My Wives are Beautiful Demons

Chapter 86: The capital of the underworld, Abaddon

The city of Abaddon stretched out before Vergil, a vast Victorian metropolis at the heart of the Underworld. The thick air, carrying a metallic scent mixed with something reminiscent of sulfur, vibrated with the sounds of demonic crowds bustling through its shadowy, busy streets. Grandiose buildings of iron and black stone towered above the crowded thoroughfares, their spire-tipped towers piercing the dark, oppressive sky.

Vergil, hands in his pockets, walked slowly through the city, observing everything with undeniable curiosity.

Sapphire had dropped him off in the middle of the demon capital, claiming she had "important business" to attend to. Viviane, his servant, was supposed to accompany him to his mansion, but that didn't seem to be in the cards at the moment. He had strayed from the original path, unable to contain his curiosity about the strange new city.

As he walked, he could feel eyes on him. Was there something wrong with him? Well, it didn't matter.

Still adjusting to his new 'demonic nature,' he figured a few curious glances shouldn't be anything to worry about. Perhaps it was his aura or the fact that, even in the Underworld, he still didn't quite fit in. But he didn't care, really.

"I swear... I never thought the Underworld would be so... eccentric..." he murmured, watching as the world unfolded before him.

The capital, Abaddon, could be described as organized chaos. The streets were packed with shops, taverns, and even open-air markets selling everything from cursed weapons to magical artifacts and arcane items of dubious origin. The creatures passing by varied between humanoid forms, bestial figures, and grotesque beings. Some demons had horns that glinted in the light of the torches, while others had eyes of fire that seemed to gaze into the very soul of anyone who crossed their path.

But Vergil? Well, aside from his aura, he looked like a Noble Demon. Demons that possess the most human-like traits. They have lighter skin, silkier hair, more vibrant eyes, and even their auras are purer. Perhaps that's what kept those guys staring directly at him... If only he knew.

Turning a corner, Vergil stumbled upon an open square. At its center stood a massive statue of a demonic warrior wielding a gigantic sword, seemingly watching over all who passed by. The base of the statue was surrounded by smaller demons, likely city inhabitants, conversing in hushed, conspiratorial tones. A strong smell of roasted meat and spices wafted into his nostrils, making his stomach growl.

"Interesting..." Vergil murmured to himself, as he looked around, absorbing every detail of this new world.

He continued to walk the streets, drawn toward a shop that appeared to sell books. The facade was made of old wood, intricately carved with creatures that seemed straight out of a nightmare. Vergil entered, inhaling the scent of ancient pages and magic permeating the air.

The interior was as strange as the exterior: shelves lined with grimoires and demonic tomes, illuminated by flickering blue flames from candles. The shopkeeper, an old demon with glowing eyes, watched Vergil with discreet curiosity but said nothing. Vergil scanned the titles in languages he couldn't comprehend, but something within him felt an odd familiarity with those texts. He couldn't resist and picked up a black-covered book, feeling a wave of energy pulse through his hands.

"Drawn to the unknown, boy?" the shopkeeper's voice echoed, rough and deep. "These books are for those who aren't afraid to lose their souls."

Vergil smirked slightly. "I've already sold my soul... I'm just enjoying the journey."

The shopkeeper laughed, his sharp teeth glinting in the candlelight. "Welcome to Abaddon, then."

Vergil didn't buy anything, but as he left the shop, he felt something inside him awakening. He didn't know what it was, but he sensed a growing connection to this dark world.

Once back on the streets, he noticed something had changed. A small group of demons was watching him from a distance, murmuring among themselves. Vergil frowned but continued walking, trying to ignore their stares.

He decided to turn down another street, a narrow alley that seemed less crowded. The shadows were denser there, and the walls appeared to whisper secrets. As he walked, the sound of his footsteps echoed on the cobblestone street, and a strange sensation began to form in the air. Vergil felt the familiar chill of danger creeping up his spine.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. A tall demon, with twisted horns and eyes glowing like embers, blocked his path. He smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

"You're new around here, aren't you?" The demon's voice was low and menacing. "Seems like someone hasn't explained the rules of the Underworld to you."

