My Wives are Beautiful Demons

Chapter 82: A Master of Familiars

Darkness cloaked the forest like a heavy mantle, the tall, twisted trees reaching toward the cloudy sky.

Thick, exposed roots intertwined across the ground, forming a menacing maze beneath Vergil's feet. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and decaying leaves, mingled with the distant sound of running water, which echoed eerily between the trunks.

The sensation of being pulled through space was disorienting for Vergil, as if his body was being disintegrated into particles and reassembled elsewhere. His stomach churned, and the constant feeling of falling made it impossible to tell sky from earth. When his feet finally touched solid ground, he stumbled, barely able to keep his balance.

"HAHAHAHA! That never gets any easier, does it?" Sapphire's playful voice echoed, clearly accustomed to the jarring effects of teleportation. Viviane, on the other hand, seemed less affected, adjusting her fiery red hair with a disdainful look as she glanced around.

"Ugh…" Vergil murmured, looking around while the ringing of magic still buzzed in his ears. "Where are we?"

"The Dark Forest," Sapphire replied, her tone calm in contrast to the intensity of their surroundings. "And this is where you'll meet my friend."

Vergil frowned, the discomfort growing as he noticed the shifting shadows around them. The light from the demonic sky barely pierced the thick canopy of the trees, casting an eerie gloom. He could feel the presence of something, as if the trees themselves were watching him, appraising him with malicious intent.

"Your friend?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

'Since when does this lunatic call anyone a friend? Even Viviane's been reduced to a glorified housekeeper!' Vergil thought, his face contorting into a strange expression.

"Are you thinking bad things about me? You got a death wish?" Sapphire asked, adjusting her stance, "For your information, I have

lots

of friends!" She crossed her arms, causing her chest to bounce slightly.

"I-I didn't say anything!" Vergil raised his hands in surrender, quickly regaining his composure. Sapphire simply nodded, her eyes flashing with a mixture of irritation and amusement. "Sure, but I think you'll like this one…" She began walking, motioning for him to follow.

The forest seemed alive, whispers carried by the wind weaving through the trees. In the distance, the sounds of unknown creatures echoed—some growling, others emitting high-pitched laughter that made Vergil more uneasy with each step.

"This is where you'll get your Familiar," Sapphire said as they approached a small clearing. "She's beautiful, so avoid eye contact," she added, "Or you'll regret it."

'What? Is it a gorgon? Medusa this time? I've already met the Lady of the Lake, now Medusa? I really don't have any luck…' Vergil thought skeptically. He had always been cautious when beings were described as "beautiful" in a place like this. When they stepped into the clearing, his eyes widened at the sight of the woman waiting for them.

She stood tall, her long, jet-black hair framing a face that could have been sculpted from marble. Her eyes were a deep, glowing green, radiating an intense, otherworldly light, and her features were a perfect blend of delicate beauty and underlying ferocity that left Vergil both intrigued and slightly terrified. She wore a long gown that seemed to float around her, made of shadows and light woven together, as if the forest itself had materialized into fabric.

"Ah, Sapphire! What a pleasant surprise!" the woman said, her voice smooth and almost hypnotic as she approached them. "And who is this young demon you've brought along?"

Vergil felt a chill run down his spine, and not just from the environment. Something about her presence was both alluring and dangerous, as though something was fundamentally wrong.

"This is Vergil," Sapphire introduced, her mischievous smile revealing that she was clearly enjoying herself. "He needs a Familiar."

The woman smiled enigmatically, her eyes scanning Vergil as if she could read his very thoughts. "So, you seek a companion, do you? An ally to face the challenges of this demonic world? You've come to the right place."

Vergil stood in silence, watching as the woman, Selene, moved with an almost otherworldly grace. He noticed how the clearing around them had subtly shifted, the shadows seeming to creep closer as if they had a mind of their own.

'At least she's not Medusa,' Vergil thought, still focused on the warning,

"Don't look her in the eyes."

"I am Selene, the Master of Familiars," she introduced herself, her tone growing more serious. "And contrary to what you might think, a Familiar is not just a servant. It's a partner. The relationship between you two must be based on mutual respect and trust."

"I'm not here to form friendships," Vergil retorted, keeping his tone steady. "I want power. That's all."

Selene raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his lack of enthusiasm. "You think you can simply demand power without understanding what it truly means? A Familiar is an extension of yourself. If you're not worthy of having one, you won't be able to control it. Sapphire, did you teach him nothing?" she added, turning toward Sapphire.

"He's naturally stupid. You can't change some things," Sapphire replied, leaving Selene momentarily speechless.

"I'm not worried about that," Vergil cut in, his voice low and firm. "I just want what I need."

