In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

Using magical beasts and mages—for urban construction?

That was like using a sacred sword to chop firewood.

"Feel free to try it yourselves. It's far more efficient than grinding down peasants and serfs. Not to mention, the mages involved advanced their ranks quite rapidly."

It was true.

The number of high level mages settling in the city had exploded.

Many of them had achieved breakthroughs through sheer volume of magical work in the construction process.

One noble, still peering out the window, gasped.

"Oh... What's that foggy area over there? A bakery, perhaps? Although the baker seems awfully lazy, working this late in the day…"

Michael burst into laughter.

"Haha! That's our public bath and laundry facility."

The group stared at him.

"You mean… there's a hot spring inside the city?"

"Of course not," Michael said, still smiling warmly. "We're using geothermal energy drawn up with the help of magical beasts and mages to supply hot water. Thanks to that, our citizens have access to warm water even in the winter. We also open the public baths to everyone—free of charge, twice a week."

"Warm water in winter…?"

Even most nobles couldn't enjoy that luxury freely—it required a mage to remain on standby at all times.

Michael's smile deepened.

This was one of the things he was most proud of.

By replacing wooden huts and thatched roofs, and by providing access to hot water, mortality rates had dropped dramatically.

The delegation fell silent, now fully absorbed in taking in the view below.

Their eyes soon turned toward a group of children gathered for an outdoor lesson—a scene Michael had intentionally orchestrated.

"What's that place…?"

"A school," Michael explained. "All children aged seven and up enroll in basic schooling to learn reading and arithmetic. Those who show promise are sent to secondary school. From there, if they stand out, they're given specialized training according to their talents."

King Edmund found himself speechless.

Education, in his world, was a privilege reserved only for the elite.

But here…

"I don't even know what to say. Should I call it revolutionary? Or remind him of social order? …Though I suppose he's no mere noble anymore."

The griffin drawn sky carriage finally approached the heart of the city.

At its center stood the main market a massive gathering place filled with people from both the inner and outer city.

A round building, like a doughnut with an open center, housed various permanent shops around the perimeter.

Within the central courtyard, rows of orderly, bustling street vendors sold their wares.

Emperor Oswald narrowed his eyes.

"What are those people doing here…?"

The other kings noticed it too.

The carriage was flying low enough that faces were clearly visible.

"Wait… isn't that one of our own kingdom's merchant lords? What's he doing here…?"

Michael feigned ignorance, as if he hadn't noticed their reactions.

Now that it was publicly known that Michael was the owner of the Zirak Trading Company, it was only natural that every major trade guild on the continent had flocked here.

Still, many among the delegation couldn't hide their sour expressions.

"Greedy merchants… always fawning over gold with that vacant grin on their faces."

The city's industrial zones came next—neatly divided and visibly active with production.

But by now, most of the nobles had grown too overwhelmed to care.

Only Sigmund and Maximilian still watched with sharp eyes, determined to learn something from Crassus's impressive developments.

Sigmund, in particular, was impressed.

"They've implemented what I only ever theorized. Truly extraordinary."

He turned toward Michael and asked lightly,

"Has your father been managing all this? Quite the capable man."

Michael shook his head.

"No, not at all. My sister has taken charge of much of it—particularly urban planning and education. She's been an immense help."

Sigmund's eyes lit up in recognition.

"Wait… the beauty I met by the lake… that's his sister? And she's this capable, too?"

He narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly.

"I believe I've had the pleasure. She was… quite beautiful."

Michael's expression stiffened the moment he saw Sigmund's subtle change in tone.

"…This bastard…"

At the base of the Argo mountain range, where the fortress stood, a massive crowd had already gathered.

Admittedly, the castle was small for a royal capital.

Queen Dowager Guinevere didn't miss her chance.

Covering her mouth with a fan, she chuckled mockingly.

"Aha, it's smaller than I expected. Can such a tiny place handle proper state affairs?"

As others shook their heads at her pettiness, Michael responded with a sharp smile.

"This building will serve as an administrative hall from now on. We're currently constructing a new royal castle by the lake in the Argo mountains. Once it's complete, you'll all be invited."

Silenced in an instant, Guinevere snapped her fan shut.

Chancellor Guinness, exasperated, jabbed her in the side with no restraint.

He looked ready to throw her off the mountain.

Henry III, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject.

"Look over there. What a welcome!"

The people who had seen the sky carriage approaching were now waving the new flag of Xerque, cheering at the top of their lungs.

"Long live Prince Michael! Long live King Dominic!"

Though their titles and cheers were all over the place, the joy in their voices was real.

Elizabeth, watching the descending carriage, adjusted her dress calmly.

Though designed for practicality, the gown still highlighted her graceful figure.

Wearing only a string of pearls, her natural beauty radiated.

Dominic, who had arrived earlier to receive the envoys, stepped forward to greet them.

"Welcome! Did you enjoy your tour? That was only a small preview. Tomorrow, we'll show you the full spectacle. Elizabeth!"

Dominic called out to his eldest daughter.

This was a moment too important to waste—all the kings of the continent were gathered.

His gaze fell on Elizabeth.

"With her beauty and capability, she's wasted on any ordinary noble…"

Elizabeth, knowing exactly what her father was thinking, scoffed inwardly.

Still, on the surface, she maintained perfect poise.