In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

With every word, the senior's shoulders rose with pride while the younger guard's slumped lower and lower. Finally, the younger guard silently turned back to his locker, beginning to pack his things.

"Hey, what are you doing? You're not quitting, are you?" the senior called out, half amused and half concerned.

The younger guard turned back with a blank expression and replied, "…Just trying to focus on reality. I've given up completely. Honestly, if it's Count Michael, even I'd want to marry him."

There wasn't a hint of regret in his voice. After all, how could anyone compete with a man destined to become a legend?

Princess Astrid had no idea that a farcical drama was unfolding elsewhere because of her. Today, she was deeply engrossed in a lesson with her father, King Charles V, learning about the mindset and choices required of a ruler.

With a solemn expression, Charles asked, "Astrid, you're aware that the Kingdom of Pasha is struggling against the Pamir Empire's forces, correct? If you were in Alfonso II's position and faced with such a situation, would you implement a scorched-earth strategy like Elonia did?"

Astrid paused briefly, then began to answer with confidence. She had pondered this question extensively on her own, and her thoughts flowed easily.

"I would accept some losses but prioritize practicality. The Pamir Empire's lands are largely unsuitable for proper farming," she began, pointing to a detailed map of the Rubel continent spread out on the table.

"Most of their soldiers travel on horseback, carrying limited supplies. From what I understand, they've already secured some provisions by passing through Elonia's territory. However, this makes a scorched-earth strategy less effective. Elonia's populace is composed of both nobles and commoners, but Pasha is predominantly made up of serfs. Relocating those serfs would require the nobles to bear immense costs, which would undoubtedly provoke resentment."

Charles nodded, encouraging her to continue. Astrid took a moment to steady her breath before pressing on.

"Cruel nobles might try to minimize their losses by killing unproductive serfs, and fools might abandon them entirely. Moreover, the Kingdom of Pasha is currently isolated, with no allies to support them. What's the point of implementing a scorched-earth strategy and building temporary defensive lines in such circumstances?"

Her delicate fingers traced the defensive lines marked on the map, drawing Charles's gaze. After another steadying breath, Astrid added with conviction, "There's also a critical vulnerability to consider. Pasha's grain-producing regions are concentrated near the border, while 70% of the interior is mountainous. As the war drags on, the population driven deeper into the peninsula is likely to revolt."

Charles studied his daughter with pride. Despite only recently beginning her education in statecraft, she already displayed remarkable insight.

"And what would your solution be?" he asked.

"I would leverage patriotism to issue government bonds and purchase grain from merchants, which I would then send to the Pamir forces," she replied confidently. "After all, they only stopped in Pasha because they were dissatisfied with the lack of spoils from Lania and Elonia. They're not interested in killing people or seizing territory."

Her finger moved along the map's border as she elaborated. "With Elonia between them, there's no practical benefit for the Pamir Empire to take Pasha's lands. Even if it seems wasteful to spend gold now, it's the best way to minimize casualties."

Charles smiled, his expression warm. "You have a pragmatic mind."

Astrid blushed slightly and admitted, "I actually learned a lot of this through my correspondence with Count Michael."

Charles's eyes widened in surprise. An insight like this, coming from the son of a mere baron? More astonishingly, Michael hadn't even been his family's heir until recently. He had been set to inherit the role of executioner from his maternal grandfather, a position tied to the northeastern provinces.

Executioner? The realization hit Charles like a bolt of lightning. He now understood who Michael's maternal lineage traced back to, and the implications were significant. "I should have considered this sooner. I must secure his consent for the marriage."

Quickly masking his astonishment, Charles nodded gravely. "Good. Make it a habit to consult widely and work collaboratively in matters of governance. That is what I have always done."

Astrid bowed her head slightly, her relief evident. Her father's lack of anger over her private correspondence with Michael seemed to solidify her engagement as an inevitability.

Glancing at his golden pocket watch, Charles clapped his hands. "This was an excellent discussion, Astrid. Remember, there are no absolute answers in governance. What matters most is your values. Build your principles firmly and act according to them. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father."

"Good. I believe you're building a strong foundation. Thank you for growing into someone I can be proud of."

Astrid curtsied deeply before leaving the room. As she made her way toward the library, her heart was filled with a desire to learn more and see more of the world.

Once Astrid was out of sight, Charles immediately summoned an attendant. "Contact the Temple of Death and Vengeance. I must make a personal visit."

Under the red-tinged evening sky, near the border of the Kingdom of Pasha, an estate was engulfed in flames and screams. The estate managers, acting on orders from their lord, had begun implementing the scorched-earth strategy in the local villages.

At the entrance of one such village, an estate manager turned to a knight at the front of their group, issuing a stern warning. "My lord, you must move quickly. We need to seize their hidden grain before these vermin have a chance to hide it."

The man's servile posture toward the knight vanished the moment he faced the serfs. Straightening his back, he bellowed, "Remember this! Anyone who defies the lord's will shall be severely punished!"

The serfs huddled together, their faces pale with fear. They had all heard of what had happened in neighboring estates. A terrified child whispered to his mother, "Mom, are we going to be driven into the mountains now?"