Womek was momentarily taken away by the children to tend to his wounds.
Before he departed, though Chu Yan wished to refrain from taunting him, a dark remark was nonetheless inevitable.
"Womek, your death sentence has merely been postponed; punishment still awaits you, and even the pleas from Jeanette and Dura will prove futile."
"...Understood."
Womek bowed his head in acquiescence and left.
If Chu Yan were to completely overlook Womek's troubles, a multitude of subsequent headaches would inevitably arise.
As the saying goes, kindness does not command an army.
A momentary act of mercy might garner goodwill, but it could also embolden a cadre of unruly individuals who would presume to call you their brother, especially those who fancy themselves clever.
Such individuals, given a touch of kindness, may become overbearing; should one's demeanor shift to disfavor, they would not hesitate to denounce you as hypocritical behind your back.
Upon returning to the lord's castle, Chu Yan and Jeanette convened to discuss a pressing matter.
He picked up the scorched skull cap, scrutinizing it carefully, and inquired:
"Jeanette, was this object crafted from the limbs of magical creatures?"
Jeanette, fearing he had not seen enough, retrieved several filthy weapons from the room—a dining knife, a hammer, iron pipes...
Though they appeared ordinary, the tainted aura surrounding them granted them an enchanted quality.
"One could interpret it that way. However, some have naturally become tainted weapons after prolonged use against magical beings."
"And what is their specific potency?"
Upon hearing this question, Jeanette was taken aback and retorted:
"During Womek's attempt to assassinate you, did he not even manage a single strike before being subdued?"
If Womek had successfully executed a blow or two, he would have undoubtedly demonstrated their lethality.
"Essentially, he was subdued almost immediately, but he did manage one swing that struck the shield of a maidservant, who seemed momentarily astonished."
Upon receiving this information, Jeanette dismissed the idea of demonstrating the weapons' power; she adjusted her posture, reclining comfortably in her seat.
Seemingly finding the rigid backrest tiresome, she pressed a button on the side of her chair to recline it.
As she lay back, her chest appeared notably prominent.
"That is precisely the point; this illustrates the potency of tainted weapons. Even though Womek's strength may be comparable to that of a mere magical apprentice, the damage he can inflict is astonishing.
These weapons could empower the inhabitants of the slums to become the frontline in the battle against magical creatures, no longer reliant on the household guards of the nobility."
"Indeed, it is an excellent strategy!"
While praising her insight, Chu Yan began to contemplate further.
If these weapons could be successfully implemented in the slums, then in the future, ridding the area of lesser magical creatures would no longer require deference to the nobility.
Frontline manpower?
Was there truly a shortage of individuals in the slums? Even with no weapons in hand, they were already toiling in perilous conditions.
A concern soon surfaced in his mind, and Chu Yan frowned:
"Yet this could also incite unrest among the ranks. Should these weapons fall into the hands of brawlers, they may become instruments of violence.
Moreover, the nobility might quietly bribe the residents of the slums, inciting conflict among them."
With the enhancement of tainted weapons, brawls would escalate far beyond mere skirmishes.
Jeanette clearly anticipated this issue; having spent considerable time in the slums, she understood that some individuals were beyond sympathy.
"That is certain. Thus, little lord, you can see that I have engaged in trade for quite some time, only providing these weapons to the children."
"I allocated only two, and one of them was used to accept a bounty for an assassination attempt against me—caution is indeed warranted."
If Jeanette had fox ears, she would likely be drooping them in exhaustion at that moment. With a sigh, she lamented:
"I despise this sarcasm; I am equally helpless!"
Chu Yan did not intend to be sarcastic; rather, he sensed that this issue required little further contemplation on his part.
For Jeanette had already considered all aspects, and slight errors were unavoidable.
What she now required was someone who could guarantee her endeavors, or rather, a protector with noble standing to validate this initiative, allowing tainted weapons to come to light.
And Chu Yan was precisely that individual; he too needed the advantages this venture could provide.
The local nobility would never heed his counsel; should those individuals decide to cease their operations against lesser magical creatures, what then would Chu Yan do?
Certainly, he could not unleash the forbidden ones from the castle against them; that would be akin to using cannon fire against mosquitoes.
Their frequent use of their own powers would yield negative repercussions and should be employed judiciously.
If tainted weapons could be successfully deployed, then the issue of manpower would be resolved.
In doing so, he would also fulfill one of the "evaluation points" of the trial.
Regional security level (√)
"How long until the people of the slums can genuinely begin to cleanse the lesser magical creatures?"
"Very soon, as I possess a batch of corpse bombs that make dealing with magical creatures exceedingly simple; they will suffice until the populace truly masters the tainted weapons."
"Alright then, could you provide me with the details later? I shall convey them briefly to the executioner. Once she departs, we can initiate the implementation, and I will serve as the guarantor!"
