Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2024: You can’t hide it anymore

After the patients were immersed in those spheres of pristine water, a subtle transformation finally began to take hold.

As soon as they entered these spheres of pristine water, the restorative spells and elixirs applied earlier started showing their true potential.

With these remedies easing their ailments, the patients gradually began mending.

Though the recovery progressed at a leisurely pace, it appeared they were steadily heading toward full health.

However, this setup couldn't last indefinitely.

The sphere of water that I had formed relied entirely on my energy to persist, requiring constant input to maintain its flow. Even a brief lapse in my power would halt the currents instantly.

While the pristine water sphere wouldn't shatter immediately, it would gradually mix with the surrounding waters and revert to its prior impure state before I formed it.

As a result, the patients would slip back into their previous dire condition.

Fortunately, since they had been stable upon departing Aestum’s hidden domain initially, a sudden relapse wasn't imminent. Still, lingering in such an environment would inevitably lead them back to their former suffering.

With their afflictions now alleviated, the patients gradually stirred back to awareness.

The instant awareness returned to them, their immediate response was...

"Get away from me!"

The terror laced in their cry revealed the depth of their dread.

It made perfect sense for them to react this way, surrounded by an unknown setting and tormented by a mysterious illness.

Yet fear of more than just the surroundings gripped them.

A closer inspection of their gazes toward the nearby mermaids revealed a clear terror directed at those beings as well.

For these individuals from other races, the suspicion fell squarely on the mermaids as the culprits behind their plight.

They shared my earlier assumption that the mermaids had somehow tainted them.

Or rather, that had been my belief until I harnessed the kraken’s power to heal them.

Now, armed with the true cause, I understood it wasn't the mermaids' doing at all.

I recalled a warning from Aestum before my last departure from the Merman Empire, undoubtedly linked to the recent events.

"It seems like you can’t hide it anymore." I mused inwardly upon forging this link.

"Please calm down."

At my words, the other race members gradually settled their agitation.

They recognized me and, crucially, the kraken still coiled around my hand. As the embodiment of the guardian that had shielded them all along, its presence carried undeniable sway over them.

Once composure returned, I stated, "You’ll have to go back home with me."

The other race members showed no resistance to this; in truth, it aligned perfectly with their own desires.

The Merman King’s expression betrayed a fragment of his spirit breaking, yet he acknowledged this as the optimal path. Without their return, the uncertainty of their fate loomed large.

Should calamity befall them, regret would come far too late.

Turning to the Merman King, I added, "You should come too. There’s something that we need to ask them."

A flicker of surprise and bewilderment crossed the Merman King’s face, but he ultimately nodded in agreement.

With that settled, our group ventured into the taboo zone.

The whirlpools had reemerged since our previous exit, but the kraken’s company rendered them no threat.

In fact, the whirlpools vanished the very moment we approached.

Not even enough time passed for the Mark of God to manifest on my hand—the kraken had quelled the whirlpools beforehand.

With the whirlpools dispelled, we swiftly penetrated the taboo zone, and I dissolved the water spheres I had conjured.

The other race members displayed a hint of apprehension as the water spheres faded, but relief washed over them upon realizing no harm came.

Indeed, their well-being surpassed even the comfort they had known within the water spheres.

Their expressions conveyed a sentiment akin to, "There’s no place like home."

In this instance, that sentiment rang utterly true.

After dismissing those water spheres, I allowed the patients to rest while I advanced toward the central throne statue.

As we progressed that way, a wave of unease emanated from the kraken.

Having tapped into its essence, our bond had intensified for the moment, granting me access to the kraken’s surging feelings.

I squinted at the kraken encircling my hand, yet it averted its form as if dodging my scrutiny.

Upon reaching the central statue, I discovered a glowing blue orb already perched upon it.

Aestum had evidently anticipated our arrival and awaited us. After all, as a deity, such foresight came naturally to it.

"You can’t hide it from us now. Tell us the truth." I commanded with unwavering resolve.