Khanyi was stunned by his words, her eyes wide open, staring at him. She saw his ice-blue eyes blink a few times as he continued, “Not just the soldiers; the administrators are also troubled because the applications to go to the front line are piling up on their desks. Yes, because facing the front line means confronting cold death and brutal enemies, not these defenseless women, the elderly, middle-aged women, children… and young girls like you. Just by looking at their appearance, it’s already hard to tell their age. They all wear the same striped clothes, their hair completely shaved off, made into blankets and mats along with the wool, and then distributed to prisoners. Truly making the most of resources, isn’t it?”
He ignored her horrified and furious expression, keeping his head down as he continued his monologue, “The commander doesn’t allow unmarried soldiers to do this. Those boys, upon seeing this, never want to touch women again. If they don’t touch women, then the Empire’s army will have no successors…”
“A commander of an empire, actually fainting from his own orders—what a huge joke… But no one can stop it, not even him, because everyone is just a small part of this gigantic machine. The Führer and the commander are its brain; I am its eyes and tentacles. As for those soldiers ordered to fire, they might just be a small screw. If any part rusts, it will be immediately replaced and thrown into the trash…”
He finally stopped his lengthy monologue, his long fingers sliding over a large cross medal he had just taken off his uniform collar, “What did you just say? Hell? Hell is not in the underworld; it is right here on earth. True evil is not the glory paved with bones, nor the brilliance forged with blood, but in this world of chaos and beasts, being human yet completely unaware of what to believe in…”
Her eyes were already filled with chaotic tears, her vision blurred, and she choked out, “You chose the wrong belief yourself; you can’t blame others.”
He suddenly lifted his head, meeting her gaze, and let out a long, cold laugh, “Your little mouth is truly venomous, just like your gaze. You always stab me with your dark eyes,” he raised his arm, pointing at the tip of her nose, then pressed his palm against his left chest, “But I still have to thank you; it’s you who makes my heart ache, and it is this pain that makes me clearly feel that I am still alive.” His hand tightly gripped the fabric of his chest, his nails digging into his flesh, as if his heart were truly enduring intense pain.
Khanyi lowered her head, not daring to look into those ice-blue depths again. His eyes were like the sea in winter, calm on the surface but turbulent beneath; she was a small boat, swaying uncertainly in the storm, ready to capsize at any moment.
This time, it was he who took the initiative to let her off the hook, “My angel, go back to your basement. I want to be alone for a while.” He scoffed disdainfully, yet his hand remained pressed against his chest, showing no sign of relaxation.
Khanyi walked into the basement room in a daze. In the darkness, she couldn’t see a woman sitting on her bed. The woman softly called her name, “Gianna!”
“Irina… it’s you.” Khanyi was startled and finally came to her senses. “What are you doing here? I thought you went to the room on the second floor… looking for something.”
“Looking for something? What do you mean?” Irina asked sensitively.
“Uh… the list. Are you looking for the list of victims? That list was burned… black ashes scattered everywhere…” As Khanyi spoke, her arm lifted, fingers spread in the air. The recent scene was too shocking, leaving her thoughts lingering in it, unable to shake off that moment. Those ice-blue eyes pierced through the black snowflakes, shooting towards her. How could he speak of extreme evil in such a calm and elegant tone?
“Gianna, are you okay?” Irina supported her shoulder, helping her sit steadily on the bed. “Tell me, what did you see?”
“They’re killing people! Why are they doing this? They’re actually murdering innocent women and children!” Khanyi’s voice was a bit agitated.
“Gianna, my job and mission are to do everything I can to stop these evils, to eradicate these inhuman forces. Only by completely eliminating them can people live peaceful lives.” Irina held her frail shoulder, watching her closely. For the first time, Khanyi saw a determined and resolute light in those blue eyes. “Gianna, can I trust you?”
Khanyi didn’t understand what Irina wanted to do, but the next words made her shiver involuntarily.
“I’m not here for the list. I’m here for his life. Looking at it now, it’s hard to accomplish this task alone. I need your help.”
“You want me to… kill him?” Her black eyes widened, shaking her head, “No, I don’t want to kill anyone.”
