In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Henry III noticed the unspoken pain lingering in Charles's eyes and released a deep sigh of his own. The kingdom of Elonia was already on the brink of ruin, and now Elise's actions had only worsened their position. He needed Lania's support more than ever.

But as a sovereign, even offering an apology came with immense difficulty. Every word he spoke had repercussions for his kingdom's stability.

"I never imagined things would turn out this way. That Elise would succumb to the temptations of the otherworldly force… But this isn't the time to assign blame. We must put personal grievances aside and think as clearly as we can."

Charles V tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling, fighting to keep his tears from falling.

"Yes, I've lost my son, and you've lost your daughter," he said bitterly. "All of this because we failed to raise them properly. Let's stop laying blame. Isn't the punishment we're enduring already enough?"

Tears welled in Henry III's eyes as well. No matter what anyone said, Elise was still his beloved daughter. Though she had succumbed to the allure of the otherworldly force and committed terrible acts, memories of her smiling brightly and playfully running around as a child flooded his mind.

"Elise… I'll handle her myself," Henry said firmly. "If we leave her like this, it will only stir up controversy. To avoid future disputes… I must make the difficult decision."

While it seemed unlikely that she would ever awaken, Henry couldn't ignore the possibility. The trace of the otherworldly power within her made her execution inevitable.

Charles V nodded grimly, his face hardening. If she died, it would serve as a form of justice for his son.

"My son…" Charles began but fell silent before he could finish.

For all his ruthlessness toward his enemies, Charles had always been a devoted father. The thought of ending his son's life was unbearable. But the kingdom demanded a decision. To prevent future disputes over the throne, he had no choice.

The image of Randolph, vacant and drooling, flashed through his mind. Remembering his once-proud and arrogant son reduced to such a state, Charles concluded that death might be a blessing.

Backed into a corner, Charles spoke in a voice choked with despair.

"My son as well… I will handle him. Remember this: Princess Elise and our Randolph… they died suddenly of an illness. This matter must remain buried."

Henry III nodded silently. Exposing royal scandals to the public would serve no one, especially during wartime. Regaining his composure, Henry added solemnly:

"The soldiers who died alongside the Crown Prince will be recorded as having perished in another battle."

A face flickered through Charles V's mind—a man who had spurred his son on, marched with him into battle, and then fled alone. Grinding his teeth, Charles responded with a grimace.

"I will do the same. None involved in this matter will be left alive."

In a forgotten corner of the Orlando fortress, an abandoned stable sat steeped in darkness. The damp, cold air carried the stench of decay, filtering through cracks in the wooden walls.

Inside, a man was bound hand and foot to a sturdy wooden post, a gag stuffed in his mouth to stifle any cries. Tears streaked his face, smudging the dirt and sweat that clung to his skin. Once adorned in fine silks, his body was now encased only in ropes and chains.

No matter how hard he struggled, the unyielding chains dug deeper into his flesh, amplifying his despair.

Philip's thoughts were a chaotic mess. When he had boldly accompanied Crown Prince Randolph into the Pamir Empire's stronghold, his heart had been brimming with confidence. He had believed that every part of the plan was flawless, imagining himself basking in the same glory Michael so often achieved.

But the brutal reality quickly set in. Watching soldiers die senselessly on the battlefield, Philip realized his folly. Michael's victories had never been a matter of mere luck. They were the product of unparalleled skill and strategy—qualities Philip lacked.

Consumed by jealousy and inferiority, Philip had ultimately led himself to ruin. Amid the chaos, he had fled, abandoning both the soldiers and the Crown Prince to their fates. What did it matter what happened to them?

Wandering the plains alone, starving and parched, Philip had made the reckless decision to return to the fortress. He had hoped to reclaim the treasures he had left behind and escape. But the hunger gnawing at him had dulled his judgment.

And now, this was the cost.

Terror churned in Philip's heart. Death was imminent. Charles V would never forgive him for abandoning the Crown Prince on the battlefield.

"I can't die like this… please… someone save me! Father!"

He screamed inwardly for his father, the Duke of Rochester, but all that escaped his gagged mouth were muffled sobs and whimpers. His vision blurred as cold sweat dripped from his brow. A cruel end awaited him.

The stable door creaked open, and the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the space. Philip's body trembled uncontrollably as Charles V stepped into the dim light. The king's silhouette radiated cold fury.

Philip writhed in his bonds, desperate to escape, but the chains held firm. Charles approached silently, his piercing gaze fixed on the man before him.

Though Charles knew Philip wasn't the true architect of his son's downfall, he needed an outlet for his rage. And Philip, who had abandoned Randolph in his darkest hour, was the perfect target.

"Do you admit to abandoning the Crown Prince and fleeing the battlefield?" Charles asked coldly.

Philip shook his head frantically, tears streaming down his face. Charles stared at him for a long moment, his expression one of icy contempt.

"You betrayed the Crown Prince. Worse, you betrayed the kingdom."

Philip could only cry silently. He had fled to save his life, but now he had to pay the price.

Charles raised a hand in a subtle signal. A knight stepped forward and removed Philip's gag—not to grant him freedom, but to ensure that every scream of agony would echo through the stable.