In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities-Chapter 306 Delivering the Fertilizer

Royal Palace of Elonia — Late at Night

At an unusually late hour, the royal chancellor had requested an audience. Such nighttime requests were rare.

King Henry III sat on the throne, one eyebrow twitching slightly in irritation.

He tapped the armrest of his throne with a slow, deliberate rhythm.

However, the moment the chancellor began his report, all traces of irritation vanished.

After a deep bow, the chancellor raised his head.

He looked tired and wasted no time on formalities.

"Your Majesty, the locust plague has caused massive damage across the entire kingdom."

King Henry slumped into his throne, one hand rising to press against his forehead.

First the war with the Pamir Empire—and now, a war with insects?

"At this point, someone must be praying for this kingdom to fall."

Suppressing the rising anger, he asked,

"There's insect damage every year. What's so different this time?"

The chancellor responded gravely.

"In the past, only small areas were affected. And those outbreaks were quickly handled with magic. But this time… things are different."

"How different?"

"The scale is enormous, Your Majesty. This isn't a regional issue. From what we've heard, the entire continent is being overrun."

"…So this isn't limited to Elonia?"

"That's correct, Sire."

Henry's expression briefly brightened.

If the plague had only hit Elonia, it would have been a disaster. But knowing that other nations were suffering too… eased the burden, if only slightly.

However, that brief relief quickly disappeared as a new concern emerged: food prices.

"…Which means," he began cautiously.

The chancellor's face darkened as he nodded.

"We won't be able to import grain either. All other nations are in crisis as well."

King Henry stared blankly at the chancellor, dismay spreading across his face.

"There were… similar locust plagues recorded in history, weren't there?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the chancellor replied.

"And how did they survive back then?"

"They managed by importing food from island nations, isolated from the continent. Eventually winter came, and with it, the locusts vanished."

A distant land, cut off from the mainland, capable of supplying food to the entire Rubel Continent…

Henry III sighed even deeper.

"Sigh… I was glad to see the influence of the Radiant Holy Kingdom had waned, but the heavens seem indifferent. What if we're heading back to those days again?"

The chancellor's face was grave as well.

The Holy Kingdom had always kept a close eye on continental affairs. Its influence might have diminished for now, reduced to conspiracies and shadows—but if this crisis allowed them to regain their strength…

They could easily return to their former glory—when even kings were forced to kneel before the pope's unchecked power.

Even if that didn't happen immediately, the current priority was clear: secure food.

If they didn't act quickly, they might find themselves unable to buy grain even with mountains of gold.

"…Let's do everything we can," Henry III declared.

"Contact the Mage Tower. Summon every magician we have. It may be like tossing a cup of water on a blazing fire, but it's better than nothing."

Just as the chancellor nodded gravely in response, a soldier burst into the chamber.

"Your Majesty! Grand Duke Michael of Rania has appeared atop the palace gates. He says he must speak with you urgently!"

Henry III blinked in confusion.

Michael? At this hour? Had he come to inspect his holdings in Elonia?

Whatever the case, he couldn't ignore such a distinguished guest.

It could easily be interpreted as presumptuous—arriving unannounced in the heart of another kingdom's royal palace—but Michael was no ordinary noble. He was the hero who had saved Elonia.

And more importantly, he was the man fated to marry Princess Astrid—the future queen.

"Quickly, bring him in. No—never mind. I'll go to him myself."

The night had deepened, casting the royal palace of Elonia into a hushed stillness.

Moonlight filtered softly through passing clouds, painting the marble courtyard in silver hues.

A cool wind stirred, signaling the approach of autumn.

Suddenly, the sky turned red.

A blinding light split the heavens, and something enormous descended into the courtyard with a thunderous impact.

The ground trembled. The vibrations rolled across the palace walls like a warning.

Guards and knights scrambled with weapons in hand, but none dared approach further.

Then someone shouted, "It's a dragon!"

The massive creature folded its crimson wings, glancing around the courtyard.

Battle scars glistened across the leathery folds of its wings, and its brilliant red scales shimmered like fire.

Its glowing eyes turned toward the center of the palace.

A low growl rumbled from its chest, raising the temperature in the air. The scent of sulfur rode on the breeze, making even the seasoned soldiers shudder.

"That's Sir Michael's dragon," a knight murmured.

As if in response, a tall figure with long black hair leapt from the dragon's back.

Michael dismounted Marcus and greeted the familiar knights with a courteous bow.

"My apologies for arriving without notice so late at night. The matter is… urgent."

The knights instinctively returned his greeting, while the soldiers around them swallowed hard.

So this was the famous Grand Duke Michael.

As handsome as the rumors said, calm and elegant in demeanor.

Michael turned toward the gathering soldiers.

"Please, could you help unload the sacks on Marcus's back?"

At the top of the palace stairs, the golden doors parted—and King Henry III appeared.

[Michael, look! The man in gold just showed up,] Marcus whispered, eyeing the king with a glint of curiosity.

The dragon's eyes roved over Henry's lavish robes with blatant interest.

Henry III went pale.

Why is that dragon looking at me like that? he thought.

Still, even in the face of mortal fear, he was a king. He had to uphold his dignity.

"What brings you here at this hour, and without any prior message, Grand Duke?" Henry asked coolly, though the edge of irritation laced his tone.

Michael's visit, though well-intentioned, could easily be perceived as a breach of sovereignty.

But Henry dared not scold him openly—Michael was Elonia's savior, after all.

And the man who would one day become Queen Astrid's consort.