In this turbulent world, in this cold and dark place where if you don’t resist, you can only become prey, if you want to survive.
There is no choice but to pick up your courage, clench your fists, and strike hard at the enemy!
Only then do you have a chance to win a bright future.
Now, each of them could be considered a participant in Nidnia’s speech just now, and they agreed with it from the bottom of their hearts.
At the same time, they picked up stones and killed those two traitors!
This was the best proof of their desire to resist!
“However, there’s still a problem here. Since we’re rebelling, we should consider what comes after.”
Borden asked the question that had been bothering Nidnia at the time.
It was about what to do after succeeding or failing in the rebellion.
To their surprise, he was also thinking about this, and Nidnia and Willis both looked a bit shocked.
Borden usually seemed simple and honest.
But at this critical moment, he could see through such an issue!?
The rest of the miners didn’t think that far ahead; their thoughts were much simpler.
That was to resist!
To create the future with their own hands!
As for what would happen later, the knowledge level of these miners wasn’t high, and their ideas were few.
So, regarding Borden’s question, each of them looked a little blank.
Seeing this, Willis hurriedly signaled Borden to the side for a private conversation.
Nidnia followed closely behind, while Terrence, his two brothers, and Victoria took up guard.
“I didn’t expect you to think like this…”
Willis sighed and then looked to the side.
“Nidnia, you explain it to him.”
Willis said seriously.
Nidnia nodded, not pushing the responsibility away.
She leaned close to Borden’s ear and whispered.
“Uncle Borden, what I’m about to say might shock you, but please try not to make any noise.”
“This matter is of great importance, so for now, we can’t let more people know.”
Seeing her seriousness, Borden nodded to show he understood and would prepare himself.
But after Nidnia simply explained the plan she and Willis had used to deceive everyone, Borden instead appeared quite calm.
Seeing the other party lower his head in thought, Nidnia was instead surprised by his reaction.
However, the constantly trembling hands and darting gaze told her—
Borden’s heart was far from calm.
“Uncle Borden, aren’t you surprised?”
“Surprised! But since you dare to talk about rebellion, I believe you must have some fallback.”
Borden muttered.
“I just didn’t expect your plan to be so crazy and bold.”
But to dispel Borden’s doubts, the two had no choice but to tell him.
Otherwise, the first step would be impossible because of this problem.
Yet, what Willis and Nidnia didn’t expect was that after thinking for a while, Borden came up with an even crazier plan.
“I think your plan is feasible…”
“And besides, we’ve come this far. We’re all gambling!”
“If we win, we turn the tables! If we lose, we’re doomed forever!”
He continued, “Since that’s the case, why not go even further!?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
Willis asked curiously.
Borden took deep breaths, his mind racing.
He looked up at Willis.
“Little Wei, do you really have a ninety percent resemblance to that hateful Imperial Second Princess?”
“I can vouch for that.”
Nidnia assured.
“I snuck into the city with Little Wei last night and saw it myself…”
Borden breathed a sigh of relief and nodded firmly.
“In that case, I trust Nidnia’s judgment!”
“So from now on, Little Wei, you must not only learn the etiquette and bearing of an Imperial Princess, but also act as the real Imperial Second Princess!”
Borden’s words left Willis a little puzzled.
The real Imperial Second Princess? But that was her!
“Can you explain a bit more?”
“It means the one in Ushi City now is a fake, and you are the real Imperial Second Princess!”
Borden said.
Then he laid out the plan that had been flashing through his mind.
And it became a sensational story.
“When you first arrived in Ushi City, you were harmed by the city’s corrupt officials!”
“But you survived against all odds!”
“And to your horror, another Willis appeared in Ushi City!”
“Those imperial traitors actually found a rebel who looked like you to impersonate the Imperial Second Princess!”
“You knew that without your Token, status, or reputation, you were nothing!”
“You were no longer the Imperial Second Princess, just a commoner!”
“You couldn’t expose that imposter, so you constantly thought about killing her to regain your place as the Imperial Second Princess!”
“For years, you’ve been searching for an opportunity, wandering from place to place, and ended up in this mine!”
“Finally, you will lead us oppressed miners to purge the traitors from Ushi City!”
“When the fake is killed, this story will be spread everywhere, and we’ll all help you!”
“When the false princess in Ushi City dies, you will become the true Imperial Second Princess!”
Borden’s voice was low, only those closest could hear.
But it was deafening, making Willis’ ears ring.
The other party continued.
“So, everything Willis did over the years was the work of the imposter! It has nothing to do with you.”
“You are a wise and kind princess! You are the brightest heir to the Empire’s future!”
Every word Borden spoke sent shockwaves through their hearts.
Even Willis never imagined doing this.
