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"That's right! This alliance between Yggdrasil and Zipangu stretches back thousands of years!" Kenzaki laughed heartily while devouring meatloaf and mashed potatoes. "Oho! This food is most exquisite, your majesty."
"I'm glad you liked what my chefs prepared," Louis smiled. "That meatloaf was my mother's recipe."
"Indeed, it is as delicious as ever... though the one she made was even more delicious," Gustaf nodded, finally speaking after listening quietly for most of the meal.
"And what happened later, Kenzaki?" Louis asked, eager for more.
"When the boundaries of space and time shattered after the Dragon King defeated Pandemonium and Chaos," Kenzaki explained, "Zipangu, Earth, and Yggdrasil began to merge during the early stages of the Dimensional Convergence. At that time, Lady Yuki—Amaterasu-sama reincarnated—was able to fight the invading forces of Oda Nobunaga, the aberrant Emperor and Tyrant of Zipangu, vessel of the root of all evil, Ha-jun!"
"...!"
"With the Dragon King's aid, the traitorous and wicked Susanoo was slain by Amaterasu-sama's reincarnation. Then, with the combined forces of Yggdrasil and Zipangu, Oda Nobunaga, his powerful retainers, Ha-jun, and his army of Akuma were ultimately defeated!" Kenzaki declared. "This happened thousands of years ago and is recorded in ancient scrolls. I can sell you one later, your majesty, they have beautiful paintings!"
"I see. Consider it sold," Louis nodded.
"Well, once peace was restored, the Dragon King and Amaterasu-sama wished to rule Zipangu together but could not. The Dragon King was bound to Yggdrasil, and Amaterasu-sama—or rather Yuki-sama—was no longer who she once was," Kenzaki continued. "In the tales, the two combined their strength to create the Seven Auspicious Heavenly Dragons, the current guardians of Zipangu. The Dragon King and Yuki-sama still oversee Zipangu even now, though they mostly reside in Yggdrasil. Their beloved first daughter, Yudra-sama, governs Zipangu as the Divine Empress and has spread and revived her mother's religion over the last five thousand years."
"Wait, did you say Yudra?!" Louis asked, shocked. "That's my aunt..."
"Indeed! One of the reasons we care so deeply about the prince in Yamato and Zipangu is because you are Yudra-sama's beloved nephew," Kenzaki said. "Within you flows the divine bloodline of the Dragon King himself. There is no greater honor than to carry it in your veins."
"I... well, thank you," Louis replied with a light smile. "Auntie Yudra..."
"Do you remember her?" Gustaf asked. "From what I recall, she was the most talkative of them all, very friendly, always grabbing you and hugging you."
"Ah, her..." Louis groaned, facepalming. "Yes, I remember now... She was... uh, an excellent aunt."
"It is such an incredible experience to speak with a direct family member of the Empress of Zipangu, to hear such things as though you were just any other family. Truly moving," Kenzaki said sincerely.
"I wish she could visit more. After my Dragon Awakening Ceremony, she vanished and has never come to see me again," Louis said. "That... I guess it applies to all my family members."
"I've heard that Empress Yudra is busy dealing with the Dimensional Labyrinth's expansion, so please be patient, Prince Louis," Kenzaki replied.
"Well, it's not like I would ever try to bother someone as busy as her. I cannot even fathom what it would be like to govern an entire world," Louis sighed. "Whatever the case, there was a reason I called you here, Kenzaki. I am about to reach Grand Perfection in the Heaven and Earth Essence Gathering Method, and I want other methods to grow stronger, especially those that strengthen the body. That's why I invited you. I'm honestly not much interested in anything else you might sell, except perhaps the scrolls retelling Zipangu's history."
"Ah, a direct soul! Very well, allow me to speak plainly, de gosaru!" Kenzaki said joyfully. He set down his crate and opened it with a flourish. Inside lay scrolls, jade tablets, and glowing crystals. He retrieved several large scrolls made of red, black, or yellow paper. "Unlike what you have learned so far, these are not mere exercises or breathing tricks. These are the Heaven-Earth Harmonization Sutras, refined over centuries by the monks of Mount Tsukikage. They teach the body to become a vessel of balance between Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the mortal and divine."
Louis' eyes gleamed with greed. His hands nearly reached out, but he held back and glanced at the merchant. "What are they good for?"
