Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1952: Give us a chance

"Favoured sons of Aquaron, so this is the final path you have chosen."

At those words, the gathered ministers could not help but feel a wave of apprehension.

Their reaction was hardly surprising, given that they weren't merely facing a divine representative. This time, a true deity stood before them, radiating an overwhelming pressure that filled the room.

Even though the god was currently manifest in a diminished state as a sphere of blue light, the divine prestige they commanded remained undeniable when they chose to exert it.

As soon as Aestum spoke, a crushing weight descended upon the Merman King and his accompanying officials.

However, the Merman King refused to shrink back.

Instead, he maintained his gaze, looking directly at the glowing blue orb perched upon the throne, and offered a resolute nod.

"A foolish decision, wouldn't you agree?" Aestum remarked, a hint of mockery lacing their voice.

While the Merman King remained stoic, the ministers visibly reacted to the insult.

The King simply watched Aestum with composure, as if awaiting a further reply. Yet, it appeared that Aestum had no intention of continuing.

Consequently, it fell to the Merman King to shatter the heavy silence, despite the obvious desire of his ministers to speak up.

"This is the conclusion we have reached after much deliberation. We seek the opportunity to atone for everything that occurred in the past," the Merman King declared with absolute gravity.

Aestum’s skepticism was apparent; the blue sphere remained as motionless and indifferent as before.

It seemed as though the Merman King’s plea had elicited no reaction from the deity at all.

Rather than giving the King an answer, the orb of blue light shifted its attention toward me, asking, "Holy Son, what is your perspective?"

I took a moment to reflect, calmly observing the exchange between Aestum, the Merman King, and the ministers.

Finally, I answered, "I believe their intentions are genuine. This isn't merely a result of my ties to him, but my sincere conviction."

A look of gratitude crossed the Merman King’s face, but I paid it no mind, focusing instead on Aestum’s impending response.

Following a prolonged silence, Aestum eventually sighed and spoke. "I want it understood that my decision isn't based on faith in your words. I am only agreeing because my followers truly have no other alternative."

Aestum’s tone then shifted into one of stern authority as they continued, "Those who wish to depart will be permitted to return to the other realm. Conversely, no one will be forced to leave if they feel uneasy. This is the sole compromise I am willing to grant in this matter."

Bowing his head slightly, the Merman King replied, "I thank you for granting us this opportunity."

Aestum added a warning, "Only the willing may go. If you use any form of coercion..."

The threat behind the trailing sentence was unmistakable.

"I give my word that no one will be forced to act against their will," the King promised.

After a brief hesitation, the Merman King added, "However, to prevent the Merman Empire from falling into chaos... we must require them to adhere to certain regulations."

"What kind of regulations?" Aestum questioned, their voice tinged with irritation.

Prepared for this inquiry, the Merman King explained, "The general public of the Merman Empire cannot be allowed to learn the truth of the past yet. If that knowledge were revealed, our entire social structure would collapse, placing your followers in grave danger."

"So your plan is to continue hiding the truth?" Aestum asked, still sounding displeased.

"Only for the time being. We will reveal the truth when the circumstances are right. This transition cannot be forced abruptly upon either side," the Merman King stated, showing no sign of intimidation.

He had contemplated this deeply since uncovering the suppressed history of their world.

He had meticulously crafted a strategy intended to produce the best outcome for everyone involved.

Aestum paused before finally sighing, "I understand."

These two simple words carried a heavy weight of complex emotions.

After a short interval, Aestum posed another question: "How do you intend to present my followers to your people? That will be no small feat."

"We have the support of the Holy Son and your own messenger," the Merman King said, a smile appearing on his face.

For the Merman King, persuading Aestum had been the most difficult obstacle. Once the deity was on board, the rest would be manageable, given the vast power and resources he controlled as the sovereign of the Merman Empire.

The only thing he truly couldn't oppose was the direct interference of a god.

I had already committed to assisting, driven by a curiosity to see how this would unfold.

There had to be a specific reason why Aquaron had abandoned these specific races. I wanted to witness the consequences of reuniting them with those who had been spared.

Though it might be perceived as somewhat cold-hearted, I hoped this experiment would reveal more about the nature of the gods.

My current knowledge regarding the divine was far too limited...

Understanding them better would ultimately benefit everyone in the long run.

Therefore, even if the method seemed harsh, it was a necessary step to take.