"That's quite audacious, but I like it!"
To serve as a guarantor for tainted weapons is something no noble would dare attempt, for they are deemed contraband.
Following Jeanette's example, Chu Yan reclined his chair, lying back comfortably.
Contemplating the demise of Baron Pige, he felt a sense of relief; after all, a mere baron had dared to show him disdain upon their initial meeting.
Yet, the reality that only Baron Pige had perished dimmed his satisfaction.
The level of cooperation and obedience among superiors and subordinates... would be difficult to achieve!
With a sense of melancholy and hope, Chu Yan mused:
"Jeanette, do you know? I was just pondering something even bolder—something that one would typically hesitate to imagine."
"How bold are we talking?"
"A scenario where all the nobility of the Dead Sea, save for myself, are obliterated; no one would dare to defy me!"
Jeanette promptly felt disillusioned, responding:
"I can't count how many times I have contemplated such matters."
"Then it seems your inner life is both daring and exhilarating!"
As their conversation reached a fervent pitch, Shannoia, who had been taking a stroll outside, returned.
Her expression bore a hint of grave astonishment, yet upon seeing the two lounging in their chairs, she seemed to cast aside the earlier seriousness.
"This chair can actually recline? Chu Yan, you need not worry about sleeping on the floor tonight; you may choose to rest here instead."
Previously lying comfortably, Chu Yan immediately sprang up, rubbing his back where it ached. He retorted:
"...Do not take me for a fool, Shannoia. What were you so serious about at first? What transpired?"
Shannoia lay back to test the chair and replied:
"Everyone with noble blood in Baron Pige's household has perished; only a few attendants have survived."
"Ha???"
...
Before long, the three set off together to Baron Pige's residence.
The last time Chu Yan had visited this place was to release a slime creature, accumulating merit; the yard had been so corroded that its vegetation had yet to recover.
A considerable number of nobles had gathered outside the residence, clutching protective charms, huddled among the servants and guards, anxiously trying to ascertain the situation within.
Chu Yan remained vigilant against ambushes as he cautiously entered the estate.
Upon witnessing the scene inside, they collectively gasped in horror.
Baron Pige's entire family lay dead in the living and dining rooms, their bodies strewn without pattern, and there were no signs of struggle.
It was as if they had simply walked and then inexplicably knelt upon the ground, adopting a posture of prayer before succumbing to poison.
In Baron Pige's study, several individuals from other families were present.
They were likely aware of Baron Pige's demise, having swiftly gathered to discuss the situation; yet, for some reason, they suddenly knelt to pray and repent, before meeting the same fate.
Jeanette recalled Chu Yan's earlier casual remarks and lightly nudged him with her elbow, giving him a thumbs-up as she whispered:
"It seems you are indeed the bolder one; you merely dared not think of it, yet you dared to act!"
Chu Yan hastily clarified:
"This has nothing to do with me; I have been by your side the entire time! Shannoia, was it you who kindly helped me eliminate them?"
After a moment of contemplation, Shannoia analyzed:
"If I had intervened, I would have certainly consulted you beforehand. Would you be settling for a night on the floor tonight? Otherwise, I would not have acted."
Logical and convincing... Chu Yan nodded:
"That makes sense!"
However, aside from that consideration, Shannoia's combat style could not account for the bizarre scene before them; the manner of these deaths was far too peculiar.
At that moment, the executioner arrived, with the maidservant, Bird Feather, following as usual, though her expression appeared somewhat melancholic.
As the lord, Chu Yan naturally had to approach and speak. He hesitated, saying:
"Miss Executioner, I did not anticipate such a series of tragic events would occur in the Dead Sea after your arrival; I am truly embarrassed to face you...
Might I inquire your thoughts on the cause of death for these victims? I am determined to apprehend the true culprit!"
The executioner's visage tilted toward him, her beautiful eyes beneath the mask seemingly scrutinizing Chu Yan as she countered:
"Determined to apprehend, do you truly possess such confidence?"
Chu Yan dared not accept such a military order; that would only complicate matters further—Baron Pige and his family should rest in peace!
He quickly amended his statement:
"Within the limits of my abilities, I will endeavor to investigate..."
The executioner turned to her maid, Bird Feather, and asked:
"Bird Feather, what observations have you made at the scene? How could such an event transpire?"
The maidservant took a deep breath, carefully considering her words before responding:
"It appears to be a case of suicide. Baron Pige likely commissioned an assassination against the lord, and with the executioner present in the Dead Sea, their family, burdened by guilt, chose to end their lives as an act of atonement."
The executioner nodded solemnly:
"That is indeed a plausible and reasonable hypothesis."
"..."
Chu Yan, Shannoia, and Jeanette fell into a profound silence.