In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities-Chapter 232 The Expedition Begins

Two days had passed since their departure, with each warrior commanding their personal forces and mounted on their respective magical beasts. Their pace far outstripped that of any ordinary cavalry unit, thanks to the collective power of their airborne mounts.

As the group flew in formation, the skies gradually darkened. Eventually, they reached the border between the Kingdom of Ellonia and the Pamir Empire, where the ruins of Dolche Fortress came into view.

Once a proud guardian of the kingdom, Dolche Fortress now lay abandoned, shrouded in shadow. Its walls, once a symbol of unyielding strength, stood in crumbling disrepair, overtaken by weeds and time.

Michael signaled the group to descend in front of the fortress. With nightfall approaching, rest was essential. As he surveyed the desolate stronghold, his expression grew complicated. Dolche Fortress bore the scars of being the first bastion to fall to the Empire's onslaught. Its thick, blood-soaked walls were riddled with cracks, and the outer ramparts surrounding its moat had collapsed into heaps of rubble.

Wild grass and vines now grew unchecked, erasing traces of its former glory. The area surrounding the fortress was equally desolate. Once bustling with merchants and villagers, the roads were now silent and forlorn. The wind swept across the fields, carrying a haunting sound and stirring up dust. Beyond the broken gates, the interior of the fortress loomed eerily quiet, as though it still echoed with the despair and agony of its defenders.

Michael's gaze lingered on the fallen central tower, which had once stood tall to repel invaders. Now, it lay in ruins, a nesting ground for birds. Memories of the fortress's brutal fall weighed heavily on him, as if the cries of the soldiers who perished there still echoed faintly in his ears.

For a time, Dolche Fortress had been occupied by the Empire. However, the invaders had withdrawn after the capture of Crown Prince Oswald and the five tribal chiefs allied with the Empire. Their retreat had likely been motivated by concern for their chiefs rather than loyalty to the crown prince. Regardless of the reason, Ellonia and Rania were now safe from immediate threats.

Michael's eyes scanned the fortress walls, their surfaces worn by nearly four millennia of history. Dolche Fortress had endured countless wars and invasions, its strength a testament to its strategic significance. Despite its current state of disrepair, it remained a symbol of resilience.

The fortress, constructed with the rumored aid of divine power, was legendary for its defenses. Until its recent fall, it had never been breached, a feat that underscored its formidable construction. Under normal circumstances, even the Empire's might would have struggled to capture it quickly.

However, the misfortune of the Marquis of Dolche changed the course of history. While inspecting nearby border villages, the marquis and his retinue encountered the Empire's advancing forces. The marquis and his escort of elite warriors perished in the skirmish, leaving the fortress defenseless.

Seizing the opportunity, the Empire's army advanced unimpeded. The marquis's body was later returned impaled on a stake, a grim warning to the remaining defenders. Demoralized, the soldiers of Dolche Fortress fought valiantly but were ultimately overwhelmed and slaughtered.

The swift fall of Dolche Fortress had dire consequences for Ellonia, setting off a chain of defeats. Had the marquis survived and fortified the fortress, reinforcements could have been summoned, and the tide of war might have turned. Instead, Ellonia lost its most critical stronghold, leaving it vulnerable to the Empire's relentless advance.

Even in its current state, Dolche Fortress impressed Michael. The centuries-old structure retained an air of strength and determination, its foundations standing firm despite its outward ruin. With some repairs, he believed the fortress could be restored to its former grandeur.

For Michael, Dolche Fortress was more than just a relic; it represented an opportunity. He resolved that, upon the conclusion of this campaign, he would claim the fortress and its surrounding lands as part of his reward. With Dolche Fortress as his new defensive stronghold, his influence would grow beyond dispute.

When Michael first entered the war, Ellonia was desperately resisting the Empire's invasion. Facing near-certain defeat, King Henry III promised to grant any wish to the one who could drive the Empire out. Michael had already been awarded the fertile lands of the Elandor Plains along with his title. Combined with the territory granted by Rania in the Drago Mountains and the potential addition of Dolche Fortress, his holdings would rival those of a small duchy.

What made his plan even more advantageous was that these territories were interconnected, forming a cohesive line of defense. The proximity of resources and troops would ensure efficient management and unparalleled military strength.

This realization filled Michael with quiet satisfaction. For Ellonia, however, it was likely an unexpected complication. The kingdom had never truly believed anyone could repel the Empire, and the promise of reward had been made as a nominal gesture.

At the start of the war, the Empire's overwhelming strength had pushed Ellonia to the brink of collapse. Yet now, the Empire had retreated, and Ellonia owed its survival largely to Michael. Given his contributions, the kingdom would likely count itself fortunate if his demands remained modest.

Rich plains, a powerful fortress, and the vast territory of the Drago Mountains—it was a small price to pay for salvation. Under ordinary circumstances, a noble expanding his domain so significantly would have drawn the king's scrutiny. But Michael had no such concerns.

With Capone Duke's alliance effectively securing Michael's engagement to Princess Astrid, the arrangements were as good as finalized. Charles V would undoubtedly welcome the dowry, or rather, the vast wealth and influence that Michael brought with him. After all, everything would eventually pass to the children born of Michael and Astrid.

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As Michael surveyed Dolche Fortress with satisfaction, his steps faltered upon entering the inner courtyard. Through the swirling dust carried by the wind, he caught sight of bodies dangling from poles. The gusts of wind intensified as night approached, causing the poles to creak and the bodies to sway.

The dried, withered corpses bore the unmistakable marks of their final, agonizing moments. Their contorted faces seemed frozen in eternal screams. Michael's eyes darkened with fury at the sight.