"What the hell am I even looking at?"
Listening to Maeve, Madelyn wanted to rip out her only false tooth in frustration. What else could she do but stare wide-eyed? Even Homelander had fallen.
Gritting her teeth, she swallowed hard and nodded cautiously. "I understand. Since… Homelander was in the wrong first, then… what kind of compensation does Mr. Axel want?"
"Compensation?" Axel frowned.
Madelyn, sensing her mistake, quickly corrected herself. "No, no, of course not compensation… an offering, Your Excellency!"
"Offering?"
"It's… a tribute. We—"
"Tribute?"
"Your Eminence, if you require a sacrifice, that's not out of the question!"
"Sacrifice?"
Axel's questioning gaze made Madelyn feel like she was going to die. How much time had passed? She had been sitting for less than two minutes for styling, not counting elevator travel. Could Homelander not even last twenty seconds?
Even Soldier Boy, Vought's former top star, had never fallen so easily. Wait… Soldier Boy?
Madelyn's mind raced. She didn't believe a superhuman capable of defeating Homelander could appear from nowhere. Combining this with Soldier Boy's mysterious disappearance, could someone have secretly modified him into an even stronger being? Or was another organization behind this, creating a new ultimate superhuman?
Her heart pounded, layered with dread. If Axel chose to kill her, she might die of a heart attack before he even touched her.
Axel patted her shoulder, breaking her spiraling thoughts. "Stop worrying, sis. Who cares about compensation? Money has long meant nothing to me. If I wanted it, I could take billions. I didn't come for that—I'm here to apply to join The Seven!"
He leaned back, amused. "Honestly, I hate online interviews and superhero talent shows. With my power, I need no recommendation. I came straight to Vought."
"Gulp," Madelyn whispered, disbelief written all over her face. She grabbed Axel's wrist tremulously. "Lamplighter… Lamplighter retired. I'm certain you're already a member of The Seven."
"Are you sure?" Axel asked, ruffling her hair playfully.
"Time truly ravages beauty," he said with a sigh, smiling. "I remember your movie with the Invisible Man. You were my childhood goddess, you know?"
He laughed, released her, and sat casually in Madelyn's chair, swiveling to face her and Maeve. Axel tapped the table.
"Relax, don't be nervous. Since I'm already in The Seven, you're my attractive colleague and older boss. Leader, could you give me a foot massage?"
He propped his feet on the desk, nodding to the dust. "Earlier, I got hit in the face by A-Train, ruined my shoes. Walking barefoot collects dust—you wouldn't want the image of the future's greatest superhero ruined, right? Maeve, get some water so our Leader can work a bit harder."
Maeve nodded, giving Madelyn a 'handle it' glance. Madelyn swallowed hard and knelt, beginning to massage Axel's feet without expression.
While Maeve fetched water, she asked cautiously, "Mr. Axel, besides this, any other requests? Hero positioning, or leadership within The Seven?"
"Aren't those your jobs?" Axel said, spreading his toes as she rubbed between them. "Me coming to Vought gives your corporation prestige. If I had to handle every trivial detail myself, what's the point of having leaders?"
"Yes, yes. I just feared disappointing your expectations," Madelyn stammered. "I understand now. You're magnanimous, so I'll provide all the convenience you need. But you'll still need a hero alias. Any preference, like Homelander, The Deep, or Black Noir?"
"Of course," Axel replied, finally showing approval. He lifted his foot and patted Madelyn's chest. Though she wasn't in her prime, she had recently given birth, and Axel's touch caused her clothes to dampen slightly.
Axel laughed, shaking his head. "Not easy balancing Homelander and a child. But this… this is enough. He can't refuse it."
He removed his foot from her chest just as Maeve returned with warm water, placing it before Axel. Axel dipped his feet, patting Madelyn's rear lightly.
"Leader, what are you staring at? Get busy!"
"Yes… yes!" Madelyn knelt, scrubbing his feet carefully. Axel addressed Maeve, still tense from the scene.
"Wait, Maeve."
"I'm here," Maeve said, nervous. She felt a flash of the past—the first night she joined The Seven, witnessing Homelander's depravity.
Back then, she had feared Homelander. Now, after seeing Axel break him, that fear had transferred entirely. Even his casual attention left her nearly paralyzed with anxiety.