"This covers the full situation for your review, Lady Ophelia," the intelligence officer said.

"Understood. Thank you, ma'am," Ophelia replied with an elegant smile, accepting the document before the intelligence trading division of the Adventurers Guild.

"While it may not be entirely safe, someone of your strength needn't worry. Wishing you swift resolution to Anlina’s troubles."

The woman in the Adventurers Guild uniform offered a slight smile, her gaze drifting toward the bag in Ophelia’s hand.

Noticing the attention, Ophelia lifted the bag with a playful wave. "See? I bought a whole bag of local specialties the moment I arrived."

"You came prepared," the woman chuckled lightly, covering her mouth. "Need a travel guide too?"

"No need. I prefer exploring on my own."

"What a splendid hobby, Miss Ophelia. Enjoy your stay."

"Thank you."

After parting ways, Ophelia glanced down at the paper bag. A flicker of amusement and anticipation glimmered in her eyes.

She’d called them local specialties—but inside lay tools meant for disciplining her servant.

*Finally, my own little one. How should I punish her if she misbehaves?*

Lost in twisted fantasy, she chuckled softly—then shuddered, slapping her cheek lightly.

"What am *I* thinking? She’s human, not a monster. No twisted methods!"

Muttering to herself, Ophelia reached the house she’d bought that day. Her expression froze.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the windowpanes from within; several were nearly shattered.

*This badly damaged? Better check if the little one tried to escape.*

Heart pounding, she rushed inside. No sign of the girl.

*Did she really run?*

A sharp whistle of wind at her ear answered—ambush. Aim: the neck? Clean strike… but too slow!

Ophelia seized Nefu’s wrist and pinned her to the floor.

*Disobedient. Time to cool you down.* One hand locked the girl’s crossed wrists; the other encircled her slender neck.

Today’s special: CPR!

Pressure mounted. Dark spots swam before Nefu’s eyes. Breath vanished. Survival instinct screamed. She thrashed—uselessly. Her body twitched, nearing its limit.

Ophelia watched closely. She only wanted the unruly, house-wrecking child to *taste* death—not die.

When the girl stilled, Ophelia stiffened. A sudden warmth spread across her calf… *Did I go too far?*

After a cleansing spell, she laid Nefu on the bed. Rubbing her temples at the room’s chaos, she sighed. *Cleaning this will cost a fortune. The guild’s bookkeeper will complain again.*

Nefu jolted awake—terror, not rest. That first taste of death? Anything but pleasant.

Goosebumps prickled her skin. *Her.* Watching from the window.

"Awake? Then stop pretending to sleep."

Though Ophelia’s tone was gentle, Nefu shuddered instinctively, shrinking back.

Ophelia pinched the bridge of her nose. *Too harsh. Hard to build rapport now.*

She softened her voice. "Pull this again, and don’t blame me for punishing you."

A muffled hum escaped the bowed girl. Ophelia lifted her chin—*eye contact builds trust*—and froze.

That gaze… defiant yet fearful. Unwilling to submit, too afraid to resist.

As Guild President, she’d seen it countless times in captured monsters.

*Not easy to handle. Try gentleness? Brutality might breed resentment.*

She stroked Nefu’s silvery hair.

—Sharp sting! Ophelia winced.

*Good. Doubts gone. Just… don’t die.*

Clear tooth marks. Blood trickled. *Another second, and my palm would’ve been pierced.*

Nefu glared, eyes burning with feral defiance.

"Oh, very well," Ophelia laughed coldly. "Looks like someone wants blueberry juice!"

After healing herself, she flipped Nefu onto her stomach, pinned her down, and pressed on her neck.

Slightly more pressure. Carotid compressed. Fainting response triggered.

Oxygen vanished. Limbs turned heavy. Consciousness dimmed.

Her little tongue slipped out. A choked whimper. Body trembled faintly.

Unfazed, Ophelia raised her hand.

*Smack!*

*Smack!*

…

Each sharper strike made the soft flesh tense sharply beneath her palm. The sensation… surprisingly satisfying.

*Addictive—wait.* Leaning closer, Ophelia saw it: the girl’s tongue tinged blue, like she’d just eaten blueberries.

*Enough. Push further, and it’s dangerous.* She released her grip.

Mouth agape, drool trailing, Nefu collapsed unconscious onto the bed.

Ophelia pulled a length of rope from the paper bag, gaze fixed on the still form.

"Time for the next step. I’ll just go grab a little tool~"