Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

The Brambleford prison was dimly lit, and Princess Lisa’s final words extinguished Cedric’s last glimmer of hope.

He laughed bitterly. "Your Highness, I, Cedric, swear to the heavens that this assassination attempt has nothing to do with the Goldwynd family. It was all orchestrated by him, Prince Simon!"

Cedric pointed at Simon; his eyes filled with deep hatred. He regretted not acting on the hint from Prince Gerad three years ago to kill Simon.

Unfortunately, it was too late now. He hadn’t expected Simon to grow so quickly, nor had he anticipated that Simon would be so ruthless as to try to eliminate the Goldwynd family while his own position was still unstable.

"Nonsense! Even at death’s door, you still try to frame the prince." Princess Lisa said sharply. "Do you think I would believe your lies?"

At this moment, Zephyrus stepped forward. A flash of his blade, and Walter’s head rolled to the ground, his face frozen in terror.

"Walter!" Cedric cried out in anguish, staring at his son’s lifeless, wide-open eyes.

Cedric’s eyes turned bloodshot. "Simon, I’ve lost. Three years ago, I should have listened to Prince Gerad and killed you. Hah, I thought you still had some use, that you could help my family rise in Brambleford. I never imagined I was nurturing a tiger that would one day devour me. But do you really think you can easily destroy the Goldwynd family with just the Brambleford army?"

As soon as Cedric said this, Princess Lisa’s expression changed drastically. "Zephyrus, what are you waiting for? Are you going to let him keep spouting nonsense?"

"Your Highness, why are you so nervous? I’ve heard that you’re quite close to Prince Gerad. Did you also know about his plans to harm Prince Simon?" Cedric laughed maniacally.

If the Goldwynd family was going to be destroyed, he wasn’t going to let Simon or the imperial family off the hook.

Cedric’s words caused Simon’s expression to change. He looked at Princess Lisa. "Auntie, is what Cedric said true?"

"Simon, this man is just trying to confuse the truth. Do you still believe him now? The Goldwynd family is guilty of heinous crimes, and I will not let them go unpunished." Princess Lisa said angrily.

"I believe you," Simon said. As the saying goes, a dying man’s words are often truthful. He believed Cedric wasn’t lying, and it seemed that Prince Gerad’s plan to kill him was real. However, he couldn’t be sure if his aunt was aware of it.

But Cedric was clearly trying to drag someone down with him in his final moments. This only made Princess Lisa even less likely to spare him.

As Zephyrus raised his sword to strike again, Simon stopped him. "Auntie, let me handle Cedric and Richard. The Goldwynd family has committed countless atrocities over the years in Brambleford. Tomorrow, I will have these two executed in the eastern market to give the people justice."

"That’s fine." Princess Lisa said. "But don’t listen to any more of his nonsense."

Simon nodded and said to Lancelot. "Take them away and lock them up."

Cedric continued to laugh maniacally. After years of careful planning, everything had ultimately benefited someone else. He shouted. "Simon, Brambleford doesn’t belong to the Goldwynd family, and it won’t belong to you either. Just wait. The reaver cavalry knows me, but they don’t know you. Sooner or later, this place will be razed to the ground. I’ll be waiting for you on the road to the underworld..."

Simon curled his lip and said calmly. "That day may never come."

As Cedric’s voice faded into the distance, Simon and Princess Lisa left the prison.

Princess Lisa said. "Simon, for the time being, Zephyrus is at your disposal. The Goldwynd family is despicable. Make sure to eradicate them."

"Auntie, don’t worry. For the sake of the people, I will ensure the Goldwynd family is completely dismantled." Simon said.

Princess Lisa nodded and, escorted by her guards, headed to the prince’s castle.

Simon waited outside the prison for a while until Lancelot emerged.

"Your Highness, the Brambleford army has been assembled. Should we arrest all the Goldwynd family members now?" Lancelot asked.

Simon said. "The Goldwynd family compound is just the residence of Cedric and his son. The true strength of the Goldwynd family lies in their estates outside the city. Now that Cedric and his son have been captured, the rest of the Goldwynd family has likely already received the news and are waiting for us in their fortified manor."

"Three years ago, during the reaver invasion, the Goldwynd family did the same. This time will likely be no different. Knowing they’re doomed, they’ll resist fiercely. This will be difficult, as the Goldwynd family has many retainers, with around five thousand trained fighters. If we attack head-on, the Brambleford army will suffer heavy losses."

Simon said. "That’s why we can’t use the punishment of exterminating all the clans. Cedric’s greatest wish now is for me and the Goldwynd family to fight to the death. I won’t give him that satisfaction. You and General Zephyrus should surround the Goldwynd family estates and inform the people inside that only Cedric and his son are guilty of the assassination attempt. Innocent parties will not be implicated, and only the assets of Cedric and his son will be confiscated. The others can keep their land."

Lancelot nodded. "What if they still refuse?"

"Then tell them that if the manor is breached, everyone inside, men, women, and children, will be killed without exception," Simon said sternly.

Lancelot acknowledged the order and immediately headed to the Brambleford military camp.

Zephyrus said. "Your Highness has a clever plan. This way, you might dismantle the Goldwynd family without shedding blood. However, the crime of assassinating a princess is grave. How can you arbitrarily change the punishment?"

It seemed that nobles from other regions always felt a sense of superiority when they came to his domain. Zephyrus was no exception.

"I will discuss this with my aunt. General Zephyrus, you need not worry. If you insist, you can lead the golden-armoured guards to attack the manor. I won’t object."

"You..." Zephyrs was speechless. He could see that Princess Lisa still hoped for a mutual destruction between Simon and the Goldwynd family, which was why he had spoken up.

But he hadn’t expected Simon to turn the tables on him.

Zephyrus left in a huff, and Simon sneered. He then said to Thomas. "Go to the Chandlier family and inform them about the Goldwynd family’s assassination attempt. Also, tell Lothair that I hope he can provide a detailed list of the Goldwynd family’s crimes over the years and cooperate with me in eradicating the remnants of the Goldwynd family across the six cities."

Thomas nodded and rode off.

News of the Goldwynd family’s assassination attempt quickly spread throughout Brambleford. Those who had close ties with the Goldwynd family were thrown into a state of panic.

However, their fears were unfounded. Soon, a notice was posted at the city gates stating that innocent parties would not be punished, and those who provided evidence of the Goldwynd family’s crimes would be rewarded.

In no time, many people seized the opportunity to kick the Goldwynd family while they were down, reporting their numerous crimes to the authorities.

Simon and Harlan quickly compiled this evidence and printed it in the next day’s newspaper, exposing the Goldwynd family’s atrocities.

The newspapers reached every county, town, and village in the six cities the following day. When the people learned that the Goldwynd family had been brought to justice, they erupted in cheers.