Western Base of Operations

[Hibernate Mode Ending]

[Time to wake up]

Nadia wearily opens her eyes and finds herself lying on the bed. As she slowly rises from her bed, she finds Willow lying right next to her.

She had expected Willow to leave her alone in the room after her decision of aligning the Armored Man to her cause.

'What the heck happened to me...?' Nadia inquired,

[You used up all of your magicules after naming that Divine Dragon.]

[But to be honest, he did warn you]

'But I don't understand... It's just one person,' Nadia remarked,

[One whose race is far superior to yours]

[No offense]

'You mean to say that I used up all of my magicule just so I could name one person whose race is far superior to mine?' Nadia remarked, 'That... Kinda makes sense... Dragons are considered to be the strongest race to ever exist'

[I'm glad you're taking it all well, but warned though]

[As of right now, you've only recovered half of your original magicule. The rest must be recovered naturally]

'Thanks, I'll keep that in mind,' Nadia said, then proceeds to move Willow's arm off of her and goes off of the bed. She stretches her arms, spider legs, and legs.

Once finished, she readies herself for the day until...

"It's good to see you awake," Nadia turns and sees Willow sitting up from the bed,

Nadia blinks a few times, glances at the door, then back at Willow, "How long was I asleep?"

"A whole week," Willow revealed,

Nadia looked surprised learning how long she has been asleep, but her expression causes Willow smiles with her eyes closed.

"I knew you'd react like that," Willow remarked and goes off of the bed, "But rest assured, we've been handling things while you were recovering your magicule in your sleep."

"I see..." Nadia trails off, "But are you certain nothing else has happened? What about that man I just fought?"

Willow walked towards her and unexpectedly pats her on the head, "He isn't much of a problem to handle right now. But he has been accustomed to our forces while you were asleep,"

"Where is he now?" Nadia inquired, and Willow gestures her to the door

A Few Minutes Later...

Willow escorts Nadia to the center of town squares and finds herself dumbfounded as her forces were gathered together letting out loud cheers.

The ants that saw her gave their way, and what she found in an open area was Reese, Osman, and their elite troops sparing against the Armored Man, who still stands alone. However, he seemed entertained especially when he received a couple of scars from them.

"How long have they been doing this?" Nadia inquired,

"They often fight when the sun reaches the peak," Willow revealed, "It's quite entertaining especially when that man gets scratched all the time,"

Nadia sighed to herself since this was new to her, at first they all hated him. Now they enjoy facing him as a superior opponent that they need to overcome. If not, then they'll never be able to face the challenges that may lie ahead of them.

As she watches, she was soon reminded of the time she once spent in her previous life. The rigorous training, the strict nature of her teachers, and the peers she spent time with. But she dismisses these thoughts and goes to introduce herself as soon as the fight reached its conclusion.

The Armored Man turns to Nadia, and smirks, "Ah, the ants' glorious leader has returned from her slumber, I hope you haven't lost your touch after you've lost consciousness,"

"And I see you haven't lost your attitude," Nadia remarked, "So how are you faring thus far?"

"Apart from beating your men for the past few days? I find my accommodations rather well compared to where I'm from," The Armored Man stated,

"Good to know," Nadia remarked,

There was silence as everyone just stared at Nadia and the Armored Man. As if they were expecting something from them, the latter took notice and went with the initiative, "Are you going to address me by my name? The one you give before you lost consciousness?"

Nadia remains firm towards him, then proceeds to reveal his name, "Wrath,"

The Armored Man, now known as Wrath, chuckled in utter amusement. Something that Nadia finds somewhat eerie to hear, "Much obliged little girl. Now, why don't you tell us your great plan in taking over these slaves away from their oppressors?"

"I'd prefer you don't call them that," Nadia said, "I don't rule over people, I guide them. But since we're on that topic,"

Nadia turns to Osman and Reese, "Assemble everyone, I want a full detail of the events that occurred in the past week,"

"Understood," Osman and Reese simultaneously responded, then they turned to Wrath,

"This isn't over," Osman declared,

"Oh, it isn't," Wrath stated with a grin,

They showed signs of competitive spirit, though Nadia would set a few ground rules to ensure that this entire place wouldn't fall apart unsupervised.

