Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2118: Lightning rod

"It falls just like rain..."

Witnessing this spectacle firsthand after merely hearing tales of it was truly astonishing, making it evident that this was no ordinary location.

Lightning strikes poured down precisely like raindrops.

Absolutely nothing about this area felt normal.

Yet, this was the very spot we were preparing to enter.

After all, it marked the final location pinpointed on the map Solista had revealed to me.

Handling the seal here would resolve the corruption energy crisis plaguing the entire continent. That explained the eager expressions lighting up everyone's faces despite the relentless lightning cascading like rain.

Without that, fear would have dominated their features given the horrifying display before them.

A lone lightning bolt could claim a life, imagine countless ones plummeting like this.

Entering this zone required us to devise a method to counter the lightning.

"With it being lightning, the best approach should be... The challenge lies in making it portable since it needs grounding to function..."

I murmured while watching the lightning descend.

The Sorcery Empire's magicians had pondered solutions too, as this fell squarely in their expertise.

Ultimately, their proposal was, "We can erect a barrier to repel it, though it won't hold for long. Therefore, we'll need to venture in briefly to locate the array's pillars."

This appeared the most sensible plan to the others.

However, I refused to squander time and possessed an alternative.

Raising my hand, I declared, "We'll handle it this way instead."

Everyone observed as metal surged from underground, shaping into a pillar right before us.

Controlling earth power made summoning metal simple, and compressing it into a pillar proved even simpler with that ability.

With the pillar complete, puzzled gazes turned to me, clueless about its purpose.

Without a word of explanation, I drove the pillar underground into the taboo zone. I'd formed it just beyond the edge, safe from the lightning's reach.

The instant it crossed into the taboo zone.

"Boom!"

A lightning bolt bypassed all else, crashing onto the metal pillar.

Not merely one—multiple bolts struck simultaneously, all converging on the metal pillar. Quickly, the group grasped its role.

"But how does it manage that?"

Confusion etched across their faces posed that very question.

One look revealed their shared thoughts in that instant.

Silent, I strode into the taboo zone amid their shock, slipping past their reactions before reaching the lightning-riddled heart.

Sorcery Empire magicians rushed to shield me from the bolts, only to realize aid was unnecessary.

"This will draw all the lightning, keeping us protected beneath it."

Bolts veered from me, slamming into my crafted lightning rod.

My rudimentary science knowledge recalled lightning's preference for the tallest point. Thus, this rod should enhance my safety.

Yet, defying expectations, one bolt skipped the rod and hurtled toward me.

My personal barrier alone prevented disaster.

Noting their stares, I explained, "It's largely safe. Occasionally lightning ignores the peak and hits nearby targets, but such instances are rare enough that the rod plus a barrier will protect us."

Skepticism lingered on their faces, yet the rod absorbing most strikes validated the method. Imperfect, but superior to relying solely on barriers.

Still, another concern arose.

"How do we advance with a fixed lightning rod? Its influence is limited, useless for full exploration."

Distant bolts clearly evaded the rod. It couldn't cover the whole taboo zone, effective only locally.

Departing this radius would render it useless.

"No issue at all," I replied, lifting my hand to gesture ahead.

Constant lightning strikes deterred anyone from harvesting underground riches, lacking a secure mining method.

Effortlessly, I extracted those resources using earth power, erecting another pillar afar.

Instantly upon formation, it replicated the lightning rod's vital function.