In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Chapter 80 Cursed Castle

[Miaomiao, do you think the castle will be bigger than this one?] Michael asked, breaking the silence.

"It should be, considering it's a baron's castle. Why do you ask?" he replied.

Miaomiao licked its paw nonchalantly. [I'd like my own room. Marcus snores too loudly.]

Michael chuckled. "True, his snoring can be quite loud. Alright, when we renovate the castle, I'll make sure you have your own room next to mine. Ispher mentioned wanting to stay close for security, so it'll have to be a big room. Don't worry, I'll make it happen."

Miaomiao flicked its tail with approval. [Well, I suppose I don't mind Ispher sharing.]

Known for its superficial judgments based on appearances, Miaomiao resumed grooming its paw. Michael narrowed his eyes as he observed the creature. Yes, Ispher was handsome, but it wasn't worth debating. Instead, he changed the topic.

"I've only seen the castle on maps, so I'm curious to see what it looks like in person. With you and Marcus around, I doubt any magical beasts will dare approach."

Miaomiao raised its nose in mock indignation. [Of course not. How dare mere beasts come near us? Marcus and I are divine beings.]

"Yes, yes, I know," Michael said as he looked at the map. "According to this, the mine should be located behind the castle. We'll have to see what state it's in."

[Naturally, that little chick will find it easily,] Miaomiao quipped, licking a paw. [He's so good at digging through the ground, after all.]

Michael sighed, turning to the feline on his shoulder. "Can't you treat Marcus a bit better? He doesn't even have other dragons to live with. Don't you feel sorry for him?"

[Hmph! I treat him just fine,] Miaomiao replied, flicking her tail. [Calling him 'chick' is just a nickname. Look at him flapping around up there—he's exactly like a baby bird, don't you think?]

Michael glanced up at Marcus, who was soaring joyfully through the air, twisting and turning in graceful loops. His red scales gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting a dazzling glow. There wasn't a trace of the aggressive nature usually associated with dragons; instead, he looked as carefree as a fledgling taking its first flight.

"Well… I'll admit, he does seem innocent," Michael remarked.

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As they ventured beyond the village, Marcus reverted to his true form, spreading his massive wings and performing elegant aerial maneuvers. The sight of his shimmering scales against the backdrop of a clear spring sky added to the serene beauty of the moment.

Bucephalus, restless from the slow pace, pawed at the ground with his front hooves. Sensing the stallion's impatience, Michael decided it was time for a change of pace. Gripping the reins tightly, he called out, "How about we pick up the pace, Miaomiao? Hold on tight!"

[Don't worry about me, focus on yourself!] Miaomiao retorted, her tail flicking in defiance.

Under the vibrant spring sun, with flowers in full bloom across the rolling fields, Michael, Miaomiao, and Bucephalus dashed forward, their spirits soaring. Marcus, too, quickened his pace, gliding effortlessly in the air to keep up.

When they arrived at Iron Valley, the village surrounding the castle came into view. It was unusual in design: the castle wasn't surrounded by walls. Instead, the village seemed to encircle the castle itself.

As Michael rode through the village, he noticed a few houses still appeared inhabited. Could these be remnants of the previous Baron Crown's subjects? According to his knowledge, the villagers tied to Iron Valley had long been absorbed into neighboring territories.

Curious, Michael approached the nearest house, a modest farmhouse. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, an elderly woman with snow-white hair cautiously peered out. The interior was dim and littered with straw, evidence that livestock had been housed indoors through the winter.

"Who's there? Oh my, a nobleman!" the woman exclaimed, her hands trembling as she prepared to bow low.

Michael quickly stopped her, offering a reassuring smile. "There's no need for such formalities. Are you a resident of Iron Valley?"

"Yes, my lord," the woman replied, her voice quivering. "My name is Osa, a humble native of these lands."

Michael softened his tone, aware of her frailty. "Osa, I thought all the villagers here had been relocated to neighboring territories. Why are you still here?"

Osa sighed deeply before answering. "Well, my lord, families with strong, able-bodied men were accepted by other territories, but those of us who are old and weak had nowhere to go. The land here is empty, so we scrape by, barely surviving. Do we… need to leave now?"

Panic crept into Osa's voice as she gripped her apron tightly. Michael quickly reassured her, "No, nothing like that. My family has been granted this land, and I'm here to survey it. How many others are still living here?"

Osa hesitated, counting on her fingers slowly. She seemed honest but struggled with larger numbers. "Well… there's me, my husband, and my simple-minded son—that's three of us. Next door, old Miranda and her husband make two more. Across the way, Piggy's house has three, and further down, Jona's household has four since their elder passed this winter. That's it."

Michael nodded. Her count matched the visible signs of life in the village—four occupied houses.

"So, there are twelve of you altogether," he confirmed. "I've heard there's still a castle here. What condition is it in?"

Osa's small eyes widened in fear, and she wrung her hands nervously. "Oh, kind knight, please don't take my words the wrong way, but that place is cursed. We've managed to survive out here in the village, but no one who has stayed in the castle has lived long."

Michael frowned. "What do you mean? As far as I know, Baron Crown and his family died during the war."

Osa shook her head sadly. "That's true, but the baron's family was only a distant branch that inherited the title. They were wiped out within three months. Before them, the previous lords died of illness, their entire household wasting away. And before them, another family invited all sorts of exorcists to drive out what they said were evil spirits, only to meet their end as well."