In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

As the duke appeared, the soldiers made way for him, guiding him to the best vantage point overlooking the plains. Slowly, he raised his gaze and saw Count Michael and the special task force leading the captives back. The rising sun cast a golden glow behind Michael, giving him the appearance of a figure wreathed in light.

Overwhelmed by the sight, the duke gripped the tower wall with trembling hands, as though afraid he might collapse under the weight of his emotions. Tears of joy streamed down his weathered face.

"Oh… my word… To see such a sight in my lifetime," he whispered.

Beside him, his aide clenched his fists, unable to contain his own feelings. He could hardly believe he had played a role in this monumental victory. The triumph filled him with pride, eclipsing all the battles he had fought under the duke's command.

The soldiers surrounding them felt the same. Many had abandoned their posts to crowd onto the tower, but no one scolded them. Even the officers who might have issued reprimands had joined the throng, enraptured by the scene before them. After all, their supreme commander had captured every enemy leader—an achievement worth any breach of protocol.

The soldiers shouted incoherently, celebrating the victory before them. Their cheers grew louder as Michael approached the fortress. To their eyes, he shone like a beacon of glory.

Later, Michael sat across from Duke Capone in the drawing room. Outside, the special task force and the beast handlers who had accompanied him basked in the praise showered upon them. Wiping away tears, the duke grasped Michael's hand firmly.

"Thank you. Truly, thank you. Because of you, I feel as though some of my terrible sins have been absolved," the duke said earnestly.

Michael smiled, his tone soothing. "Please don't trouble yourself too much, Your Grace. His Majesty will surely understand your circumstances."

The duke nodded quietly, his tearful gaze softening. "His Majesty has always been rational and considerate. My concern isn't with him."

Michael's expression hardened, sensing the implication. The duke sighed deeply, as if weighing his words.

"The queen… she is not a kind person," he began, his voice heavy. "And I don't say that out of some outdated belief that women shouldn't involve themselves in politics."

He stared into the distance, his expression somber. "His Majesty fell for her at first sight and defends her actions no matter what. Perhaps it's love, or perhaps it's his way of justifying his own choices."

Michael nodded silently. Emperor Charles V had defied all opposition to marry the queen. As human as anyone else, the emperor had his own vulnerabilities.

"Now that the enemy leaders are captured, this war will soon end. And you, Count Michael, will undoubtedly be rewarded as the greatest hero of this campaign."

The duke's grip on Michael's hand tightened suddenly, startling him. The young count looked up, his expression questioning.

"Count Michael," the duke said, his gaze earnest, "will you take my words to heart?"

Michael hesitated, then gave a resolute nod. "I will."

The duke smiled, his tension easing as he patted Michael's shoulder. "Tell me honestly. Do you think His Majesty and I were too cruel?"

Michael shook his head firmly. "I do not. A soldier risks their life on the battlefield, a farmer stakes everything on their harvest, and royalty gambles their very lives on their decisions."

The duke was silent for a moment, marveling at the young count's wisdom. For one so young, Michael seemed to grasp the essence of power.

"Indeed. The crown prince made one poor choice after another, and he paid the price for it. Were you ever dissatisfied with him?"

Michael shook his head again. "His decisions have never affected me."

It was a bold statement, but Michael's unwavering eyes reflected nothing but truth. The duke sighed once more, contemplating the crown prince's inadequacies compared to Michael's brilliance.

Finally, the duke broached the topic he had been circling. "What are your thoughts on Princess Astrid?"

Michael remained composed despite Duke Capone's sudden proposition. He had already anticipated this conversation to some extent. His gaze drifted to a law book from the Kingdom of Rania resting on the table. The book lay open, with a bookmark tucked into what appeared to be the section on inheritance laws.

After briefly studying the book, Michael lifted his head and locked eyes with Duke Capone. The duke's gray eyes, filled with nervous anticipation, met Michael's vivid red ones. Despite decades of unwavering resolve as a seasoned politician in the Kingdom of Rania's inner circles, Duke Capone found himself momentarily unsettled under Michael's penetrating gaze. His eyes wavered, betraying his unease, and he eventually looked down.

After a long pause, Michael broke the silence. "The princess is an admirable person. I believe she would make an excellent queen."

Duke Capone's eyes widened at the succinct reply. Fiddling with the buttons on his sleeve, he pressed on urgently. "That's not what I meant. I'm asking what you think of her as a potential partner."

Now that the duke had come to the crux of the matter, Michael raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Does this mean you've already discussed this with His Majesty?"

The duke cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding Michael's gaze. The truth was that he had yet to broach the topic with Emperor Charles V. In fact, he hadn't even hinted at the idea.

"Not yet," Capone admitted. "I thought it best to gauge your thoughts first before bringing it up."

Michael chuckled softly, his demeanor calm. Since the proposal had not come directly from the emperor, there was no need to rush into any commitments. Overeagerness could only work against him.

Of course, Michael found Princess Astrid immensely appealing. However, there was no advantage in showing undue haste. He replied smoothly, "In that case, there's nothing more to discuss. Speculating about my feelings when there's no formal proposal seems pointless."

Duke Capone's expression grew more desperate, and he leaned forward, almost pleading. "No, Count Michael, please! At least tell me whether you're interested or not. I need to know your stance before I can raise the matter with His Majesty."