[ Snake Clan ]
Aron was at the bar to get some drinks when suddenly a man asked him "What is a kid like you doing in a place like this?"
"Hey isn't that brad a dragon?"
The man started to laugh "This kid is a dragon?"
Aron ignored the man and placed his order at the bar tender.
The man didn't like the fact he was being ignored.
"Hey Kid!"
Aron blocked the incoming hand of the man
"Ahha I should have asked my sister Yume to come with me on this trip, she would have loved to kick you asses."
The man pulled his harm out of Aron's hand. "You know that women?"
Aron rolled his eyes "Well duh… what part of sister do you not understand?"
"Hey we better not mess with this kid. If that women gets wind of us again…" The other man said.
"Tsk"
The man turned around and left the bar.
Aron received his order and went back to where Luca and Cinis were.
"Well you and Yume really are alike…" Cinis said.
"You seem to attract scumbags whenever your minding your own business."
"I'll take that as a compliment Ciel"
As Aron sat down a few man came up to them "You know Yume?" one of the man asked.
"Yes I do, she is my elder sister."
"Oh and this is Lucius he is my elder brother."
"Where is Yume? We haven't seen her in a while."
"She is currently in the human world." Luca answered him.
The man look a little stressed.
"Do you need my sister for anything?"
The man asked if they could sit down.
"Sure take a seat."
The man then started to whisper.
"Well the thing is… Yume is well known and loved in Ignis, and has good relations with The Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi."
"Yes, we wanted to tell her that a group of special trained assassins are going to Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi and try to assassinate The Queen in order to put the blame on Ignis Kingdom so she will start a war."
Cinis who had the cover name of Ciel then whispered "But isn't that going to be difficult, I mean The Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi has an alliance with Ignis and is rumored to be engaged with The Moon King, who also has an alliance with Ignis."
"That's why they are targeting her, because it will trigger the wrath of The Moon King and so they will take down the current King of Ignis." Another man said.
"But still it doesn't make sense, who would want to do this?" Ciel asked.
"Well… The former head of the snake clan is greedy for power and want's to sit on the throne because he thinks it's his right."
Luca stated to laugh "Really… my sister was right, snake are indeed jealous creatures."
"Keep your voice down" Aron reminded Luca
Then Ciel whispered "But is the former clan head stupid or something? Even if he would pull this off this would make him very vulnerable even if he gets the seat of the King. I don't think The Moon King or The Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi would want an alliance with him."
"I don't think he would have thought that far ahead." Aron said.
"So when is he planning to attack The Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi?" Luca asked the man.
"We heard they will attack her when she returns from the Moon Festival."
Aron then asked the man "How does the rest of the snake clan sees this matter?"
The man looked at each other "Well the majority of the clan is against it and doesn't like the thought of a war and see many life's lost all because of a few greedy people."
Aron was think and an idea hit him and waved everybody to hurdle everybody to get closer.
"Let's try and stall this for as long as we can and tell sister Yume to convince The Queen to take in the refugees. They can help build at the northern border and if they want to stay after the war is over then the they are welcome to do so."
"Well The Queen is a person who helps out no matter their background or race. But she is also a person who doesn't trust blindly." Ciel said.
"It's up to them to earn her trust, and even if a few greedy slips pas by us they will be sniffed out by her very soon anyway." Luca said.
"I think it's a good plan."
And the three of them looked at the man. "I will inform sister Yume about the situation. So you guys round up the people who think their life's are in dangers and move toward Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi."
The man looked at them "The northern border?"
"Yeh, The Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi is building a new settlement at the northern border."
The man looked at each other and nodded.
"We will round up everybody who wants to be out of danger and we will give word before we leave for Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi."
After that the man hang around for a bit longer and shared a few drinks.
When the bar was going to close they bid their goodbyes and they went their separate ways.
[ Lunar Lake]
Richard and Marika were done with picking herbs.
Richard looked at the sky an saw that the moon was almost above the lake.
"Let's go to the lake."
Marika casted a spell and put away the herbs she had gathered.
When they arrived Marika saw the flowers in the water starting to bloom and gave of a nice aroma
Richard pulled her in to the water and the temperature was nice.
Marika felt relaxed 'So this is what you meant.'
