User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 452: The Prelude to the Final Battle, Review./@comment-26884814-20150914210434/@comment-24800928-20150915192104

they dont have to show out right fear seeing how Zeref is scene as as a great leader. If anything they revere and respect him and then just fear him deep down inside. They don't fear him to the point that there at his becking call because he's seen as a good (how relative of a term lol) ruler, but they fear him enough that if Zeref puts his foot down, which he hasnt, that they'd listen.