Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2031: The power of faith
Previously on Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure...
Ultimately, the secret of this issue didn't hold for long.
Following my conversation with the Merman King, he wasted no time spreading the news throughout the entire Merman Empire.
The initial group to hear about it consisted of the Merman Empire's ministers.
Upon discovering the truth, a fog seemed to lift from their minds.
Right from the start, they'd been reluctant to engage with the other races, fearing it would harm the Merman Empire.
Yet now, with the revelation that this tied directly to Aquaron...
"We have to put every effort into resolving this."
"This concerns the core of our Merman Empire, so naturally, we must address it."
"To realize this touches even our god's honor, we absolutely can't fail them."
Their reactions ignited like a spark, transforming their stance on the issue in mere moments.
They appeared ready to forgive their god's deceptions and pour all their energy into supporting the deity who had misled them.
No resentment or feeling of betrayal lingered; pure devotion to that god remained.
Witnessing their behavior sent a chill through me, yet it highlighted the immense force of faith.
When faith burns brightly enough, it empowers one to achieve the impossible...
Fueled by this unyielding belief, the ministers sprang into action without delay, gathering whatever resources they deemed essential. Though no clear guidance existed on immediate needs, they charged ahead with zeal, readying all they could muster.
They acted as though bracing for any scenario imaginable.
Given the scale of their preparations, it was inevitable that more eyes would catch on.
At that point, neither the Merman King nor his ministers held back the tale. It spread to every citizen in the Merman Empire, eliciting reactions identical to those of their leaders.
Faith's grip proved unyielding and sightless, binding the Merman Empire's people in its profound hold.
Thus, even an event that ought to shatter their devotion only strengthened it, allowing them to push past the crisis.
With the Merman Empire's affairs settled, our group ventured toward the forbidden area housing the other races. This crisis affected them too, and handling it solo wasn't feasible for us.
They stood as the ones slated for healing by the sea witches.
Prior to that, however, I aimed to reveal the deceptions the gods had concealed from them.
Having endured such torment, they rightfully merited answers for their pain.
Yet the replies I received caught me off guard...
"Lord Aestum was merely shielding us."
"I never once questioned Lord Aestum."
"It appears Lord Aquaron was safeguarding us too."
The final remark didn't echo as commonly, though a few did rediscover their trust in Aquaron amid this. Despite the obvious motive to safeguard their own image.
This scheme served their interests, not the welfare of the masses...
But with them twisting the narrative in their minds, no words from me could sway the tide.
My sole conclusion was that faith's might let these folks dismiss all the betrayals outright.
Ultimately, the Merman Empire and the other races united in purpose. Lacking any divine appearance to verify it, they remained utterly convinced regardless.
This unity left me far from pleased.
Their ordeals at the gods' hands were undeniable, yet they clung to obedience without hesitation. The deities' sway over this realm loomed vast and ominous, a troubling reality...
Particularly as hints suggested the gods were pulling strings on me somehow...
Even so, this outcome surpassed the Merman Empire's total downfall.
A shattered faith might have unraveled the empire unpredictably. As a key pillar in the racial alliance, its ruin would spell peril for everyone.
Therefore, their swift recovery without disrupting the alliance proved ideal.
Above all, the real threat lingered in the shadows—the forces of Destruction yet to be confronted.
"I’ll head back now. I’ll have Max reach out and help where he can."
The Merman King nodded in agreement before adding, "Thank you for everything that you’ve done."
Answering felt improper, so I held my tongue.
Unfazed, the Merman King continued, "You might not believe it, but this is important for us."
At last, I nodded in acknowledgment.
Still, aligning with anything involving those two gods eluded me.
It merely underscored the deep flaws within the gods themselves.
Hence, my urge to depart the Merman Empire grew urgent.
Disdain for the empire itself didn't drive me; I simply sought distance from their realm right then.
And thus, the affair drew to a close.