In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Oswald let out a bitter laugh, his breath heavy with resignation. He had once dreamed of gathering strength through war to overthrow his father, the emperor. Instead, he now sat in chains, his ambitions thwarted.

Lifting his gaze, Oswald's eyes landed on the cell opposite his. There, his loyal subordinate and mage, Carlton, lay groaning in pain. Even in the shadows, the mage's pale face and deep wounds were starkly visible. The claw marks left by the sphinx guarding the prison were severe. To stem the bleeding, Carlton had resorted to cauterizing the injuries with flame magic, but the wounds had deteriorated further. His labored, uneven breaths and twisted expression betrayed his agony.

"Carlton…" Oswald murmured, his voice heavy with anguish. The sight of his loyal retainer suffering on his behalf stabbed at his heart like a dagger. Carlton could have escaped and lived freely, but his loyalty had brought him to this wretched state. Watching the mage languish helplessly filled Oswald with guilt and despair, but he refused to let those emotions paralyze him.

'This cannot go on,' he thought desperately. He had to act—for Carlton's sake, if nothing else.

Clenching his fists, Oswald wrestled with his inner turmoil. The situation had left him with only one option. If the prisoner exchange proceeded as planned, he would be delivered back to his father, only to have his life drained. The empire's citizens, ignorant of the truth, would praise the emperor's calculated efficiency. The thought was maddening.

Taking a deep breath, Oswald sat upright on the cot, cradling his knees. He had not slept peacefully for even a single night since learning of the emperor's horrifying secret—how his father extended his life by sacrificing his sons. The revelation had left an indelible scar on Oswald's soul. He had struggled desperately to escape that fate, yet here he was.

Raising his head, Oswald resolved to fight. It was too early to give up. If he played his cards right, there might yet be a way out. He scanned his cell with renewed determination. The shadows no longer seemed suffocating but instead carried the faint promise of opportunity. If he could escape this place and elude his father's grasp, survival was within reach. The empire's stability was a secondary concern; reclaiming his life and seizing the throne mattered more than anything.

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Oswald rose cautiously. The chains on his wrists and ankles clinked heavily, the sound echoing through the prison as he straightened his back and took a deliberate step forward. The cold stone floor magnified the metallic clash of his movements.

His gaze fixed on the sphinx crouched in the corridor outside the cells. The creature's massive frame and sharp claws radiated an intimidating aura, its cold, glowing eyes adding to its fearsome presence. Despite the terror gripping his heart, Oswald forced himself to stand tall. He inhaled deeply, summoning every ounce of courage.

"Sphinx! Hear my words!" His voice rang out, shattering the oppressive silence of the prison.

The sphinx, which had been staring idly at its forepaws with the wisdom of ages in its eyes, slowly turned its massive head to regard him. The creature's gaze sent chills down Oswald's spine, but he did not waver.

"Relay my message to your master at once!" he demanded, his voice firm.

The sphinx's expression remained impassive, its cold eyes betraying a hint of disdain. It seemed almost incredulous at the human's audacity. For a moment, Oswald's confidence faltered, but he pushed the unease aside and continued.

"I am Oswald, Crown Prince of the Pamir Empire. I have something to say to your master. Deliver my message without delay!"

The sphinx's sharp gaze turned sharper, and its displeasure was palpable. Interrupted from pondering the shape of a claw-shaped trinket it had planned to request from Michael, it narrowed its eyes at the insolent human.

[What? Do you dare treat me, a divine beast, as a mere messenger?]

Realizing his blunder, Oswald's face stiffened. His mouth opened to offer a hurried explanation, but the clinking of his chains betrayed his growing anxiety.

"I-I misspoke in a moment of confusion. My apologies," Oswald stammered, his voice trembling with unease. "Please, relay my message. I must speak with Sir Michael."

The sphinx, with its luminous green eyes glowing eerily in the darkness, stared at him with unsettling intensity.

[What is it you wish to say?]

Swallowing hard, Oswald met the creature's gaze, realizing it might actually be willing to listen. Wasting no time, he took a cautious step closer and spoke with conviction.

"It's a matter of great importance—something that could shift the entire course of this war."

The sphinx regarded him skeptically, its piercing eyes scanning him from head to toe. This was, after all, the imperial crown prince—someone of immense value. If he was pleading this earnestly, his claim might hold weight.

[Very well. But if you're plotting anything foolish...]

The sphinx's claws gleamed menacingly as it extended them slightly. Oswald, fully aware of the devastating power those claws could unleash, nodded quickly.

"I will pay any price. Just deliver my message, I beg you."

The sphinx flicked its tail against the ground a few times before tapping its earring and summoning Michael.

Oswald let out a quiet sigh of relief. If Michael was as cunning and profit-minded as Oswald suspected, this plan had a real chance of succeeding. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, a chill of doubt followed.

'Is this truly the right choice?'

He shook his head firmly. There was no other option. He had no choice but to throw himself onto the wheel of fate.

Michael, reflecting on the sphinx's message, made his way to the dark, subterranean prison. Pushing open the heavy iron door, he stepped inside, his gaze landing on Oswald. Even in the pitch-black cell, the shadow of anguish and pain etched into Oswald's features was unmistakable.

Facing him, Michael broke the silence with a calm voice. "What is it you wish to say?"