Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1928: Real target

A lingering sense of unease gnawed at me, making it impossible to shake the feeling that something was fundamentally wrong. Driven by this intuition, I commanded my subordinates to dispatch urgent inquiries to every unit currently engaged in suppressing the monster hordes.

Even though the incoming reports claimed that operations were proceeding smoothly without any complications, my anxiety remained. I required a direct account to feel truly confident in the situation.

However, the responses I received were nothing more than...

"Everything is progressing according to the original plan."

And alongside those...

"Is the commander doing alright?"

Technically, that last query wasn't intended for my ears, but intercepting such chatter from the messengers was a simple task for me.

Regardless, I insisted that these updates continue to flow in, allowing me to monitor the shifting tides of every monster-infested battlefield simultaneously.

Analyzing the data, it became glaringly obvious that our own engagement lacked any real substance. It appeared that a similar pattern was emerging across all fronts; every Monster King we were tasked with slaying seemed preoccupied by some external interference.

The realization finally dawned on me...

"It’s a distraction, but not for them. It’s a distraction for us."

If my hypothesis was correct, what was their true objective?

They wouldn't go to such extreme lengths to orchestrate a diversion of this scale unless they were targeting something of immense value.

"Let’s head back," I commanded, my voice ringing with absolute certainty.

My sudden order caught the others off guard, and a few soldiers looked visibly hesitant. Their reluctance was understandable, given that the monster forces hadn't been fully eradicated and much work remained on the field.

"The entire unit isn't retreating. I’m entrusting the remaining cleanup to you," I clarified, turning toward Old Man Lancelot.

Having anticipated this move, the veteran showed no signs of shock. He offered a curt nod before barking orders to the troops: "What are you all staring at? Assume formation and begin purging the stragglers! Now that their leader has fallen, they’ll surely scatter like frightened rats."

As a legendary knight, this was a scenario he had mastered long ago.

He had executed such maneuvers countless times throughout his storied history.

With his vast experience, he took command of the forces effortlessly, systematically dismantling the remaining monster ranks.

However, looking at his expression...

It was obvious he still harbored the scars of the past. He would grant no clemency to these creatures tainted by corruption energy.

With Old Man Lancelot at the helm, I could leave this battlefield without a single worry.

"We are coming with you."

I wasn't at all startled to find Klein and the rest of the Royal Guards falling in behind me.

Their primary directive, after all, was the protection of the Royal Family.

In this situation, ensuring my safety was their sole duty.

We mounted our wyverns and took to the skies, nothing standing in our way—especially with a pack led by Joan herself.

The moment we touched down in the Kite Kingdom, my first words were: "Where is Dorothy?"

The Prime Minister was already baffled by our premature return, but my frantic question only deepened his confusion. Ultimately, he pushed his questions aside and signaled for us to follow him.

"What was the nature of the combat?" he inquired as we hurried through the halls.

"It felt as though they were being manipulated, forced into action by an external will."

"Then we've walked into a trap?" he asked instantly.

"Or perhaps just a very elaborate distraction."

Upon hearing my reply, the Prime Minister’s pace quickened even further.

As we reached our destination, the pungent scent of corruption energy hanging in the air hit me immediately.

Sensing the danger, I burst into the room. Inside, I found Dorothy and Lupus besieged by swirling clouds of corruption energy. This wasn't the familiar power Dorothy wielded; this was a masterless, malevolent corruption energy.

Lupus had deployed a protective barrier around them, but it looked as though the shield was reaching its breaking point.

"Summon reinforcements!" the Prime Minister shouted, stepping back.

It wasn't cowardice that drove him, but the logical recognition that he lacked the power to intervene in this specific fight.

I lunged forward, Zeldir springing from my collar.

Having mastered the ability to alter his size and shape, he had been resting around my neck like an ornamental necklace. Now, he reverted to his true form to fight by my side.

The shroud of corruption energy encircling Dorothy and Lupus didn't feel particularly potent, yet it possessed a strange resilience, absorbing every strike we threw at it. It seemed to simply swallow our attacks whole.

However, with my ability to perceive the flow of Divine Qi, I realized the energy wasn't just absorbing the hits—it was negating them.

A massive reservoir of corruption energy was being utilized, yet strangely, it hadn't managed to shatter the Divine Qi barrier Lupus had established.

The logic of the situation was baffling, but I didn't have the luxury of overthinking it.

It was now undeniable: Dorothy was the true prize they were after.

We had always known this day might come, but we never imagined it would arrive so abruptly...

"It appears you’ve been concealing something quite fascinating."

The instant that voice echoed through the room, everyone was paralyzed.

The sheer weight of the power behind those words was suffocating.

It was immediately clear that this was no ordinary adversary.

I recognized the voice the moment I heard it.

It was a voice impossible to forget, belonging to a high-ranking entity within the legions of Destruction.

It was the second of the Four Omens: War.