Hey Guys! Crescent Rider here and I am back with another update!
But before you all start reading the story, there are a few things that I must talk about.
First off, I know I said that I'll be updating in February. But after some reconsideration, I've decided to update the story in April. And to compensate for my failure in February, today's update now consists of four chapters.
Second, I received a question about what Nadia's appearance looks like. Well, the answer to that particular question is Feral Queen of Blades Kerrigan from Starcraft. But the wings are replaced with long spider legs.
And lastly, The Servants that appear in this story will not be limited to the Canon Fate Universe. Rather, there will be OC Servants that may appear in the future. One such example is Simo Hayha, the White Death. (I used that person in the old version of my Little Ruler Story.)
So if any of you guys want an OC Servant to appear in this story, I must tell you all one rule before any of you give me a request. All Servants must be related to Human History and Mythology.
That is all I have to say and enjoy the update!
Conference Room
After Nadia welcomed today's guests, Some of the Adventurers were sent to the waiting room while Isaac, Erza, and the latter's party stayed with Nadia sitting across them.
Willow was present and sat next to Nadia. But her presence was quite unsettling for the guests, even the very sight of her neutral face wasn't pleasant.
"My apologies, my attendant tends to be quite protective of my well-being," Nadia apologized,
"If that's how it is, we don't mind," Isaac said,
"Now, let's get down to this discussion," Nadia declared, "What brings you these lands? Surely, you aren't here to visit,"
Isaac sighed at this comment, then straightens himself as he looked her in the eye, "I came here to investigate the Central Region. Though I acted on my own rather than in the service of my King,"
"As expected, You humans never change when it comes to wealth and power," Willow commented,
"That is not entirely true for some nobles," Isaac pointed out, "I came to these lands in hopes of establishing a much beneficial transaction that would not require an army of soldiers to march down the Ant Regions. It is undeniable that these lands hold untouched wealth,"
"And what stops the nobles from taking said wealth is the catalyst of another head-on assault by the ants," Nadia presumed, "One that could inevitably wipe out an entire kingdom, and maybe even an entire nation,"
"You are correct," Isaac remarked, "And I would like to prevent such a scenario from happening to my kingdom. Hence, why I came to these lands on my own rather than party myself with other nobles,"
"Smart, yet reckless as such a decision would lead to animosity amongst your peers," Nadia remarked, "Aren't you afraid that you'll be targetted those with greater power?"
"I am, but such an event wouldn't happen so easily," Isaac stated, "To guarantee one's safety, I require something that prevents them from acting against me,"
"And I'm the only one who can guarantee such safety," Nadia presumed,
"Precisely, though I can see you're the type of person who wouldn't accept a deal so swiftly," Isaac guessed,
"True, which comes to my next question. If you want to establish some measure of wealth in these lands, what will you offer in return?" Nadia questioned,
"I have several natural materials under my ownership, and a few connections among merchants," Isaac stated, "I also own an average number of carts and ships, the majority of those are used for trading purposes,"
"That's quite informative of you, but that isn't enough to convince me just yet," Nadia said, and leans against her chair, "Nor it is enough to convince the people of this land,"
"But aren't you the leader?" Isaac inquired,
"In a certain sense, but I don't lead these people entirely. I leave that part to the queen and her trusted assistant," Nadia stated, "Her expertise goes to the people of this land, and mine goes to the soldiers that I lead. This colony has two leaders instead of one,"
"Then why would you come here to meet me personally? If that girl we met before was the leader here, why go through all this trouble?" Isaac questioned,
"Out of Interest, of course," Nadia replied, "It's not every day that a noble from a human kingdom gets to visit the ant region personally,"
Isaac somehow fought the urge to frown, but his body language gave him away since Nadia is keen on observation. But she decided not to pressure him as it may lead to consequences that she has yet to know herself.
"But I'm getting ahead of myself," Nadia clarified, "What's important is your proposal, and I'd be willing to listen as soon as Zen finishes certain matters,"
The doors soon opened, and the very topic of the discussion arrived with her assistant behind him.
