The sun rose higher.
But even the warmest sunlight couldn’t dispel the smell of blood lingering in the air.
Nor the sadness that wouldn’t fade.
No matter how these people lived, in death, stacked here, they left an atmosphere of loneliness and grief.
“Come on, give me a hand…”
Willis and Nidnia lifted a corpse and threw it onto the cart at the city gate.
“Be careful. Remember to bury it deep with yellow earth after burning.”
Willis instructed, and the miner driving the cart grinned, showing a row of white teeth.
“Haha, don’t worry, Willis… Cough, cough, I forgot, you’re Her Highness the Princess now.”
The miner patted his own mouth.
“Rest assured, Your Highness. We know what to do.”
“Mm, thank you for your hard work. After this is done, eat more at the Celebration Banquet tomorrow noon.”
At her words, the miner’s face turned a little pale.
“Spare me, Your Highness. I have no appetite for meat right now…”
After cleaning up corpses here for so long, even those with weaker nerves would struggle to eat.
His words drew laughter from the other miners.
Another person stepped forward and saluted.
“All right, Your Highness, leave this to us. You’re the Lord now. There’s no need for you to do this yourself!”
But Willis still spoke with concern.
“Burn the rebels to finish it, but for our brothers, set up proper steles and bury them well.”
“Even if we don’t know their names, we must erect a Nameless Stele. There may be more names added in the future.”
At these words, many miners paused, secretly wiping their eyes.
Though Willis’ words weren’t meant to stir emotion, they couldn’t help it—they were people of deep feeling.
“Your Highness, for someone of your status to care for us lowly folk brings us to tears! How could we trouble you further? We will handle everything!”
Seeing this, Willis could only nod helplessly.
“All right then. Thank you all for your efforts.”
“With such care from Your Highness, no matter how hard it is, it’s worth it!”
The miners saluted again.
It seemed they had chosen the right person to follow.
Little did they know that Willis was thinking: If she wasn’t allowed to leave soon, she wouldn’t be able to stand it.
Indeed, moving corpses was not something a delicate beauty like her should be doing.
Of course, the same went for mining before.
But by helping the miners clear some corpses, she gained a bit of presence.
It also solidified and increased her reputation.
Afterwards, she took Nidnia and headed to the City Defense Army Garrison.
At the same time, she sent Victoria back to deliver a message, instructing her to bring dozens of carts of herbs and medics as well.
The City Defense Army Garrison of Ushi City was located in the northwest mining ring within the city.
From the outside, it looked like a sprawling small fortress.
Aside from the wide surrounding walls and watchtowers, the main gate was constructed from city walls and a grand, towering entrance.
When Willis led her group inside, most of the City Defense Army had already been replaced by miners.
Before the Lord Willis officially issued appointments, these miners were her temporary army.
Inside the garrison, there were large Training Arenas separated into sections.
Around each Training Arena was a wide dirt track, overgrown with grass.
It seemed no one had walked on them for a long time…
This also showed how lazy the City Defense Army had been before.
Around the Training Arena stood rows of connected buildings, forming elegant and exquisite houses.
From bungalows to six- or seven-story buildings, small castles, tea halls, guest chambers… almost everything one could imagine was here.
Various architectural styles gathered here.
In stark contrast to the many dilapidated buildings within Ushi City.
This place looked less like a military garrison and more like a small country within a country.
Seeing this, Nidnia cursed bitterly.
“Damn, how much did they embezzle to build all this!?”
Just looking at these luxurious buildings, one could tell a fortune was spent.
Willis’ face was equally unsightly.
But since the buildings were already constructed, there was no point in tearing them down, right?
At that moment, miners were training in the Training Arena.
Beside them stood temporary Grass Pavilions, inside which many injured miners lay.
Some surrendered or rehabilitated City Defense Army members stood by, instructing the miners on training methods.
“Sigh, ever since the commander and Vice City Lord began conspiring, our days of drills grew fewer…”
“In the end, no one trained anymore, just spent their days idling with their pay…”
A City Defense Army instructor sighed quietly.
The miners urged him to continue teaching training methods.
From the most basic moves to formations, tactics, swordsmanship, and blade techniques…
All these were things the miners needed to learn.
However, since the miners had labored for years and had just survived a bloody battle yesterday, not many were fit to train in the arena today.
Most either sat nearby, watching and clapping for their companions’ drills, or lay wounded in the Grass Pavilions, groaning in pain.
“What’s going on here?”
Willis asked.
“I didn’t order them to start training, did I?”
At this, Borden came over.
“Little Willis… Cough, Your Highness, about this…”
“I had everyone find City Defense Army instructors to start training. We can’t be miners forever, right?”
“Maybe before we could… but not anymore.”
“Now that the City Defense Army has suffered heavy losses, and you need troops to govern Ushi City and the surrounding area, how can we do without an army!?”
“And now, Ushi City is our home. If we can’t defend our own home, what will we do?!”
Borden said slowly.
“The sooner we start training, the better. Everyone understands the situation and agrees.”
“Nonsense!”
Willis glared at him.
“Rest is most important right now! Training can wait…”
“Besides, the Castle Lord’s Mansion hasn’t ordered recruitment or given titles. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I…”
Borden was momentarily speechless, looking a bit aggrieved.
“I was just afraid more enemies would come and attack…”
Willis was speechless.
“You sure worry about the country and the people…”
At this, Nidnia tugged on Borden.
“Uncle Borden, things aren’t the same as before!”
“If you want to give these miners orders, you need the Lord’s permission and approval from the Castle Lord’s Mansion! Besides, Little Willis hasn’t given you any official position yet! What do you call this…”
“Overstepping authority.”
Victoria, who had been quietly standing behind as a beautiful knight, reminded them.
Behind her, a dozen carts loaded with various herbs, and several medics and two Healers, had arrived.
“Yes, yes, that’s what I mean.”
Nidnia nodded.
Hearing this, Borden finally realized and hurriedly apologized to Willis.
“Sigh! Little Willis, look at me, just a big, clumsy oaf!”
“After such a huge event, I can’t eat or sleep in peace!”
“I keep thinking about how to secure what we’ve gained, but uncle swears to you, I have no bad intentions toward you!”
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll kneel right here and swear an oath!”
Seeing Borden about to kneel, Willis quickly pulled him up.
“All right, all right, who said they didn’t trust you, Uncle Borden? Don’t be like this.”
“I wasn’t thinking that, but Nidnia’s reminder is important for both of us.”
Willis said.
“From now on, we’re the Empire’s princess and the Empire’s army!”
“Uncle Borden, our personal relationship is good, but publicly, we must follow proper procedures.”
At these words, Borden grinned.
“That’s easy. I didn’t understand before, but now, whatever you say, I’ll do.”
Seeing his honest smile, everyone else couldn’t help but laugh as well.
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