?The old king named Nichs Napuna Bagyarosia died at the hand of his so-called soldiers. His bodyy on the ground in a pool of blood. Despite all the pain inflicted, he left the world with a smile on his face.


    The smile irritates all the soldiers there. As if the dead king is mocking them for failing to put him in agony after trying their hardest.


    "He finally dropped dead. Quick, put his body in a sack. Others, erase the blood on the soil." Philip gives instructions to his subordinates.


    "Sir, what are we going to do with his amour?" A soldier holding well-intact armour.


    "Make some dent and put it among the damaged armour. We''ll dispose of itter. Buried it here may end up getting discovered by someone else."


    ....


    If Michael knows about the death of the king, he will be devastated. However, he has no opportunity to learn the news due to the impending threat he''s facing right now.


    Near the city is a red-clothed army d in steel armour. Their armour was simple and only protected the vital part. Riz was not stingy in equipping his army.


    The banner of Ryntum flutters proudly in the air.


    Three thousand soldiers led by Colonel Levi Owen are busy building the camp.


    Although temporary, the soldiers build aplex military camp to ensure their safety during the night. These are all ideas proposed by Riz to be implemented as a part of military training.


    They start by clearing the area and ttening the ground before constructing a wooden wall, digging trenches around the perimeter and nting wooden spikes. Not to mention the sentry tower to increase their sight range. All to ensure the soldiers have a safe ce to replenish their energy and recuperate with peace of mind. Inside, supplies of weapons and rations were divided and put in different ces. Never put all eggs in one basket.


    None of them isining about going the extra length to construct it. The night is the most vulnerable time for humans and they know this. Getting killed while sleeping isn''t something they should be proud of.


    "What the hell are they doing? Is it a camp?" Michael asked from the top of the city wall.


    "Apparently so, Milord." His garrison soldier respectfully replied.


    "I''d say this is not your half-ass camp. Their camp screams dangerous. As for itsplexity, they''re nning to stay here for a long time. It appears that night raids are not an option for us. I need to engage in talking with them."


    Soon, the Manfura city gate was open. A figure of a manes out riding a ck horse toward the Ryntum camp.


    Every soldier was alert but because it was just one man, only the soldiers at the camp''s entrance tensed up. A few muskets were aimed at the iing envoy.


    The man raised both of his hands in the air, "I''m here in peace. Let me meet whoever is in charge here."


    "Identify yourself first." said the soldier. His aim never left the man.


    "I''m Viscount Michael Manfura." He was slightly intimidated by the musket pointed at him.


    He only heard a rumour about this weapon but never saw it in action. However, it is a confirmed fact that a mere farmer can use it to kill a trained knight with ease.


    Since this weapones into existence, Michael begins to treat his peasants a bit better. He lightened their burden. Less chance for a riot to happen.


    He doesn''t want to imagine the consequences he and his family would receive if this weapon was smuggled into the Manfura.


    The camp gatekeeper was taken aback. Never cross his mind that a viscount woulde by himself without any escort. Is this bravery or recklessness?


    "My apologies, Milord. I''ll inform the colonel immediately."


    "Hmm..." Micheal nods his head even though he didn''t know what a ''colonel'' means but he assumed it is some sort of rank in their military. As always, Ryntum sure likes to make things weird.


    Five minutes after the time passed, Michael was escorted to the centre of the camp. To thergest tent there.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Colonel Levi, I''ve brought him."


    "Let him in." A voice inside the tent replies.


    Michael enters the tent cautiously. After all, Duke Baroks was killed in the tent as well. He tries his best to keep his calm face albeit his heart is beating violently.


    ''At least I still have my sword with me.'' He reassures himself.


    "Nice to meet you, Viscount. I think this is the first time we meet each other. My name is Levi Owen, the person in charge of this regiment." Levi politely introduced himself.


    His eyes then shift to Michael''s waist where the viscount tightly holds his scabbard. He merely scoffs at such action which is utterly useless. He can kill the viscount before he even draws his sword.


    "Nice to meet you, I''m Vicount Michael Manfura." Michael introduces himself.


    "How may I help you, Viscount?" asks Levi. Still with his polite smile.


    Michael frowns at the act of ignorance shown by Levi, "Ryntum soldiers trespassing my territory and make a camp near my city with my knowledge. Care to exin your reason to me?"


    "Ah...Of course, of course. I want to wait until tomorrow but since you''re here...I guess it''s fine."


    "What do you mean? Tell me what?" Michael was visibly confused.


    "It''s like this...I was ordered by our Minister of War and Defence to ask you to surrender the viscounty to Ryntum and bring the Manfura family to the capital." Levi frankly said. He feels no need to talk in a circle since they''re holding the advantage.


    "What?! Do you hear your own words?!" Michael inadvertently raised his voice.


    "Yes, I hear my words." Levi maintains his nonchnt attitude. "Oh? If you''re worried about your wealth, you can take all your family wealth together with you. Don''t worry, we won''t take a coin from you."


    "Who do you think you are? You''reing to mynd and expect me to follow your words?" Michael of enraged.


    "We''re Ryntum soldiers. Undoubtedly the strongest force among the middle nations in Jozia maind. based on the order given to me, if I can''t get you with words, I''ll take you to capital by force and you''re not gonna like it."


    "Are you threatening me?! Do you think I''m afraid?" Veins pop up on Michael''s forehead. This rude behaviour is too much to handle.


    His patience almost reached its limit.


    "Yes, I''m threatening you and I''m not afraid. I don''t know where your source of confidencees from when you stand no chance against us with just 2,611 soldiers."


    Michael''s entire body trembles in fear. Those are not random guess numbers but an eerily urate number of his soldiers avable. He never disys his total force to anyone, not even the king. And always show a lesser amount to mislead everyone.


    To know it urately means that they''ve nted eyes and ears inside his very mansion.


    "Oh! One more thing. If you thought of getting help from your beloved King Nichs I, forget it. He is preupied with a serious matter by now. In fact, my second objective here is to hold you from helping him."


    Michael clenched his fist and look angrily at Levi "Tell me what the f*ck is happening at the capital."


    "Count Naharog is marching to Napuna."


    "That traitor! And your king as well! This would not happen if he doesn''t dere independence!" Michael barked to Levi''s face.


    Hearing his king was insulted is not pleasing in Levi''s ears. Thus, his anger grows but he manages to keep it under control. "Let''s not talk about my king. As far as I know, he has done a good job in ruling a country. Far better yours. I don''t know why you''re so loyal to him and I certainly don''t care. You''ve until...Let''s see...in four days...No, I will give you five days. Mark my word, the second you attempt to send someone for help, we will tear down your city wall."


    Michael then was chased out of the camp by Levi before he could make any respond.