Hey guys! Crescent Rider here, and I'm back with not one but two chapters of this series! But I'd have to be honest with all of you. I don't know how many chapters it will take to finish this season.
Therefore, I've decided to work on two chapters to quicken the progress. But don't worry, I won't rush things in this story. And if I were to say when will this season end, then I guess it'll end when Nadia semi-conquered the entire region of Ants.
Also, I should probably tell you something regarding the region. It's not actually connected to the original region of the original series. Think of this like the Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere of our world.
Now to reply a review.
SynchroRegis: In that case, Here's is today's Servant!
That is all, and enjoy the chapter!
A Few Days Later...
The Journey to the central colony was long and hard considering the monsters they've encountered. Though, Nadia and Reese managed to best them it made the group journey ahead with cautious minds to ensure that they don't cross with an army of opposing ants.
Not long after, The group slowly walked up to a hill, and the group saw something from afar.
"There it is..." Nadia noted,
Just in front of them, The once large and well-known colony of the central region. Though it was long abandoned, it still remained as the largest colony that had been long forgotten.
But before heading there, Nadia took her time to survey the area with heightened sight.
There were several armies fighting against each other despite it being several meters away from their current location. It may be far, but they were all over the place.
"What do you see, Nadia?" Reese questioned,
"A lot of armies fighting left and right," Nadia said, "Guess your war is no joke after all,"
"That's just how it is, Nadia," Reese admitted, "Our war has been going on for centuries. There are no true winners in the end, Just countless victories between several colonies,"
Nadia soon pondered to herself on whether she would control this war in order to bring in some degree of peace to them. But this was provided somewhat impossible since this war is simply a part of their nature as ants.
And just as the Queen Ant once said, If any interference regardless of how good or bad that motive is. The Colonies will initiate a ceasefire and target the ones who interfered with their war.
With that, The group continued to make their way into the ruined walls of the central colony.
It's just as bad as they said, All the walls were crumbling so bad that even a single nudge would cause it to collapse. Therefore, she's going to need a little help in their reconstruction.
But before that, they would go deeper into the colony and glance around the area.
The whole place had seen better days or rather better times than today. The entire colony resembled that of a ghost town and it brings an eerie feeling similar to a ghost town. Especially the ant children as they stick closer to Zen for safety.
'It's so quiet here...' Nadia muttered,
[Indeed. Do you want me to scan the whole area?]
'Do it... I don't want any surprises,' Nadia replied and her Alter Ego started scanning the entire area,
Reese still remained on guard with his spear on hand and eyed their surroundings as they venture further into the colony.
Moments later, They would soon know that they weren't truly alone.
[Nadia, I'm detecting a group of ants near your location. Right now, they are heading your way]
Nadia was soon alarmed, as she drew her sword out, and assumed a battle stance, "Someone's here,"
This alarmed Reese and Zen. Then they would take up a formation with Zen and the Ant Children as the center while Nadia and Reese circled around them as they scanned the area for any threats that might attack them.
The Ant Children were somewhat frightened as they held close to Zen's legs while Nadia and Reese remained on guard.
Not a moment later, Nadia sees a silhouette from the right side and raised her sword at them, "Who's there!"
"No! Wait! I don't want to fight any of you," A Voice said, then slowly reveals himself to the group.
Apparently, the silhouette in question was an ant insectoid. But what's different about this one is that their appearance was much more different as this one was a bit yellowish with black stripes on the back, a pair of wasp wings on its back, and sharper stinger.
