Chapter 143: Because I Have a Flexible Bottom Line (56/140)

Based on the list provided by Ned and the others, Willis secretly sent people to arrest them.

To prevent Ned and his group from spreading false information, Willis personally re-interrogated everyone on the list.

By the time all this was done, it was already dusk.

“A total of 67 people. Not bad.”

Willis let out a sigh of relief.

Being able to root them out before the last remnants of the night could act was a very good result.

“In that case, the loss of 150,000 jin of grain wasn’t a complete disaster.”

Even Hill Yu had to admire Willis’s foresight.

“Imperial Sister, sometimes I really think you could govern this place very well.”

Willis rolled her eyes.

“So you have that little confidence in me, Imperial Sister?”

“A little, I suppose…”

Hill Yu didn’t finish her sentence.

After dinner, the long line beside the Castle Lord’s Mansion was still there.

With the distribution of relief grain and compensation by Willis, plus the nonstop propaganda efforts of Borden and Nidnia’s teams, and the scene at the North Gate Granary during the day…

Willis’s reputation among the commoners was rising at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It was an excellent start for her governance.

“Then, Your Highness, we’ll take our leave.”

Borden waved, leaving the Castle Lord’s Mansion with the Terrence brothers.

“Mm.”

Willis nodded.

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry! Hahaha!”

At this moment, Ofilia approached cautiously, curiosity in her eyes.

“What are they going to do?”

“The streets near the Western City Gate need to be repaired, and those who lost their homes need new places to live.”

Willis replied.

“After two days of population surveys and registration, we’ve found many people skilled in construction…”

“We’ll give them reasonable pay and help those who lost homes in the last battle rebuild.”

Willis turned to Ofilia with a smile.

“But the newly built streets still need to be discussed to come up with a more…”

“A more complete plan. They should be livable, but also give the streets a new look.”

A mysterious light flickered in her eyes.

Though Ofilia didn’t fully understand what Willis was saying, she still nodded in agreement.

“It’ll take a lot of time, so I’ll leave it to Uncle Borden and the others for now.”

After asking Ofilia to continue supervising the registration area, Willis made her way to Winnie’s room.

As she passed the area where the Elves were held, Karo Mama suddenly approached.

“Your Highness.”

Karo Mama greeted respectfully.

Willis returned the greeting politely.

Though she coveted the Elves, Willis knew her image among them wasn’t great.

While they were not outright enemies now, the grudges accumulated previously couldn’t be erased so easily.

“What is it?”

“It’s like this…”

Karo Mama chose her words carefully.

“Willis, you personally granted us a certain degree of freedom, correct?”

“That’s right.”

Willis was puzzled by Karo Mama’s cautious demeanor.

“If you’re here to confirm, there’s no need. Your kin can move freely within the boundaries I set.”

At this moment, Karo Mama interrupted her.

“So yesterday, after I went out, I contacted my kin.”

“Mm, the soldiers reported this to me.”

But Willis hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time.

Now that Ushi City was under her control, even if outsiders tried, stealing the Elves from under her nose was impossible.

“We…”

Karo Mama watched Willis’s expression, as if fearing she’d become angry.

She spoke.

“We of the Elven Race are willing to use gold, silver, jewels, or other reasonable requests to ransom ourselves from you.”

“Oh?”

Willis raised an eyebrow.

“So that’s why you went to see your kin yesterday? Your people outside want to ransom you out?”

“Yes.”

Karo Mama answered seriously.

Willis stroked her chin, pondering, making Karo Mama even more nervous.

Even though they sat face to face and she could have used magic to subdue Willis, Karo Mama didn’t want to take the risk.

If they could make a deal and leave safely, that would be best.

“Calling it a ransom is too much. You’re my guests, not hostages.”

Willis waved her hand.

Her smug expression made Karo Mama grind her teeth in secret.

“Then what does Your Highness mean…?”

“Agreed!”

Willis nodded.

“After the 20th, you can leave.”

“Why the 20th?”

Karo Mama stepped forward.

“If it’s money you want, my people can send it tomorrow!”

“Also, Winnie Kanasha must leave with us!”

“Of course.”

Willis smiled.

“But this Imperial Princess doesn’t want money.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Before we discuss terms, may I ask a question?”

Willis said.

“Please do.”

Willis narrowed her eyes.

“How did your Elves get involved with the Rebels?”

“Although the Empire now avoids war with the Elves, if you openly ally with the Rebels, you’re standing against the Empire!”

At her words, Karo Mama realized that, sooner or later, Willis would find out if she wanted to.

Karo Mama sighed and explained.

“Because they possessed the Water of the Sacred Tree, which we needed. If the Tree of Life of the Elven Race goes without nourishment, it will wither.”

Karo Mama revealed the hidden truth.

“And the condition for them trading the Water of the Sacred Tree to us was…”

“To help them kill me?”

