Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1985: Construction deal

Although they appeared dissatisfied with the proposal, the group conceded that it was the only viable path forward for the time being.

Consequently, everyone present had the exact same question burning in their minds.

"How much time is required for the installation?"

While the tone of the inquiry was remarkably casual, the weight behind it was immense. Each individual was desperate to secure this protective measure for their respective nations.

Had they followed their more selfish impulses, these representatives would have demanded the barrier be placed around their own private estates first.

Safety, after all, was only guaranteed within the confines of this shield.

Driven by this realization, they all vied to be at the front of the line for the installation process.

Even when facing off against the great empires, they were determined to secure priority.

I could read their expressions clearly; they were all preparing a list of excuses and justifications to explain why their territory deserved to be the first to receive the barrier.

I maintained a calm demeanor as I spoke, "This process isn't something that can be completed in an instant. Installing this across every one of your nations will require a significant amount of time."

This news visibly dampened the spirits of the representatives, yet they found themselves without any grounds for complaint.

The only remaining questions were, "How long until construction can begin? Furthermore, what are the projected costs for a project of this scale?"

Participation in the racial alliance didn't lead them to believe that such a marvel would be provided for free.

Resources within the alliance were still traded and purchased out of necessity. The looming threat didn't mean that people had stopped caring about their economies or daily survival.

In fact, the primary purpose of the racial alliance was to safeguard those very livelihoods.

The alliance could not simply seize goods from the populace under the guise of continental defense; such actions would quickly erode any public support.

A racial alliance behaving in that manner would be nothing more than a band of common brigands.

Therefore, it was understood that compensation must be provided for services rendered to the alliance. This was the fundamental principle everyone had agreed upon during its formation.

Nevertheless, the prices remained reasonable, as everyone acknowledged that these efforts were for the collective good.

However, their inquiries about the price weren't purely about budgeting.

Some were secretly hoping they could offer a higher price to bribe me into prioritizing their countries for the barrier's construction.

"There is no set price; this is a service that will be extended to all nations. The delay is simply due to the fact that the materials involved are living organisms, which require preparation," I explained.

I pointed toward the swarm of bugs that were currently maintaining the barrier as I finished my sentence.

The representatives looked on with skepticism, yet no one dared to argue. The physical evidence was performing right before their eyes.

I decided to offer them a glimmer of hope.

"However, I am developing a method that should allow for simultaneous deployment. You will only need to handle the transportation of the materials and ensure their care whenever the barrier is not active."

Confusion flickered across their faces again, but it was quickly replaced by understanding as they grasped the implications of my words.

Because the barrier was composed of living creatures, they required maintenance and housing when they weren't being deployed. They weren't static objects that could simply be left alone.

The biological nature of the barrier also meant it possessed a level of flexibility that traditional magic barriers lacked. These were not fixed to a single geographical coordinate.

As this realization dawned on them, the representatives fell into deep contemplation.

It didn't take much imagination to see the tactical advantages of a mobile, flexible defense system.

Such a tool was vastly superior to a stationary barrier that could only protect a single landmark.

"We will construct the finest facilities possible to house them," the representatives promised without a moment's hesitation once they understood the value.

I nodded in acknowledgement, but I had one more crucial detail to share.

"Beyond the housing facilities, we will need to provide periodic shipments of divine energy to replenish what is consumed. Because they will be spread so far apart, we cannot maintain a long-distance connection, making manual divine energy refills necessary."

The news that the barrier wasn't a self-sustaining, infinite system disappointed the representatives, but they accepted it as a logical limitation.

A defense that lasted forever without any maintenance would have been unnaturally powerful.

In this world, nothing is truly eternal.

Accepting these conditions, the delegates from the smaller nations gave their consent and urged me to ship the bugs as quickly as possible.

Only the emissaries from the empires sensed that there was more to this arrangement than met the eye.

They watched me closely, looking as though they had several more questions they wanted to ask.