Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it!
Central Colony Capital
Nadia was seen in a conference room with Zen, Reese, and Willow present. However, Reese sticks close to Zen while Willow stayed rather close to Nadia.
In front of them was the Western Heiress and her group fully recovered from their experience with Da Vinci's reckless driving.
The Western Heiress and her royal guards explained the situation as well as her escape in a short summary. Apparently, one of the Western Queens committed suicide after ordering her best guards to stall the Demon Lord's subordinate long enough for her escape then assigned her Heiress to hide in the Central Colony in an attempt to recreate a more independent colony than being enslaved by the Demon Lord's clutches.
But on the way here, they were chased by the underlings of the Demon Lord's subordinates, and the possibility of them storming this place is high.
Hence, they may arrive at this location very soon.
"This is indeed a problem," Nadia said, "But it might give us an advantage,"
"How so?" Zen inquired,
"With the enemy closing in on this place, they wouldn't expect an attack since this place has been abandoned for several years," Nadia concluded, "Therefore, we have the element of surprise. However,"
"This subordinate will not take things lightly the moment he hears that one of his own men had gone missing," Reese pointed out, "If anything, they would send more and it'll lead to suspicion,"
"We're still not prepared to take on the Demon Lord's subordinate. Much less his underlings without raising even the slightest of suspicion to anyone out there," Nadia said, "We need to think this carefully,"
"And how do you think we should do that?" Willow questioned,
"You could try capturing them," The Western Heiress suggested, and the attention was now towards her,
"Capture them? If only were that simple," Zen remarked,
"Actually, it is simple," Te Western Heiress said, "I've managed to gather some intel of my own before my escape and we've discovered that the subordinate in question doesn't possess the ability to detect any sort of mind manipulations. Instead, he values power over observation and he tends to do this whenever he has time to..."
The Western Heiress trails off when she had recalled a traumatic event in her time. Nadia would already see her arms shaking a bit and she can tell what was on her mind.
"You don't have to force yourself to say what you don't want to say. Just focus on the details of this Subordinate you're talking about," Nadia insisted, and the Western Heiress nodded in response before continuing,
Apparently, the subordinate in question has at least thousands of underlings under his command and he tends to use them to threaten the ants into doing his own becking call his abilities alone is rather troublesome for an average opponent.
But one of his ability is involved shouting his command, and the ants and his subordinates would have no choice but to obey him. Thus leading to the conclusion that this is something called a [Command Mantra].
It's considered dangerous when used against an average enemy with minimal resistance to this type of magic. But Nadia can provide a certain countermeasure to ensure that doesn't happen to her people.
But then enter the most important detail of all...
This Subordinate of the West has an Entitled Personality. He would feel superior behind the Demon Lord's back, live a life of luxuries with his suppose ant slaves, and often pits the ants in several death matches for his amusement.
If the ants disobey, he would go into a tantrum and went as far as to use his own ability to force them into doing what she wants.
It disgusted everyone in the room, but Nadia and Willow were the only ones to not show it. But the former had formulated an idea in mind...
"I think we can use this," Nadia declared,
The ants' disgust soon turned to confusion as they turned to her.
"What do you mean?" The Western Heiress inquired,
"You said that he feels entitled? If there's one thing I know on how to deal with them. Is something far worse than death," Nadia revealed,
"So you're saying that you'll help us?" The Western Heiress presumed,
"Technically, I would. But I'm afraid I can't accept your offer just yet," Nadia said, which shocked the Western ants a bit. But Nadia wasn't done as she raised her hand towards them, "You're new here and I want to know more about you and your people. Sure, there are other Western Ants like you who fled here to hide. But you're a different case, therefore, I want to know more than I possibly can,"
"I see. In that case," The Western Heiress stood up, and then offers a handshake to Nadia, "I hope we can get along,"
Nadia smiled, went to her with Willow following behind her, then accepts the handshake, "I look forward to it,"
"Pardon me for interrupting," The Western Royal Guard Leader spoke up, "But what I must ask is what you will do with the enemy that chased after us?"
Nadia withdrew her hand, then cupped her chin, "Well, Killing them is out of the question. But some alternatives may benefit us once they've come to this location. In the meantime, I will have Reese's best soldiers on surveillance duty whenever those people arrive in this area,"
Nadia then turns to said person, "Think your men are up to the task?"