"Ah, perfect timing," Nadia remarked,
Zen politely bows to her and today's guests and went to sit next to Nadia while her assistant remained standing. What comes next is their discussion, which revolves around the trade between Isaac and the Central Colony.
Nadia just let Zen handle this part of the discussion instead of doing it herself. The reason is Zen's talent for negotiation and her opinions were more precise than Nadia's.
It took at least three hours for both parties to finish their discussion, and a deal was set in motion as Zen and Isaac shook hands in agreement. Nadia provided a contract to verify the deal's legitimacy and both parties signed.
The contract was then duplicated, the second copy was given to Isaac as proof while the first and original copies is kept in Nadia's hands.
"Since this deal has been settled, there is something that I must inform you of," Nadia said, "At this very moment, the other colonies may have made their move against each other and all routes will be blocked. I highly suggest that all of you should stay until their battles settle by tomorrow,"
They understood, and Zen personally escorted them to a room with her assistant and two Arachnoids watched them leave.
"Should I spy on him?" Willow inquired,
"No need, He isn't that foolish to start something here," Nadia stated, "Besides, I already have someone on the job,"
Nadia stands from her seat and plans to relax. But a message suddenly reaches her via [Telepathy]
[Nadia, there appears to be a match happening in the training yard. A Human is involved]
'Alright, I'll be right there,' Nadia replied, and glanced at Willow, "Let's go, Willow,"
"As you wish," Willow replied,
As the two went out of the room, they were greeted by Isaac and his escorts once more. Though they walked together as Isaac was informed of what was happening.
They made their way out of the building and headed their way towards the training yard where several ant recruits and human adventurers gathered.
After they pushed through the crowd and saw a spear-wielding adventurer against an Ant Guard wielding a regular spear of his own.
"What's going on," Nadia asked as she approached another Ant Guard,
"Well..." The Ant Guard then went on to explain the situation,
Flashback
While Isaac, Ezra, and his party attended the meeting. The other adventurers went on discuss several things about the colony here.
They were also served food and beverages by Zen's servants. And their human-like appearance, somehow made them rival the common women they usually see in their kingdom.
One tried their luck by reaching out to a Female Servant behind, but what stopped him was the butt of the Ant Guard's spear being pounded against the floor with enough force to create a loud thud.
"Please refrain from harassing the Servants, Human. If you know what's good for you," The Ant Guard warned,
The Female Servant took notice of this and storms off of the room with a tray full of empty plates and glasses. Leaving the rude adventurer
Then another adventurer had a foul mood on his face, stood up from the armrest of a chair, and marched toward the Ant Guard.
"Why's that?" The adventurer questioned,
"You already know why," The Ant Guard remarked,
"That doesn't matter if I want my teammate to do something. It'd be me saying it not you," The adventurer clarified, "Tell me why he can't do it? Didn't your leader say we're being treated as guests?"
"Because it's strictly prohibited to harass the Servants of this Building," The Ant Guard stated, "Lady Nadia had established this along with many others,"
"Oh, That eight-legged creep back there," The adventurer rudely remarked,
"Watch your mouth, Human," The Ant Guard warned,
"Make me," The Adventurer shot back, "Freak,"
The Ant Guard steps forward rather menacingly, but the one who gets in between them was the leader of the two rude adventurers.
"That's enough," The Leader stated, "Let it go,"
"Not until this ant freak shows me some respect," The adventurer stated,
"Then perhaps a challenge will settle this bout," The Ant Guard suggested,
"You're on!" The adventurer agreed without hesitation,
With that, a challenge was issued and upheld in the training yard not too far from the capital building. Though the commotion was soon heard by recruits and soldiers and one of them went on to report it directly to Nadia...
End of Flashback
After everything was said, Nadia understood where this situation was getting at.
Thus, she ordered Willow to stay as she goes to the two combatants.
