The Corrupted Syndicate

"Like ripping her spine out and replacing it with one that is ten times larger," muttered Mavislin, twiddling her tail in her palms as her eyes were focused on the floor.

"I see… Having answered your question honestly, it's only fair you return the favor. What exactly drives you and your little rabbit to chase after me? You must know the rumors that swirl around my name—I am no easy target."

"So, tell me, what makes you believe you can handle the challenge I present?," quizzed the Viceroy, lightly tipping Mavislin's chin upwards to meet his gaze.

The Prince of Darkness's voice was intoxicating, surely low pur was enough to seduce a club full of women. The dragoness felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, from both her answer and the predicament she was in.

And it did not help that Zenos leaned in to whisper directly at her ears, his cheek brushing on her horn, sending electric shocks into the poor girl's body.

"My dear little beast, what compels you to present yourself to me so eagerly?"

"Coin. Money," was the only thing she could squeak out.

"You sought after me for a bounty?"

Both individuals were enveloped by a silence so profound it felt almost tangible, an oppressive hush that pressed in on their senses.

It was as if the world itself had momentarily ceased to exist, leaving them in a disorienting void where only the faintest whispers of the wind could be heard.

The wind wove through the air with an almost eerie gentleness, carrying with it a sense of unsettling tranquility that only deepened their confusion.

In this surreal stillness, every rustle of leaves or distant echo seemed magnified, heightening the sense of isolation and the strange, disconcerting nature of their situation.

"Yeah, I'm not exactly rolling in wealth, but that's not the whole story. I was looking for a real challenge—something way beyond the run-of-the-mill monsters I've faced so far. To be honest, Matt just doesn't push me to grow anymore."

"The truth is, I beat him the very first day we met. I need a fight that'll actually make me improve, and I thought you might be the one to provide that."

"Please don't laugh at me…" pleaded Mavislin, forcing herself to look away from the Viceroy's surprised eyes.

"Believe me, my dear beast, I'm straining every ounce of composure to keep from laughing, though not for the reasons you might presume."

"Eh?"

"I had imagined that perhaps I had wronged your friends or family, driving you to seek me out in my own domain for vengeance."

"Or perhaps you came out of some misguided sense of duty to halt my conquests. It seems, however, I have greatly miscalculated. Yet, your true purpose is far from unwelcome. I merely assumed your hatred stemmed solely from my deeds."

"And in fact, the feeling is mutual as well."

"Huh?"

Mavislin's head was clouded with six trillion questions with only a single word that she could muster up at that point.

"What I'm implying is that I, too, seek a worthy opponent—one who can both fulfill my craving for a true combat challenge and provide a measure of enjoyment."

"I yearn to refine my skills further, yet I am thwarted by the lack of any who can stand their ground against me."

"A mere training dummy can only offer so much. Wouldn't you agree, Mavislin?" inquired Zenos as he extended his ungloved hand toward the shocked dragoness with half-lidded eyes and a small smile.

Hearing the Viceroy say her name in such a way made the poor girl's heart beat faster in her chest. She'd feared that if he did this more often, her heart would break out of her ribcage.

"So… We're doing a truce? That's… Unexpected…" muttered Mavislin, still refusing to take the blonde's outstretched palm.

"Should you be concerned about your precious bounty, rest assured I can compensate you twofold. And while I do not regard your little companion as a worthy adversary, I have no objection to him joining us."

"So, do we have an accord? If you're apprehensive about my father's view, I can also frame this as aiding us in our fight against the Legion," offered the Viceroy.

Mavislin paused to consider her options. She weighed the possibility of using her charm to persuade Matt to accept this sudden alliance. However, the thought of rejecting Zenos' proposal and potentially facing him in combat once more filled her with dread.

She wasn't in the mood for another fierce battle, not today. Maybe one day they could dance before the pyre while their blades clashed for a final contest. Ah... That would be quite the highest point in her meaningless existence.

With that realization, she saw no alternative but to accept the Viceroy's offer.