"They will try their best," Reese said,
"Then may I volunteer on this?" A Royal Guard #3 said, "I am well versed with the ways of the sand,"
This earned Nadia's curiosity then she turns to his superior. To which he responded, "I can vouch for him. He may be a bit rough to handle at times. But he can get the job done when he sets his mind to it,"
"Very well, but no confrontation and report only to your superior or me once you've seen them," Nadia stated, and the Western Royal Guard #3 nodded in response,
After the meeting had adjourned, Nadia told the Western Royal Heiress and her men about the other Western Royal Ants that fled to this place and told them where they were staying.
Nadia had a feeling that the following days will be very busy...
Meanwhile...
The party that was sent to scout the ant region was on their way back to their kingdom with a report to file to their superiors.
They've remained quiet throughout the trip, but the quietest of them all was Eva as her thoughts wandered off due to the influence of Nadia's previous conversation with her.
She would occasionally sigh to herself and stare in the direction of the ant regions. After some time, Carona nudges her, "Hey, Is there something wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," Eva assured,
"Is it about your conversation with Lady Nadia? If so, you can tell us about it if you'd like," Fernand said, then receives a punch to the shoulder by Arnold,
"Don't force her, you know how she is when it comes to her privacy," Arnold scolded,
"Hey! I asked nicely! Also, you didn't have to punch me that hard!" Fernand scolded back,
Eventually, the two were butting heads as they sneered at each other. Meanwhile, Kayden sighed at their behavior but focuses on the matter at hand.
"I'd have to agree with Arnold. If you don't want to say what's in your mind. Then we won't force you to say," Kayden assured,
Eva just smiled, then turns back in the same direction as before while ignoring the two men fighting each other.
She remained conflicted about the fact that she'd meet an old friend in another world. But a part of her mind remained clouded as she's conflicted about keeping this secret from her party.
But regardless of that, she decided to endure especially when their quite understanding.
After that, they would return to the kingdom with little to no conflicts along the way.
Back at the Central Colony
Nadia didn't do any sort of inventions since she wanted to talk a break from it. Instead, she remained in her room to read the book she had with her legs crossed together.
But behind her was Willow gently brushing her hair with her fingers especially when she's twirling it in between her fingers.
Nadia simply ignored it as it wasn't bothering her. But after some time, Nadia then closed the book, and Willow stopped as well.
"Is there something wrong?" Willow questioned,
"Nothing of the sorts," Nadia said, "I'm just wondering how those Western Ants doing so far,"
"I'm sure they'll get along," Willow assured,
"Are you certain about it?" Nadia said,
Apparently, there's a certain problem regarding ants when they deserted their respective colony. Should an attempt occur, they are immediately deemed as outcasts of the colony.
For this, Being deemed as an outcast is equivalent to a death sentence as all four colonies will attack the outcast will little concern about them. Even by their own closest colleagues.
But with the situation of today, she had hoped that this would become an exception.
Then, Zen suddenly bursts into the room and the two Arachnoids turned to her.
"Nadia! You need to see this!" Zen said,
Nadia and Willow were confused by this and glanced at each other.
Training Grounds
Upon arrival, Nadia had widened her eyes in utter disbelief at a sight she had not expected.
Soldiers, Random bystanders, and even the Western Heiress and her two guards were cheering when the Royal Guard Leader was having an arm wrestling match with Reese.
Apparently, she had no clue on what to make of this situation and assumed that they were trying to kill each other the moment their culture clashed towards each other. But this was different as every ant of a different colony was heavily focused on which of the two would become the winner of this match.
"What are they doing?" Willow asked in confusion,
"Settling a match," Da Vinci enthusiastically answered as she came to them,
"Through Arm wresting?" Nadia questioned,
"That's right. Since you didn't want these people going against each other. I kindheartedly suggested an alternative to settle about between them," Da Vinci said,
"What did happen before all this?" Nadia inquired,
"Well..." Da Vinci began,
Apparently, this all happened when one of the Western Heiress' royal guards challenged one of Reese's trainees and it resulted in the trainee somehow winning against him despite being an ant of the Eastern Regions.
