Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1981: Defense test (1)

Previously on Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure...

The racial alliance has convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating situation at Death Valley, with many representatives fearing it is a deceptive trap orchestrated by the forces of Destruction. While smaller nations panic and demand defensive countermeasures, the protagonist remains intentionally silent to avoid revealing too much of his own agenda. Despite the pressure for him to take the lead as an expert on their enemies, the major powers eventually adjourn the session to allow him time to organize his thoughts. He now faces a tense political landscape where every nation is desperate for answers he is hesitant to provide.

"I want to test something with you."

"Eh, do we have to?"

Dealing with Queenie’s laziness in person was a far more vivid experience than simply hearing about it.

Still, I had to concede that Insectum’s assessment of her was entirely accurate.

I wasn't about to retreat on this point, however, as this was the specific remedy I had devised for the issues we faced earlier today. Consequently, I retreated to Death Valley immediately after finishing my meal.

The bracelet I wore allowed me to carry Death Valley wherever I went, essentially sealing the entire valley into a pocket dimension within the jewelry.

This meant I could transport myself into Death Valley with just a single thought.

To anyone watching from the outside, it would simply appear as though I was still alone in my private quarters.

"You don’t have to do anything complicated; just summon your bugs and channel the divine energy into them," I instructed in a persuasive tone.

Queenie glanced at me as if the request were a massive burden, but I met her gaze firmly without wavering. Realizing I wouldn't budge, she understood that she had no choice but to obey my command.

It didn't take long for the insects to begin manifesting around us.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of alarm as the bugs crawled out of the earth, forming a solid black wall in our vicinity. Even with the knowledge that it was coming, it was a sight that defied comfort.

No matter how many times I witnessed it, getting used to such a scene felt impossible.

I needed a moment to compose myself before I could truly address the living wall standing before me.

Surveying the barrier, I remarked, "I know your abilities lean more toward defense than offense, so I want to gauge exactly how resilient your protection is."

Queenie looked at me with a startled expression before replying, "Well, I’ve never really tested the limits of my defenses before."

This wasn't a shock, considering she wasn't the type to actively seek out conflict.

Even the massive barrier that had held back the corruption energy within Death Valley had been the work of Insectum. It had utilized its connection with Queenie's insects to pump divine energy into them, creating that protective seal.

However, as the messenger of Insectum, Queenie should technically be capable of the same feat.

"Then we are going to test it right now," I declared firmly.

While Queenie looked clearly displeased by the prospect, my stern gaze left her with no room to protest.

Ultimately, the messengers of the gods still afforded me the respect due to a chosen one. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder if her compliance was out of personal will or mere obligation.

After all, she looked like she wanted to do absolutely nothing at all.

After a short delay, a transformation began to take hold of the surrounding insects.

A subtle glow started to emanate from each of the bugs.

I didn't even need to see the light to know what was happening; I could feel a familiar aura radiating from them before the glow was even visible. It was the divine energy I had instructed her to infuse into her summons.

With that divine energy flowing through them, they would certainly function as a barrier.

However, looking at the result, I couldn't hide my disappointment.

The reason was simple: I had seen the barrier produced by Insectum.

That original barrier existed on an entirely different plane of power compared to what I was looking at now.

Queenie, however, seemed perfectly content with her creation, showing no intention of intensifying the barrier's strength.

This current defense was subpar because the divine energy was merely being shoved into the bugs. The insects' physical bodies would still have to absorb the bulk of any impact despite the energy they held.

For Queenie, who could simply spawn more insects at will, this probably didn't seem like an issue.

If the bugs forming the wall died, she could just replace them.

That was the typical perspective of an insect queen.

To me, however, this was nowhere near sufficient, as this barrier wouldn't fulfill the role I required. To solve my current predicament, I needed something significantly more powerful.

Dealing with Queenie’s complaints about working was a small price to pay compared to facing the delegates of the racial alliance.

With that thought, I stepped toward Queenie and gave her a slap on the back, spinning her around to face the task.

Queenie stared at me in shock, seemingly unable to process my actions. Despite my physical contact with their queen, the elite guards didn't move to intervene.

It appeared they had been ordered to stay out of the interactions between the two of us.

Well, as long as I didn't actually threaten her life, they wouldn't act.

While she remained there with a bewildered look, I said, "This isn't nearly enough. It looks like we'll be training for quite a while until your barrier reaches a level I'm satisfied with."