"What the..." Nadia mouthed in utter confusion,
Meanwhile, Reese somehow recognized this kind of ant before as he lowers his spear, "Wait a minute, You're an ant from the northern region,"
"The Northern Region? But... Why is it doing in a place like this?" Zen said,
"It's a long story..." The Northern Ant responded, "But it's not safe to talk out here. Come with me, I know a place where we can talk,"
"Are you sure you're not just leading us to an ambush," Reese inquired,
"Well... I've actually defected from my colony a long time ago," The Northern Ant stated,
"Defected? Why would a northern ant like yourself defect from your own colony?" Zen questioned,
"As I said, It's not safe to talk out here," The Northern Ant said, "We must talk somewhere no one can see or hear us,"
"Nadia?" Reese said,
Nadia pondered to herself whether or not to trust this ant from the northern region. As far as she's concerned, the ants of every region are against each other for centuries longer than her earth's wars. But considering that this ant is from the northern region, It may be as well an opportunity to learn regarding the Northern Region and its current situation.
"We'll follow you... But it doesn't mean we'll trust you," Nadia said, "And if you do something rash. The last thing you see is the sharp edge of this blade,"
Nadia then makes an example by instantaneously rushing towards the Northern Ant and the edge was nearing his little neck.
"Do we have an understanding?" Nadia questioned with cold eyes towards him,
The Northern Ant shakily nods his head while Zen and the Ant Children marveled at the speed which Nadia possesses.
Not long after, The Northern Ant escorted everyone to a certain building which has access to the underground level of the colony. The Northern Ant lights a small hand-made lantern while Nadia uses [Nightvision] and [Natural Instincts] to ensure no one tries to ambush them from behind.
They followed the Northern Ant through a series of tunnels. But soon enough, they arrive at a certain door and the Northern Ant knocks onto it with a certain rhythm.
Moments later, the door unlocks and the Northern Ant was the first to enter then followed by Nadia. As for Reese, Zen, and the ant children, they were ordered to stay outside for a bit.
Eventually, Nadia gives the all-clear signal via whistle and they walked their way into the room. Upon entering the room, They were soon greeted by the sight of not only one but ten Northen Ants in the room.
However, three of those ants happened to have lost their wings possibly due to a battle they've lost or were removed as a means to gain some substance for all ten of them.
"More of them? Just how many of your kind defected from the northern colonies?" Zen questioned,
"There were a hundred of us back then. But as we starved from each passing day, we began to devour one another and what's left of the hundred is what you see now," The Northern Ant explained,
Nadia pitied the current state of these ants, but before that, she decided to make a couple of questions to the Northern Ant, "Do you mind if I ask you some questions?"
"What do you wish to know?" The Northern Ant questioned,
"First off, why do you have the features of a wasp?" Nadia questioned,
"You mean these? We've had these for several generations now," The Northern Ant answered, "You see, The Northern Region is also home to several winged insectoids, and some we've devoured to gain these wings and a sharp stringer,"
'Huh, Their [Adaptation] Skill really does come in handy' Nadia thought, then went back to the next question. Which was the important question to her group's mind, "Alright, next question. Why did you and these ants defect from your colony? Isn't it a part of your nature to serve your colony until death,"
The Northern Ant gasped then he looks away, followed by the other Northern Ants in the room. But after a moment of silence, He then spoke his reason, "It's because we wanted to..."
Reese and Zen gasped at this while Nadia perked her eyebrows at this, "Seriously? That isn't much of a reason at all,"
"Well... Then how about we go back a few decades ago," The Northern Ant stated, "Back then, The Northern Colonies have always played a role in nature by harvesting food or viable resources, and fight off any invading force of the colonies. It was simple for everyone,"
"But then something horrible happened," A Female Northern Ant spoke up,
"What do you mean by that?" Reese questioned,
"The Entire Northern Region... Has been taken over by a secret force that hostages the Colony queen and her loyal subjects," The Northern Ant revealed,
"What?!" Reese and Zen exclaimed in shock while Nadia simply gasped at this news. Even though she has no part of this war, but it's rather surprising that a secret force had somehow managed to conquer an entire region.
"B-But that's impossible! Even if it does happen, shouldn't the other colonies act against them for taking over the entire region?!" Zen pointed out,
"Normally, it would. But it's just the Northern Region," The Northern Ant stated, "Apparently, There are other ants that defected from other regions and remained in hiding within these tunnels. I managed to talk to a few of them, and it seems that their situation is just like the same as ours,"
"But what kind of force would be able to hostage several regions?" Reese inquired,
The Northern Ants simply glanced at the eldest Northern Ant, and he sighed as he raised his head to the group, "... A Demon Lord..."