"The Heaven-Earth Harmonization Sutras are five distinct sutras that allow those who read and comprehend them to accept the Five Elements upon their bodies," Kenzaki explained. "To learn them requires a basic yet fundamental understanding of internal energies and lifeforce as a whole. The sutras emphasize dynamic equilibrium between opposing forces. Light and dark, motion and stillness, expansion and contraction. Those who fully commit learn to circulate these energies through their meridians, stabilizing the internal Heaven and Earth Essence flow. As a result, they improve their ability to wield Ki, Fantasium, and perhaps even Mana."
"So it increases flow, hastening natural recovery of internal energy and amplifying its power, right?" Louis asked. "I see. Then it's certainly a must-have."
"Yes, yes! Practitioners harmonize with the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—each representing a facet of physical and metaphysical existence. By cultivating each in turn, the body becomes a vessel capable of channeling Heaven-Earth Essence without corruption. It can even cleanse impurities from the body, granting a stronger, more refined version of oneself," Kenzaki continued. "Each element must be attuned separately through special rituals, so it requires considerable time. Some dedicate their entire lives to these sutras and still have not mastered all five."
"So when I master these elements, will I be able to wield them? Gain their Elemental Affinity?" Louis asked. "Like what appears in the Status?"
"Yes, you will obtain a Natural Elemental Root for each element," Kenzaki confirmed. "It will grant you Elemental Affinity to Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water!"
"Incredible...!" Louis was captivated. Everything he had learned from William's memories about these sutras proved true, and thanks to that knowledge, he already knew the most effective and efficient ways to learn and master them all.
"The sutras include diagrams and breathing techniques that map the Heavenly Channels, linked to celestial energy, and Earthly Channels, linked to terrestrial vitality. These channels form a dual circuit. When activated, the practitioner can absorb ambient Essence from the surroundings," Kenzaki explained. "Activating these channels is essential to begin learning the Five Elements. If you master them all, you will obtain a Five Elemental Spirit Root, which could even allow you to start cultivating the Path to Immortality, something widely practiced among Zipangu's greatest Daoist Masters."
"Hoh..." Louis rubbed his chin, deeply intrigued. "Immortality...?"
In the world of Sinners Academy, countless paths to power existed. Many systems clashed and converged within the game-like framework, from leveling and learning techniques to training, exercise, weapon arts, magic, elemental affinities, and above all, the Spirals, the supreme power system only a few could ever awaken.
Yet that did not mean other paths could not be used or stacked together. The game imposed strict time limits, preventing players from acquiring everything in a single run unless they completed multiple New Game+ cycles, as William had done.
Though his primary goal remained advancing his Spiral, Louis refused to pass up any opportunity to grow stronger. Cultivating immortality still felt distant, it was the mortal path to godhood in Zipangu, much like refining Mana Cores, expanding Mana Circuits, and many other practices in Yggdrasil.
"Well, I will consider it. For now, that remains beyond my reach," Louis said. "But I will take all five sutras. Do you have anything else that might interest me, Kenzaki? Lately I've struggled to find a way to grow my unique Spiral. It's... rather strange, to say the least. Do you have a method that could work?"
"Indeed. I heard from Sir Robert that the prince has awakened as a Spiralwalker—congratulations. He also mentioned your Spiral is unique. That is why I brought this." The merchant drew a scroll bound in obsidian silk and sealed with five elemental talismans from his crate. "This is the Void Meridian Sutra. It was designed for those whose Essence flows against the current of Heaven and Earth. It teaches cultivation not by absorbing Elemental Essence, but by Refining Emptiness. By aligning your Internal Void with External Chaos, I believe you can stabilize your Spiral's hunger. This method is rarely practiced. It was created by the Great Void Immortal Venerable of Zipangu, an ancient figure now lost to time. As you can guess, it is incredibly precious. Though it has weakened to the level of a Mortal Method, it is said to be capable of evolving into an Immortal Art once you reach Grand Perfection!"
"Oh...!" Louis nearly drooled at the sight of the obsidian scroll. "If it's so precious, how did you obtain it?"
"The Empress permitted me to take one from the treasury because she knew it could benefit you—someone who had been crippled in gaining his dragon powers," Kenzaki explained. "In Zipangu, those unable to cultivate Heaven and Earth often practice this method, though such individuals are exceedingly rare. Even when they acquire a scroll, most cannot progress beyond the Beginning Stage due to its complexity. It is an unusual technique, but undeniably powerful."
