Hey Guys! Crescent Rider here, and I am back with another chapter! But before you all begin, I have two announcements, and a question that I'd like to ask.
After working on my Child of Nazarick for the past two months, I've decided that my character, Nadia, has will officially be an X-over Character rather than a Fate OC Character!
But I won't go far with the X-overs like the other ridiculously overpowered characters from different stories.
Second, The Old Chapters of the Little Ruler will be deleted as I work on a rewritten chapter.
Now for the question, What do you all think if I've decided to put Nadia in the world of One Piece? A lot of things will be different, and she just so happens to have eaten a Devil Fruit of her own.
Let me know your opinion and in addition. I will also work on the Red Devil of the Devil alongside it. (It's my first OC One Piece story if you're all asking)
That is all I have to say, and as always, enjoy the chapter!
Central Colony Abode, Two Days Later
The four adventurers had taken residences an abode in courtesy of Nadia and her ants and were well-rested as the beds provides were comfortable to sleep in.
Kayden soon wakes up from his sleep, stretches his arms, and lets out a loud yawn before rubbing his eyes a couple of times.
Once he opens them, he notices Eva standing by an open window, and goes off the bed to approach her.
"What are you looking at?" Kayden questioned, but soon gets the answer himself as he stood next to her, and notices a couple of ants interacting with one another,
"Just watched these ants converse with one other," Eva answered anyway,
"It's pretty amazing that ants of different regions would act so neutral with one another," Kayden said, "All I heard is that ants only form a truce when something big intervenes,"
"But the ants outside these walls are fighting against each other," Eva remarked, "Why is it that these ants aren't fighting?"
"Maybe Nadia knows something," Kayden assumed,
But the moment he mentions her name, Eva gasps a bit then averts her head from him. To which he notices, "Huh? Why are you turning your head away from me?"
"It's just... That girl seems awfully familiar," Eva admitted,
"How familiar?" Kayden questioned,
"It's like..." Eva pauses but then continues as she watched the ants go about their businesses elsewhere, "Someone I know in the past..."
"Oh..." Kayden said, then brought up an idea to her, "Then... Why not ask her about it?"
Eva then frowns at him for bluntly proposing the idea to her, and it made him feel rather concerned for himself. But soon, the frown disappears from her face, and begins to chuckle.
Kayden nervously chuckles as well, but he felt rather confused about why Eva started chuckling.
Eventually, Eva stopped chuckling and turns her head back out of the window.
"... Maybe I will," Eva said,
As the two pass the time by the window, they were unaware of a small eavesdropper that had been set up at the top left corner of the ceiling.
Central Colony Palace
Nadia continued to work on the equipment while Willow and Zen were present with the latter now within her duplicate instead of the original one.
After Nadia finishes her work, she then holds up a knight shield with a gemstone planted in the middle of the shield's back and examines the details thoroughly.
Nadia then bashes the air with the shield a couple of times, and smirks at the result of her creation, "Light, Just the way I intended to,"
Afterward, she hangs the shield onto a hook on the wall, takes a few steps back, and materializes a dagger on hand, "Now let's see here,"
Nadia firmly held the dagger by the tip, dons a throwing position, and aims at the shield with her free hand. When she takes a deep breath, she proceeds to throw the dagger straight towards the center of the shield.
The resulting hit had caused the dagger to bounce off the shield as the gemstone automatically reinforces the shield with a layer of magic and the dagger headed its way towards Nadia's feet.
But Willow instinctively acts by creating strings of spider silk from her hand and catches the dagger in mid-air. Even though it wasn't going to do any sort of harm, Willow devoted on to protect her from any harm regardless of how small it may be.
'Normally, I would have said something to her. But there's no point to that,' Nadia said with a deadpan look on her face,
However, Willow soon receives a quick message from one of her subordinates as she slowly drops the dagger down the floor, "Nadia, It seems our guests are finally awake,"
"Really?" Nadia asked,
"Yes, the first to wake up is that leader, and the girl with the hood," Willow reported, "She also said that..."