Even though some form of respect was shown, Reese mentioned his training to the Western Royal Guard Leader and all hell broke loose when the latter started remarking about his style of training to him.
Everyone in the area simply watched as they argued with one another and even mentioned some sort of racial slurs to each other. Before it resorted to a bloody fight, Da Vinci cuts in between them, stated that it's wrong to kill one other for an argument, and offered an alternative to settle this bout.
Then it led to the scenario Nadia sees now...
"Um..." Nadia trails off as she tries to think of the proper words for a question,
Instead, she just went on with the simplest question she had first thought, "How long has been this going on?"
"Two hours," Zen answered,
Nadia was deeply surprised by this, and it seemed that both Reese and Western Royal Guard Leader were on equal grounds. But after a couple of minutes, The Royal Guard Leader had a bit of the upper hand and slowly moved Reese's hand.
This concerned Reese as he was slowly losing his grip on the battle, and he was gritting his teeth as he struggled to keep his strength together. But when he glances around, that's when he spots Nadia standing there as she watched on the sidelines.
His mind was delayed as if time had slowed down. He recollects pasts and it reminded him of the one who's always been saved despite being a warrior of his former colony.
In fact, it's all he's been thinking about even before Nadia came along. In several battles before the fall, Reese had been the last person to join in the battles, a few veteran ants risked their own lives to protect the young with him being more frequent than the average ants in battle.
Lives were lost, and the guilt accumulated as more veterans and other ants died due to his incapability to perform his duty and had other ants protect him despite their good intentions.
Thus, he wanted to change and become the one to protect others from harm.
And that he will do...
The Royal Guard Leader suddenly noticed Reese fighting back as he kept his hand still and whenever he tried to move his hand. But Reese wouldn't budge at all.
With a sudden look of Reese's determination, he began moving in the opposite direction and the Royal Guard Leader was now the one struggling as Reese fought back.
After some time, Reese slams the Royal Guard Leader's hand to his side of the table and ended up winning at the end of the match. Everyone excluding Nadia and Willow cheered while the Western Heiress and her people simply clapped and accepted the outcome.
Reese pants while pulling his arm away, then raises his fist in triumph while the Royal Guard Leader clutches his wrist since it was starting to feel sore. Moments later, Reese offered a hand to him and just smiled despite the feud they had earlier.
The Royal Leader smirked to himself, takes Reese's hand and the latter helps him up to his feet.
Nadia remained a bit stunned by this but soon snaps out of it as she walked her way towards them while applauding them. This made everyone aware that she was in the area, but they just watched as she approached the two contenders.
"That was quite a show you've put on, you two. And here I thought I was worried for something bad to happen," Nadia praised, then she turns to Reese "Reese, I'm proud of your sportsmanship,"
"Thank you, Lady Nadia," Reese thanked and bowed his head to her,
Then she turns to the Royal Guard Leader, "And as for you, I hope you've learned something in the end?"
"I have, and I've acknowledged it," The Royal Guard Leader then turns to Reese, "And it's to not underestimate my opponent. Regardless of where they came from,"
"Indeed, but in retrospect. You would have won since you were clearly the stronger opponent," Reese admitted, "But when I reminded myself of what I've been through. I've pulled through this match through sheer determination alone,"
"Regardless of what you say now, doesn't matter. You've earned your victory and I accept the outcome," The Royal Guard Leader said,
Nadia felt happy about this, and in turn, gave her some ideas on how to control the morale of every individual ant of this alliance. But before that, Willow then steps forward and requested the following, "I've never experienced this arm wrestling before. Do you mind if I give it a try?"
Reese politely refused while the Royal Guard Leader went to the table and position his arm on it. Willow then takes position and gently grasped his hand.
Da Vinci continued to be the referee and places her hand on the top of both contenders.
"Ready..." Da Vinci announced, then fastly pulls her hand up in the air, "Go!"
In an instant when Da Vinci raised her hands off of them, Willow smashes the Royal Guard Leader's hand on her side as well as cracked the table they were using for the match.
Everyone was flabbergasted by this, even Nadia as her jaw was hanging down while Da Vinci simply clapped her hands once and declared the winner of the match.
