One year ago…
Ushi City.
This was the most renowned ore-producing region in the Okam Empire, yet somehow it had been granted by Emperor Rubas to the infamous Second Princess.
“No one really knows what the Emperor was thinking!”
Many people thought this way.
But it was said that Willis herself had requested it, and the First Princess gave up her own territory as a trade-off. The Third Princess Kris also intervened on Willis’s behalf, which finally persuaded the Emperor to agree.
However, from the perspective of a qualified city lord, Willis was completely unfit to be the master of Ushi City.
She not only ignored all affairs but also listened to her subordinates’ treacherous words, levying exorbitant taxes on the city’s merchants. Rumor had it the conditions in the mines were even worse.
Many miners were being exploited to the point of despair.
In this world, commoners were always the ones being bullied.
Annie Donald came here wearing a hood, intending to purchase magic crystals and swords needed by mages.
Although mages primarily studied magic, ordinary swordsmanship was considered necessary by many.
Annie Donald was one of them.
While magic cultivation was her main focus, practicing swordsmanship could strengthen her physique and enhance her overall strength.
At the same time, a strong body made magic cultivation smoother—a mutually beneficial effect.
Of course, this was completely different from the path of a Mage-Swordsman.
Annie’s goal in wielding a heavy iron sword was simply physical training; Mage-Swordsmen, however, cultivated swordsmanship as their primary purpose, which she did not require.
Upon arriving in Ushi City, she found high-quality ore could be easily purchased here to forge fine swords.
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands, shopkeeper.”
She spoke to the owner of a centuries-old reputable blacksmith shop—a dwarf master whose forging skills were highly praised throughout the Vistoria Continent.
“All right, Miss, your sword will be ready in one week.”
As the saying goes, slow work yields fine craftsmanship. Annie nodded, unfazed by the wait.
Exiting the smithy, she tightened her hood to conceal her appearance and figure as much as possible.
In this already filthy and chaotic Ushi City, a young woman like her would be a target for lawless men.
Those men didn’t care who you were—even the Emperor wasn’t necessarily safe from their reckless actions.
These were warnings her grandfather had given her before she left home, and Annie never forgot them.
Her grandfather was the teacher of that detestable princess. For her safety, although he always kept Annie by his side, he never dared expose her in front of Willis.
Under the watchful eyes of the princess rumored to be fond of women, Annie had lived quietly with her grandfather all this time.
But despite Annie’s caution and remembering her grandfather’s advice today, she was still being watched.
“Boss, that’s her—the one who didn’t hesitate to order a custom sword at the highest price inside the smithy. Under that gray robe, she’s definitely a noble lady!”
“Heh heh heh! Noble lady?”
The so-called boss was a lean man with his upper body bare, licking his lips in a lecherous way.
They looked like local miners, men who often possessed extraordinary physiques…
and even more extraordinary courage.
“Haven’t tasted a noble lady in a while. Let’s go! Follow her!”
Annie kept her head down and walked on. The Castle Lord’s Mansion wasn’t far from here. Her grandfather lived in a small detached house beside it.
As the saying goes, darkness lies beneath the lamp—Willis had never suspected a beautiful young girl lived right under her nose.
And she was her teacher’s granddaughter…
That small house was not only a gift from Her Highness the Princess but also guarded by soldiers. Once home, she would be safe.
But just as Annie turned the corner, already seeing the house where her grandfather lived in the distance, a group of men blocked her path.
Their malicious gazes and bulging muscles exposed under bare chests made Annie immediately sense danger.
She tried to get around them, but they stubbornly encircled her.
“What do you want?”
“What do we want?”
The miner boss laughed, “We’re just bored and want to have some fun with you, miss. Don’t worry—we pay well.”
At that moment, an unnamed fury rose from deep within Annie, but she held it back well.
“This is a crime! Move aside! The Imperial Princess is inside the Castle Lord’s Mansion over there. Do you want to commit a crime here?”
“Oh, so scary!”
The miner boss said with mock fear, prompting the others to laugh.
Passing pedestrians quickly avoided the scene. Annie showed pleading eyes, hoping someone would summon the City Defense Army.
But distant aid seemed useless.
“Imperial Princess? I’m trembling with fear… I heard Willis Egbert, that bitch, is a beauty too…”
“Since she took office, the brothers stuck in the mines have it worse… It’s fine if you don’t mention her… But as soon as you say that name, I get mad!”
“Heh heh…”
The miner boss sneered coldly.
“Willis, huh? Princess, huh? If we ever catch her alone, we’ll drag her down to the mines!”
“Among us, there are plenty willing to risk death to brutally vent on that princess!”
At that moment, Annie’s whole body tensed, an unexplainable terror flooding her heart.
She was about to shout for help when the miner boss was quick to pull out a rough cloth and gag her.
Apparently, they had come prepared.
“Mmmph mmmph…”
“Take her away!”
In an instant, Annie was dragged and pulled into a dark alley beside the street.
The place was filthy and foul-smelling, filled with trash, discarded ore, and firewood.
They tore off the gray cloak she wore and removed the gag.
Revealed was a delicate noble lady in elegant attire.
Her icy, flawless complexion and breathtaking beauty caused the miners who caught her to suddenly gasp for breath.
“Haha, she really is a noble lady. Such soft skin and tender flesh—I almost want to bite a piece out!”
“Y-you… stop right there! Leave it at this, and I’ll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, all of you will be severely punished!”
Annie glared fiercely.
But in return, they laughed even more brazenly.
“Oh, I’m so scared… But even if I’m going to die, enjoying a beauty like you before I go is worth it!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll strip you piece by piece, leave you in despair, crying out but helpless, finally at our mercy!”
“Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you…”
“Do you want to know why? Because we’ve done this more than once here already, ha ha!”
As he spoke, the miner boss reached out toward Annie.
In that moment, everything seemed to slow down. Annie shut her eyes in despair, biting her lip until it bled.
Someone—anyone—save her…
Even a demon—she just wanted to protect her innocence!
And the demon answered.
“Is that so? After doing it so many times without changing spots, it’s like you’re saying, ‘Welcome, Princess, come watch.’”
“Sister, it’s your turn.”
A cold voice came from the mouth of the alley. In an instant, a chilling sword aura sliced through the miner boss’s hand.
Stunned, he watched several heads fly into the air.
The First Princess, Ice Sword Dancer, Hill Yu Egbert!