Restart:Untalented Man

"Just wait, Russell. I am going to hunt you down even if it takes me decades to do so." Riz's face contorted with rage. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the broken window. The guards begin to rush to the corridor.

"Milord, are you alright?" asked the guard.

"I'm fine but my father is probably not. Go and call Edward for me."

Josephine asked in a stammer, "R-Riz, what did Russell do?" Charlotte and Theodora are also curious about it. They had never seen Riz become so angry.

"He killed his own father and tried to kill me," Riz answered. He ignores their shocked face and walks to Richard's bedroom. They quickly snap out and follow Riz from behind.

'I don't know where this Jack Cooper comes from but the way he talks shows we've met each other in the past.'

He holds the doorknob for a few minutes. He takes a deep breath and slowly opens the door. They are greeted by a pool of blood near the entrance. A trail of blood on the floor indicates the body has been dragged to the bed.

On top of the bed lies Richard in his sleepwear with both of his hands holding his own neck.

'He must try to stop the bleeding or perhaps it's just his instinct kick-off.' Riz deduce while checking the body. The wound in the throat isn't something that has a high survival rate. His hand moved towards Richard's eyes which is wide open and slowly close them. The shock on Richard's face explains everything about his last thought. He couldn't believe his own son killed him.

Josephine begins to cry. His son just committed a patricide.

"Why? Why did he do this?" Josephine's question isn't directed to anyone. She's merely expressing the question in her mind.

"I don't know. It must have something to do with that man. Charlotte, I want you to investigate that man." The change in Russell's behaviour is too drastic. He has never been this brave before.

"Yes, milord."

Soon, Edward arrived. He sees a sorrowful look on Riz's face. It's an expression he hadn't seen since Evelynn's death.

"My condolences, milord," said Edward. He shed tears as he sees Richard's lifeless body. He has been serving Richard since his teenage years.

That night, none of them slept. Riz stay in the office that now belongs to him. His father has made it abundantly clear to everyone that Riz is his heir. He left the funeral preparation in Josephine's hand.

As dawn arrives, Riz is listening to the report from Charlotte. His head is in a mess right now.

"According to William, several of his subordinates spotted a man with a scar below his right eye at the square during Lord Richard's return. However, they didn't know who he is and there's no record in the guardpost either. I assume he infiltrates our army during their journey here. As for his origin, we still figure it out."

Riz nods and leans back in his chair. Not much he can get in a short span of time. Suddenly, a question cross his mind, "Did you ask the spies in the dungeon? Some of them must know him. Let's hope he's not another king's spy. The last one is kind of stupid."

Feeling enlightened, Charlotte said, "I will interrogate them immediately." She quickly left the office the execute the order.

Afterwards, Edward comes to find him.

"What do you want, Edward?"

"Milord, the guard on the east gate reported an army appearance. Willliam has ordered all the gates to be closed. Should we prepare for war?"

"No need. Tell them I want to have a negotiation with them," said Riz. He can't afford to go to war with them. That idea never cross his mind ever since he captures Niel.

"As you wish, milord."

....

"Where are the other forces? Don't tell me they have captured the town." Niall ask. Both Niall and Count Naharog are baffled. It will be humiliating for them if they arrive only after the job is done.

"I don't think so, Your Highness. The town seems to be fine without any sign of destruction and most likely still in Ryutum's hand. From the guard's reaction, I can tell that they're panicking." Philip reply.

The reason for their lack of knowledge is that most of the duke's soldiers were massacred. The lucky one fled to the south. As for merchants, Mezorin City isn't located on the main route. They need to deviate from the main route if they want to reach it. Mezorin didn't have any speciality that was worth stopping by. Due to this, Mezorin is always one step behind in receiving news and rumours.

"Your Highness, someone is coming," said Philip went he see the west gate is open. The messenger rides a horse with his left hand holding a white flag.

"Can I take this as you sign to surrender?" Niall asks as the guard arrives.

"Pfft..."

"How rude you are, peasant! What's so funny?" Count Naharog yelled.

"I'm sorry, milord. That's not our intention. I come here to deliver a letter from Lord Riz to you, Your Highness." said the messenger.

Niall starts to read the letter,

[Greetings First Prince Niall,

If you're wondering where the other two armies go, the answer is they have been defeated by me. I send this letter with the intention to offer you a deal that you can't refuse. You see, I currently have Prince Niel as my hostage. If you're interested in hearing more, meet me at the east gate of the town.

Sincerely,

Marquess Rizieri Ryntum]

"Since when did he become a marquess?" Niall asks the first question he has.

"Since last night. Lord Richard was assassinated by his second son, Russell." replied the messenger.

"What?" Philip shock. This is a rare case of the noble openly committing patricide.

"Your Highness, there's a more important question than that." Count cut in. "Answer me, peasant! How is it even possible for you to defeat a large army?"

"That's none of your concern, milord." The messenger politely answers Count's question. Only god knows just how much he's been holding back from planting a bullet in Count's forehead.

"..."

"If Your Highness has no more questions, you can follow me to the east gate. Lord Riz is waiting.

Afterwards, Niall and Count Naharog follow with a group of guards heading to the east gate.

Riz greet them with a smile, "Welcome, Your Highness and Count to my humble town. Please have a seat."

Both of them sit but their eyes are focused on the man behind Riz, Prince Niel who is being tied to his seat. He is struggling to escape.

"As you can see, I have your little brother with me and I know you hate him. My offer is that you do one job for me and I give him to you. How is it? Pretty simple, right?"

"You want me, a prince to do a job for you?" He's angry with this rudeness.

"You want a throne or not?" Riz ask him back.

"Calm down, Your Highness. Let's hear it first," said Count Naharog. He senses confidence in Riz's words. His instinct is telling him that Riz isn't joking.

"I want you to exterminate the duke's entire bloodline. From newborn babies to elderly people. This is for your good too, Count Naharog."

They're puzzled by Riz's words.

"I guess you guys still don't know. The duke is dead. I kill him, the biggest supporter of the second prince and kidnap Niel himself. However, it doesn't mean your little brother loses his biggest supporter. He still has a son that can inherit the duke's title."

Both of them have their eyes brightened. They see where this is going. If they exterminate the duke's bloodline, Niel will lose his supporter. Not only that, Count Naharog will be the current most influential Count. Furthermore, Niel's life will be in their hands. If they kill Niel, Nicholas has no choice but to choose Niall as the next king.

"Brilliant idea, Marquess Rizieri."

Riz sneer in his mind, 'Now you call me marquess'

"We agree with your offer."

"Great. Let's draw up a contract and sign it," said Riz. He is not stupid to give Neil to them beforehand. They need to get the job done first.

Once both sides sign the agreement, they both smile and shakes hand with each other.

"Can I take this as the end of the war?" asked Charlotte.

"Yes. They clearly have no intention of waging a war with us since it's not profitable to them. Moreover, the king has completely lost control over this army."

Riz doesn't know how the disappearance of the duke family is going to change the political landscape of the kingdom.

He is sure it will not go in a good direction but he doesn't care.

[End of Volume 1]

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