Betrayal and... Death

The longsword slid out silently, inch by inch—one centimeter, two centimeters... ten centimeters.

Suddenly, the drawn longsword slid back into its sheath.

After tidying the items on the bookshelf, Richard turned around and looked at Edward.

Edward wore a puzzled expression. Richard said nothing, merely watching him with a meaningful look.

Edward could no longer hold himself together and slowly spoke. "P-Prince... y-you... what is this?"

"Do you know, Edward?" Richard asked.

"What?"

"In my eyes, you are a typical noble of the Middle Ages."

"Huh?" Edward froze. After a long moment, he lowered his head and said, "No, I... I am merely Your Highness's loyal Guard Captain."

"Call it whatever you like, but whatever your status, you will always put your family's interests first."

"I..." Edward began, then stopped.

Richard waved a hand. "There is nothing wrong with that. Only with nobles like you, constantly striving, working, even sacrificing yourselves for a family, can a family rise successfully. Mm... it is a sentiment that could be called great. But... the problem is that you are not clever enough."

"This..." Edward's lips moved, and panic began to show on his face.

"Over a month ago, you requested leave, saying you were returning to your family. I approved it. But I knew you never left the royal palace. Instead, you went to William's residence." "I..." Edward's eyelids twitched sharply. He was truly panicking now. "At William's banquet, you agreed to William's request—to find an opportunity to kill me. And William promised you that your family's interests would suffer no losses." Richard asked, "No matter how one looks at it, this is a win-win deal. But the question is, do you think William will honor his promise? Especially after you truly kill me?"

"This..." "Why do you think nobles great and small are so eager to choose sides in the struggle for the Crown Prince? Because they all know that the victor can feast on the loser's flesh and blood, strengthening themselves. Your family placed bets on both sides, thinking yourselves clever and safe, but in truth, neither side will regard you as confidants.

After you kill me, you will also bear the charge of treason. Do you think William will choose to do everything in his power to protect your family from attack, or merely give a gentle push and place your family on the dining table of those greedy nobles who had stood behind him from the beginning? Taking a step back, suppose William truly keeps his word and swears to protect your family to the death. But do you think a new King can truly do whatever he wishes? Can he really act without restraint? He only truly commands a few hundred soldiers, while the private armies of the nobles throughout Blue Lion City outnumber that by dozens of times. When those greedy nobles are ready to enjoy the fruits of victory, can he stop them?"

Edward was completely flustered, both hands trembling. "Prince... I... I was wrong. I... I should not have listened to William, should not have tried to harm you, I..."

"You were indeed wrong." Richard shook his head. "But your mistake was not trying to kill me. It was that from the very beginning, your family was too fond of playing petty tricks. In Crown Prince politics, it is better to casually choose one side, or remain absolutely neutral, than attempt to keep a foot in both camps.

Crown Prince politics is gambling. Have you ever seen a gamble that cannot lose? Therefore, no matter how hard you struggle, your family's outcome will not change. Strategic mistakes cannot be made up for through tactical effort. The moment your family chose to support me as Crown Prince and sent you to my side as Guard Captain, while also sending your sister to William's side, your current fate was already decided.

All I can say is, my condolences. After all, things like vision and wisdom are truly hard to come by.

All right, I am leaving. Of course, not for the fief. From the start, I never planned to concern myself with the fief. I will leave Blue Lion City, leave the Blue Lion Kingdom, and see what this world is all about—study it, understand its principles. As for you and your family, strive... struggle. Perhaps there will still be a sliver of hope."

After speaking, Richard lifted the heavy box and walked straight out, as though it weighed nothing at all.

Edward stood dazed in the bedroom. His body sank lower and lower until he collapsed onto the floor, covering his face with both hands as his entire body shook.

Suddenly, Edward raised his head again. A desperate, crazed look appeared in his eyes as he muttered, "What if William was telling the truth? What if..."

With a swish, the longsword was drawn. Edward rose and was about to head outside.

But suddenly, he retreated.

With a creak, the bedroom door opened, and Richard, who had left, returned.

With a thud, Richard set the heavy Wooden Box on the floor. He looked at Edward and slowly said, "Mm, I originally thought I could leave calmly. But as I walked downstairs, I realized there was still one thing I could not let go of. That was... betrayal."

Edward's pupils shrank abruptly. The next moment, as if provoked, he roared, "I did not want this either! But my entire family placed half its fate on you. What was I supposed to do? Now, I have to try to save it! How many times did I advise you? If you had truly listened to me and worked properly, with your ability, you definitely could have surpassed William. Then I would not have needed to betray you!

But... when have you ever listened to me?! You were always researching strange things, researching Wizards. Other than putting you through that torment three years ago, what did it gain you?! Even if I did not kill you, so what? Could you truly leave?! Huh?! Damn it, when my family made me choose between you and that bastard Mia, I should have chosen William's side instead of coming to yours! If I had, everything would have been different. The one betraying you would have been that bastard sister of mine—Mia. I would not care whether she lived or died! I would not care!"

Richard smiled, a dangerous smile.

"I am truly sorry, my dear Guard Captain—Edward the Honorable! Sometimes, reality is simply this cruel. Take one wrong step, and nothing can be undone. I hope that if you and your family get another chance, you will make a smarter choice.

Of course, if you had truly set your heart on standing by my side, there would actually have been some compensation. I had plans to make up for your family's losses and arrange a decent position for you. However, your loyalty did not reach that extent. So, only the worst outcome remains."

As he spoke, Richard swiftly approached, his lips moving rapidly as though chanting something. Edward watched the unarmed Richard, breathing heavily. The next moment, he gritted his teeth and swung his sword down. "This is all your fault, your fault! It has nothing to do with me!" But then Edward saw Richard wave a hand toward him. A powerful current of air appeared, like a gale abruptly born within the room, and crashed violently into him. Even clad in iron armor, he staggered backward under the tremendous force and nearly fell.

Spell: Wind Repulsion! This! Edward was shocked, but Richard closed in again, his lips still moving rapidly. Edward gripped the longsword with all his strength and thrust it toward Richard's lower abdomen. But then his eyes widened. He felt the sword moving through the air as if it had entered an incomparably viscous liquid. Richard was clearly right before him, yet no matter how hard he pushed, the blade would not advance. Even pulling it back out became exceedingly difficult—the weapon had been stuck by some mysterious force.

Spell: Wind Barrier!

This! Edward's worldview was beginning to collapse, but Richard had already reached his side. He lightly pressed both hands against Edward's shoulders, then gripped his head.

"Do you know, Edward, why I did not wish to participate in the struggle for the Crown Prince? Because I truly had important things to do. And this matter is also quite interesting—interesting just like what you are seeing now. That is why I said I was sorry, rather than regretful. I will never regret the path I chose myself. I hope... you can do the same."

"I..."

"Goodbye, my Guard Captain—Edward the Honorable."

Crack! Edward felt an irresistible force arise at his neck. His entire head suddenly spun one hundred and eighty degrees, twisting around behind him.

Spell: Wind Brute Force! Is my back what it looks like? Edward thought. Then his vision swiftly darkened, and with a thump, he fell to the floor, devoid of breath.

Richard looked at Edward's corpse, his eyes flickering. Then he let out a soft breath, turned, and walked out of the bedroom.

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