Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2049: Time for a trial

Previously on Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure...

As the protagonist pushed through the crowded streets of the Holy Empire, he grew concerned by the unusually high number of children tainted with rare divine energy, suspecting his own actions in bringing relics from the god realm might be the cause. He resolved to consult the popes and enlist Max's aid to identify and help the affected children across the vast empire. Arriving at a revered yet modest temple, he was greeted by the bowing Holy Council and examined his statue before the Creation God's likeness, now holding an orb relic he had forged. Sensing a new connection, the statue channeled faith into divine energy for both him and the relic, though its power felt restrained by his mortal nature, hinting at subtle changes within him.

Having verified everything I needed to verify, there really wasn't much else for me to stick around for in this place.

That's precisely why I declared, "Let's head back to the main church."

Surprise flickered across the faces of all the popes upon hearing my words.

Their gazes toward me carried the expectation that I'd comment on the statue, yet my complete silence about it left them utterly stunned.

Ultimately, they had nothing they could utter in response to this.

Though their expressions hinted at questions burning inside them, their status prevented them from probing further.

Yet prior to our departure, one individual stepped up.

Unlike the other popes, this figure carried an aura that unmistakably linked them to the group.

Actually, the energy emanating from this one felt even more potent than that of the popes. It carried a unique, distinctive vibe all its own.

Still, visually, they resembled nothing more than an ordinary elderly man from the local area.

Approaching me, this person fixed me with an inscrutable gaze before stating, "Please cherish the blessing that you’ve received. One day, you will do great things with it."

Then, as though a thought struck them, the old man added, "Please feel free to visit us whenever you can."

Evidently, this elder oversaw the temple where my statue had been placed. That implied he ranked among the devotees of the Creation God.

His leadership role suggested he enjoyed the Creation God's trust as well.

Thus, I found myself pondering exactly what secrets this old man held.

Regardless of how intently I studied him, his facial expression remained impenetrable to me.

A smile adorned his features, yet it seemed utterly devoid of any real feeling. The emptiness it conveyed began evoking memories of the Creation God's own emotionless demeanor.

Truly, something about this elder's unreadable nature felt eerily akin...

Plainly, this wasn't some ordinary old fellow; he concealed knowledge far beyond what he revealed.

Still, compelling him to reveal more wasn't an option for me.

In the same vein that the popes couldn't press me for answers, I held no power to extract words from this elder. Crossing that boundary would shatter our dynamic entirely.

Therefore, I ultimately had to let the issue slide.

Guided by the popes, we swiftly reached the main church without much delay.

Today's visit aimed to pose inquiries to the gods, much like my previous trips.

However, an unexpected gift from the gods awaited me beyond those questions.

Just as before, the instant I stepped into the main chapel, I got drawn into the god realm.

Once again, deities stood ready to receive me there.

Except on this occasion, the gathering appeared far smaller in number.

Apparently, only Solista had come this time to encounter me.

Moreover, her usual greeting was absent this round.

Rather, she simply fixed her stare on me, lost in apparent contemplation.

An unfamiliar gravity hung in the air here, one I'd never sensed prior.

"Is something wrong?" I finally inquired, noting her prolonged silence.

Solista held back her reply initially, then remarked, "It seems like you’ve made some progress."

Upon hearing that, an odd expression crossed my face, though I stayed quiet since this tied into my own agenda. Still, I wouldn't have worded it quite like she did.

Labeling it as 'progress'—that definitely wasn't my choice of terms.

That said, I eagerly awaited her explanation.

Concurrently, I wondered how she'd describe my recent experiences.

"Since you’ve become more adapted to the divine energy, it means that you have the ability to accept the higher level of our mark."

"Huh?" Her words left me completely thrown for a loop.

Unfazed by my interruption, Solista pressed on, "Since you have become more adapted, it means that your body can accept even more of our divine energy. But it isn’t as if we can just give you this higher level mark that easily. If we were to do so, then it would break the divine laws."

"Wait, wait, who said that I wanted this?" I abruptly halted her.

Solista paused her words and regarded me with unmistakable clarity.

Though her face remained hidden from view, I could sense her bewilderment at my refusal.

Following a brief quiet, she at last responded, "Why wouldn’t you want it? This will certainly help you in the future when you deal with the forces of Destruction. After all, you’ll be able to use even more of our power then."

"You still haven’t told me what you mean by how my body has adapted. You should know that what has happened isn’t normal. Unless you explain this, I don’t really feel like there’s a need to continue this relationship. I even want to return this mark that you’ve given me."