then she cleared her throat. "Well, I mean, do you remember Xenovia? The wielder of one of the Excaliburs? Blue hair, exorcist?" Rias asked quickly. I looked at her curiously.
Xenovia, yes, look, I was looking for her before I stopped, and Xenovia? Didn't she join Rias's group when she found out God had died during Kokabiel's attack? Why isn't she here with them?
"Did something happen with her?" I asked cautiously. Rias grimaced before sighing.
"Something like that?" Rias sighed. "She wants to get in touch with you; she wants to be part of your Peerage." Rias said with a grimace.
"Wait, mine?" I asked in surprise, and Rias nodded.
" Yes, she-" Rias shifted uncomfortably, and Akeno laughed to the side.
"She wants to mate with you and have your strong babies," Akeno said immediately.
"Akeno!" Rias said, slightly blushing, my eyes widened.
"Wait, me? I thought if she were going to try it with someone, it would be with Issei. He's an idiot, and I feel like gouging his eyes out and burning his mouth, but he's still the Red Dragon Emperor." I said in surprise. Issei paled and took a step back.
"H- hey! I've behaved as best I could! Please don't gouge out my eyes!" Issei begged as he bowed down. I ignored him while Rias sighed.
" Yes, she... Akeno's words, though direct, were her exact words," Rias said wearily. "She's staying in Kuoh because I promised her I'd talk to you, but otherwise, I had planned to go all the way to Wallachia to find you," Rias added.
"She knows that the children of succubi won't inherit their parents' strength in that way, right? That my child will surely be a simple succubus with little potential?" I said while raising an eyebrow. Rias sighed.
"I tried to explain it to her, but... she's convinced she can have a strong child with enough determination," Rias said with a pained look. I opened my mouth before closing it. What? I blinked several times before sighing, thinking quickly before looking at Rias once more.
"Hmm, you're missing a Knight, aren't you?" I asked Rias curiously, who was surprised but nodded.
"Y- yes, I have a Knight available." Rias said, confused. I nodded.
"Then tell her to join your group." I said to Rias, who looked at me with wide eyes in surprise.
"What? But-" Rias tried to say, I hummed.
"For the next few weeks, maybe months, I will be completely busy and unavailable. Unfortunately, I don't really have time to meet someone new to add to my peerage in the short term."
"I'd rather she join you and be cared for than wait uselessly for something that could take months. It's not a good idea, and she might just change her mind eventually. Besides, she'll be well looked after under you, and she might even grow up properly," I told Rias honestly. And I meant it.
Xenovia had grown a lot since the beginning as the series progressed, all thanks to Issei and his group. The fact that Xenovia "liked" me right now didn't mean anything, but while she had initially been attracted to Issei's strength, she had developed genuine feelings for him as time went on.
So yes, my plan was simply to leave her to Rias to deal with and hope that whatever magic Issei was capable of with his harem would take effect on her once again.
I didn't really have anything against Xenovia; she was quite pretty, but I had already added too many people too quickly for the time being, and it was true that I would be busy, especially with going to the magical world.
"And in case she doesn't change her mind, and even if she wants to be with me, if she's a devil, we'll always meet again, and if necessary, we could even swap pieces if the situation requires it. I still have my two knights available, if you're willing to do so." I told Rias. Rias looked surprised before nodding immediately.
"Y-yes, of course! I'll let Xenovia know." Rias said immediately. I sighed in relief; really, the last thing I expected after going to kill Kokabiel was Xenovia's interest in Issei.
After saying goodbye to both of them and their peerage, everyone left immediately. Finally, Riser approached.
"Good show." Riser said as he approached. I raised an eyebrow.
"I'm glad you approve," I said dryly. Riser chuckled.
"If I was going to act, I obviously had to make sure it was something worthy of the Phenex," Riser said arrogantly. I snorted.
"Of course, now I hope you don't embarrass the Phenex if your singing isn't up to par." I said dryly, Riser looked almost offended.
"My skill is more than enough," Riser said, glaring at me. "Now... I really have to go. I don't want to be around when you release your harem, especially since my sister is in it." Riser said curtly, looking at Ravel, who was still chained to her seat. I sighed.
"No one's stopping you. I'll send you everything you need to know soon." I said easily, and greeted her Peerage before they disappeared.
I looked around; the only people left were my Peerage and the devils who had been helping throughout the show. I clapped loudly to get their attention and spoke forcefully.
"Great job, everyone! Well done! The show's over, and everyone was amazed and loved it! You were incredible!" I congratulated them all, and several of them smiled. "Now, I have to take my Peerage. I hope to work with all of you in the future," I told them. I didn't wait for a response; I just created a portal. The chains dissolved, and I threw the girls into it. Riveria, Lucius, and Narcissa were the only ones who didn't move. They just smiled mockingly at me and teleported away. I sighed wearily. Riveria looked at me worriedly and slightly blushed.
I glanced at the portal before resigning myself to my fate, stepped through with Riveria behind me, and was immediately ambushed by Bella and the others. I swallowed audibly as one of them claimed my lips. Let's see if my damned succubus stamina can hold up; if not, I'll be in serious trouble.
Author's Notes: Well, that concludes my DxD arc! The next one should already be back in the magical world, hurray!!