Chapter 139 We have to talk.
Vergil initially paid no attention to Roxanne's father, mainly because… the being before him was far more intriguing.
Amon's mere presence made a single second stretch into what felt like an hour, the air itself warping, leaving everyone gasping for breath. But for Vergil…
Vergil didn't just feel the suffocating aura; his eyes, capable of perceiving negative energy, didn't merely see power. What he saw was the entire existence of this being laid bare, and it made his mind scream with alarm.
He didn't see a massive wall like he had when facing Sapphire. No, this was an abyss, an endless ravine that surrounded him completely, leaving only the option to climb.
He looked up… and saw no end.
Vergil kept his relaxed posture, but internally, every fiber of his being was on high alert.
I have to hold back… he thought, mentally layering restriction after restriction onto himself. One wrong move, one word, one action… and he would be erased entirely from existence.
Amon's presence wasn't just imposing; it was suffocating. The very space around him seemed bent and distorted, creating an invisible gravity that weighed on everyone.
The hall was plunged into a deathly silence.
Time itself seemed to slow to a crawl. Each heartbeat echoed like a thunderclap in Vergil's ears.
Still, he stood unmoving, his eyes, capable of discerning negative energy, analyzing Amon.
He blinked slowly, forcing his mind to refocus.
The feeling of insignificance wasn't new to him, but Amon brought something else entirely.
It wasn't just raw power; it was a force that transcended logic, something almost primordial.
"Interesting…" Vergil murmured softly, a faint, ironic smile tugging at his lips. "So this is what they call an Archon?" he whispered under his breath.
The quiet remark seemed to ripple through the room.
Amon's attention, previously fixed on the defeated man in his grasp, shifted to Vergil.
He cast a cold, assessing gaze, like a predator noticing unexpected movement from its prey.
"So, you're the boy who's been causing all this recent chaos," Amon finally said, his deep, resonant voice breaking the oppressive silence. "Should I interpret that as courage… or foolishness?" he chuckled, the tone light but carrying an undeniable weight.
Vergil tilted his head slightly, his smile widening. "Ah, that depends on your perspective. I'd say it's a healthy mix of both. After all, I'm a curious man," he said with a casual shrug.
The irrational side again… Katharina thought, watching her husband once more leaning into his most reckless tendencies.
"I brought him," Sapphire said with a light chuckle. "So, are you going to share your plans with me?" she questioned.
Currently, the only ones who could directly address Amon were Sapphire, Raphaeline, Stella, and Cabernet.
"Oh, right, we need to clean up the mess you created," Amon said, turning to Sapphire, who narrowed her eyes slightly. "What? Have you seen the disaster you caused to the hierarchy? Every minor demon is demanding answers. A man backed by three Demon King Houses? You must be joking. Are you trying to create a new Archon?"
Sapphire remained motionless for a moment, her expression unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with dangerous intensity. The way Amon confronted her wasn't unfamiliar, but his mention of the "mess" she supposedly caused made it clear that the Archon was displeased with the disruption Vergil represented.
"Create a new Archon?" Sapphire repeated slowly, her voice sharp as ice.
"Believe me, Amon, if that were my intention, I wouldn't need your approval—much less your concern. Vergil is… an anomaly, yes, but he's mine. What happens from here is beyond your control," she said proudly.
"Of course. Unfortunately, I can't just attack you since my sense of responsibility is far too great," Amon replied, still holding Roxanne's father. "Let's move along; we have much to discuss."
"Oh, that's right," Amon added, and without ceremony, he hurled Roxanne's father to the second floor where she stood.
Roxanne instinctively stepped back as her father's body landed heavily on the floor before her. Even unconscious and defeated, he still terrified her. Her heart pounded in her chest, but swallowing hard, she squared her shoulders.
"Take care of him for me," Amon said casually, as if it were a minor inconvenience. "This idiot thought he could storm in here with an army of shadows to attack the boy, so I killed all the shadows and beat him senseless."
"I'm not going to take care of him," Roxanne said coldly, her voice trembling at first but gaining firmness. "He's your problem, Amon."
Amon chuckled, a deep, emotionless sound. "Ah, but you need to overcome your traumas, girl. How else will you grow stronger if you don't face your weaknesses?" He turned to Stella, his expression a mix of impatience and disdain. "And you, Stella? Are you just going to keep ignoring your responsibilities?"