"What, Willow?" Nadia asked,
"Well..." Willow trails off for a moment as she felt confused about Eva's words, but after some time thinking about it. She decided to tell her anyway, "She said you look somewhat... Familiar to her?"
"Familiar?" Nadia then cups her chin with one hand, and wondered why would someone she's hasn't met would feel familiar with her,
It hasn't been a long time since Nadia first arrived in this world. Therefore, the possibility of someone identifying for someone familiar in their life isn't possible.
"Hmm... If that's the case, Let it be for now," Nadia stated, "Should she approach me, and ask about it. I'll handle it myself,"
"Understood," Willow said with a bow,
Then Hope turns to Zen, "By the way, Zen. How is progress on that nest of yours?"
"I still haven't laid any eggs since I need a partner, but your improvements in the infrastructure seem comfortable enough for me to stay in," Zen replied,
"Glad to be of help, but as for that partner problem. What's your type to be exact?" Nadia asked, to which Willow tenses up by the request,
"Oh, That would be-" Before Zen could say, Willow interjects between them, and suddenly changes the subject, "Lady Nadia! Shouldn't you tend with a certain matter with those humans? They seem to be making their way back here as we speak!"
"Really? Then let's not keep them waiting then," Nadia said, then walks out of the door,
Zen gapes before gritting her teeth towards Willow while the latter made a smug smirk at her.
"Why you...!" Zen yelled,
"I won't let you take her all by yourself," Willow declared,
"It never crossed my mind! In fact, I need a male partner, and for the record, Nadia's a she!" Zen yelled,
"Still, You might try something," Willow said,
Zen continued to grit her teeth in anger but soon scoffs at her before stating, "Well, I don't think she has an interest in you either. Considering that you only fell for her just because of that skill of hers,"
Willow then glares at her while clenching her sharp hands in anger. Zen didn't fear this expression as she was fully aware that she won't lay a finger on her.
Not long after, Willow scoffs once and marched her way to the door while Zen follows suit.
Moments later...
After Nadia and co. met up with Kayden and his group, The former decided to give them all one last tour around to provide some additional information while assigning a few of her ants to prepare some rations for their return to the human kingdom.
Eva spaced out from the rest of the group as Nadia kept talking to them. From the tone of her voice to her expression, and personality. Eva couldn't help herself but feel some sort of familiarity with Nadia.
Willow, being beside Nadia, kept an eye on the humans. But she was more focused on Eva than the rest of the group.
The tour would last for about a few hours, but it soon comes to a halt when Nadia spots Ezra and his team approaching her.
"Do you have news of the other regions?" Nadia questioned,
"Yes," Ezra responded while his team nods along,
Nadia glanced at the humans, then back at Ezra, "Let's go somewhere private,"
"Understood," Ezra responded,
Nadia then instantaneously whips up a magic circle on hand, and Eva immediately recognizes the pattern and symbols of the circle.
But not only that, She only knew one person who was able to perform such a circle in a small matter of time.
'Now I remember... It's her...' Eva recognized, then visualizes a certain adult female with blond hair conjuring the same magic circle in the past,
Eva soon wondered to herself how someone like her ended up in the same world as her. But she couldn't ask her about it at this time due to the risk of getting unwanted attention from Nadia's subordinates, and she fears that she might upset her if she mentions her past life.
Nadia then conjures a large magic circle on Ezra's group, and turns to Kayden and his group, "I'll be gone for a while, Zen will provide the rest of the tour. So take care,"
Nadia then enters the circle and activates the spell. Moments later, they soon disappears and Kayden marveled along with his friends. The same can be said for Eva as well...
"I'll never get used to seeing her go like that," Zen said, as she recalls her first time witnessing Nadia's [Teleport] Magic,
"Same," Willow followed,
"Wow..." Kayden muttered,
After some time, They continued the tour without Nadia's presence. But Willow continued to keep an eye on Eva as the expression she showed earlier had brought up some suspicion towards her.
Meanwhile...
Ezra and his group were transported to the capital's planning room and began their discussion with Nadia. On a large table was the map of the entire ant continent.
