After confirming the intelligence was accurate, Ye Wei'an dispelled the spell, then turned to Lina, who was standing nearby.
"Lina, come here." Ye Wei'an handed her a sharp dagger. "This prisoner is no longer any use. You might as well get your first taste of blood."
"Master, this..." Lina took the dagger, and her fingertips brushed the cold metal. She shuddered despite herself.
"This is a step you have to take as head maid." Ye Wei'an looked straight into her eyes, his tone leaving no room for argument. "When we develop the territory, we'll face far greater dangers than this. You need to get used to it in advance."
Lina bit her lip, then finally nodded heavily.
She lowered her head and looked at the prisoner on the ground, his face streaked with tears and snot as he sobbed and begged for mercy.
He was one of her own kind, a living being twisted by fear. Her feminine nature made her instinctively dread taking a life.
She couldn't help raising her head to look at Ye Wei'an. She could see the encouragement in his eyes.
She suddenly remembered how Ye Wei'an had acted just moments ago: his movements had been smooth and fluid, without a moment's hesitation.
When had he become so cold-hearted?
Why was he so decisive when killing people?
Lina's heart gave a faint shiver. It wasn't fear, but a pain she couldn't put into words.
The quiet, kind boy from four years ago, the one who had needed her care, had ultimately been ground down by this world into the hard-hearted man he was now.
The maternal instinct and resilience ingrained in Rashemen women overcame her resistance to killing.
If this was what he needed, then she would be his blade.
Lina tightened her grip on the