The Change in Gabella 6

Translator: Cinder Translations

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There was a loud thudding sound coming from the stone door of the underground passage, as if something was pounding against it forcefully.

The noise was loud enough to make one's heart race, yet Lady Kolrich—now known as Ingrid—remained unbothered. The sound indicated that Prince Antonio had already secured victory outside.

Before long, a crack appeared in the stone door, then a second, and a third… until, with a loud crash, the door split in the middle and crumbled into rubble.

A burly man appeared at the entrance, his muscular arms bare and covered in strange runes. This was a sorcerer.

Without a word, the man joined the others in swiftly clearing away the debris, fully exposing the entrance to the passage.

A group of people swarmed into the passage and quickly came upon Ingrid, who was waiting for them.

"Your Highness!" Ingrid bowed to Antonio, who was at the front of the group. Upon seeing his face, the previously cold expression of the witch softened slightly.

"This is…" Antonio looked at the ice block on the ground. "My brother?"

Ingrid replied, "Yes, it's Felix."

Even Antonio, who was known for his usual composure, couldn't help feeling a surge of intense emotion. The most crucial step had been accomplished.

Antonio asked with a hint of concern, "Is he… unharmed?"

Ingrid glanced at the ice-encased figure on the ground and shook her head, saying, "I can't guarantee that his body is completely unaffected, but his life is preserved."

"Release him; don't keep him like this."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

Ingrid waved her hand, and with a loud crash, the ice shattered into fragments, revealing Prince Felix within.

"Your Highness!" Carol, another witch who had entered with Antonio, suggested, "Should we send someone along this passage? It might give Duke Dias a surprise!"

"No!" Antonio rejected her suggestion. "It's too risky. We shouldn't divide our forces. The top priority is to seize control of the palace and all its guards, and… my father. That way, we'll have no opponents left in the capital."

He looked at Ingrid again, praising her, "You've done very well, Ingrid. Your efforts are irreplaceable in our cause."

Ingrid looked at him and replied, "Your Highness, I will fulfill every one of your commands and help you achieve ultimate victory."

She glanced at Carol standing by Antonio's side, but Carol's expression remained unmoved.

Antonio then called out, "Bennett!"

The burly man who had broken the stone door grunted, "Yes, Your Highness. What are your orders?"

"Guard this place with your men!"

"Yes, no one will pass here while I'm around!"

With everything arranged, Antonio led his subordinates back to the surface, bringing along the unconscious Felix.

When they reached daylight, Anbolov, Aldridge, and Yarvi arrived to report.

"We've taken control of the palace area, and the Empress is now under our protection," Anbolov reported, with everyone understanding the true meaning of his words.

Antonio praised them briefly, then said in a deep voice, "Now, it's time to see my father, His Majesty the Emperor."

Anbolov added, "The path through the gardens is sealed as well; you can meet your father anytime."

"Let's go!" Antonio was about to proceed but hesitated briefly.

"No!" Aldridge stopped him.

Everyone looked at the elderly scholar in confusion.

Aldridge looked at Anbolov and said, "Remember, it's Felix who staged the rebellion—it has to be Felix. You must make the Emperor understand that. If he grasps this, that's ideal; if he doesn't… you know what to do!"

Anbolov was stunned, looking at Antonio for guidance, but the prince gave no response.

Nodding firmly, Anbolov replied, "Understood!"

"One more thing!" Aldridge stopped him again, instructing, "Regardless of his understanding, the Emperor must lose all faith in his eldest son."

"Understood!"

Anbolov responded, then left with a large group of guards.

Meanwhile, in the palace gardens, the Emperor, Bartley Griffin, was in high spirits as he reeled in another large fish from the lake's edge.

"The fish are lining up to bite the hook when they see His Majesty here!" his attendants flattered him.

"You rascals!" Bartley laughed, pretending to scold them.

Just then, cries of alarm rang out in the distance, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened—there's a rebellion in the palace!"

Rebellion? Bartley stood up immediately, sensitive and deeply disturbed by the word as a ruler.

Guards quickly gathered around him, encircling him protectively.

"Who? Who dares such audacity?" Bartley fumed.

The reporting guard shook his head, saying, "We don't know yet, but the rebels are numerous and advancing this way. Please, Your Majesty, escape quickly!"

"Escape? Yes, we must leave the palace and rally loyal forces!"

At that moment, a second guard ran over urgently, shouting, "It's too late to leave the palace! Please, Your Majesty, board the boat and hide on the lake!"

In a flurry of panic, they rushed Bartley onto a small boat, which set out for the center of the lake.

Just as they left the shore, a large group arrived at the lake's edge.

Seeing Anbolov in heavy armor, with bloodstains on it, Bartley's anger flared. "Anbolov! He's betrayed me… I was blind to have trusted him with such responsibility."

An attendant whispered, "Your Majesty, perhaps it's better to ask for clarification first."

Bartley agreed, calling out, "Anbolov! What's going on? Why do you look like this?"

Anbolov knelt on one knee and shouted, "Your Majesty, Felix Griffin led his followers in rebellion. Prince Antonio learned of it and entered the palace to suppress the revolt. He has already killed the traitor Felix Griffin and is now hunting down the remaining rebels. Prince Antonio sent me to protect you!"

What? His eldest son started a rebellion, and his second son killed him? 

Bartley Griffin's vision went dark, and he fainted onto the boat.

(End of the Chapter)

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