Inside the Subcity Lord’s Mansion.
Mike Millen paced back and forth anxiously.
Just as Mik Englandram was about to return to his quarters, a squad of patrol officers arrived outside.
“Sorry, Lord Mik, the Lord has ordered that unless you possess Her Excellency’s token, no one is allowed to walk the streets without permission.”
“Violators will be treated as spies!”
Mik Englandram looked at the unfamiliar faces of the City Defense Army before him.
They were from the Castle Lord’s Mansion.
These were City Defense Army troops brought from Monsell by Hill Yu—they had nothing to do with Ushi City!
The moment Mik Englandram saw them, he made these judgments.
“Anyone? Not even me?”
Mik Englandram had already announced his identity, but the other side still didn’t relent.
“That’s right. Anyone.”
The leading junior officer was very serious.
“That includes you, and the Vice City Lord within the Subcity Lord’s Mansion as well.”
This was an order directly given earlier by Annie Donald, who had used Light Magic to transform into Willis’s appearance and held her token.
This squad’s mission was to keep a close watch on the Subcity Lord’s Mansion, not allowing a single person to leave.
At the same time, not even a living bird or animal was permitted to escape.
Though the order was strange—
It was issued by Willis.
If they let a single person go, they would be executed as spies, and their property confiscated…
Naturally, these City Defense Army soldiers dared not be careless.
“I am the commander of the City Defense Army! I need to return to perform my duties!”
“No!”
The other side still refused.
“Damn!”
Mik Englandram cursed angrily.
“Didn’t the Deputy City Lord’s token and badge just allow passage? How come now it doesn’t work anymore?!”
At this moment, Mik Englandram felt extremely stifled, as if he were being singled out.
The City Defense Army officer spoke:
“Lord, what happened earlier was earlier. Now is now.”
“From this moment on, without the Lord’s token and orders, no one is allowed on the streets.”
Hearing this, Mik gritted his teeth in frustration.
But he could only retreat resentfully back into the Subcity Lord’s Mansion.
“How is it?”
Mike Millen asked.
“Even I can’t go out, showing them the token is useless—they said even you can’t walk around freely.”
Upon hearing Mik’s report, Mike frowned deeply.
“What do we do now? Has Willis caught onto our movements?”
“It’s possible…… But she has no proof!”
Mik sneered.
“Without evidence, the City Defense Army of Ushi City won’t come to attack us with her!”
“With only five hundred troops from the Castle Lord’s Mansion, if she dares to come, this will be her burial ground!”
Mik looked around the mansion—hidden and visible sentries were everywhere, and various traps were ready.
But still, Willis played this card!
“But none of the birds we sent out to communicate returned, and there are no communication arrays at our outside bases. What do we do?!”
“And time isn’t on our side! If we wait until the First Princess summons the Imperial Army with the Search Elf to converge on Ushi City, we’ll have no chance!”
Mike appeared deeply worried.
At that point, Willis wouldn’t need to persuade the City Defense Army of Ushi City.
With just one order, declaring them rebels hiding Imperial wealth, the surrounding garrison would swarm and slaughter them.
“So, tonight we send people out secretly to contact others! Agree on a time to act together.”
Mik Englandram’s gaze was cold, but his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his fear.
If the City Defense Army of Ushi City couldn’t withstand Willis’s pressure and brought men to destroy them by day…
It would truly be a death sentence!
“Don’t you have two secret passages in your mansion? Wait for nightfall—when the winds are high and the sky dark—then use the passage to send someone out!”
Hearing this, Mike Millen replied with a bit of a headache:
“Brother, those are for escaping in desperate times, not for communications…”
“Even using the secret passage, to contact our scattered people in Ushi City would take a long detour.”
“If we’re discovered, it’s all over!”
But Mik Englandram waved his hand dismissively.
“The situation is urgent—we can’t care about that anymore.”
“Now, let’s discuss the time we attack together once contact is made!”
Originally, they had a solid plan.
Gather elites, wait for Willis and Hill Yu to fall into their trap, then kill them!
Then seal off the news and escape in the chaos.
By the time the Empire responded, they’d already be at the Amis Strait.
But now, Willis had just arrived at Ushi City last night and pulled this move first thing in the morning.
It really caught them off guard!
Now the city was sealed, their people scattered and out of contact.
Outside, the Imperial Garrison was marching toward Ushi City—time was pressing!
***
While Mike and Mik anxiously plotted, Annie and her group hid at a corner, watching the Subcity Lord’s Mansion in secret.
“Is there a secret passage here?”
She asked.
A junior officer from Ushi City, dragged over for questioning, immediately panicked.
“L-L-Lord, this is the Vice City Lord’s personal matter—how would a humble one like me know…”
“Besides, it’s his own house…I wouldn’t dare to ask.”
Annie didn’t need to look to know he was lying.
A large amount of gold, silver, and jewels had disappeared from the City Lord’s Treasury.
If these City Defense Army members claimed they hadn’t taken any, Annie would never believe it.
Now that Willis had returned, they were still being dishonest.
Even now, they dared to cover for Mike Millen…
It was nothing but fear of their crimes being exposed, and being implicated themselves.
Such charges would be enough for these City Defense Army members and their families to die several times over.
On one hand, they feared being labeled as defying the Empire and the Lord’s command, risking execution for treason and implicating nine generations.
On the other, they dreaded that if Mike Millen was caught and confessed, they’d be executed for corruption and dereliction.
At this point, the City Defense Army of Ushi City was truly stuck in the middle, miserable beyond words.
However, Annie didn’t make things difficult for them.
Willis’s intention was to stabilize the City Defense Army.
If they couldn’t win them over, they certainly couldn’t push them toward Mike Millen.
Thinking of this, Annie addressed the City Defense Army behind her.
“Keep watch on all sides. The surrounding streets too. There could be secret passages…”
“Especially tonight. If you see anyone, kill them on sight!”
“Yes, Lord!”
The soldiers responded.
“And order the archers to aim at the sky. If even a single bird flies out, they’ll lose their heads.”
“T-this…yes!”
***
After Annie left and walked to the Castle Lord’s Mansion, she saw Hill Yu sending off members of the Laiensi Family.
“Everyone, please stay in the city for now. Accommodations have been arranged. Please don’t go out during this period.”
Hill Yu said to Alexander Laiensi and the others.
“At present, the rebels who stole from the Treasury are at large, and Ushi City is under full lockdown. Please wait until after this incident before resuming activities.”
Upon hearing this, both Rasser Lyons and Alexander Laiensi wore broad smiles.
“Yes, yes! We will obey the orders of Her Highness the Princess. The Laiensi Family can certainly wait!”
“If you need our assistance, Her Highness, please feel free to ask!”
Willis had already discussed the necessary details with Hill Yu, so the negotiation concluded quickly.
Satisfied with the outcome, the Laiensi Family had no intention of probing Ophelia’s thoughts.
They turned and left directly for the residence arranged by Hill Yu.
Seeing Annie return, Hill Yu asked:
“How’s it going over there?”
Hill Yu didn’t say much more, instead drawing her sword and leading over a hundred soldiers from the Castle Lord’s Mansion…
Along with Annie, they marched mightily toward the city gate.