Sylas elaborated patiently. "Imagine there's an elf walking by, and killing them would grant you a precious artifact. Would you do it?"
"Never! I'm the proud daughter of the principality. I would never murder an innocent out of greed!"
"But what if that elf had a hobby of torturing and killing humans, then blaming it on others?"
"Well, in that case, it wouldn't matter whether there's an artifact involved. Such a person deserves death," Eldira replied firmly.
"Exactly. But now, you'd also gain the artifact as a side benefit. You'd feel justified in doing what you already wanted to do. That's how it works."
Sylas's methods were simple yet effective. He didn't manipulate people outright—he gave them a reason to justify their actions. It was a technique he used to great effect during the rebellion in the north.
"And for my enemies, I do the opposite."
"The opposite?"