From nobles to commoners, many people keep an eye on the war between Bideford and Gyalcakes. However, the limited means to relay information across the nation has kept a lot of people in the dark.
One day, the news was released by Richard Ryntum that shocked the entire nation. Bideford has successfully conquered the entire Gyalcakes County in under a week or so.
Many people dispatched their personnel to obtain detailed information. After some time, they are completely shocked by the news they receive.
The emergence of trebuchets was a game changer to the current warfare. This weapon has caused a heated discussion in the nation.
....
Napuna, capital of Bagyarosia Kingdom.
A discussion was held in the audience hall of the royal palace. There, Nicholas I is presiding over the discussion.
This matter is not something he can hand over to Prime Minister Wendall.
An entire noble family was exterminated!
Gyalcakes is not some upstart noble. They are far older than Ryntum.
"Your majesty, we must order the Ryntum to hand over the method of producing trebuchets to the kingdom", said one of the nobles.
He is Count Hector of Hajdu.
"Wendall, what information have you obtained?"
Prime Minister Wendall stepped forward and started his explanation, "Your Majesty, from my investigation, the trebuchets were designed and invented by Ryntum's youngest son, Rizieri Ryntum."
"Rizieri Ryntum? Isn't he the same person who invented paper?", asked Nicholas I.
"Yes, your majesty". Wendall continues, "these weapons are capable of throwing stones from hundreds of metres away. Due to this weapon, the city walls were rendered useless."
"So you're saying that if they want to conquer any city, they would be able to do it?", Nicholas I is seeking confirmation.
"Yes, unless we destroy that weapon during the war. The late Count Gyalcakes tries to do it in the battle of Tegrot. However, he was forced to choose between destroying trebuchets or halting the enemy's force. In the end, he achieved none of it". Wendall analyzed Gyalcakes's defeat.
"Rizieri Ryntum? Isn't he the person that Cerdeauxia is looking for?", said Duke Brook of Baroks. He was really concerned about the rise of Ryntum. It seems that this kid is the one behind it.
"Yes, the one with the Cerdeauxia royal bloodline. We should just send him to Cerdeauxia or else our merchant can't use the port in Cerdeauxia.", said Count Victor of Vofors. His fief is in the east, bordering with Cerdeauxia.
If Cerdeauxia blocked the kingdom's merchant, then his source of income would also be reduced.
"Are you crazy? Count Ryntum would never allow that", rebuked Duke Baroks. His informant reported to him that Count Ryntum was not hesitant to execute his wife just to protect his son's interest.
"Then, let's make Count Ryntum choose between his son or military weapon", suggests Count Vofors. He heard that Richard loves his youngest son the most. Surely Count Ryntum will not give up his son.
"As for Gyalcakes territory, it will be divided between all nobles. We can't let a count have a territory that rivals a duke.", Count Hajdu added. He may have taken this chance to gain more territory.
As they were fighting for their own interests, the door to the audience hall suddenly opened.
All in the hall turned around to look who was daring enough to enter the hall without permission.
Richard calmly entered the hall while looking at all faces in there.
After a while, he opened his mouth, "I heard there was an interesting discussion about handing my son here and there like he was some mere object."
Everybody shut their mouth.
Richard continues, "Are the Ryntum prestige has fallen so low that none of you has some respect for me".
He turned to Count Hajdu and said, "Surely you still remember my ancestors is the ones that recovered Hajdu fief from the hand of Barlia decades ago right?"
Count Hajdu can only grit his teeth. Richard was not wrong, if Rayleigh didn't help Hajdu during the Barlian War decades ago, he might not be a noble right now.
Without waiting for their answers, Richard goes straight away to Nicholas I who is sitting on the throne. He bowed slightly and said, "Count Ryntum greeted Your Majesty. I have brought with me something that would please you."
Hearing this, Nicholas I couldn't help but get excited. His expectations were too high but unfortunately, he was bound to get disappointed.
'What is he going to give? Is it the trebuchets?'
Richard removes the cloth and presents it to the king. The rotten smells flooded the entire hall.
The severed heads of all Gyalcakes family members. The people in the hall were frightened.
"Preposterous! How dare you present these in front of His Majesty!" Count Hajdu said.
"Isn't this your best friend?", asks Richard smirking while picking up Count Gyalcake's head.
"Hiiii!!! Hurry up and put that thing away", Count Hajdu shrieked.
Now they understand why the Gyalcakes never ask them for any help.
Initially, they thought that Gyalcakes had absolute confidence in winning the war.
They didn't think that the Gyalcakes were actually being effectively exterminated.
Nicholas I opened his mouth, trying to say something but was interrupted by Richard.
"This is all credit to my son's brilliant idea and I quote, 'We should at least let the Gyalcakes see His Majesty one last time. After all, he had a very close relationship with the Gyalcakes'."
Nicholas I was dumbfounded. Count Ryntum in front of him right now doesn't fit the image of Count Ryntum he knows.
'Perhaps Count Ryntum that I know is just an act or is he now getting confidence in the weapon he has?', Nicholas I shook his head ignoring his thoughts.
"What brings Count Ryntum all the way to the capital", Nicholas I immediately asked.
"I come here to ask Your Majesty to recognize Ryntum's rule over all the former Gyalcakes territory that we have conquered."
"Ridiculous!!, that's three-tenths of the entire kingdom", Duke Baroks stood up and protested.
"Yes, but if you're not satisfied with that, we don't mind expanding south", Richard replied to Duke Baroks.
"You...!!", Duke Baroks was left speechless. If Count Ryntum really goes south, there is so little that he can do to defend against it.
He can only attempt to destroy the trebuchets or build a sturdier wall but the latter would be time-consuming.
"Enough!!", Nicholas I interrupted. "Haaa..., Count Ryntum, I recognize Ryntum's rule over Gyalcake's former territory. In addition, I also grant you the title of 'marquess' and your wife 'marchioness'."
"Thank you, your majesty", Richard bowed to the king before retreating from the audience hall. He deliberately left the severed head behind.
After Richard left, Duke Baroks recovered from his shock and asked, "Your majesty, why? why would you recognize his claim and grant the title to him?"
"Do you really think he just came all the way from Bideford just to tell me his claim?", Nicholas I pointed his finger to the severed heads before saying, "These are the symbol of warning to all of us here."
The nobles in the hall hear it loud and clear. They discovered that the Ryntum family right now controls a vast amount of land. Not to mention just how wealthy they are given their strategic position. Now they even have military power that far exceeds other nobles.
"Wendall, tell them about things that kids have done."
The prime minister tells all the nobles what Riz did to Maria and Thomas. About how he sent those 'gifts' at the right time during the war.
Hearing all the deeds Riz has done, no one has any thoughts on Bideford anymore.
They don't want to face someone who is good at exploiting human emotion.