Richard nodded, "When the moon is on the lake the water will heat up and the flowers start to bloom."
"It also helps heal up wounds and detoxify the body."
Marika drifted around on her back and looked up to the sky.
'Richard…'
"What is it?"
Marika turned towards him 'Even if after tonight or tomorrow things will not be as peaceful as they are now, I just want you to know that I'm really happy and have you by my side.'
Richard pulled Marika in his arms and kissed her.
"I wish time could just stop and we could stay like this for a long time."
[Next day]
Marika was already awake and got up from the bed. She looked at Richard who was still sleeping and gave him a small kiss.
She thought of a fun little idea about the closing ceremony and wanted it to check if it wouldn't be a problem if she were to executed it so she wanted Dantis opinion about it.
She knocked on the door. Your Excellency it's me, can I come in?'
"Enter."
Marika walked in the room and saw the minister who she helped last time sitting in the room with a few others.
The man stood up and bowed to Marika "My Queen"
'It's good to see the new Prime Minster is in good health.' Marika smiled.
'But seriously you guys can just refer to me as Queen Yumaria, since there is nothing official going on at the moment. So please relax, I like it better that way.'
"What can I do for you Queen Yumaria?" Dantis asked
'Well…that is… I had an idea, but I don't want to disrespect the tradition of the closing ceremony so I just wanted to ask if it would be alright so I came to ask what the closing ceremony was about.'
'I know the Moon Festival here has a completely different meaning then the one in the human world. Here we honor our ancestors and celebrate in there stead.'
Dantis nodded.
"At the closing ceremony everybody lights a candle on a floating lantern. To guide the spirits back and show them they will always be remembered by the living."
"But this year would be a little different according to His Majesty, he said he had an announcement to make and he wanted all the people to hear it." The Prime Minister said.
Marika already knew what Richard wanted to announce, but she played her dumb card.
'Is that so?'
They all nodded.
"So what is your idea?"
'Well I know His Majesty is the one who lights the first lantern but would it be alright if I did that instead?'
They all looked at her. "I don't see the problem in that."
The Prime Minster said "I agree it would be good, and it shows you are aware of the traditions and respect them."
"We shall inform His Majesty."
'No! I want it to be an surprise for everybody.'
'Just make sure that all the people are gather beforehand so…could you let the people know to all arrive a little before His Majesty. And make sure he doesn't know about it.'
"But Queen Yumaria how are you going to pull it all off, you'll be spending the whole day with His Majesty."
'Easy, His Majesty never asked me to join him to do this ceremony with him, all he asked me was if I could arrive 30 minutes after the ceremony was done.'
'But I need you guy's to get him back to the castle an hour before that, is that possible?'
"Leave that to us." The ministers said to Marika."
'Great! I hope you guys can all come to.' She smiled and left the room.
Marika then happily walked the halls and made a few telepathic call to her brothers, children and her father. She told them what she was up to and if they all could come.
She told her children to were to be and at what time, she did the same for her father and brothers.
After that she told Spike and Noir 'I know it's a bit risky consider what just happened yesterday but I want you guys to be there so don't worry there are a lot of good fighters around us so the risk of you two getting hurts is very, very slim.'
"We will be there."
Marika kept on walking towards Richard wing and came across a group of nobles, when suddenly on of them just pushed Marika to the ground.
She transformed in to her 7th stage and her anger started to rise.
'Really… you have the balls to be rude to a queen of another country.'
'Who is here to visit your King, do you wish for any political problems?'
Richard who was already awake and just finished up dressing himself when he felt Marika's killing intent and rushed out of his room.
"And what can you do against us?" One of the noble man said with a smirk on his face to Marika.
Marika grabbed the man by the throat 'Well for starters I can kill anybody and everybody single handily.'
The man started to laugh "You a weak women? You can't defeat our King."
'Are you sure? I already had a match with him and I defeated him without awakening a single stage, now that I am fully awakened I wonder… about… that.'
Marika who still had one of them in her grasp threw the man in to the wall.
'Weak you say?'
Marika casted a spell and drew her swords, since I'm already in the castle I should start killing everybody that's in here. Even if you call for all the soldiers they are nothing in comparison to me.'
Richard saw what was happening and started to have a bad feeling.
