Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2083: That’s what it was for

Previously on Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure...
As Shota continued injecting divine energy into the red gem, the flame elemental elders closely monitored its growth, declaring on the fourth day that it had become sufficiently large. The flame elementals swiftly gathered to prepare for a ceremony they had previously denied intending to hold, setting up elaborate arrangements outside the crystal chamber using special one-way openings to access the surrounding magma. Intrigued yet guided to safety, Shota entered a strangely designed observation room integrated into the crystal tank, from where he watched the excited elementals finalize their extravagant preparations before the elder sealed him in and returned to the gem.

Upon reaching the red gem, the flame elemental elder bowed to it before spinning around.

The remaining flame elementals within the crystal chamber exited through the identical gaps used by their kin, plunging into the magma below.

Submerged in the magma, every one of them oriented themselves toward the central red gem.

From that moment, their movements took on an unusual pattern.

A closer inspection revealed they were executing a peculiar dance amid the molten rock—a sight rarely witnessed, demanding a form composed entirely of fire to even attempt such a feat.

Without their fiery composition, such frolicking in the searing magma would prove impossible.

As they continued their rhythmic motions, the red gem showed no immediate response.

That shifted abruptly when a glow ignited at the gem's core.

Unlike the rock pillar's reaction in the rock elementals' village, certain parallels existed between the events.

To me, the standout resemblance was the presence of creation-attuned divine energy's aura.

It was straightforward to recognize this as the gem's intended reply to their ritual performance, clearly signaling that something new would emerge from it.

The illumination intensified over time before abruptly emanating outward.

A crimson liquid poured forth from the red gem, which came as no shock whatsoever. Evidently, this was precisely what the flame elementals sought from it.

Its placement deep within the volcano alone hinted strongly at the nature of what it would yield.

Initially emerging in a trickle, it soon surged into a robust stream, with increasing volumes of magma spilling from the gem. As the chamber filled, the excess was directed toward the wall-embedded tunnels.

Upon hitting those passages, the magma was expelled from the vicinity.

The crystal chamber's architecture differed from my initial assumptions about its purpose.

Rather than erupting through the volcano's massive summit vent, the magma circulated via the tunnels to various sections of the area.

Thus, those conduits served primarily as a dispersal system from the start.

It felt odd to realize the tunnels doubled as access routes to this spot.

Yet, the flame elementals showed no concern for the magma's presence. Even during this, they twirled and glided through it effortlessly, utterly unperturbed.

Another astonishing aspect was the crystal's remarkable durability.

More precisely, the effectiveness of its thermal barrier.

Magma streamed mere inches from my view, yet no warmth reached me.

The crystal effectively blocked every bit of heat from the molten flow.

As the ritual persisted a while longer, the flame elementals appeared content with the magma volume generated by the gem. Gradually, they ceased their dance, bringing the ceremony to its conclusion.

Once they halted completely, the red gem mirrored their actions.

The gem, which had been steadily expelling magma, tapered off its output.

With the magma's flow ceasing, the propelling force that had driven it into the tunnels vanished as well.

Magma wasn't particularly runny to begin with.

Given its thick consistency, it began to pool and solidify within the crystal chamber.

Witnessing this, a wry grin crossed my features, tinged with unease.

This development posed an obvious issue.

The accumulating magma made escaping this location seem quite challenging.

Part of me suspected the flame elementals had lured me here intentionally to confine me forever. But that suspicion faded swiftly, thanks to their subsequent behavior.

Spotting the magma congealing in the chamber, they abruptly darted away from it. It looked like they were ascending to the volcano's peak, departing the area entirely.

However, they soon returned via the tunnels connecting to the crystal chamber.

Upon their return, they immediately widened all the chamber's outlets. Some magma clung to these spots, which promptly drained away.

With those paths cleared, the flame elementals began herding the magma toward the openings.

They were evidently utilizing the vents to purge the interior of the crystal chamber.

"So that’s what those are for..." The realization hit me, prompting that inner thought.

Observing this made the chamber's layout suddenly clear, though I couldn't shake a lingering doubt about its optimality.

Surely, a more efficient setup existed...

Like avoiding encasing the red gem in such a crystal enclosure altogether...

Still, I had to admit my grasp on the matter was far from expert.