Moreover, to accomplish this, she would have to reveal her identity and win over the miners.
At first, Willis hadn’t planned to go this far.
Her idea was to use information gaps to quietly purge Ushi City.
She never thought of becoming a princess with a clean name.
Nidnia’s and her plan was — to lead the miners to overthrow Ushi City’s rule, but claim to the Empire that Willis was not killed, only that they removed the corrupt officials, and then pledge allegiance to her.
In secret, Little Wei would rise as a fake.
A seamless replacement.
Those who knew the truth would know she was [fake], while other miners would believe that the rebel leaders like Nidnia forced the [living Willis] to implement Righteous Governance through force.
This way, on the surface, Willis wasn’t dead, only under control, and Ushi City could live well.
But she would have to bear all the infamy and danger Willis faced!
In Nidnia’s eyes, she was fake.
In the miners’ eyes, she was a fake forced into kindness.
At the same time, she couldn’t reveal her identity to the Empire or her fellow miners.
After all, in Nidnia’s and the others’ eyes, she was an imposter.
But Borden’s plan was to put both Willises in the open, one as the notorious fake to be eliminated, and herself as the real princess reclaiming her title.
If it worked, she could not only erase her bad reputation but also gain great support!
The only thing to worry about was how the miners and the Empire would react.
“The plan is good, but it requires a huge effort and for Willis to build prestige among the miners.”
At this moment, Nidnia let out a long breath and stared hard at Borden.
“Also, saying the one in Ushi City is an imposter and that Little Wei is the real one… Even if we succeed, how do we convince the Empire that Little Wei is the real one?”
“After all, the real Willis must die. But if she dies, facing imperial investigation—especially the Emperor’s questioning—Little Wei won’t be able to pass!”
After all, only the real princess knows what happened between the princess and the Emperor.
“At that time, just capture Willis, force her to confess, then kill her, isn’t that enough?”
Borden said.
“You make it sound easy. Would Willis let you threaten her?”
Nidnia retorted.
At this moment, Willis suddenly smiled.
“There’s no need to worry about this. Let’s do as Uncle Borden says.”
“Little Wei, you….”
Nidnia was confused.
“Don’t worry. I have a brilliant plan!”
A brilliant plan?
What brilliant plan?
Did she even need a brilliant plan?
She was Willis herself!
Meanwhile, the three Terrence brothers, who had sneaked over to eavesdrop, looked ashen.
Only they knew, all this about Little Wei, fake Willis, and so on—
Never existed!
Nidnia and Borden helping Little Wei was actually helping their own enemy!
Cleansing her name, giving her loyal subordinates!
And they were left in the dark, still chasing a shared dream!
It was unbearable!
Seeing Willis’s confidence, Nidnia pressed her further, but Willis only repeated the same words.
“Since you’re so sure you won’t be exposed… Little Wei, I believe you!”
Nidnia said.
Willis thought, I’m real, so why worry about being exposed?
“But I have a condition.”
At this moment, Borden spoke again.
“Go ahead.”
Willis felt a headache coming on.
Don’t tell me he’s going to make me send people to dig out some collapsed mine again?
“Little Wei, you must be a wise Lord!”
“I’ve never been an official, but I know some people have to be killed, some things must be done, and some things require dirty hands!”
“But your heart must not change!”
“We don’t expect you to remain uncorrupted and unchanged after becoming an Imperial Princess.”
“But you must love your people, love these miners! As you love yourself!”
“If you ever ascend to the imperial throne, you must make the country strong and the people prosperous!”
“Otherwise, for every brother who follows you today, that day the same number will raise the Revolutionary Blade against you!”
Borden’s gaze was firm, not afraid of such demands being resented.
Willis took a deep breath and spoke just as solemnly.
“I, Willis Egbert! Swear here to protect my people. As long as they do not betray or commit crimes, I will always treat them with kindness and wisdom!”
“If I break this oath, may the heavens strike me down and give me a miserable death!”
It’s just an oath, who can’t swear one!?
But, didn’t she just get struck by lightning before?
No, no, it seems you really shouldn’t make oaths lightly!
Hearing her identify herself as Willis, Borden laughed.
“Good! It’s settled then! Damn it all!”
Borden clenched his fist.
“I’ll risk everything!”
“What’s the commotion!? Want to die!?”
At that moment, the overseer walked in again.
Victoria was shoved in with a stick.
“I was gone for just a moment, and you sons of bitches stopped working to have a meeting!?”
“Planning to rebel!?”
“Hurry up, get back to digging!”
Amidst the crack of the whip, the miners returned to their posts.
But in that brief moment, they were no longer the miners they used to be.
“A bunch of useless fools! Why doesn’t this mine collapse and bury you all!? Still yelling!?”
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