Marika was already swinging her sword.
"Your Majesty!"
Marika halted her swing and looked behind her.
She saw Richard standing and said 'Nothing seems to have changed around here.'
'This country is still rude to Royals and Royal guest.'
'I have seen enough, I like to inform His Majesty that I will leave to my country today.'
'Let me know when these stuck up and arrogant nobles are either gone or know how to behave to a Queen or King from another country.'
Marika put away her swords and left the castle.
Dantis and the Prime Minister also heard what happened and came over.
"You Majesty this can lead to a political problem, seeing how angry she was when she left." The Prime Minister said.
Richard wasn't all that worried because knowing Marika she just put up an act.
"Take them away and put them in the dungeon."
"Oh and Her Majesty word hold truth, we did had a match when she wasn't even awakened and she beat me, and we never had a match after her awakening, so she could kill me. Because I don't even know what her current full strength is."
All the noble looked in horror.
"And one more thing, once the Guardian of the 3 World dies a new one shall be born. And that guardian is supposed to be stronger than any dragon that is alive today."
Dantis the asked "So you mean Queen Yumaria is the new Guardian of the 3 World?"
Richard nodded.
"If you look at what she has already accomplished wouldn't you think she is the new Guardian of the 3 Worlds. She already ended the corruption and influence from The Sun Kingdom on our world, she already working on releasing all the war prisoners that are still held in The Sun Kingdom, she also is working on getting rid of that pesky Sanguis family and restore The Blood Kingdoms Monarchy. Not to mansion she is also helping out Ignis Kingdom and the problem they face with The Snake Clan."
"So I dare you to call Her Majesty weak again, because she accomplished much more in a span of a few months."
"And what have you done in that same amount of time hmm?"
"I should just tell her whenever she is been treated like this again she should just kill the one who angers her, and I will turn a blind eye to it and safe me from a headaches."
The noble man were shaking in fear, "We are so sorry Your Majesty…"
"The one you should apologize to is not to Our King but Her Majesty Queen Yumaria." Dantis said.
"But what are we going to do now? If she left for Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi…"
"She hasn't left yet" Richard pointed in a direction.
Genus came running to Richard "Master you have to stop her! She just trashed my house."
"Seems he is the a victim of her current anger."
When Genus was standing in front of them he asked "Master what did you do to tick her off like that?"
"I didn't do anything. It were those nobles who angered her." Richard said calmly.
Genus looked at the group of man "If my house is destroyed you better pay for all the damages you hear me!"
"Alright let's go and see if I can calm her down." Richard sighed.
When they arrived everything seem tidied up and the air was clear.
"Little girl are you still here!?"
'I'm up here.'
They all went upstairs and saw Marika making medicine.
The room was all clean and had a nice aroma.
Genus looked inside and almost fainted how clean and tidy the room was.
"Sweetie I think you gave Genus quite the scare, he came running and telling you were trashing his place."
'Well that's true I did trash the place, but once my anger subsided I cleaned it all up. And then I found this room that was full of stuff and I cleaned it and decided I make a work space for myself here.'
Genus looked at Marika in disbelieve, "What did you do with all the stuff that was in here?"
'I just threw it all out of the window.' She pointed to the window.
Genus looked out of the window and saw a pile of trash.
'Well the stuff I threw out was broken already or just fell in to pieces.'
'If I threw something out that I shouldn't have I will pay for that.'
Genus shook his head "I'll let those noble man pay for that. Because I told them they should pay for the damage anyway because they ticked you off."
Marika than had a grin on her face 'Than should I just break everything in here? You can get new furniture and what not. Hell I can even tear down your house if you like and they have to pay for the build of a new one and you can make it a bigger one than that it is now.'
Genus thought for a moment "That isn't such a bad idea little girl. But where do I stay in the mean time?"
'Well you have that key I gave you. And I can give you a house in Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi. Once the new one here is build you can use the one in Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi as an vacation home or something.'
"Alright it's a deal, let me take some stuff and you can tear this house down."
Marika's eye's glinted 'As you wish my friend.'
Dantis and Richard looked at the two speechless.
Genus packed up all his herbs and books an some cloths.
"Alright little girl, I have everything."
Genus pushed Dantis and Richard out of his house.
