Capítulo 18: The Queen of Ants, Cassandra!
Ciel: <>
Voice of the World: <<>>
******
After dealing with Velzard, Rimuru returned to Tempest, making a beeline straight to his house. Despite his body being immune to fatigue, his mind felt the weight of the day. It was a remnant from his human life, an old habit of letting his mental exhaustion linger, though he could easily negate it. Yet, he chose not to, finding satisfaction in the weariness that came from a productive day.
Upon entering the house, Rimuru flopped onto the couch, eager to unwind. However, as soon as he sat down, a pair of soft hands wrapped around his neck, and a familiar face appeared next to him. "You look tired. Had a long day?" Shizu asked, rubbing her cheek against his affectionately.
"Yeah, kind of," Rimuru said, turning his head to give her a quick peck on the lips. A mischievous grin crossed his face. "But I know a great way to get rid of that fatigue, if you know what I mean." He pulled her closer, initiating a deeper kiss.
After a moment, Shizu pulled back, her breath a little ragged, and playfully swatted Rimuru's arm. "Calm down, lover boy," she teased with a smile. "No need to start anything here. We have a bedroom for that."
"Yeah, you're right," Rimuru said with a laugh, pulling her gently from behind the couch and making her sit beside him. Then he lay down, resting his head on her lap. "Now this is what I call comfortable."
"Oh, how lovely," Shizu teased, rolling her eyes. "From 'Conqueror of Flames' to 'Pillow for my beloved.' What a promotion!" Despite her sarcasm, she smiled and ran her fingers through his long, silky blue hair.
Rimuru grinned, enjoying the warmth of the moment. "Love, you watched my battle against the Orcs, right? What did you think?" he asked, looking up at her. Before heading out to face the Orc Lord, Rimuru had made arrangements for Shizu to watch the battle unfold from the comfort of their home. Even though he had asked her not to reveal her existence to the world until his visit to the Kingdom of Englassia, he wasn't going to leave her out of the loop regarding the evolving situations around them.
Shizu put on a mock high-pitched voice, impersonating a giddy fan girl. "You looked so handsome and dashing while defeating that Orc Lord like it was nothing," she teased, mimicking a lovestruck girl, which made Rimuru laugh.
Then, her expression softened. "But seriously... a Demon Lord, huh? Not that I'm surprised. So, what's next? Are we going to war with this Clayman?"
"Aww, are you worried about your boyfriend?" Rimuru responded, mimicking Shizu's lovestruck voice from earlier.
"Honestly, as your girlfriend, I should be worried," Shizu said, rolling her eyes. "But knowing how ridiculously powerful you are, it'd just be a waste of both our time." Her tone became more serious. "Still, be careful. Demon Lords are tricky opponents, and things could get messy if Guy Crimson decides to get involved."
Rimuru waved off the concern. "Don't worry. Even if Guy does get involved, it won't be a problem. But I doubt he'll care," he said, knowing well that Guy Crimson really didn't give much of a shit about Demon Lords and their business. The only two Demon Lords he actually cared about were Milim and Ramiris, the two oldest Demon Lords alongside him. Otherwise, he won't do jack shit unless it gravely disrupts the balance of the world.
"Well, if you say so." Shizu shrugged, trusting his confidence. Over time, she had learned that when Rimuru made such statements, he usually had things well in hand. Then she shifted, gently removing her lap from under his head. "Anyway," she said, standing up and stretching, "I'm going to take a bath. Care to join me… love?" Her voice dropped, teasingly sultry as she shot him an intense look.
"I'd love to..." Rimuru sighed, giving her a dreamy look, "but I have a few things to take care of before I can call it a night. You go ahead, I'll join you in bed soon."
"Alright, don't take too long," Shizu winked at him, playfully biting her lower lip as she headed toward their personal outdoor bath aka a luxurious hot spring attached to their home.
As she disappeared from view, Rimuru stared after her, shaking his head with a smirk. "The sacrifices I make for this nation," he muttered with a chuckle.