"Excuse me," Nadia interrupted, and the two combatants turned toward her, "What seems to be the issue here?"
"My apologies, Lady Nadia," The Ant Guard apologized, "But this human had the audacity to mock and attempt to harass one of my Queen's Servants. Thus, I issued a challenge against him,"
Nadia nods then turn to the spear-wielding adventurer, "And what about you? Do you have a say in the matter?"
"And waste breathe? No thanks, I'd rather fight this guy than get a lecture from you," The Spear-Wielding Adventurer stated, then directs his spear toward her, "So why don't you step aside and let me wipe the floor with him,"
Nadia understood his intentions and turns back to the Ant Guard, "Alright, here is the first order you'll receive from me,"
The Ant Guard focuses on her, and listens to the order, "Don't kill him,"
"Understood," The Ant Guard replied, and Nadia steps out of the fight,
The Spear-Wielding Adventurer was soon content with this and readies himself while the Ant Guard follows suit. The Adventurer's party cheered for him to win while the Ant Recruits cheered for their comrade.
Nadia just watched on the sidelines as the fight commenced with the Adventurer making his first move against the Ant Guard.
Attempting to strike him across the Ant Guard's chest, the latter easily blocks the attack, pushes him back, and assumes a defensive stance than an offensive stance.
The Adventurer was persist and goes to unleash several basic attacks against the Ant Guard. But to no avail, as the Ant Guard was more experienced than this adventurer.
His comrades continue to support him and even suggested using his ultimate ability against the Ant Guard. Which, he declines as he states that the Ant Guard isn't worth the effort. As for his Leader, he just watched as the fight goes on
He goes to exert several attacks on the Ant Guard, who effortlessly blocked all of the attacks. Then the Spear-Wielding Adventurer suddenly chants a particular spell on hand, "[Skill: Song of Offense!]"
The spear began to glow, and the Spear-Wielding Adventurer's thrusts began to move at greater speeds than it looked like he unleashed a barrage of attacks at the Ant Guard. His comrades cheered while the rest of the bystanders just watched as it goes on.
Nadia didn't see anything special since she recalls someone in her life who moves faster and greater than the adventurer she sees now.
The Ant Guard still remained on the defensive, but the Adventurer's relentless attacks were putting too much pressure on the spear he wields. Eventually, the spear finally breaks after the Adventurer finished his assault and goes in for the finishing blow.
Sadly, it never came...
The Ant Guard had time to react and moved his body away from the oncoming attack. He had learned that the Adventurer's skill physically strains him and his attack speed began to wear down on him.
Thus, he took advantage of this as he takes a step to the side, grabs the Adventurer's right hand and spear, and proceeds to push it down until the spearhead hits the ground. Then he proceeds to lift him from the ground and throws him over his shoulder whilst breaking the spearhead in the process.
The Adventurer grunts as he hits the ground, and his comrades stared with baffled looks on their faces. The same goes for the other humans present and a couple of ant recruits.
"Guess that's the end of that," Nadia remarked before the Ant Recruits cheered for their comrade's victory,
The Adventurer's comrades rush in to aid him while the Ant Guard stands tall over his opponent.
The Following Night
In the Dining hall of the Capital Building, Isaac and his companions were provided with a buffet while Nadia joins them with Willow and a couple of Ants as well. Among them was the same Ant Guard who defeated the Adventurer.
While Nadia, Isaac, and Willow ate their food in a well-mannered fashion, the others were eating rather differently as some were loudly chewing their meal in their mouths, taking whatever food they can reach, and kept on eating.
However, The Ant Guard noticed his former adversary barely touching his food and stares in a different direction.
By the end of the buffet, the humans were escorted to their rooms while the Ant Recruits left to do some. The ones that remained were Nadia, Willow, and the same Ant Guard.
