SSS Class Infinite Regression: Ascension of the Mad Dragon Prince Chapter 63: Fantasy Field Exploration [1]

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Upon his arrival at House Red Leaf, Louis and his subordinates were welcod into the noble family’s spacious manor. It featured dozens of rooms, one enormous kitchen, and several comfortable areas where guests could rest, enjoy drinks, and converse.

Louis planned to stay for a week before returning to the capital. In that short ti, he intended to cleanse the farmlands and, if possible, uncover those responsible for the corruption, and perhaps even seal the Dinsional Rift itself.

First, he needed to speak with Agustina and explain his plans in greater detail. So far, the young noble lady only knew he had co to address the crop crisis. Her fields were suffering from severe Miasma Infection, which was warping the plants into strange, grotesque creatures.

"Thank you for your generous hospitality, Lady Agustina," Louis said, settling comfortably into his seat and sipping the offered tea. "As you may have already guessed, I did not co here solely to resolve the issue in these farms."

"Ah, you didn’t, Your Majesty?" Agustina asked. She had suspected as much but had waited for him to speak plainly.

"I suppose you wish to identify the culprit behind the Miasmic Infection and my illness?" Lady Red Leaf asked, her brows furrowing as her expression turned stern. "Your Majesty, allow to warn you: these nobles are not like those in the capital. I have heard they have ford sothing akin to a cult. It would be wiser not to involve yourself before sothing terrible happens."

"A cult?" Louis repeated, intrigued.

Mirai, Zorba, Anastasia, Catrise, Robert, and Juliette exchanged glances, so showing clear confusion. None had heard of such a thing erging in these lands. Yet the rise of the District Alliance imdiately after his mother’s coma had already raised Louis’ suspicions. Selene and lisa, anwhile, remained completely detached, gazing around in quiet awe.

"Yes... I... well, I don’t know much. I only recently awoke," Lady Red Leaf admitted. "That is rely what I have heard from my workers and neighbors."

"Hm. I appreciate your concern, Lady Red Leaf," Louis replied. "However, as Crown Prince of Frostbane, I cannot tolerate cults forming within my kingdom, especially those actively working to destroy the legacy of my mother, who founded this nation. If I may be blunt, these nobles deserve everything that is coming to them. And rest assured: though I am a prince, I am far from weak. Please do not underestimate ."

"I-I was not underestimating you, Your Majesty. Please accept my sincerest apologies..." Lady Red Leaf panicked under Louis’ sharp gaze and quickly bowed her head. "I... I am simply trying to survive here with my daughter. Becoming entangled with those people is beyond our strength..."

"I know. I will not involve you," Louis said. Setting the unfinished tea aside, he stood. "We will begin tomorrow morning. It has already grown quite dark."

"Of course. Please allow to show you to your room, Your Majesty," Agustina said quickly. She walked beside him, chatting lightly as they ascended the stairs.

Mirai and Zorba started to follow, but Catrise and Juliette gently stopped them.

"Please refrain from interrupting the young master’s conversation with the young lady..." Catrise said.

"You are his bodyguards and subordinates, but that does not an you cannot grant him his own personal ti," Juliette added.

"Eugh... okay," Mirai sighed, nodding reluctantly.

"Hmph..." Zorba remained silent.

As they walked toward his room, Agustina made small talk, clearly trying to open up to Louis. It was evident she aid to beco a valuable ally for him, even if her mother lacked the sa boldness.

"Were the products we sent to your liking, Your Majesty?" Agustina asked with a charming smile.

"They were," Louis answered. "I gained considerable strength by consuming the potion made from their contents. Thank you, Agustina. Their arrival was most tily for my growth. However, I will require more, in larger quantities and of higher quality. To achieve that, we must cleanse your farmlands and resu cultivation of new Spirit and Magic Herbs, Trees, and other materials imdiately."

"I see. I agree completely. I wish this entire ordeal could be resolved quickly," Agustina replied. "The Black Miasma keeps trying to expand. If we hadn’t erected that barrier around the infected area... whenever we spot a plant showing clear signs of corruption, we uproot it at once, burn it, and remove the surrounding soil for good asure."

"That is an efficient and thorough thod to prevent further spread," Louis nodded. "Could you tell more about what has been happening here? I have only heard fragnts of your territory’s recent history."