This shocked the group even more, even Nadia didn't find this news quite lightly.
"He and his underlings... They wreak havoc on four separate regions... Burn homes... Enslaved that everyone by taking their Queens hostage... and killed those who still resisted..." The Eldest Northern Ant bitterly explained as he flinched and sobbed to every word he spoke "Not even those who were closest to me survived the onslaught,"
Zen held her mouth with a single hand, Reese clenched his hands at the news, while Nadia just pitied the Eldest Northern Ant. As for the ant children, they began to warm up a bit to them especially when they too began to feel pity with the Eldest Northern Ant.
Meanwhile, The Northern Ant continued, "Not only does the Demon Lord keep the Northern queens' hostages. They've also forced the worker ants to mine valuable resources like gems or gold just to satisfy himself with a luxurious amount of wealth we deemed unnecessary for our needs,"
'He's right though. Ants have no interest in money. It's only used for trading with kingdoms or foreign nations as long as they don't interfere with the war,' Nadia reminded to herself, 'But with this Demon Lord... It's a whole different story...,'
"Can you tell me more about this Demon Lord and underlings? Any information helps," Nadia requested,
"What we currently know is that the Demon Lord resides in a kingdom that he had build in the mountains," The Northern Ant explained, "It's where all the richest minerals are found,"
"And possibly where the Worker Ants are forced to mine there," A Female Northern Ant said,
"He also has an underling supervising the mines," The Northern Ant said, "If there are any signs of disobedience or unrest within the workers. He would repress them or execute them on the spot,"
"If it were humans, It would have been a waste of manpower. But since Queen Ants can reproduce several eggs in a short amount. I'd guess it wouldn't matter to them if they were to abuse their authority on them for as much as they wish," Nadia said,
"Precisely, and that is why the Demon Lord took the queens hostage," The Northern Ant said, "The same can be said for the other regions as well,"
"But what if the queen dies?" Nadia questioned,
"It wouldn't matter, A Queen Ant always reproduces an Heiress Ant," The Northern Ant, "Even if a colony lost both its Queen and Heiress. They can just force the other queens to reproduce an Heiress of their own and send it to the colony that lacks a queen and an heiress,"
"Not only that, There's a possible chance that the Demon Lord and his underlings would declare a ceasefire among the ants, and have them deal the problem instead of doing it themselves," Nadia muttered,
"That's pretty much the case," The Northern Ant said,
Nadia then began to ponder to herself on what to do with this situation. It's clear that the Demon Lord's actions would arouse the ants' attention, commence a ceasefire, and go against him regardless of how powerful he is.
But with the hostage situation on several colonies, it seemed that this Demon Lord is cunning enough to use their own rules to his advantage. Hence, he could continue this war for as long as he likes while getting whatever he wants by ordering the Worker Ants to do the work for him.
The same can be said for the Demon Lord's underlings. But until she could find a way to deal with them, she'll find a way to help them all. Cause right now, She needed to focus on the present.
"I've got another question in mind," Nadia said,
"What is it?" The Northern Ant said,
"Where are the other ants that defected from their regions?" Nadia requested,
"We don't really stick too close with the other ants even though they've defected with their respective colonies," The Northern Ant said, "However, I do know where they are since I've talked to them from time to time,"
"Good! Take me to them," Nadia said,
"Are you sure, Nadia?" Reese questioned,
"I'll be fine, just stay here with Zen and the others," Nadia said, but she soon turned to the Northern Ants, "But just in case,"
Nadia then held out her hand and used Spatial Magic to pull out some monster meat to the Northern Ants. To which they were shocked by the amount of food they were presented with, "Consider this as a reward for your cooperation with my questions,"
Without a moment's hesitation, They began to eat up a mouthful of monster meat since they'd been enduring their hunger for far too long.
