Chapter 135: The Lord’s Decree, the People’s Hope (50/75) 

The day after Sylvester left, the Lord’s Order was issued from the Castle Lord’s Mansion in Ushi City.

“Let me see… It says here that every household can register at a temporary office set up beside the Castle Lord’s Mansion…”

“The Lord, that is, Her Highness the Second Princess, will distribute stabilization grain to each family according to their number of members for the next half month.”

All across Ushi City, large crowds of commoners gathered in front of the notice boards.

They had lived through the rule of Vice City Lord Mike Millen, and survived the turbulent war that shook Ushi City.

When Mike Millen was in charge, those years were cold and ruthless.

All sorts of heavy taxes and levies made the people’s lives miserable!

And that [Fake Lord] allowed the exploitation to continue, making him even more hated!

Home was no longer home, and people no longer people!

Many able-bodied family members were forced to work as miners in the outer mines.

Once they were taken, there was not even a word left behind.

Now, the Imperial Second Princess, who, according to rumors, was restored after being switched, was said not to be as cruel as the imposter.

But for several days after the great battle ended, the restored Imperial Second Princess had made no major moves.

Other than turning the miners who followed her back to reclaim her royal position into the Imperial Army, only the previous Celebration Banquet was particularly lively.

Other than that, the only things left to the people of Ushi City were the streets burned in the war, the lingering smell of blood in the air, and countless homeless populace.

They had received nothing.

But today, the Lord finally made a move.

“It also says that those who lost family and homes in the last battle must also register at the Castle Lord’s Mansion.”

“At that time, Her Highness the Second Princess will compensate each person according to their situation!”

“The Castle Lord’s Mansion will distribute Relief Funds to these people and help rebuild their homes.”

“What ~!?”

Upon hearing this, everyone inhaled sharply in disbelief.

Among them, many had red eyes, choking back sobs.

In this cold world—especially the dark and oppressive Ushi City—life itself was worthless.

From ancient times to now, let alone a princess, even nobles treated commoners with beatings and curses.

Even if someone was killed, a little money would be thrown to dismiss the matter.

Some even took pleasure in killing commoners!

Although not every place was like this, this was how they had always lived in Ushi City!

Some had thought about leaving, some had thought about escaping.

Most of them died begging on the road, or starved while searching for new hope.

Every so often, news would arrive of another group dying somewhere, with only one person making it back.

After such chaos, Mike Millen would mobilize the City Defense Army to threaten and intimidate the populace.

If anyone was caught trying to escape with their family, their neighbors would suffer!

They would be forcibly sent to the mines as miners!

Men, women, old, young—it didn’t matter!

Even under such strict orders, many still tried to flee.

But most simply submitted to their fate.

They endured everything in silence, until death.

Like sheep, they never resisted…

And now, the Lord—who was once brutal, but had been replaced by the real one—was willing to compensate them?

Rebuild their homes!?

It was simply unbelievable!

But this was an official notice from the Castle Lord’s Mansion, with City Defense Army guards nearby.

It couldn’t be fake!

The voice reading the notice also choked up, tears streaming down their face like everyone else.

“On August 12, the Castle Lord’s Mansion will… will conduct a comprehensive population survey, and gradually allow the miner army in Ushi City to return home to visit their families.”

“If any family members were once miners and are now part of the Imperial Army, each will receive an additional reward of 20 Silver Dragons.”

“If family members were forced to the mines and died, after verification, each will receive a one-time compensation of 100 Silver Dragons.”

By the time these words were read, many could no longer hold back—they fell to their knees, weeping.

“Child! My child, do you see this? Mother has finally waited for this day!”

“Pitiful you, dying in vain, while Mother could do nothing… Uwaaa…”

“Child! My child!!!”

A ragged mother knelt on the ground, crying out to the sky.

It was a powerless scream, a grief long suppressed finally released.

She clutched her throat, her upper body flushed red from crying, the sight heart-wrenching.

No one knew which day she had waited for.

Even the soldiers stationed to watch the notice boards, to prevent accidents, had red eyes.

Though many of the City Defense Army in Ushi City were outsiders, those spared by Velis…

They were all soldiers with a conscience!

At this moment, seeing the masses weeping before them, one soldier suddenly shouted.

“Everyone, stop crying!”

“Her Highness the Princess has already punished Mike Millen and all who oppressed and trampled you!”

“Can’t you smell it? The scent in the air is from the death of these villains!”

“The ruined streets still echo with their dying screams!”

“Countrymen! Your revenge has been avenged by Her Highness Velis! You should all thank her!”

At that moment, Borden led a squad over and shouted loudly, “That’s right!”

His arrival drew the gaze of all the commoners.

He now wore the uniform of the City Defense Army Commander!