Vergil remained calm, his gaze fixed on the demon in front of him. "Rules? I thought the Underworld was a place without rules. What are you talking about, idiot?" he questioned, unperturbed.

The demon laughed, his mirth echoing off the walls. "For some, maybe. But you... you're Noble, aren't you? Why don't you start handing everything over to us and kneel?"

Without warning, the demon lunged, his hands outstretched like claws. Vergil, reacting purely on instinct, dodged the attack with a fluid movement. In truth, the way the demon attacked was somewhat ridiculous, so he simply retaliated in kind. He countered with a punch directly to the demon's stomach, sending him crashing backward with the force of the blow.

"Impressive," the demon said, rising with a grin. "But that just makes things more interesting."

Before Vergil could respond, more figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding him. There were at least five demons, all grinning maliciously. The group advanced in unison, and Vergil knew he couldn't avoid the fight.

'Oh... I've never fought five at once...' His blood began to boil, and he felt demonic energy growing within him.

He fought with agility and strength, his strikes quick and precise, but the demons were relentless. The battle turned into a chaotic dance of punches, kicks, and dodges as Vergil tried to avoid being completely surrounded.

But something strange happened. In the midst of the fight, a new force began to manifest within Vergil, an energy unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was as if the Underworld itself was trying to connect with him. His movements became faster, stronger, and his opponents started to notice the difference.

One of the demons hesitated, his look of disdain transforming into something Vergil could only describe as fear. "What... are you...?" the demon murmured before being slammed against a wall with a devastating blow.

"You guys are boring," Vergil said before all the bodies fell, sliced to the ground with a flick of his hand. Vergil looked at his hands, realizing it had happened again... He felt something different within him, a force pulsing through his veins, and suddenly... everyone was dead.

"Tsk, what a drag..." he grunted.

Suddenly, a soft voice sounded behind him. "I told you not to get into trouble! Why don't you ever listen to me, you idiot master?"

Vergil turned to see Viviane standing at the entrance of the alley, her eyes nervous and analytical. She walked toward him, as clumsy as ever, her steps heavy as if she didn't care at all about the chaos surrounding them.

"You have to come with me! Sapphire is going to kill me! Want to kill me? No, don't answer that! You're going to say yes! I know you!" She threw a small tantrum, "Why did you kill them? They were just fried potatoes!"

"Well," Vergil said, wiping the blood that splattered during the cut on his face. "It seems this city isn't very friendly to strangers, and I'm not going to let anyone try to step on me."

Viviane sighed, crossing her arms. "You've attracted attention, Master. You shouldn't have veered off course! Now we're in the alleys; here, all demons want to kill nobles. That's why that guy attacked you."

"It's like they say… curiosity killed the cat, but…" He shrugged, a mischievous smile on his lips. "I'm not exactly a cat."

"Oh great, just what we needed, a cliché villain line. Seriously, you've been consuming way too much trash, haven't you?" Viviane said, putting a hand to her forehead, exasperated. "Come on, Katharina and Roxanne must be worried. Are you going to leave your wives in a bind?"

Vergil raised an eyebrow, amused by her concern. "Worrying is what they do best. And I'm not an ordinary noble. I have some skills that can help me defend myself."

Viviane looked at him with a mix of disapproval and worry. "It's not about skills; it's about prudence. Abbadon isn't a place to wander around without a plan. You may have powers, but you're still a rookie in this world."

"Rookie, maybe," Vergil admitted as they walked through a narrower alley, "but I'm still a demon. Plus, I really enjoy getting into trouble."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a slight smile on her lips. "You're unbearable, you know that? But that's what makes you… interesting."

Vergil watched her for a moment, surprised by her sincerity. "Yeah, I like to think I have that effect on people."

"More like a side effect, I'd say," Viviane replied with a touch of sarcasm. "But let's go, we need to head back. The last thing we want is for your wives to make a scene. They can be more dangerous than any demon around here."