Ushi City had over three thousand standing City Defense Army troops, commanded by three leaders.
On average, each commanded about a thousand soldiers.
However, during the time Willis was absent, whether they secretly recruited more private soldiers was unknown.
Willis looked at the group of City Defense Army before her—afraid of being implicated, desperately distancing themselves from Mik Englandram and the others.
A wave of desolation welled up inside her.
The Okam Empire appeared glamorous on the surface.
But just as that day, when she was returning to the Caoque Imperial Palace and overheard a commoner’s conversation at a roadside stall—
Beneath the surface, people like them had already corroded the entire Empire.
A storm capable of sweeping across the entire Empire, and even several neighboring empires, might require only a single trigger—
A tiny opportunity.
It could ignite a towering wave.
All Willis could do was seize the time to strengthen herself.
“Since you all claim ignorance, this Lord will choose to believe you for now.”
Upon hearing this, the City Defense Army of Ushi City secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
In the shadows, Gabur Leishi exchanged a glance with Mien Klincha, whose fat trembled in fear, his armor clattering.
It seemed to say—
[See, as long as we keep our stories straight, now that Mik and the others are dead, Willis can’t do anything to us!]
Willis pretended not to notice and continued.
“But the death penalty can be spared, yet the living punishment is unavoidable!”
“You, as Imperial soldiers guarding the city, allowed your own leaders to rebel and the Vice City Lord to commit all sorts of unspeakable deeds in secret…”
“All this, and you didn’t even notice! Negligence of duty, laziness beyond compare!”
Willis snorted coldly and gave her order.
“Now, as the Lord of Ushi City, I strip Gabur Leishi and Mien Klincha of their command!”
“Their annual salary is docked for a year. They are permitted to act as temporary commanders and must atone for their crimes with merit!”
“If I later find that either of you have mismanaged or failed to properly investigate, the punishment will not be so painless.”
Her crimson gem-like eyes showed no depth or fluctuation.
“Do you have any objections?”
Upon hearing this, the two immediately prostrated themselves:
“Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for the Lord’s grace!”
This move by Willis seemed like a punishment, but it was as if nothing had happened at all.
Yet she did not dare provoke the City Defense Army before her.
Tearing off all pretenses would benefit no one.
“As for the rest of you officers and soldiers behind them, your monthly pay is docked for one month. Any objections!?”
The soldiers kneeling behind all shouted in unison:
“Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for the Lord’s grace!”
They had already taken plenty of dirty money; a month’s pay was no pain at all.
“That’s enough. Return to where you came from, and remember—there won’t be a next time!”
“Yes!”
Gabur Leishi and Mien Klincha thanked Willis once more and left with their soldiers.
Only the City Defense Army who originally belonged to Mik Englandram remained.
Their numbers were about eight hundred.
“What do you say I should do with you?”
Amidst the killing intent, this group of City Defense Army shouted their innocence in terror.
“Your Highness, please judge clearly! We truly have no connection with that traitor Mik Englandram!”
“Though we were his subordinates, we are loyal soldiers to the Empire and Royalty!!”
Willis replied with only a scornful look, but did not press further.
“And the others?”
She looked at a City Guard Officer standing at the front.
The officer fell to the ground in fear.
“Your servant does not know!”
“Don’t know? Perhaps you fled upon hearing news of Mik Englandram’s rebellion?”
“Guilty conscience!”
Willis spoke.
“From this day forth, you all obey my direct orders.”
“I know you’ve taken some unclean things.”
At these words, all eight hundred soldiers trembled slightly.
They knelt on the ground, not daring to move.
Now that their commanders and several senior officers were gone, with the threat of being branded rebels looming—
Now, the other two leaders had left with their men.
With no one to command or instruct them, their lives were entirely in Willis’s hands.
Around them, the City Defense Army, faces still stained with blood from the recent battle, looked as if they would cut them down at Willis’s word.
Terrifying!
“But lately, this Imperial Princess is in a good mood, so I’ll give you all a chance.”
“I won’t pursue past matters, but from now on, you answer only to me. No one else has the right to command you!”
“And if any of you dare to be cunning, embezzle, or accept bribes again—you know the consequences.”
“The register within the Castle Lord’s Mansion clearly lists the whereabouts of your families and loved ones.”
Before Willis finished speaking, all eight hundred soldiers prostrated themselves, shouting:
“We swear to serve Your Highness with our lives, without hesitation!”
“Good.”
Willis waved for them to stand, then spoke to Sielyou.
“Elder sister, sorry to trouble you, but please lead them to clear out the traitors who didn’t show up. Consider it their act of loyalty.”
At these words, Sielyou nodded, then led the eight hundred City Defense Army into the distant streets.
Beside her, Anne began directing people to clear the battlefield.
For those still alive, deliver the final blow.
Willis led others into the Subcity Lord’s Mansion to investigate.
Upon entering, she found traps set up everywhere.
As well as unused magic formations.
“If they had fortified themselves here, it would have taken considerable effort to deal with them.”
Beside her, Anne snorted with disdain.
“Trapped rats in a jar! If they hadn’t come out, we would have used fire magic and fire oil to roast them alive!”
At her words, Willis glanced at her in surprise.
Anne hurried to explain.
“Ah—not like that! I mean those despicable rebels! How dare they harbor ill intentions toward Your Highness!”
“Even a thousand cuts wouldn’t be enough! Burning them is too good for them!”
“Um… Your Highness… I really don’t usually have such cruel thoughts, truly!”
“I just felt so angry for you!”
Watching Anne try to explain herself, finally lowering her head pitifully like a scolded child, Willis couldn’t help but smile.
So cute.
What a shame.
Before long, all the traps and mechanisms within the Subcity Lord’s Mansion were dismantled.
Willis also found five hundred chests of Gold Dragon coins and various precious ores and artifacts inside.
A bountiful haul.
“As expected, these two traitors embezzled the treasury! Their corpses should be hung at the city gates as a warning to others!”
Anne said fiercely.
Then, catching Willis’s gaze, she immediately forced a smile.
“Um… Your Highness, I just…”
“Mm. I understand. Your suggestion is good.”
Willis affirmed.
Anne grinned even wider.
Now that those two vixens were locked in the dungeon, this was her moment to shine!
To prove herself, Anne energetically led the search, even prying up floor tiles to look underneath.
“Your Highness, there’s a destroyed Communication Formation here!”
In a secret chamber, Anne called Willis over in excitement.
There lay a slab still faintly radiating magic power, now shattered, its magic array ruined.
But the magical patterns could still be faintly seen.
“Communication Formation? Who do you think they were contacting?”
Willis looked at Anne.
Questioned, Anne thought hard for a moment before realization dawned.
“Your Highness, do you mean—they had someone behind them!?”
“Exactly…”
Willis stepped outside.
“Our enemies are far from being cleared away.”
“Let’s go, Anne. The night is still long.”
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