"The Western Ants?" Nadia repeated,
"Yes. Apparently, Our sources believe that a group of ants from one of the western colonies has defected against the Demon Lord's Subordinates after rescuing a young heiress from captivity," Ezra reported, "As of today, one of the Demon Lord's Subordinates has sent their troops to find them,"
"Do you know where they are currently located?" Nadia inquired,
"We do, but not specifically," A Western Ant, named Pierce, stated, "They are located somewhere within this area,"
Pierce encircles a certain location on the map, and Nadia stares at the designated area.
"It's not too far but it'll take at least a day to get there, and another just to get back here," Pierce explained,
"That's two days in total, and I can't send Reese since he's currently in charge of the capital's defenses," Nadia said, then proceeds to cup her chin in thought,
She can't also leave since she still needs to sort out a few things in the colony, and she can't risk getting the Demon Lord's attention by revealing herself from the shadows of this war. It would also lead to a great war involving this small colony against an entire continent of ants.
If she chooses to ignore this matter, it would affect the morale of the Western Ants of the alliance and inevitably lead to some, if not all, ants of the Western Regions to defect from the alliance and potentially expose Nadia's plans and the residences of the Central Colony to the enemy.
Thus, this was a complicated matter...
Ezra and his groups were rather curious as to know what plan Nadia has in store for this situation. But soon enough, The Northern Ant named Elijah had a suggestion in mind as he slowly raised his hand.
"Yes?" Nadia inquired,
"My lady, If you would allow me to speak this idea I have in mind," Elijah said, and Nadia nods in response, "What if we use [Teleportation] Magic to get to them faster?"
"That's a good suggestion. But the problem behind that idea is where they're specifically located," Ezra pointed out, "And [Teleportation] can only work on places you've been, and Lady Nadia hasn't left this place since,"
"Actually, That might do the trick," Nadia spoke, which made Ezra the others turn to her,
"But how are you going to use [Teleportation] Magic? You've never been there before," Pierce pointed out,
"I can't have Reese or myself to you accompany all to find this Heiress. But I can have Da Vinci-chan accompany you all in finding her," Nadia pointed out,
"Are you sure? Lady Da Vinci doesn't look like a fighter with her skills as an architect," Ezra doubted,
"She may not be a fighter, but she is skilled with her inventions," Nadia pointed out, "And if you don't want her to be seen by the ants outside the colony. She can accompany in her Spirit Form since it makes her completely invisible,"
"She can do that?" Pierce inquired,
"She can, she is a Heroic Spirit after all," Nadia noted,
Ezra and his group then glanced at each other and soon nodded to her, "I think it's worth a shot, but a two-day trip is still an issue,"
"Leave that to her as well," Nadia assured,
After a while, Ezra and his group were provided instructions from Nadia and left the planning room to prepare for their departure.
While Nadia was alone, she decided to converse with her Alter Ego alone.
[That sounds like a bad idea. Don't you think?]
'Then I suppose you have an alternative in the matter?' Nadia questioned,
[I do. But you've already made your own. So I have no right to interfere with you]
'Then that means we understand each other,' Nadia said,
[By the way, What are your thoughts on the humans of this world?]
'They're fine. But I'd prefer to stay away from the rest of them instead of interacting with them out on a whim,' Nadia admitted, 'Since I'm a monster, There's no reason to stay beside them for too long,'
[I see... But what about that girl named Eva?]
'Willow's keeping a sharp eye on her,' Nadia answered, 'She does have her suspicions. But so do I,'
[Do you think it's possible? That she was transported in the same manner as you?]
Nadia soon pauses at this question and began to wonder whether or not this Eva person is from her world instead of this one.
For that, she decided to reminisce about her past life, and see if she can recall something about it. From the faces of comrades to the enemies, she had fought in battle.
With so many faces, She could barely find a single resemblance between Eva and the people she once knew in her first life.
After some time, she couldn't think of one person...
'Ugh... You know what, forget it. I'll find out if I ask her,' Nadia said, 'Or...'
[You're going to go for that move again?]