<Poor master, I must create an extremely powerful skill to compensate for master's misfortune.>
'Shut up Ciel and stop with your sarcasm,' Rimuru rolled his eyes. Then his expression turned serious as he straightened up on the couch, adopting a dignified posture. "Testa, Cien," he called, and in an instant, two demons appeared before him, kneeling respectfully.
With a gesture, Rimuru motioned for them to stand. He first addressed Cien. "Cien, what's the current situation with the Orcs?"
"They have already covered a considerable distance, my Lord. They should arrive by tomorrow afternoon or evening," Cien reported with precision.
"Good," Rimuru nodded. "I have another task for you. Once the Orcs arrive, hand them over to Rigurd. Afterward, head to the Orcs' old nation. Place some of your subordinates there and seal off the land. It might not be fertile anymore, but we can still find some other uses for it in the future."
"As you command, my lord," Cien said, vanishing from the room without another word.
Rimuru then turned his attention to Testarossa and the unconscious figure of the Fat Clown, Footman lying at her feet, severely beaten and bruised, slumped in a heap. "I see your mission was a success. Well done, Testa."
"Thank you for your praise, my lord," Testarossa said, a pleasant smile spreading across her face.
"Were there any complications?" Rimuru asked, glancing at Testarossa. "And what's your assessment of their strength?"
"No, my Lord, there were no complications," Testarossa replied. "As for their strength… I must admit, they were stronger than I anticipated, especially when desperation set in, once they realized there was no escape."
"I expected as much," Rimuru said thoughtfully, knowing firsthand how annoying these clowns could be. He glanced at the fat clown, Footman, and without hesitation, absorbed him into his body with a single motion.
'Ciel, the other soul, it's there, isn't it?' Rimuru mentally asked.
<Indeed, Master. The soul of the Great Evil Sorcerer, Jahil, has already been implanted into Footman's body>
'Hmm, so Feldway has been active much earlier than I anticipated,' Rimuru thought. 'Ciel, separate the two souls and keep them isolated. I have plans for how to use them both effectively.'
<It is already done, Master.>
'Thanks, partner,' Rimuru thanked Ciel internally before turning his attention back to Testarossa. "Testa, is there anything else to report?"
"Yes, my Lord. The envoy from the Lizardman village arrived earlier today. They've accepted your proposal and are ready to come under your rule," she explained.
"Perfect. In that case, tomorrow, visit both the Ogre and Lizardman villages and invite them here within two days," Rimuru instructed. "Also, send the same message to the new leader of the Orcs. We'll settle their issues during the meeting as well."
"Of course, Lord, as you desire," Testarossa said with a respectful bow before disappearing from the room.
With the day's matters finally settled, Rimuru leaned back, a small grin forming on his lips. "With that out of the way, it's time to enjoy myself," he muttered, standing up and heading toward his bedroom.
When Rimuru entered, he found Shizu lounging on the bed, her damp hair spilling over her shoulders, still fresh from her bath. She glanced up at him, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips as their eyes met.
"Took you long enough," Shizu teased lightly, patting the empty space beside her. "I was starting to think you'd let me fall asleep alone."
"Now, why would I ever do that?" Rimuru chuckled, quickly shedding his clothes and joining her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his, and for the rest of the night, both of them lost themselves in the world of pleasure.
******
The next day, Rimuru could be seen walking leisurely through the Jura Forest, appreciating the beauty of the scenery around him. By his side was Framea, a lively rabbit girl whom Rimuru had come to regard as his sister. Her fluffy ears twitched excitedly, and she hummed a tune as she walked beside him, trying to match his pace.
"So, Niisama, where are we going?" Framea asked, casting a curious glance up at Rimuru.
"We're going to meet someone," Rimuru replied, without glancing at Framea.
"Oh! Is there going to be a fight?" Framea asked eagerly, shadowboxing the air with enthusiasm.
