Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2051: The middle of nowhere

"There’s nothing here."

This thought kept echoing in my mind as I gazed upon the barren expanse stretching out before me.

I paused to verify once more that I hadn’t made a mistake in my directions, yet every piece of evidence I possessed pointed to this being the correct location. From every angle, this spot was meant to hold those who required my aid.

Yet, in truth, the area stood utterly devoid of any presence.

Nestled in the heart of isolation, the landscape lay completely desolate.

Prior to our arrival, I had cross-checked the details with representatives from all four human empires and several other factions. The Holy Empire had hesitated to reveal their oracle at first, but ultimately they relented, recognizing the importance for the common cause.

Every source assured me that this was the precise spot.

Still, the emptiness persisted without a trace.

"What on earth am I meant to accomplish in this void?" I whispered under my breath while fixating on the vast nothingness surrounding me.

This region counted among the continent’s scarce untamed wilds.

Nothing could sprout here because the soil beneath was entirely lifeless. That explained why no traces of life dared to linger in this forsaken zone.

Most might assume that nature would eventually reclaim such a wasteland over the years. But no revival occurred, as though an unseen force barred any restoration.

Thus, this territory remained truly barren of all things.

"Did you discover anything out there?" I inquired of Klein upon his return alongside the royal guards.

Klein simply shook his head and replied, "We scoured every corner, but not a single clue turned up."

My brows furrowed involuntarily at his words, though I held no resentment toward him for it.

Upon reaching this desolate site and realizing its vacancy, we had immediately dispatched teams to comb the surroundings. Predictably, their efforts yielded zero results.

With furrowed brows, I scanned the horizon, anticipating some development.

While doing so, I lifted the hand bearing the Mark of God, hoping for any sign of activation.

Given that the gods had directed me to this trial ground, I expected the Mark of God to ignite an event here. It stood to reason, as the Mark had previously linked me to the divine realm.

"With no response yet, it must operate on a limited radius. I need to enter that zone for it to manifest."

Doubt flickered in the eyes of Klein and his companions as they regarded me, but I brushed it aside.

Deep down, I shared their skepticism and recognized how tenuous this idea was. Nevertheless, options were scarce in this empty expanse.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I guided our party through the wilderness, searching for any hint of activity.

Only when we approached a massive heap of stones did I sense...

"Are you absolutely sure nothing caught your eye around here?"

The question startled Klein and the royal guards, but he quickly shook his head and affirmed, "No, absolutely nothing turned up in our search."

Even as he spoke, a couple of the royal guards stepped ahead, ready to inspect the vicinity again.

I lifted my hand to halt them and explained, "This isn’t visible to the bare eye. It’s more like something hidden..."

Words failed to capture it precisely, but demonstrating proved straightforward.

As I extended my hand, the faint luminescence from the Mark of God became visible, indicating a response to an unseen presence.

And regarding the source of that reaction...

My gaze fixed on the cluster of rocks looming nearby.

I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing it for any anomaly, yet nothing appeared unusual at first glance.

Even so, I detected an undeniable trace of divine energy emanating from it.

Faint as it was, I couldn’t overlook it, and the Mark of God had locked onto it without fail.

Unable to pinpoint the exact nature, I reached out and placed my palm against the rock formation.

Instantly, a radiant aura enveloped the stones.

This illumination didn’t stem from the Mark of God’s own divine energy; rather, it surged from beneath the earth itself. It felt as if the rocks linked to a deeper source supplying this sacred power.

Yet, I also sensed a flow of divine energy originating from the Mark of God.

The energy from the Mark seemed to serve as the trigger, awakening whatever lay dormant below.

When the glow intensified to a peak, additional beams erupted from the ground beneath our feet.

The light wasn’t overwhelming, merely a slender streak etched into the soil.

However, this streak didn’t end there; it extended onward in a clear path.

Simultaneously, a parallel streak emerged in the contrary direction.

These twin paths of light stretched purposefully, hinting at connections to distant points.

"Could this be an...array?"