Restart:Untalented Man

"Is everything okay?" asked Catherina before leaving for her room.

"Yeah..." Niall replies half-heartedly. 'At least, for me.'

Niall watched her leave the hall. After her figure was no longer visible, he shifted his attention to the butler. "Make the preparation. We're leaving in instance Philip confirms the safety of the port. I'll stay in the barrack to 'plan a counterattack strategy'."

The butler calmly leaves the room after receiving orders as he wants to avoid getting suspicious in the eyes of the nobles and servants. By the order of their king, they're only required to bring a minimum amount of belongings with them to not hinder their movement during an escape.

Half an hour later, Philip meets with his king.

"How is the situation at the port?" Niall impatiently asks. Every second feels like an hour for him.

"Your Majesty, the port is easily secured as no people cluster there. All of them are heading toward the palace to seek protection. Additionally, my men reported that Naharog has begun to cross the moat. They've also successfully captured the stone bridge and are in the process of transporting the cannons into the city."

Niall replies with a snort, "Great...Now the main entrance of the city is in the enemy's hand. Looks like this city's demise is inevitable. As for the peasants, do not block them from entering the palace. Let them contribute to creating confusion. The more the merrier."

A second later, the butler arrives with baggage and servants who are mainly women. They seem to be confused about everything that is going on. The butler doesn't give them any explanation either.

"I've brought everything you need, Your Majesty. We can depart now." said the butler.

"Let's not waste our time and depart now. Philip, led the way."

A small group of twenty-three people in peasant clothing carefully move from the barracks on the outside of the Royal Palace to the port which is located approximately three kilometres away. With the sea of people in the palace vicinity, riding a horse is not the best choice as it is too stand out and easily spotted. It forces Niall and his entourage to move by foot. People would get curious if they saw a bunch of horses heading to the port instead of southeast direction.

In the background, a series of ear-piercing explosions erupted alongside a crumbling building. The servants gasped and some just flat-out panicked but soon they regained their calmness back after the butler threatened to leave them behind if they made a loud noise.

Niall takes a quick glance at the back. He couldn't see the sign of destruction on the building yet but the screams of people are getting closer and closer.

"Philip, we need to move faster. At this rate, they're going to catch up with us," said Niall.

"I'm aware of this, Your Majesty. We will continue to move on foot until we see an inn ahead. The place provides horse rental and keeping services. If we are lucky, we will find one or two wagons left by their owner."

After one kilometre of walking, they see the inn Philip has spoken about. As he said, there are horses and wagons left behind in a stable. The inn was deserted and void of people. Judging from the condition inside the tavern, Niall could tell this place was abandoned in a hurry.

The butler and the servants ignore these details and focus on loading the luggage into the wagons quickly. Niall and Philip took the horses' reins.

Just as they were about to move, they heard the voice of an old woman's calling them, she asked "Where are you all going? I was told that the exits are all blocked."

"Where we go is none of your business, grandma. Go back and hide in your home. Don't block us." Philip answered her question rudely.

"You are a very rude, young man. This inn, horses and wagons that you're trying to steal are my possessions. I will not budge until you tell me." She answered loudly.

Niall on the other hand was unpleasant with this old woman. Her voice was so loud that it might attract people in the area. Luckily, she doesn't recognise him or else she would scream at the top of her lungs. He knows there are a lot who are hiding in their homes as well.

As such, he speaks to Philip. "Ignore her and keep going. We should waste our time here."

"Your Majesty, I can't move because this woman is blocking the way."

"Just run into her. I don't care about one random old woman." Niall replied.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Philip said. He turns his head to the old woman in front. "Grandma, don't blame us and say we didn't warn you."

The horses start to pull the wagons and run in her direction. The old woman manages to avoid the horses in a nick of time.

Before she could even berate them, Niall took a chance and stabbed the old woman in her chest. Ending the poor old woman's life. It happens so fast that both sides couldn't react in time.

After the wagons moved far from the inn, Niall received a weird look from the servants. He furrows his brows while trying to justify his action. "What? Do you think I'm cruel? Don't you see how loud that woman was? I made a reasonable decision to silence her or else she'll spread to everyone about her encounter with us. Besides, she lived long enough."

The servants had no response to that so they stopped looking at the king and faced forward.

If they talk about cruelty, they can be counted as cruel too. They left their families to fend for themselves under the pretence of evacuating the king to a safe place.

They arrive at the port ten minutes later, much faster than walking. Philip stops the wagons and lets everybody step out. A ship was ready to set sail. It was guarded by three soldiers assiduously due to the promise Philip made to include them in the escape.

Niall boarded the ships first followed by the servants with luggage in hand.

"Your Majesty, all of us have boarded the ship."

Niall nods his head. He took a quick glance at the burning capital before giving an order, "Set sails! Our destination is Betbury."