In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

A fierce wind swept across Charles V's face as he stood atop the watchtower. The heavy cape draped over his shoulders clung tightly to his body, buffeted by the gusts. Below, the capital city of the Kingdom of Lania lay shrouded in a downpour, rain lashing against the streets and rooftops.

Charles V gazed out at the sprawling city scape, his mind clouded with heavy thoughts. Life as a king was far from easy, and for a ruler like him, whose kingdom bordered the war like Pamir Empire, the burdens were particularly immense. No king of Lania had ever lived past the age of sixty—a testament to the weight of their struggles.

Though Charles V's reign had been marked by an unusual absence of major wars, that very peace left him feeling even more uneasy. The current emperor of the Pamir Empire was old, but rumors abounded about his plans to replace the crown prince, known for his hedonistic ways, depending on the outcome of the next war.

Charles V recalled the secret missive sent by a spy embedded within the Pamir royal court. Of the five great tribes that formed the backbone of the empire, three had already agreed to support a southern campaign, and the remaining two were expected to follow suit soon. War was inevitable; it was only a matter of negotiating its spoils.

While Lania had always managed to defend its borders, claiming a decisive victory against the Pamir Empire was another matter entirely. The empire's vast population turned each war into little more than a means of population control. The imperial elite ensured that the five great tribes—key to the empire's foundation—suffered minimal losses by drafting soldiers from lesser tribes to fight in their stead.

"When will we finally escape this endless cycle of war?" Charles V sighed heavily.

"Your Majesty, please come inside. The wind is growing stronger," urged Alfredo, the loyal royal chamberlain, his face etched with concern.

Charles V glanced up at the intensifying rain. "Hah, this spring storm is quite harsh. Have you carried out my orders?"

Alfredo bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Letters have been sent to all the key nobles of the realm, particularly to Duke Rochester of the Northwest Palace. I have made your requests clear."

Charles V nodded and shifted his gaze northward. "Good. The Pamir Empire will likely push through the northern front, so we need as many reinforcements as possible. Do you think they'll cooperate?"

"Nobles are always self serving, Your Majesty," Alfredo admitted. "But with danger looming so close, at least the nobles of the Northwest Palace should join the effort. If they don't, the other nobles won't let them off easily this time."

Charles V sighed. "It's not just nobles—it's human nature. But if they participate, that's enough for now. The Northwest Palace nobles have received more support than anyone; they must bear their share of responsibility."

Charles V's disdain for the Northwest Palace nobility was shared by nearly every noble in Lania. Decades earlier, during a pivotal war, their delayed support had caused the frontline to collapse. The disaster had led to the near annihilation of the northeastern nobles and knights, as well as heavy losses among reinforcements from other regions. The wounds of that war still lingered, and the Northwest Palace nobles, despite receiving the most funding under the pretext of guarding the borders, were deeply resented.

"Has Duke Rochester stopped his smuggling operations?" Charles V asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It seems your letter startled him into compliance. He's ceased his activities and sold his stockpiled weapons to royal merchants," Alfredo reported.

Charles V allowed himself a small smile. "This war feels different from the others. The rise of the Radiant Holy Kingdom and the declining health of the Pamir Emperor worry me."

"Well, the emperor is over 150 years old," Alfredo remarked. "No matter how vigorous he was in his youth, his time must be nearing its end."

"And yet, that old man clings to life, defying expectations. Hopefully, he won't start a grand war as his final wish. That would be worse than him miraculously recovering," Charles V muttered.

The Pamir Emperor's supposed imminent death had been rumored countless times, only for the monarch to reappear in good health, as if by magic. Meanwhile, his sons had begun dying before him, leaving the fourth prince—known for his debauchery—as the current crown prince.

While the Pamir Empire's internal drama was troublesome, it was the actions of the Radiant Holy Kingdom that truly gave Charles V a headache. The Holy Kingdom had recently antagonized the Celeste Empire, meddling in their succession and stoking political chaos.

"The Radiant Holy Kingdom is still causing trouble, I see," Charles V said. "What's their reasoning this time?"@@novelbin@@

"This time, they opposed the coronation of Celeste's new emperor," Alfredo replied. "It's blatant interference."

The story was a tangled one. After the unexpected death of the Celeste Emperor, who had named no successor, a conflict erupted between the eldest prince, the legitimate heir, and the second prince, born of a concubine. The eldest prince emerged victorious. But the Radiant Holy Kingdom inexplicably sided with the second prince, sheltering him and declaring the new emperor a heretic unworthy of the throne.

The blatant overreach enraged the new emperor, and few doubted that the Holy Kingdom's actions were a power play to reassert dominance.

"They still think they rule the continent," Charles V mused. "But their sun has long since set."

"Indeed, Your Majesty. Their influence is fading."

Charles V sighed again. "At least, if they create trouble for the Pamir Empire, it might work in our favor. My greater concern is whether the surrounding kingdoms will provide sufficient aid."

"No one wants their lands invaded, Your Majesty. They'll honor their sacred duty."

Faced with relentless raids and plundering from the Pamir Empire, three neighboring nations, including Lania, had formed an alliance to counter the threat. While the arrangement provided some hope, Charles V remained anxious. Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire