Lina's New Power

After the spoils were distributed, the cleanup of the entire camp was nearing completion.

The stone brick main house in the center of the camp, which originally belonged to the Black Knight Marcus, was converted into Ye Weian's temporary residence after a simple cleaning.

Ye Wei'an summoned Kane, Volodya, and several Lv.3 knights, spread the captured sheepskin map on the table, and pointed out several red circles marked on it.

"The camp we just destroyed was the core transit point for the Santalin Society within a hundred miles." Ye Wei'an raised his head and looked at his subordinates. "According to the map, there are three small outposts scattered nearby, which rely entirely on supplies and intelligence from here to operate. Although our attack was successful and we didn't miss a single survivor, if supplies here are cut off for more than two days, those guys will definitely notice something is wrong and then run away with the looted goods."

At this point, Ye Wei'an tapped the table: "Therefore, we must not give them a chance to catch their breath. Kane, Volodya, pass down the order that the soldiers eat and drink their fill tonight, and that everyone except those on duty get some rest. Tomorrow I will personally lead the team to wipe out these outposts one by one. I want to completely erase the shadow of the Zantallinn Society from this area."

"Yes, my lord!"

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In the dead of night, the entire camp fell silent, with only the rustling of patrolling soldiers' boots on fallen leaves echoing through the forest.

Inside the main house, the pine wood in the fireplace crackled and popped, the sweet scent of pine resin masking the lingering smell of blood in the air.

Ellen was kneeling on a low stool not far away, intently mending a mage's robe with needle and thread by the warm fire and flickering candlelight—this expensive silk robe had been torn open with a hideous rip by the Black Knight's sword during the fierce battle of the day.

For her, who has just been promoted to Lv.2 Monk, controlling tiny steel needles to move through a small space is also a kind of spiritual and physical training.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Lina was testing the water temperature.

She had changed out of her blood-stained hunting outfit and put back on the well-tailored black and white dress with lace cuffs.

Although she still showed some lingering fear from the battle, she had regained the composure and demeanor befitting a head maid.

"Master, the hot water is ready." Lina walked to Ye Weian's side and naturally reached out to unbutton his clothes.

Ye Wei'an leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to feel the upgraded power.

"You've seen blood today too, Lina. Go and rest. Ellen can handle things here," Ye Wei'an said softly with his eyes closed.

"No," Lina said with a slight tightening of her fingertips, her voice tinged with heartache, "You overused so much magic today, and even fought that terrifying Black Knight yourself... Ellen was able to protect you on the battlefield, but I can't do anything. Relieving your fatigue is my only duty now."

As she spoke, she knelt down beside Ye Wei'an and skillfully removed his heavy mage robe.

Steam rose, and the bathtub was filled with misty vapor.

Lina rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair and shapely forearms. She dipped her fingertips in the prepared essential oil and applied it evenly to Ye Weian's slightly stiff shoulders.

The warm water, teasing him, washed over his back again and again.

Gradually, Lina became dissatisfied with simply wiping.

Her hands, calloused and smooth, slid down Ye Wei'an's spine, her movements gentle yet possessing an undeniable strength, precisely pressing the acupoints that had tightened from the spell. As the water warmed, an alluring blush rose to her delicate face, her breathing becoming increasingly rapid, the warm breath characteristic of a mature woman constantly brushing against the back of Ye Wei'an's neck.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she gently pressed herself against Ye Wei'an from behind, her voluptuous curves pressing perfectly against his broad back through her soaked thin skirt.

"Lina?" Ye Wei'an opened his eyes, feeling the amazing heat and breathtaking softness coming from his back.

He turned his head slightly, meeting Lina's eyes that seemed to overflow with tears. "This isn't like you at all; you're being a little too forward."

Lina didn't back down as usual. Instead, she pursed her red lips, dipped her fingertips into the warm water along his chest, and even mischievously ran her fingers lightly across his ribs.

"There's nothing I can do. My lord, you're becoming more and more charming. If I don't take the initiative, I'm afraid that little girl Eileen will become the 'mistress' before me."

Ye Wei'an chuckled, his gaze passing over the mist to the half-elf girl hiding in the shadow of the hearth fire.

Eileen was pretending to vigorously polish her boots, but her pair of sensitive long ears were perked up high.

"You're overthinking this, aren't you?" Ye Wei'an pretended to be naive, leaning back against the edge of the bathtub as if nothing had happened. "Eileen is still a child. What does she know about serving?"

"She knows far more than you can imagine, my lord."

Seeing that he was pretending to be stupid, Lina snorted and leaned forward, her fingertips, covered in warm water droplets, slowly circling on Ye Wei'an's collarbone.

"For the past two weeks... under the guise of massage and relaxation, wasn't it this girl who was actually providing you with more intimate services?"

"Ahem..." Having his "secret perk" of the past two weeks exposed in public, Ye Wei'an awkwardly touched his nose. "Did Ellen tell you about this?"

"Of course she's keeping it a secret, afraid that I, her older sister, will steal it from her." Lina rested her chin on Ye Weian's shoulder, her warm breath lingering on his ear. "But the way she looks at you completely betrays her emotions. This girl even secretly asked me before how to serve you more attentively while you're taking a bath. If I don't volunteer, she'll probably take things a step further with you tonight."

"I...I didn't!" Ellen jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, almost tangling the gold thread in her hand.

Her entire face, illuminated by the firelight, swelled up like a ripe pomegranate, even the base of her neck glowing with an alluring pink.

"I just... I just wanted to help Master share the burden..." Eileen stammered, her voice growing softer and softer until she finally buried her face in the shadows. "Sister Lina is so mean..."

"You can't be serious about 'first come, first served' in this kind of thing," Lina chuckled, and simply let go of her restraints. Her affectionate eyes stared directly at Ye Weian, and her actions became increasingly bold.

As Ye Wei'an felt Lina's technique and Ellen's shy gaze, he couldn't help but chuckle.

(9000 words omitted here)

Ye Wei'an got out of the wooden tub, and Lina had already prepared a soft and dry towel, which she gently used to wipe him dry.

Looking at Lina beside him, who was also soaking wet and only wrapped in a thin bath towel, Ye Wei'an reached out and lifted her chin:

"Are you satisfied now, my head maid?"

Lina's face was flushed, whether from the steam or the lingering warmth of her bold actions, it was hard to tell. Her usually calm and restrained eyes still flickered with an undiminished passion.

She tightened the towel around her chest slightly, trying to calm her slightly erratic breathing: "Although I didn't manage to take that final step, as long as I can go a step further than Ellen, Lina will naturally be satisfied."

Ellen, who was standing to the side, had already finished sewing the mage's robe and was pouting, fiddling with the needle and thread in her hands with a sour look.

Those long, slender ears twitched as she muttered in a soft voice, "Sister Lina is so quick, taking advantage of being the head maid... I was clearly first..."

Ye Wei'an looked at the little girl's aggrieved expression and chuckled inwardly.

He turned around and beckoned to Eileen: "Come here, little jealous jar."

Eileen awkwardly moved closer, her expression—wanting to be near her master yet also wanting to throw a little tantrum—was incredibly cute.

Ye Wei'an then rubbed the half-elf's ears and took out the [Agile Bracers] he had captured that day from his system space.

"Alright, stop being so sour. This is your reward. You did a great job killing that Black Knight today."

"Wow!" As soon as Ellen saw the exquisite wristbands, the sourness in her eyes instantly disappeared, and she quickly took them.

The wristband seemed to have a mind of its own, automatically adjusting to the size as soon as it touched her slender wrist.

Eileen felt the "qi" within her body circulating more smoothly with the support of the wristband.

"Thank you, Master!" The little maid immediately punched the air twice, creating a series of whooshing sounds, as happy as a squirrel that had just snatched a pine cone.

She puffed out her still-developing chest and earnestly promised, "From now on, Eileen will protect you every step of the way!"

Now it was Lina's turn to be "unhappy".

She sighed with feigned sorrow, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at Ye Wei'an with a wistful gaze: "Ah, young girls are always more endearing. Poor me, I'm here working diligently for my master, handling official documents during the day and serving him personally at night, and in the end, I don't even get a decent reward."

Ye Wei'an looked at Lina's feigned abandoned wife demeanor and a slight smile played on his lips: "What, in your eyes, am I someone who favors one side over the other? You don't trust your master at all?"

"Could it be... that I also have a gift?" This time, Lina was genuinely surprised.

"Of course." Ye Wei'an nodded. "I've also prepared your gift, but... it's not something intangible like this."

"Oh?" Lina turned her head curiously, the thin bath towel almost slipping off due to the sudden movement. "What's that?"

"It's a [Enhancement Magic] that can change your destiny." Ye Wei'an's expression turned serious, his tone exuding an undeniable authority. "I'm prepared to personally cleanse your marrow and bones, granting you power beyond that of ordinary mortals."

"Enhancement magic?" Lina was taken aback, instinctively glancing at Eileen, who was excitedly pumping her fist beside her. "You mean that kind of miracle you performed on Eileen before?"

"That's right." Ye Wei'an beckoned to Lina to sit on the edge of the bed. "Come here and close your eyes."

He stretched out his hand with a charlatan-like air, touched Lina's smooth forehead with his fingertips, and began chanting an obscure and difficult-to-understand ancient magic spell.

In reality, his consciousness had already sunk into the system interface.