Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1987: More experiments (1)

Her expression wasn't one of defiance or disrespect; rather, she looked terrified that I was about to burden her with more labor.

To be fair, that was exactly why I had come.

Previously, I lacked a secure environment to conduct my experiments, as the potential outcomes were far too unpredictable to risk in the open.

However, now that I possessed this relic containing an isolated pocket dimension, there was no better laboratory for my tests.

Furthermore, the nature of my investigation was directly tied to the unique barrier she could manifest.

Because of this, her involvement was absolutely mandatory.

"I only need to run a few trials. I won't put you through the same ordeal as last time, I promise. You deserve some downtime after everything," I said, attempting to sound soothing, yet Queenie merely stared back with deep suspicion in her gaze.

Seeing her reaction, I could only shake my head and offer a faint, wry smile; this was clearly the harvest of the seeds I had sown.

It was solely because of the intense pressure I had placed on her previously that she now viewed me with such wariness.

"Just provide me with a few of the bugs capable of generating the barrier. After that, you won't have to lift a finger."

Despite her lingering doubts, our binding contract meant she lacked the authority to refuse. Ultimately, Queenie gave in to my request and summoned several insects for me.

Once these creatures were manifested, they possessed the innate ability to maintain the barrier independently.

However, this process required her to pre-load them with her divine energy before summoning. Once active, the bugs would continuously drain that internal reserve until they were completely depleted.

This was precisely the obstacle we needed to overcome at this stage.

More accurately, I was the one tasked with solving it, having pledged to the other nations that I would find a remedy for this limitation.

I had claimed that we would supply both the barrier and the necessary divine energy to sustain it, but that was only a half-truth. While delivering insects pre-charged with divine energy was simple enough, the real challenge lay elsewhere.

Refilling that divine energy was the true hurdle, as no known medium existed that could effectively store or transport it.

That was the focus of my current experimentation.

My first step was to allow the barrier to remain active until the bugs had exhausted every drop of their divine energy.

This didn't take long, considering each individual insect could only hold a very limited amount of power to begin with.

The moment their reserves hit zero, the barrier simply flickered out of existence.

Instead of reaching for the bugs to manually replenish them, I shifted my attention toward Queenie.

Even with her back to me, I noticed her give a small shiver as my gaze landed on her. Given her mental link to the insects near me, she undoubtedly sensed me turning toward her.

"What is it now?" she asked, slowly turning to face me.

"Could you release a bit more divine energy?" I asked in a tone that was both level and amicable, though it failed to earn any trust from her.

I followed up with a question: "Is it possible for your bugs to pass divine energy between one another?"

At first, she looked at me with an expression of pure disbelief. Shaking her head, she explained, "No, such a thing is impossible. Divine energy can only be transmitted through their link with me, since I am the source. If they attempt to share it amongst themselves, the energy will just dissipate into nothingness. They lack the control to distribute what I give them; they can only discharge it according to my commands."

I had suspected as much, given the volatile nature of divine energy.

It was a unique essence, usable only by those specifically chosen to wield it.

After all, it was a power exclusive to the gods themselves.

Abandoning the idea of inter-bug transfer, I pulled out an assortment of items and arranged them around Queenie. "In that case, can you try to infuse your divine energy into these objects instead?"

Queenie looked ready to decline immediately, but her protests died in her throat as she examined the various items surrounding her.

The look in her eyes shifted, resembling a child eyeing a delicious treat.

I remained silent, knowing I needed a proper incentive to secure her cooperation.

Among the objects I had produced were several things that had no chance of holding divine energy. They were included simply because they were delicacies for a creature of Queenie's nature.

As she hesitated, glancing around the pile, I added, "If these don't work for the experiment, there's no reason to keep them. If they fail, you're welcome to have them as a snack."

Hearing those words, Queenie’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Even so, she maintained a facade of reluctance, acting as if she were still hesitant to assist.

Recognizing the play, I brought out a few more items.

These were extra helpings of the treats she was eyeing so hungrily.

I was well aware that a meager bribe wouldn't be enough to fully motivate her.

Upon seeing the additional rewards, her demeanor shifted instantly, and she turned her focus toward the first object I wanted her to test.

However, the very moment she began to channel her divine energy, something entirely unforeseen occurred.