There were many things that needed to be done.
Countless tasks tangled together, but they all had to be tackled one by one.
To become the Lord of Ushi City again as a true royal princess—even though Sielyou and the others knew this was just a means to an end.
But the Miners and commoners still didn’t know.
So, taking this opportunity, Willis found it best to push all the wrongdoings of her predecessor onto the already [dead fake Willis].
Even though the wounds on her body itched and ached.
But to maintain the persona she had created, Willis had to handle some matters herself.
The Castle Lord’s Mansion was being cleaned up by Sielyou’s City Defense Army, so she didn’t join them.
As for the streets ravaged by yesterday’s battle, Nidnia and Borden led the cleanup efforts there.
Now, these Miners were considered part of the army following the princess’s uprising.
Their status was no longer the same as before.
Although they hadn’t received training in swordsmanship or magic, Willis believed they would, in time.
“The aftermath cleanup at the Castle Lord’s Mansion and the preparations for the banquet are yours, royal sister. I’ll go take a look over there.”
Because of Willis’s plan, there was no direct conflict between the City Defense Army led by Sielyou and the Miners.
They had fought together as comrades yesterday, so there was no reason for hostility now.
Besides, attacking Sielyou would be outright rebellion.
Thanks to Willis, they were now like family.
However, Nidnia and Borden were worried that this little Willis might slip up in front of Sielyou.
After all, those stories were all made up by them.
Sielyou seemed to believe them at the time, but who could guarantee she wouldn’t discover the truth later?
So when Willis stayed at the Castle Lord’s Mansion, they didn’t dare follow.
They feared the more people there were, the more likely their lies would be exposed.
When Willis arrived, the streets were piled high with corpses.
Miners were busy cleaning and tidying.
Borden and Nidnia looked anxious.
“Do you think the First Princess will realize little Willis is a fake?”
“If she sees through us, we’ll go from heroes who helped the princess to restore justice, to nizui who deceived the Empire and rebelled!”
Nidnia and Borden huddled in a corner, whispering.
“I don’t know. At this point, we can only rely on little Willis.”
Borden sighed.
“Only a few of us know Willis’s true identity. If Sielyou can still see through it, we can only accept our fate and flee to the Waimei.”
At that moment, Willis sneaked over and, imitating Sielyou, spoke.
“Hmph! I knew you were deceiving me. Nizui, surrender at once!”
Borden and Nidnia jumped in fright, turning to meet Willis’s half-smiling eyes.
“Little Willis! You scared me to death!”
Nidnia gave a playful punch.
Now, Nidnia no longer had to disguise herself and wore ordinary women’s clothes.
Her body was clean, free from the filth and dark magic used for her previous disguise.
Her water-blue hair and oceanic blue eyes sparkled with a luster that seemed to hide the stars.
Her figure was enchanting, her skin as white as snow except for the palms and wrists.
Draped in a light blue dress, she looked like a siren who could steal hearts.
Willis hadn’t expected Nidnia to be so beautiful once she shed her disguise.
For a moment, she felt a bit unaccustomed.
Without the disguise, Nidnia’s whole demeanor had changed.
As Nidnia’s fist landed on her shoulder, Willis naturally embraced her.
She felt the softness of the other’s body and the scent of clean skin.
Willis thought, That’s right, a nanmei shounu should be like this!
On the other side, Borden wanted to join in the fun but was glared away by Willis.
“Ahem…”
He awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Borden sighed.
“Little Willis, you’re becoming more and more like a princess. Were you born with this talent?”
Victoria, who had been silently following Willis, thought, Does she even need to act? It’s only when she’s not like this that she’s pretending!
“Haha, maybe.”
Willis laughed it off and let go of Nidnia.
She then reintroduced Victoria.
“Now, little Vi is my personal knight. Her full name is Victoria…”
Of course, Willis dared not mention the surname—that would be exposing herself.
Though Borden and the others might find out sooner or later, it was best to keep it secret as long as possible.
“Also, don’t discuss such matters anymore. Someone might overhear…”
“And from now on, you must address me as Her Highness, Lord, or Lady Willis!”
Seeing Willis act so smug, Nidnia pinched her waist.
“Look at you, putting on airs after just a day as a princess?”
Willis rubbed the sore spot.
“We have to play the part, or if someone finds out, we’re doomed!”
Hearing this, Nidnia and Borden exchanged glances.
“You’re right.”
Then, Nidnia performed an exaggerated commoner’s bow.
“Greetings, Her Highness Willis. May you have peace…”
The overly dramatic scene nearly made Willis spit out her breakfast.
Still, she played along.
“Hmm, you’re pretty hot, little lady. I claim you as mine.”
Nidnia paused, then burst out laughing.
“Little Willis, you really sound like one…”
Destroyed streets, collapsed buildings, chaotic markets, and displaced commoners.
There were even some merchant furhao who had fled in haste.
Ushi City now looked more like a chaotic gathering ground than a city.
The mountain of corpses at the West City Gate only added to the fear.
“How is everyone settling in?” Willis asked.
“Pretty well. For now, we’ve stationed everyone at the former City Defense Army garrison inside the city—it can hold twenty thousand people without issue.”
Borden replied.
“There are plenty of supplies and food inside, enough to last a while.”
Willis nodded.
“That’s good. But now isn’t the time to relax.”
Willis looked at the Miners tirelessly hauling bodies and cleaning the streets.
She asked again.
“Are the dead’s equipment still usable?”
Nidnia grinned.
“Little Willis… ahem, Your Highness, you’re really stingy. Planning to strip them for gear?”
“Yes. Ushi City needs rebuilding, and weapons and equipment are scarce. If we can recycle, we should.”
Willis sighed.
“We can’t let the Jiayi Jun wear Miner uniforms, can we?”
“Of course we can use them.”
Borden picked up the topic.
“We Miners come from poor families and have suffered enough. We don’t mind.”
“That’s good.”
Willis clenched her fist.
“Let’s go help, too. After that, come with me to gather more hands.”
“For what?” Nidnia asked.
“To clean up the remaining Noble Families, furhao, and City Defense Army personnel.”
The stench of blood lingered in the air as Willis spread her arms.
In that moment, she truly felt like the master of this place.
Even though Ushi City was in shambles.
“The wealth of these rebels is ours now. The property they looted from the people must be reclaimed!”
“Their families must atone for their crimes, and the mines still need workers.”
“And I want to visit my future brothers and soldiers, bringing doctors and herbs.”