Marika walked one round around the house and started to destroy all the walls on the ground floor and the support beams.
"Are you sure about this?" Richard asked him.
"Well she was still pant up with anger and the only way to get rid of that is by letting it out. And it isn't a bad idea to let them know what the damage could be if they tick her off like that."
"Plus it's only a small sacrifice, what I lose is one house and get two in return, so who am I to complain about this."
Richard started to laugh "You two really are starting to see eye to eye the more time you spend together."
"What can I say, that little girl is really rubbing off on me." Genus shrugged his shoulders.
Marika rushed over and put one arm around Genus neck and the other on Richard.
A loud snapping sound was heard.
"THERE SHE GO'S!!!!"
And the house came down.
The guard captain heard the sound of something collapsing and came over to check what was going one.
When he arrived he heard Genus ask Marika "How do you feel?"
'Much, much better, all the anger is out of my system now. Thank you for letting me to get that out.'
Genus ruffled Marika's hair.
"Are you alright doctor Genus? What happened here?" The guard captain asked him.
Genus looked at him and said "Well…some stupid nobles pissed of Queen Yumaria and my house had to pay the price for that."
'Don't worry I already offered him a place to stay until the new house is build. Oh and those nobles are going to pay for that.'
She then asked Genus, do you have in mind what you would like to be build?'
"I was thinking of something along the line of His Majesty's mansion that resided in your country." Genus said jokingly.
"Why not? Even if we recreate that in my back yard, people would think it would be a new teahouse or something."
Marika and Genus started to laugh.
Marika then asked 'What would be the cost if we did that?'
"Well building that mansion, including the furniture and the 6 greenhouses, new sewage system, water pipe construction, those 7 nobles will be bankrupt."
Genus and Marika nodded to each other.
"let's do that then." Genus said.
'Well at least they keep their life's so it's not the worst thing for them.'
The guard captain looked speechless at them.
"But little girl weren't you and His Majesty going to the festival?"
'Just a moment', Marika called Dante and said that Genus would be staying in Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi since his house just broke down.
Marika then called for William to come to where Genus used to live.
William arrived and his eyes were big of shock and asked "What the hell happened here?"
'Just open a portal to Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi and give him the key of the house that's close my palace.'
'Genus will tell you what happened, me and Richard are now leaving for the festival.'
'Oh and William could you give this to Dante and ask him if his eagle can send it to King Cillus.'
"Sweetheart before we go, you need to get rid of that dust that's on you."
'Alright.'
Marika took a quick shower and changed her cloths.
'Alright I'm done. Now let's go.'
Marika and Richard left the palace.
[Ignis Castle]
Luca was in a meeting with Cillus, Cinis, Canus and Aron. They were discussing what they have found out.
"So my suspicion were correct after all" Cillus said.
"But how are we going to stall this a potential war for more than a month?" Canus asked.
"Well lets first inform Richard and Mari, and see what they think about it." Luca said.
"But knowing my sister, she would let them come at her as much as possible for a long period of time to gather so much accusation so wiping out the clan without any complaints."
"And there is also the fact, that anybody who walk her land unannounced will find there death there."
Canus laughed "How long do you think it will take for them to notice that what they're doing will only be leading to their own graves?"
"Well consider that we got the intel pretty easy and they are not worried about it leaking out… not to mention they clearly can't think far ahead with their plans…I would say probably it would take them 6 months to figure that out." Aron said.
They all started to laugh.
Suddenly there was a knock on the window.
Luca saw the bird and opened the window "Alacer why are you here?"
Alacer saw Cillus and flew to him and landed in front of him. He bowed his head and then lifted his claw.
Cillus took of the container and opened it, he saw 3 letter and read them.
The first letter was from Marika explain that the other letters were written by her because the children didn't know how to write but it were the word of children. And she would come with the children to visit when she would have her magic back.
Cillus then read the letters the children had dictated to Marika.
A smile came to his face and written a replay to each of the child's letter.
He folded them and put them in the container and gave it to Alacer.
Cillus patted Alacer "Thank you for the message you return to your owner now."
Alacer bowed again and took off and Luca close the window.
"What was that all about." Canus asked.
Cillus showed him the letter.
Canus read the letter, and also had a smile on his face. "That's great and just in time for our annual late autumn festival."
