Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2017: This cave was… (2)
Previously on Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure...
The way those lines extended across the area made it clear they originated right from the cave's heart.
Yet the sole presence at that central spot had been...
I glanced over at the qilin, yet it showed no response whatsoever to this cavern.
Despite this being the spot where its egg rested for an unknown stretch of time, the qilin appeared utterly detached from it.
Right at this moment, I detected that familiar energy from the qilin lingering in the cave's core, where the egg once lay. Though merely leftover traces, it stemmed from the identical origin.
"Do you sense anything in this spot?" I gently posed this query to the qilin.
The qilin lounged comfortably in my embrace until my unexpected words startled it, prompting a puzzled gaze up at me, as if baffled by the reason for my inquiry.
Afterward, it scanned the cavern with equal bewilderment before returning its focus and shaking its head.
"I don’t know this place at all."
A bitter grin formed on my lips upon hearing those words.
Even fresh from hatching, the qilin possessed knowledge of countless matters, yet regarding the site where it dwelled for ages...
Truly, the workings of the qilin's thoughts escaped my grasp.
With no clues forthcoming from the qilin, I had no choice but to depend on my own efforts.
That's precisely why I approached the wall for a nearer inspection, hoping to uncover some unusual feature.
At first glance, the wall looked entirely ordinary, until thoughts of the ground's lines sparked an inspiration, leading me to lift my hand and press it against the surface.
Upon contact, an odd sensation emanated from the wall.
This peculiarity hid from plain sight, concealed beneath layers.
Thus, I withdrew my hand and called forth the Staff of Earth to strike the wall lightly.
Instantly as the Staff of Earth touched it, a deep rumble echoed from the wall. Soon enough, a response stirred within, causing a section to tremble.
Before long, that segment abruptly parted.
Watching the wall divide in such a manner felt eerie, with one portion detaching from the main structure, sliding outward as though extracted from within.
I paid no heed to that detached piece, simply flinging it aside with my strength.
Rather, my focus shifted to the exposed inner face of the wall fragment I'd torn free.
Spotting what lay revealed there provided the revelation I sought.
Indeed, it proved impossible to overlook the truth in such an evident display.
Within that sliced-open wall section, patterns aligned perfectly with the ground's lines, suggesting some force had displaced material in that distinctive arrangement.
Hence, right from the start, the qilin itself had shaped this cavern.
Given its isolated position and peculiar construction, I'd harbored suspicions about this location all along.
Thus, upon witnessing this evidence, everything fell into place for me.
The one who abandoned this egg in the wild had exposed it without cover.
Being so defenseless in the open, a protective measure must have triggered around the qilin egg, resulting in the formation of this cave.
Considering how the qilin's power mirrored my divine energy so closely, it stood to reason that such might could forge this shelter.
Those very lines embodied that essence.
Bursts of energy from the qilin had built up surrounding sediment layers over time, crafting the cave. As these layers expanded outward from the egg, they etched those linear designs into the walls and floor.
Still, the floor's matching design struck me as odd...
However, unraveling the cave's secret held little value, as it offered no hints toward the qilin's true beginnings.
After one final examination of the exposed section, I let out a sigh and relented.
Clearly, this alone wouldn't reveal the qilin's heritage, rendering further pursuit futile.
Spinning back, I commanded, "Clean this place up."
Klein along with the royal guards trailing me gave nods of acknowledgment.
Yet they too displayed curiosity toward the cave's inner reveal.
Simply put, they couldn't quite grasp the significance of my observation.
I skipped any clarification, knowing comprehension on their part wouldn't alter a thing.
Deep down, my urge was to demolish the cave entirely, though justifying that would prove overly complicated.
Therefore, I opted for an alternative use instead.
Monsters flocked here instinctively, so infusing it with the very energy that drew them...
This setup would serve ideally as a trap to lure beasts, allowing consistent thinning of their ranks.
Such a strategy would undoubtedly simplify the racial alliance's battle against the monster hordes.
Moreover, we weren't bound to just this one cavern.