'I may have accidentally created a battle maniac,' Rimuru thought with a strained smile. "Hopefully not. My plan is to achieve my goal with words this time."
"Oh..." Framea said, her excitement visibly dimming. "So, why bring me instead of someone like Testa? She looks way more intimidating than little old me."
"I brought you because we haven't spent much time together recently," Rimuru smiled at her. "Between me being busy with nation-building and you being occupied as Quality Control Officer, we've barely had time to hang out."
Upon hearing Rimuru's explanation Framea's face lit up, a beautiful smile blooming as she skipped happily beside him, her hands clasped behind her back.
"By the way, how's your training going?" Rimuru asked, genuinely curious.
"It's going great actually," Framea said with a pleasant smile, which honestly surprised Rimuru. He was expecting her to whine and complain about Testarossa, but here she was smiling upon hearing his question.
"Testa is a slave driver," Framea explained, "and she's pretty merciless, but her training is effective. I can feel my body getting stronger after each session. Plus, I'm way more efficient with my skills now. I can even maintain [Usagi Battle Mode] for thirty minutes without passing out!" she finished with a proud grin.
"That's impressive, Framea," Rimuru said, ruffling her hair affectionately. He was genuinely impressed by her progress.
"Yeah, but I still haven't been able to beat Cien land or land even a single hit on Testa," she said with a frown.
"Don't worry, you're far from the level where you could challenge Testarossa," Rimuru laughed, earning a scowl from Framea.
"You're supposed to encourage me, not tear me down!" she pouted, making Rimuru laugh even harder.
They continued walking and chatting until they arrived at a large, looming hill made entirely of dirt and mud.
"Here we are," Rimuru said, stopping in front of the mud mound.
"Where are we—" Framea began but froze as she sensed multiple presences surrounding them. "Niisama, we're—"
Rimuru cut her off with a smile, pressing a finger to his lips. Obeying his silent command, Framea stayed quiet, and seconds later, they were surrounded by hundreds of giant red ants.
"Niisama, what now?" Framea asked, not appearing frightened at all by the army of giant ants surrounding them.
"Nothing," Rimuru replied calmly, placing his hands in his pockets.
He began to release a portion of his aura, causing the surrounding ants to hesitate and retreat slightly. However, just as the ants began to withdraw, another hundred or so emerged from the mound, positioning themselves in a defensive line in front of the anthill. From the center of the line, a lone, enormous brown ant, twice the size of the others, crawled out and fixed its gaze on Rimuru.
"Niisama, is that...?" Framea whispered, staring at the massive ant.
"Yeah, that's the queen of this colony," Rimuru confirmed, watching the massive ant with interest.
The Ant Queen's voice echoed in Rimuru's mind through telepathy. "Powerful Majin, why have you approached my colony?"
Hearing Ant Queen's words, Rimuru raised a brow with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Before I answer your question, would you answer one of mine?"
"What is your query, Majin?" the Ant Queen replied.
"How is it that you're so fluent in human language when your kind doesn't usually interact with humans unless it's to prey upon them?" Rimuru asked.
"You are indeed right that I do not interact with bipedal creatures of your kind," the Ant Queen replied. "However, I have a skill that allows me to acquire the memories of the prey I consume. And in my several century-long life, I have consumed enough human-speaking beings to master the art of human language."
"Ah, I see. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity," Rimuru said, nodding in understanding.
'Ciel, did you know about this skill?' Rimuru asked internally.
<Yes, Master. The Ant Queen's skill is an inferior version of [Predator], allowing her only to absorb memories, not abilities.>
"Now that I have satisfied your query, tell me why you have approached my colony," the Ant Queen asked.
"Queen of Ants, I am here to invite you and your colony to join me under my rule," Rimuru announced, flaring his domineering aura once more.
The Ant Queen's antennae twitched, but she remained calm. "Majin, I am aware of your recent activities in the forest, but I do not understand why you would seek the allegiance of my kind."
