In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities-Chapter 176 The Battle

Even the Special Detached Unit—initially anxious about their abilities—found newfound confidence as they witnessed the enemy crumble under their assault.

A few Imperial soldiers attempted to escape, only to find the encircling infantry waiting to cut them down.

The battle concluded in a decisive victory. The field was littered with the bodies of Imperial soldiers, while Michael’s forces emerged largely unscathed.

The battlefield left in the wake of the one-sided combat was nothing short of devastating. The wide plain was strewn with trampled grass and hoof marks, while countless crushed bodies lay scattered everywhere. The grim scene evoked a profound sense of life’s transience.

Standing before the mass of corpses created under his command, Michael silently prayed for their souls. Perhaps it could be called hypocrisy, but someone had to shoulder the burden. The reason he didn’t voice his prayers was simple: as the supreme commander, showing sympathy for the enemy could weaken his army’s morale.

After silently paying his respects to the fallen, Michael turned his attention to rallying his soldiers. The corpses needed to be gathered and burned to prevent the spread of disease. Soldiers and knights, regardless of rank, threw themselves into the grim task with fervor. Their camaraderie, forged in the heat of battle, drove them to work as one.

Despite his desire to ease their burden by using the weather manipulation ability he had acquired from Babalu, Michael held himself back. Such intervention could disrupt the burning process. Under the blazing sun, the soldiers panted as they dug trenches and carried bodies. Occasionally, a gentle breeze passed by, but it was of little help. Instead, it stirred up dust, which found its way into their mouths and noses, further hindering their efforts.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

The knights suffered even more. Moving in gear caked with dirt and dust was a torment in itself. Yet wearing armor was essential during such operations, as no one could rule out the possibility of surviving enemies lying in wait for an opportunity.

Exhausted soldiers collapsed at a distance from the blazing pyres, the heat and fatigue leaving them gasping for breath. Hands busily reached for water canteens scattered around. Quartermasters darted to and fro, distributing water to those in need.

Once Michael confirmed that the fire had taken hold within the deep trenches, he decided it was safe to use his weather manipulation ability. He had tested it on an empty plain before, and the ability’s range extended to a 100-meter radius for about 30 minutes. It required six hours to recharge, but no immediate reuse seemed necessary.

Michael approached the detachment soldiers, who had to ride in full plate armor. Their gear was drenched in sweat and dust, and they radiated heat from head to toe. After enduring a battle in heavy armor and then digging trenches under the scorching sun, they were utterly drained. Without rest, they risked dehydration or heatstroke. Yet vigilance against potential threats was paramount.

Scanning the detachment, Michael noticed a few soldiers whose armor bore no trace of dust. "Everyone, remove your armor and rest for a while. Those wearing breathable enchanted armor will accompany me for reconnaissance."

Magically enchanted armor, while expensive, was not excessively rare. The Crassus family, for instance, had outfitted all their knights with it. Though Michael’s own armor was of royal caliber, enchanted armor offering improved ventilation and defense was relatively accessible.

As expected, about half of the detachment stepped forward. Among them were 50 knights and squires. Those who remained began loosening the straps of their armor, casting envious glances at the privileged few. Although common enough, the price of enchanted armor was anything but trivial. The fact that more than half of the detachment possessed it spoke volumes about their noble lineage.

While the enchanted armor wearers mounted their horses, the clatter of heavy armor hitting the ground echoed around them. Squires assisted knights in removing their armor and then turned to tend to the horses, gently patting their exhausted mounts as they removed the gear. The horses, too, were breathing heavily.

Meanwhile, the regular soldiers stripped off their leather armor, baring their sweat-drenched chests. One soldier, his face flushed from the heat, murmured in gratitude for having a sensible commander. Sweat trickled down his reddened chest.

"It’s lucky we have a commander with common sense," he said. "I’ve served under a fool before—he stayed cool in his enchanted armor while yelling at us for loosening ours in the heat, saying it was undisciplined."

Another soldier, struggling to open his canteen with trembling hands, chuckled weakly. "Sounds familiar. Either we served under the same idiot, or there’s more than one out there. Our commander’s called a great leader for a reason. Even small acts of consideration like this make all the difference."

A third soldier, shaking dirt out of his leather boots, chimed in. "Exactly. Look at him—taking only those with enchanted armor for reconnaissance. Other commanders just sit back barking orders, but ours steps into battle himself to reduce casualties. It feels like he sees us as equals."

The soldiers all deeply respected Michael. Composed of seasoned veterans, they recognized his exceptional qualities as a commander. Though he might appear stern, every one of his orders reflected careful consideration for his troops and sound logic. This respect for their efforts and well-being was a novel experience for many of them.

As the heat of summer intensified, the plain baked under relentless sunlight. At best, a faint breeze occasionally swept through. Michael, standing beside his feline companion Miaomiao, spoke quietly.

"Miaomiao, I’m going to use the weather manipulation ability I gained earlier. Make it look like magic so no one suspects."

The perceptive Miaomiao rose, her sleek black fur shimmering in the sunlight. "[Understood. I’ll pretend to cast a spell for you.]"

Michael smiled and nodded. He stood behind Miaomiao, closed his eyes, and focused on summoning his ability. Imagining a refreshing breeze infused with a hint of coolness, he concentrated. Soon, a soothing wind began to blow within a 100-meter radius.