The Change in Gabella 1
Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Your Majesty, I'm leaving now!"
McDonald bid farewell to his liege, Emperor Bartley Griffin.
Emperor Bartley patted the old marshal on the shoulder with great satisfaction. "The northern borders of the Empire will rely on you, McDonald!"
McDonald nodded.
They were currently positioned in the northern outskirts of Gabella, the imperial capital. Along the main road, thirty thousand soldiers had assembled in ranks. Among them were infantry, cavalry, archers, and various support personnel.
The soldiers formed long lines, occupying the entire road leading from the capital to the north. At the end of this procession, numerous cattle, horses, and carts carried supplies of food and munitions.
In addition to Emperor Bartley, several ministers and important members of the royal family had come to see the marshal and his forces off. Among them were Prime Minister Duke D'Arshi, First Prince Felix, Second Prince Antonio, Scholar Aldridge and Scholar Yarvi from the Tower of Scholars.
After speaking briefly with the emperor, McDonald saluted him respectfully and mounted his warhorse.
Once settled on his horse, he looked toward the two princes. Felix had a faint smile on his face, while Antonio looked serious.
Felix was likely thrilled. Now that Antonio's greatest support was leaving, it was a joyous occasion for him.
"March!"
McDonald snapped his whip, ordering the army to advance.
At his command, the once-quiet force began to move, snaking its way north like a long serpent.
"My dear brother."
Felix looked over at Antonio.
"Be ready as well. You never know when our father might send you to the front lines."
Antonio did not look at him, responding calmly, "Of course. I am always prepared to support our father."
"Oh? That's good to hear."
Emperor Bartley raised his hand. "Let's return. McDonald will surely bring us a bounty of orc heads as a gift."
He led the royal family members and ministers back to the capital.
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As soon as Felix returned to the city, he went to his grandfather, Duke D'Arshi, to discuss the situation.
"The opportunity has come, dear Grandfather. The opportunity of a lifetime."
Excitedly pacing the room, Felix continued, "Now Antonio is like a tiger without claws or teeth, ripe for us to deal with."
"Be patient!" Duke D'Arshi looked sternly at Felix, reprimanding him.
"McDonald hasn't gone far yet. We need to wait until he's much further away before making any moves."
"Damn it! But how long do we have to wait?" Felix was getting impatient.
"At least seven days." Duke D'Arshi resumed his usual calm demeanor.
"Over the next seven days, gather all our strength, so we can strike with greater force."
"But if something unexpected happens…" Felix started to argue, but Lady Kolrich, who had accompanied him, interjected.
"Your Highness," Lady Kolrich reminded Felix, "we must trust the Duke's judgment."
"Fine, I'll wait!" Felix ground his teeth.
Duke D'Arshi looked at Lady Kolrich with a hint of surprise. She was a beautiful woman with silver hair, captivating enough to inspire fantasies in any man.
The duke, however, knew that she was a deadly flower with hidden thorns. Kolrich was a skilled assassin recruited by the D'Arshi family, known for her remarkable abilities—a blade like no other.
After proving her loyalty, Duke D'Arshi assigned her to Felix as a court lady, both to protect him and to keep an eye on him.
Today, however, the duke observed something unusual. Felix, typically hot-tempered, was easily swayed by a single word from this woman.
The image of how Felix usually treated Lady Kolrich flashed through the duke's mind.
He began to wonder—could Felix have developed feelings for this assassin?
This was a dangerous sign, the duke thought to himself. The future empress of Gabella should not be an assassin. She should possess noble blood to strengthen the emperor's rule.
But the way Felix looked at her only confirmed the duke's suspicions.
It seemed he would need to have a talk with his grandson. A ruler should not let a woman consume his thoughts.
He certainly shouldn't end up like his father, who fell for a wicked witch.
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After leaving the duke's residence, Felix took the carriage back to his quarters.
Lady Kolrich shared the carriage with him.
Felix's mind was still racing. He envisioned himself wearing the crown and receiving the reverence of the people one moment, and surrounded by soldiers, ultimately killed, in the next.
His fate would be decided within the month.
If he succeeded, he would become the supreme ruler of Gabella. If he failed, he would lose everything, even his life.
Overcome with tension and excitement, he reached out impulsively to touch Lady Kolrich's ivory-like wrist, but she gracefully moved her hand away.
"Your Highness, this is not the right time."
"Haha, sorry, Kolrich."
Felix smiled, though he had long been infatuated with this beautiful woman.
"I swear, Kolrich, when I wear the crown, I will make you empress, to share in my power and glory."
Driven by the urgency of his plan, he finally voiced the thoughts he had kept hidden.
Lady Kolrich chuckled, her laughter enchanting Felix.
She softly replied, "Your Highness loves to joke. When you truly ascend the throne, I only wish to stay by your side like this, and that would be enough."
"Oh, Kolrich, your character is as pure as the moon."
Felix praised her. "You make me even more certain—yes, that position belongs to you alone."
Kolrich merely gave a faint smile.
"Your Highness, you should be single-mindedly focused on the task at hand. Only with success can you plan for the future."
"Ah, Kolrich, you always speak such wisdom."
Prince Felix said sincerely.
TLN: This guy's an idiot...
(End of the Chapter)
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