"Oh, well... as I ntioned earlier, a Dinsional Rift appeared several years ago. My father... used all his strength to help the workers escape while... well, he sacrificed himself to hold back the invasion," Agustina explained quietly. "Later, my mother fell gravely ill. The area around the rift slowly beca contaminated by a Black Miasma Swamp, the very place the rift connects to."

"A swamp?" Louis asked. "Hm. Miasma... is this connected to the Abyssal Mother by any chance?"

"Oh? T-The evil god? Not at all," she shook her head firmly. "I am fairly certain we have seen no signs of her cult mbers either."

"Well, that is a relief," Louis exhaled. "Where exactly is that Dinsional Rift?"

"It did not appear here. It opened much farther away, near a city where several Noble Houses reside together. That is also where one branch of the District Alliance is based, representing our district," Agustina explained. "Do you know the na of the city, Lord Louis?"

"You an Erald Grove?" Louis nodded. "Yes, a city renowned for blending nature with architecture. Most of its population consists of Dryads, Fairies, and Elves."

"Indeed," Agustina confird. "The Dinsional Rift was sealed within a large magical barrier... and for so reason, they are not attempting to close it."

"For so reason?" Louis pressed.

"I am not certain of the exact motive," Agustina admitted. "But it cannot be for any good purpose. I have heard workers gossiping that a cult may be involved with whatever they discovered beyond that rift."

"...Hm," Louis rubbed his chin, considering the possibilities. "An Entity brainwashing them? Or perhaps they are mining resources and sothing went wrong? Maybe they have allied with, or captured, sothing they believe could overthrow the kingdom..."

"I-It could be anything..." Agustina offered a bitter smile. "Ah, this feels so far beyond my power. I feel completely useless... the only thing my family has ever known is farming and crafting spirit artifacts."

"And that is precisely what you should continue doing," Louis said firmly. "Leave these greater matters to . Do not worry about anything else, Agustina." He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder as they stopped in front of his room.

"Lord Louis..." Agustina murmured, blushing as she felt his touch. She gently covered his hand with hers and nodded. "Thank you for your reassuring words... I do not know how I could ever repay you for everything you have done for my family, and everything you will continue to do..."

"There is no need to repay with anything beyond your ans," Louis replied. "Later, I will request various crops be planted here and harvested. And I may ask your mother to assist in forging Spirit Artifacts."

"I see... well, I will gladly help however I can," Agustina said, quickly withdrawing her hand after realizing Louis was not swayed by her charm. "A-Anyway, this is your room. It is our most luxurious, but I apologize if it still falls short of the standards of Frostbane Castle."

Louis stepped inside and found the room quite charming, all wood construction, with a soothing natural scent he found deeply relaxing.

"It is quite fine. Do not worry," he said. "Thank you again for your hospitality, Agustina. And good night."

"Yes, good night, Prince Louis," Agustina replied. "Please sleep well... ah, would you like dinner?"

"No, I am fine. I wish to rest and prepare for tomorrow," Louis answered.

"Very well," Agustina nodded, stepping away and closing the door gently.

Once alone, Louis sat cross-legged and began harnessing his Aura. He summoned Belladine and started reviewing the Spirit Cultivation thods Zorba had transcribed from Spiritias. Though they were incompatible with him, designed for Spirits born within a Spirit Orb, he still wanted to test whether any part could be adapted.

After so ti had passed since his last check, Louis decided to review his Status and assess his progress after weeks of relentless training.

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Na: Louis Drakeheart Yggdrasil

Classification: Sinner (Dragon–Human–Anomaly)

Spiral: Hollow Spiral of the Ashen Wyrm, Desecrated Soul Spiral Fragnt, Self-Flagellation Spiral Fragnt

Tier: 8 – Graveborn

Fantasy Heart: Level 37/50

Vitality: 434 -> 554

Strength: 403 -> 423

Intelligence: 366 -> 446

Dexterity: 423 -> 543

Fantasium: 4400 -> 5100

Fantasium Affinity: 71%

Madness Index: 31%

Bonds:

Dragon Family Bond – Mother Benladra (Level 10/10)

Friendship Bond – Mirai (Level 4/10)

Subordination Bond – Cardoon Zorba (Level 8/10)

Bonded Entities:

Abyssal Mother’s Caressing Hand – Handy (Level 4/10)

Young Fairy of Light – Belladine (Level 2/10)

Elental Affinities:

Ash Elent: A Rank

Ice Elent: A Rank

Void Elent: S Rank

Dragon Elent: D Rank

Incarnation:

Gravewalker – Tier 8 (Growth: 80%)

