Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2069: Giant corpse

"You probably have some notion of what rock elementals represent, yet we're not inherently tied to the gods in the same manner as the spirits."

After hearing that, I found myself arching an eyebrow, as this was information completely new to me.

For starters, my knowledge about spirits and elementals was quite limited anyway.

Recalling earlier events, the Spirit Kings had displayed hints of such bonds through their dealings with the gods. Otherwise, no deity would bother reprimanding a Spirit King.

Clearly, a profound link existed between the spirits and the gods.

So much so that I pondered aloud, "Did they set up those encounters just to keep an eye on me?"

Yet I dismissed the idea quickly, since it held no real importance.

The gods had demonstrated they possessed numerous methods to monitor me and step in whenever necessary, spirits or no spirits.

"What about your divine energy, then?"

"The gods themselves granted it to us."

This revelation made me lift an eyebrow once more.

The phrasing from the rock elemental ancestor struck me as odd, to say the least.

It concerned how the ancestor referred to itself.

Rather than singular, it opted for the plural...

"I see the question in your mind. Indeed, we have the ability to draw in divine energy bestowed by the gods from one another too. It gathers within us much like the strength we take from each other."

A puzzled expression crossed my features following the rock elemental ancestor's words.

Part of me speculated on what other forces these rock elementals might draw in. Another part wondered whether...

"That's right, destruction energy can be absorbed by us as well. This capability made us prime targets for the forces of Destruction initially."

My response this time was far more intense.

I felt concern that the elder spoke from personal ordeal.

Should that prove true...

"Rest assured, we cleansed ourselves of it amid the previous war. Moreover, that influence drove the attackers against their own kind—it overrode their instincts through the destruction energy's might."

Though unexpected, this offered deeper insights into the matter.

The rock elemental ancestor went on, "That's why we ended up sealed here. They claim it's for our benefit and as a prize, but truly it kept the forces of Destruction from us. After all, our capacity to amass power inside has no bounds."

Observing the elder and fellow rock elementals, even they appeared stunned by this disclosure. Despite their long companionship with this ancestor, it seemed none of this had ever been shared with them.

Their existence had essentially been built on deception.

Considering my deductions about the rock elementals, they posed a grave threat if swayed by the forces of Destruction. Thus, sealing them away like this was logical.

Simultaneously, I had no doubt the gods would resort to such measures.

Still, one aspect eluded my grasp.

"How, then, did the present rock elementals acquire their divine energy?"

"We transmitted it to them. Upon having offspring, we transfer portions of our essence, from which they gain attributes."

So these elementals came into being through self-replication rather than natural emergence?

As though reading my thoughts, the rock elemental ancestor explained, "In the past, we arose from nature itself, but that fails in a constructed environment like this. Therefore, to sustain the tribe, I resorted to reproduction via this approach."

"You?" I blurted out, sensing something amiss in the rock elemental ancestor's statement.

"Yes, just me. I remained as the sole survivor in the end."

Upon processing those words, a bewildered gaze swept over the surroundings from me.

Yet again, the rock elemental ancestor anticipated my query, stating, "All you behold here forms part of my remains, extending far beneath the earth. It's far vaster than it appears."

"Were you the sole one who..."

Even as my sentence faded, the rock elemental ancestor grasped my intent.

The rock elemental ancestor avoided a straightforward reply, however.

"That conflict was brutal, claiming countless lives. It's no surprise I alone endured."

The elder and other rock elementals once more wore shocked expressions, ones too genuine to fabricate—they revealed their honest emotions.

Evidently, this ancestor had concealed numerous secrets from them.

Nevertheless, the intent was clear: to shield the rock elementals from harsh realities. Accepting imprisonment as a seal rather than a boon would have been devastating.

What baffled me most was the reason behind the rock elemental ancestor's revelations to me specifically.

As if foreseeing my confusion, the rock elemental ancestor declared, "Because I've awaited your arrival for ages. You're the only one I could confide in like this."

Despite my quizzical stare, the rock elemental ancestor refused to elaborate further...