As much as Vergil is able to listen while setting aside his preconceived notions of what a demon is in his own world, Vergil listens to Mizu's explanation. Interestingly, it is less the definition of what a demon is that Vergil struggles with, and more that Mizu applies what she describes to herself. While he would never deny that Mizu's willingness to pursue her goal of revenge has likely led her to commit terrible actions—he knows that all too intimately from his own pursuit of power—he does not believe that is the sum of all Mizu's parts in the way she describes it now. A furrow forms in Vergil's brow as he listens, but he remains silent and listening even as he feels a number of arguments just behind his silence.

Vergil doesn't believe his arguments would bear much weight in any case. The frustrated growl that leaves Mizu as she feels she is inadequately explaining the matter to him is a telltale sign that whatever he says will most likely end up dismissed. And Vergil does not see that as a fault of Mizu's stubbornness so much as he recognizes she is attempting to explain her core to him. Another person commenting upon that is never going to be received particularly well regardless of the points they raise. But even knowing this, Vergil believes it would be remiss of him not to say something, not to offer his perspective for her to do with as she will.

"In my world, what you've described," he says, "a demon would be capable of doing if provided with the means to do so. They driven by strength and a lust for power, and they seek to conquer and rule. That is why they are generally incapable of love or regret and remorse. But so, too, could a human do those things with just as much malevolence and cruelty as a demon."

For as weak as Vergil has always viewed humans because of those feelings demons typically find foreign and unknowable to them, he's never been ignorant to their own capacity for cruelty, too. Just because it is a rarity among their species when taken as a whole does not mean it does not happen. After all, he need only look to Arkham alone as an example for that. He was born a human, and yet his lust of power saw him sacrificing his loving wife, and manipulating his daughter to providing her blood all so that he might steal the power of Sparda for himself. There was no devil within that man that drove him to those extremes.

"The real difference between a devil and a human in my world is not the abilities or appearance, but their ability to choose. A devil is cruel because that is his nature. A human is cruel because he chooses to be." Vergil shakes his head slightly. "I believe I understand the distinction in your world as best I will be capable of understanding without being from your world. But from my perspective, you remain a human not because you are innocent or incapable of cruelty. You are human because you have chosen to be cruel in pursuit of your revenge.

"And I know it to be a choice because you would not speak of it as you do if it were truly your nature, Mizu." Vergil releases her hand to instead hold her face, fingertips grazing briefly along her cheekbone before his palm cups her cheek. "You may still think I am wrong, and tell me so. I will not argue against it any more than I am arguing now. I am only saying this so you understand that while I may not know the details of every cruel thing you've enacted, I am not ignorant of it. Nor am I ignorant of what you may yet do. But regardless, if you are much a half-devil as I am as you claim to be then I cannot possibly see you as a demon condemned by his nature.

"When I call you human, it is because I believe you possess a strength far greater than any cruel nature that might be ascribed to you by anyone, including yourself." Vergil gently rests his forehead against hers. "You always have a choice, Mizu."