However, before she could elaborate further, Matt's stomach growled loudly, prompting an exasperated sigh from her. With a gentle flick of her wrist, she released a small snake from her sleeve, sending it to retrieve a croissant for the hungry bunny.
Just as the snake slithered away, a flurry of messengers from the other First Seats swooped in through the open windows, their wings beating furiously as they clamored for her attention.
The once quiet hallway erupted with the urgency of their demands, drawing Mavislin's focus away from Matt and his immediate needs.
"Go wait beside the Viceroy's chambers. I will use the room beside his to settle matters before I go insane hearing them all at once," ordered the dragoness as she dragged Matt back to where she had walked from.
The pack of animals trailed after her into the vacant room beside the blonde's, leaving Matt alone in the empty hallway. He shifted his weight, feeling the cool air around him, and waited patiently until the little snake returned, clutching a chocolate croissant in its tiny jaws.
The sight of the treat brought a smile to his face, momentarily distracting him from the chaos that had just unfolded.
"Thank you..."
Meanwhile, Zenos emerged, clad in a striking ensemble of black and red, complete with a half-cape that billowed slightly with his movement. Golden gauntlets adorned his hands, and polished sabatons gleamed at his feet, reflecting the ambient light.
As he stepped into the hallway, his gaze fell to the side, where he spotted a familiar rabbit leaning against the wall beside his room, a look of determination mixed with exhaustion on his face.
"Where's-"
"She needs some time to cool off and handle some matters. Our Misery and Despair teams that Mav sent out before our bout with you have all been killed without mercy. Hell, I daresay with a method more bloodthirstier than you."
"Right now, the boss looks like she's in a zoo and has a patience level so faint that you can barely see it. If you value breathing, I would advise you not to disturb her yet," warned Mattheos, cutting the blonde's question.
"Why would the bodies find their way to Urnsfield? Did they merely materialize there? If my geographical memory serves me, Urnsfield occupies the very center of the continent, while Campania and Orchvale rest at its farthest edges."
"So you aren't as muscle-headed as I would assume you to be... The bodies had been collected by Venom, our Research First Seat to do an autopsy to find the cause of death."
"Anyone with a working pair of eyes would see that they've died via decapitation but Venom insisted that there was more to that, given what we've known about the Legion's work," said the dragoness, opening the door to let out the several animals.
"Then why would the other First Seats get involved? Seems like a matter between you and Venom," questioned Matt, unfolding his arms to approach his boss.
"Beast and Venom have agreed that all reports about the Legion should be handed to me for safekeeping and to figure out our next course of action. To add insult to injury, Venom's two research teams in Titania and Borealisia have gone silent."
"We are all praying that they haven't joined the cookout in the clouds yet as my younglings did. As for the other issue on hand, those messengers have come from all corners of the continent for the whereabouts of my brethren's heads."
Both Zenos and Mattheos exchanged wide-eyed glances, their shock evident in their expressions. After a brief moment, they turned their gaze back to Mavislin, who stood there pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation.
The frustration etched on her features only deepened the tension in the air, leaving the two males slightly worried about the girl's mental health.
"Are you saying that-"
"Yes, Zenos. The 10 members that I have lost are all missing their heads. And I am desperately trying to find them so I can stitch them back to their rightful bodies and bury them. Clear enough for you?"
The Viceroy found himself momentarily taken aback by the girl's bluntness, her words cutting through the tension like a blade. He shook his head, a subtle gesture aimed at tempering his own rising frustration and avoiding further provocation.
Typically, anyone who dared to speak so boldly to the Prince of Darkness would end up at God's front door before they could even take their next breath.
Yet, the dragoness stood on the brink of collapse, her exhaustion and stress threatening to overwhelm her. Still, she clung to her resolve, determined to remain steadfast for the sake of her team.
"Someday... Sometime... I will find a day that trouble will be away from me like the plague," complained Mavislin as she turned away from the duo.