Mavislin widened her eyes upon hearing the Viceroy's words. Why was she so affected? She herself had mentioned that her command was absolute and that her younglings had no right to judge her on how she ran the systems. So why feel this fear in the first place?
"Are they inciting a rebellion against you? If so, you know what needs to be done, as you've stated before. You have the authority to deal with them if they step out of line. I shouldn't have to remind you that rowdiness can quickly escalate into mutiny."
"A rebellion would mean that my ways as a leader were wrong, am I right?" squeaked Mavislin.
"I've never concerned myself with such notions. However, that doesn't mean there's a flaw in your statement. Tell me, do you fear a rebellion from your subjects, or are you more troubled by the possibility that your leadership methods are flawed?"
"Which of these concerns you more?" questioned the Viceroy, reaching out to caress her thigh.
"To me, it's irrelevant what kind of leader you are or what rebellions your subordinates might incite. My concern is purely selfish—I'm focused on the desire to clash with you. Unless these matters obstruct my chance to fight you, I have no interest in them."
"However, these trivial matters have clearly troubled you, judging by your anxious expression. I find that rather distasteful, so let me say this to you. The moment you start to question your ways as a leader would be the start of your downfall."
The dragoness released her clenched fists before breaking into a smile and looking towards the beautiful canopy of the bed.
"Ah... I can't believe that you would utter the same words as the person who assigned me my rank. However, I am not as merciless as my peers to randomly slaughter my brethren."
"Though, it doesn't mean that I am too weak to do so. I prefer a different approach in keeping them in check," replied Mavislin, with newfound vigor.
Zenos couldn't help but smirk at his energetic dragoness who took out a scroll from her dress, recognizing that it was to be the floorplan of their new battlefield. The Viceroy wondered if her dress was bigger on the inside.
"I thought you were tired?"
"I don't need sleep, I need to form a plan for our next-"
Zenos merely groaned as he grabbed Mavislin's wrist and yanked the girl, causing her to squeal and collapse right on top of the blonde.
"You have to rest before planning such things..." said the Viceroy, holding the poor girl in his grasp and falling asleep.
"But sleep is purely recreational for a dragoness..."
Mavislin shifted restlessly, seeking a more comfortable position as she rested her head on the sleeping blonde's chest. The steady rise and fall of his breathing was soothing, yet sleep eluded her as her mind wandered back through memories of her past.
As she tried to drift off, her thoughts meandered to her time with Beast, Venom, and Raven—each figure a pivotal part of her journey.
She recalled their lessons about leadership within the Syndicate, the constant reminders that she should never waver in her decisions or question her own authority.
Raven was always the most logical and, by default, the kindest member of the group.
"To be a good leader, you have to balance empathy with authority, showing care while upholding standards. Even if the decisions are pushing your underlings to their limits."
Despite his awareness of the crimes and atrocities he was involved in, he maintained a core sense of morality and mercy, making a deliberate effort to avoid unnecessary bloodshed whenever possible.
His calm and approachable demeanor made him the most easygoing First Seat within the Syndicate, often attracting newcomers eager to join his ranks. However, this should not be mistaken for weakness.
In truth, Raven's training methods were far more grueling than even Venom's. He would relentlessly assign dangerous missions, providing little rest and pushing his trainees to their limits.
His demands for honing combat skills were stringent, often requiring intense practice sessions in the Syndicate's training halls.
After all, Raven was no stranger to overwhelming power—his past exploits included trampling entire nations as if they were mere pies left unattended on a windowsill.
"For me, being a leader would mean making tough decisions without hesitation, prioritizing the greater good over personal feelings," said Venom.
Unlike Venom, who operated from the relative safety of his lab and shielded his recruits from the dangers of frontline combat, Raven and Shadow's trainees were frequently thrust into the harsh realities of fieldwork.
Their training exposed them to the full brutality of their roles, preparing them for the unpredictable and often perilous nature of their missions.
However, joining Venom's department was far from a leisurely experience. It was, in many ways, akin to a death sentence.