Good post singularity, The first book of the series that I've read is Wizard's first rule so I can't believe from the beginning that Richard was the bad guy but I agree with you. In this novel,if you didn't read the series from the beginning, Richard is described as the bad guy of the book
" I'm the one of the prophecies. I AM Fuer Grissa OSt Drauka. I'm the true Seeker of Truth because I'm the only one who could make the blade become white. I'm Lord Rahl and I'm searching my Mother Confessor......."