The attendant trembled so badly at the sight of Li Wei that he could not speak.
"Y-yes..."
"This happened because of you."
Li Wei pointed at the ruined walls around them.
"And this is only the beginning. If the Empire's army marches in and destroys all of Silvermoon City, and I then reveal what happened, do you think you'll have any chance of surviving?"
The attendant went deathly pale. Everyone else's expression changed too, and even the bound knight captain broke into a heavy sweat.
This was worse than killing them! If the people of Silvermoon City learned the whole story, they would never dare go after Li Wei, but as for them...
They were not members of some evil faction. They were respectable, upright people with families and property in Silvermoon City. If word of this really got out, they and their families would forever be reviled by the city's people!
Emily and the others were no fools. They understood now, and the way they looked at Li Wei changed.
This was even more terrifying than slaughtering their entire families! This was social death!
"Tell me. Who gave the order?"
Li Wei's voice was quiet, but paired with his earlier threat, it carried a calm killing intent.
"You have two choices now. Resist to the bitter end, or abandon the wrong side and join the right one."
Li Wei lightly tapped his cane against his palm.
"Choose."
"I-it was Grand Elder Thranduil!"
At last, the attendant could no longer hold back and shouted.
"Thranduil?"
Li Wei turned to Emily, waiting for an explanation. Her expression changed dramatically as well.
"Archmage Thranduil? He's the chief elder of Silvermoon City's Star-Song Council, the administrator of the High Palace's internal affairs, and the minister overseeing the Silver Knights... How could..."
"Oh... So..."