"Lady Nadia," The Ant Guard called out,
"Yes?" Nadia inquired,
"I request some of your insight into a certain problem," The Ant Guard requested,
"Is this about the human you fought against?" Nadia inquired,
"Yes," The Ant Guard replied,
"Then here's what you should know," Nadia said, "What he felt earlier was his pride wounded after you've beaten him in a challenge. Sure, he rebuked me and attempted to harass someone. But after he's been bested by someone he considers inferior, he starts to feel differently and what you saw just now is one of those feelings,"
"Is that so? Then I must ask, what should I do?" The Ant Guard inquired,
"There are many ways to settle such problems, but you can start by befriending your adversary," Nadia suggested, "But don't do it too far, otherwise he'll be annoyed,"
"Understood," The Ant Guard replied, and left afterward,
Nadia and Willow are all the remains in the room, and Assassin arrives afterward, "Your report,"
"I've spied on this noble you speak off," Assassi explained, "Nothing thus far,"
"Alright," Nadia said, and Assassin disappears as she know her orders,
Willow feels somewhat jealous as Nadia doesn't give her that much attention. Though, Nadia lets out a yawn by habit and stretches her arms, legs, and extra legs.
"Well, I'm beat for today," Nadia said, "Let's go, Willow,"
"If you say so..." Willow complied and goes with her,
Meanwhile...
As Osman and Reese continue with the operation, they were below the surface level and were greeted by an injured Nassor and his team.
Almost immediately, Osman rushes to his aid while Reese went to get medical help for the team.
"What happened to you? Did you encounter a monster along the way?" Osman questioned, as he wrapped the arm of his comrade around his neck,
"No... Something much worse," Nassor said,
As soon as Reese returns with help, they get to work on tending to the injured while Osman stayed by Nassor's side to learn the events of what had happened.
Flashback
Nassor and his team were greeted by heavy forces of Astranul's underlings. Therefore, they keep their actions covert and avoided detection by the enemy forces.
Their actions consist of sabotaging the enemies' food and water supplies with Altan's formula, the insurrection of the ants against their masters below, and tampering with the enemies' line of communication with other neighboring colonies.
After they had completed their mission, the liberation of the colony began and several ants were empowered by the food and water laced with Altan's formula. In addition, the food was given to a stable containing a batch of large scorpion monsters that rampaged toward anyone that dared get in its way.
Once the tide was turning against Astranul's rule, Nassor and his team planned to leave before they land themselves in the crossfire.
They kept their identities secret but ended up encountering a handful of enemies along the way. They resort to non-lethal tactics as they knocked their enemies out rather than kill them on the spot. But when three underlings remained, Nassor and his team suddenly sensed a dread from the front.
What approached them was a tall and sinister man with black spiked armor. Nassor was dumbfounded by the very sight of this man. Even so, he and his team raised their weapons and readied themselves for a fight.
The underlings turned to the Black Armored Man and seemed confident that the tide of the battle has shifted in their favor. But they were a grave mistake as the Black Armored Man grabbed one of the underlings at the back of his head, and lifted him from the ground.
The Underling struggled from his grip and started grunting in pain. He pleads for help as the Black Armored Man tightens his grip.
One of the underlings tried to help by attempting to slash his sword at the Black Armored Man, but the sword snaps as soon as it hits his armor.
The Black Armored Man just stared at him, then finishes off the first Underling by crushing the head with his bare hand, and the headless body of the first Underling was dropped on the ground.
He then grabbed the second underling by the face, raised him in the air, and then smashes him against the ground without hesitation. The impact caused a small crater, but Nassor became somewhat concerned with this turn of events.
If the impact wasn't enough to kill the second underling, the Black Armored Man stomps his foot on the head for good measure, and blood splatters all over his shoe.
The Third Underling drops his weapon and makes a run toward Nassor's team. But the Armored Man picks up a broken sword and throws it like a dagger.
It hits the third underling at the very center of his back and drops dead as a pool of blood spills all over.