Meanwhile

Astranul sits on a large throne specifically designed for him, and his men have gathered in the room, "As much as I find these meetings bothersome, there is a task that I would like to handle out for all of you. It appears that the other capitals of this region have been delivering an abundance of goods rather recently than normal. This is why I would like you all to split into several groups, investigate the other outposts in the region, and reward these ants with these gifts that I have prepared for them,"

The underlings chuckled as they knew what Astranul was referring to, and it was the same thing they all expect from him.

"All of you are to depart immediately," Astranul ordered, "If you fail, Then it's the pits for the lot of you,"

His men comply and went on to do their orders while Astranul sits back and lets his plan unfold...

Back to the Western Base of Operation

After Nadia was given the details of last week, she summarized everything she learned thus far.

Wrath established his allegiance to Nadia after she named him and swore not to betray her as long as he was satisfied with challenging her men as they grow stronger by the day. That's when she set some ground rules as she needs her men in top condition rather than bruised by Wrath's constant matches.

At first, Wrath seemed displeased. But Nadia assured him that she'll prove a worthy opponent after everything here has been sorted out. Something that he expects in the near future.

The next part of the report is regarding the tunnels that have been drugged out for the past week. There weren't any deaths but there were instances of ants attacked by underground monsters. Some desired to eat the ants while others were protecting their homes.

But Willow's Royal Guard and well-trained ant soldiers have either driven off the monsters or vanquished them for meat as workers work around the clock. As of now, the tunnels are halfway complete in reaching key locations that may lead to the center of the region.

As for Astranul's suspicions, they weren't raised in the slightest due to the ants delivering the desired goods on the appointed time. To sate his desire for riches further, a surplus of goods is occasionally delivered to him. This wasn't Nadia's idea, but she accepted it as long as Astranul doesn't suspect anything...

By the end of their report, Nadia accepts everything she learned from her men and smiled at their self-reliance during her absences.

"Is that all you need to discuss, Little Girl? Or perhaps you desire to waste more time with all this bickering?" Wrath questioned, much to the distaste of everyone in this room

"Killjoy," Nadia remarked, "But your remark aside, the plan to assault the center has been planned from the very start,"

"Really? Well enlightenment of your brilliant plan," Wrath insisted,

"The plan was to create a tunnel network that doesn't lead to the center of the region, but a tunnel network that links the other tunnels from neighboring colonies," Nadia revealed, then summons a map, "This map showcases the precise locations of the colonies under Astranul's control. By having a handful of men infiltrate these colonies and convert them to our cause, the worker ants will create tunnels of their own,"

Nadia then pulls out a quill and ink, and encircles a few colonies, "These colonies are the ones I want to convert to our side. I don't plan on doing all of them, but these colonies are a key part of my plan to liberate this region from the demon lord's grip,"

"And what does this have to do with the tunnels you've ordered to make?" Wrath questioned,

Nadia smirked and began to trace them all together in a circle. Once finished, everyone looks down at the map, "It's a large circle,"

"Yep," Nadia replied,

"And what does this circle mean for your plans?" Wrath questioned,

"The tunnels are phase one," Nadia revealed, "But since its near completion, the second team can proceed with phase two,"

Nadia proceeds to make several curved lines on the make, and it soon formed something that caused confusion to Wrath and everyone else, excluding Willow, in the room. But Reese soon recognized its pattern.

"Nadia, this is..." Reese expressed,

"Willow, gather the Royal Guard and position them to these assigned coordinates," Nadia ordered, "It must be done within the week, and phase three will commence,"

"I shall gather them at once," Willow complied,

"As for the rest of you, you are to stand by and make your move once Willow's Royal Guards have finished their assigned task," Nadia said, "Then we strike at the center,"

Everyone, excluding Wrath, hummed in response to Nadia's declaration. To which the latter hums in response back, "It's settled, we strike before the week ends,"

"Right!" Everyone replied while Wrath just shook his head at their optimism,

With that, the meeting ends and everyone was dismissed from the room. The only ones who remained are Nadia and Wrath...

"Your plans are indeed noteworthy, but prolonging it is dangerous..." Wrath remarked, "If Astranul suspects even the slightest of things. He will act with something you wouldn't expect,"

"And what do you think of him?" Nadia inquired, "What is your opinion when it comes to his methods?"