Cillus nodded. "It seems it's going to be lively again here soon."
"But can you handle two kids?" Canus asked his father teasing.
Cillus looked at his son with a frown "I raised you and your brother, and I could keep Mari in check just fine."
"And you know how Mari is…she is energetic and mischievous and she never had a problem listening to me. These two small guest won't be a problem for me and besides Mari will be with them so I have 3 children to keep an eye on."
Cinis started to laugh "Your right, Mari is a hand full on her own."
Luca then got a call from Genus.
"I wanted to tell you, your sister just destroyed my house."
"She did what!?" Luca was surprised and shocked.
Then Luca noticed how calm Genus was about it and thought it was a bit suspicious.
"What happened? Because you seem very calm about your house being destroyed by my sister."
"Well some nobles ticked her off and then she came trashing my house. So I went to
His Majesty to make him stop her."
"When we arrived everything was cleaned up again, but it seemed she was still pant up with anger. Then she gave me a great deal and in order to release that pant up anger of hers I let her destroy my house."
Luca was completely speechless
Cinis and Canus couldn't contain there laugh. "So what deal did you make with her?"
"I got a house here in Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi near her castle and I get an exact replica of the mansion of His Majesty back at Moon Castle."
"Which the nobles are going to pay for and leave them bankrupt."
"Pretty sweet deal right, two houses for the price and sacrifice of one house."
Luca sighed "Seems my sister is also starting to rub off on you."
"Hey I'm not complaining I accept any good deal if it's offered."
"And besides it was His Highness Cinis idea to get pant up anger, rage out of her system before she calms down. And it's much better for her, because after letting it all out her inner energy stabilizes pretty fast."
Luca sighed again.
"Canus let's show them what she did when I let her do that, the last time she was here and had her 3rd encounter with that doctor." Cinis said to his brother.
"Are you sure? I mean it's pretty devastating the damage she caused." Canus said.
"I'm sure… I think they can get a clearer picture of her strength and possible devastation she can make.
Canus arrived with Luca and Genus still on video call and saw the devastation she had created.
"Just so you know there was a rock standing here and was over 2 meters tall and 1.5 meters thick, she just pulverized it with the sheer strength of her fist and the damage is over 300 meter."
Genus and Luca were shocked by the sight of it.
"Has Richard seen this?" Luca asked.
"No he hasn't."
"She is not a normal dragon, that's for sure." Genus said.
"Correct, she possess more strength than any dragon."
"So I did some research on the matter. And there are only a few dragons who could do something like this."
Luca fell through is knees "No way… your telling me that my sister is born as the Guardian of the 3 Worlds."
"Highly likely." Canus said.
"Then who was her predecessor?"
"Magna." Canus answered Genus question.
"But I think Richard already suspected something after his sparring match with her. She fought with him without awakening a single stage and in a very unstable body. Nobody would be able to do so."
"But when you look at what she is cable of doing with her current unstable body and strength, I can only imagine what she is cable of once we restore it." Genus said.
Luca was sitting there and processing everything. "Well we need to find a different way for her to release her anger or else even a mountain would not stand a chance against her."
"I know of a way, but she won't be happy about it." Aron then said.
Everybody turned around.
"And what is that?" Genus asked.
"Either we seal her after she gets her magic back or we only restore her healing magic and take out her battle magic."
"She definitely will kill us if we did the latter." Genus said.
"But she's known to break her seal."
"We should discuss this with Richard because she will be his responsibility very soon." Luca said.
"For now we don't have to worry all too much since she isn't cable of destroying the world. And she probably be busy after the moon festival anyway." Genus said.
And they all looked at Genus.
"What… it's true, don't look at me like that."
[Moon festival]
Marika and Richard were walking over the festival and she enjoyed it very much.
The both were taking a small break and were eating and drinking at the fountain on the square.
Marika spotted something interesting 'Are they holding a sword fighting contest?'
Richard nodded.
'Let's participate, it looks fun.'
Richard laughed at her idea "If you promise me you won't kill anybody than alright."
'I promise, and I'll even try not to break any bones.'
When they were done eating they went up to the contest and register.
"You are allowed to use real swords, it's forbidden to use poison or any other dirty tricks." The man of the registered told them.
