Chapter 77: Let's make a bet
"Pfff... PFFFFF... HAHAHAHAHAHA" She couldn't hold it in when she heard what Vergil said... Raphaeline simply burst into uncontrollable laughter.
'Oh no... I know that laugh...' Ada muttered, watching her mother completely lose it, laughing uncontrollably and barely catching her breath.
"Hahahaha... A... Hahaha... Blood Armageddon... PFFFFF... HAHAHAHAHA" she continued to laugh in front of Vergil, who didn't look very amused.
'She's provoking him way too much...' Katharina murmured, noticing how Vergil's face started to darken, his gaze lowering toward the woman.
'Is he bowing?' Roxanne wondered, seeing how his head was slightly lowered... but then...
"Funny, isn't it?" Vergil questioned her, and for a moment...
She felt as if a Demon God was staring into her very soul. Her entire body trembled, a shiver ran up her spine, but it was just for a brief second. Yet Raphaeline...
'What was that?!' She questioned herself, feeling the strange aura permeate her being, only to vanish immediately when Vergil looked at her.
"If it's so amusing, then surely the most arrogant and self-righteous Demon Queen in the entire universe can make a bet with me, right?" Vergil asked, not laughing or playing around as usual.
"If I lose, my soul is yours. If I win, yours is mine," Vergil told her directly.
The women around them froze, especially those who understood the gravity of the situation like Ada and Katharina. Roxanne… well, she didn't care much about these demonic dealings or the matter of souls...
However... what he was saying was basically... "Do you even know what that means, boy?" Raphaeline asked, her humor completely gone.
"Yes, I know exactly what it means." Vergil responded, staring deep into her soul. "Do you think I'm afraid of selling my soul? Or are you the one scared of betting against a six-month-old demonic newborn?"
"Afraid, huh?" Raphaeline questioned, letting out a slight chuckle. "And what would you do with my soul if you win?" she asked, intrigued.
"Do I owe you an explanation? If I win, you're mine, end of story," Vergil said, and continued, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't be able to change anything or fight against it." He smiled.
'What the hell?! What is this talk about "You'll be mine"... NO SHE WON'T BE!' Katharina internally roared while Vergil felt his back being pierced by multiple sets of eyes… because…
"Hmph, you better win then," Sapphire said, crossing her arms and turning her face away...
"WHAT?!" Vergil's three wives looked at her in disbelief. "That's our line!" they shouted in unison.
The room fell silent for a few seconds, but soon, Ada broke it again.
"Oh, as if that's acceptable!" Ada exclaimed, her eyes widening in disappointment.
"Are you seriously rooting for him to win a bet like this? You know this is a dangerous game!" she said, looking directly at Sapphire, no longer caring that Sapphire was the greatest of the four Demon Queens. She didn't care anymore!
"Huh? You think I'm here to protect you? I couldn't care less about you," Sapphire replied, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I'm just curious to see how this 'newborn' will fare against the Demon Queen. I'm only here for my own amusement!"
Raphaeline raised an eyebrow, her confidence returning. "I see your madness grows every time I see you. Not afraid of watching your disciple get destroyed, huh?"
"This isn't about fear; it's about entertainment! And I know he won't be defeated anyway," Sapphire retorted, waving her hand dramatically. "Even more interesting is that you're putting your soul on the line. A situation where you could easily end up the loser."
"Loser?" Raphaeline scoffed, the nervous laughter gone. "Do you seriously believe this boy stands a chance against me? I am the Queen here!"
Vergil crossed his arms, his expression still calm. "If you're so scared, just give up already and stop trying to act all high and mighty with your words," Vergil remarked with a shrug.
Raphaeline shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "And what do you have? A few weeks of training? Why does he act so arrogantly when he can't even stand against my aura?"
