"Talk"

'Thought'
______________
"YOU'RE WHAT!?"

Inside the office of the Public Safety Headquarters buildings, Denji, Power, Himeno, Aki Hayakawa and even Makima couldn't help but be very shocked and beyond disbelief as they all looked at Kobeni Higashiyama standing before them all and had just said something that definitely caused such reaction.

"I-I said I'm pregnant..."

Kobeni looks away shyly and speaks to everyone with such a quiet and very embarrassed tone as she admits to everyone that she was with child.

"W-What? H-How are you pregnant?!"

"WHO DARE DEFILED MY QUEEN'S FLOWER!? I'LL KILL THEM AND DRAIN THEM COMPLETELY FROM BLOOD!"

The ones who were hit the hardest by this revelation were Denji, who just didn't understand what was going on in general, and Power, who was beyond jealous that someone had taken Higashima's virginity instead of herself.

"May you please explain everything to them, like you did with me, Deviltrix."

Kobeni decided it was best to let someone more intelligent and who understood the situation better than herself, that being the Deviltrix themselves, who suddenly activated and produced a holographic image of what looked like a gender-neutral devil-like creature. This surprised a lot of people, especially those who hadn't experienced the collar speaking before.

"Protocol: "Seed Planting" has been activated, now Host: Kobeni Higashiyama will be given the task of birthing one of the 1,000,912 aliens species, more specifically, the current alien species that the Host is pregnant with is the "Kineceleran", also known by others as "Supido-Kyo"."

Despite the explanation from the Deviltrix, most, if not everyone, was still very confused, as the explanation didn't really help explain anything.

"SO YOU'RE THE ONE WHO BREEDED WITH MY QUEEN! I'LL KILL YOU!"

Though it did make Power more angry and motivated to want to kill the Deviltrix, luckily she was held back by the others before she could do anything crazy.

"May you please explain what this "Seed Planting" protocol you speak of?"

Makima, being the few who was able to recover quickly from surprise and calm enough to ask questions and further explanation.

"The purpose of the protocol is to help continue the population of a species that might be potentially at risk of going extinct."

The Deviltrix just continues to explain further about the situation.

"Wait, there's an entire species of Kobeni's transformation?"

"Let's save that can of worms for another day, one shocking news is already enough for today..."

Himeno just now realized the existence of a whole race of Higashiyama transformation, though Aki was able to quickly snap her out of such thoughts, not wanting to deal with more shocking revelations today.

"I see, and how exactly did Kobeni activate this "Seed Planting" you mentioned before?"

Makima couldn't help but be more curious about all this, wanting to learn all she could from the Deviltrix.

"By meeting the many requirements and conditions that allowed the Host to be given such a task, the main contributions are her being of the female gender, and reaching the appropriate age of maturity."

Deviltrix mentioned how there were steps to unlocking the protocol, and unfortunately their host was able to fit the bill of what needs to be done.

"Oof, a bad day to be born a girl..."

Himeno couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty for her Captain, can't imagine having all of this happening just because they were born a girl.

"And I'm assuming there's no way to prevent this pregnancy from happening?"

Makima hums, if one would pay attention closely enough, some would notice she was thinking some very dark thoughts at the moment.

"Affirmative, once it has started, it can not be stopped, and I made sure to take many counter measures to keep the children safe and protected."

The Deviltrix sounded somewhat threatening when they mentioned how it would do anything to protect the developing babies, which did cause others to tense up slightly in response.

"I see, thank you for explaining things to us, Deviltrix."

With nothing more to ask, and with everyone basically understanding enough of what's happening, Makima said nothing and gave a simple thank you.

"Yes, thank you, you've been a big help as always."

Kobeni also gave her thanks to her Deviltrix, which seemed to mean more when heard from her.

"I-I'm just doing as programmed."

And with that, the holographic image disappeared and the Deviltrix just remains as a silent collar once again.

"Well, at least she didn't have sex with anyone..."

Denji grumbles and huffs, still upset about all this, but at least now he knows he still has a chance with Higashiyama.

"I still plan to have my vengeance for the stupid collar..."

Though Power wasn't so easy to forgive the Deviltrix, but at the moment, could do nothing about it and just imagine death threats for the collar.

"So does this mean we get to see you carrying a literal alien in that belly of yours for the next 9 months?"

Himeno couldn't imagine what it must be like to not only be pregnant, but be pregnant with aliens for the entire 9 months.

"Actually, due to my human DNA mixing with Supido-Kyo, the babies might be born sooner than that, at least a few weeks, if not a month."

But Kobeni was able to clear up the misunderstanding as she mentioned that she would be having a much shorter pregnancy than normal, much to her relief.

"Definitely gonna be hard to continue your Devil Hunting job when you're on your way to becoming a mother."

Aki frowns slightly as he could imagine how being pregnant was not ideal when it comes to being a Devil Hunters.

"... A-Actually... About that..."

Suddenly, the mood had drastically changed. Guilt and nervousness were obviously seen on Kobeni's face. No doubt what she might say next would not be something we would be happy about, but she had no choice. So, after gathering enough courage, she took a deep breath and looked at the Control Devil straight in the eyes.

"M-Makima, I am here to resign and quit my job as a Devil Hunter."

As soon as Kobeni said this, well, it was pretty obvious no one was prepared for the knees, most specifically the Devil of Domination herself.

"Y-YOU'RE GONNA QUIT!?"

