In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Chapter 104 Ethan

Ethan's life, as the sixth son of a serf family in the southern territories, had always been harsh. Born into poverty, he matured early, understanding his responsibilities as a child of meager means. To avoid angering his perpetually irritated father, Ethan diligently completed his assigned tasks and never neglected to help his frail mother, worn out from numerous childbirths.

Though four more siblings were born after him, only one brother and two sisters survived. Despite days spent toiling in the fields until his bones ached, the family subsisted on rough bread mixed with sand—and even that was a luxury.

At sixteen, Ethan married his childhood friend, Anna, from the neighboring house. However, the sweetness of their newlywed life was short-lived, ending with the stillbirth of their first child. The hard labor Anna endured during her pregnancy, coupled with poor nutrition, had taken its toll.

Anna fell into a deep depression, her vitality gradually fading.

"Why the fuss? A baby dies, and she collapses? She's got it easy, hasn't she?" whispered the villagers, their hearts hardened by unending labor and loss.

Though Anna eventually recovered, her weakened body could not regain its former strength. To support her, Ethan worked even harder. Slowly, her smiles returned.

But one day, when things seemed to be improving, a farm overseer's subordinate brought crushing news.

"Ethan, you've been reassigned to the rocky fields. Just a heads-up."

"What? But… we've already finished planting," Ethan protested.

"Come on now, you know no one will buy those rocky fields. It means you'll be sold off soon," the man replied bluntly.

"And my parents? My wife?" Ethan asked, panic creeping into his voice.

"The elderly and weak women won't be sold. Your wife will probably remarry some widower in the village, and your brother can take care of your parents."

Ethan's thoughts flashed to his older brother, who had returned from the lord's war with one arm. Despite his efforts, his harvest was half of what others managed. After taxes and tributes to the lord, he often relied on handouts from Ethan and their married sisters.

And Anna? Could he really leave her to marry someone else? He pictured her shy smile from their wedding night.

No. Never.

"My lord, you know my brother's condition. I'm the only one supporting my family. Please, I beg you!" Ethan pleaded.

"Enough! The lord has already decided. You're not the only one—every able-bodied man and unmarried woman in the village is being sold," the subordinate replied with a pitying shake of his head. Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

The village's poor yield the previous year had left it vulnerable. Though the land was naturally barren, the lord needed immediate funds, and the villagers were the sacrifice.

Ethan collapsed in despair as the cries of families being torn apart echoed throughout the village.

Days passed in a haze of hopelessness until the subordinate returned with surprising news.

"Ethan, I've got good news for you."

Ethan, his eyes hollow and lifeless, looked up.

"Is it time for me to be sold?"

The man coughed awkwardly before speaking in a placating tone.

"Not quite. The lord who purchased you is a generous man. To prevent families from being separated, he's decided to buy the families of all his serfs as well."

A glimmer of life returned to Ethan's eyes.

"Really? Then I won't be separated from my family?"

"That's right. It's a relief for me too. Prepare to leave in three days. Your one-armed brother and your sisters' families are included. The whole village is being moved," the man explained.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ethan's tears flowed freely.

"Thank you, my new lord…"

What Ethan didn't know was that similar scenes were unfolding across other southern estates.

With his meticulous nature, Ethan spent the three days preparing as best as he could. While some neighbors scoffed at his efforts, others followed his example, organizing their families for the journey.

Ethan gathered cloth to wrap their feet, stripping even the window coverings from their small home. He fashioned walking sticks that could double as weapons if needed. Into their bundles, he packed smoked meat from winter poaching—enough for each family member to have a piece for strength. He even included the baby clothes of their first child, treasuring its memory.

The journey was grueling. Some of the elderly and children died along the way, their bodies buried hastily before the group moved on.

After countless days of walking, their destination finally came into view: the Crassus estate, accessible only through a narrow gorge.

As they waited for their guide, Anna clutched Ethan's sleeve, her wide eyes fixed on something in the distance. Following her gaze, Ethan saw a knight descending on a dark blue jaguar-like beast.

"Is that an angel?" Anna whispered.

"No, it's a magical beast. They say nobles ride those creatures," another villager murmured as the crowd began to buzz.

Ethan, stealing a glance at the knight's face as he dismounted, was stunned. Could someone really look like that?

Under the soldiers' guidance, they were led through the gorge to their new home, a place that seemed like paradise.

Each family was assigned a tent equipped with simple beds and lockers. The beds, made from stacked logs, were both practical and efficient, as the logs could later be repurposed as firewood. Fresh straw was laid on top of the beds—a luxury Anna marveled at as she ran her fingers through the clean, dry fibers.

"That knight—he's the heir to the Crassus estate, isn't he?" Anna asked, her voice tinged with wonder.

"Yes, and this place seems truly exceptional," Ethan replied.

His older brother, Yurik, looked equally pleased. Having recently promised his future to a young widow from a neighboring estate, he was filled with hope.

Assigned to tents near the farmland, they soon set out to work. Though the planting season had passed, the fields clearly needed extensive clearing and preparation.

Their allocated plots were larger than what they were used to—large enough to leave surplus even after taxes. Moreover, the taxes here were significantly lower than at their previous estate, and there was no need to pay tributes.