'Why not? It works to people I know' Nadia said,
[And if she isn't someone you know. You'll just traumatize the life of that girl]
'Either way, It works,' Nadia said, 'Now let's just go back to the others, I can't keep them waiting for too long'
Nadia then walks out of the planning room and returns to the others on foot.
A Few Moments Later
As Nadia makes her way back to Willow and Zen, She passes through the streets with several ants interacting with one another.
Despite the circumstances of today's war, They seem to have grown fond of one another and Nadia felt rather comfortable with the peaceful atmosphere.
However, she remains aware that this sort of peace doesn't last forever.
Once she has dealt with the Demon Lord and his subordinates, The alliance will soon disband and they would all return to their respective colonies til' the rest of their days.
And Nadia would no longer have a purpose in staying with them. But regardless of that fact, She doesn't mind as learned that nothing lasts forever...
A lesson she learned at the end of her first life...
Shrugging it off her mind, she makes her way to Willow's location as she sensed her presence since they share the same race and soon finds the humans relaxing by a fence near the barrack.
Once she was close to them, they all immediately saw her coming towards them.
"I hope you've enjoyed today's tour, Kayden?" Nadia inquired,
"It was great, in fact. It might serve us well when we plan to get back to our kingdom," Kayden said,
"I'm glad, but may I ask you a favor?" Nadia said,
"What do you have in mind?" Kayden questioned,
Nadia took a deep breath, then reveals her favor to them, "I would like to speak with Eva alone,"
Eva immediately tenses up from this while the others noticed her reaction. Kayden seemed to have hesitated as he scratched the back of his head a couple of times and his eyes wandered around the place.
But before he could say his answer, Eva intervenes by saying, "I accept!"
Kayden and the other humans turn to her, while Zen and Willow only frowned at this sudden acceptance.
As for Nadia, she just shrugged her shoulders and goes along with her response, "Alright, Then let's go somewhere private,"
Nadia then turns to Zen and Willow, "You two, stay here,"
"But-" Willow tried to object, but the look on Nadia's stern expression said it all and refrains from saying any further,
Of course, Kayden has his concerns since Eva is practically a member of his team. But he had to accept Eva's choice in the matter since he's aware of Nadia's nature.
With that, Nadia conjures another circle and teleports herself and Eva out of the area.
Nadia's Quarters
Nadia and Eva soon arrived at a large bedroom and the latter took the luxury of glancing around while the former crossed her arms together.
"What do you think of my room?" Nadia questioned,
"It looks great," Eva stated,
"Good," Nadia said, "But that wasn't an important question. What's really important is..."
As soon as Eva turns towards Nadia, she suddenly finds her rather up close, and pressed by her neck was a long blade with a red handle.
Eva immediately widens her eyes by the sudden turn of events, but remains calm as she stared into Nadia's eyes as the latter made a deadpan look and asked, "Who are you exactly...?"
Eva struggle to keep her composure calm, but when she laid her eyes on the short hilt. She had recognized the shape and design, "A Black Key..."
"Oh... You know this weapon? Care to provide an explaination?" Nadia inquired as she kept the blade steady,
"They were a Scriptual Weapon used against Dead Apostles due to its purification capabilities against evil spirits. But were hard to use and became inadequate due to the production of firearms in 1450," Eva explained, "Thus, Users are rarely found in any era,"
"I'm surprised you know... For someone who's from this world," Nadia said, "But that still doesn't answer my first question. So I'll ask you one last time, Who are you exactly,"
Nadia slightly pressed the blade against Eva's neck, but the edge wasn't strong enough to break the skin since she wanted to test the girl.
Eva silently gulps as she assumed that if she doesn't answer, it will lead to dire consequences...
After some time, she finally answers her question.
"Alright, I will tell you," Eva said, "But I will say that in this world. My name is Eva, In the other world..."
Eva briefly pauses as to regain some of her composure while Nadia waits for the name reveal...
Once she had done just that. She finally reveals her answer to her, "My real name is Alicia..."