Necromancer Fragnt – Tier 9

Pugilist Fragnt – Tier 9

Known Abilities:

Ashen Frost – Tier 8 (Growth: 66%)

Death-Sense – Tier 8 (Growth: 49%)

Pain Weaponization Fragnt – Tier 8

Iron Body Fragnt – Tier 9

Soul Enslavent Fragnt – Tier 9

Bonded Abilities:

Healing Prayer Fragnt – Tier 7 (Handy)

Light Elent Affinity – E Rank (Belladine)

Cultivation thods:

Mana Breathing – Grand Perfection

Mana Body Reinforcent – Grand Perfection

Mana Consciousness Expansion – Grand Perfection

Heaven And Earth Essence Gathering – Grand Perfection

Heaven-Earth Harmonization Sutra – Middle Stage

Five Elental Spiritual Roots – Middle Stage: Five Elent Awakening

Sword Breathing Technique – First Step: Swordsman Rank

Holy Dragon Spirit Soul Vein Technique – Initial Stage

Fake Dragon Heart Creation thod – Conceptual Stage

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"Huh, not bad..."

Louis had expected far smaller gains, but reaching the First Step of Sword Breathing and mastering it had delivered a massive boost, explaining the surge of strength he felt upon achieving that realm.

Now the System displayed his Cultivation thods as well, sothing he had requested Androda modify to reflect all aspects of his growth, even those unrelated to stats or skills.

In the Sinners Academy world, the System had always been enigmatic. It was one of the few gas that wove its chanics into the lore itself. Yet it remained unexplained beyond being part of "Androda," an otherworldly A.I. created by the Dragon King.

That sa Androda also operated within the VPI agency. According to so in-ga dialogue from Gustaf, it had rged with the previous supercomputer, forming a parallel version for this world.

That was why she could not fully connect to Yggdrasil.

Thus, because Androda was an ever-evolving A.I., his Status now reflected these Cultivation thods, a quiet acknowledgnt of his efforts.

Perhaps even now she observed his growth in silence, offering this small display of recognition or reward.

"Well, this certainly makes things clearer. Thank you, Androda."

Louis closed his eyes and resud ditation. He circulated Belladine’s Spiritual Energy alongside his own Mana, using his Five Elental Spiritual Roots to amplify the flow.

The five Spirit Cultivation thods Zorba had recorded, Spirit Bond, Spirit Soul, Spirit Weaponization, and Spirit Transformation, remained technically incompatible. They required a Spirit Orb. Handy could not serve as a proper Spirit, and though Louis had been attempting to forge a new thod for Entities like Handy, most of his focus had remained on the Fake Dragon Heart, still in its conceptual stage.

Yet now, with Belladine resting against his hand and rubbing her face against his fingers, sothing worked. He was successfully practicing the Spirit Bond Cultivation thod!

"It works even without a Spirit Orb?! Wait...!"

At first he could not comprehend why the formula functioned unmodified. Then realization struck: his Five Elental Spiritual Roots and Fake Dragon Heart were serving as substitutes for a Spirit Orb, the crystallized core within Spiritians that housed their spirit power.

"It is not only the Five Elental Spiritual Roots. Without the Fake Dragon Heart, this would be impossible... incredible. So I can use the Fake Dragon Heart as a substitute ’Core’ and perhaps even cultivate Mana Core thods I was previously incompatible with? And maybe Martial Hearts... or even Vampire Blood Cores? I will need to test other thods later... but if this holds true, it changes everything!"

Louis could not suppress a smile. His obsessive, madness-driven pursuit of a personal Dragon Heart had finally borne fruit. This unique technique, born of desperation and delusion, was proving its worth.

He wasted no ti. He continued cultivating the Spirit Bond thod. From what he recalled of Zorba’s explanations, it strengthened the bond between master and spirit, allowing them to share power.

If he reached Grand Perfection, he could deepen his affinity with the Light Elent, expand his Fantasium reserves by absorbing his spirit’s energy, and more.

At the sa ti, Belladine would absorb his Fantasium and grow stronger, perhaps even evolving into a more mature and powerful form.

Louis ditated without pause until 6 AM, letting the thod run almost automatically while resting his mind. This had also been the longest he had sustained his Fake Dragon Heart without harm. It seed that as long as he employed a core-based technique and used the Fake Dragon Heart as its anchor, the refinent process could continue safely.

"So that was what I needed all along, a Core-based Cultivation thod..."

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