Chapter 99: Thunder, Grace, and the Imperial Princess

There are three commanders in the City Defense Army within Ushi City.

Excluding Englandram, who has already defected and been killed, the other two are—

The Gabur Leishi standing before them.

“Your Highness! This subordinate has arrived late. Please punish me, Your Highness!”

He was a middle-aged man with a square face, his long hair tied into a braid at the back.

But from the first glance, Willis didn’t have a good feeling about him.

Back when she was Lord, Willis’s memory held an impression of this person.

However, at that time, Willis’s mind wasn’t on governance or disciplining subordinates at all.

So her memory of this Gabur Leishi was quite vague.

Now, seeing him in person, Willis’s feelings became even clearer.

Strong…

And like a poisonous snake.

Although his appearance had the deceptive look of honesty and loyalty, in the eyes of Willis’s Real Eye, this person exuded an uncontrollable aura from head to toe.

“Willis, be careful. He’s a Swordmaster.”

Sielyou whispered in Willis’s ear.

At those words, Willis’s gaze sharpened.

On the Vistoria Continent, both Mage and Swordsman are extremely noble professions.

As long as one sets foot on either path, there’s a chance to bring glory to the family and enjoy status and honor previously unattainable.

Leaving aside Mages, Swordsmen follow the path of cultivating their own Life Force.

They train themselves through various secret arts or techniques.

This was somewhat similar to the cultivation or martial arts Willis knew on Blue Star before crossing over.

On the Vistoria Continent, this Life Force is called Life Qi, or the Qi of Life.

And Swordsmen possess another thing that greatly restrains Mages—Sword Qi!

Possessing both Life Qi and Sword Qi gives them the formidable power to threaten Mages!

In the history of Mages, there actually exists the Magic Shield, which can effectively prevent Swordsmen from getting close.

But the Magic Shield consumes a lot and requires high talent.

***

Similarly, practicing a single Magic Shield takes so much time that one could master another attack spell to the level of a Master.

And for the noble Mages, few are willing to be a turtle getting beaten.

So it’s hard for it to become widespread.

Even the sages couldn’t improve the Magic Shield.

Thus, even now, most Mages can’t use this thing.

As a result, as long as a Swordsman—or even an ordinary soldier—gets close, a Mage could easily die.

Unless you’re a Mage who can also fight in close combat.

This was why Annie Donald wanted to learn Swordsmanship to strengthen herself.

Within the ranks of Swordsmen, there are thresholds as hard to cross as those for Mages.

From the initial Swordsman Apprentice—also called Sword Apprentice—

Then to Swordsman, Swordmaster, Sword Sect, Sword King…

And even the legendary Sword Emperor.

Each stage has extremely strict and brutal limitations.

Just as Willis has barely become an Apprentice Mage, the promotion for Swordsmen is equally difficult.

Among them, Swordsman ranks are also referred to as Sword Servant, to distinguish titles and ranks.

That is, Sword Apprentice, Sword Servant (Swordsman), Swordmaster, Sword Sect, Sword King, Sword Emperor.

***

Reaching the level of Swordmaster is enough to be called a powerhouse of the Empire!

Renowned in their region!

Because it requires at least three sword techniques at Master level!

At this stage, Swordmasters are no longer limited by fixed sword moves.

Every movement is infused with sharp swordsmanship.

What’s even more terrifying is that after reaching the Sword Servant rank, Swordsmen gain Sword Qi!

Using the Life Qi cultivated within themselves, and unleashing it through mental strength and exceptional training, forming a sword light of unrivaled power!

That is Sword Qi!

It’s just like magic—possessing extraordinary destructive power!

But it’s also one of the trump cards of every Swordsman.

Sielyou also has Sword Qi.

Willis had seen it—it was an ice-red Sword Qi with an ice attribute.

Because she follows the path of Mage-Swordsman, she’s stronger than ordinary Swordsmen!

Gabur Leishi before her was the first Swordmaster powerhouse Willis had seen, and hearing Sielyou’s words made her take a deep breath.

“Do you have the confidence to defeat him, elder sister?”

Willis asked quietly.

“Although I’m a Mage-Swordsman and stronger than most Swordsmen, facing a Swordmaster is still tough.”

As she spoke, Sielyou added, somewhat unwillingly.

“But I should be able to hold him off for ten minutes.”

As for after ten minutes, Sielyou would probably be facing a life-or-death situation.

And for those ten minutes, she would have to go all out, using every trump card she had!

Willis gave a faint ‘Mm’ in response, then looked at Gabur Leishi before her, unfazed by his displayed strength.

“Punishment? The traitor’s already been executed. There’s no need for punishment.”

“But hasn’t the City Defense Army of Ushi City become a bit too negligent?”

“It’s been so long—did you all fall asleep on women’s bellies!?”

Willis shouted sharply.

At that moment, the aura of an Imperial Princess was fully displayed.

The City Defense Army, who had rushed over, immediately knelt and pleaded for forgiveness.

“We were late! Please forgive us, Lord!”

Even the Swordmaster—Gabur Leishi—knelt respectfully, begging for pardon.

Their posture was very humble.

Willis looked at the other commander standing nearby.

Mien Klincha.

He also looked like a man nearing forty.

At the moment, he wore shining armor, but it couldn’t hide his obese figure.

In the days spent in Ushi City, wine, women, money, and power had nearly eroded all his strength.

When this man ran over just now, Willis even felt the ground shake.

Though it might have been due to the sheer number of people as well.

[Years of high office have greatly weakened this fatty’s strength. Originally at the Swordsman (Sword Servant) level, he’s probably barely a Sword Apprentice now.]

Through the Real Eye, she saw the other’s strength clearly.

Compared to him, this Mien Klincha was even weaker than Mik Englandram, who had just died.

“Forgive? Forgive? Is that all you can say?”

“If the rebels had succeeded tonight, you wouldn’t need forgiveness—you’d face extermination of your entire clan!”

Willis said coldly.

These City Defense Army soldiers had been parasites since being stationed here, and had never been scolded like this by the unworthy Lord Willis.

Hearing “extermination of nine generations,” they finally remembered that the stunning girl before them was an Imperial Princess.

If something happened to her, the entire Ushi City would be buried with her.

As the many soldiers broke out in cold sweat, Willis swept her gaze around.

“As the commander of the City Defense Army, Mik Englandram colluded with the rebel Mike Millen. How much do you all know?”

The moment Willis spoke these words, the City Defense Army soldiers were scared out of their wits.

“Your Highness, have mercy! We truly didn’t know those two scoundrels were so depraved! To dare commit treason! Please, Your Highness, investigate!”

“That’s right, Your Highness! Though Mik Englandram was our commander, he hardly interacted with us subordinates!”

A man who looked like one of Mik’s former officers shouted.

“What he did—we really don’t know!”

Like hell they don’t know… Willis sneered inwardly.

They probably took plenty of money from the treasury.

“You… really don’t know?”

Willis pressed.

“If I find out anyone’s hiding something, you’ll die with no burial place!”

“Your Highness, have mercy!”

Meanwhile, Sielyou beside her held back her anger, knowing that tearing off all pretenses here would only put their side in peril.

So, she remained silent.

But she was very curious to see what Willis would do next.