"You do realize we're infiltrating these lands to rescue my team, yes? And eliminate those menaces from the Legion. We are not merely trampling upon the denizens of these lands without thought," said Venom, raising an eyebrow at the blonde.
"It matters little to me. The fate of the denizens or your comrades holds no weight; even if they were once mine, I remain indifferent."
"My true interest lies in the prospect of confronting more dangerous foes—those who can truly hone my skills and sharpen my blade," said Zenos, nonchalantly.
Venom stood frozen, torn between the urge to laugh and the rising tide of anger toward the person standing before him. Zenos had been right all along; this mission was doomed from the start.
There was nothing to be gained for the Northern Cartel, save for the hollow satisfaction of disrupting the Legion's ambitions—whatever those might be.
It was a reckless gamble, the Viceroy playing a dangerous game by aiding an enemy they had fought for years. An alliance, yes, but this mission crossed a line, one that could not be ignored.
With a weary shake of his head, the male dragon sighed, his frustration palpable. Only then did he notice the eerie silence that had settled over Mavislin. She stood still, her gaze distant and haunted as she stared at the ten lifeless bodies sprawled before her.
"Ah, I see why they call you the Terror of the Northern Cartel. You're the very reason the devil has nightmares," shrugged Venom, turning his back against the group.
"I shall take that as a compliment," replied the Viceroy, with another smirk.
Venom lowered his shoulders and pinched the bridge of his nose. How and why Mavislin managed to strike up friends like the Prince of Darkness would forever remain a mystery to the dragonman.
"Once you're finished, feel free to head left into the canteen for some refreshments."
"As for you, Shadow, I will see you in my office to discuss our next steps and the impending meeting with the rest of the First Seats and Beast," announced Venom, as he stuffed his hands in his pocket before sauntering out of the room.
"Honestly, do you have anything else in your life besides going to war with anything that breathes?!" argued the annoyed rabbit, ready to draw his weapon against the blonde.
"You utter those words as if to strike at my very core. Yet, for all your indignation toward my ambitions, I see your hand remains firmly clasped around your weapon, poised before me," taunted Zenos, shaking his head.
"Against a monster like you! Why are you even so hard-on to gain power and slaughter others?!"
"You wouldn't grasp the truth, even if I were to lay it bare before you. Your perception of battle and war is so fundamentally different from mine that it renders any explanation futile."
"Try me. You have no clue what I've been through, how much violence it took for me to treasure this life and the people in mine truly. I'm not foreign to the battlefield even though I seem like a peaceful person," growled Mattheos, his eyes flashing green.
"Very well. I perceive life as a solitary candle, merely awaiting the moment it is extinguished. Ultimately, the candle holds no significance; one must seek purpose before the flame is snuffed out."
"As intelligent beings, we should fight not out of necessity, but for the sheer joy of it. We possess the wisdom and clarity to truly savor the experience—to embrace the thrill of violence for its own sake."
"And you chose your purpose in life to be the absolute detriment to everyone else?!" shouted Matt, fearing that his handle was going to snap at how hard he was gripping it.
"Because everything else is utterly tedious. Your reaction only serves to validate my earlier assertion—you will never comprehend my true intentions."
"No. But I do know this; those who seek power without a clear focus will find ruin lying in wait."
The Viceroy blinked, momentarily throwing Matt off his furious train of thought. The rabbit had never witnessed Zenos appear disturbed or wavering in a battle of words.
Just as the blonde opened his mouth to counter, the quiet dragoness slammed her foot into the ground, creating a crater beneath her sole.
"If the two of you intend to argue about your ideals, I would suggest that you both take it elsewhere and away from the company of the dead. I understand that they are missing their ears but they still deserve to be respected. Even if they weren't your comrades."
Mavislin's words were dripped with anger. No, she was beyond angry, she was livid as pitch-black mana exploded around her form, causing both males to back away. Matt reluctantly did as he was told, shooting Zenos a death glare before heading to the canteen.