[She was gently ruffling your hair earlier...]
'I know, but it would have been better that I didn't know at all...' Nadia said with a nervous tone in her voice,
At the end of this fight, Everyone was made aware of Willow's monstrous strength...
Three Days Later...
In the outskirts of the Central Colony, The scout team sent to search the underlings of the Demon Lord's Subordinates remained vigilant and often relay their reports to Reese after a day was done.
As they were on the lookout on the north-western side of the colony. They were seeing a few silhouettes in the distance and the leader of the team pulled out some [Occult Binoculars] to determine the identity of the silhouettes.
Once they knew it wasn't ant or human, they soon relayed this information directly to Reese before going back to the colony.
Central Colony Streets
Nadia had recently introduced the royal heiresses to a game commonly known as 'Chess' and its mechanics, watched the progress of their current game, and the Western Heiress soon in dismay when Zen had defeated her again and then she started mopping about her defeat once more.
Nadia just giggled, but soon stops when receives a message.
[Nadia. Reese has an urgent report that he wanted to discuss with you]
Nadia immediately stands up, and orders the two heiresses, "Stop what you're doing, and bring everyone in. We have ourselves another meeting,"
A few moments later
Everyone was present for today's meeting and the same is said for the scout team. The team began discussing their report with everyone in the room, a map of the entire Capital of the Central Colony was on the table, and magic was used to highlight the sightings of the enemy.
"It seems that they didn't stop the search after all," The Western Royal Guard Leader said,
"How many in total?" The Western Heiress inquired,
"Ten of them," The Western Royal Guard #3 answered, "But they aren't that much of a threat considering the power they currently wield,"
This perked up Nadia's interest as she turns to him, "You've determined the power level of the enemy?"
"Not to the ones who are stronger than me, but yes. They are below average to that of a regular soldier ant," The Western Royal Guard #3 said,
Nadia then cups her chin, and a smirk crept up to her face as she knew what to do to handle this problem. Most of the people present noticed, and those who were with her knew what this meant while the rest, consisting of the Western Ants, were confused by this expression.
"Is there something in your mind, Nadia?" Willow questioned,
"Indeed, In fact, I just so happen to have an idea on how to handle all this," Nadia said,
Everyone then listened to her plan of attack. The majority had approved of her plan while the rest gave several questions about this plan. After those questions were answered, Nadia soon dismisses the meeting and the plan was now set in motion.
Outside the Central Colony
A small band of the Underlings of the Demon Lord's Subordinate had arrived on some small sandy hill overlooking the colony walls and they appeared to be rather old and fragile since they were aware of the age of this fallen kingdom.
Their thoughts on the mission were a bit minor, but what they had in their minds was the rumored treasures hidden beneath the caverns of the Central Colony and they intend to search the caverns for the Western Heiress and collect whatever treasure they could find beneath this capital.
As they entered through a rusty castle gate, they'd passed through several supposed huts that were long abandoned until they reached the main capital building.
Unknownst to them, they were secretly being followed by a handful of individuals that excel in stealth and monitored their every movement as they were further into the streets then into the main capital building.
With several open pathways leading to who knows where the underlings decided to split into two groups and went to two separate pathways in search of an entrance to the caverns of the main capital.
As for the ones that were following them, They split into two groups and followed them as well.
Meanwhile...
In a secure location hidden within the capital, Nadia, Da Vinci, and two of the Heiresses were seen watching the progress of the two groups of the Underlings through two separate mirrors.
Nadia kept her smirk up, and slightly turns to Da Vinci, "Is everything prepared?"
"Ready and waiting, Nadia-chan!" Da Vinci enthusiastically responded,
"Good," Nadia turns back to the mirrors, and raised a single hand towards the mirrors, "Then let's give our esteemed guests a warm welcome,"
Everyone in the room knew what she meant, and continued to watch as her plan was now set in motion...
That is it for this chapter, Everyone. As for the next one, except that one to come in June. But if you guys want to pass the time. Try reading the rewritten version of the 'Little Ruler' since I'll be focusing more on that story before anything else.
Other than that, if you have any questions, let me know and I will answer them as best as I can, stay safe from the virus, and I will see you all in the next chapter!