Willis finished the sentence.

Karo Mama nodded, her gaze shifting away, unable to meet Willis’s eyes.

“So that’s why Winnie appeared on the streets of Monsell that day, where I ran into her?”

Willis pressed.

“But did you ever think that someone might have deliberately leaked Winnie’s whereabouts to me?”

Upon hearing this, Karo Mama’s face turned pale.

“You’re saying among us… no, impossible!”

She shook her head in panic, shamed by her own momentary suspicion of her kin.

Karo Mama’s face flushed with anger.

“Elves would never betray like you humans!”

“You’re confident, I see.”

Willis no longer pressed the issue.

She continued.

“Fine. I’ll let you go, but I have two conditions. First, after the 20th.”

“Second, I want half of the Elven Race’s monthly Moonlight Silk production. Don’t worry, I’ll purchase it at a fair price.”

“What!? Half of the Moonlight Silk!?”

Karo Mama shook her head firmly.

“Why do you want Moonlight Silk!?”

After all, even their own monthly production was not much.

To give up half—wouldn’t the Elves themselves have none left?

“Of course, to sell it. I said I’d pay a price you found fair.”

“For so many years, I believe there’s a decent stock within the Elven Royal family. Besides, not every Elf needs it.”

Willis held up her finger firmly.

“Half. Not a thread less! Otherwise, you can all stay here with me.”

Karo Mama’s expression changed several times.

“Will you really pay?”

“Of course, at a price you’re satisfied with.”

“That won’t do. At most, I can give you 30%!”

Karo Mama gritted her teeth.

Willis was right. Although the production of Moonlight Silk was low, the Elven Race couldn’t consume it all themselves.

First, to maintain its precious status.

Second, if every Elf received a piece every month, they’d become targets for capture.

Thus, even with limited production, most Moonlight Silk was stockpiled in storage.

When money was needed, the Elven Race would sell some.

That’s why it still appeared in the outside world.

“30%? Deal!”

Willis cheerfully asked the maid to bring the contract, finalized the terms, and both sides signed.

The swiftness of it all made Karo Mama feel bitter.

“Didn’t you say not a thread less than half?”

She felt tricked.

“Because my bottom line is flexible.”

Willis’s mischievous smile made Karo Mama want to punch her.

But the deal was struck.

The Elven Race never went back on their word.

If Willis could always buy Moonlight Silk at a satisfactory price, it wouldn’t be bad.

Although the Elven Race traded on the Vistoria Continent, Moonlight Silk wasn’t easy to sell in bulk.

Otherwise, outside their homeland, they risked both goods and lives being stolen.

As an Imperial Princess, Willis had the identity and strength to conduct large-scale trade.

It was a win-win result.

“Let’s be clear. The price must satisfy us!”

Karo Mama glared at Willis.

“Agreed.”

Willis accepted without hesitation.

After settling matters, Willis sent Karo Mama back.

“Karo Mama, what did that evil woman say?”

Jenfenny hurried over with the others to greet Karo Mama.

Karo Mama smiled in relief, patting Jenfenny’s little head.

“Children, after the 20th, we can leave. Please bear with it for a few more days.”

“Is it true? Karo Mama, you’re amazing!”

Jenfenny hugged her joyfully.

After Willis left, she ordered a check on the items seized at Ghost Peak Valley last time.

There was no sign of the Water of the Sacred Tree.

Not even an empty bottle.

Willis felt a bit disappointed at the news.

“It could have been a bargaining chip. Oh well.”

She didn’t dwell on it, instead taking Becky to Winnie’s room.

She continued cleaning Winnie’s body and had Becky sing for healing.

Winnie’s condition was steadily improving.

“She should be fully recovered before the 20th.”

Willis was satisfied.

But the partially conscious Winnie looked at her coldly.

“Don’t… Don’t… Don’t expect me… to be… grateful…”

“You… You… demon…”

“That’s not true!”

Becky stood behind Willis, protesting.

“Willis is a good person!”

Hearing this, Winnie looked at her, then fell silent.

“All right, rest well. Let’s go.”

Willis took Becky and left.

August 12th, a comprehensive population census began in Ushi City.

Repairs at the Western City Gate were also underway.

Willis led people outside the city gate to see the burial place of the Rebels and miners.

“Let’s build a Graveyard for our warriors, to honor them forever!”

Willis’s words brought many miner soldiers to tears.

But as her words fell, Hill Yu clutched her chest in pain.

“You say it so easily. How much will this cost now?”

August 14th, the population census progressed smoothly, with the commoners cooperating well.

Willis was busy late every night, drawing up policies for Ushi City’s future.

At this time, Becky was brought in by Ofilia.

“Your Highness, you called for me?”

“Mm, there’s something.”

In the study, Willis nodded.

“What is it?”

“Something only you can do.”

A wicked smile played on Willis’s lips.