In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

"What is feudalism?" Michael asked.

As he began, Astrid instinctively straightened her posture. Whenever he spoke, his arguments were logical, convincing—and dangerously easy to agree with if one didn't remain vigilant. So she prepared herself to think critically.

"It's a system where a king divides land among nobles, who then pledge loyalty in return," she answered evenly.

Michael tapped his fingers lightly on the table, the rhythmic sound filling the space between them.

"But over time," he said, "those nobles begin to prioritize their own interests above those of the crown… and the people."

He tilted his head slightly.

"They pass their lands down through generations. And slowly, they start disregarding royal authority."

Astrid pressed her lips together. She knew it was true—she'd seen it happen more than once.

Michael's gaze sharpened.

"In the end, the kingdom ceases to be a unified state. It becomes a federation of self-interested lords."

He raised a hand, drawing a wide circle in the air—as if tracing the outline of a kingdom that had once been solid, but over time had splintered apart.

"And when unified action is needed, they all move differently—each weighing personal benefit over the good of the nation."

Lowering his hand, he sighed.

"It becomes a system where no single command can bring unity."

He lifted his teacup, took a slow sip.

Across the table, Astrid watched the way he idly turned the cup in his hand, a subtle pressure building in her chest. She remained silent, reflecting. She didn't disagree, but something still felt unresolved.

Michael set the cup down and continued.

"We must change this system, Astrid."

His voice was calm but resolute. The cool surface of the porcelain lingered on his fingertips as he looked up and met her eyes.

She was still frowning, clearly lost in thought.

With a small smile, he went on.

"Feudal lords think only of their own lands and profit."

She nodded, silently agreeing.

"They raise armies not for the kingdom's defense, but to protect their own borders. They collect taxes to enrich themselves, not the realm."

Tap. Tap.

The steady beat of his fingers punctuated his words.

"And when war breaks out between nations?"

He paused again, watching her carefully.

Astrid's fingers fidgeted slightly. She already knew the answer. It was naïve to expect nobles to fight selflessly for the crown.

"They don't follow royal orders. They calculate risks. Weigh the cost. Decide what's in it for them."

His voice lowered as he lifted his hand, mimicking a tilted scale.

"We saw this firsthand during the war with the northwestern provinces. Their treachery, their hesitation… we've learned the cost of that system."

Michael turned to the window.

Beyond the glass, knights were preparing for departure. Unlike Xerx's now-centralized structure, the nobles from Lania still operated on outdated principles—each with their own ambitions and agendas.

Would their soldiers fight for the kingdom… or for their lords?

Would any gains from this war benefit the people—or only enrich the few?

He looked back at Astrid, his expression somber.

Her face remained conflicted.

In a gentle but firm tone, he continued.

"Centralized authority is different."

Simple. Clear.

He placed his teacup down and laced his fingers together.

"In a centralized system, the army answers to a single command. Taxes go to the state, not to individual nobles."

Astrid said nothing, her eyes fixed on his hands.

Michael extended his fingers again, as if laying out a map.

"Administrative reforms allow for effective governance. Bureaucracy ensures decisions are carried out efficiently."

His eyes drifted to the government building on the edge of the capital. Newly appointed officials moved briskly through its halls, scrolls and reports in hand—a living symbol of order and progress.

He turned back to her.

"Most importantly, it prevents nobles from ignoring royal authority and acting purely out of self-interest."

His voice dipped lower.

"When the king's will becomes law, the entire nation moves as one."

He leaned back in his chair, still watching her.

Astrid appeared to be weighing multiple scenarios in her mind, considering all possibilities. Michael gave her the time she needed.

This was no longer just an ideal. It was a necessity.

"But," she finally said, "those nobles already own their lands. Won't they rebel if we take that from them? Couldn't it tear the kingdom apart?"

Michael smiled softly.

Her concern was valid—but his confidence never wavered.

"Who said we would take everything from them?"

He lifted his teacup once more. It was still warm.

