章節 25: Tunnel Warfare

To put that mechanic into perspective, it would correlate to a civilisation's perk in a STR game. A powerful one that would allow his units and himself to grow limitlessly.

But once again, was it how he wanted to develop his territory?

He frowned, teeth gritted at the terrible idea.

'An empty territory filled with powerful monsters I can never trust. That's what this path will lead me to.'

A steely glint flashed in his eyes as resolve burned in his heart.

'No! Peace of mind is worth much more than power! I don't want to spend my time locked in meaningless politics and conflicts.'

He exhaled a mouthful of air tinged with green sparks.

After a brief moment, he calmed and turned to his subjects.

"We want peace. Anyone who intends to threaten it is an enemy. I won't justify my actions further, so let's depart for the ant colony."

His voice echoed his turmoil, yet his loyal followers didn't comment on it, preferring to follow in silence. After all, he was the Lord, not them.

In the end, they could advise him, but he would make the decisions and picture what he wanted to achieve clearly... for better or for worse.

Pensive frowns creasing their brows, they left the territory. The noise of their march echoed through the forest's lush vegetation as they eyed the surroundings warily while holding the imps' small hands.

However, they didn't encounter any wild beasts despite the several kilometers journey.

'We went a little too hard yesterday.'

The thought raised another concern he would have to focus on.

Even if new packs would soon claim the empty territories, he couldn't disturb the ecosystem constantly.

As he pondered on the way, he glimpsed at the market's exchange rate.

'Just as predicted.'

He sighed at the food price, already down to one unit for four stones and on its way to collapse even more with the added offers.

'That resolves the hunting frenzy, though.'

He chuckled before narrowing his eyes as clinking noises filled his ears.

An icy shiver ran down his spine as he saw a dozen ants glinting like black cars transporting food between their steel-like mandibles. Like a tunnel, they entered and exited a dark, gaping hole on the slope, from which wafted the acrid stench of acid.

"Gross."

His mutter disturbed the rhythmical noise of their steps as he turned toward his subjects.

"We use yesterday's strategy. Fight in a circle until we besiege the colony's entry. They'll pounce on us to protect it. I want discipline and a clean victory."

Then, he turned to Luna and the satyr.

"You two will stay in the middle to watch over the imps. Lend us a hand if we fall into a disadvantageous position."

The other subjects struck their fists, raring for some actions and already forming a circle.

Meanwhile, Luna's eyes twitched in annoyance.

Watch over the imps? Who was she to do that?

"First and last time. Don't test my patience."

Snorting, she stepped into the middle and held three imps by the hand with the satyr.

With a nod of gratitude, he swung his arm onward, spearheading their march.

Leaves and twigs cracked under their feet as they approached their first unsuspecting enemy.

Despite its armor-like chitin, the air whistled under Garduck's full-powered swing. A black blur descended as his cleaver glinted death and collided with it.

CRACK

The weapon struck its abdomen, shattering its armor like glass and digging into its flesh. Transparent liquid spurted as an agonising screech reverberated through the air.

He noticed how its antennas moved despite its life slipping away. Yet, he grinned.

"Rush to the tunnel's entrance. Kill anything on the way!"

Echoing his command, the ground rumbled as dozens, if not hundreds, of giant ants rushed through the tunnels to defend their colony.

Yet, before they emerged, shadows danced and impaled the remaining car sized creatures under Shihan's control while Bart crushed their skulls like a goliath with raw strength.

The djinn ignited the enemies he struck, causing the air to carry the smell of charred meat as Garduck cleaved them in halves like a butcher.

He didn't linger either.

Despite his short size, each punch he delivered sent a creature flying in a commotion of shattering exoskeletons, making him wonder how powerful he would become after taming his demonic essence.

But he didn't let his focus wander.

A sea of chaotic carcasses, flesh and liquid soon covered the soil as they mercilessly butcher their way to the tunnel's entrance.

"Form a line! Kill anything that tries to get out!"

He commanded, his robe wet with his adversaries' blood but his eyes sparkling.

The strong demonic lineup formed a wall, eyes fixed on the darkness and the threatening noises rocking the ground with excited expressions.

Those moments were the ones they enjoyed the most. All the pent-up frustration and doubts vanished in the face of carnage.

Yet, he noticed their clear eyes. Unlike the first time, they kept control over their minds, turning mindless massacre into calculated violence.

And soon, they saw the ants who dared to fight back, grinning at their foolishness.

Like eager sheep sent to the slaughterhouse in a queue, they charged at them, only to meet blades and solidified shadows in their wake.

This time, the demons drew their daggers out, making them blur in a canvas of light to dissect the creatures in the shortest amount of time.

"March onwards or they won't have enough space to reach us!"

His voice cut through the chaos as the first ant carcasses blocked the tunnel.

Without wasting a second, they kicked them to the side and crashed on the ones behind like a moving wall.

Two ants fell for every step they took.

However, after fifteen minutes of constant fighting and as sweat washed his robes, he still didn't see the end of the swarm. Instead, the noise of clicking mandibles increased.

He didn't count how many they had killed, but it couldn't be lower than a hundred, forcing a terrible realisation to creep into his heart.

'There is no way they could hold a territory when they're this weak. Number is their strength!'