CHAPTER 606: THE GABELLA EMPIRE’S TURMOIL 4

TL: Rui88

Felix was protected by his own guards, running all the way from the front hall gate to his residence.

Antonio’s men followed them closely the entire way.

During the escape, more than half of Felix’s guards died. They had actually once planned to counter-attack the pursuers, because it seemed there were not many of them.

But after one attempt, they no longer dared to harbor such a thought.

That group of people was simply too strange.

Not only were there flames shooting from a distance, but the bows and crossbows they fired were also extremely precise, with almost every shot hitting its mark.

When they engaged in close combat, they discovered that the enemy’s armor was so exquisite that their own blades seemed to have great difficulty breaking through their defenses.

The people fighting them were skilled in martial arts, and their strength was absurdly great.

Felix was very puzzled as to how Antonio had arranged for such an elite group of subordinates within the imperial palace, one that far surpassed the royal guards.

“They must have resorted to evil witchcraft to become so powerful.”

In his helplessness, Felix thought of a reason that was closest to reality.

To allow the first prince to break away from the pursuers, many people sacrificed their lives to cover the retreat.

The imperial palace of the Gabella Empire was a vast complex of buildings. The sacrifice of those guards was temporarily worthwhile. After a long flight, a panting Felix, along with the few remaining guards he could count on one hand, escaped to his bedchambers within the palace.

On their way, they indiscriminately attacked anyone they encountered, as they could not tell whether they were Antonio’s men or not.

Guards walking alone, officials, servants…the casualties they caused were countless.

“We’ve arrived!”

Felix was almost crying with joy. His bedchamber was a relatively independent building, and guards loyal to him were standing guard at the door.

Seeing the first prince running over in a panic with a few guards, the guards on duty felt it was a bit strange, until they got closer and saw the bloodstains on them, and only then did they understand that something major must have happened.

“Quick, quick, quick! Organize the defenses immediately! Don’t let anyone charge inside!”

Felix roared his commands at these guards.

“Yes! Your Highness!” The guards accepted the order with trepidation.

Although many had anticipated that this day would come sooner or later due to the relationship between the two princes, when it actually happened, those caught in the event still felt it was sudden.

Just as Felix rushed into his own palace, a large group of people followed closely behind, blocking all the exits of the bedchamber.

On Antonio’s side, in addition to the men who appeared from the palace’s front hall, Ambolov, one of the captains of the court guard, also brought the portion of the guards he could command to provide support.

The second prince appeared, mounted on a white horse and surrounded by his men. He shouted to his brother’s guards:

“Felix has no hope left. He will certainly… fail today! It is meaningless for you to continue carrying out his orders.”

“Your Highness Antonio!” the captain of the guards in charge of defending the entrance to the bedchamber replied. “We choose to be loyal to our oaths. Please, step over our dead bodies.” Ꞧã₦𝘖ＢЁs

Antonio sighed and shook his head, then waved a hand. “Attack!”

Flames, arrows, and crossbow bolts rained down upon the bedchamber.

The armed men in armor also let out a unified shout and charged towards the palace guards who were holding their ground.

…

After entering the palace, Felix ran all the way to the northwest corner. There was a room there that contained the entrance to a secret tunnel leading outside the imperial palace.

As long as he went through the tunnel, he could escape to safety, rendezvous with the Dias Family, and then gather superior forces to launch a counterattack against Antonio’s side.

“Your Highness! What has happened? Why are you in such a panic!”

In the corridor, Felix encountered Lady Corrick, the court lady who served him.

She was still as elegant and charming as ever, her head of snow-white silver hair drawing attention.

But Felix had no time to display his chivalry. He grabbed Lady Corrick’s hand and pulled her along as he ran.

“Your Highness?”

“Corrick, the Lord of Light is truly watching over me. It is so fortunate that I ran into you here.”

Felix explained, panting, “That bastard Antonio, he actually had the audacity to launch a rebellion!”

“His Highness Antonio?” Lady Corrick’s tone was one of great surprise.

“Yes! That bastard! The bastard born of a witch! How dare he? How could he dare?”

Felix, no longer caring for his composure, began to curse loudly. He now hated this half-brother who was very likely to take his life.

The two of them and the guards ran through the long corridor. Lady Corrick, a woman, surprisingly did not slow them down.

After entering the room with the tunnel entrance, Felix made arrangements, pointing at his guards.

“You, you, you, and you, come in with us. The rest of you, hold this position to the death.”

The faces of those assigned to cover the rear darkened; they knew their fate.

“Rest assured, Your Highness!”

The constraints of their oaths and the safety of their families made them choose to obey the order.

Felix led Lady Corrick and the four selected guards into the secret tunnel.

With a thud, the heavy stone door closed behind them. The sounds of shouting and killing from above could no longer be heard, and the tunnel instantly became quiet.

Only the footsteps of the first prince’s party echoed inside.

“Ah, we can finally rest easy for a while.”

Felix lamented thus.

“Your Highness, I think it is still too early to rest easy.”

Lady Corrick, at his side, suddenly said.

Felix stopped. “Hmm? Why do you say that! This leads to my maternal grandfather’s mansion. As soon as we get out, we will be able to obtain powerful forces to counterattack.”

Lady Corrick continued to walk a few more steps, putting some distance between them.

With her back to Felix, she asked, “Your Highness, do you hate witches?”

Felix answered without thinking, “Of course, aren’t all witches evil?”

“Then do you like me?”

“Haha, need you even ask? My feelings for you are heavier and harder than that stone door we just passed.”

Corrick, this beautiful court lady, seemed to say with some difficulty, “This is a contradiction. You cannot both hate and like the same thing at the same time!”

“Ah, what are you saying?” Felix was somewhat confused.

The lady slowly turned around. Due to the dim light in the tunnel, half of her face was still obscured by darkness.

But the other half of her face that could be seen clearly sent a chill down Felix’s spine.

Yes, that face was still beautiful, with skin that looked like it would break at a touch, a flawless complexion. Everything was so perfect, just like before.

However, when Felix shifted his gaze to her eyes, the gentleness and kindness were gone, the intellect and elegance were gone. All that remained was an endless chill.

“Corrick’s” gaze was like the cold wind of the coldest winter month, mercilessly invading Felix’s very marrow.

“You… you…”

Felix, realizing something was wrong, strenuously pointed at her. The four guards reacted quickly, immediately drawing their weapons.

“My apologies, Your Highness Felix.”

“Corrick’s” tone, like her gaze, carried a chill that could be felt in the soul.

“I happen to be a witch!”