Chapter 931: Detour to Shibuya

Vergil finished buttoning his shirt as he looked at the three women sprawled across the bed. Yamato lay on her side, her lilac hair covering part of the pillow, while Nivara remained curled up against Crymsaria, neither of them apparently intending to wake up anytime soon. After everything that had happened that morning, Vergil was satisfied that he had finally managed to rest his head and forget about his training with Scathach, at least for a few hours.

He finished adjusting his sleeves and looked at the three of them again. Yamato had gained a body less than two days ago, and despite all the curiosity she had shown, she still wasn’t used to using it. Nivara and Crymsaria, on the other hand, had simply overdone things, as usual.

"You three need to get some rest," Vergil murmured as he approached the bed.

He clapped his hands together, and a faint ripple of energy enveloped the three women. Their bodies disappeared almost immediately, returning to his inner world, where they could continue resting without being disturbed.

’Qliphoth, take care of them for now.’

The reply came a few seconds later.

’Leave it to me. But I hope you’re not planning to turn my inner world into a permanent dormitory.’

’It’s temporary.’

’You always say that.’

Vergil ignored the complaint and extended his hand. Yamato immediately appeared in her katana form, perfectly fitted inside her sheath. He fastened her to his waist, picked up the coat he had left on an armchair, and left the room.

As he descended the stairs, he found Zex, Iridia, and Vivianne working in the main hall. The three wore their usual maid dresses, although each was busy with a different task. Zex was organizing some documents on a table, Iridia was finishing arranging a set of decorative vases, and Vivianne was checking a short list of supplies that would be used in the mansion over the next few days.

Zex was the first to notice his presence.

"Good morning, darling. Finally awake?"

"I’ve been awake for a while," Vergil replied as he approached her. He gently held her chin and kissed her on the lips before looking at the documents. "A lot of work?"

"Nothing we can’t handle." Zex smiled and straightened the collar of his shirt. "You look much better than you did when you came back yesterday."

"A good night’s sleep fixes a lot of things."

Vergil walked past her and approached Iridia, who had stopped working to watch him. He pulled her close by the waist and gave her a lingering kiss, making her smile against his lips. When he pulled away, he slapped her ass.

"You look beautiful today."

Iridia let out a soft moan and brought a hand to the spot he had slapped, looking at him with a mischievous smile.

"You’re also pretty lively for someone who spent yesterday getting beaten up."

"I’ve recovered."

"I noticed."

Vergil smiled and moved on to Vivianne, who had set her list aside when she realized he was approaching her as well. She welcomed his kiss naturally and, when he pulled away, took the opportunity to smooth a small crease in his coat.

"Are you going out, darling?"

"Soon. Is Sapphire still at the mansion with Scathach?"

Vivianne shook her head. "No. They left a while ago. From what Sapphire said, the two of them went to India to meet Kali and Shiva."

Vergil raised an eyebrow.

"Kali and Shiva?"

"Yes. They didn’t explain exactly why they were visiting, but Sapphire said they’d probably be away for a while."

Vergil thought for a few seconds. Considering that Sapphire had taken Scathach with her, there was probably something involving combat or training behind the trip. However, after everything that had happened the previous day, he wasn’t particularly interested in finding out what the two of them intended to do.

"I see. Well, I hope they have fun."

Vivianne chuckled. "Aren’t you going to ask why they went?"

"If it’s important, Sapphire will tell me."

He adjusted Yamato at his waist before continuing.

"I’m going to Japan soon. Where are Raphaeline and Ada? I’d like them to come with me, since they’re Japanese and know the place much better than I do."

Vivianne looked a little surprised by the question.

"They’ve already gone ahead."

Vergil blinked.

"Already?"

"Yes. Raphaeline said she needed to take care of a few things before you arrived at the Oni Gate. Apparently, she and Ada want to keep you from destroying the place." Vivianne smiled faintly before adding, "I know you wouldn’t do that, but..."

"I’d definitely cause trouble," Vergil interrupted, showing no embarrassment whatsoever.

