Chapter 549: An opportunity will appear
Where once the trees whispered with distorted voices, leading travelers astray in endless labyrinths, now an almost oppressive calm reigned. The branches, which once intertwined like claws ready to capture, stood still, as if bowing their heads in silent reverence.
Vergil walked ahead, his steps firm and unhurried. Behind him, his women followed in a peculiar procession, each with their own expression—distrust, curiosity, expectation. The trail they left was one of pure authority: no beast, spirit, or shadow dared cross their path.
Selene’s house loomed among the trees. A discreet refuge, made of wood and stone, yet exuding an aura of ancient power. Hanging lamps glowed softly, illuminating the surrounding space like miniature stars.
Selene was already at the door when they approached. Her long, silver hair gleamed in the soft light; Her normally serene eyes widened as they landed on Vergil.
For a moment, the witch couldn’t hide it. A chill ran down her spine. She had seen. Not just Vergil, but what was inside him now.
“…” Her gaze wavered, but she quickly regained her composure.
Katharina was the first to notice the witch’s hesitation and frowned. “What is it?”
Selene took a deep breath, regaining her composure. Her tone was discreet, but the words weighed like lead. “…Are you okay… with that inside?”
Vergil held her gaze for a few seconds. No trace of insecurity. Just a smile, cold and serene, like the steel of a freshly polished blade.
“I am,” he replied simply.
There was nothing more to say.
Selene, however, felt the weight of those two letters. A weight that could topple entire kingdoms. She sighed silently, accepting that she wouldn’t get an explanation.
Vergil looked away, surveying the surrounding forest as if contemplating his own conquest. His blue eyes sparkled.
“Now… this entire forest is under my control.”
The silence fell like a silent thunderclap.
Some of the women widened their eyes. Others simply took a deep breath, as if they had already grown accustomed to his boldness.
Selene remained impassive, but answered frankly:
“I expected this.” She paused, crossing her arms. “I just thought it would take longer.”
Vergil let out a low, almost mocking laugh.
“It was easy, after going to the center of it all.”
The words, spoken with such simplicity, made Selene’s heart race. She knew exactly what it meant to go to the “center of it all.” She knew what lay dormant there. And now, part of it coursed through his veins.
Selene looked away, as if gathering her thoughts. “If you’ve come all this way…” she said slowly, “then it’s not just to bring me news. You want something.”
Vergil turned to her, his silver hair swaying in the gentle breeze. The smile returned, the one he always wore when he wanted to bend someone to his will.
“Exactly.”
He took a few steps closer, until the distance between them was minimal. His eyes locked with hers, and then came the request:
“I need you to map this entire forest. Every root, every clearing, every energy flow. Then, give me a complete map.”
Selene raised an eyebrow in surprise, but didn’t interrupt.
Vergil continued, his voice calm but firm as a decree:
“Furthermore, I want you to build a wall around the area. A barrier, visible or otherwise, that separates this forest from the rest of the world.”
The air seemed to grow heavier. The girls behind him exchanged glances. Some murmured among themselves, in disbelief at the audacity of his request.
Selene, however, remained silent. She watched him with piercing eyes, as if trying to understand the invisible threads behind his desire. Finally, she sighed, long and heavy, as if surrendering to something inevitable.
“You really don’t know how to stop, do you?” she murmured, but there was a hint of resignation in her voice.
Vergil just smiled. “Stopping was never an option.”
Selene closed her eyes for a few seconds, as if gathering her thoughts. When she looked back at him, there was determination in her expression.
“Okay,” she said finally. “I’ll do as you ask.”
The tension in the air slowly dissipated, but not the feeling that something much bigger was being sealed in that moment.
Vergil inclined his head, satisfied.
“Good.”
…
Night fell over the forest.
On Selene’s porch, the torches burned softly, casting a flickering light that danced across the ancient wood. Vergil’s girls chatted among themselves in hushed voices—some still intrigued by his audacity, others simply accepting the insane pace of living under his shadow.
Selene, however, was distant. Leaning against the railing, her eyes fixed on the demonic sky of Hell, where the stars looked like open wounds in the darkness. Her thoughts seethed silently, but the words escaped, low, almost like a lament:
“And here I thought he was just going to take over the place…” Her lips curved into a bitter smile. “The bastard swallowed the World Tree whole. What the hell was that?”
A soft sound shattered the silence, and a shape moved behind her. Sliding, unobtrusive, Zuri emerged from the shadows, transforming into her human form. Her pale skin reflected the torchlight, and her eyes held an ancient weight.
“I placed a seal,” Zuri murmured, her voice low, almost a whisper. “But it seems you could see it anyway.”
Selene didn’t look at her. She continued staring at the sky as if searching for answers among the glowing cracks of the night.
“I saw it,” she answered firmly. “I refreshed the seal and injected divine energy. That thing…” Her voice wavered, only for a moment, before hardening again. “No one can know that thing is inside Vergil. If they find out…”
Zuri lowered her eyes, her tone heavy with bitter understanding.
“I know, Artemis.”
The forgotten name hung in the air like a forbidden breath, and for a second the silence seemed even heavier. Selene closed her eyes, but didn’t correct herself.
“I’ll ask someone to make Vergil’s inner world disappear.” “I know it’s troublesome, but… it’s better to entrust this to someone who doesn’t care about anything or anyone.”
Zuri looked up, a trace of doubt crossing her face.
“Hm? Are you talking about Persephone?”
Finally, Selene turned to face her. Her eyes, lit by the flames of the torches, reflected only ice.
“I think it’s better for you not to have that information,” she said dryly. “It will be better for everyone.”
The silence between them stretched, heavy, as if even the surrounding trees were listening. Then Zuri looked away, up at the same sky Selene was watching.
“Any news of… Athena?” she asked, the hesitation clear in her voice.
Selene didn’t blink, didn’t move a muscle. She just let her breath out slowly before answering, in a tone that sounded more like a sentence than news:
“It seems… a tournament is going to take place.”
Zuri glanced at her in surprise, but Selene kept her eyes fixed on the sky, her expression frozen.
“And if Vergil participates…” she added firmly, but quietly enough to be almost a whisper, “you’ll have your chance.”
The words hung between them, heavy, charged with the future.