"Alicia..." Nadia repeated, and her eyes wandered as she try to recall someone with that name in her past,
But when a familiar face appears in Nadia's mind, she widens her eyes at the revelation and slowly lowers her Black Key from Eva/Alicia's neck.
As she stared at her, Nadia was in utter disbelief as the person standing in front of her...
...
...
...
Was an old comrade of her past, "... Doll?"
Meanwhile, Eastern Part of the Western Regions.
After an incident regarding one of the ant colonies, One of the Demon Lord's Subordinates is currently running a fit in his palace as he threw several plates and kicked several pieces of furniture all over the room.
"Dammit! Why the hell did this happen!" The Demon Lord's Subordinate yelled and pants for a moment,
His personal maids were scared to the core after witnessing him wreck the entire room in each passing minute. But remained where they stood as they didn't want to upset him or get themselves hurt by his fit.
The Demon Lord's Subordinated then clutched onto his hair with one hand, and grits his teeth in anger before kicking yet another chair into a wall.
But moments later, he soon notices his orb glowing and this meant that the Demon Lord himself is calling.
He then went to the orb and puts the call through. Before long, The Demon Lord's face appears before him.
"I heard you've lost one of the hostages," The Demon Lord stated, "What happened,"
"It's all because of that damned queen of theirs," The Demon Lord's Subordinate, as he rests his right arm onto the desk, and leaned his head against the palm of his hand, "Who would have thought that she would make an heiress in secret and have her damn guards sneak her out of the colony,"
"And what of the queen?" The Demon Lord questioned,
"Dead!" The Demon Lord's Subordinate bluntly stated, "Apparently, she killed herself after raising that child of hers. Not even my finest subordinates were able to save her with healing magic,"
"Then I assume that you are on a hunt for the heiress then?" The Demon Lord assumed,
"I've already sent out my men to find her," The Demon Lord's Subordinates answered, "I also told them to kill all guards accompanying the brat,"
"Good, but let this be a lesson," The Demon Lord stated, "Never turn your back away from these creatures. They maybe ants, but they're still capable of thinking things through in the dark,"
The Demon Lord's Subordinate could only grumble to himself, especially when the Demon Lord had disconnected from the orb.
Moments later, The Demon Lord's Subordinates then turned to his maids, and frowned at the sight of them, "What are you both looking at?! You think this some joke to you?"
"N-N-No! Not at all! I won't think that-" One of the maids stated, as she frantically waved her hands in denial to him,
Without warning, The Demon Lord's Subordinates grabbed a glass from his desk and threw it towards the maid that spoke. Causing her to yelp in pain as she held onto the spot of her injury and fell to her knees.
The other maid wanted to help her, but she couldn't as she didn't want to get involved.
"I swear. If it were up to me, I would have slaughtered you all down to the last, you putrid wastes of life!" The Demon Lord's Subordinated stated, before standing up in his desk, and went to his personal chambers to cool off.
Somewhere, Central Regions...
As a strong sandstorm wreaks upon a certain area, A small group of Western Ants was making their way past through the storm to avoid capture from the Demon Lord's Men.
With the Western Ants being more adaptive to desert-like places, they were able to endure the sandstorm as they pushed further north.
"Just where are we going exactly?" The Western Heiress questioned,
"The Central Regions! If we reached the ruins of an old colony. We can hide within its tunnels and avoid the Demon Lord's Subordinates," Royal Guard Leader stated,
"But isn't the Central Region where all the battles happen? What if we get caught into one!" The Western Heiress questioned,
"Then pray that we don't," Royal Guard Leader stated,
The Western Heiress still felt uncertain of this comment, she chose to accept it as they pressed onward while silently hoping that they don't run into a battle.
But as she does so, she will never forget her mother's sacrifice. Along with the other ants that stayed behind to let her escape from the clutches of the Demon Lord's subordinates...
That is it for this chapter, everyone! As for the next one, It'll uncover Nadia's past further and the possible rescue of the Western Heiress.
If you have questions, Let me know and I will answer as best as I can.
That's about everything I say for now, stay safe from the virus, and I will see you all in the next chapter!