"Though he is a fool who lives lavishly in his royal palace, he has some measure of cruelty to those he considered inferior to him," Wrath remarked, "Which is aimed at everyone but the Demon Lord and his lackeys,"

"And what does he think of you?" Nadia questioned, "Does he consider you inferior?"

"Oh, comparing me to him is similar to comparing a small ant to a large monster. His insults mean little to me as he doesn't pose that much of a threat. But he isn't foolish enough to claim such words," Wrath elaborated, "For he knows... What I'm capable of,"

"And it frightens him, he's just too stubborn to admit it," Nadia assumed,

"Exactly," Wrath stated, "But try not to disappoint me when you face him. I wouldn't want to follow someone with your power to be defeated by likes of him,"

"I don't intend to," Nadia stated,

"In that case, we are done. Let me know when you are about to strike," Wrath said, "You know where to find me..."

Wrath soon walks out of the room and leaves Nadia alone...

[I hate to say it, but I think he has a point]

'Excuse me?' Nadia inquired,

[You've never met Astranul before. Who knows how much this guy has in store on the day you confront him]

'I understand where you're getting at,' Nadia remarked, 'But reassured, this plan will handle everything else. If not, then I'll face the consequences,'

[I've heard that line before...]

With the conversation at its end, Nadia leaves and continues her plan as usual...

...

...

...

But was unaware of what was to come...

Three Days Later...

Nadia had left with Willow to oversee their operation, Wrath is has preoccupied himself with Osman and Reese as he continues their matches in a more tamed manner in the plains, and the ones who handle patrols on the colony are two of Osman's men, Adham and Shakir.

And during one afternoon, a patrol guard approached them.

"Sir, We've spotted a carriage carrying ants coming from the Central Region. It looks like Astranul is sending in more workers," The Patrol Guard reported,

"Workers?" Adham remarked,

"Yes, but it's rather strange though. Astranul normally sends workers to the other colonies at the end of each month. Only half of the month has passed," The Patrol Guard said,

Adham and Shakkir glanced at each other, then they nodded before turning back to the Patrol Guard.

"See to those workers," Adham ordered, "Even though they're from the Central Colony, they're still our people and we cannot afford to ignore them,"

"Understood," The Patrol Guard complied and goes to do his assigned task,

Leaving Adham and Shakkir by themselves...

"There's something wrong with this," Shakkir remarked,

"I know, which is why we must act before something goes wrong," Adham suggested, "You go and contact Osman, I'll investigate these workers more closely."

Shakkir nods and goes to report to Osman while Adham goes to Colony Square to look into the matter...

Colony Square

As Adham tends to the carriage situation with a squad of guards by his side. He and his squad wore cloaks that the underlings often use in times of sandstorms. There were also bystanders in the area, but they keep their usual distance to give the impression of Adham and his squad being underlings of Astranul.

On his hand was a crystal linked to a long chain that wraps his right arm. It was well hidden and becomes active when the situation is dire...

Once the carriage arrives, Adham takes the lead with two of his men by his side. The coachman in question was one of Astranul's underlings and stops the carriage as it reaches the square.

"Whose in the carriage?" Adham questioned,

The coachman doesn't respond to his question, instead, he gestures his head toward the back. Adham and his guards grew suspicious of this and signal two more of his guards to check what was inside the carriage.

The two guards removed their hoods and checked the back. They saw a group of Western Ants chained together and ranges from adult to child cramped inside.

They soon began to reassure the group that they were Western Ants themselves and began to haul them out in an orderly fashion.

All the while, Adham approaches the coachman, sat down next to him, and cautiously reaches out for the coachman's hood. As soon as he unveil the coachman's hood, it turned out that it was none other than a chained and mindless Western Ant with his antennas and mandibles removed.

Adham widens his eyes at this, and whips his head towards his guards, "GET BACK!"

By the time the last passenger, a young Western Ant Child, disembarks from the carriage...

...

...

...

A Chain reaction sets off when the young Western Ant Child and Coachman simultaneously glow brighter in orange color. Adham quickly jumps out while the rest of his guards made a run for it.

But everyone within the vicinity was soon faced with a fiery explosion that destroyed the carriage, blew up a few Western Ant Passengers, and sent Adham flying into a building. Severely injuring him in the process.