"BUT WHY!? DON'T YOU LOVE US MY QUEEN!? WHY LEAVE US BEHIND!?"

Though it was, of course, Denji and Power who took the news the worst out of every, no doubt devastating to have someone they loved quitting and possibly leaving them.

"I-It's not like that, but I-I'm gonna be a Mother soon..."

Kobeni quickly tries to reassure them, as well as explain why she's actually doing this.

"S-Sure, they're not g-gonna be normal babies, b-but they're still my babies, and I don't want t-to risk anything that could h-harm them..."

Kobeni looks down at herself and places her hands over her belly. Even though all of this was crazy, and being given such responsibilities without consent was unfair, she couldn't help but not only accept what was happening, but do everything she could to just, well, become a mother, which includes protecting them.

"S-So I'm sorry..."

Though it was still a hard decision to make for Kobeni, and she can't help but feel upset and regret that she had to make it.

"Well, that does make sense."

Luckily Aki was very understanding, even supporting the choice Higashiyama had made.

"Yeah, can't be a Mother in this type of environment."

A feeling shared with Himeno, though was still somewhat upset at the idea of her friend leaving.

"W-Well, If She's Quitting, Then I'm Quitting To!"

"Yes! I As Well! I Only Follow And Listen To My Queen!"

Again, both Denji and Power were the most upset, outright refused this outcome, and decided to do whatever it takes to always be with the Deviltrix host. Though surprisingly enough, unknown to the rest, their feelings were equally shared by a certain Devil of Conquest.

"... Kobeni, I had planned to give you another promotion, but if you leave now, you might not get it now."

Makima immediately brought up something that instantly catches everyone's attention, more specifically the shape-shifter.

"A-Another promotion? What for?"

Kobeni was no doubt surprised and confused to be suddenly given another promotion.

"For excellent leadership skills, your many fantastical abilities, managing to capture the Samurai Sword and defeating his thugs, and among other more accomplishments, it is only fitting that you be rewarded with another promotion that better fits you."

Makima quickly listed many reasons and examples of why Higashiyama was being rewarded, something she really couldn't argue against.

"W-What could possibly be higher than being your 2nd in Command?"

Kobeni still couldn't comprehend what she could be given despite already having a lot.

"Full on partnership."

But what Makima was offering was way more than what the Deviltrix could even imagine.

"A-And what does that mean?"

Kobeni was now worried about what she might be getting herself into.

"You are now a secondary Boss of everyone here, not just to your team, basically having full control of all the Devil Hunters here, who will listen to whatever you have to say, you could even assign them to body guard your children and they would accept the job without questions."

Makima wasted no time explaining all the benefits of becoming her full on partner.

"Not only that, now you are no longer required to always take missions, if you wanted to, you could just do one job that probably lasted one day and spend the rest of the month on vacation, with the most you gotta do is reports and paperwork."

And the more benefits that Makima was revealing to the shape-shifter, the more she couldn't just handle it all and feel very overwhelmed with all this.

"And lastly, you will be given nearly unlimited resources, no matter what you ask, you could probably get it, which includes like the aforementioned Devil Hunters, as well as any Devils and Fiends you could make contracts with, and it doesn't have to be people or Devils, if you wanted a new home as big as a mansion, we can make that happen."

The more and more Makima keeps hitting Higashiyama with benefits after benefits, it made it very hard for her to say no.

"M-Makima, please, you don't need to-"

"Did I also mention you get paid much more than what you do now? Like a lot more, imagine all the colleges you could afford not only for yourself, but all your children too, without making a dent in your wallet."

Though what finally broke the camal back, was when Makima ended all with the last benefits, which was that Kobeni would be given so much money that she couldn't even fathom.

"... I accept the promotion..."

And so with that, instead of quitting, Kobeni had no choice but to accept the promotion, as all the benefits, even if she most likely not gonna use it all, would be stupid to just ignore and reject.

"Hooray, Kobeni gets to stay~"

And while the Deviltrix host was unable to leave, at least she would still have the support and company of her friends, like Himeno, who was happy to still have her friend around.

"Don't worry, we promise to protect you and your children."

Aki as well, who swore to do everything he can to protect his new Boss from any danger that would come after her and soon to be family, one might have noticed he was very serious and determined when he made that declaration.

"Hehe, about time they recognize you as their Queen, to bad I started worshipping you longer before that, so blep~"

"Oh! Let's make her a crown and queen stuff!~"

"Please don't..."

Power and Denji were most definitely happy about this. Not only that, but they also decided to use the opportunity to celebrate Kobeni's new promotion and make her a literal queen. However, the shape-shifter wasn't sure if she was ready for such treatment.

'To see you as my equal is such an insult to me...'

Though as Kobeni continues to be surrounded by her friends, talking about many future possibilities of her new promotion, Makima could be seen in the background, her face was still calm and collected, yet she was surrounded by an aura that expressed how displeased and upset she was about what she had to do, though despite such negativity, a small smile could be seen forming on her lips, a smile that showed nothing but "eagerness", most likely seeing this new situation as a new opportunity for herself.

'However, what I just gained today, makes it all worth it, heh~...'
_________________________________
Yup, it's not Big Chill, it was actually XLR8, I decided to be original and explore other options instead of reusing what was done, of course I'm not saying I won't do a Big Chill arc, but that would be seen in the future.

(BTW i made fanart for this ARC on DeviantArt, but be warned, those fan art will contain spoilers for the future of this story)