Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2090: It’s a seal (1)

I rushed down to meet the flame elementals without even waiting for dawn to break.

They were taken aback upon spotting me descending once more.

They had witnessed how I departed previously.

In their minds, it would require time for me to process the revelation and return.

Yet, they still extended a warm reception to me.

I represented their chance to revive their homeland, after all.

Their gazes toward me brimmed with expectation, as if urging me to infuse additional divine energy into the crimson gem.

Yet, my visit held no such purpose.

What brought me here was to shatter the optimism they harbored, rendering it doubly uncomfortable for me to voice my thoughts—particularly under their expectant stares.

Deep down, I realized that postponing this revelation would only amplify the difficulty.

It needed to be addressed swiftly, like tearing off a bandage, to avoid greater complications ahead.

Thus, I abruptly inquired, "The ceremony you’ve been conducting, when is the next one scheduled?"

The flame elementals were thrown off balance by my question, responding with puzzled glances as though baffled by the sudden inquiry.

I held my tongue despite their bewildered expressions.

The elder among the flame elementals replied, "We intended to perform another shortly. Our domain is gradually mending, yet replenishing the elemental energy here would prove ideal."

His words complicated my attempt to deliver the forthcoming statement, though it remained necessary.

"For the time being, cease all further ceremonies."

Upon uttering this, a sense of bewilderment washed over me.

This stemmed from the absence of shock or perplexity on the flame elemental elder’s countenance.

Indeed, surprise eluded every flame elemental at my declaration.

Disappointment flickered faintly in their eyes, however.

"Of course, I overlooked that detail. It appears we’ve acted too hastily in this affair." The flame elemental elder remarked with a heavy sigh, deepening my confusion.

This conclusion felt off-kilter.

It hardly matched the expected reaction to my words.

Yet, the flame elementals showed no inclination to clarify their swift agreement, their thoughts seemingly occupied by other concerns.

Still, their ready acceptance gnawed at me...

"Why did you agree to my words without resistance?"

The flame elemental elder displayed astonishment at my probe before responding, "The error lies with us from the outset, driven by urgency. Initially, the ceremony shouldn’t occur until stability returns. The prophecy handed down to us foretold all of this."

A peculiar expression crossed my features upon hearing this.

This information was entirely unfamiliar to me.

I’d never encountered it prior...

But prior to further questions, flames began abruptly converging.

I remained composed, having witnessed this phenomenon earlier.

The flames assembled as the ancestors manifested. Having dispersed their essences across the area, their sudden emergence held no surprise.

Nor was it odd that they monitored our conversation continuously.

Admittedly, the sensation of constant observation felt somewhat unsettling.

As the flames fully coalesced, the flame elemental ancestors materialized.

While the other flame elementals paid homage, the ancestors directed their attention solely toward me.

"We shall clarify this circumstance for you."

Their statement heightened my bewilderment, yet they intended to elaborate. Under these conditions, complicating matters served no purpose.

The pair of ancestors separated from the remaining flame elementals.

Their behavior suggested a reluctance to disclose this to the others.

After distancing ourselves from the group, the two ancestors faced me. Despite their gaze, silence lingered as if words eluded them.

Their stare hinted at unspoken troubles weighing on them.

I stayed quiet initially, but their prolonged muteness compelled me to speak.

"It’s a seal." One ancestor abruptly declared.

This revelation held no shock for me, as I was aware of its nature, though nuances seemed amiss. The ancestor’s expression indicated more to disclose.

"I understand the array serves as a seal confining elementals, but how does it connect to the chill?"

"It repels humans to prevent interference with the seal. The terrain becomes utterly inhospitable to mankind, deterring meddling with forbidden elements." The ancestor concluded with a sigh.

Surprise etched my face at this, though reflection revealed it as the most sensible rationale.