Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1999: Scattered essence (3)

Previously on Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure...

The protagonist encounters a small ball of energy that reveals itself as the god's messenger, a phoenix whose divine patron died long ago during the sealing of the God of Destruction. Shocked by this confirmation that gods can perish, the protagonist learns the messenger retains its title and power only until the blessing fades, having scattered its essence to fulfill an ancient contract with the kingdom's founder and bless the land with prosperity. Despite the protagonist's concerns about the phoenix's depleting strength and its legendary regenerative abilities, the messenger remains resolute in its duty, prompting the question of why it sought this meeting.

"You're the one who wanted to see me." The god's messenger remarked, their voice carrying a playful tease.

Yet I held my tongue, simply waiting for their explanation.

"There's a purpose to this, but wouldn't you prefer to hear this old bird's tale first?" The god's messenger steered the conversation back to our earlier exchange.

After pausing briefly, I nodded my head slowly.

I truly desired to understand the reasons behind the god's messenger's fateful choice.

After all, honoring a vow that meant certain death was no simple matter.

I needed to grasp why the god's messenger opted for this path rather than merely reducing the blessings bestowed upon this realm.

The god's messenger didn't have to sever ties entirely; diminishing the grace to a recoverable level would suffice. Humans could surely adjust without the full favor of this phoenix.

Yet it appeared the god's messenger was resolute in fulfilling its commitment.

Noticing the probing look in my eyes, the god's messenger let out a sigh and began, "Everything traces back to those dark times. Before order emerged, chaos reigned as society took shape."

The god's messenger's narrative turned out to be remarkably captivating.

If my existence were a tale, this would serve as an ideal origin story leading into it all.

Upon reflection, it would make for an excellent backstory expansion to the game inspiring this world.

At the outset, countless individuals clashed to carve out their territories.

The founder of the Solar Kingdom had stumbled upon the territory guarded by this phoenix and forged a pact with it—or more precisely, with the deity the phoenix once served.

Thanks to that agreement, the Solar Kingdom's founder joined the divine conflict, the initial battle against the God of Destruction.

Once the war concluded, only the founder and the phoenix survived.

Their patron god had perished in the clash with the God of Destruction.

Thus, the founder claimed the phoenix's former domain and built a kingdom there, birthing the Solar Kingdom.

This also explained the phoenix's readiness to lay down its life for this land.

For it marked the eternal repose of their former master.

As the tale wrapped up, a mix of emotions crossed my face while gazing at the phoenix.

Evidently, the phoenix was steadfast in its life's purpose, unswayed by any argument. It was set on perishing in the territory bestowed by its master.

That said, this resolve wouldn't halt the encroaching forces of Destruction.

Those destructive powers still ravaged the world, posing a real threat to this haven. Lingering passively here couldn't aid the phoenix in safeguarding it.

"I see your concerns, but my frailty prevents any movement from the start. Even if I wished to assist, my fading form limits what I could offer."

I couldn't refute this reality, though I sensed the phoenix might have had other options...

"I'm not vanishing immediately, so I'll lend my strength in the climactic battle—if I endure that far. Until then, I'll shield the domain my master entrusted to me."

In time, I sighed and agreed with a nod.

This was the phoenix's heartfelt desire, and I had no intention of pulling it from its cherished home.

With the phoenix so committed, all I could offer was my respect for its choice.

Still, one puzzle lingered in my mind.

While this clarified the phoenix's unyielding attachment to this spot, it failed to reveal why it had summoned me specifically.

The phoenix held nothing tangible for me, nor was there a deity here for discourse. If sharing this history was the goal, simpler methods existed beyond bringing me all this way.

"We've arrived at the heart of it," the phoenix declared abruptly, as though peering into my thoughts.

I narrowed my gaze slightly toward the phoenix, staying silent in anticipation of its clarification.

The phoenix appeared reluctant to continue.

Whatever topic loomed next, it promised complexity.

That hesitation from the phoenix struck me as odd.

Having resolved its own fate so firmly, seeing it waver now felt out of place.

It left me questioning what could possibly give it pause.

"I brought you here to entrust one last inheritance. Earlier, I was uncertain about its fate, but now my decision is clear."