"This isn't going too well..." One of Nassor's Men grimly remarked,
"Steadfast, all of you," Nassor ordered, "We just might escape this,"
"Oh, I highly doubt your chances," The Black Armored Man said and materializes a large curved sword,
What follows from that point on was a battle for survival as the armor was deemed hard to break, the reach of his sword, his swordsmanship was swift and destructive as it sliced through anything his blade meet, and Nassor also discovered that this Black Armored Man has a couple of magic spells at his disposal.
And the effects were devastating to the targetted area.
What kept Nassor and his team alive is due to the biological improvements from Altan's research, and the training regiment that Nadia implied. But they weren't left unscathed by the enemy's relentless attacks.
One of Nassor's teammates had lost an arm when the Black Armored Man manages to reach him with his sword. But despite this, that person remains strong and provided a possible opportunity for Nassor and the rest to tactically strike.
Some aim for the vulnerable spots of the armor and successfully lash their spears against the gaps. The neck, underneath the shoulder, the back, and the behind of the right knee.
As the Black Armored Man fell to one knee, Nassor throws his spear toward the head. The Black Armored Man deflects the spear but learns that it was merely a distraction as Nassor closed the distance and attempts to immobilize him by striking a dagger into the gap above the Black Armored Man's left knee.
The Black Armored Man grunts in pain and attempts to grab Nassor. But one of the latter's teammates came to his rescue by unleashing what appears to be a ball of fire.
Enough for Nassor to back away from the enemy and the explosion that followed.
Once it seemed over, Nassor and his team pulled back. Though not after he picks up his teammate's dismembered arm to leave no trace of their involvement.
End of Flashback...
After everything was explained, Reese and Osman showed concern about this Black Armored Enemy.
If he is one of Astranul's men, then it would lead to a complication should Astranul himself deploy this man in defense of the main capital.
"Hm... This isn't good," Osman remarked, "Should we contact Nadia to assess the situation?"
"If we can, but she'll be busy due to the matters on the Central Colony," Reese pointed, "I hate to say it, but we'd better plan out a feasible strategy should we face this threat in the future. When will the others return?"
"Soon," Osman replied, "But I can send out some men and inform them to pick up the pace,"
"Make it happen, the more men we have here, the better," Reese said,
Osman goes to order some of Reese's scouts to inform the teams of the situation.
After that was done, Reese reunites with Osman and discusses a plan on how to deal with this enemy. They talked to the other members of Nassor's team about the enemy's description, have volunteers of the operation trained for armored enemies, and even discussed some sort of countermeasure with Altan.
They would work non-stop and find a solution to the problem. But in the very morning...
...
...
...
The problem soon came to their very doorstep...
"Commanders!" An Ant Soldier yelled in distress, and both Osman and Reese turned to him, "Urgent news from the western watchtower! They spotted an unidentified individual riding a Desert Armorsaurus to this location. It's estimated that he'll arrive in a matter of minutes!"
"He's already coming this way?!" Osman exclaimed, "Damn it!"
"Rally our best troops, transfer the workers to a safer location, and send a messenger to Central Colony," Reese ordered, "Let Nadia know of this enemy!"
The Ant Soldier got to work while Osman and Reese ready themselves for the oncoming fight...
A Few Minutes Later...
Several Ant Soldiers have come in a defensive formation and their respective commanders took it upon themselves to stand in the middle of the front line.
Everyone seemed tense but stood their guard as the enemy approaches them.
In a matter of moments, they see a Desert Armorsaurus in distance. But when they stare at it with squinted eyes, they noticed deep scars all over the body and shallow breaths of the creature.
As it was meters away from them, they soon see the neck of the Desert Armorsaurus being struck through by a curved sword, and lets out a dying wail in the process.
There, the Black Armored Man was seen before the army and pulled his sword off of the Desert Armorsaurus. As it vanishes from his hand, he walked his way toward the army and stops once he was within earshot of the Ant Army.
Though the only thing that came right out of his mouth was a sinister chuckle and the Ant Army steadfast as they await the first move against them...
