Late at night, within the territory of the Okam Empire, Monsell…
“How is it?”
A person sat behind the curtain, asking quietly.
“According to the intel, Willis traveled through the night and should have left the intersection of Qiumen North Road and Gezeer Branch Road by now.”
“If she continues at this pace, she should reach the borders of Ushi City by tomorrow night.”
The subordinate’s report made the person behind the scenes fall silent for a moment.
“Useless fools! All the information from every direction has been given to them, and they still failed!”
The figure cursed a few times, then quieted down again.
“But recently, Willis’s behavior has been a bit abnormal. She’s nothing like her former self.”
Upon hearing this, the subordinate quickly asked, “Should we send people to probe her?”
The person behind the scenes rejected the suggestion.
“No need. Either she was hiding her strength before, or she’s now being guided by someone skilled.”
“But that doesn’t matter anymore…”
“Willis’s own forces haven’t developed. Now, after using her to eliminate those useless princes, it’s her turn.”
“Go inform Huangque. Find an opportunity to act. The Phoenix’s Fall Plan officially begins!”
“Yes!”
The subordinate accepted the order and withdrew.
Inside the dimly lit inner chamber, hidden from clear view, a shadowy figure floated in from outside the door.
“Lord!”
She bowed with a gentle voice.
“Hmm! Return to the Night Veil at once. You may begin the operation.”
“Understood!”
In the deep silence of the night, only the quiet, satisfied laughter of the person behind the scenes remained.
“Willis, Sielyou… I wonder if you can bear this grand gift I’m sending you?”
***
Daytime, Imperial Royal Academy—the storm involving Vice Dean Mark had come to an end.
However, this explosive incident would likely remain a topic of conversation for a long time.
The academy’s prestige also suffered a blow from this affair.
Emperor Rubas ordered a reformation of the Academy’s atmosphere and set up channels for complaints.
If anyone suffered unfair treatment within the Academy, they could report it directly to President Sylvester Joylu.
Alternatively, they could go to the branch of the Church of Judicature outside the royal city to make a report.
Once verified, strict measures would be taken!
This stance from the Empire reassured many people.
But at some point, no one knew where it started, a new rumor spread—
The death of the genius magician of the Laiensi Family—
Ofilia Laiensi…
The news sent even greater waves through an already turbulent sea.
The key point was the bizarre nature of this genius girl’s death—she supposedly choked to death while eating!?
Although the Laiensi Family didn’t offer clarification, making it seem likely true.
Yet the reason behind it was intriguing.
Reports claimed that during the Imperial Second Princess’s inauguration speech, many teachers and students had seen Ofilia questioning the infamous Her Highness the Princess.
But soon after, Ofilia was dead?
Suspicion immediately locked onto a target, and everyone believed it.
“That’s right. It must be that cruel and violent Willis Egbert, the Imperial Second Princess!”
“My child once admired Ofilia, but now, just hearing her name makes my child fall silent, not daring to aspire to her anymore.”
“Who can disagree? Such a pity for a genius… With such a princess in the Empire, how can the country know peace…”
“Sister, watch your words!”
***
Willis was still unaware of the rumors circulating within the Empire.
At this moment, she had completed the System Task but hadn’t claimed the reward.
[Ding! Task complete!
Received 10 Magic Suppression Collars and one Blueprint!]
Unclaimed rewards were placed in the System Space’s inventory.
There were also a Mana Blueprint and an Improved Miniature Magic Circle Scroll from the last mission.
Willis glanced at the Mana Blueprint…
Hmm, she couldn’t understand it.
And she had no time to study such things now.
She had thought that after crushing the rebels who dared attack her in Yufeng Valley and ruining Mark’s reputation, she could rest.
But now it seemed the situation in Ushi City was even worse.
It was late at night. Ofilia and the others had been sent to the back to sleep.
Only Winnie Kanasha and Sielyou remained at Willis’s side.
“Royal sister, what are you planning?”
Willis responded with the analysis she had pondered for several hours.
“I haven’t returned to Ushi City in a long time. Now, all orders and administrative management are being handled by the Vice City Lord.”
“With things uncertain, I want to investigate the situation first.”
“Oh?”
Sielyou was very pleased by Willis’s change.
Though she didn’t show it on her face, she was glad her royal sister was developing in a better direction.
Given the Vice City Lord’s methods, if this were the old Willis, she would have applauded.
She might have even thought exploiting miners wasn’t enough.
After all, when they last visited Ushi City, Willis had even suggested forcing miners to work until death.
Though Sielyou had firmly stopped her, it showed just how cruel Willis once was.
“What will you do?”
Sielyou asked.
“The usual way…”
Willis smiled.
At the side, Winnie Kanasha showed no interest in these matters.
She almost wished Willis would be betrayed and killed the moment she entered Ushi City.
Winnie coughed, drawing their attention.
“Are you two done? I’m tired. When do we sleep?”
“So impatient?”
Willis retorted.
At first, Winnie didn’t react, but seeing the mischievous grin on Willis’s face, she instantly blushed.
“You, you, you… P-pervert! Lewd woman! Is your brain full of that stuff?”
But Willis looked pure and innocent.
“What are you talking about? I just asked if you were that impatient to sleep. Are you a pig?”
This made Winnie even angrier. She turned away, sulking.
But she didn’t notice that, in the dim light, Willis pretended to take something from a small cabinet.
In that instant, she quietly claimed the System reward.
Holding the Magic Suppression Collar, Willis looked at Winnie’s back with a mischievous smile.
***
By the evening of the next day, all factions had received word of Willis’s arrival at Ushi City.
Birds flew from the tall, weathered City Walls of Monser.
At the same time, in Ushi City, the acting City Lord after Willis’s departure—the former Vice City Lord—
Now led the Castle Lord’s Mansion officials out to welcome her.
“Minister Mike Millen, on behalf of all officials under Ushi City, welcomes the master of Ushi City home! Long live Her Highness the Princess!”
The officials all knelt, following the Vice City Lord Mike Millen’s lead, raising their voices in unison.
There were no civilians nearby. They’d all been driven away.
Here, only Willis’s Royal Princess’s Carriage and the officials remained.
But despite kneeling and waiting for a reply, no answer came.
Mike Millen looked up in confusion.
He was a thin, tall man in elegant official attire, appearing every bit a gentleman.
From his line of sight, someone stepped out of Willis’s carriage.
The First Princess—Sielyou!
She spoke loudly…
“Everyone, rise. The royal sister is exhausted from travel and caught a cold last night. She cannot see anyone.”
“Let’s skip the formalities. Proceed to the Castle Lord’s Mansion!”
“Also, these five hundred soldiers will replace the original Castle Lord’s Mansion’s defenses. Prepare for handover!”
Hearing this, Mike Millen’s heart sank.
Replace all defenses?
Had Willis discovered something?
But he dared not object.
“Yes, as Her Highness commands.”
Yet what he didn’t realize was that Willis wasn’t here.
But in…