If it weren't for the crystal he had, the explosion would have killed him as it was embedded with a particular spell that shields him in the last second of the explosion. What made it strong was Nadia's mana stored within it.

But the same cannot be said for everyone else as some were caught in the explosion and suffered severe injuries while others were knocked right out of their feet and had their senses disoriented.

After the explosion, every ant outside the vicinity of the explosion was alarmed and ran back into their homes. What was left was a horrific sight of charred limbs and bodies littering close to the blast area and the square devastated by the sheer intensity of the explosion.

Nassor soon arrived with his squad of guards and found Adham unconscious at the building he was thrown into. He then ordered his squad to aid everyone who may have survived the explosion while he personally aided Adham as he sling his arm around his neck, and dragged him to Altan's workspace for immediate medical attention.

Meanwhile...

Shakkir went to Osman and Reese to give his report on the carriage coming to the colony. But as he was on the way there, he soon heard the explosion and turns to the source. He widened his eyes as he saw black smoke rising upward.

But rather than rush to the source, he chose to find Osman and Reese in the plains and report the explosion.

As soon as he arrived at the plains, he was just in time to see Wrath finishing another one of his matches. Osman and Reese immediately saw how distressed Shakkir was, but when informed of the explosion, they too were alarmed and ordered everyone present to return to base at once.

Wrath just watched them go, but went along with them to see what Astranul has done this time.

Once Osman and Reese arrived at the sight, they too were horrified by what had happened and the bodies lying on the ground completely charred and lifeless. What hit them the most was the number of ant children caught near the explosion.

Wrath walks past them and stares at the destruction. He showed no pity or remorse to these corpses, instead, he grins to himself as the sight will possibly incite some measure of rage from Nadia.

And that was something he wishes to witness...

Somewhere Far From Base

Willow strictly ordered her Royal Guards to position what looks like a large crystal and place it down, then three of Willow's Royal Guards burrow beneath the sand along with a few large sand spiders that Willow tamed herself.

This ensures that the crystals are secure and well-defended against any opposition Astranul could throw at them.

"That marks the 3rd Crystal," Willow noted, "And once we've placed the 4th crystal, we will be back before the week even ends,"

"Not precisely," Nadia remarked and approaches the crystal,

She then placed her hand onto the crystal, closed her eyes, and channels her magicules into the crystals. The process lasts for half an hour and requires a lot of magicules to become fully functional.

In her modern world, it would have taken at least five powerful Magus and five days to fully charge such a crystal. But when it comes to this world, Nadia was brimming with greater power than tens, if not hundreds, of average magi. Hence, her power alone can fully charge the crystal.

But she cannot do it consecutively as it drains half of her magicules at her current level. As seen when Nadia feels woozy upon completing her transfer toward the crystal.

Willow catches her and keeps her on her feet before ordering their mount, a large carrier spider, to come before them. She then escorted Nadia onto the spider's back, and gently sat her down.

But just as they were going to depart, Willow instinctively senses something was amiss and whips her head in a particular direction. The same goes for Nadia as she turns in the same direction as Willow.

What they see was nothing but miles of desert sand, but their instincts are saying that something bad has happened. It would have been dismissed, but Nadia's cautious nature said otherwise.

"Willow, send one of your men to that direction and see what's going on," Nadia ordered,

Willow nodded and ordered one of her subordinates to scout out that particular direction. Once that spider had left, she then turns to Nadia, "Do you believe on what I'm sensing?"

"I do," Nadia replied, "Because I sense it too..."

Instead of tending to the matter now, Nadia focused on the task at hand and departed from the area to the next...

But one thing was certain...

...

...

...

Something terrible has happened in these lands...


That is it for this update, everyone. As for the next and last update, it will come in June instead of May. My reason is that I want to focus on my other stories during May.

As compensation, I've decided to end the 3rd Poll early and show you all the results of your votes. And here they are...

Danmachi - 35

Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There - 32

Arifureta - 27

Konosuba - 21

Danmachi wins by the majority of votes, and I declare the 3rd Poll officially closed.

And I will admit this to everyone, I cannot wait to show you all what I have in store for that story.

That is all I have to say, stay safe from the virus, and I will see you all in the next update!

(P.S.: For those who may notice several mistakes in today's update. Let me know what I wrote wrong and I will do my best to correct them. Thank you in advance!)