Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 254 - Two Hundred And Fifty Three

The city of Strathmore was slowly waking from the nightmare of the plague and the war, but the High Cathedral remained a place of hushed, heavy silence.

Carlos rode through the gates, his horse’s hooves clattering loudly on the cobblestones. He didn’t look like a grieving brother. He looked like a man on a mission of conquest. His new uniform was clean, his posture erect, though his hands still trembled slightly on the reins—a remnant of the fear that had gripped him since the arrow flew.

He stopped in front of the priest’s private quarters. He dismounted, tossing the reins to a waiting groom without a word. He walked toward the door.

He stopped.

The guards standing outside the door were different.

When Derek had arrested Adams, he had left Elite Shadows—men in black, silent and deadly. These men were different. They wore the colors of the local garrison, but their armor was polished, their stance rigid. They were Royal Guards.

"It must have been Prince Liam’s doings," Carlos thought to himself, a thrill of validation running through him. "He moves fast. He removed Derek’s men as soon as the pigeon arrived. He is protecting his investment. He is protecting me."

He walked up to them. The guards crossed their spears, barring his way.

"Halt," one guard said. "No entry. By order of the Grand Duke."

Carlos chuckled. It was a dry, arrogant sound that echoed in the stone archway.

"The Grand Duke?" Carlos asked, raising an eyebrow.

He reached into his pocket. His fingers closed around the cold, heavy metal of the token Prince Liam had given him. He pulled it out.

He held it up. The gold flashed in the dull light. The symbol of the Crown Prince, was unmistakable.

"Look closely," Carlos said, his voice dripping with condescension.

The guards looked at the token. Their eyes widened. They recognized the seal. It was a power higher than a Duke. It was the future King.

They immediately pulled their spears back, snapping to attention. They bowed low, their heads almost touching their knees in deference.

"Forgive us, My Lord," the guard said, his voice trembling. "We did not know."

Carlos watched them bow. He felt a warm rush of pleasure in his chest, a heady intoxication that was better than wine. This was what he had wanted. This was what he had craved for years, living in Derek’s shadow.

Respect. Fear. Obedience.

He was enjoying the new feeling of power. It made him feel tall. It made him feel invincible.

"Release the priest," Carlos commanded. His voice was loud, authoritative.

The guards looked confused. They hesitated, glancing at each other.

"But..." the guard stammered. "But Priest Adams is under house arrest. We didn’t receive any orders to release him."

Carlos stepped forward. He glared at the guard, channeling the arrogance of a man who held the keys to the kingdom.

"His Grace is dead," Carlos interrupted, his voice low, cutting like a knife.

The words hung in the air, heavy and final. The guards froze.

"Dead?" the guard whispered, shock written on his face.

"Yes," Carlos said, his voice cold and devoid of sorrow. "He died in the war. A tragic loss. And this..." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

He waved the golden token in front of their faces again, letting the light catch it.

"...This is the order of the Crown Prince. Do you dare to disobey the future King? Do you dare to question his authority?"

The guards shook their heads violently. They were terrified.

"No! No, My Lord!"

They turned and unlocked the heavy door. The bolt slid back with a loud clunk. They pushed it open for him, bowing as he passed.

Carlos walked in. He didn’t say thank you. He just walked past them, his head held high, his boots echoing on the stone floor.

The room inside was warm. A fire was burning in the hearth, casting a cozy glow over the rich tapestries and heavy furniture.

Priest Adams was sitting on his plush, velvet-covered bed, reading a leather-bound book. He looked calm. He looked well-fed. He looked like a man who knew he had friends in high places.

He looked up as Carlos entered. He didn’t look surprised. He didn’t look afraid.

"The Grand Duke is dead, right?" Adams asked, closing his book calmly.

Carlos stopped in the middle of the room. He was shocked. He had ridden hard to get here. He was the one bringing the news. He wanted to see the reaction.

"How did you..." Carlos started, his brow furrowing. "How did you know? Did you hear my conversation with the guards?"

Adams chuckled. It was a soft, oily sound. He set the book on the bedside table.

"I have informants outside," Adams said simply. "I have eyes and ears in every corner of this city. The beggars, the merchants, the guards... they all talk. As long as it happened in Strathmore, or near Strathmore, I must know about it."

He smiled, a thin, knowing smile that made Carlos feel slightly uneasy.

"And my informants are never wrong," Adams added.

Carlos walked to a chair and sat down heavily. He felt a little deflated. He wanted to be the one to deliver the shock.

"Is he really dead?" Carlos asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.

He needed to hear it from someone else. He needed to be sure. He had seen the arrow hit, he had seen Derek fall, but he hadn’t seen the body. The doubt gnawed at him.

Adams nodded his head slowly. His face became serious, almost solemn.

"My men were watching the river," Adams said. "They were stationed on the banks, just in case."

Adams leaned forward, his voice low.

"They saw it," Adams said. "They saw the Blackwood River carrying his lifeless body towards the east. The current is strong there. The water is freezing. No man could survive the fall, let alone the water, let alone the wound."

He looked at Carlos.

"Before the sun sets today," Adams said, his voice lacking emotion, "his body would have served as food for the hungry animals along the riverbank. Or it will be buried under the ice, never to be found."

He paused.

"My condolences," Adams said.

It was a hollow phrase. There was no sadness in his eyes. There was only relief. Derek was the only one who had threatened him. Derek was the only one who onto him. Now, the threat was gone. The obstacle was removed.

Carlos nodded. He accepted the condolences. He didn’t feel sad either. He felt safe.

"It is a tragedy," Carlos said flatly.

He stood up again. He didn’t come here to mourn. He came here for business. He came here for something else.

He turned to the open door.

"Bring it in," Carlos ordered.