Stella, who had been silent until now, finally raised her eyes, her features carved into a mask of calm. "I ignore nothing, Amon. I simply choose when to act. And as for my ex-husband…" She glanced at the unconscious man on the floor. "He no longer matters to me. If you want him dead, do it yourself."
Amon laughed again, shaking his head. "Still the same, Stella. Always avoiding dirtying your hands when you should."
Vergil, who had been observing the exchange with mild interest, finally stepped in. "You all have a fascinating family dynamic, I must say." He turned to Sapphire with a carefree smile. "I didn't realize that marrying you came with so many bonuses. It's almost like a reality show."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Sapphire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Vergil, this isn't the time for jokes."
"Isn't it?" He shrugged. "I feel like humor is my best defense right now."
"Oh, that's right, Stella," Amon said, almost absentmindedly. "Just because he's your ex-husband doesn't mean you can't kill him. Next time, do it. Hell still needs its Death Knight, so kill him so another can inherit the power."
Amon then cast a sharp glance at Vergil, studying him for a moment before offering a brief but dangerous smile. "You're bold, I'll give you that. Boldness and foolishness often go hand in hand."
Vergil met his gaze with a provocative smile. "Good to know you're a fan of my 'foolishness.' That means I'm on the right track."
Before Amon could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Cabernet appeared again, arms crossed, giving the scene a bored look. "You all really know how to turn everything into a spectacle, don't you?" Continue reading stories on empire
"Spectacle?" Vergil replied, tilting his head. "I'd call this high-quality entertainment."
Cabernet raised an eyebrow, more intrigued than annoyed. Amon, however, ignored the comment, turning to Sapphire. "Come. We have serious matters to discuss. And bring the boy with you. This conversation is about him."
Sapphire hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Vergil, don't do anything stupid."
"Me? Doing something stupid?" Vergil placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. "Sapphire, you should have more faith in me."
"That's precisely what worries me," she replied, already walking toward Amon. Stella and Raphaeline exchanged glances before following, leaving Vergil and Roxanne behind.
Vergil turned to Roxanne, who was still staring at her father's unconscious body. He sighed and stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Roxanne hesitated but finally nodded, her eyes still fixed on the fallen figure. "I'll be fine."
"Good," he said softly before adding with a sly smile, "Later, I'll deal with that guy. I want to have a serious conversation with my father-in-law… one that will probably end in death." His eyes gleamed crimson, a demonic glow radiating from them.
Yes, he had just told his wife he planned to kill her father. And Roxanne's reaction?
"Please, erase that vermin from existence as soon as you can," she said without hesitation, her voice filled with genuine, unfiltered hatred.
Her response made Vergil pause, startled for a moment, before his grin widened.
"Alright, my wife," he replied, stroking her golden hair and planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Vergil's smile was broad, but there was a sharpness in his eyes, a promise of the intensity behind his words. Roxanne, for her part, held his gaze unwaveringly, revealing a determination he rarely witnessed.
"You truly hate him, don't you?" Vergil asked, his hand still running through her golden locks as if trying to soothe the tension radiating from her.
"Hate isn't enough to describe what I feel for him," Roxanne replied, her voice low and cold. "He destroyed lives, manipulated everyone and everything around him, and made my existence miserable on purpose. What he deserves is beyond death… but for now, that will suffice."
Vergil tilted his head, intrigued by the sheer intensity in her words. "Understood. I'll make sure it's a memorable death, then." He spoke as if discussing something mundane, though his tone carried a cruel weight.
Roxanne closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before meeting his gaze again. "Just don't die in the process. As much as you irritate me sometimes, I don't want to lose you."
"Oh, so you do care about me!" Vergil teased, his expression shifting into a carefree grin, breaking some of the tension. "Don't worry, Rox. I've got plenty of years left to annoy you. And to win your complete devotion, of course."
Roxanne let out a short, reluctant laugh. "You're insufferable."
"I know," he replied with a mischievous smile.
"Come on, you idiotic disciple," Sapphire called, arms crossed and pouting. "Stop flirting in a place like this."
"Hey, it's not my fault you get jealous so easily," he said, appearing in front of her in a flash.
"So, you've started to gain control…" Sapphire murmured, narrowing her eyes.
"I need to grow stronger," Vergil muttered, his gaze locked on Amon's back.
"You're going to die, boy," Amon suddenly threatened, his deep voice cutting through the air.