“Everyone!”

Borden’s voice trembled.

“My name is Borden! I was once a member of Ushi City too, forced to the outer mines for a living!”

“Though I have no family, over the years I’ve seen how many of our own suffered because of Mike Millen, and the City Defense Army, the Furhao, Noble Families, and other evil forces he represented…”

“How many families were destroyed, separated from their loved ones!?”

“Every day and night, we were gnawed upon by those parasites, our blood drunk by them!”

“It was Her Highness Velis who saved me!”

“She too was once wronged, her identity stolen, everything taken from her!”

“That’s why Her Highness Velis can understand our pain, and knows what it’s like to be the lowest miner!”

“Now, she has led me and all of us to overthrow the darkness shrouding Ushi City!”

“She killed Mike herself, ending her enemy with her own hands!”

“Fellow citizens, it was Her Highness who avenged us! It was Her Highness who drove away the darkness! I believe she can lead us to a bright tomorrow, a bright Ushi City!”

“Long live Her Highness Velis!”

Borden raised his arm high, and the soldiers behind him shouted along.

The hesitant commoners wiped their tears, and hearing Borden confirm the rumor about the real and fake Velis, joined in.

As the first voice echoed, more and more people began to shout.

“Long live Her Highness Velis!”

Meanwhile, Velis watched the scene from afar with Anne and Victoria.

“It really looks like a cult.”

Velis sighed.

“Mm? What did you say, Your Highness?”

Anne asked.

“Ahem, no, I just meant—Borden really has a talent for speeches. With a few words, he’s got all these commoners riled up.”

But Anne answered earnestly, “That’s because Her Highness truly is what they hoped for.”

“People naturally follow what’s real and true, isn’t that normal?”

At these words, Velis sighed.

“But my heart aches for the money…”

The household was never wealthy to begin with, and now, for the sake of this notice, much would have to be given away.

But it was a necessary first step…

Grain was manageable.

From confiscating the City Defense Army, Furhao, and Noble Families, a lot had been acquired.

Even if it wasn’t enough, more could be bought from other cities.

Velis just hated seeing those shiny Gold Dragons being given away—it hurt more than losing food.

“Fellow citizens! All past suffering was caused by Mike Millen and the Fake Lord!”

“Now, the true Imperial Second Princess, our real Lord, stands before you!”

“She is determined to lead us toward a bright future!”

“Take action, everyone who was wronged, everyone whose families suffered—Her Highness Velis will speak for you!”

“Go register at the Castle Lord’s Mansion! Every citizen of Ushi City will be protected by Her Highness Velis!”

As Borden shouted, the commoners’ eyes turned red and necks flushed.

They were shaken by the future he described, and filled with longing and hope.

The crowd slowly moved toward the Castle Lord’s Mansion, each face showing anxiety, fear, and deep longing.

Anne looked at Velis with a hint of admiration.

“Your Highness, they’re really going!”

Velis nodded, her tone quiet.

“In truth, these commoners don’t care who becomes Lord or Princess.”

“What they want is simply happiness and fulfillment right in front of them.”

“Whoever can provide that—they will follow.”

A group of pitiful, pathetic, yet lovable sheep.

But sometimes, they could become a flood that swept away everything.

No one could withstand it.

Not even the legendary Demon Emperor.

“I believe, Your Highness is the one they—and we—should follow!”

Anne turned to Victoria.

“Victoria, don’t you think so?”

At this, Victoria coughed awkwardly and mumbled, “Mm.”

Velis found this strange, and only after staring Anne down did she ask.

“Aren’t you a fan of my royal sister? Why follow me?”

“That’s not a conflict!” Anne smiled. “L…Liking the First Princess and following Her Highness can both be done at the same time!”

“What kind of logic is that?”

Velis frowned.

But on second thought, it didn’t seem impossible.

There was even a faint thrill of mischief.

At the same time, after finishing at one notice, Borden led his team to other boards to continue his speeches.

Though he was a Commander, Borden found this kind of work strangely suited to him.

Not only that, Nidnia also led the original dozens from Mine Number Four to reassure and persuade the commoners everywhere.

The effect wasn’t just good—it was overwhelming!

Just as Velis said, the commoners didn’t care who was Lord.

What mattered was whether the person in that position could bring real change.

But thinking of her already thin savings being depleted, Velis felt heartache.

“So short on money, there’s a shortage everywhere…”

Velis sighed skyward.

Just then, a beautiful humming suddenly reached her ears.

It was melodious and ethereal, crisp and pleasant.

Pure and filled with emotion.

Like a mermaid singing at sunset.

Innocent, yet full of temptation!

“Mm mm mm mm… La la la la…”

Velis’s eyes brightened…