Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2024: You can’t hide it anymore

After the patients entered these spheres of pristine water, a noticeable shift finally occurred.

Enveloped within these spheres of pristine water, the restorative spells and elixirs applied earlier began to take hold at last.

As these treatments addressed the ailments plaguing them, the patients gradually started to mend.

Though the recovery progressed at a leisurely pace, it appeared they were steadily heading toward full health.

However, this setup couldn't be sustained indefinitely.

The sphere of water I'd formed relied entirely on my energy to persist, requiring constant input from me to maintain its purifying flows. Should I cease providing energy even briefly, those flows would halt immediately.

Admittedly, the sphere of pristine water wouldn't shatter instantly, yet it would gradually mix with the surrounding waters, reverting to its prior impure state before my intervention.

Consequently, the patients would slip back into their previous dire conditions.

Considering they'd been stable upon departing Aestum’s concealed realm initially, a swift relapse seemed unlikely. Still, lingering in such an environment would inevitably lead them to deteriorate once more.

With their afflictions eased, the patients gradually awoke.

The instant awareness returned to them, their immediate response was...

"Get away from me!"

The terror laced through their words revealed the depth of their panic.

Given their strange surroundings and the mysterious illness that had struck them, such terror was entirely justified.

Yet fear of more than just the unknown gripped them.

A closer examination of their glances toward the nearby mermaids revealed clear dread directed at those beings too.

These individuals from other races believed the mermaids were behind their suffering.

They shared my earlier suspicion that the mermaids had somehow tainted them.

At least, that had been my assumption prior to harnessing the kraken’s power for their cure.

Armed now with knowledge of the true origin, I realized the mermaids bore no fault in this matter.

A recollection surfaced from Aestum’s words to me before departing the Merman Empire previously—a statement undoubtedly linked to the recent events.

"It seems like you can’t hide it anymore," I mused inwardly upon forging that link.

"Please calm down."

At my words, the other-race members gradually settled.

They recognized my identity, and crucially, they acknowledged the kraken clinging to my hand. As an emblem of the guardian that had shielded them throughout, its sway over them was far from negligible.

Once composure returned, I declared, "You’ll have to go back home with me."

The other-race members showed no objection whatsoever; indeed, it appeared this aligned perfectly with their desires.

A fragment of despair etched the Merman King’s features, yet he understood this as the optimal path. Without their return, the uncertainty of their fate loomed large.

Any mishap befalling them would render remedies futile.

Nevertheless, I faced the Merman King and stated, "You should come too. There’s something that we need to ask them."

Surprise and bewilderment flickered across the Merman King’s expression momentarily, but he ultimately nodded agreement.

Thereupon, our group ventured into the taboo zone.

Though the whirlpools had reemerged since our prior departure, their presence posed no issue with the kraken accompanying us.

Actually, the whirlpools vanished the very second we approached.

Not even a chance arose for the Mark of God to manifest on my hand, as the kraken dispatched the whirlpools beforehand.

With the whirlpools cleared, we swiftly penetrated the taboo zone, and I dispersed the water spheres I'd conjured.

A flicker of apprehension crossed the other-race members' faces as the water sphere faded, but relief washed over them upon realizing no harm ensued.

Surprisingly, their well-being surpassed even the comfort they'd known inside the water sphere.

Their expressions conveyed a sentiment akin to, "There’s no place like home."

In this instance, that adage rang utterly true.

Having dissolved the water spheres, I allowed the patients to rest while proceeding to the central throne statue.

En route there, a wave of unease emanated from the kraken.

By tapping into its strength, I'd intensified our bond for the moment, enabling me to sense the kraken's sentiments.

My eyes sharpened as I regarded the kraken coiled about my hand, yet it averted itself, seemingly shunning my scrutiny.

Upon reaching the central statue, a azure orb of light already rested atop it.

Evidently, Aestum had anticipated our arrival and awaited us. After all, as a deity, such prescience came naturally to Aestum.

"You can’t hide it from us now. Tell us the truth," I commanded sternly.