After causing a huge uproar in the city until dusk, Riz returns to his mansion where he saw an enchanting figure belonging to his fiancée.
From the look on her face, Riz knows she has a lot to say.
"You sure turn the city disorder. What was that anyway?" asked her.
"What was what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. The thing that you rode a moment ago. Is it another one of your creations?"
"I wouldn't say the credit lies one hundred per cent on me but yeah...I provide the conceptual idea, design and almost half of the blueprint but Arnold does all the work."
Theodora let out a heavy sigh, "I should get used to this by now but...Sometimes I keep wondering how your mind works."
Riz may not know this but his action has caused a halt in the rate of manufacturing and commerce in the city. Being the most important city on this world's silk road, even a day off can affect the day-to-day revenue. After holding the position of financial minister for quite some time, Theodora couldn't help but to be conscious about gain or loses.
"You're better off not knowing about it. It's something you can't comprehend. Anyway, why are you here?" He was rarely greeted by Theodora at the front door.
"You had a guest coming to your office earlier but because you were not there, your staff asked him to find me instead. He is waiting to have an audience with you for hours now. He might finish our entire stock of tea."
Riz creased his eyebrows, "Who is it?"
"His name is Rupert and he claimed to be Count Naharog's butler," informed Theodora.
"Count? Shouldn't we call him king now?"
"Even though he already acts like one, the count has yet to announce himself as a king nor did he remove the Bagyarosia flag like we did. Therefore, we should not consider him as one," she explained.
"Right, right, right. I forgot that part. Naharog currently is nothing more than a rebellious territory. Did he tell you his purpose?"
"Unfortunately, no. At least I can tell that he is in a hurry."
"If that's the case, arrange my meeting with him at my office tomorrow."
Theodora stares blankly at her fiance. Isn't it a courtesy to not let the guest wait for too long?
Riz shrugged his shoulders, dismissing her stares. "What? He's the one in hurry, not me. I'm a king, Theodora. He should adjust his schedule at my convenience. Not to mention he came here unannounced."
....
As the sun rises up, Riz deliberately takes a long time to finish his morning routine. He knows Rupert in hurry must have something to do with count's plan to attack the capital.
He's thinking of ways to maximize the profits he could squeeze from the count knowing that Count Naharog had no one else except Ryntum to help him. This is a price he has to pay if he wants to continue with his course.
Arriving at his office, he can see a man slightly older than the count waiting for him. He is indeed a butler of the count that he met during his visit to Mezorin.
Although the butler wears a smile on his face, he failed miserably in hiding his impatience and desperation. A clear sign of someone that never got involved in negotiations. By sending his closest aide here, Riz could interpret this as a trust that Count Naharog put on him.
"We meet again, Mr Rupert." Riz reached out his hand for a handshake. He doesn't forget to smile despite his annoyance at this man's unannounced arrival.
pαпdα`noνɐ1`сoМ "It's my honour to meet you, Your Majesty," Rupert replies in a respectful manner.
"Please come inside my office. We'll discuss whatever is troubling Naharog." Rupert feels the king's words a bit sharp but chooses to not take it to heart.
"Thank you for being willing to meet me, Your Majesty. I was sent by King Naharog to request help from Ryntum."
Riz inwardly sneered at Rupert's words, 'Pfft...King? Isn't it a bit too early?'
"What kind of help does Naharog want from us, Mr Rupert?"
"King Naharog wants Ryntum to keep Manfura busy while he attacks Napuna. In King Naharog's words, he's willing to pay you twenty percent of the loot."
Riz doesn't give a reply but rubs his chin. He thought for a bit and became interested in this conflict. Count Naharog probably doesn't want to waste time and resources by attacking Manfura. As more time passed, he indirectly gave Nicholas I an ample amount of time to bolster his defences.
Rupert nervously waited for an answer. The king across from him doesn't show a slight interest. Before coming here, he has done his own investigation on Ryntum. He was truly impressed by the education policy, official position in the government sector, standing army, new currency and multiple large scale development projects.
The kingdom looks prosperous from the outside but he personally doesn't believe that's the case. Hiring a lot of people must put a lot of strain on the newly established kingdom.
Bagyarosia may not be as it used to be but it doesn't mean their wealth decreases. Napuna dynasty still holds a huge amount of gold. Logically speaking, twenty percent is huge.
Riz reveals a smile, "Don't you think twenty percent is too little? Is my friendship with Naharog only amount that much? Why don't you up a bit more?"
"M-My apologies, Your Majesty. I-It seems I made a mistake. It should be t-twenty th-three...No! twenty-five percent of total loot!" Rupert saw the king's face remains unchanged. "T-That's the most we only offer. P-Please understand...It's already a huge concession on our side. As you know, we also need gold to rebuild our worn torn country." Rupert stutters as he struggles to finish his words.
Riz shook his head, "That's not enough reward to move my soldiers. We have nothing to do in this conflict which is initiated by your king. For me to send my soldiers to a battlefield, I need the same amount of benefits as the risk I'm going to take. My soldiers may be forced to go to war with Manfura if the situation escalates. So, my suggestion is..."
Honestly, he couldn't care less about the loot. There is a large quantity of gold he holds from the ruin that's not fully transformed into coin yet. But free money is still money.
"W-What is it?"
"I want twenty-five percent of the total loot, Manfura Viscounty, Wendall and all the books in the Royal Palace."
Rupert frowns. He couldn't understand what this king was trying to achieve. It seems like an odd thing to ask. However, his demand is reasonable and considerably easy to meet.
"How about this, to ensure your victory, I'll supply you with three hundred bags of black powder for your ammunition free of charge. Fair enough, right? Do you agree or not?" Riz doesn't need to explain anything to Rupert. Knowledge is valuable and despite his low expectations, he wants it for his kingdom. Perhaps a single sentence in the book can spark an eureka to his citizens. Wendall on the other hand is a highly capable commoner. Riz had a hard time finding his kind.
The old man nods, "I, Rupert on behalf of King Naharog agrees with your demand."
"Great! Let's sign an agreement."
....
After an hour of drafting and revising the agreement, both of them signed it. Rupert happily leaves his office. He is content with his achievement of completing the mission.
Riz on the other hand immediately writes a letter to his friend after finalising the deal. While at it, he ordered for Charlotte's presence in his office.
Then, Charlotte enters, "What's the matter, Riz?"
She was called while conducting training on a new recruit. Also, she needs to prepare for a hunt in the capital after Riz told her about the spies this morning.
"Send some spies to slip into Naharog army and contact our spies in Napuna."
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