"Ah, a young man with plenty of confidence. Let's hope you die quickly," Selene remarked, her expression lighting up with a mix of amusement and disdain. "Very well. Let's get to it. You want power, and your conviction is garbage, so you'll probably die trying. Let's go."

She turned, gesturing for them to follow her deeper into the clearing, where a thick mist began to swirl, obscuring whatever lay beyond.

'She seemed so sweet before... now she feels like a real demon,' Vergil muttered to himself, watching how quickly her demeanor had changed.

"Come along, spoiled brat who thinks everything comes easy," Selene called out, beckoning him closer.

As they approached, Vergil could feel the tension in the air. He could hear faint whispers and distant laughter, and the atmosphere was heavy with a strange energy that made him uneasy. Sapphire walked beside him, her smirk full of mischief that he couldn't ignore.

'She's enjoying my discomfort...' Vergil thought bitterly. 'I'm going to get back at her when I have the chance... twice kidnapped in less than a year.'

"How about you stop having those possessive thoughts of getting back at your master? I can hear everything, you know?" Selene interrupted, revealing Vergil's thoughts to Sapphire.

"Oh, so that's what you've been thinking?" Sapphire laughed, trying to place her hand on his head. "You trying to die, kid?" she teased, lifting him by his head, though it felt more like a joke.

"Stop being annoying too. You should be proud that he thinks like that. Let's move on," Selene said dismissively, and Sapphire dropped him, leaving him standing back where he was.

"Ready to meet your new companion?" Selene asked, her eyes gleaming with a teasing challenge.

As she approached Vergil, she subtly cut his finger with her sharp nails, so lightly that he didn't even notice. A drop of blood fell to the ground.

Selene stepped back, raising her hand dramatically as a massive circle appeared, drawing the blood into it. "Come forth, my dear! Reveal yourself to this young demon!"

The mist began to swirl violently, forming a silhouette that slowly took shape. Vergil blinked, trying to focus on the figure emerging from the shadows. When the mist finally cleared, he froze.

Before him stood a creature that defied logic. It had the body of a woman, but its face was dominated by a gaping mouth, which seemed to take up most of its head, filled with sharp teeth and twisted into a grotesque grin. Its hair writhed like a mass of serpents, and its glowing eyes gleamed with a malicious hunger that sent chills down Vergil's spine. Long, razor-sharp claws extended from its hands, while a serpent-like tail slithered restlessly behind it.

"Well," Selene said, a smile playing on her lips. "Meet your new Familiar."

"Hi, idiot!" the creature shouted, her voice booming like thunder in the silence of the forest. "You must be Vergil! I can't wait to insult you while you screw up during our adventures!"

Vergil felt his stomach twist, a chill running down his spine. "What the hell is this?" he muttered, panic rising inside him. "This is my Familiar?"

"Yes, she's yours," Selene confirmed with a satisfied smile, while Vergil stared at her in disbelief. "Your new companion. What do you think?"

"No, no, this can't be happening. Isn't it supposed to be something like 'Come to me and serve me forever!' or something? What kind of creature is this?!" Vergil shook his head, trying to regain his composure. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"Dead serious! HAHAHA!" the creature shrieked with a high-pitched laugh. "And you're about to find out I'm more than enough to make you cry! I'll teach you what it means to be a real demon!"

"You're telling me

this... thing

is my Familiar?" Vergil turned to Selene, searching for an explanation that made sense.

"Of course, dear. Call her Zuri," Selene said with a teasing grin. "She's a rare creature, a Familiar that combines raw power with... well, let's say, a bit of an extravagant personality."

"I can't believe you're doing this to me!" Vergil responded, outraged. "Can't you give me something less... insane?"

Zuri let out a loud, almost deafening laugh. "Less insane? Don't be ridiculous, idiot! You're stuck with me! It's like picking a pair of shoes and hoping they're comfortable! Too bad, you'll have to get used to it!"

"She swears and everything, just to keep you in check," Sapphire chimed in, clearly enjoying the situation.

"And you're going to learn to respect me, because I've got no patience for idiots like you!" Zuri continued, her gaping mouth revealing sharp teeth in a wicked grin. "And if you think you can ignore me, get ready to be bitten!"

Vergil wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry...

"Well, at least it's not some dumb boat, or a useless Red Dragon who never helps and just warns the protagonist about stuff while pretending to be useful," Viviane said, shrugging. Everyone turned to look at her.

"That was oddly specific... are you okay?" Vergil asked, though...

"W-wait, you've been here this whole time? Oh my god, it's the Lady of the Lake... but why are you dressed like a maid?" Selene said excitedly as she finally noticed her. Well, she

had

been there for a while...