Vivianne stared at him for a few seconds.

"Darling..."

"I’m not saying I’m going to destroy anything on purpose. But considering how many powerful creatures live there, it would be strange if nobody tried to challenge me."

Iridia laughed from the other side of the hall. "At least you know yourself."

Vergil shrugged. "Well, it’s good that they’ve already gone. Now I just need to get there myself."

He was about to head toward the exit when Vivianne remembered something.

"Oh, wait a moment!"

Vergil stopped.

"What is it?"

"Stella asked me to call her as soon as you showed up. She said she wanted to talk to you before you left."

Vivianne set the list on the table and hurried up the stairs, disappearing down the upper-floor corridor. Vergil watched her go, a little confused, before looking at Zex and Iridia.

"Stella?"

Zex shrugged. "She mentioned that she wanted to go out today, but she didn’t say exactly where."

Vergil nodded and waited. It wasn’t long before hurried footsteps could be heard upstairs. Vivianne reappeared first, followed by Stella, who descended the stairs with a small bag hanging from her shoulder and a much more animated expression than she usually wore when she had to leave the house.

"Vergil!"

He turned his head.

Stella came down the last few steps and stopped in front of him.

"I’m coming with you."

Vergil raised an eyebrow. "You are?"

"Yes."

"Any particular reason?" He studied her for a few seconds before continuing. "You usually prefer staying home. Especially when there’s food and a comfortable bed nearby."

Stella crossed her arms.

"Are you calling me lazy?"

"I’m saying you like sleeping and eating."

"That’s different."

"Of course."

Stella made a small face before explaining. "Actually, there’s a very famous pastry shop in Japan that I want to visit. I saw some pictures of the sweets they make, and I wanted to try them. Since you’re already going there, I thought I might as well take advantage of the trip."

Vergil stared at her for a few seconds.

"Ah. Now that makes sense."

Stella smiled, apparently satisfied that he understood.

Vergil knew that side of her well. Stella wasn’t as attached to or dependent on him as some of his other companions. In fact, she was probably one of the ones who kept the most distance in their everyday lives, preferring to spend much of her time pursuing her own interests. That didn’t mean she liked him any less; she simply didn’t feel the need to accompany him in everything he did.

’So she wants to take advantage of the trip to buy sweets.’

Vergil found the idea perfectly reasonable.

"You know I’m not going to be sightseeing around Japan, right? I need to find Musashi."

"I know. You can take care of your business while I buy my sweets." Stella moved a little closer and took his arm. "We can meet up afterward."

"All right."

Vivianne watched the two of them with a smile. "Will you be back today?"

"I don’t know. It depends on how long it takes to find Musashi and convince him to talk to me."

"Then I’ll have everything ready in case you come back late."

Vergil nodded and said goodbye to the three of them. Then he led Stella to an open area of the hall, where he would have enough room to open a dimensional passage without hitting the furniture.

He gripped Yamato’s hilt and drew the katana from its sheath.

The blade glowed faintly as Vergil raised it before him. With a simple movement, he cut through space, opening a vertical rift that expanded until it formed a passage large enough for both of them to cross.

Stella looked at the portal and adjusted the bag on her shoulder.

Vergil extended his hand.

"Shall we?"

She took his hand without hesitation.

The two stepped through the passage, and Vergil closed the rift behind them as soon as they reached the other side.

Stella looked around.

Instead of a Japanese temple, a mountain covered in torii gates, or anything resembling the Oni Gate, the two of them were standing on the rooftop of a very tall building. Countless buildings surrounded them, advertising screens covered their facades, and an impressive number of people moved through the streets far below.

The sound of traffic reached the rooftop, mixed with distant voices and electronic announcements echoing between the buildings.

Stella spent a few seconds taking in the view.

Then she looked at Vergil.

"Where are we?"

Vergil shrugged as he sheathed Yamato.

"On some building in Shibuya. I don’t know many places in Japan. I’ve only been here once with Raphaeline."