That afternoon, the rumors in Ushi City became even more intense.
Meanwhile, Hill Yu sat inside the City Lord’s Mansion, listening as soldiers outside reported, one after another, about people being killed.
From City Defense Army officers to ordinary soldiers.
Even officials who once served in the City Lord’s Mansion…
One after another, they died.
At every scene, clues and traces were left pointing the blame at Willis and Hill Yu.
Even without stepping outside, Hill Yu knew how fierce the rumors had become.
Not just within the City Defense Army—likely even many ordinary citizens already knew.
“Damn it! Such an obvious frame-up—who on earth is behind this!?”
Annie Donald was furious, and even Ofilia found herself growing anxious.
After all, with Willis in a dangerous position, the City Lord’s Mansion itself could become a death trap.
At that point, would she be next…?
“It’s Nightfall.”
Hill Yu sighed.
“Since the last assassination attempt by those twins, Nightfall has been in action. I didn’t expect they’d try to turn all the soldiers of Ushi City against us…”
“And with those at the mines, their numbers might be as many as thirty thousand!”
Thirty thousand—perhaps not much for a large-scale war.
But as a strike force, it was a massive army.
Especially just to hold a city!?
“There are still over two thousand City Defense Army troops in Ushi City, but most soldiers are concentrated at the mines outside.”
“If the rumors force them to rebel, they might band together and risk everything.”
Hill Yu’s words left the other two barely able to breathe.
After a long silence, Annie finally asked, “Then, Your Highness Willis, what do you want us to do?”
Hill Yu’s face turned ugly.
“She wants us to help spread these rumors—and at the same time, spread the word that [the current Imperial Second Princess is an imposter]…”
“Ah!?”
Annie’s face went pale.
“Why would Her Highness do this? Wouldn’t that force them even more…?”
“And we also have to create the illusion of preparing to purge them.”
Hill Yu’s next words were even more shocking.
Even Ofilia was left stunned.
What exactly was Willis planning?
Where was she?
***
As evening approached, Gabur Leishi listened to his subordinate’s report, his brow furrowed.
“It’s true, Commander—I saw it with my own eyes!”
“In those courtyards controlled by the City Lord’s Mansion, soldiers are drilling. Some even heard the Grand Princess giving orders, saying that soon, they would set out to suppress the rebels!”
Below, the soldier knelt on the ground, shouting desperately.
That day alone, more than fifty people had been assassinated.
And at each scene, evidence pointed to Willis.
The existence of Nightfall had also gradually become known.
It was said to be an assassination organization under Willis’ control!
At that moment, the chubby Mien Klincha came running in, crying.
“Gabur! Let’s leave! Otherwise, we’ll be the next ones assassinated!”
It seemed the people around him had become utterly convinced.
Gabur Leishi had his doubts—[This feels like a trap and a conspiracy]—but everyone else around him was sure it was Willis’ doing.
She was purging!
She was taking revenge!
She was going to use Nightfall and her army to completely wipe out those who had taken bribes and oppressed the people!
And none of them would escape.
Mien Klincha huddled beside him, whispering fearfully about everything that had happened in the past day and night.
And the rumor outside, that Willis was about to begin a great purge.
“But there are also people saying the Willis in the City Lord’s Mansion is a fake. Someone saw her leave the Mansion, and in a blink, her appearance changed—like it was Light Magic…”
“Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! Does Willis really think anyone would believe such a pathetic lie?”
“Trying to deflect suspicion and distract attention? Is she an idiot?”
“Enough. Calm down.”
Gabur snorted coldly.
Just then, another soldier rushed in to report.
“Sir, it’s Glomor, Xie Mo, and others from the major mines—they say they have urgent matters to discuss!”
In that moment, Gabur suddenly sensed an invisible hand manipulating everything—one even he couldn’t escape.
Sure enough, as he received nearly thirty representatives from the major and minor mines, an even stronger sense of foreboding filled his heart.
Mien Klincha became even more agitated.
“Our people heard the news and started fleeing—though we tried to stop it with an iron hand, morale is crumbling…”
“And not just in Ushi City—even at the mines, officers and soldiers have been assassinated! Roughly a hundred people…”
What a terrifying number!?
So much so that everyone present felt a chill towards Nightfall under Willis’ command.
Their assassinations seemed to know no boundaries.
Their strength and speed left everyone dumbfounded!
“Gabur, Mien, Commanders! Our lord sent us to join forces with you.”
“Alright, alright!”
Mien Klincha agreed without even thinking.
Gabur could only nod in resignation.
“Then let’s go prepare! If Willis keeps pressing us, don’t blame us for fighting to the death for our lives!”
By the time the group of messengers finished their discussion, night had fallen.
No one noticed that half of them wore cold, victorious smiles of conspiracy.
Nightfall wasn’t just about assassinations!
If you wanted to turn the City Defense Army, assassinations and rumors weren’t enough!
You needed agents inside the army, constantly sowing doubt and urging defection!
Now, the time was nearly ripe!
***
Midnight.
Borden and his men went out again to persuade others.
At the soldiers’ dormitories, wails and curses never ceased.
Decay spread, making it hard for many soldiers to sleep.
The uprising that Willis had planned to carry out over several days was, to her surprise, completed all in one night.
Many times, no persuasion was even needed—those miners who had lost all hope immediately joined.
Continuing as they were meant death—why not risk everything?
Seeing the time was right, Willis decided to act swiftly.
Through the night,
She led the miners to the walls, quietly taking out the sentries one by one.
With her and Victoria present, the task was almost effortless.
After that, they kept killing patrolling soldiers.
By the time they reached the soldiers’ dormitory in silence, there was barely a sound inside—aside from the groans of the rotting soldiers.
“Move!”
In an instant, over a thousand miners surged in with pickaxes and shovels.
The soldiers inside, still in their dreams, were slaughtered.
The suffering, wailing soldiers, seeing the miners burst in, were stunned.
What the hell?
What were these slaves—who had always submitted to beatings and abuse—trying to do?
Moments later, blood drenched the entire mine.
By dawn, Barnett and Gerry, still asleep, were dead.
The miners had seized the whole mine, and at daybreak, their cheers rang out.
For the first time, Willis stood atop the high platform as a leader, with Nidnia and others by her side.
“Brothers! We were once livestock, slaves to be slaughtered at will! But from now on, we are not!”
Willis claimed to be just a miner, keeping her identity secret.
As she and Nidnia spoke, the miners below grew even more fired up, shouting with rage and passion.