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 - 41

Chapter 41: The Spirit’s Cycle Part 1

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The scent of damp moss filled the hollow beneath the roots of the World Tree. It was an old, heavy scent, yet one that somehow carried the warmth of life itself.

A faint light filtered into the dim cavern, reflecting softly off the interwoven roots near the ceiling. The shimmering glow evoked the feeling of being inside some great living creature. With every step, the ground creaked faintly beneath their feet, and their footsteps were swallowed by the thick moss, leaving only a soundless stillness behind.

Guiding them were the elder Elves who had long dwelled in this forest. Each wore a simple, dark-green cloak and advanced in silence. Though all of them had once ventured into the World Tree’s root domain, it had been many years since any had set foot within its depths. That fact alone lent a quiet reverence to their expressions.

At Valis’s side walked Prince Michel. Their steps were steady yet gentle, careful not to disturb the air around them. The Elves fell back by a pace, parting the way for them. As members of the royal line, their passage was watched with deep respect.

As they moved further into the roots, the air grew colder, and the dampness began to cling to their skin. In the regions where no light reached, the roots intertwined more densely, branching into multiple layers that formed natural halls. There, Valis came to a silent stop and slowly knelt down.

He reached out to a single root that extended before him and placed his palm gently upon its surface. A faint throbbing pulsed against his skin—it was both a heartbeat and the very breath of the forest.

Valis advanced to where the roots spread wide, then lowered himself once more, resting his palm against one of them. The subtle pulse that reached his hand was not merely a rhythm—it was the living pulse of the World Tree itself.

Closing his eyes, he began to weave his spell. Light coursed within his bones as his consciousness gradually melted into one with the roots of the World Tree.

Archive Arts: Sense Aura.

When the ancient spell Archive Arts unfolded, faint lines of light began to spread through the air. The flow of spirits became visible; things that once had no color or form were impressed directly into his mind as intricate streams of information.

Countless lines of light ran through the roots, flickering and pulsing as if alive. But among them, Valis could discern areas of abnormal swelling and distortion. In one spot, the flow bulged where it could not converge, while in another it constricted sharply. The stressed roots were releasing excess energy outward.

Scattered across the space were shadows resembling scorch marks—traces of spiritual disasters. In that instant, Valis understood: these were the very sources of the tempests, fires, and tremors that had once ravaged the forest. Maintaining the spell, Valis steadied his breathing.

The power generation can’t be withstood by the transmission system and as a result, the overflow of energy is erupting into the forest itself.

He carefully released the spell and brought his consciousness back to reality. As the pulse of the root faded from his palm, the damp air pressing against his back felt suddenly heavier. Rising to his feet, Valis pulled from his waist pouch the Solitaria Scripta, and began swiftly sketching diagrams.

Lines tracing the root flow, rectification points, branches, expansion routes—all supported by supplementary sigils—were drawn with speed and precision. The Elves watching behind him gazed on in a mixture of awe and apprehension, yet none spoke a word. When Valis handed over the finished diagram, Michel stepped forward to receive it.

“…I have a proposal.” 

Valis said quietly, his voice carrying clearly through the hollow.

『The Auxiliary Keystone Dispersal Plan』

Instead of concentrating all energy consumption in the World Tree and Silva Haruna alone, establish smaller auxiliary keystones across multiple locations, including Alveria, and connect them in parallel through the root network.

Using Archive Arts, the branches and rectification spell formations would be engraved, and through Spirit Arts, they would be harmonized with the local elemental spirits. Fire would flow to hot springs and forges, wind to mountain passes and bell towers, water to spring-fed fields, and earth to lime kilns—structures shaped in harmony with “human life within nature.”

As Valis extended the magical document from his device, the scroll suspended itself in the air, illuminated and fixed by magic beside the diagram.

“It’s like placing small ‘World Trees’ across the land. The load will be distributed, preventing overloads. By regulating the flow of magical energy, not only can we receive Amon’s power in a safe manner, but we can also nurture environments that make use of the spirits’ power.”

In the silence that followed, Michel gazed intently at the diagram. After a moment’s pause, he answered softly.

“If such a thing is possible, then Silva Haruna will commit all its strength to this effort.”

At those words, Valis gave a quiet nod.

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Upon returning to the royal capital of Alveria, Valis immediately requested the assembly of a council.

At the top floor of the white tower in the royal castle—a circular chamber adorned with marble and lacquer—sat King Ars at the center, surrounded by Duke Rozheim, Marquis Agreia, and Duke Balmuth, the realm’s highest nobles.

Though sunlight streamed through tall windows and magical chandeliers maintained the brightness, the air remained taut with tension. Upon the central table lay scrolls unrolled from the Solitaria Scripta Valis had brought, along with magical diagrams depicting the root network of the World Tree.

The silence was broken by Duke Rozheim, a man known for his mastery of logistics and economics—the lifeblood of domestic governance.

“The mountain passes, the hot spring settlements, and the spring-fed fields near the capital… All of the proposed locations lie close to main roads and trade hubs. Supply routes can likely be managed within existing systems. However, transportation of the guiding stones will require special permits. Prior coordination with the capital’s authorities will be necessary.”

Valis nodded, dictating the note to his recorder, and the scroll immediately updated itself. Next to speak was Marquis Agreia, renowned for his calm administration and sense of balance and father to Reina.

“The layout is sound. The elemental distribution is even, and in fact, the placement of auxiliary keystones might even stimulate regional economies. Particularly the southwestern lime kiln district. It has long been in decline, but this could serve as a catalyst for reorganization. However, we must be mindful of potential labor imbalances.”

“On that matter, we plan to gradually reallocate workers through the Everett margraviate network. With the support of Prince Michel’s Elven spirit users, we’ll also proceed with training new spirit engineers.”

At that, Marquis Agreia narrowed his eyes approvingly. 

“I see.”

Lastly, Duke Balmuth—the northern military stronghold’s leading general—spoke up.

“The scale of this plan rivals that of military leyline networks. Should someone attempt to sabotage it, what countermeasures are in place?”

“Each keystone will be equipped with dual-layer isolation spells, allowing individual shutdown in emergencies. Additionally, if a system’s primary spirit flow—say, wind—becomes unstable, it will automatically switch to the geomantic network. The spell structure leaves no room for tampering, sealed under the full oversight of the Royal Mage Corps.”

Duke Balmuth crossed his arms heavily, offering a wry smile. 

“The Mage Corps has practically become Your Highness’s private army… But still—solid work.”

King Ars, who had remained silent until now, finally lowered his gaze to the table after the ministers’ discussion had run its course.

“The opinions of my lords are in agreement. There appear to be no objections.”

His voice was not loud, yet in that moment, everyone in the chamber felt the atmosphere shift.

“Very well. By royal decree, the Auxiliary Keystone Dispersal Plan is hereby approved. A new magical artery connecting the Forest City and the Royal City—it is a venture worthy of our nation’s future. Proceed with full authority.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Valis rose and bowed deeply. None dared raise objections, and the council quietly adjourned. The moment he stepped beyond the doors, what filled Valis’s heart was neither pride nor relief, but only one thought.

Now, at last, construction can begin.

The feel of soil, the wind, and the touch of the earth in his palms—those, to Valis, were the true beginning.

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