“Hmph! Hypocrite, I won’t give up!”
In the cellar, when Willis saw Winnie Kanasha, the other’s state was very similar to Ofilia’s.
Haggard face, vacant eyes.
Besides the smell in the cellar, Willis even saw numerous marks scratched out by Winnie’s own hands.
Blood still flowed from the delicate Elf’s fingers.
Willis frowned, wanting to bandage her.
No matter what, this was her pre-claimed property.
But unsurprisingly, Winnie refused.
Even in this endless darkness and silence, she felt fear, dread, and humiliation, even anger at being shamed by Willis.
Yet Winnie still didn’t lower herself to beg.
When she saw Willis bring food over, she clenched her trembling fists tightly.
Trying to appear not so pathetic.
But she was already a complete mess.
A day and night in this dark little room was enough to drive her insane!
No nature, no forest, no lake as Elves loved.
Not even fresh air or sunlight!
Just a single day, but the pain and fear she suffered were even stronger than Ofilia’s!
But for herself, and for the clan members who had been captured, she had to endure!
Even though at the sight of Willis, the words of surrender danced on her tongue, Winnie swallowed them back down.
She would not surrender, would not yield to this demon!
So much so that her voice quivered with tears.
As if begging for someone to see through the fragile strength barely holding her together.
But Willis saw through her, and had no intention of exposing it.
“Suit yourself. This is your food.”
Saying that, Willis dropped the matter of bandaging her.
She simply put the food and water into the cellar with the basket, closed the plank, locked it, and weighed it down with a stone.
In the last moment before the light disappeared, Winnie greedily took one more look.
She saw Ofilia.
The golden-haired girl who once tried to escape with her, now stood respectfully behind Willis.
Clothes disheveled, hair messy, her face drained of spirit and filled with lingering fear.
Her presence here meant she had surrendered.
Traitor!
Though they had never truly stood on the same side, Winnie still cursed her inwardly.
Ofilia’s surrender made the demon of surrender in Winnie’s heart, back in the dead silence, grow even louder.
“No! I will never give in!”
“Winnie! You must lead your people out of here. You are an Elf!”
She tried to encourage herself, fumbling in the darkness and picking up the bowl and chopsticks to eat.
But before long…
A whimper finally broke out from her throat, unable to hold back any longer.
After bringing Ofilia back to the room, Willis had her bathe her again.
Of course, Ofilia washed herself thoroughly too.
In Willis’s words, the smell was too strong and she didn’t want to get close.
Ofilia, feeling disliked, didn’t argue, just obediently followed Willis’s every order.
It seemed the day and night in the dark room had left a deep impression.
Both physically and mentally.
Very deep.
“Looks like it worked well. You’re very obedient now, Ofilia.”
Willis played with the collar on Ofilia’s neck, making her blush and unable to meet her eyes.
She was so defiant before going in, yet so humiliated when coming out.
Ofilia even wanted to shout [This time doesn’t count, let me go back in again!]
She almost wanted to insist, [I wasn’t prepared this time, next time I’ll last longer!]
But remembering the terror inside, she kept her mouth shut.
She wondered, even if she escaped Willis, where could she go?
And now that Willis had ruined her purity, who would want her?!
Willis must take responsibility!
If she couldn’t use Willis’s money, eat her food, and mess up her plans at the same time, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
That’s right, this was revenge!
Finding a reason for herself, Ofilia felt a little better inside.
“If you dare to disobey again or try to escape, I’ll lock you up for ten days next time!”
“If you don’t make it ten days, don’t even think about getting out.”
Hearing Willis’s warning, Ofilia shuddered.
“M… Master, I won’t dare again.”
Willis was quite satisfied with Ofilia’s newfound obedience.
She even wondered what would happen if her royal sister was put in there.
No, no, too devilish.
She threw the thought aside.
Willis was about to take the freshly washed Ofilia to do something enjoyable when suddenly, she noticed a conspicuous mark on the corridor’s wooden pillar nearby.
“This is…”
“Master? What’s wrong?”
After bathing, Ofilia’s spirits had recovered somewhat.
But if possible, she still wanted to be alone right now.
Willis seemed to understand her thoughts, turning back.
“Go rest. You don’t have to serve me anymore.”
Giving her a complex look, Ofilia bowed respectfully and retreated.
“Yes!”
After Ofilia left, Willis vanished from her spot.
Soon after, she appeared at the back gate of the Castle Lord’s Mansion.
She ordered the patrolling soldiers to leave temporarily and waited.
As expected, two figures appeared from the darkness.
“You still have the nerve to show yourselves to me?”
Willis’s first words were filled with killing intent.
Hill Yu led the City Defense Army, who had been on the brink, to Mik Englandram’s residence.
Inside, it was brightly lit.
Noisy, crowded, and chaotic.
Some were packing, others preparing carriages.
Even the guards outside looked anxious.
When Hill Yu arrived, two of them immediately screamed.
“It’s… it’s the First Princess! Run! Run!”
There was no need for Hill Yu to give the order.
The City Defense Army behind her, eager to prove themselves, charged in shouting.
Screams and pleas for mercy filled the grand mansion.
The battle ended swiftly.
Hill Yu didn’t interrogate; she led them to the next location.
As one of the lords of Ushi City, Mik Englandram not only had his own mansion but also a military camp by the city wall.
When Hill Yu arrived, some of the City Defense Army were clamoring to have the gates opened and leave the city.
Upon seeing Hill Yu, they froze.
Then something interesting happened.
Some immediately knelt and surrendered, while others charged with swords and knives.
Outnumbered and surrounded by loyal City Defense Army, they were quickly slain.
Hill Yu pointed her sword at the officer behind her.
“Any more?”
“N-no, Your Highness.”
He wouldn’t dare lie.
Hill Yu sheathed her sword and ordered her men to round up the rebels and those in Mik Englandram’s mansion.
Including his concubines and servants.
“Detain these people first. Interrogations begin in the morning!”
“Yes!”
Before leaving, Hill Yu spoke coldly.
“If a single one of them dies, you’ll all be buried with them!”
A group of City Defense Army who had been having wicked thoughts immediately cried out in fear.
Hill Yu snorted and led her men back to the Castle Lord’s Mansion.
It would be dawn soon.
But after searching half the mansion, she still couldn’t find Willis.
At that moment, a loud cry of ‘Assassin!’ shattered the silence.
Hill Yu drew her sword and rushed over.
“Willis!”