Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2069: Giant corpse

"You should have a general idea of what rock elementals are, but we aren’t naturally related to the gods like the spirits are."

After hearing that, I couldn't resist arching an eyebrow, as this was info I definitely hadn't come across before.

To begin with, my knowledge on spirits and elementals was pretty limited anyway.

Still, recalling earlier events, the Spirit Kings had already hinted at this through their dealings with the gods. Otherwise, no god would bother reprimanding a Spirit King.

Clearly, a profound bond existed between the spirits and the gods.

To such an extent that I found myself pondering, "Were they set up to encounter me just to keep an eye on me?"

Yet I dismissed that idea quickly, since it held no real importance.

The gods had demonstrated that they possessed numerous methods to monitor me and step in whenever necessary, spirits or not.

"Then your divine energy?"

"It was bestowed upon us by the gods themselves."

This revelation made me raise an eyebrow once more.

After all, the rock elemental ancestor's wording struck me as odd.

It concerned how it referred to itself.

Opting for the plural instead of the singular...

"I can tell what's on your mind. Indeed, we can absorb the divine energy that the gods bestow on one another too. It gathers within us much like the power we take from each other."

A peculiar expression crossed my face as the rock elemental ancestor spoke these words.

One part of me speculated about what other things these rock elementals might absorb. Another part wondered if...

"Yes, we can absorb destruction energy as well. That was one key reason why the forces of Destruction targeted us initially."

My reaction this time was quite strong.

A portion of me feared that the elder spoke from personal ordeal.

If that proved true...

"Don't fret, we've cleansed ourselves of it from the previous war. It was precisely why those who assaulted the others did so. Their instincts got hijacked by the destruction energy's influence."

This revelation differed from my expectations, yet it unveiled further insights into the matter.

The rock elemental ancestor went on, "This also explains why we ended up sealed in this location. It's claimed to benefit us and serve as a reward, but truly it was to shield us from the forces of Destruction. Remember, there's no cap on the power we can amass inside ourselves."

Gazing at the elder and fellow rock elementals, I noticed their astonishment at these words. Despite sharing this space with their ancestor for ages, it appeared the ancestor had never breathed a word of this to them.

Their entire existence had been built on deception.

Considering the insights I'd gained on rock elementals, they posed a real threat if swayed by the forces of Destruction. Thus, sealing them away like this held logical sense.

Simultaneously, I had no doubt the gods would resort to such measures.

Nevertheless, one aspect still puzzled me.

"Then how did the present rock elementals acquire their divine energy?"

"We handed it down to them. When we have offspring, we transfer portions of ourselves to them, granting them those elements."

So elementals emerged through self-replication rather than natural formation?

As though reading my thoughts, the rock elemental ancestor added, "We once originated from nature, but in an artificial environment like this, that approach fails. Therefore, to sustain the tribe, I had to reproduce via this technique."

"You?" I blurted out, catching the oddity in the rock elemental ancestor's statement.

"Yes, me. I ended up as the sole survivor."

Upon hearing that, I scanned the surroundings with a baffled expression.

Once more, the rock elemental ancestor seemed to anticipate my question, explaining, "All you see here forms my remains, extending far underground as well. It's far vaster than it appears."

"Were you the only one who..."

Even as my sentence faded, the rock elemental ancestor grasped my intent.

Yet it avoided a straightforward reply.

"That war proved fatal, with countless losses. It's no surprise I alone endured."

Again, the elder and other rock elementals displayed genuine shock on their faces—emotions too raw to fabricate.

It was evident that their ancestor had concealed much from them.

However, those secrets aimed to safeguard the rock elementals from harsh realities. Accepting imprisonment in a seal as opposed to a bestowed honor would have been devastating.

What eluded me was the reason the rock elemental ancestor chose to reveal all this to me.

As if divining my confusion, it declared, "Because I've awaited your arrival for ages. You're the sole person I could confide in."

Though I regarded it with bewilderment, the rock elemental ancestor refused to elaborate further...