Chapter 96: Help your husband.
Sapphire threw down an array of weapons of all types, from swords of every size and shape to exotic arms Vergil could barely identify. It was an almost comical spectacle in its exaggeration, and he could barely hold back a laugh.
"Come on, pick one. Swords, spears, maces… spiked shoes, odachis, katanas, daggers, twin knives, giant swords that could kill a dragon by sheer weight," Sapphire said with amusement, watching the pile of weapons spread at his feet. "What do you want to learn first?"
Vergil looked at the collection, a mixture of awe and caution in his eyes. Sapphire had that wild sparkle of someone who delighted in confusing others—and he was beginning to understand that she did this very well.
'This crazy woman… she can handle all of this?' Vergil thought, beginning to analyze everything slowly and carefully.
"Well," he said, scratching his chin, "I've always been curious about fighting with katanas and long swords… but I never thought I'd have so many options."
Sapphire laughed loudly, tossing a blue spear to herself as she ran her hand along the shaft, like she was evaluating the quality of a fine wine. "Yes, yes, katanas are a good starting point. But you know, I can't help but mention that you already have a good weapon… that witch Viviane is really talented with soul forges," she said with a smirk, her eyes sparkling with sarcasm.
She then looked at the blue spear in her hands, analyzing every detail. It was a stunning spear, almost translucent, with a sharp blade that glinted like crystal in the light. Sapphire rolled her eyes and sighed as if she'd just picked up the last item at a garage sale.
"I hate these clichéd RPG Japanese spears… who the hell gave me this junk?" she muttered, turning the spear over critically.
Vergil tried not to laugh, but the scene was too good. "If it's that bad, I could hold onto it for you," he joked.
Sapphire shot him a stern look but couldn't resist a smile. "Oh, if you want it, it's all yours. But just know that I only use weapons with style. No clichés, even if… they're functionally perfect."
"So," she continued, turning back to him, "how about starting with the basics? Pick your sword and show me what you've got. Let's see if you really deserve the talent Viviane put into your hands."
"Stop right there!" Katharina suddenly shouted, jumping in front of her mother with her arms wide open. "If you're going to kidnap him, take me along!" she declared, completely intercepting her.
"W-what—" Sapphire didn't even have time to respond.
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"That's right! Even if I don't gain weight, I still need exercise! That's right, Katharina, let's go!" Roxanne said in full approval.
"He's our husband, get out of here, you witch!" they said in unison, high-fiving each other like two goofballs in a bizarre comedy.
Sapphire raised an eyebrow, perplexed, but a laugh escaped before she could hold it back. "Do you two seriously have the nerve to call me a witch?" She crossed her arms, throwing a sharp and challenging look at Katharina and Roxanne, clearly entertained by the interruption.
"Courage defines us!" Katharina said with her legs slightly trembling, her words full of bravado, while Roxanne nodded beside her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If you're taking him for training, we're coming to train with him too!"
"Is this what they call… an abusive relationship?" Sapphire asked with a thoughtful look; she was genuinely—
"Yes, we call this an abusive relationship, when you, Vergil's mother-in-law, kidnap your daughter's husband for your own purposes," Viviane suddenly appeared next to Sapphire, carrying more than ten bags on each arm.
Sapphire frowned at Viviane's words and, spinning to face her, pointed a finger accusingly, practically shouting. "I WAS TALKING ABOUT THESE TWO HERE! THEY'RE OBSESSED WITH HIM!"
She pointed at Katharina and Roxanne with a dramatic expression, as if revealing some dark and terrible secret, which was obvious. Viviane shrugged, not losing her carefree smile, while Katharina and Roxanne crossed their arms, both with a defiant look.
Sapphire, still pointing a finger, fell silent and looked at Vergil.
She began to ponder aloud, completely unaware that her musings were escaping her thoughts.
"Well, he is... handsome, no doubt..." she started, frowning in contemplation. "That tousled hair, and that look that mixes innocence with audacity... it almost annoys me. And then, there's that deep gaze he sometimes doesn't even seem to know how to use, but it definitely catches attention." Katharina and Roxanne exchanged a smug smile, each one trying to appear more self-assured.
"And honestly," Sapphire continued, staring directly at Vergil, "he has... presence. Something that pulls people in. And he knows how to joke at just the right moment, that kind of clumsy humor that still manages to be charming." She bit her lip, distracted, while Katharina and Roxanne nodded, fully agreeing with each word. Even Viviane seemed amused by the scene unfolding.