The Northern Ant was seen eating as well, but Nadia grabbed his arm and started pulling him away.
"Wait, Let me finish my food!" The Northern Ant said,
"I'll give more to you as well go out there," Nadia said,
Then everyone in the room soon flinched when the door closed as they watched them go. Some even sweatdropped at this sudden turn of an event.
Tunnels
Nadia was seen being escorted by the Northern Ant to the other defected ants while he ate a piece of bread given to him.
The first room contained ants that defected from the southern regions. As for their features, a few had the front legs of a mantis, some had the back legs that were similar to a grasshopper, and there were two Southern ants that have the wings and mouths of a locust.
Their situation is similar to the colonies of the northern regions and Nadia provided them some food after they've answered some questions.
Then they went to another room containing ants that defected from the western regions. Their features come with the following Some had stronger and thicker claws like a scorpion as well as a stinger, some had thicker armor of a centipede, and some had a rare adaption where their bodies morphed that resembles that of a tarantula.
Nadia provided the same amount of food required to quell their hunger after they've answered some of her questions
And last batch of defected ants were from the eastern region. But when nearing to a door, The Northern Ant escorting Nadia seemingly hesitated and the latter quickly notices this.
"Is there something wrong?" Nadia questioned,
"Well, it's just that... We aren't nearing the room that holds the Eastern Ants just yet," The Northern Ant said,
"But there's a door here," Nadia pointed out, "Why wouldn't they be in here?"
"That's where they keep... one of them," The Northern Ant said,
"One of them? As in they've isolated one of their own kind inside this room?" Nadia questioned,
"Yes. For you see... This particular ant didn't just defect from the eastern region," The Northern Ant said, "They also told me that this one has a rather... Unstable mental state,"
Nadia was about to ask, but a long bang on the door suddenly caused them to turn towards the door while the Northern Ant seemingly hid just behind Nadia and the latter reaches for her sword.
[Something seems odd about that ant inside]
'What do you mean?' Nadia questioned,
[Despite his prolonged containment, He seems to have maintained a decent amount of Magicule in his body, and his condition isn't staggering whatsoever. It's almost like he could stay in there for a few extra weeks and he still won't die from malnutrition]
'Hmmm... Interesting,' Nadia muttered, then she turns to the Northern Ant, "Do you mind if I take a look inside?"
"Are you crazy!? I can't let you go inside that monster's room! But even if I want you to go in there, I don't have the key with me," The Northern Ant stated, "I handed it to the other Eastern Ants just for save keeping,"
"I see... Then I'll just come back when we have the time then," Nadia declared,
The two pressed on as they passed by the door containing possibly the most dangerous ant of the Eastern Region. Speaking of the other ants of the Eastern Region, their features were rather different than what Nadia had seen thus far.
Apparently, Some of them had crab legs and claws, some had scales and gills of a fish, and some had longer antennas similar to shrimps. After some questions from Nadia, it appeared that there's an underwater colony in the seas of the Eastern Region.
The same can be said for the other regions, but they're mostly hidden in shorelines, underwater caves, or near-tropical islands of the Western Regions.
Nevertheless, Nadia's interest had deepened further than before. After providing them some food, Nadia and the Northern Ant soon left the room.
"Is that all of them?" Nadia questioned,
"As far as I know," The Northern Ant said, "But there are some staircases and ladders that lead to the lower levels of this place,"
"Lower levels? How deep can we go further down this place?" Nadia questioned,
"We don't know for sure since every ant that defected resides on this floor. But from what we know from history alone is that it might be filled with underground monsters or arachnid insectoids,"
'Arachnid Insectoids...' Nadia muttered,
[Are you thinking of going down there by yourself?]
