"I did! Oh, and I've got a small letter from Abyss. He told me to hand it to you only after I've read about it. Preferably without the Viceroy's company," noted Matt as he gently combed through the girl's wine hair locks.
Since when did her hair get so soft?
"That could be done after we've figured things out. The team has returned and they brought valuable information with them. But food first."
The Viceroy said nothing as he snapped his fingers, summoning two apprehensive guards who swiftly pushed the doors open. The hungry girl hurried inside with an air of familiarity as if it were her own room.
Meanwhile, Zenos was held back by a firm, unyielding grip on his shoulders, halting his advance.
"Your scent is all over her. What the hell have you been doing to my Shadow?" bellowed Mattheos.
"Yours? Last I checked she was mine for the taking... Better get to her quickly, bunny. Before she decides for good," retorted the Prince of Darkness, easily tearing the rabbit's hand away from his shoulder.
"You have no clue about her. You only view her as a mere pawn in your game of the hunt," snapped Matt, ready to draw his blade right there and then.
"And you only view her as the person who owns you. Don't think I'm not well aware of your bond with each other," warned the Viceroy as he walked towards the table.
The rabbit felt his blood boil but was unable to do anything as he wolfed down his breakfast.
The rabbit's frustration simmered, though he had no choice but to bury it as he devoured his breakfast with a scowl.
After pressing Mattheos to heal the Viceroy's injured fingers, the group regrouped in the meeting room. This time, they were armed with the necessary materials and information to push their plans forward with renewed determination.
"Allow me to take the first floor. I believe that my skill set would best befit the enemies and boss here," suggested Mattheos, pointing towards the first level.
Each level had its own boss and enemies pertaining to them, just like a master and its servants. Matt was offering to go up against the Inti, a solar serpent that uses the very flames of the Sun to damage its prey.
The Inti's servants were all smaller versions of its form with no notes of special abilities other than tossing out fireballs and biting.
"I'd expect Mavislin to handle this with ease. Her snakes would crush the serpents effortlessly, leveling the playing field in no time," said the Viceroy, pointing to Mavislin's hair.
"I personally won't take up the Inti since it doesn't take up much of a challenge. And it's just the first floor, my junior should prove to me his worth by dealing with this by himself. Plus, I don't like using my pets for combat, it hurts me..." reasoned Mavislin, patting her hair.
"I see. In that case, let me take on this oversized bird. It promises to be an intriguing challenge. If you don't mind, Lady Shadow," suggested Zenos, emphasizing the last two words.
Matt nearly spat out his tea, while Mavislin struggled, choking on hers. Though no one was directly in front of her, the situation was still quite embarrassing, with tea dripping from her nose.
The Viceroy signaled for a servant to assist the dragoness in cleaning up, while the rabbit remained frozen, a look of bewilderment on his face.
"I did not think my words warrant such an interesting reaction..." stated Zenos, staring at Mavislin.
"And since when did I allow you to call me by that name?!" exclaimed the blushing dragoness.
"And why not? I find it rather elegant..."
"So my birth name is ugly?"
"Your words, not mine..."
"Anyways, Mav, are you alright with Zenos' offer to fight the Firebird? It seems like an odd choice," chimed Mattheos, hoping the two would stop bickering.
"I am fine with it. Besides, you don't have to seek permission for it, we are both spearheading this mission," replied Mavislin, regaining her composure.
"Are you sure about that? That would mean giving free rein to me," questioned Zenos, raising an eyebrow.
"And you'll have my head hanging on your bedroom wall if I disallow your suggestion. I'd prefer to take the safer route and not have you divorce my head from my neck."
"In addition, your suggestion was the same as mine as I wanted to clear the third floor. And I would say it'd be a waste of time if we were to move as a group. Abyss makes a point here," explained the dragoness, pointing at the small notes.
"I would be up against the Nian, a lion and dog creature that has been slightly altered from folklore. Then again, all of these enemies are twisted since the summonings are all altered."