"And of course, there's the fact that he's..." Sapphire paused, sizing Vergil up from head to toe with a look that combined admiration with criticism, "robust. You can't deny the guy takes care of himself, you know? And... somehow he's still a bit clumsy, which makes him cute."
Vergil began to sweat slightly from the intensity of Sapphire's scrutiny as her eyes roamed over him, something between a serious evaluator and a jealous woman. Roxanne and Katharina seemed mesmerized by the description, smiling like two infatuated fans.
"In fact..." Sapphire continued, now completely absorbed in her own thoughts, "he has that rare kind of charm that's like a force of nature... impossible to ignore. He's irresistible, especially when he's serious and determined. And he has a stubbornness that somehow even seems... funny? Charming?"
At this point, Katharina and Roxanne were clearly remembering who Sapphire was... She's the woman who despises men and would kill them just for looking at her. And here she was, talking about him with barely concealed pleasure. Sapphire seemed almost lost in her own assessment of Vergil, tilting her head with a smile she could hardly contain.
"And that voice, a little raspy sometimes," she murmured, as if she couldn't stop describing him. "I guess there's something captivating about someone who is weak but, at the same time, can show... virility. He tries to hide it, but everyone can see it."
Silence filled the room. Sapphire finally realized she'd been talking about Vergil's qualities nonstop for several minutes, with an almost... admiring tone. She stopped, eyes wide, and found herself facing Katharina, Roxanne, and Viviane's shocked faces as they stared at her, mouths agape.
"S-Sapphire," Viviane stammered, trying to stifle her laughter. "I think everyone here... understands your point now."
Katharina crossed her arms, smiling with pure satisfaction. "So, it seems my mother sees what I see. So please, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE!" she said, trying to appear proper, though the victorious gleam in her eyes gave her away.
"My husband is perfect, so please don't bother him, walking museum. I'd be very grateful!" Roxanne said, bowing as if she were in a Korean drama.
Sapphire raised an eyebrow and, without a word, tossed two metal swords at them. Caught off guard, Katharina and Roxanne quickly caught the weapons in mid-air, exchanging confused glances. Both frowned, and they exchanged a look that clearly asked, "Is she... jealous?"
Without giving them a chance to react, Sapphire threw a wooden sword straight at Vergil, who caught it at the last second. His gaze was determined, though slightly hesitant.
"You want so badly to protect your husband?" Sapphire shouted, an immense demonic aura radiating from her, heavy as a wave and so intense it made Katharina and Roxanne's legs wobble. "Then, attack to kill!"
Katharina, trying to suppress the tremble in her legs, gripped her sword firmly. Roxanne, beside her, took a deep breath, adjusting her stance to appear less affected. Sapphire watched their every move, her eyes fixed on Vergil, who, holding the sword, assumed a fighting stance, determined not to falter under the intense aura of his mother-in-law.
"You have two days to absorb every fragment of memory, every detail of the soul, and all the combat experience from the spiritual world," Sapphire continued, merciless. "Want to help Vergil? Then show what you're really capable of."
Vergil nodded with a tense smile, raising the wooden sword. "Katharina, Roxanne, I think we have a little war ahead."
Sapphire lunged without giving them a chance to respond, her blade glinting in the air with a strike too fast for the eye to follow. Vergil barely had time to lift the wooden sword before he felt the heavy impact, being thrown several meters back. He managed to stay on his feet but felt his arms vibrate from the shock.
"I'll use only 1% of my strength to deal with you," Sapphire said, her eyes shining with an almost cruel determination. "So learn properly. I'll show you what it truly means to wield a weapon."
Vergil composed himself, adjusting his stance and locking his gaze on her. He knew Sapphire wasn't exaggerating: her power was massive, and even a small fraction of it was enough to put him on the defensive. Katharina and Roxanne watched, wide-eyed and silent, the tension evident in their expressions.
"First lesson," Sapphire continued, advancing once more, "confidence without technique is useless." She delivered a lateral attack with lethal precision, and Vergil, focused on absorbing each movement, barely managed to block in time. The force of the blow made his arms burn, but he held firm, striving to regain his balance.
"Good, but there's still a long way to go." Sapphire smirked at the corner of her mouth, lunging again. "Attack him! Don't you want to help? Beat him up!"