'Define dirty tricks.'
"You can't blind a person with loos sand or use hidden weapons."
'Pfft, like I would do that, there is no merit or honor in doing something like that unless your my enemy.'
Marika and Richard were heading to the waiting area, Marika noticed a few man were sizing her up.
"Look at that, she will fall down with just one strike." A man said
"Seems the competition this year is deplorable." Another man said
Marika looked at the man with sharp eyes 'Hasn't your mommy ever taught you, that if you have nothing nice to say, you should just shut up.'
Richard started to laugh.
"Why you little…"
'Oh and your judgment skills are something to cry over, because you overestimate yourself and underestimate your opponent.'
'See you at the fighting grounds…if your able to stand for that long.'
Marika casted a spell and drew out her training swords and tied them to her waist.
Everybody was looking in surprised
"Interesting choice." Richard said.
'Well I don't want to accidentally cut off someone limbs or kill them, because I promised you to not kill anybody.'
Richard gave her a kiss on the head, "Good girl."
Marika was called out to go up next.
Everybody in the audience was looking in surprise to see a women standing on the fighting ground.
Kevin and Dante were also in the crowd
"Sister! Have fun!' Dante said.
"Sis you show them you are a swords master! And give them a taste of hell!" Kevin yelled
Marika saw her brothers and waved at them.
She then turned to her opponent 'If you go easy on me, I'll beat the living crap out of you after the contest, you got me.'
The man nodded.
Marika pulled her two wooden swords and took her stance.
The man charged at her and she dodge his strike and hit the man on the back of his head so quickly it was hard to fallow her move.
Her opponent laid on the ground unconscious. The referee check the man and said "He is knocked out but still alive!"
The audience was silent and needed to process what just happened, then Kevin and Dante started to cheer.
"You go sister!"
"Yeh you will be crowned the unbeatable queen in no time!"
Then the women in the crowed stated to cheer.
'Way to go girl!'
'Yeh show those man we are not weak!'
'You got this girl!'
'We will keep cheering for you!'
'Even if you lose you put up a good fight.'
'We believe in you!'
Marika smiled at hearing all the women cheer for her.
Richard who was in the waiting area also smiled because he hear the cheers of all the women in the crowed.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Oh I'm just smiling because at the end of all of this she will have captured everybody's heart."
Marika got very bored during her matches she, the rules stated that the winner had to fight the next on until she was defeated, Marika already took down 4 competitors and it would take a while before she would be matched up to Richard.
She then sat down and one of the women asked Dante and Kevin 'Why is she sitting down?'
"Sister is bored with the match all her competitors are just too weak." Dante explained.
"You don't need to worry, even if she is sitting down she can still defeat them."
Her next competitor came on to the fighting ground and asked the referee "Is this even allowed?"
"What do you mean?"
"She is sitting on the ground."
"Why not? As long as she doesn't use the soil to blind you there is no reason why she can't."
"Hey girl did you lose the will to fight?"
Marika didn't react she was just sighing because she was so bored and none of her competitors was even a challenge for her.
The man stated to charge at her and she block his strike even without looking.
'Ahh this is so boring…Why did I even thought this could be fun…'
She swung her sword at the knee of her opponent and he collapsed. And held the man at sword point.
Marika finally looked at the man and it was the man who was talking her down a few minutes ago.
'Oh it's you, well look at you, such a big mouth but look who is lying on the ground after on strike of me.'
Marika then looked at the referee, 'Are there any more left? The man are all weak, can't they just all come out together and fight me?'
"Let me check first miss."
Marika nodded.
The referee talked with the organizer and relayed she wanted to fight all the challengers as one versus many.
"Well she does seemed very bored, why not… just ask the people in the waiting area if they want to, if they don't want to she just has to fight them one on one."
The referee then went over to the waiting area where at least 15 more were waiting for their turn.
"Listen up the girl is bored with the one on one fight and she asked if you all want to go fight her together. You can all attack her together as a group. Anybody who doesn't want to can fight her one on one."
Everybody looked at the referee if he were crazy.
"Why not." Richard encourage the man.
"Let's make that girl cry."
Richard smiled "I want to fight her one on one."
"Alright." The referee nodded to Richard.