In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Chapter 81 You're Keeping Track Of My Payment Properly, Right?

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "For nearly 500 years, my family has lived here, and the stories of the castle have always been grim. Even the sturdiest knights who dared enter ended up sickly and weak. People say they hear a woman crying at night, or they see fingers reaching out from the well. That's why most of the villagers left—afraid the curse would seep out into the village."

Michael studied her trembling hands and frightened expression. Her account, however fantastical, didn't seem fabricated.

"If it's such a notorious place, why haven't I heard any rumors about it across the region?" he asked.

Osa's reply was humble. "Well, my lord, it's just gossip among us common folk. We've never had the chance to tell anyone important."

Her explanation made sense. If he had inherited land from a distant relative, he wouldn't have paid much attention to local superstitions either. The repeated deaths and the lack of heirs could explain why the Crown family line had dwindled and the land had reverted to the kingdom.

But Michael had one more question. "As a baronial domain, there must have been priests or executioners from the Radiant Church here. What did they do about it? Executioners are essentially priests of death and vengeance, after all." Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

Osa clasped her hands together, bowing her head. "We might call it a curse, but the officials seemed to think it was just a coincidence. I've never heard of the priests doing anything. When the villagers left, they left too."

Michael turned his gaze toward the distant castle. The stories certainly gave it an eerie air, but instead of fear, he smiled.

A curse? Evil spirits? He thought to himself, That might actually be a good thing.

As Michael approached the castle, Miaomiao cautiously spoke to him.

"[Michael, this might not be as easy as it seems, Miao. Isn't it strange that no one has claimed a territory with an iron mine, a castle, and a village still intact, Miao? There must be rumors circulating among the nobles, Miao. The Radiance Church is notoriously irresponsible, and executioners are such a closed-off group with highly individualistic tendencies. If the executioner here is an irresponsible person, it's likely they avoided dealing with something they couldn't handle, Miao.]"

In the light that stretched across the village square, Michael listened to Miaomiao's concerns and paused to think. Her green eyes glimmered nervously as she awaited his response.

Michael, understanding her worries, smiled to reassure her. "Yes, I know. Under normal circumstances, this place would already belong to someone. Don't worry. I'm not going to the castle alone. For now, I want to check the condition of the iron mine in the mountains behind the castle. We'll go to the castle together tomorrow with Grandpa. Does that sound okay?"

Relieved, Miaomiao curled her tail and settled back onto the saddle of Bucephalos. "[That's a relief, Miao. I was worried you might get too excited and do something irreversible... Not that I think you're weak or untrustworthy, Miao!]"

Seeing her watching him anxiously, Michael gently stroked her brow. His touch carried a genuine warmth, and Miaomiao half-closed her eyes, purring contentedly.

"Don't worry, I'm not that reckless. Thanks to Oisin's power—at least, I think that's the reason—I'm getting stronger every day. I feel like the absorbed mana is affecting my body."

After mulling it over, Miaomiao nodded in agreement. Her black fur shimmered in the sunlight. "[That's entirely possible, Miao. After all, we're strong because we're born with mana. It would make sense for humans infused with mana to experience the same, Miao.]"

Michael gestured toward Marcus, who was still soaring through the sky. Apparently keeping an eye on them even while flying freely, Marcus descended and began to shrink in size. His massive frame gradually transformed until he was about the size of a pony.

"[Ah, that was delightful. Sister. Human—no, Michael. Why did you call me?]" Marcus's landing caused a slight ripple in the air as he turned his curious gaze to Michael.

"We're about to explore the mine," Michael explained. "I've heard that dragons are naturally skilled at prospecting and mining. Is that true?"

Having previously yielded to Miaomiao's insistence that he drop formal speech with her, Marcus stood proudly, his chest puffed out, exuding confidence. His eyes gleamed with pride. "[Of course! Human—no, Michael. As a member of the great Red Dragons, I possess exceptional talent for locating and excavating minerals.]"

Playing to Marcus's ego, Michael praised him enthusiastically. "That's incredible, Marcus. Truly worthy of the great Red Dragons. So we'll get to see that talent in action today."

Pleased, Marcus spread the thin membranes of his face wide open. "[Indeed, Michael. You'll witness my abilities firsthand.]"

Though Miaomiao looked at Marcus with disdain, Michael remained undeterred. "Great! Thank you, Marcus. I'm counting on you. I heard there's an iron mine in that mountain range. Can you check how long it is and how much ore it contains?"

"[Understood. Wait here a moment.]" Marcus spread his wings grandly, preparing to take off.

"Wait a minute! Marcus, you need to carry us. Go back to your original size over at that clearing."

Marcus nodded and flew toward the clearing. While Michael secured Bucephalos in an empty stable, Miaomiao whispered behind him. "[That fool… He doesn't even know he should demand compensation for labor, Miao. Really, he's such a naive chick, Miao. Michael, you're keeping track of my payment properly, right, Miao?]"

Michael recalled her payment as explained by his grandfather: one gold per day, along with a good meal and milk. Since the food and milk were being provided daily, it seemed she was referring to the gold. "Of course! Your gold is being carefully saved. By the way, Miaomiao, do you know what an investment is?"

While Michael subtly tried to introduce her to the concept of investment—or, perhaps, a scam—Marcus reached the clearing and returned to his original size. Michael approached him, holding a specially crafted saddle he had requested from Leonardo.