"Well... I'm not going to fight you, am I?" Vergil responded, his gaze fixed on the Queen. "I still don't know who the idiot is that dared to covet my wife, but if he's around my age, the power difference won't be that big. I'll just kill him and claim my prize. You, though…"
"I'm starting to enjoy this audacity," Raphaeline teased, her eyes gleaming with a threatening light. "And if you really want this bet, let's do it. But I won't be responsible for the consequences."
"Perfect. When do we start?" Vergil asked, a defiant smile forming on his lips.
Raphaeline hesitated for a moment before smirking, her smile serpentine. "Tomorrow at dawn. We'll head to the Demon Realm, to the Castle of Phenex."
"Perfect," Vergil replied, his tone resolute.
'He's really serious about this,' Katharina thought, admiring his determination. But worry began creeping into her heart. 'What if he gets hurt? ... No... my mother is far too confident... Could she have already...?'
Hours passed.
Vergil sat comfortably in an armchair, his gaze distant as he nibbled on a slice of hot pizza.
The aroma of melted cheese and tomato sauce filled the air, but his mind was elsewhere, far from the comforting taste of the meal.
Roxanne lay across his lap, eyes closed, enjoying a moment of peace, truly savoring everything she could.
Ada, seated nearby in a chair, watched the scene with a mix of nervousness and concern.
She couldn't understand how Vergil could be so carefree about this situation! The tension around her felt almost tangible, like a dark cloud looming over them.
"Vergil," she began, hesitation evident in her voice. "Are you really taking this fight seriously? You know you could get hurt, or even… die?"
Vergil lifted his gaze from the pizza, meeting Ada's anxious eyes. "I know. But... I can't just ignore it. It wouldn't be fair to me, or to you."
"But why do you want to go through with this?" Ada pressed, her hands nervously intertwined. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone. There are so many other ways to handle this."
He let out a sigh, his lips curling into a serene smile. "Because I love you. That's all. And I'm not going to let anyone take you away from me."
The words hung in the air, and their effect was immediate. Ada's face turned crimson, as if someone had poured boiling water over her. She quickly turned her head, trying to hide the embarrassment overwhelming her.
"S-Still, Vergil... that doesn't change the fact that you could get hurt. This isn't just about love. It's your life at stake!"
"And it's for you that I'm willing to risk everything," he replied, his voice steady and calm. "Don't you understand? The fight isn't just about winning or losing. It's about protecting those I love. And you are a big part of that."
Ada bit her lip, her heart pounding in her chest. The way he spoke left her in a whirlwind of emotions. She had always admired his courage, but now she felt both enchanted and worried. "But what if you lose? What will I do without you?"
Vergil leaned forward, gently cupping her face in his hand. "You're not going to get rid of me that easily. I'm not a man who gives up. And if that means facing a Demon Queen, an idiotic son of an archon, or whatever else, then so be it. I'll fight with everything I have."
Ada's heart settled slightly, but the anxiety still lingered. "Just... please, take care of yourself. Promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks," she asked, the worry evident in her eyes.
"I promise," Vergil replied, the sincerity in his voice offering her a bit of comfort. Though... he was lying.
'That's not going to happen, girl,' Vergil thought, calmly recalling all the times he had seen Ada die right in front of him.
Roxxanne, who was just waking up, looked at the two, sensing the tension and passion in the air. "You two are so dramatic," she remarked with a playful smile. "It's like you're in some kind of action romance."
Ada glanced at Roxxanne, still blushing, and then let out a soft laugh, trying to ease the tension. "I'm just worried about him."
"No need to worry," Roxxanne said, winking at Vergil. "He always finds a way to come out on top. And he's got us by his side. That's more powerful than any magic."
"That's right," Vergil agreed, his gaze steady on Ada. "I have you all, and that gives me more strength than you could ever imagine."
"Now... where are Katharina and Sapphire?" Vergil questioned. It had been a while since he had seen them, Raphaeline, or the maids.
"Well, they're off dealing with the mess you're about to stir up." Vergil heard from the doorway. "My mother went to meet with the Archon who wants her," Katharina said, pointing to Ada.
"Oh... I see."