I Was Reincarnated as the Prince in a Villainess Story, so I’ll Use My Cheat Knowledge to Create a Noble Lady Harem and Make Them All Happy - 40

Chapter 40: Amon and the World Tree

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“Feril, over here.”

The sound of Reina’s chair sliding back accompanied her voice as she stood and called out.

Feril widened her eyes in surprise but obediently rose from her seat. Guided by Reina, she disappeared into the adjoining chamber. The door closed behind them with a soft click. Once the atmosphere had settled, Valis stood and offered a deep, respectful bow.

“…I must apologize for my earlier discourtesy. Feril’s words disrupted the proceedings, even though it was not a matter to be judged so hastily. Prince Michel, Marie-sama, please forgive us.”

Michel smiled gently and shook his head.

“No. Think nothing of it. Feril-sama is… She’s quite straightforward, isn’t she?”

At those words, the tension in Valis’s chest eased ever so slightly.

“Of course, as you have already sensed, Prince Valis, this decision is by no means an easy one. Our people have carried this resolve across generations.”

Though Michel’s tone was calm, the weight behind his words was unmistakable. Valis paused briefly before asking.

“If it is not an imposition… May I ask you to explain in more detail the true relationship between the World Tree and the elemental spirit Amon—and how it came to result in such rampancy?”

Michel narrowed his eyes slightly, then answered in a soft voice.

“I have heard that Prince Valis is also a scholar of the ancient magic known as Archive Arts. If my limited knowledge can be of use, I would be honored to share it.”

His speech was careful and deliberate.

“…Amon was originally a being native to this world—a sort of primordial spirit. By forming a contract with a Divine Child, Amon generated vast quantities of elemental power—fire, water, wind, and earth—and continuously supplied it to the forest.”

He paused before continuing.

“However, that power was far too immense. It could not be controlled by the Divine Child alone. That was why the World Tree was necessary. The spirit power from Amon was once directed into the World Tree, where it was ‘filtered,’ and only the refined essence was distributed to the forest. In this way, Silva Haruna prospered alongside the forest for many long years.”

Valis nodded quietly, urging him to continue.

“However… Ever since Sylpharia-sama inherited Amon, natural disasters began to occur in the forest one after another—fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes…”

Michel continued.

“Upon investigation, it was discovered that the World Tree could no longer process Amon’s spirit power. The ‘filtration’ was incomplete, and the excessive power overflowed directly into the world.”

Having explained up to that point in one breath, Michel exhaled deeply.

“What followed, as you know, was the story of Laurel-sama and Sylpharia-sama.”

Valis took a slow breath and nodded deeply.

“I see… Then, what is the current state of the World Tree after the sealing?”

At that question, Michel glanced toward Marie beside him. She met his gaze, then straightened and spoke in a calm voice.

“After Sylpharia-sama passed away, the residual spirit power within the World Tree was still enough to sustain the forest for some time. However… Around fifty years later, that accumulated energy began to run out, and we were forced to seek external sources of spirit power to sustain it.”

Marie placed a hand lightly upon her chest.

“In the process of searching for a method to supply more power, a technique was discovered, one that allowed a specific individual to absorb and store the spirit power of others. In other words, using a human body as a substitute for the World Tree… That is what I bear now.”

Valis lowered his eyes solemnly.

“So, that means… Through that technique, you inherited Amon’s power from Feril and took on the role of sealing it within yourself.”

Marie said nothing, only gave a small, quiet nod. A painful heaviness tightened in Valis’s chest.

“However, the power of Amon within Feril doesn’t seem to have become dangerously active yet. Until that happens, is there no alternative way to sustain the forest?”

Michel slowly shook his head.

“Unfortunately, there is not. The very structure that ‘requires constant energy supply to maintain itself’ is a contradiction. The system has already begun to fail.”

“Moreover… In our generation, the sense of duty to ‘protect the forest’ has begun to fade. Many have left the woods to live among humans. That is precisely why we requested permission to migrate to Alveria.”

At that, Marie added softly,

“…And if Amon’s power within Feril-sama grows too strong… I may no longer be able to receive it.”

“Marie possesses the highest compatibility with this technique. If even she cannot contain it, then no one else could inherit it.”

Michel explained gently. Valis fell silent, thinking deeply in the quiet that followed. As he listened, a clear image of the relationship between Amon and the World Tree began to take shape in his mind.

Amon is like a generator. And the World Tree serves as the power grid, converting its output and distributing it throughout the land… When excessive energy was supplied beyond what the regions could consume, the system overloaded, resulting in ‘accidents’—that is what we call spirit disasters. After Amon, the generator, had been sealed, the World Tree ran on the residual energy stored within it—like a battery. But once that was depleted, humans had to begin generating the power themselves.

Then… What if we could expand the ‘capacity’ that receives spirit power, and create a system that consumes as much as Amon supplies? Multiple ‘miniature World Trees,’ or auxiliary devices: fire for forges, water for springs, wind for mountain passes, earth for lime kilns—each rooted in daily life and nature, linked together. Like a microgrid, distributing the load while maintaining control… If that could be achieved… Perhaps Amon’s full output could be safely contained.

“…Prince?”

Michel’s voice brought Valis back to the present. He gave a small shake of his head.

“My apologies. I was lost in thought. I… I have a request.”

“Yes?”

“…Would you allow me to see the World Tree? If I can observe it directly, there may still be something I can do.”

At that request, both Michel and Marie widened their eyes in surprise, but soon their expressions softened.

“…Of course. You may.”

Valis nodded gratefully at Michel’s reply.

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Night deepened, and the stars shimmered over Ryui’s sky. In a quiet room at the back of the manor, Reina stood silently by the window.

“…Tomorrow, I’ll be accompanying Prince Michel to the World Tree.”

When Valis spoke from behind her, Reina turned slightly, replying in her usual composed tone.

“Please take care on your journey.”

From what she had seen of Prince Michel and his companions today, Reina seemed to have judged them trustworthy. Her ability to read people was far sharper—and far more reliable—than Valis’s own. Just then, a small face peeked through the crack of the door. It was Feril. She lingered hesitantly at the threshold, her brows lowering as she murmured,

“…I’m sorry. For what I said earlier…”

Valis exhaled softly and shook his head.

“There’s no need to apologize. But you will take responsibility.”

“Eh…?”

“I’ve asked Marie-sama, Prince Michel’s younger sister, to stay here and help you train your Spirit Arts.”

“…Wha—what!?”

As Feril leaned forward in disbelief, Valis placed a finger on her forehead and gently pushed her back.

“Listen. If you don’t want her to sacrifice herself for you, then you need to learn to control Amon on your own. You spoke boldly before, now it’s time to prove you mean it.”

Feril stood frozen for a moment, but then, slowly, a determined smile spread across her face.

“…Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Good.”

From the side, Reina added warmly,

“You can do it, Feril. I was proud of the words you spoke today.”

“…Yeah. And I’ll find a way too.” 

Valis said, turning his gaze toward the window. Beyond the glass stretched the dark forest, and deep within it, the roots of the world. For the hope that might lie there… He was ready to take another step forward.

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