'Depends on the time I have,' Nadia said, 'But right now, I have other things to handle first,'
"So tell me something, Why is someone like you traveling with a couple of changed ants nearing this place?" The Northern Ant inquired,
"They wanted to find a place to hide and rebuild their colony while I acted as their escort," Nadia answered, "In fact, I was the one who suggested this idea in the first place,"
"Well, you aren't going to build a colony anytime soon," The Northern Ant remarked, "The walls of the surface are too damaged, The Underground Levels aren't available for you, and this is the Central Region. Where most armies of different regions clash against each other,"
"I know, but you don't have to worry about that happening anytime soon," Nadia assured,
"What makes you say that?" The Northern Ant said,
A Few Moments later...
Nadia and her group were now seen on the surface level, and the Northern Ant had seemingly followed them.
Apparently, Nadia drew a circle on the ground with her sheathed sword, then a hexagram within the circle, and some inscriptions on certain areas within.
Once everything was prepared, Nadia dematerializes her sword, then creates a barrier of Concealing Magic before materializing two separate items.
One was a dagger, and another was a book with a metal spider lock at the front cover.
"Uh, Nadia... Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Zen inquired,
"I do, of course. There are just a few requirements I need to make this all work." Nadia answered, then uses [Levitation] on the book.
Without a warning, Nadia opens her right hand, then brings the dagger close to the palm of her hand, then slits it with one firm slash that caused Zen and the Ant Children to gasp while Reese and the Northern Ant were alarmed by this sudden action.
"Nadia! What are you-" Reese exclaimed, but Nadia ignored him as she pours some of her blood into the center of each triangle of the hexagram,
The moment the blood hits the ground, it suddenly had a mind of its own as it went to the lines and started tracing until her blood is connected to each other.
The Hexagram then glowed in red which captivates Nadia's group and the Northern Ant. Meanwhile, Nadia's right palm instantly healed due to her [Regeneration].
Afterward, Nadia grabs her book, materializes a small key, and unlocks the spider lock. With the lock mechanism undone, Nadia flipped several pages and started conjuring a [Summoning] Ritual on the circle.
"What is she doing?" The Northern Ant questioned,
"Beats me... This is my first time seeing her do something like this," Zen commented,
"Same here," Reese followed,
The Hexagram glow brighter and brighter in each conjured word Nadia had stated from the book. It also started blowing the dust throughout its surroundings that Nadia's group and the Northern Ant started covering their arms to avoid the dust from blowing into their eyes.
Eventually, Nadia soon finishes the ritual by closing the book, then brings forth her hand towards the pillar of light, "And now thy Heroic Spirit, Heed my call and serve thy Master!"
The Hexagram soon glows brightly and a pillar of light emerges from the center. Normally, It would have been seen by anyone in miles. But with Nadia's barrier, it can only be seen by people inside the barrier or people with a High Magic [Detection] Skill.
As the pillar of light began to die down and on top of it was a woman wearing a blue choker with golden lining, dark red top and red bottom dress, a red train with golden lining, a pair of blue long gloves, a pair of long blue pantyhose, and black shoes.
Reese, Zen, and the Northern Ant widened their eyes at the sight of the woman while the ant children were simply in awe at the sight. As for Nadia, she simply stared as a wave of nostalgia hit her.
"Nice to you all! I am Leonardo Da Vinci!" The Servant introduced herself, then she lean towards Nadia, "But you may only call me Da Vinci-chan, Young Master,"
Meanwhile...
In a certain castle of the Northern Region, a single man in the shadows was seen on his throne doing absolutely nothing as his ant servants had done everything for him.
However, he soon sensed a faint magic presence from afar and it somehow earned his attention in the slightest.
He didn't know what to make of it, but whether it's a threat or not. It didn't matter to him.
The ongoing war of the ants would handle the problem should anyone try to interfere with him or his rule on the ants. But just in case, he would notify his underlings via [Telepathy] and ensure that nothing interferes with his rulership on the ants.
"Hmmm... I wonder what that faint magic was..." The Demon Lord wondered,
As he pondered, he continued to spend the rest of his time in the shadows of his castle.
