Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1981: Defense test (1)

"I want to test something with you."

"Eh, do we really have to?"

Witnessing Queenie’s laziness firsthand provided a completely different sensation than merely hearing about it.

Still, I had to concede that Insectum’s assessment of her was entirely accurate.

I wasn't about to back down, however, as this was the solution I had envisioned to handle the issues from this afternoon. Consequently, I had retreated into Death Valley the moment dinner concluded.

The bracelet functioned by allowing me to carry Death Valley with me, specifically by sealing the valley within a pocket dimension inside the jewelry.

This meant I could transport myself into Death Valley with just a simple thought.

To anyone in the outside world, it would simply appear as though I was still alone in my private quarters.

"You don’t have to do much; just call forth your bugs and infuse them with divine energy," I encouraged her in a coaxing tone.

Queenie glanced at me as if the request were a massive burden, but I maintained a steady, unyielding gaze. Realizing I wouldn't budge, she understood there was no choice but to obey my command.

It didn't take long for the insects to begin manifesting all around us.

As the bugs crawled out from the earth to form a solid black wall, I couldn't help but feel a surge of intimidation. Even with prior knowledge of what was coming, the sight was far from easy to stomach.

No matter how many times I witnessed it, getting used to such a spectacle would be a challenge.

I had to take a deep breath to compose myself before I could properly address the living wall standing before me.

Staring at the barrier, I remarked, "I’m aware your skills lean more toward defense than offense, so I want to gauge exactly how sturdy your protection is."

Queenie gave me a startled look before replying, "Well, I’ve never actually tested the limits of my defenses before."

This wasn't a shock, considering she wasn't the type to go searching for a fight.

Even the barrier that had previously contained the corruption energy within Death Valley had been the work of Insectum. By utilizing its link with Queenie’s swarm, Insectum had channeled divine energy through them to manifest that shield.

Yet, as the messenger of Insectum, Queenie should theoretically be capable of achieving the same result.

"Then let’s give it a try right now," I insisted firmly.

Queenie looked miserable at the prospect, but my stern expression left her with no room for argument.

Ultimately, she still showed me the deference owed to a chosen one of the gods, as expected of a divine messenger. I did wonder, however, if her cooperation was genuine or if she felt forced into it.

After all, she looked like she would rather be doing absolutely anything else.

After a short while, a transformation occurred within the surrounding swarm.

A subtle glow began to emanate from each individual insect.

I didn't even need to see the light to know what was happening; I had already sensed a familiar power vibrating from them. It was the divine energy I had instructed her to pour into her summoned minions.

With that divine energy active, they would certainly function as a shield.

However, looking at the result, I couldn't hide my disappointment.

My reaction was colored by the memory of the barrier Insectum had previously constructed.

That original shield occupied an entirely different league compared to the one I was currently observing.

Unfortunately, Queenie seemed quite content with her work, showing no sign that she intended to bolster the barrier's strength further.

This defense was mediocre at best, consisting of nothing more than divine energy shoved into the bugs. The insects' physical bodies would still have to absorb the brunt of any strike, despite being infused with power.

From Queenie's perspective, this probably wasn't a flaw since she could simply spawn more.

If the bugs forming the wall died, she could just replace them.

That was the typical mindset of a swarm queen.

To me, however, this was insufficient; this barrier wouldn't fulfill the specific role I had in mind. I required something significantly more robust to deal with my current predicament.

Dealing with a complaining Queenie was a much better alternative than facing the delegates of the racial alliance.

With that in mind, I stepped toward Queenie, gave her a firm pat on the back, and turned her back toward the swarm.

Queenie stared at me in shock, seemingly unable to process the physical contact. Interestingly, the elite guards didn't move to intervene, despite me technically putting hands on their queen.

It appeared they had been ordered to stay out of the interactions between the two of us.

Well, unless I actually threatened her life, but I obviously had no intention of doing that.

While she stood there looking bewildered, I told her, "This isn't nearly enough. It looks like we’ll be training for quite a while until you can produce a barrier that meets my standards."