“The first,” Xezal said, eyes fixed on James, “is that killing the enemy boosts morale and intimidates those who remain. But the second variable… could it be that it provokes revenge and triggers an even fiercer retaliation?”

James pointed at her with a smile.
“Smart. But you’re a little too smart.”

Lesia: “…”
Xezal: “…”

James continued casually, “Since killing all of them creates two variables, why not use both mercy and force to control one of them?”

Lesia frowned. “But letting the tiger go back to the mountain brings its own complications.”

“That only means,” James replied, pointing at her, “that the enemy wasn’t beaten hard enough—wasn’t crushed, wasn’t broken. Otherwise, after letting them go, there’s only one variable left: the stories the defeated carry home. They’ll spread rumors, exaggerating the wolves’ power to justify their own loss. From bottom to top, their entire clan will feel a thorn in their backs—a magnified fear of the wolves’ strength.”

Lesia inhaled sharply.