Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2112 2112: Tricked as kids (2)

The tale Undine shared was genuinely captivating.

It recounted the era when the world’s primordial water elementals first manifested.

These beings emerged as a kind of mutation, birthed from the dense elemental Qi permeating the newly formed world.

Based on Undine's account, even the gods were blindsided by their sudden arrival. This unexpected emergence is precisely why the deities later attempted to collaborate with them.

It served as a calculated maneuver to reassert control over the entities that had defied their original design.

Setting that aside, the core reason they held Undine in such high regard was that it had discovered these water elementals during their earliest state of formation.

Every elemental possessed a temperament dictated by its inherent nature.

Rock elementals remained notoriously rugged and standoffish.

Fire elementals thrived on being candid and outspoken.

Wind elementals were defined by their carefree spirits.

Lastly, the water elementals were best characterized by their inherent gentleness.

Undine, as the Water Spirit King, shared that gentle disposition, though it clearly possessed a mischievous streak in its youth. When it first stumbled upon the water elementals, it, too, had just manifested within the world.

Driven by this, Undine tricked the primal water elementals into servitude—or more accurately, it convinced them that it held the title of princess among all water-based lifeforms.

Since they were merely in their infancy, it never occurred to them to question Undine's narrative.

Their innate, gentle nature further ensured they would easily accept whatever Undine dictated.

However, from the way the story unfolded, I surmised there was another reason they fell for the ruse so readily.

When these elementals entered the world, they were not entirely devoid of knowledge like human infants. They matured far more rapidly, placing their cognitive level somewhere between a baby and a young child.

This suggests the earliest water elementals possessed at least a rudimentary degree of agency.

"So that explains why they call me princess. They are certainly old enough to realize I was deceiving them way back then, yet they simply refuse to let it go," Undine concluded with a weary sigh.

I observed the water elementals listening in silence, and not a trace of resentment marred their expressions. In truth, they seemed to be cherishing a tale they had heard countless times before.

"To be fair, you truly nurtured them during their formative days. I suspect they aren't nearly as gullible as you imagine."

Undine was visibly startled, shooting me a look filled with mock irritation.

Nevertheless, I pressed on, "It is obvious you have a natural aptitude for guardianship. The fact that they still address you as princess after all this time serves as a testament to the care you provided back then."

Undine feigned indignation at my words, though the performance was transparently driven by embarrassment.

It was clear that receiving such praise was not on its agenda.

Conversely, the water elemental ancestors erupted in reaction to my compliment.

"That is the truth!"

"You truly should have witnessed the princess in those days!"

"She shielded us when we were at our most vulnerable and protected us whenever the corrupted amongst us lashed out."

"The princess risked her own life to save us all!"

Undine glared at the ancestors, snapping, "That is quite enough!"

Despite this command, the ancestors showed no intention of stopping. It appeared their only desire was to exhaust every superlative in praise of Undine.

Eventually, Undine silenced them by waving its hand, unleashing a surge of water that dispersed the elementals. Given their composition, this proved the most effective way to stifle their testimonies.

However, the stillness was brief.

Since they were creatures of water, the gesture caused them no genuine harm, and they reformed within moments.

Yet this time, their approach to my bubble suggested they had finally come to accept my presence.

Discarding their previous intimidating size, they hovered near the water bubble at their natural stature. It seemed their intent to pressure me had vanished, replaced by a gesture of genuine sincerity.

I soon realized the motivation behind their change in demeanor when they parted their mouths to speak.

"Do you wish to hear more tales of our princess's greatness?"

Their tone mirrored that of devoted followers.

Given how they worshiped Undine, their reaction was entirely expected.

It was only natural they would behave this way, placing Undine so high upon a pedestal.

But their admiration was not my concern at this moment.

"There is no time for such things," Undine interjected, cutting them off before adding, "We have a task to complete."

The ancestors looked momentarily dejected, though they clearly understood the gravity of the situation.

"Since he is the figure from the prophecy, we shall escort him to the source immediately."

With Undine orchestrating the flow of events, the journey ahead seemed destined to be smooth.

Though, looking at them, it was clear Undine found their fawning behavior rather tiresome.