"Is it possible to combine it with the Five Elements Method?" Louis asked.
"Yes. I've heard that some Quasi-Immortals with close ties to Yamato cultivate both," Kenzaki replied. "But it demands incredible discipline and a level of clear-mindedness few can achieve. Still... it is possible."
"Hmm. Name your price," Louis said.
"I am aware that in Frostbane your currency is Gold, Silver, and Bronze coins, correct?" Kenzaki asked. "Though I could accept that and exchange it for Refined Fantasium Crystals, I would prefer to receive them directly as payment."
"Hmm... What do you think, Louis?" his father asked. "These methods seem excellent for you. As your father, I am willing to buy them."
"...? Really?" Louis was genuinely surprised.
"As a way to apologize for putting you through that pain in the Spiral Scanning Device yesterday," Gustaf said with a faint smile. "How much is everything together, Kenzaki?"
"Well, if you let me calculate... Hmm, roughly 1200 Refined Fantasium Crystals! And just because it is you, King Gustaf, I am willing to throw in a bonus: the Five Elemental Harmonization Array—a cultivation formation that can be inscribed into your training grounds. It will allow you to cycle Elemental Essence safely, tempering your body while your Spiral feeds on the residual Fantasium!"
"Huh, that could help not just me but everyone else..." Louis said. "And we could study it and create our own arrays and formations, father."
"That's right... 1200 is quite a lot," Gustaf acknowledged. "However, as the number one producer of Refined Fantasium Crystals on the American Continent, it's nothing our funds cannot afford. Robert, bring in the crystals."
"Yes, your majesty," Robert replied, departing.
"Thank you for your patronage, King of Frostbane," Kenzaki said with a gentle smile.
Their meal continued as they discussed food, the histories of their countries, and how each had adapted to the new world over the decades.
When Robert returned, he brought three carrying-type androids, each transporting 400 Refined Fantasium Crystals.
"Oh, thank you so much! I know you were only interested in cultivation methods, but I cannot help showing you some other trinkets," Kenzaki said. "How about this Magic Lamp that releases a Fog weakening enemies' perception? Or this special Elixir synthesized using an Ancient Ginseng that has lived for one thousand years! Or perhaps this, the dehydrated head of a vicious Asura, said to curse the soul of anything its eyes fall upon."
"Hm..." Louis considered the items carefully. He knew he could not buy too much, some were outrageously expensive, and he refused to waste money on uncertain tools against Soma. "I doubt the one we're going after will be affected by any of these trinkets. He is incredibly strong. That Ginseng Elixir seems tempting; it might aid my body cultivation and it's not that expensive... The other items? Not really interested."
In the end, Louis purchased the thousand-year-old ginseng potion—which Kenzaki said was ideal for cultivating the Five Elements—for another 90 Refined Fantasium Crystals. The merchant offered a 10% discount.
"Thank you so much for your great hospitality. The meal was delicious, and you have shown me the kindness of the people of the Frostbane Kingdom," Kenzaki said. "I shall inform the Empress how much you loved her gift, Prince Louis. The Young Empress is rather new to the throne, you see. She has lately been seeking a consort. I am not implying anything, but... if you were ever interested in further strengthening ties with Yamato, I would gladly help you contact her."
"...Ah, well, thank you," Louis replied. He understood Kenzaki's meaning but had no interest at the moment. "Have a safe journey."
Once the merchant departed, construction of the Five Elemental Harmonization Array began with the help of various workers from the VPI. They decided to place it in an adjacent area next to the training grounds behind the Frostbane castle.
Meanwhile, Louis sat in lotus position inside his room. After drinking a tenth of the ginseng potion, his Aura surged tremendously. Seizing the opportunity, he finally reached Grand Perfection in the Heaven and Earth Essence Gathering Method.
"It's done...!"
Every fiber of his muscles, the calcium in his bones, the elasticity of his tendons, the toughness of his skin, everything within Louis had been amplified by a staggering 200%. Stacked with the Mana Body Reinforcement Method, this could reach up to 400% physical enhancement, making him four times stronger.
Knock, knock!
"Master Louis, the Array Formation is completed. Would you like to try it?" Catrise called from the door.
"Yes, start it up. I will be the first to test how effective it is," Louis replied, clutching the Heaven-Earth Harmonization Sutras.
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