In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities-Chapter 283: A Wind from the Capital

Michael sighed inwardly. "I didn't want to resort to this, but there's no other choice."

Moments later, Leonardo, one of Michael's most loyal and formidable knights, stormed into the room barefoot. Without hesitation, he seized Henry by the collar and shook him violently.

"You wretch! How dare you commit such a heinous act against your lord? Are you even human?"

The burly assistant chef, Henry, was tossed about like a ragdoll in Leonardo's grasp.

Though Leonardo's outrage was theatrical, the gravity of the crime could not be overstated.

After giving Henry a thorough shaking, Leonardo stared him down, his fierce gaze leaving no room for defiance. Under the pressure, Henry stammered and began to spill his secrets.

"I-I was swindled by gamblers who recently came to town. They cheated me out of my money. I wasn't the only one—they tricked several other employees as well."

Leonardo's voice was sharp. "Who else gambled with them?"

"Me, Thomas the stablehand, and Matthew, a second rank servant," Henry admitted, his voice shaking.

"What did they order you to do?"

"They gave me a small glass vial and told me to pour its contents into the Grand Duke's food. They warned me to be extremely careful and to add it only at the very last moment, in case anyone tasted the food beforehand."

Leonardo's fiery gaze shifted to Matthew, who had been brought in shortly after.

Matthew, clearly intimidated, immediately began speaking.

"All I did was carry the food Henry prepared. I had no idea it was poisoned!"

"But you knew something suspicious was going on, didn't you? Why else would you suddenly ask to change your duties?"

Matthew lowered his head. "Yes… I suspected something was amiss. But they threatened to collect my gambling debts if I didn't comply. I had no choice."

"And Thomas? What role did he play?"

"After we completed the task, we were supposed to flee together. Thomas was to steal horses from the stables and meet us at the village entrance," Matthew explained.

Having learned the full extent of the plot, Michael shook his head in disbelief.

"What a foolish and clumsy scheme… Yet, despite its simplicity, the poison still ended up in front of me. I'll need to pay closer attention to the financial situations of my staff in the future."

Oliver, the steward, was pale with shame. Bowing deeply, he addressed Michael and Dominic.

"This is entirely my fault. I failed in my responsibilities and allowed such scoundrels to infiltrate the estate."

Michael waved a hand dismissively. "No, Oliver. This isn't your fault. You cannot prevent people from harboring malicious intent. The fault lies solely with them."

At Dominic's signal, Sir Ronald began dragging the three conspirators away. ƒreewebɳovel.com

The prisoners, realizing the gravity of their situation, thrashed and pleaded desperately.

"Spare us! Please!"

"Your Grace, show mercy!I I beg you!"

"This is unjust! I didn't know! Please, it wasn't my fault!"

Michael's voice was cold and unyielding as he addressed them.

"If you confess all your crimes and face death honorably, I will ensure that your families are not held accountable. What will you do?"

Their gambling had been a personal failing, but they had compounded their sins by accepting murder as a solution. Michael had no intention of showing leniency to those who now cried for mercy.

Realizing there was no escape, the prisoners fell silent. They knew their only choice was to accept their punishment and spare their families further suffering.

Dominic, his face somber, turned to Michael.

"Who do you think is behind this?"

Michael's thoughts turned to the many enemies he had made, but few had the power and resources to orchestrate such a plot.

"Most likely, the Duke of Rochester from the Northwestern Territories," Michael replied, his voice steady.

Dominic sighed, recalling the duke's illegitimate son, Philip, who had once served under their household.

"Ah… He must blame us for the death of his bastard son," Dominic murmured.

Michael stood abruptly, his face set with determination.

"There's no time to waste. I must go to the royal capital immediately. The Duke of Rochester's grudge against the king is likely even greater than his resentment toward me."

Before Michael could finish his sentence, a griffin descended into the estate's courtyard, its wings stirring the air. A knight, barely clinging to his saddle, stumbled off the beast and sprinted toward the castle.

"Too late," Michael thought, clenching his fists. The knight's urgency left no doubt about the nature of his message.

As the knight approached, his voice rang out, hoarse and desperate.

"Your Grace! An urgent message from the royal court! King Charles V is gravely ill and on the brink of death. You must come to the capital immediately!"

Dominic stared at Michael in stunned silence, and Elizabeth covered her mouth, stifling a gasp.

Letting out a weary sigh, Michael glanced back at his family. The joyful reunion they had shared upon his return to the estate was now overshadowed by the storm brewing in the royal capital a tempest that threatened to engulf both his house and his destiny.

Michael summoned all the knights and staff to the central hall of the fortress. The crimson rays of the setting sun seeped through the windows, glinting off his black armor and emanating a powerful sense of authority. The air was still, but tension simmered beneath the silence.

He called upon Sir Roderick, the commander of the knights within the fortress.

"Sir Roderick."

Despite being over fifty, Roderick still maintained a robust physique. His loyal eyes, having served the Crassus family for a lifetime, now burned with steadfast resolve as he knelt before Michael.

"Command me, my lord."

Michael looked down at him slowly.

"Mobilize every flying beast in the territory and bring as many knights as possible. If any mages respond to the call, take them with you as well."

With the order given, Sir Roderick left the central hall.

Michael then turned to the deputy commander of the house knights.