"I have a project in mind that could benefit from your species' talents," Rimuru explained. "Besides, after the Orcs and Lizardmen, your ants are the strongest, not by individual strength but by sheer number," Rimuru said. Even now, he could sense almost a thousand ants under the ground he was standing on.
"And what if I refuse to submit my colony to your rule?" the Ant Queen asked, maintaining her calm demeanor.
Suddenly, Rimuru's aura shifted, growing colder and more oppressive. "Then I will have no choice but to eradicate your colony or drive you out of the forest," Rimuru said in a chilling voice. "I cannot allow a dangerous element like you to thrive within my territory without my authority."
"You drive a hard bargain, Majin," the Queen said, her tone calm despite the deadly ultimatum. "You know that forcing us out of the forest is a death sentence. Either way, you are sentencing my colony to death."
"You're quite perceptive, Ant Queen," Rimuru said. "If you understand your situation, why can't I sense any anger or negative emotion towards me?"
"Don't be mistaken, I am not fond of the situation you put me and my colony into. But living for so long has taught me one thing which is the fact that strong prey on the weak. So I don't see anything wrong with you trying to subdue us with force," the Ant Queen calmly explained.
"I see." Rimuru nodded, respecting her pragmatic perspective. "So, what is your decision?"
"You ask as if I have a choice," The Queen chuckled, for the first time showing a hint of emotion. "Very well, Majin. I, Queen of the Ants, willingly bow down and accept you as my new lord."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Queen of the Ants," Rimuru said sincerely. "If you don't mind, I'd like to show my appreciation by granting you a name."
"I would be honored, my Lord," the Queen said, standing before him.
Rimuru gently placed his hand on the Ant Queen's head. "Majestic Queen of Ants, from this day forward, you shall be known as... Cassandra."
As the name was bestowed, the Ant Queen's massive form began to glow. Moments later, the giant ant was replaced by a beautiful, muscular woman with dusky skin, long red hair, and black eyes. Her body was well-built, curvaceous, and striking, with ant-like antennae sprouting from her forehead.
<Creating a soul corridor with Cassandra. Success>
<<Unique Skill [Ant Monarch] received.>>
******
Unique Skill: Ant Monarch
Sub skills:
[Ruler's aura] - the user exerts spiritual pressure over targets in the surrounding area, freezing their bodies in place and bending them to the user's will.
[Scale Mastery] - the skill allows the user to freely manipulate their size, shrinking down to the scale of an ant or growing into a colossal giant.
[Mass Alteration] - the skill allows user to manipulate their mass while maintaining their size, or vice versa.
[Kin Link] - Allows the user to communicate with their kin from anywhere in the world.
[Ant Monarch's Authority] - the skill allows the user to command all ant-like creatures, granting the ability to control them with perfect synchronization with a single thought.
[Transformation] - the skill allows the user to transform back into their original form. It also grants the user the ability to partially transform any specific part of their body or to transform into a complete hybrid battle form.
******
Rimuru hummed in appreciation, admiring the new, unique skill he had created based on his past life. However, his self-appreciation was interrupted by a tug on his sleeve. Framea stood there, a strange expression on her face.
"What?" Rimuru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Umm… that…" Framea pointed awkwardly at Cassandra, who was now standing there, completely nude without care in the world. After all, just a few minutes ago Cassandra was an ant who had no concept of shame or modesty whatsoever.
"Right..." Rimuru muttered. He quickly conjured an armor set and handed it to Framea. "Help her put this on. It's enchanted, to let her use her new skills without... going nude every time."
"Got it," Framea said, taking the armor. "And after?"
"Once you are done with helping her, take Cassandra back to Tempest and introduce her to Shizu," Rimuru instructed. "Once she's settled, have Shizu help her familiarize herself with the city."
"Understood, Niisama," Framea nodded. "Aren't you coming with us?"
"No, you go ahead," Rimuru said, looking towards the east where he sensed the approaching Catastrophe Class being. "I have to go and greet an old friend."
To be continued...
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