"They'll remain nobles, of course."

Astrid furrowed her brow slightly, trying to parse his meaning.

"We won't revoke their titles," Michael clarified. "But instead of inherited lands, they'll receive official government posts."

His voice remained calm—but unshakably firm.

"No longer as feudal lords," Michael continued, "but as state officials. They will still receive a portion of tax revenue from their former lands, but the kingdom will assume direct control."

Astrid exhaled slowly.

Michael could read her hesitation and gently pressed on.

"We need to show them a new path—not a loss of power, but a more efficient way to wield it."

He paused, watching her carefully.

She was clearly deep in thought. His arguments made sense.

As long as nobles continued to chase personal gain, kings would struggle to reign them in. Reducing their independent authority would allow for more meaningful reforms that actually benefited the people.

His tone sharpened with conviction.

"This is a time when the continent's power structures are being reshaped. If we want to lead this change, our nation must be unified. Otherwise, even if we become an empire, we'll eventually be devoured by stronger, more cohesive states."

His eyes were steady and unwavering.

Finally, Astrid gave a small nod. She understood.

The limitations of feudalism. The necessity of centralization.

But understanding and implementing were two very different things.

She sighed, her voice tinged with unease.

"You're right—it's the right path. But convincing them won't be easy."

Michael offered a reassuring smile.

"That's why we start preparing now."

Still, the uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

He wasn't wrong in theory, but could it be done?

"I agree that feudalism is outdated," she said. "But will the nobles accept that?"

She shook her head lightly.

"For them, their fiefs are more than land. They're symbols of power and their way of life. Asking them to give that up… I doubt they'll comply."

Michael nodded slowly.

"Which is why we won't force it all at once. We'll implement it gradually—and help them understand they stand to gain more than they lose."

He looked out the window again.

"We won't strip their land outright. Instead, the state will oversee taxation and governance directly. The nobles will retain their titles and honor, but their roles will shift. Rather than inherited landowners, they'll become appointed officials."

Astrid was quick to counter.

"But if we move too aggressively, they could rebel. Armed resistance would shatter everything we've built."

Michael's voice remained calm.

"To persuade them, we need both carrot and stick."

Astrid tilted her head slightly.

"The carrot is economic," he explained. "Nobles rely on taxes and agricultural profits. But if we expand trade and show them they can gain even more through the new economic system… what then?"

He met her gaze, and she fell silent in thought. Michael continued, seizing the momentum.

"If we can guarantee more stable income through centralized trade and tax policies—far better than the old feudal levies—some of them will agree."

He leaned in slightly.

"In the end, what matters most is what they can gain. If we show them a better path, they'll move of their own accord. Not through force, but incentive."

Astrid nodded. Looking at the progress in Xerx, it was clear—this approach worked.

"You want to encourage them to sell their lands and shift toward commerce."

"Exactly."

Michael nodded firmly.

"As lands gradually come under state management, nobles can maintain influence through government roles or amass wealth through trade. Their power will evolve rather than vanish."

"And the stick?" she asked.

Michael's gaze turned cold.

"Military reform. As long as nobles maintain private armies, the reform can't succeed. We must strengthen the national army."

In that moment, the steel in his voice revealed the warrior who had shaken the entire continent.

"We'll expand a standing army and ensure that all military forces fall under the central government's command."

Astrid bit her lip.

"That would eventually leave the nobles powerless."

"Yes," Michael said with conviction.

"Some of them will resist to the bitter end. But if we move gradually—co-opting key nobles while strengthening our military and economy—eventually, they'll lose the strength to fight back."

Astrid gave a slow nod.

"Then there's no reason to hesitate."

"Exactly. Especially now—during wartime. As the military is being reorganized, we can begin absorbing the private armies of feudal lords into the national force. The transition will be smoother than at any other time."

She fell silent again, contemplating the weight of his words, then let out a quiet breath.

"It won't be easy, but… it's worth trying."

Michael smiled.

"It is. Now… it's time for us to build a new era."