In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

One of the knights hesitated before cautiously offering a counterpoint. "I've heard there are places where people are so desperate they exchange their children with their neighbors to stave off starvation. In the Kingdom of Pasha, for example, the serfs live in abject misery. If offered lifelong sustenance in return, some might consent."

Miaomiao nodded thoughtfully. "[That's… possible. Books alone can't teach you everything. Very well, we'll keep this method recorded.]"

One by one, more methods of life extension were appraised. The initial shock of the scroll's revelations gradually gave way to curiosity and excitement. By the end, the hall was abuzz with enthusiasm.

Aaron turned to Faust, a close friend seated beside him, and demanded, "So, what do you think of all this?"

"Well then, do you regret coming here now?" Aaron asked, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "I didn't expect anything miraculous to begin with, so I'm satisfied with what we've seen so far."

Faust, wearing a similarly amused expression, nodded. "The earlier revelations were shocking, no doubt. But I agree, this is enough for me. That late emperor truly went to great lengths to hoard everything related to rejuvenation. It feels like every life-extension method in the world was stored in that ring."

Aaron sighed, his head shaking in disbelief. "That explains why he resorted to such extreme measures. No sane person could go through with something like that."

"Obsession has a way of driving people mad," Faust replied, the two men exchanging weary glances.

Though they sighed in mutual understanding, both knew they weren't entirely immune to such desperation. Aging was a relentless burden, one that few could bear without yearning for a way to reverse its effects.

"But honestly, I think the greatest prize of this expedition is right over there," Aaron said suddenly, his eyes gleaming as he pointed across the hall.

"Hm? What are you referring to?" Faust followed his gaze and quickly understood. Aaron was gesturing toward Count Michael. With a knowing smile, Faust nodded. "Indeed. Meeting and befriending Count Michael alone makes this entire journey worthwhile."

Aaron puffed out his chest as though he were the one being praised. "Exactly! In fact, I'm seriously considering following him around after this expedition ends. And I'm not the only old man thinking that way, you know."

Faust stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm… I'd heard rumors that Count Michael has been courting senior warriors to promote his domain, but I didn't expect you to be swayed."

Aaron chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, it just happened. That man is fascinating, and even my Behemoth has taken a liking to his dragon and Sphinx. You should come along too—several of our friends are already planning to."

Faust couldn't help but laugh. "It sounds like a carefully laid plan. Well, why not? I've also heard that some mages have already gone there for research. It might be interesting to teach the next generation."

Aaron, already eager at the prospect of collaborating with the knights in Michael's domain, readily agreed. "Exactly! This is shaping up to be quite the adventure. Who knows how effective these methods of life extension might be? But if we manage to live a little longer, imagine what else we might witness."

The two men shared a smile, the possibility of seeing history unfold—perhaps even the birth of a new empire—lighting up their expressions.

Meanwhile, in the royal palace of Lania, Astrid stood nervously before the door to her father's private study. Clad in a simple cream dress adorned with a pale pink rose tucked behind her ear, she radiated elegance. The guard at the door, clearly captivated, stared at her in awe until his senior cleared his throat sharply. The younger guard blushed and stepped aside, removing his halberd to let her pass.

As Astrid entered, the senior guard shot the younger one an irritated glare before resuming his stoic demeanor. When their shift ended and other guards came to relieve them, the senior dragged the younger into the locker room and delivered a swift kick to his shin.

"Manage your expressions better if you want to keep working here. Understand?" he growled.

The younger guard, rubbing his shin, protested indignantly. "But she's so beautiful! Did you see how she smiles at me every time she passes? Isn't that proof that we share a connection?"

The senior guard clicked his tongue in exasperation. "Listen, kid. Princess Astrid is so kind-hearted she'd smile at a stray cat. Heck, she probably smiles brighter at cats than at us."

The younger guard grumbled but refused to let go of his romantic fantasy. "…Still, can't a man dream? Now that she's the heir, she'll have to pick a noble consort from the unmarried men of the kingdom, won't she?"

The senior leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Dream on. She's already promised."

The younger guard's eyes widened in shock, his face flushing red with disbelief. "W-who is it? She wouldn't settle for some arranged political marriage, would she?"

"Who said anything about a political marriage?" the senior replied, enjoying the younger guard's mounting frustration. "Everyone in the palace knows how perfect a pair they are. It's like something out of a storybook—a young knight new to the capital meeting the princess, who wasn't even the heir at the time. Their first meeting was romantic and dignified, followed by elegant dates in the library, and letters exchanged over the years. Truly, a beautiful love story."

The younger guard shook his head vehemently. "I won't accept it unless I know who he is! Tell me!"

Seeing the younger guard's nostrils flaring and face reddening further, the senior sighed. If he didn't reveal the name now, the boy might burst into tears or storm out. Reluctantly, he relented.

"Alright, fine. But once you hear it, you'll let this go, and no more daydreaming on duty. Got it?"

The younger guard nodded solemnly, leaning closer in anticipation.

The senior smirked and finally revealed the name. "Count Michael von Crassus. Yes, the northern hero, Lania's hope, the Pamir Empire's nightmare, a Dragon Knight and the master of a Sphinx! The same Michael who recently defeated 300 legendary warriors by himself. That's the man who has won the heart of our princess."