My Wives are Beautiful Demons

The atmosphere in the Crimson Chapel remained tense when Reven—or Raven, as she was called among the shadows—signaled for the women to follow her. With catlike movements, she opened a hidden side corridor between the walls covered with bloodstained tapestries. Katharina, Kaguya, Viper, and the few others present moved silently, guided by the living shadow that was Raven.

The path led them to a discreet office at the back of the room, a more private space, away from prying eyes and the heavy tension that dominated the main hall. The walls were lined with dark wood shelves, laden with ancient books and scrolls in forgotten languages. A large central table covered with worn maps and coded notes dominated the room, illuminated by a flickering candle and the spectral glow of a few runes engraved on the ceiling.

Raven closed the door behind them with a firm click, ensuring the privacy necessary for what was to be discussed.

"This is the only place where we can talk without everyone hearing us. I don't want some idiot starting to spread rumors that something happened here," Raven explained, her voice low, almost a whisper.

Viper, still recovering from the attack, sat down suspiciously, glancing quickly at every corner of the room. Katharina, her aura still flaming but controlled, crossed her arms, while Kaguya remained motionless, watching the scene with predatory calm.

"Let's get straight to the point," Katharina said, breaking the silence firmly. "You know as well as we do: the situation with the vampires is unsustainable. Betrayals, internal divisions, infighting... all of this will destroy you before the external enemy even sets foot on your territory."

Kaguya took the floor, her voice firm and sharp as a blade. "The throne is vacant, and no one has yet taken command—not for lack of will, but out of sheer fear. I have only been merciful because I know exactly what will happen when the vampires decide to act again."

Raven raised an eyebrow, smiling suspiciously. "And why should we trust you? Besides, this 'I know what will happen' business... don't underestimate us, Kaguya. This isn't Japan. We're far from your ancestral intrigues."

Katharina replied, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Extermination." She paused deliberately before continuing, more seriously. "The truth is that Dragamir was the traitor who overthrew Alucard. And now, he is a top priority target for Demonic Intelligence and all government forces. Being associated with Dragamir today means a death sentence."

She walked slowly across the room, her voice growing even more intense. "So the choice is simple: either you ally yourself with someone powerful, or you will be eliminated. And the vampires of the East know this—they are plotting their own plans, trying to protect themselves, preparing to escape this impending crossfire."

Raven crossed her arms, frowning in disbelief. "Honestly, I think this is a useless agreement," she declared, her voice laden with skepticism. "To associate with someone who has little name, little strength, and, frankly, no prestige among our kind... Vergil? He's nothing but a stranger in our world. For us, that would be a burden, a clear disadvantage."

She leaned forward, fixing a piercing gaze on Kaguya and Katharina. "You speak as if you hold the key to salvation, but I see a desperate gamble. Who will follow a name that even our people don't recognize? That's a risk we're not willing to take."

Kaguya and Katharina exchanged glances—a quick look, as if sharing an inside joke—and then, unexpectedly, both began to laugh. Their laughter was not just a sound; it was a frank, almost uncontrolled explosion that echoed off the walls of the closed office, breaking the tense atmosphere like unexpected thunder.

Raven raised an eyebrow, surprised and a little annoyed by the reaction, but she couldn't look away. The laughter was contagious, and there was something almost hypnotic about the way Kaguya and Katharina gave themselves over to it.

"You... what are you laughing at?" Raven asked, trying to maintain her composure, but her tone carried a mixture of curiosity and disapproval.

Kaguya, between bursts of laughter, finally managed to respond, still laughing: "Oh, Raven... you really don't know who you're dealing with, do you?" Her laughter filled the room, contagious and almost defiant.

Katharina, going along with the moment, added with a mischievous smile: "Seriously, how can someone married to three demon queens have no power at all?" She let out such an intense laugh that tears began to stream down her eyes.

Raven glanced confusedly at Viper, who just shook her head, clearly lost. Neither of them had the slightest idea what Katharina was talking about.

After a few minutes of laughing almost uncontrollably, they finally managed to compose themselves, still panting.

"I mean... how long have you been out of touch with society?" Katharina asked, sounding somewhat incredulous.

Nervous, Viper exploded: "WE ARE VAMPIRES! OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT UNITED, WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD! WE ARE DISORGANIZED!"

Katharina and Kaguya looked at each other, and a new wave of laughter escaped them at the vampire's brutal honesty.

"Exactly," Kaguya commented, still wiping the tears from her red eyes. "You are so isolated, so fragmented, that you hardly know what happens outside your own shadows." Her voice sounded firm, laden with a sincerity that was difficult to ignore.

Katharina nodded slightly, as if confirming what Kaguya had just said, and continued in a more strategic tone. "Let's do this: Walpurgis is in a few weeks. It's a huge event, a lot of information will be circulating, and all eyes will be on it. This is the perfect time for you to start researching my dear Vergil."

She paused, looking Raven and Viper in the eyes one by one. "During that time, you'll have time to collect data, listen to rumors, and understand the game being played. The week after Walpurgis, we'll meet here again and discuss what you've found. What do you think?"

Raven remained serious for a few seconds, biting her lower lip as she pondered. "It sounds reasonable," she said finally, her tone grave and cautious. "But understand that we will not serve anyone."

Katharina then smiled. "That is not something up for discussion at this point. Feel free to study my husband." Katharina said and stood up. "Let's go."