Lunchtime
“The matter of the united miners’ revolt can only be known to us for now!”
Borden and Nidnia led the miners behind them, instructing each one carefully.
“No one is allowed to leak it, or all our efforts will be wasted, and we’ll die with no burial place!”
As for making Willis the real Imperial Princess, and the plan to build up her reputation among the miners, they didn’t reveal a word.
Because the time wasn’t right yet.
“Don’t worry, we understand!”
The miners nodded.
After everyone dispersed, stepping on the rough slag underfoot, Nidnia enjoyed the sunlight from the sky.
“I really didn’t expect Uncle Borden to have such a crazy idea…”
“Even Little Wei and I never thought of it.”
On the way to the cafeteria, Nidnia whispered, pulling Borden along.
“Haha, not at all, it was Little Wei’s words that inspired me. But if you talk about crazy, you two are even crazier.”
“I’m just someone who came to board the ship.”
Borden scratched his head awkwardly.
“At that moment, a light flashed in my mind. I just thought that having Little Wei pretend would restrict her everywhere and make it easy to get exposed…”
“So, why not take this opportunity and push her to the position of a real Imperial Princess if we’re going to do it at all!”
Nidnia nodded.
“Uncle Borden, are the others trustworthy?”
“I can guarantee it!”
Borden patted his chest.
“And at the same time, a few brothers I trust are secretly watching the others on my orders. There won’t be any problems.”
He was still very cautious.
“But since we’ve decided, we must move quickly.”
Borden said.
“Delays breed trouble!”
And people’s hearts can change.
So, time must be seized!
“As for Little Wei’s identity, let’s wait until things progress before spreading it.”
Borden thought.
“For now, only you, me, Brother Terrence, and the two of them know. The more people involved, the more likely things will go wrong.”
Nidnia let out a long sigh.
“Your considerations are really thorough. I almost feel lucky that you were the first I approached.”
Borden touched his face shyly.
“Hehe, I’ve long regretted not leaving with Terrence and the others back then.”
If not for the constraints of reality.
But this time, if we succeed, not only will there be hope to see my dream Ushi City.
But also fame, wealth, and glory!
“This time, I don’t want to miss out again! A man dies, a bird soars to the sky; if it doesn’t die, it lives ten thousand years!”
At lunchtime, many miners were still working in the mines. This was punishment for having someone escape in their team.
Many soldiers had dragged back some miners and tortured them to death in front of everyone.
As a warning.
Willis was, of course, furious, cursing at the soldiers and ‘Willis’ in front of the miners.
[Her Highness is getting more and more into the role.]
Victoria sighed.
Lunchtime was a rare gathering, and Nidnia, Borden, and the others took the chance to persuade more people.
Of course, they couldn’t state their purpose openly at first.
They could only, like Nidnia, first stir up painful memories in the miners.
To ignite hatred and anger within them.
Then, create opportunities to strengthen their resolve!
On the other side, in Ushi City.
In the morning, the Castle Lord’s Mansion had ordered the temporary lifting of restrictions in Ushi City.
Many civilians flooded back onto the streets.
Ushi City regained some of its former liveliness.
However, with the crimes of the Vice City Lord exposed, the corpses of the rebel party, as well as Maike, Millen, and Mik Englandram, were hung on the city walls as a warning…
A storm swept through the entire Ushi City.
The news spread quickly.
Some who had been oppressed and bullied by them cried bitterly, some cheered.
Others were filled with anxiety.
No one knew what kind of trouble would emerge next in Ushi City.
After all, such a major event happened not long after Willis, the Lord, had returned.
Many felt a storm was brewing within Ushi City!
***
Castle Lord’s Mansion
“Your Highness, according to news from the Empire, the large army searching for elves in the surrounding area only advanced ten li yesterday.”
Hearing Anne’s report, Hill Yu’s eyes widened.
“What!? Ten li? Even a snail crawls faster than that!”
“Looks like Father Emperor…”
Hill Yu didn’t finish, but Anne understood what she meant.
Ofilia stood quietly to the side.
She hadn’t seen Willis since waking up this morning and didn’t ask.
As a maid, she shouldn’t inquire about her master’s whereabouts.
Especially after just coming out of the Little Black Room.
“By the way, have the bodies of the two assassins from early morning been re-examined?”
Hill Yu asked again.
She had only given them a brief look before, but now that it was daylight, a detailed inspection was necessary.
“No new findings.”
Anne shook her head.
She looked at Hill Yu with concern.
“Your Highness, you’ve been exhausted. Why not rest for a while?”
But Hill Yu forced herself to stay awake.
“No, Willis left me with a lot to do. I’ll sleep later.”
“But…”
Anne hesitated.
“Willis-sama is probably tired as well… This can’t go on!”
“That’s why we have to finish quickly…”
Saying so, Hill Yu led them to the place where the rebel prisoners captured last night were temporarily detained.
It was an empty courtyard surrounded by the City Defense Army.
Since the main prison was already full, these people were temporarily held here.
Among them were former subordinates loyal to Mik Englandram.
And the servants and families from his residence.
Hill Yu suddenly felt dizzy and overwhelmed by drowsiness.
But she forced herself to stay alert, pretending to nap as Anne began interrogating them.
Now that Mik Englandram was dead, they had no one left to serve.
The stubborn ones had already been killed by Hill Yu.
So, for most, a little questioning was all it took for them to spill everything.
Unfortunately, even though Mik Englandram saw them as confidants, there were still many things he never told them.
“Lord Mik often did things in secret, and had close dealings with Vice City Lord Maike.”
“Every time he returned from the Subcity Lord’s Mansion, he wouldn’t say anything. As his subordinates, we dared not ask.”
“As for the mastermind you mentioned, my lord, we know nothing.”
“Usually, he gave the orders, and we executed them, never daring to question.”
“But when it comes to bribes… the Vice City Lord’s side often sent people, and we knew about it.”
Finally, some useful information.
Hill Yu opened her eyes and motioned for Anne to record carefully.
“Speak. Tell me everything you know about bribes and amounts exchanged.”
At this moment, a fat little man suddenly raised his hand.
“Y-Your Highness… I have the records. I was Lord Mik’s Steward…”
Upon hearing this, Anne immediately had the fat man brought forward.
“You’d better be telling the truth!”
Anne said coldly.
“This fairy without equal in heaven and earth, every word I say is true!”
The fat man flattered as he pulled a ledger from his pocket and handed it over.
Anne accepted it with distaste, flipping through it while glaring at the fat man’s obsequious gaze.
“Someone, beat him half to death for me!”
At her command, the fat man trembled all over in fear.
“Fairy! Lady Fairy! Why?!”
“I confessed! I turned from darkness to light! Spare me!”
The fat man howled.
Anne snorted.
“Though you told the truth, I hate sycophants the most!”
Besides, she was Willis-sama’s—how could she let such a disgusting man look at her that way!
Beat him!
He had to be beaten!
Listening to the fat man’s wails outside, Anne flipped through the ledger, feeling quite satisfied.
Though this fat man was filthy, his records were detailed.
“Your Highness, this ledger lists every bribe received and the exact dates. It’s almost like an on-the-spot record!”
Anne presented it to Hill Yu as if offering a treasure.
She only glanced at it.
Then, she summoned the City Defense Army captains who had surrendered the previous night under Mik’s command.
After that, she did something that made Anne widen her eyes in utter disbelief.