10th June 300 Paign Era.
After a week or so, Richard finally sees the town wall from afar. A smile was etched on his face and his army. Richard departs with 8,000 men and returns with 6,440 men. His losses were initially quite low but they peaked during their retreat. The mad charge performed by the coalition army caused them to suffer heavy losses.
"Finally..." They are all tired not because of war but from the long journey.
"We will be circling the town for a moment," Richard informs his soldiers. The soldiers had no choice but to hold their homesickness for a while.
He chooses to enter the city from the south. Along the way, he sees the weapons and armour left behind and dried bloodstains on the ground. The town wall is still standing, with only a few cracks here and there.
Richards involuntarily nods his head. He is satisfied with Riz's performance. His son did a good job defending the town.
The moment the army enters the town, cheers from crowds enter soldiers' ears. The town's people welcome their heroes by waving their hands and shouting their names. The children climb up to the higher place to march.
This is the first time the soldiers feel like a hero from a storybook. Never had they been appreciated like this. They join the war fully aware that they might be disregarded like useless tools by the lord. Now, they feel fighting for their home is not bad at all.
"Not bad. This must be Riz's idea." Richard thought. He had a messenger to pass the news of his return to Riz yesterday.
Soon, the army arrives at the square where Richard commands them to disperse and return home.
His order was greeted by cheers from the crowds. The soldiers begin to search for their family members.
Among them, there is one man who didn't seem to be in a hurry to find his family members. He looked around the square curiously. As if it is his first time in Bideford.
"This place is just the same as the towns that I have visited," muttered Jack.
After sending Vanessa and Reina, he heads to Bideford. Luckily, he found Richard's army on its way back home. It didn't take him too much effort to infiltrate. He was shocked to learn that a noble coalition was defeated.
'This is not how the war should develop. I need to take some action.' Jack slips away from the crowds and heads to Noble Hill.
At Ryntum Mansion, Riz is welcoming his father with other family members. Richard takes a rest for that day.
The next day, he calls Riz to come to his office. He needs to know about the duke's forces. Riz tell him everything about the war.
"The second prince came from the west to attack Bideford."
"What!?" He didn't know about this.
"Yeah, I was surprised too. I believe Baron Newbigle and Coreton have collided with the king." Riz is not wrong. The only way to go to the west bypassing Bideford is via the sea.
"Nicholas sure hides it well. I didn't expect we overlooked the crappy navy. If not, we might fight from three sides. Did the duke and the prince retreat?"
"About that..." Riz tell his father about his action.
"You did what?!" Never in the kingdom's history, has a noble been killed during negotiation. It's a mutual understanding not to do that.
"Yeah, I guess I take it too far but hey, the prince is still alive. I consider this as a win-win situation." Riz tried to lighten the mood. He thought he can kill the Duke since he is not a diplomat officially sent by the king.
"Well, whatever. What's done is done. All we need to do is wait for the king's response." said Richard.
Unknown to them, a rat has entered their mansion discreetly since yesterday. Jack is being very cautious. He doesn't have much detailed information about the layout mansion. It's not easy to infiltrate this mansion since it's located on the hill.
Blackout has lost contact with the worker they have long bribed to provide information. Someone is hunting them down and they don't have a clue.
Right now, he is searching for Russell's location. He is waiting for a suitable time to be alone with Russell. Just like his sister, he going to use Russell to destabilise the family.
Later that afternoon, he found Russell painting in his room. Ever since the incident with Maria and Robert, Richard entirely focuses on work, Riz and his mother, Josephine.
Russell decides to distance himself from governance matters and shift his focus to the arts. He had a knack for drawing and painting since his childhood. He doesn't want to be mistaken as someone who is trying to snatch the lord's position.
Jack stealthily enters the room. He keeps walking until he stops behind Russell and taps his shoulder.
Russell lost his focus. He turns around and sees an unfamiliar face wearing a servant's cloth. He is very displeased. A mere commoner enters his room with permission and touches him. With an angry voice, he asks "Who are you?"
Jack bows according to the noble etiquette but in a non-serious manner, "Nice to meet you, Russell. My name is Jack Cooper."
Still angry with his unserious attitude, Russell threw some questions, "Your name alone is not enough. What's your affiliation? What's your purpose? Did you know that you're currently intruding on my place?"
Jack is amazed by the calmness Russell shows him. It is completely different when he appears in front of Robert. He was like frightened chicken. 'This must be a nature of the Ryntum's blood. His sister doesn't show overwhelm panic as well.'
Jack opens his mouth, "You don't have to know more than that. I am here to help you."
Russell sneer, "Help me with what exactly?"
"I can help you to become a lord."
Russell shut his mouth. His black eyes are staring at Jack. This suspicious man just made a ridiculous claim. He will be executed if this word manages to reach his father's ears.
Jack continues, "Aren't you the eldest son? You have a right to claim it according to the kingdom's tradition. Please look at yourself right now. Staying alone in this room painting all day long while your brother is enjoying his life to the fullest. He has authority, influence, wealth and beauties by his side. Aside from drawings, what else do you have?"
Russell starts to think. His word is true but he shook his head. "Even if I want to, I can't. Riz is more capable than me in every aspect. Competing with him is just a waste of time."
Jack sighed and wear a defeated face. "I guess you didn't hear the story yet."
"What story?"
"Reina has betrayed the family and sided with the Caushilbo family. They have joined the king's side. How do you think I entered your mansion? Your sister is the one who discloses information about the secret path beneath this mansion."
"Why should I even believe you? More importantly, why should she do that?"
Jack took out the bracelet and show it to Russell, "Is this enough as proof?" He handed the bracelet to Russell to check. He's glad that he asks Vanessa to confiscate the jewellery on Reina's body. He continues speaking, "As for the reason, she does it for her fiance, of course. They say love turns people blind. It also might have something to do with you."
"With me?"
"She wants you to be a lord to ensure your safety. Once your father knows about her betrayal, both your mother and you might not be safe. Did you forget that your father didn't hesitate to kill a woman who live with him for twenty years?"
Russell quietly stares at the gold bracelet with Reina's name carved on it. He often sees this bracelet on his sister's hand.
Seeing Russell still hesitant, "Your position is not worse than you thought. You have the king, Count Caushilbo and your grandfather, Baron Csorvar supporting you. Your birth itself is the strongest support. Sure, Riz has foreign royal blood but this is not Cerdeauxia and you as a Ryntum have a blood tie with the Napuna dynasty."
"Do you even have a plan?" Russell asks. Hearing Jack's words fill him with confidence.
Jack smiled, "Of course, that's why they sent me here. All you have to do is kill Richard. Without him, your brother is nothing." He took out the dagger and place it on the nearest table. He explains, "This is the sharpest dagger provided to you. It has been covered with the strongest poison so don't carelessly unsheath it."
"How do I even kill that monster? It's an impossible feat."
"Nothing is impossible. Allow me to give you some insight. Human is most vulnerable when they open the door. As for how you make it happen, I will leave it to your creativity. However, you mustn't delay since the war is almost over."
Jack leaves Russell alone in the room after giving him an explanation. Now, he needs to wait.